Great North Run 2021: When does the race start? How long is it? What roads will be closed?

One year on from when it was initially due to take place, around 57,000 entrants will participate in the landmark event.

Organisers are hoping to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the race a year on from when they initially planned.

The 2020 GNR, which was when organiser had hoped to celebrate the race’s 40th anniversary, was held virtually due to the Covid pandemic.

Here is everything you need to know about the event including start times and road closures.

When is the Great North Run?

The 2021 Great North Run will take place on Sunday, September 12.

What time does the Great North Run start?

Normally the race would have a mass start but this year’s event will see start times staggered for different categories.

The start times are as follows:

9.15am: Elite Wheelchair and visually impaired start time 9.20am: Elite Women start time 9.45am: Elite Men and Orange Wave start time 11.05am: White Wave start time 12.25pm: Green Wave start time

How long is the Great North Run?

The Great North Run is 13.1 miles long.

The distance is classed as a “half marathon” since it is half the distance of a full marathon (26.2 miles).

What roads are closed for the Great North Run 2021?

As ever, a number of roads will be closed throughout the day so anyone looking to travel should be aware of the following road closures.

Most roads will be closed as of 7am and will remain shut right through till late evening.

The full list of road closures is as follows:

Roads closed from 8pm on Saturday 11 September to 8pm on Sunday 12 September:

A167 (CME) – from a point 200 metres west of Cowhill Interchange to its junction with Great North Road.

Roads closed from 7am to 8pm on Sunday 12 September:

Great North Road – between its junctions with Grandstand Road and Barras Bridge. Forsyth Road – between its junctions with Great North Road and Highbury. Clayton Road – between its junctions with Great North Road and Abbotsford Terrace.

Roads closed from 7am to 6pm on Sunday 12 September:

A167 CME) – from its junction with Great North Road to Tyne Bridge. Jesmond Road (A1058) – between its junctions with A167(M) and Osborne Road. Claremont Road – between its junctions with Queen Victoria Road and Barras Bridge. Barras Bridge – for its entire length. Percy Street – from its junction with St Mary’s Place in a southerly direction for a distance of 75 metres. St Mary’s Place – between its junctions with Percy Street and College Street. John Dobson Street – for its entire length. Durant Road (Saville Place) – from its junction with John Dobson Street in an easterly direction for a distance of 40 metres. Market Street – for its entire length. Tyne Bridge – for its entire length within Newcastle City boundary. New Bridge Street West – between its junctions with John Dobson Street and Pilgrim Street. Blackett Street - for its entire length. Pilgrim Street – between its junctions with Blackett Street and Shakespeare Street. Hood Street – for its entire length. Grey Street – between its junctions with Blackett Street and Shakespeare Street. Grainger Street – between its junctions with Blackett Street and Nelson Street.

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