South Shields / Great North Run

[MsJaneAusten]

I’m doing the great north run on Sunday. Current plan is for DH and DC to travel over to Northumberland with me to stay with family tomorrow night, for me to get the train into newcastle on Sunday morning and then for them to collect me somewhere near South Sheilds (possibly at the Ocean beach pleasure park) after I finish.

Is this a crazy idea? Will it be bonkers busy even that little bit away from the finish? Any other ideas of where I could get to quite easily? (Preferably that doesn’t involve going back into the city)

Thank you

The train in is a great idea but beware many roads will be shut very early on. I'm driving there in the morning and aiming to be at South Shields by 7am. I expect getting out of Newcastle to take a few hours to give some idea of how bad traffic will be later on.

It’s a little bit bonkers.

You’d be better off getting the metro somewhere and meeting up,with them elsewhere. That will be packed too but at least it moves once you are on!

Driving into South Shields might well be a bit bonkers! Road are crazy getting out. I think the best way to get out is the buses that run from the finish back into town. It’s a bit of a trek to the metro station and it’s mad busy.

Ok. So ditch the south sheilds idea?

Any suggestions on bus routes? Do I just need to accept I’m not seeing them until many hours afterwards and meet them back at relative’s house?

You could try the ferry. It will be packed but two are running on Sunday.

Hi! My son ran the Great North Run last year and I naively said I would collect him in South Shields afterwards. I don't I've too far away (approx 5-6 miles) so I didn't think it would be a problem. It took me two hours before I gave up and told him to get the ferry home instead. They do provide buses to get you out of South Shields, but the queues are huge. Personally I'd finish the run, find a pub and wait for the crowds to clear.

I did it a few years ago and we parked at Jarrow and got the metro one way to the start and then the same on back from south shield to Jarrow after the run. Worked out perfectly although there was a bit of a queue for the metro at the end at least we didn't have to drive out of south shields.

Ok. So maybe jarrow and a bus/metro or north sheilds by ferry?

Doesn’t help that I’m rather slow so will get to the end right at the busiest time

Well the roads reopen around 4pm if that helps. I'm parking near the town hall and walking up to meet our crew who's running

It took us longer to get out of the car park than it did for DH to run the bloody thing.

Argh. You’re putting me off doing it at all 😂

I wasn’t planning to take my phone, but will definitely ensure I have it now! Sounds like whatever plans we make are likely to be changed.

No, don't be put off. Apparently the atmosphere after the run is fantastic and everybody is in the same boat with getting home. The buses are continuous and as one pulls away, another pulls up. You're better off getting out of South Shields by the bus and meeting your lift somewhere out of the town. Good luck

Don't be put off you won't remember the queuing or the traffic jams. You will remember the incredible support and the elation at the finish. No matter how slow you run or how fast you'll remember being overtaken by a guy carrying a donkey or the moment you felt like Mo Farah, you will always remember oggy oggy oggy! And you will be back!