AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run
The UK's Biggest and Best is back!
AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run 2023 | Entries Now Open
The UK’s biggest and best kids running event is back on Saturday 9 September, giving kids a chance to shine on Great North Run weekend.
The AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run takes place on closed roads around the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside, making it a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. Minis aged 3-8 take on a daring 1.2km dash, while Juniors aged 9-16 tackle a 4km supercharged sprint. There’s nothing quite like the amazing sight of thousands of happy, smiling, active kids taking part for fun, for charity, for a challenge and earning a very special medal for their efforts. With plenty of encouragement and high fives from the crowds, it’s an action-packed day with an atmosphere like no other.
The event was a sell out in 2022 and the biggest ever. Entries are likely to sell out – so don’t miss out!
- To ensure the allocation of places in the AJ Bell Mini and Junior Great North Run is as fair as possible there is a limit of 4 entries per age category and a limit of 6 entries in total, for each entry transaction
- Mini runners (age 3 – 8) must be accompanied by an adult around the 1.2km course
- Junior runners (age 9-16) have the option of running by themselves or with a Parent/Guardian around the 4km course
- Accompanying adults who are running are required to wear the specific accompanying adult bib, which is attached to the child’s run number.
If you have queries about our Junior and Mini events, please see our FAQ section here.
Rollover Entrants
Anyone who rolled over their entry from the 2022 event will be guaranteed a place. All rollover entrants have been emailed with full details on how to redeem their place – if you opted to rollover and haven’t received an email please contact us here.
Please note: After 15 March you will still be able to redeem your place, but this won’t be guaranteed, and places will be available on a first come first served basis.
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Event Timetable
Please note: this is a provisional timetable and is subject to change. Your wave, assembly and start time with be confirmed on your run number.
Tyney the Tortoise, our official Great Run mascot, made their debut in 2022. Tyney had an amazing time meeting, and high-fiving, junior and mini runners! Stay connected on our socials to keep up to date with Tyney’s adventures in 2023. A true Geordie at heart, Tyney takes inspiration from the iconic Newcastle Tyne Bridge. A symbol of perseverance, strength and leading a happy and healthy lifestyle, Tyney is the friend that everyone needs. You can read some of Tyney’s top running tips here.
Wheelchair Access
The course is suitable for wheelchair users and we will have a dedicated wheelchair start on the 1.2K course. Participants in a self-propelled wheelchair will be automatically allocated to this wave, other wheelchair participants have the option to go into this wave, or take part in the age specific mass waves.
The route will involve going over the Millennium Bridge, involving an adverse camber, so those choosing to participate may want to do so accompanied by an adult support runner – all participants should take special care on sections that might be tricky at high speed.
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Mini 50
The Mini 50 is a 50m short course for children who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to participate in the age group events, due to their specific needs. You can find more information here. To enter, please email mini50@greatrun.org.
The Course
All runners will start by crossing the Swing Bridge. Junior runners will then do an out and back section towards the Redheugh Bridge, before re-joining the Mini route that heads along the Gateshead Quayside, past the Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. All participants will then run across the Millennium Bridge before their big finish on the Newcastle Quayside, near the Law Courts.
Reunion Area
To ensure accompanying adults and children are reunited easily and quickly we have a number of exit gates after the finish line signposted by large signed letters at each one. Please ensure that both the child and the adult meet, and exit, at the letter that corresponds to the letter that is printed on their run number.
AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run
The Reward
There’s nothing better than a round of applause and recognition of how amazing you are as you make your way around the course…
Enter on our official booking partner
Enter Now
What You Get
In addition to lots of high fives and cheering supporters, runners will be awarded with:
- Finisher’s bag
- Well-deserved Junior & Mini Great North Run medal
- Security of closed roads
- Official event photos available to purchase
- Being a part of the biggest and best kids running events!
