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Original poster

Great North Run - logistic tips

91 replies

HippyDays · 30/08/2023 13:22

I am doing the GNR - I have never done a proper race before. Training has gone to plan (so far!) and I have read all the official stuff that has been sent to me.

But I’m still feeling woefully unprepared about things. I don’t know what those things are! If I had to get up and run 13.1 miles, I’d be ok - I know what to eat/drink, I know what I’ll wear etc. But it is the transport, the toilets, the finish, spectator plans - all that stuff that I feel clueless about. And there will be things that I don’t even know that I don’t know…

Aiming for about 2:30-2:40 finish time, staying near Tynemouth and getting the metro in. My friend is coming with me to support and plans on picking me up at the finish in the car to head home.

So what do you think I need to know?

Thank you!

OP posts:
FFSWhatToDoNow · 30/08/2023 20:29

DH did the GNR 7 times. The first time I saw them off at the start line and drove to the finish. Took longer then it took him
to run it.

For the others I got a metro to part way and then waited for him to run past before heading to the finish line. That worked well and he said that seeing me around halfway was a real boost.

the atmosphere at the end is amazing.

terraced · 30/08/2023 20:35

It's a fantastic event and well organised but leave lots of time to get there.

It may take you 30-40 minutes to cross the start line once the race has begun (so many people!).
Enjoy the atmosphere.

There's flags at the end with letters on to you could arrange to meet someone under the letter of your name for example (don't just arrange to meet at the end - there's too many people so you've never find each other).

It takes a long time to leave the area once you're finished. The buses back to Newcastle are great but there's long queues. You'll need to pay for them so bring cash/card or meet up with someone who has cash/card. They used to be cash only but I think they take card now.

Miles 9-11 are largely uphill. It's ok to walk!!!!

putthehamsterbackinitscage · 30/08/2023 20:35

Haymarket is nearest to the start but we usually go early then grab breakfast on the way through

As you get around towards 10am t goes get very busy around there - and it's about another 15 mins ish on foot to the start

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness
MelonsOnSaleAgain · 30/08/2023 20:40

When I used to do your friends job I dropped my H vaguely near the start and he walked in. Then watched him through the underpass. Then I hopped in the car and legged it to N shields. Parked. Got the ferry to S shields. Met him. We got ferry back to N Shields. And then went home from there avoiding the S shields traffic. It was still slow but not gridlock.

how you have a fab time!!

Remona · 30/08/2023 20:49

I did it several years ago and I honestly don’t remember exactly where I parked but I do know that I parked in South Shields and there were loads of double decker buses put on specifically for the runners to take you to the start and to take people back into central Newcastle afterwards. It was very well catered for. I remember being worried beforehand but didn’t need to be.

With regard to needing the loo, I remember reading beforehand about people going to the loo in the bushes and I thought “Nah!”. You will be waiting forever and even when the race starts, you’ll be so far back that it’ll take you ages to even get to the start line. You’ll pee in the bushes so don’t worry about it. I certainly did and countless others too.

The feeling as you go down the last hill and onto the seafront for the home straight is indescribable. Good luck and just enjoy it!

WhatNowBarry · 31/08/2023 10:06

My biggest tip is to make time for a poo if you need it!! When I run at home round my own streets, I have a banana sandwich for fuel, then half an hour later I need to go to the toilet, and then I am absolutely ready to go. The GNR morning timings were all out for me and I was standing at the start line wishing I'd been able to go for a poo. So give yourself enough time for that, above all else!

I've only done it once and that was last year. I got off the metro at Haymarket and it's only a five minute walk through the grounds of Newcastle University to the park where you will find the baggage buses and the pens where they gather you in your various waves. It took quite a long time to get through this section last year, and I ended up almost running to the start and actually clambered through a fence with others to get to my start position as the gun had already gone off and we were collectively in a slight panic. So, my advice is to give everything longer than you might imagine you need, get to the start line and then you can relax before you set off. There might be a bit of waiting around but it's a lovely atmosphere and it will settle any nerves just to be around everyone who is feeling just like you.

TAKE A DISPOSABLE CARDI! If you are going to be waiting around, a thin old cardi is a godsend. I wore a tatty old thing over my running stuff and threw it off to the side just before the start. All discarded clothes get collected and taken by charities or to be recycled, so don't worry about that. Lots of people do it, and it really does help. Yes also to the binbag advice in a previous reply, if it's raining.

