Great North Run (half marathon) 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

10 to 12 September 2027 · ExpectedNewcastle, United KingdomThe world's biggest half marathon

Great North Run (half marathon) takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Newcastle.

Tours in Newcastle Hotels for these dates

Airport to Start: Newcastle; finish: South Shields

Newcastle airport (NCL) is 25 minutes by Metro.

Point to point over the Tyne Bridge to the coast at South Shields.

Public transport directions to Start: Newcastle; finish: South Shields

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Central station	Chain hotels.
Mid-range	Quayside	River views and bars.
Splurge	Grey Street	Georgian hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre (New Bridge Street)
Mid-range: Malmaison Newcastle
Splurge: Hotel du Vin Newcastle

Links search the nights from 9 September to 13 September. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 10 to 12 September 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 8 September

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-daySt James' Park stadium tour Half day · Family
Newcastle United.
EatQuayside Sunday market Street food

Day before the race

Thursday 9 September

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Free ideaBaltic contemporary art.
EatGrainger Market Victorian indoor market

Race day

Friday 10 September

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointTyne Bridge at the start: the Red Arrows fly over.
Cheer pointSouth Shields seafront finish (Metro back).
EatQuayside Sunday market Street food

Recovery day

Monday 13 September

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Free ideaQuayside bridges walk.
Rain or heat backupLaing Art Gallery.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Hadrian's Wall day trip

Roman forts and the wall.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Alnwick Castle

Harry Potter castle.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

St James' Park stadium tour

Newcastle United.

See times and prices

Centre for Life.
Great North Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Hadrian's Wall day trip

Roman forts and the wall.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Alnwick Castle

Harry Potter castle.

See times and prices

Full day

Holy Island and Bamburgh

Tidal island and castle.

See times and prices

After dark

Bigg Market and the Diamond Strip.

4 tours worth booking for Great North Run (half marathon)

Tour	Length	Good for
Hadrian's Wall day trip	Full day	Families
Alnwick Castle	Full day	Families
St James' Park stadium tour	Half day	Families
Holy Island and Bamburgh	Full day	Everyone

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Quayside Sunday market Street food
Grainger Market Victorian indoor market

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Laing Art Gallery.
Discovery Museum.

Getting around on event days

Tyne and Wear Metro goes to the coast and South Shields (Great North Run finish).
Tap in with a contactless card on buses, trams and most urban trains.
Book long-distance trains early on the operator app or Trainline: walk-up fares are expensive.
Uber works in most UK cities; local black cabs are metered.

Day trips from Newcastle

Durham: 15 minutes by train
Tynemouth: 25 minutes by Metro

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Great North Run (half marathon).

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Great North Run (half marathon) 2027?

The next edition is 10 to 12 September 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Start: Newcastle; finish: South Shields?

Newcastle airport (NCL) is 25 minutes by Metro. Point to point over the Tyne Bridge to the coast at South Shields.

Where should I stay for Great North Run (half marathon)?

For most visitors the best base is Quayside: River views and bars.

What else can we do around Great North Run (half marathon)?

Good short outings in Newcastle include St James' Park stadium tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Great North Run (half marathon)?

Family-friendly picks: Hadrian's Wall day trip, Alnwick Castle, St James' Park stadium tour. Centre for Life.

How far is Start: Newcastle; finish: South Shields from Newcastle centre?

About 12 km in a straight line. Point to point over the Tyne Bridge to the coast at South Shields.

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