Great North Run: A Supporter's Guide

Shepherding nerve-wracked loved ones to the start, finding the best views, and above all, enjoying the big day - this is the guide for everyone heading to Newcastle on September 16 to cheer on friends, family, and complete strangers...

The Day Before

Chances are your runner will experience a full mix of emotions as race day approaches, ranging from excitement and anticipation, to sheer and utter terror. Make sure you’re on hand with a reassuring word and calming mug of tea, and try to focus their energy on practical preparations.

Help them organise all their race-day essentials the night before - so as to avoid a last-minute panic in the morning - and print out two RW pace bands (one for your runner, one for yourself). Trying to spot a familiar face in the 55,000-strong field can be tricky, so this way you’ll have some idea of when to look out for them.

At The Start

If you’re intent on waving your runner off, it’s vital that you leave enough time to get to the start. With thousands of runners congregating on a narrow dual carriageway, abiding by the race guidelines (as set out in the GNR magazine) is essential. Don’t expect marshalls to make allowances if you roll up 10 minutes before the off – the baggage buses will leave at 10am sharp, and late arrivals won’t be allowed to move toward the front of the field, whatever their pen number.

Other than pay and display car parks in the city centre, there isn’t any parking near the start so if you’re planning to travel by car, be prepared to drop off your runner in a nearby side road. Don’t worry about them finding their way – there’ll be thousands of other runners heading in the same direction.

An alternative option is to park your car near the finish (North or South Shields) and take the Metro back to the city centre (Haymarket station) – it might mean an earlier start, but you’ll be spared the long, busy commute after the race. All the Metro stations will be swarming with runners and supporters so buy tickets in advance (Traveline - 0871 2002233) to avoid the queues.

Be prepared for a lot of standing around once you arrive. Other than toilet facilities, drink stations and a PA system pumping out loud music, there won’t be much in the way of entertainment for supporters, so you might want to consider bidding an early farewell to your runner and setting off to secure a good viewing position for the rest of the race.

Viewing Points

Keeping up with a point-to-point course can be tricky for spectators, so planning ahead is vital. Arm yourself with a course map (pages 10-11 of the race magazine) and decide in advance where you will stand to cheer on the runners. Don’t be overambitious in your plans. It’s better to focus on one viewing location rather than several, as it’s unlikely you will be able to keep up with your runner more frequently than this.

Three popular spectator spots are Gateshead Stadium (mile 3), Heworth Roundabout (mile 4) and Coast Road Bank near the finish (mile 12). Gateshead Stadium and Heworth are easily accessible via the Metro, but the crowds here can grow to three or four people deep so aim to arrive as early as possible for a front-row seat.

Other roundabouts along the course also make for prime viewing but are less accessible via public transport. For those travelling by car, be aware that local road closures will take effect from Saturday evening until mid-afternoon Sunday so consider doing a recce of your route beforehand.

Many charities have pre-arranged support points along the route so if your runner is racing on behalf of an organisation, get in touch with them to find out where and when they are meeting. Ask for detailed directions if you’re not local to the area.

Runners always praise the crowd support along the final mile, and it’s true the home straight is a great place to soak up the atmosphere of the day. Get there early enough (11am-ish) and you may even catch a glimpse of Paula Radcliffe as she heads up the female elite field. Your race magazine will have more information about the best ways to travel to South Shields. As well as the Metro, there are frequent ferries over the Tyne for those who choose to park in North Shields.

At The Finish

After your runner crosses the line, marshalls will funnel them quickly through the finish area – to give in their timing chips and collect their goody bags - so don’t expect to be able to jump the barrier and give them a hearty pat on the back straight away.

Organise where to meet in advance – with so many runners trying to call loved ones, mobile networks can quickly become congested. The family reunion area will have alphabetical meet and greet areas; representatives from each charity will also be on hand to applaud and reward their teams the other side of the finish.

Once you’ve met up with your runner and exchanged congratulations, make sure they eat and drink whatever they can manage - preferably water, diluted juice or a little recovery drink - before planning a trip to the beer tent. If they seem distressed or in pain, seek help from the First Aid station prior to making your way home.

Leaving South Shields can be frustrating if you’re not suitably prepared for the crowds and queues. Both the shuttle buses and the Metro will be packed with runners and supporters, but local DJs often set up camp nearby to entertain the crowds while you wait. The walk back to the station or ferry terminal can act as a good cool-down for runners – there’s also a peppering of pubs along the way should you fancy indulging in some post-race celebrations before tackling the journey home.