Oh, very important - don't try to keep up with everyone at the start! I went off so fast trying to keep up and was knackered after the first mile. In fact I really overestimated (underestimated?) my time and thought I would finish in 1 hr 45, but those in my wave were constantly passing me, not just at the start but the whole way round, and were probably more experienced runners, so I felt a bit disheartened finishing in 2 hr 30. BUT!!! It didn't matter. Don't let that bog you down like I did. Just get to the end and enjoy getting there.

Getting home afterwards was a bit of a task, but you just have to roll with it and accept that it's a long day and there's not much you can do about it. Plenty time for a rest on the Monday.

I think that's it. Good luck OP! Go!

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 01/09/2023 21:35

@HippyDays Looking good tonight!

Great North Run - logistic tips
Twotooto · 01/09/2023 21:49

If you’re getting the metro or the ferry then make sure to get your return ticket in advance as that’s one less queue to join.

There is a bit of waiting about at the start but the atmosphere is amazing. Be careful about setting out too fast, it’s downhill and the adrenaline will be pumping - my one and only sub-8 min mile was the first mile of the GNR one year 😳

Enjoy, it’s an amazing event - Oggie, Oggie, Oggie!!!!

MelonsOnSaleAgain · 01/09/2023 22:02

Oi oi oi

Dazzledee · 01/09/2023 22:28

I did it last year, it was am amazing experience but I was nowhere near prepared for how many people were there!! I queued for about 45 mins to use the toilet before I started then went through to the actual start and everyone (especially woman) were all peeing on the embankment! Wish I'd never wasted my time queuing as I then needed another pee and just joined everyone doing wild ones! Some kind people stood in front of me! That is my biggest piece of advice!!

xsquared · 03/09/2023 21:04

Also going to GNR this year, and possibly going by public transport due to missing the club bus ticket sale 🤦🏻‍♀️.

My B plan would be to walk to the start area from Newcastle railway station, which seems straight forward enough.

Journey back, I'm not so sure as I've never taken the Metro from South Shields before. Having googled the journey from South Shields back to Newcastle, the service seems frequent but journey is around 40 minutes. Is the metro station easy to get to from the finish line?

FFSWhatToDoNow · 03/09/2023 21:14

Really easy.

xsquared · 03/09/2023 21:20

That's reassuring. Thanks.

WhatFreshHell1 · 03/09/2023 21:30

@xsquared it’s a right trek from Newcastle Central station - much easier to get Metro to Haymarket. Haymarket is closest to start line. If you’re getting metro back afterwards, the queues in south shields will be huge, but they will put on extra metros as long as you don’t mind a wait.

OP - the last mile is the best one! You go down quite a steep hill, round the bend then you’re on the seafront which is lined with people cheering you on. You can see the finish line and there are markers counting down eg 800m, 400m. Previous poster is right about no mobile phone signal. Also, make sure you get your friend to download the app so she can track you! Enjoy every second and take up the offers of free ice pops from the people lining the streets!

xsquared · 03/09/2023 22:04

Okay, thanks @WhatFreshHell1 . That's useful to know and I'll investigate further.

Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:37

I missed that there had been more replies, thanks everyone, just going through them now!

OP posts:
Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:39

Mumski45 · 30/08/2023 20:11

When I did it years ago we parked the car at Jarrow and went to the start on the metro. Then afterwards got the metro back to the car. Whilst there was a queue for the metro once we got back to the car traffic wasn't too bad at all.

Thanks - I’m more convinced now that parking at the end is a bad idea but something like this is better.

OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 04/09/2023 10:41

Get there really early, the loo queues are horrendous and if you miss the time to get into your pen you have to go to the back. Which given how busy it is can be a real pain.
I don’t remember the drive being outrageous but we got the metro back in, got some food and didn’t rush.
The atmosphere is fantastic but it’s pretty congested, so I’d just not worry too much about time and enjoy it.

Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:42

Ohmylovejune · 30/08/2023 20:21

I don't recall waiting was a huge issue. Everyone was chatting away and excited. It was decent weather though. Not too hot nor raining. I think there were warm ups going on too.

The elites go off at the front but it's with directly behind so to speak, not separate like London Marathon, although that might have changed in 20 years. Paula Radcliffe ran and won our year. That was exciting too! I ran a race with Paula! Records don't count though, as its a downhill race (because of that steep end bit I reckon!)

If its your first race (sorry I've not read the whole thread) don't treat it as a race. Aim is to get round and enjoy it. Once you understand the distance then race another time.

