Junior and Mini Great North Run: What are the new dates and what route will races take?

The Great North Run isn’t just for the adults!
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Great North Run may have been the main event over the hugely busy September weekend in the North East, but two additional sets of races will see families head to Tyneside in October.

Here’s all you need to know about the Junior and Mini Great North Runs.

What are the Junior and Mini Great North Runs?

Junior and Mini Great North Run: When is the event and can y child still get involved? Here's all you need to know (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)Junior and Mini Great North Run: When is the event and can y child still get involved? Here's all you need to know (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Junior and Mini Great North Run: When is the event and can y child still get involved? Here's all you need to know (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The runs offer the chance for young people under the age of 17 to get involved with the weekend of sport and charity fundraising.

The Mini Great North Run is for those aged between three and eight years old while kids between nine and 16 can take part in the Junior event.

All mini runners must be accompanied by an adult throughout the race while junior runners have the option of running by themselves.

When are the Junior and Mini Great North Runs?

The races were initially set to take place the day before the 2022 Great North Run, but were postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. They will now take place on Saturday, September 10.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Races are split into age and gender categories, with the first race starting at 8:45am and the final one starting at 4:50pm.

Saturday’s event will see the official unveiling of Great Run’s mascot Tyney the Tortoise.

The day includes the Mini 50 race – a 50 metre short course for children who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to participate in the age group events, due to specific needs.

What is the route for the Junior and Mini Great North Runs?

Both Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the Quayside will be hosting the events with all races starting on the Newcastle side of the Swing Bridge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From here all races will cross into Gateshead with the mini runs taking a left in front of the Sage before heading back over the Millenium Bridge and finishing near the entrance to the law courts.

The junior runs will be run along a longer route, heading right after the Swing Bridge and running along Pipewellgate on the Tyne’s south bank and under Redheugh Bridge.

From here, participants will head back along the same path before going in front of the Sage and over the Millennium Bridge to the finish line.

The Mini route is 1.5km long while the Junior option sees runners take a 4km course.

The full times for the races are as follows:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

08:45am Junior Girls start (9-10 yrs)09:25am Junior Girls start (11-12 yrs)10:05am Mini wave 1 start10:45am Mini wave 2 start11:25am Mini wave 3 start12:05pm Mini wave 4 start1:05pm Mini wave 5 start1:45pm Mini wave 6 start2:25pm Mini wave 7 start2:35pm Wheelchair event start2:50 Mini 50 event start3:15 Junior Boys Start (15-16 yrs)3:20 Junior Girls Start (15-16 yrs)3:25 Junior Boys Start (13-14 yrs)3:30 Junior Girls Start (13-14 yrs)4:10 Junior Boys Start (11-12 yrs)4:50 Junior Boys Start (9-10 yrs)

Can my child still enter the Junior and Mini Great North Runs?

Unfortunately for those without a place, all races are now sold out.

Related topics: