When comparing GNR with London one should remember that due to the North Sea all the traffic has to head in the same direction out of South Sheilds. London has infinately better communications, i.e. more than 1 tube station. With the GNR at least you don't have to visit the venue twice once to pick up the running number ( as it was in 2000). I do the GNR each year, fortunately have access to free accomodation in Felling nearby so apart from queueing for metro or buses, both in my experience have similar travelling/waiting times and the southbound A1 which always queues through Yorkshire its a great day out.