Great North 10k route changed following fire damage to city centre building

A Newcastle city centre fire has forced a closed roads running event this weekend to adjust its course in order to keep athletes safe.

The Great North 10k is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 2 with a key part of the course running along the Central Motorway. Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service announced on Friday afternoon part of the road will remain closed until next week due to damage to a nearby building.

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The disused site was up in flames earlier this week before the blaze was extinguished, although the building has suffered structural damage as a result of the incident.

A statement from the Great Run Company said: “We’re aware that a fire in Carliol Square on Wednesday has resulted in the closure of the Northbound carriageway of the A167 Central Motorway, which forms part of the AJ Bell Great North 10k route.

“As a result of the continued road closure, we are announcing a small change to the event route, however it will remain a 10km distance.

“We would like to thank the emergency services and Newcastle City Council for their support in ensuring the event can go ahead as planned.

"We’re still looking forward to a fantastic event on Sunday with over 4,500 runners set to take on the challenge and experience a route that features some of Newcastle’s most iconic landmarks.

“There is a small change to this Sunday’s AJ Bell Great North 10k route, due to the closure of the Northbound carriageway of the A167 Central Motorway. After running through the Southbound tunnel under 55 Degrees North runners will cross the Tyne Bridge on the Northbound carriageway, they will turn anti-clockwise and cross back over on the Southbound Carriageway, taking the slip road on to Manors roundabout before re-joining the original planned route on Market Street. The event will remain a 10km distance.”