Great North Run still set to go ahead - this is how to train safely

Great North Run organisers are still gearing up for this year’s race despite a series of events being cancelled across the country following the coronavirus outbreak.
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In an update to runners, organisers Great Run have said that the event still looks set to go ahead at this moment in time.

With other Great Run events planned for the summer now pushed back to September, things look promising for the Great North Run.

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Great North Run 2019 finishers.Great North Run 2019 finishers.
Great North Run 2019 finishers.

Due to take place on September 13, the Great North Run will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with a record 60,000 runners set to take part.

The race from Newcastle to South Shields will be the centrepiece of a weekend of running, with the Great North 5k along with the Junior and Mini Great North Run also set to go ahead.

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Meanwhile the Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run, which was scheduled for May 23, will be rescheduled to the same weekend on either 5 or 6 September, with the exact date and time still to be decided.

The Great North Run still looks set to go ahead as planned.The Great North Run still looks set to go ahead as planned.
The Great North Run still looks set to go ahead as planned.

Other events affected by COVID-19 include Ultra North and the Great Bristol 10k, but the Great North Run has not yet been affected.

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In a statement following the coronavirus outbreak, organisers said that they would keep runners up to date on any changes that may alter when the event takes place.

On its website Great Run said: “The Great Run Company are closely monitoring the developments with COVID-19 and will continue to take the advice of the UK government around the staging of large public events.

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“We understand the commitment and dedication you make when you enter one of our events and we would not take any decision to cancel or postpone lightly. We love delivering our events and we work hard to make sure our participants can enjoy them in a safe and happy environment.

“In the meantime we want to reassure you all that we are keeping in close contact with Public Health England.

“If circumstances dictate that we must cancel any of our events everyone who had entered would be entitled to a refund.”

Meanwhile runners should still be working towards the end goal of running 13.5 miles, however they should be only doing just one daily dose of exercise whilst observing social distancing of at least 2 metres/6ft between themselves and others when outside.

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A Great Run spokeswoman said: “Although we are unable to predict what may happen between now and then, runners are still being encouraged to make the most of their daily exercise allowance and rack up some miles in anticipation for the half marathon to go ahead as planned.”

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