[3] The Great North Run starts in Newcastle upon Tyne on the A167 road (the central motorway), on the edge of both the city centre and the Town Moor.

The route heads east and south down the motorway section, around the eastern side of the city centre, then crosses the Tyne Bridge into Gateshead.

2.5 miles (4.0 km) later, the route reaches the southern side of Jarrow and it turns east down the A1300 (John Reid Road).

[4] All roads on the course are closed several hours before the race begins, however multiple vehicles including TV crews, emergency services, event staff, and a fleet of buses carrying participants' belongings are authorised to travel between Newcastle and South Shields on the closed course roads ahead of and following the participants.

Bupa was the title partner of the Great North Run from the early 1990s until 2014, one of Britain's longest ever sports sponsorship agreements.

[9] AJ Bell was announced as the new lead sponsor for the Great Run series in 2023 in a 5-year partnership[10] In 2004 a runner died (the eighth death in the event's then 24-year history).

Events to mark the anniversary included the launch of the Great North Run Cultural Programme at the Sage Gateshead.

[18][19] The 2007 Great North Run was held on 30 September and was started by former England and Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson.

The 2008 Great North Run was held on 5 October and was started by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair.

Kenya's Priscah Jeptoo came first the women's race and multi Olympic Gold Medalist David Weir won the wheelchair event.

[23] In 2014 the 34th Great North Run had 57000 participants, celebrated the 1 millionth runner to cross the finish line, and was the first to have a British man win in 29 years.

Tracey Cramond, who was raising money for Butterwick Hospices, was the 1 millionth person to complete the run, stating she was "gobsmacked" and that it was her "moment of fame".

[31] The 2024 Great North Run took place on 8th September and was started by Olympic Silver Medalist Kieran Reilly.