Great North Run to go ahead as 'fitting tribute' to the Queen

The organisers of the world's biggest half marathon, the Great North Run, have announced this weekend's event will go ahead.

Tens of thousands of are expected to raise an estimated £25 million pounds in much needed charitable donations, which the Great Run Company described as "a fitting tribute to the Queen, who lived her life in the service of our country and its people."

Some elements of the event will be more subdued out of respect to the Royal Family. 

The organisers have decided to cancel the Great North 5K, which was due to take place on Friday evening, as well as the Junior and Mini Great North Run.

The decision to proceed with the half marathon was made this morning after a meeting between council leaders, broadcasters and others involved in the staging.

Sir Brendan Foster, Founder of the Great North Run, said: "We have considered the staging of the Great North Run on Sunday, and are confident that we can continue in a way that will remain respectful of the Queen and the Royal Family and mindful of the mood of intense sadness which is being felt across the country.

"There will be an appropriate tribute made and whilst we want runners to enjoy the day we will be encouraging everyone to be aware of the very sad and very special circumstances in which the event will be taking place.

"We would encourage runners to communicate their respect for the Queen in any way they feel appropriate, and look forward to welcoming runners from all over the UK and the world to the North East this weekend.

"We will endeavour to ensure the event runs smoothly but we will do so ever mindful that the nation has lost someone whose death is a defining moment for all of us, and who will be in our hearts and minds not just today and tomorrow, but long into the future."

Tens of thousands of people are due to come to Tyneside for the biggest race in the event's history.

The world-famous half marathon had accepted 3,000 additional participants, to make a total of 60,000 runners.

The race is also returning its historic 'city to sea' course, starting in Newcastle and finishing in South Shields, for the first time since 2019.