Bupa Great North Run: Stat Attack

This Sunday heralds the return of one of Britain's most iconic races: the 32nd Bupa Great North Run. More than 55,000 runners will take to the streets of Newcastle to take on the half marathon after months of hard training.

In our Bupa Great North Run hub page, you should find plenty of tips and info to help you have a superb race. We've also compiled the top 10 mind-boggling facts about the racing extravaganza.

• There were 12,000 runners in the 1981 event. That figure has now risen to 55,000+.

• Over 18,000 gallons of Aqua Pura water and more than 4,400 gallons of Powerade will be drunk by thirsty runners.

• The finishers' medals take 243kg of metal and almost three miles of ribbon to produce.

• The Great North Run creates an economic impact for the region independently valued at £36
  million.

• A TV highlights programme goes out to more than 60 countries.

• It takes 37 double-decker buses to transport runners' baggage to the finish of the Bupa Great North Run.

• Race sponsor Bupa will give away over 1,050kg of jelly babies at their Bupa Boost Zone on the course.

• According to JustGiving.com, runners from the North East have raised the most money for charity (£573,967) and runners from the South West have raised the least (£64,944).

• Most GNR runners are aged 40 or under (69 per cent), however, a hardy two per cent of runners take on the GNR after the age of 76.

• The finish line is in use for just over four hours on the day - the time it takes from the first to the last finisher to cross the line - but surprisingly it takes as long as two weeks to build and one week to break down.