'Record' number of people enter ballot for 40th Great North Run this September

The number of people applying to enter the 2020 Great North Run is up by 40% on last year – a new record.
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The entry ballot for the 57,000 places on the famous half-marathon, this year taking place on September 13, opened on Monday, January 6.

It closes at 9pm on Sunday, February 9.

Demand for this year’s children’s events, the Junior and Mini Great North Run, are also expected to pass previous years.

A record number has entered the ballot to take part in the 2020 Great North Run. Picture by Tim Richardson.A record number has entered the ballot to take part in the 2020 Great North Run. Picture by Tim Richardson.
A record number has entered the ballot to take part in the 2020 Great North Run. Picture by Tim Richardson.
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Entries to the Junior event open at 10am on Tuesday, February 18, with Mini event entries opening at 10am on Tuesday, February 25.

The iconic race is the culmination of a weekend of running events, beginning on Friday, September 11 with the Great North 5k, followed by the Junior and Mini Great North Run, the following day.

More charities have also requested places for fundraisers, with more than £18million is raised for good causes every year.

Mo Farah seen here in South Shields in 2019 winning his sixth consecutive Great North Run. Picture by Stu Norton.Mo Farah seen here in South Shields in 2019 winning his sixth consecutive Great North Run. Picture by Stu Norton.
Mo Farah seen here in South Shields in 2019 winning his sixth consecutive Great North Run. Picture by Stu Norton.
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Research released in January showed the impact of the race, not only on the athletes, but also on the economy and image of the North-East.

Each year the Great North Run boosts the regional economy by £31million, attracting thousands of visitors from outside of the region.

The Great North Run is held this year for the 40th time and organisers are encouraging people not to miss out on the milestone event, with the highest ever number of finishers on South Shields’ seafront expected.

Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company said: “We’re blown away by the support for the event and it’s great that there is so much enthusiasm for entries into the 40th staging of the run.

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“This is good news for the event, the region, spectators, volunteers and everyone involved.

“Every year thousands of people come together for the Great North Run in a massive celebration of running and human determination. The event really does showcase the area and people at their best.”