Junior & Mini Great North Run
The Run
We can’t wait to see all of our Junior and Mini Great North runners back on the Quayside in 2022!
Sign up to our reminder service to be notified when entries open.
2021 Junior and Mini Great North Run
Well done to all Junior and Mini runners! We hope you had a fun day.
Junior times are now live and you can view them here. Official event photos will be live on the website after the event.
If you feel like doing it all again next year, sign up to our 2022 reminder service and we’ll be in touch when entries open.
Good Luck to all Junior and Mini Great North Run runners this weekend.
We hope you have an amazing day!
The health and safety of our runners is our top priority, and a number of changes have been made to this year’s event in order for it to take place. However, we want to assure you that the day will still be full of fun, excitement and achievement for all involved.
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.
Key Changes for 2021
This year, we have introduced an assembly system which will feed all runners into the start area and will be managing a ‘rolling start’ rather than setting all age groups off at specific times.
- To avoid overcrowding we can only allow one parent/guardian per runner at the event
- All children must be accompanied in the assembly zone, regardless of age and regardless of whether the accompanying adult is running with the child. No children should be unaccompanied in the assembly zone
- For those who are able we’re asking accompanying adults to run with children of all ages where possible, in order to reduce numbers of adults waiting for children at the end and allowing us to clear the area as quickly as possible
- There will be an option for non-running accompanying adults to exit the assembly zone just before the start line, and walk along an alternative pedestrianised route to the finish area to meet their runners. This will be no more than a 5 minute walk.
- Due to restrictions this year, the event will be non-competitive. There will be no podium places or prize giving ceremonies.
Please note: Spectators to the event will be allowed subject to the restrictions in place at the time.
Run Packs
The run packs for the 2021 Junior and Mini Great North Run will start arriving from 1st September.
Once your run pack has arrived through the post you have everything you need for event day and you do not need to visit the information point to register. Simply attach your run number (which has your timing chip attached if you are a Junior runner) to the front of your brand new t-shirt or running top with safety pins and you’re all set!
If your pack does not arrive, or if you entered late, you can visit the information point on the day.
Information for late Entrants
If you secured your place after 12noon on Friday 3rd September, you will need to collect your race pack (event T-shirt and race number/timing chip) from the information point on the day. The Great Run branded marquee is located in the Guildhall car park on Newcastle Quayside and open from 07:00am.
Wave times will be allocated on collection. Late Junior entries will be allocated a start time between 09:00 and 10:30 and Late Mini entries will be allocated a start time between 12:30 to 15:00.
2021 Event Guide
Download the 2021 Junior & Mini Great North Run event guide for all of the event information you need – so all
that’s left for you to do is enjoy the big day! Please ensure you read through the guide, as there are a number of differences to this years event from previous years.
Event Timetable
All participants will be allocated an ARRIVAL time, not a start time. You will only be permitted to enter the assembly area at your given arrival time. Please check your specific arrival time on your run number and in your pre-event emails.
On The Day
Assembly & Start
- To access the start line you must go through the assembly zone at the bottom of Dean Street on Sandhill, then make your way through the assembly area to the start line
- The starts will be slightly staggered in order to give runners plenty of space around the course
- All accompanying adults and children are required to enter the assembly zone together, even if the adult is not running
- It will take approximately 30 minutes to move through the assembly zone to the start
- Toilets will be available within the assembly zone
- There won’t be a warm-up this year, however there will be plenty of space to do your own stretches before you start.
Finish Area
- Children and accompanying adults will finish on the Newcastle side of the River Tyne, just next to Newcastle’s Law Courts
- All children will be able to help themselves to a finisher’s bag that contains a bottle of water and that all important medal
- This year there will be no prize giving ceremonies. All Junior runners will still be timed and will be able to check their time on the website after the event
- Official photos will be available to view and purchase after the event has taken place
- There will be no event village on the Gateshead side of the River Tyne this year. However, we encourage you to celebrate your achievement, refuel and rehydrate in any of Newcastle or Gateshead’s numerous food and drink venues.
Reunion Area
To ensure accompanying adults and children are reunited easily and quickly there is a reunion area at the finish. The reunion area will has 4 exits labelled A, B, C or D – which correspond to the letter on the child’s run number.
Children and accompanying adults, who are running with the child, must exit through the gate that corresponds to the letter on the child’s run number.
If you are running with the child you will enter the reunion area after crossing the finish line, and you can exit the correct gate together. If you are not running with your child you will be able to stand outside of the reunion area at the correct exit gate until the child finishes.
Please note: Spectators or accompanying adults (who are NOT running) will not be permitted to enter the reunion area, however it will be clear which gate you should stand at to wait for your child. You do not need an accompanying adult bib to collect the child. It is also important to note that no children will be allowed to leave the reunion area until they are reunited with their family or guardian.
Travel and Parking
The event starts and finishes on the Newcastle side of the river, and the best way to get to the event is on foot or public transport due to a number of road closures in place for the event. The start, at the bottom of Dean Street, is a short walk (approx. 10 minutes) from Central Station and Gateshead Metro Station. Up to three children under the age of 11 can travel for free on Metro and Shields Ferry services when accompanied by a fare paying adult, see nexus.org for more details.
Should you need to park, you can find more information on parking in Newcastle city centre here.
There will be a number of road closures in place on the day, you can find full details here.
Baggage
There will be no changing or baggage facilities provided on the day. Please arrive ready to go and carry minimal belongings where possible.
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The Route
We can’t wait to see all of our Junior and Mini Great North runners back on the Quayside on Saturday 11 September!
The Course
Other than the start area, both the Junior and Mini courses are the same as previous years.
The start line has moved from just underneath the Tyne Bridge, to its new location beside the Swing Bridge – on the Newcastle side of the River Tyne which is accessed through the assembly area at the bottom of Dean Street on Sandhill. 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.
Please note: Route may be subject to change.
There will be a number of road closures in place on the day, full details can be found here.
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.
Information Point
The information point, medical facilities and the missing person’s point will all be located in the Guildhall car park by the Start line.
Wheelchair Access
The course is suitable for wheelchair users. We will have a dedicated wheelchair start on the 1.2K course at 12:15pm. Participants in a self-propelled wheelchair will be allocated to this wave, other wheelchair participants have the option to go into this wave, or take part in the mass waves.
The route will involve going over the millennium bridge involving an adverse camber, so we strongly advise that anyone choosing to participate does so accompanied by a parent and enjoys participating as opposed to racing, as there are some sections that might be tricky at high speed.
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…
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.
