Great North Run 2026: How to Secure Your Place (Ballot & Charity Guide)
Imagine the sound of 60,000 runners waiting on the Central Motorway in Newcastle. The Red Arrows roar overhead, the atmosphere buzzes with nervous energy, and you are about to tackle 13.1 miles of the world’s most famous half marathon.
Now imagine missing all of that because you were 24 hours late for the registration deadline.
The Great North Run 2026 is officially scheduled for Sunday 13 September 2026. While September feels far away, the window to secure a general entry place is closing rapidly. The January Ballot is your final opportunity to get a standard spot on the start line without committing to a charity pledge.
This guide covers exactly how to enter the Great North Run 2026 ballot, the costs involved, and the specific steps you must take before the deadline passes this week.
When is the Great North Run 2026? Key Dates to Bookmark
The confirmed date for the event is Sunday 13 September 2026.
However, the date that matters most right now is not race day. It is the registration deadline. Unlike many local 10ks where you can sign up weeks in advance, the sheer scale of the Great North Run means entry operates via a strict ballot system.
The January Ballot Deadlines
The “January Ballot” is currently open. This is the main public entry system for the 2026 event.
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Ballot Opens: Open Now.
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Ballot Closes: Sunday 11 January 2026 at 10:00 AM (Verify exact time on site, but historically morning). Recommendation: Submit by Saturday night to avoid server crashes.
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The Draw Announcement: Monday 12 January 2026.
If you do not register your interest before the 11 January deadline, you will lose the chance to purchase a standard entry. Your only remaining route will be a charity place, which requires a significant fundraising commitment.
Insider Note: The ballot is random. Entering earlier in the week does not increase your chances of selection compared to entering five minutes before the deadline. However, leaving it until the last minute is a risk you shouldn’t take.
How to Enter the Great North Run 2026 Ballot
Entering the ballot is straightforward, but accuracy is vital. If you are successful in the draw, payment is taken automatically. There is no “acceptance window”, you are either in (and charged) or out.
Follow this process to register:
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Visit the Official Portal: Go to the Great Run Official Website and navigate to the 2026 event page.
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Create Your Profile: You will need to provide basic details, including your estimated finishing time. Be honest here; this determines which “wave” (colour zone) you start in.
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Submit Payment Details: You must provide valid card details. No money is taken at this stage.
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Check Your Inbox: You will receive a confirmation email. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder immediately.
Understanding the “Waves”
The Great North Run 2026 starts in waves to manage the massive crowd.
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Elite/Fast Paced: The front of the pack.
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Orange/White/Green Zones: General runners based on estimated time.
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Pink Zone: Often for those planning to walk or run/walk.
Great North Run 2026 Entry Fee: What are you paying for?
A common question among new runners is the price. The entry fee for the 2026 event reflects the massive logistical operation involved in closing major roads across the North East.
The Cost Breakdown:
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Standard Entry Fee: £68.00 (Approximate, based on 2025/26 pricing).
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Booking Fee: ~£3.00 (Admin charge).
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Total Payable: ~£71.00.
Important Payment Warning: When the draw takes place on Monday 12 January 2026, the organisers will attempt to charge your card immediately. If the transaction is declined by your bank (due to insufficient funds or fraud checks), you lose your place instantly.
Pro-Tip: Ensure you have at least £75 in your account on Sunday night.
What Does the Fee Include?
You aren’t just paying to run on a road. The fee covers:
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Closed Roads: Safety marshals and closures from Newcastle to the coast.
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Finisher’s Rewards: The iconic heavy medal and a technical t-shirt.
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On-Course Support: Hydration stations, bands, charity buses, and medical support.
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Tracking: Use of the official Great Run app for friends to track you.
Missed the Ballot? How to Get a Charity Place
If you are reading this after 11 January, or if you receive the dreaded “unsuccessful” email on the 12th, do not panic. You can still run.
Charity places are the lifeblood of the Great North Run. Millions of pounds are raised every year for causes like Cancer Research UK, Barnardo’s, and the Stroke Association.
How Charity Places Work
Getting a charity bib is different from the ballot. You essentially “buy” your place with a promise to fundraise.
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Registration Fee: You pay a small fee upfront (usually between £20 and £50) to the charity to cover their admin costs.
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Fundraising Pledge: You sign a contract agreeing to raise a minimum amount (usually between £300 and £400).
Top Charities with 2026 Places
Almost every major UK charity buys spots for the GNR.
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Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH): High demand, excellent race-day support.
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Mind: Great for runners focusing on mental health benefits.
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Macmillan Cancer Support: Famous for their cheering stations at the toughest parts of the course.
Strategic Advice: If the big national charities are full, look for local North East charities. Hospices and local trusts in Newcastle or Gateshead often have spots available later in the year and provide a very personal level of support.
GNR 2026 Route & Logistics: Newcastle to South Shields
The course has remained largely unchanged for decades, making it a classic route for runners chasing a Personal Best (PB) or simply soaking up the atmosphere.
The Route Breakdown
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The Start: The race begins on the A167 Central Motorway in Newcastle. It is iconic, loud, and crowded.
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The Tyne Bridge: Just before the 2-mile mark, you cross the bridge. This is the photo moment. The Red Arrows usually fly over here.
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The Middle Grind: Miles 3 to 10 take you through Gateshead. It is undulating (a polite word for “hilly”).
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The Prince Edward Road: Around mile 10/11, you hit a steep downhill section leading to the coast.
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The Sea Front: The final mile along the coast in South Shields.
Experience Inject: The final mile is deceptive. You can see the sea, so you think you are finished. You aren’t. That last stretch along the coast road is often windy and feels longer than a mile. Save some mental energy for this section; the crowds here are the loudest on the course, so let them carry you home.
Accommodation & Travel
If you are travelling from outside the North East, you must book accommodation immediately after getting your place. Hotels in Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland sell out months in advance.
Nirvana Europe is the official travel partner and often holds rooms for runners, but these come at a premium.
The “Spectator Survival” Note: If your family is coming to watch, warn them: getting from the Start Line (Newcastle) to the Finish Line (South Shields) is difficult due to road closures. The Metro system is incredibly busy. It is often better for spectators to head straight to the finish line early and wait for you there.
FAQs
What is the date of the Great North Run 2026?
The race takes place on Sunday 13 September 2026.
Is the Great North Run 2026 ballot still open?
The specific January ballot closes on 11 January 2026. If you miss this, you must seek a charity place.
Can I defer my 2026 entry to 2027?
Generally, standard ballot places are non-refundable and cannot be deferred unless you are pregnant or postpartum (refer to the specific pregnancy deferral policy on the Great Run site). Injury deferrals are usually not permitted for standard entries, but you should check the terms and conditions upon purchase.
How do I track a runner in the Great North Run?
The official Great Run App allows you to track participants using their bib number or name. It updates every time they cross a timing mat (5k, 10k, 15k, Finish).
Is the Great North Run a hilly course?
It is not “mountainous,” but it is not flat. There is a steady climb up to mile 5 in Gateshead, and the final mile is flat but often windy. It is faster than a trail run, but slower than a flat city course like Manchester.
Summary
The Great North Run 2026 is more than a half marathon; it is a celebration of North East culture and human endurance. But you cannot be part of that celebration if you aren’t on the list.
The deadline is real. The ballot closes on 11 January.
If you want to run across the Tyne Bridge in September, stop thinking about it and put your name in the hat.
Next Step: Go to the Great Run Official Website right now. It takes five minutes to register. Good luck with the draw!
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