How to sign up for this year's Virtual Great North Run

Runners all over the world will still be playing their part in this year’s Great North Run, as organisers launch a virtual challenge – with entries opening today!
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The Virtual Great North Run will see participants complete 13.1 miles on Sunday, September 13; the day this year’s 40th-anniversary race was due to take place.

And entries for the event – which was thought up by organisers Great Run after the half marathon was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic – will open at 10am today, Monday, August 3.

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Great Run has created a unique running experience for those who wish to enter using an app.

Entries for this year's Virtual Great North Run launch today (Monday, August 3) at 10am.Entries for this year's Virtual Great North Run launch today (Monday, August 3) at 10am.
Entries for this year's Virtual Great North Run launch today (Monday, August 3) at 10am.

It will use sounds from the event, play motivational messages and provide distance updates to bring the half marathon experience to life.

The virtual race is free to enter and open to everyone, regardless of whether they had a place in 2020 run.

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Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company, said: “Over £25million is raised for good causes every year at the Great North Run and our charity village usually hosts 100 charities at the finish line in South Shields.

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“Right now fundraising is more important than ever before. Many runners have seen their fundraising efforts halted in recent months, so we encourage them join the Virtual Great North Run in the hope that we can still raise a significant fundraising total for these worthy causes.”

Organisers expect thousands of people to complete the Virtual Great North Run across the globe, but stress that participants must follow the Government’s social distancing guidelines while doing the challenge.

Sixty thousand people were accepted into the Great North Run ballot this year, with runners given the option to roll over their place for 2021’s race or get a refund.

Around 20,000 people have already signed up to take part in Great North Run Solo – a challenge launched in June calling on participants to complete 40 runs up until September, the day the 40th event was due to take place.

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