I ran Bath as my first half in 2003. Went out with a 10k PB (by a lot!) and hit a wall at 10 miles. I had to walk the rest. Its OK, I did it, but I didn't enjoy it. I did much more training for the GNR but I learnt from that and took the first half steady and I absolutely loved it and ran all the way.

I am obsessed with checking the weather forecast. At the moment t seems there will be some rain, but hotter than I had been hoping. I’m hoping the temperature predictions come down!

Mo Farah is running this one - I doubt he’s worrying about how to get the metro or ferry!

OP posts:
Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:45

Toomuchleopard · 30/08/2023 20:27

I ran it last year and was very different from when I had run it previously in 2007 and 1996/1997. It took about 1.5 hours from arriving at the start area to getting to the start line. Queues for the toilets were 45 mins long. You put your bag in a baggage bus which gets taken to the finish and you had to queue to get on these. You also had to queue to get to the start line (about 20 minutes). The start line area is fenced in with heras fencing and when the published closing time for these areas came you can’t get in so make sure you get there early. It’s probably not a massive problem in pink wave as you can keep walking further back. I was in an early wave so I didn’t want to be at the back.
At the finish there are thousands of people there so you need to pre arrange somewhere to meet your friend. It’s quite a trek to get back to the baggage buses unless you keep your phone with you. We got the bus back to Newcastle which took 2 hours as the main roads are closed so traffic is bad. It’s a great event but logistically difficult and time consuming. I prefer small events as you can probably tell! On the route there are plenty of water stations and toilets and friendly locals giving out sweets and ice pops. The support is great. Enjoy it!

This is very helpful. I think I’m going to have to allow more time than I thought. Back to the drawing board on start timings!

OP posts:
Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:46

tigerbear · 30/08/2023 20:29

Dont worry too much OP, try to go with it and enjoy. If you’re unsure of anything on the day, just ask other runners. The GNR always has a great sense of camaraderie, most people are very friendly and helpful.

do be prepared for just how busy it is at the start, the first mile or so, and at the finish. It’s a loud, buzzy, busy run, with music and commentators along the way.
A friend of mine who ran it with me years ago felt quite overwhelmed by it all, it’s a lot to take in if you’ve never done it before.

Feeling quite jealous now / I got a place, but didn’t train at all, so wont be going 🥺

Thank you, this is reassuring.

sorry your training did not go well - maybe next year!!?

OP posts:
Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:48

FFSWhatToDoNow · 30/08/2023 20:29

DH did the GNR 7 times. The first time I saw them off at the start line and drove to the finish. Took longer then it took him
to run it.

For the others I got a metro to part way and then waited for him to run past before heading to the finish line. That worked well and he said that seeing me around halfway was a real boost.

the atmosphere at the end is amazing.

7 times! Bet you are a logistics professional now!

OP posts:
Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:50

terraced · 30/08/2023 20:35

It's a fantastic event and well organised but leave lots of time to get there.

It may take you 30-40 minutes to cross the start line once the race has begun (so many people!).
Enjoy the atmosphere.

There's flags at the end with letters on to you could arrange to meet someone under the letter of your name for example (don't just arrange to meet at the end - there's too many people so you've never find each other).

It takes a long time to leave the area once you're finished. The buses back to Newcastle are great but there's long queues. You'll need to pay for them so bring cash/card or meet up with someone who has cash/card. They used to be cash only but I think they take card now.

Miles 9-11 are largely uphill. It's ok to walk!!!!

Thanks. I have a wristband for transport in case I need it, so that is all covered.

Uphills? La la la not listening 😁

OP posts:
Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:52

MelonsOnSaleAgain · 30/08/2023 20:40

When I used to do your friends job I dropped my H vaguely near the start and he walked in. Then watched him through the underpass. Then I hopped in the car and legged it to N shields. Parked. Got the ferry to S shields. Met him. We got ferry back to N Shields. And then went home from there avoiding the S shields traffic. It was still slow but not gridlock.

how you have a fab time!!

This sounds good! Where did you drop off at the start? I thought the roads round there were all closed?

OP posts:
Original poster
HippyDays · 04/09/2023 10:54

putthehamsterbackinitscage · 30/08/2023 20:35

Haymarket is nearest to the start but we usually go early then grab breakfast on the way through

As you get around towards 10am t goes get very busy around there - and it's about another 15 mins ish on foot to the start

Thanks, this makes sense to me now I have read what you wrote properly!!

I think I am definitely going to need more time than I originally anticipated to get to the start.

OP posts: