Six upcoming running events near Newcastle

All eyes will be on the city this weekend as 57,000 runners line up to make their way through the city centre, across the Tyne Bridge, around Gateshead and back again.

Geordies flock to the streets to cheer on participants in full voice and with jelly babies aplenty, no matter if runners are gunning for a PB or simply hoping to just make it across the finish line.

Being an event appropriate for all runners, getting a place in the Great North Run is always a battle.

Runners either have to be successful in the hotly contested ballot or commit to raising a substantial amount of money for their chosen charity.

If you missed out on a ballot place for the Great North Run, or feel inspired and fancy giving an event a try we’ve rounded up six upcoming running events in and around Newcastle.

Race For Life

Where? The Town Moor

When: Sunday October 3 2021

Distance: 5 kilometres or 10 kilometres

The Race for Life is now a well-established event, having run across the country ever since its inception in 1994.

In October, the Race for Life comes to Newcastle and will take place on the Town Moor over distances of 5 kilometres or 10 kilometres.

Participants are welcome to walk, jog or run the distance to help support the fight against cancer.

Entries are £10 for children, £14.99 for adults, and can be made here.

Hexham 5k 2021

Where? Hexham

When? Sunday October 31 2021

Distance: 5 kilometres

The Hexham 5k is a fantastic chance for runners to post a personal best over the distance.

The course, which snakes around the outskirts of Hexham, is known for its flat terrain and speedy times.

All finishers receive a medal and there’s an optional race T-shirt available at an extra cost.

The price to race is between £12 and £14, depending on club affiliation. At the time of writing 65 entries remain.

You can enter here.

MoRun

Where? Exhibition Park

When? Saturday November 6 2021

Distance? 1.5 kilometres, 5 kilometres or 10 kilometres

The MoRun is a race day for all the family with a number of distances on offer.

It takes place on Newcastle’s iconic Town Moor with the Mini MoRun (1.5 km) starting at 1:30 pm and the 5 or 10km races following at 1:50 pm.

It’s not just about the running either… there’s a fancy dress competition for competitors and fake moustaches are encouraged in the name of Movember.

Entries are £10 for the Mini MoRun and £20 for either the 5 km or 10 km. Places can be booked here.

Hot Chocolate Kirkharle 10k 2021

Where: Kirkhale

When: Sunday December 12 2021

Distance: 10 kilometres

If it’s the Great North Run spirit that has got you fancying a crack at a running race, the Hot Chocolate Kirkharle could be your best bet.

It’s a new event in the North East and will embrace the festive spirit with all finishers receiving a hot chocolate.

Runners will have earned it too! The race is a trail run stretching over 10 kilometres, so isn’t for the faint hearted.

Organisers tease: “You may get muddy but you’ll enjoy a warm Northumbrian welcome!”

Entry into the race costs between £20 and £22.

Parkrun

Where Various locations

When Every Saturday

Distance 5 kilometres

If you’ve not heard of Parkrun, you must have been sleeping under a rock.

The free event has locations all over the country and brings together runners for a 5 km time trial every Saturday morning.

Parkrun is open to all abilities and prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere.

There are three weekly events in the centre of Newcastle, on the Town Moor, in Leazes Park and down at Jesmond Dene.

Further afield, there’s Prudhoe Riverside Parkrun, Gateshead Parkrun, Windy Nook Parkrun, Rising Sun Parkrun, Whitley Bay Parkrun and South Shields Parkrun.

Entry is free, but you must print off a registration barcode to take along with you on the day.

More information can be found on the Parkrun site here.

Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League

Where: Various locations

When: September 2021 - March 2022

Distance: Various

If you’re looking for a bigger commitment and fancy tackling some cross-country, there’s the North Eastern Harrier League.

There are seven events over the season which take place across the North East. They are Wrekenton, Druidge Bay, Lambton Estate, Aykley Heads, Temple Park, Thornley Hall Farm and Alnwick Castle.

Distances vary between categories and courses, but the senior men run approximately six miles and senior women approximately four miles.

It’s open to everyone and all abilities… as long as you can embrace the mud!

You must, however, be a member of a running club. More details can be found here.