Skip to content

Great North Run 2021 weekend under way on Tyneside

News imageNNP Youngsters set off for the Junior Great North RunNNP
The Junior event got under way shortly before 09:00 BST

Thousands of youngsters laced up their trainers on Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides for the start of the Great North Run weekend.

More than 5,000 took part in the Mini and Junior events, which returned after last year's programme was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The events were the build-up to Sunday's Great North Run.

That will see about 57,000 people take on a half-marathon starting and finishing in Newcastle.

The Junior run saw nine to 16-year-olds complete a 1.5-mile (2.5-km) route, while Mini participants aged three to eight made their way along a 0.9-mile (1.5km) course.

News imageNNP Young runners cross the Swing Bridge as part of the Mini and Junior Great North RunsNNP
The Tyne Bridge provided a notable backdrop for the events
News imageNNP Young runners cross the Swing Bridge as part of the Mini and Junior Great North RunsNNP
Young runners crossed the Swing Bridge as they made their way from Newcastle Quayside to Gateshead Quays
News imageNNP Young runners competing in the Mini and Junior Great North Run events with the Tyne Bridge in the backgroundNNP
The events for youngsters act as a build-up to Sunday's Great North Run
News imageNNP A girl and a boy smile as they compare their medalsNNP
Participants in the events were awarded medals
News imageNNP A disabled participant is pushed towards the finishing line in his buggyNNP
The events saw thousands of people flock to the Quayside area
News imageNNP A young girl makes her way around the Junior North Run courseNNP
As with Sunday's half-marathon, the Junior event featured keen athletes and fun-runners
News imageNNP A woman smiles and waves as she reaches the finish line with a young boy on her shouldersNNP
Participants were all smiles as they reached the finish line
News imagePresentational grey line

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.

More from the BBC