Great North Run 2022 will be BLOCKBUSTER event with record participation

This year's Great North Run will be the biggest ever with a blockbuster number of runners competing.

Organisers have today confirmed that the event's capacity will increase by 3,000 runners in 2022.

That means a total of 60,000 participants will take part in the iconic Tyneside event.

Plans had been put in place to reach that number in 2020, on what would have been the Great North Run's 40th anniversary, but ambitions had to be put back due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event did take place last year but altered its usual format to start and finish in the city centre.

This year the finish line will return to the traditional location of South Shields, the town raring to go and ready to welcome back the thousands.

Hopefuls for the 2022 event have been finding out results from the highly competitive ballot this week.

Chairman and Founder Sir Brendan Foster said: “We’re delighted to be back this year, bigger and better than ever.

“We were so proud to be able to stage the event last year under such difficult circumstances, but we’re really looking forward to welcoming runners, spectators and charities back to the event as they know and love it, with a record number of incredible individuals on the start line.

“The Great North Run is synonymous with the North East and showcases our spirit, hospitality and ingenuity across the world, we hope the event will mark an important milestone on the road to regional and national recovery after such a testing time for us all.”