Lead: SAEDNEWS: More than 60,000 runners pounded the streets from Newcastle to South Shields today, cheered on by an estimated 200,000 supporters, as the Great North Run returned with elite victories, celebrity starters and a carnival of fundraising efforts.
The half marathon, one of the world’s largest, saw tens of thousands cross the Tyne Bridge before heading through Gateshead and finishing in South Shields along the 13.1-mile course. Organisers said about 60,000 people took part, while crowds lined the route in their hundreds of thousands, creating the trademark electric atmosphere.
Participants included costumed charity runners, families and seasoned athletes. Spectators reported spotting everyone from Simpsons characters to Scooby Doo on the course. On Saturday, the Junior Great North Run drew more than 12,000 children, making the weekend a fixture for the wider community.
Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui, winner of the 2024 New York Marathon, secured victory in the women’s elite race in 1:09:32, describing the final mile as “really amazing” thanks to the crowd’s encouragement. Eilish McColgan finished third, just ten seconds later.
In the men’s field, Alex Mutiso crossed the line first in 1:00:52. The men’s wheelchair contest was won by Sean Frame in 49:24, while Mel Nicholls took the women’s wheelchair race in 1:05:24.
Newcastle United players Jacob Murphy and goalkeeper Nick Pope officially started the race, ringing the ceremonial bell before sending runners on their way. Fitness coach Joe Wicks, who also joined Saturday’s children’s race, participated and praised the occasion as “the best run in the world.” Reality TV star Jake Quickenden ran alongside costumed supporters, while boxer Tommy Fury admitted his body was “really feeling it” after a triathlon last week.
The event once again highlighted the charitable spirit that defines the Great North Run. A group of Ukrainian refugee women living in Sunderland took part to raise funds for the Salvation Army, which supported them in resettling. South Shields’ Colin Burgin-Plews, famed for his flamboyant outfits, ran in a large pink dress to support Cancer Research UK in memory of his father.
From charity fundraisers to elite runners, participants added personal stories and causes to the day’s significance, reinforcing the run’s reputation as a blend of competition, spectacle and community spirit.
Founder Sir Brendan Foster said the run had grown “more popular, more famous, more in demand,” noting that women now make up nearly half the field compared with just 8% in the first edition. He described the race as “iconic” for the North East, a symbol of both sporting excellence and local pride.
The 2025 Great North Run once again showcased why it remains one of the most celebrated half marathons in the world — a seamless mix of world-class athletics, charity fundraising and community togetherness.
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