What to expect at the 2023 AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run
The 2023 Junior and Mini Great North Run is shaping up to be the biggest EVER. Taking place the day before the AJ Bell Great North Run, it’s an opportunity for all the family to get involved in the iconic weekend. As well as the races that take place across the day, there‘s also plenty going on in the Event Village too. Here’s a taster of what you can expect on the day the kids take centre stage…
Super Saturday
In celebration of Sir Mo Farah’s last professional race on Sunday 10th September and his incredible part in the iconic Olympic moment at 2012, this year’s AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great North Run is SUPER SATURDAY!
All Junior, Minis and Mini 50s have been invited to dress in HERO fancy dress – picking their favourite SUPERhero, sports hero or local hero to dress up as. Along with our mascot Tyney the Tortoise who will be giving out high fives and keeping runners motivated, we’ve also lined up some SUPER special guests to start the epic races….
We’ve also been celebrating some of our Junior & Mini stars on our social channels with our Superstar Saturday, so keep your eyes and ears peeled as we shout out some incredible Junior, Mini and Mini 50 runners.
Mini 50 and Wheelchair events
The Mini 50 and wheelchair races give children who might not be able to take part in the age group events, the opportunity to experience the thrill of the UK’s biggest kids running event.
A much-loved route
Runners will be making their way around the scenic Quayside route – the Mini’s take on a 1.2km dash, the Juniors take on a 4km distance and the Mini 50s will complete the final 50 metres to the finish line.
The Junior & Mini events start by crossing the Swing Bridge, with Junior runners doing 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 cross the Millennium Bridge before a big finale on the Newcastle Quayside.
Entertaining event village
The fun doesn’t end at the finish line; our event village has food, drink and activities to enjoy post-race! We’ve lined up some tasty food vendors this year including Meat:Stack, Fire & Dough, Acropolis and Street Coffee Co.
There is also a dedicated ‘Come and Try it Zone’ which will have exciting activities throughout the day.; Aqua Pura will be there with a water play game and there will be sessions led by the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Foundation and Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation.
Another new addition is the Jog On Recycling Point– JogOn are collecting unwanted pairs of trainers to give them a new home and prevent them going into landfill, so make sure you bring yours to drop at their collection point!
You can also shop the range of Junior & Mini merchandise and adult Great North Run merchandise at the Scimitar shop, including kids hoodie, Tyney toy, and for the adults, technical t-shirt, running vest, running jacket, base layer, shorts, leggings, hoodie, hats & more!
Finisher’s goodie bag, medal and t-shirt
If all of that wasn’t enough, there’s also an exciting finisher’s bag waiting for participants at the end of their run! Inside you’ll find a snazzy new medal along with some tasty snacks.
All entrants receive their t-shirt through the post before the event too so make sure you wear it on the big day!
Take a look at last year’s highlights below and sign up at the AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great North Run!
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