GNR

[raspberrytart]

Has anyone else got in by
the ballot? Im so excited, my 2nd time doing this!

[Cannycraic]

Hi I'm the Local Editor for Newcastle/Gateshead.

Well done all of you who have places for the GNR, as the name suggests it's a great run and the locals are fantastic at supporting the event. I've done the GNR 3 times and its a wonderful run to do.

You can park all the way out at Sunderland, but its a city, so city centre parking. On the way going you will get a through metro from Sunderland to Newcastle for the start, but for your return journey from South Shields you will have to change metro at Pelaw or Heworth, to go on a different line heading back out to Sunderland ( basically same direction you've just travelled from South Shields but different line, Sunderland is along the coastline from South Shields)

Tiredemma suggestion of Heworth is very sensible, as there is 2 car parks at Heworth Metro itself, a large long stay behind the station and short stay in front, as well as street parking in the surrounding area. The metros can be busy, but the camaraderie is fun with the other runners and you don't need to worry about knowing which stop to get off at! The metros come from 2 different lines through Heworth, but the metro system also runs extra trains on the day obviously and starts empty ones from Pelaw ( the station just before Heworth)

There is parking at Felling Metro ( small), Gateshead Stadium Metro (street parking) access both Metro stations via Sunderland Road as Felling By Pass ( 184 ) is part of the route used during the run.

On the South Shields line there is parking at Hebburn Metro (street) Jarrow Metro ( street and a car park near by )

Heworth is also close to A1 and A19 roads.

Have a great day, my offspring and I will be supporting you all, they will be the Scouts offering you drinks and I'll be doing the clapping cheering bit

If there is any local information you want to know nearer the time just post a thread on local chat and I'll try my best to help

[FirstLoveMama]

First timer :) was unsuccessful in the ballot but gosh took me on!

Over the moon as they were the charity I wanted to raise for

[MuthaHubbard]

OMG! I'm in!! First ever half so a mix of panic and excitement. I have also decided to run for Diabetes UK - anyone running for a charity? I got in the general ballot but decided to do it for charity afterwards

[HolidayArmadillo]

Aye that'll do it!

[Tiredemma]

holiday- thats probably why I was in such a state- I got to Gateshead and realised I was no where near the end.

[Greatnorthrunner]

We have relatives near the finish too so I will probably get the metro up, although might head for Sunderland now having read this.

[HolidayArmadillo]

Haha! Would just hate all those running to get to Gateshead stadium and think the end was in sight

[Tiredemma]

meant to be

[Tiredemma]

thats me

[sorry]

in my defence, I was that wrecked, I could have been on the moon for all I would have known!

[HolidayArmadillo]

The race finishes in South Shields so those not in the area don't get confused with all these Gateshead posts! It's nowhere near!!

[youbethemummylion]

We live near the finish so always take the kids down to cheer them on down there. Its a lovely event I need to find out how to volunteer ive been meaning to do it for ages and this thread has just reminded me to look into it. Good Luck everyone running!

[Tiredemma]

Its good- i know absolutely zilch about the area (can give you a thorough account of the mile that took me two hours to drive though!)

Do you go and watch the race? The best thing about the GNR is the people lining the streets, cheering you on- amazing atmosphere!

[youbethemummylion]

Yes full of people who got on in Sunderland but never mind only trying to help.

[Tiredemma]

You will know better than me!

Only suggested it as thats what we did- but seeing as the 'full' metros were whizzing past us, I can only assume they came from Sunderland!

[youbethemummylion]

Im not running but as a local I would say park in Sunderland and get the metro from one of the stops here, as its further out there will be far less trouble parking and the metro will be quiter so far easier to get on and maybe even get a seat!

[Tiredemma]

*if you plan to drive....

My friends did this ( I did the 'going to' journey with them, but DP drove to gateshead and met me at finish line and we then got caught in traffic- my friends had less so problems)

drove car to 'Heworth' Metro station- there is a car park there and free parking on surrounding rds.
From Heworth- get the Metro into Newcastle (if you plan to do this I would suggest giving yourself plenty of time to get in as the metro was rammed and a few actually drove past us full)

At the end of the race get the Metro back to Heworth and collect car- they actually got home before us, even though they left Gateshead an hour after us (it took us 2 hrs to go 1 mile)

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

Oh, I'll be getting the train not driving I reckon.

[HolidayArmadillo]

I'm in. Second year in a row I've got in via the ballot. Had to give up my place last year due to ankle injury so hoping to do it finally this year. Despite the fact I'm 5 stone overweight and can't run!

[Ggsoph]

doctor - we went for lunch after and let the traffic die down. Plan where you park so you can get away quickly. Get someone else to drive you home if at all possible- we were lucky enough to get driven home in a camper so could sprawl out and, um, rehydrate OH is a teacher and he had to go in. He hobbled around but recovered much faster than me because i spent the day on the sofa, eating crisps and letting my muscles turn to stone. I couldn't walk properly for two weeks!

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

Unlikely! I'll ask if I can unpaid leave as it's a 'once in a lifetime' thing. But I can't just book time off.

[Tiredemma]

Doctor- is there no way you can get the day off on the monday?

It took me hours to get out of Gateshead - six hours in total to get back to bham - I had to go into work the next day and got sent home at lunchtime- I felt like I had been in a car crash.

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

It looks like the money has gone from my account! No email yet. A little stressed as I'll have to come straight home from Essex to teach the next day! So, yes, I was a little crazy to sign up but it was on my bucket list.

[raspberrytart]

Im in !! Hurrah:-)

[Ggsoph]

Good luck everyone. I can't do it this year but it is the best experience I have ever had. The crowds are incredible and I sobbed coming over the final hill and seeing the finish line!

[nostringsattached]

I got the congratulations email this morning too so excited! my first time for the Great north run but did my 1st ever half last year and loved the whole experience any wait for this one