World's biggest half-marathon returns to Tyneside - The Great North Run
Postponed for a year - the race is back, with a few changes
Last updated 12th Sep 2021
And they're off! The 40th Great North Run has begun in Newcastle city centre
It's just not a Great North Run without a fly past from the Red Arrows
Our reporter Andy Watson is at the halfway point at Whitemare Pool roundabout:
Where it appears the fancy dress runners are out in force!
North East legend Big Pink Dress stopped for a chat as well!
And the Three Little Pigs:
There are changes to the route this year, with runners setting off from Newcastle, heading over the iconic Tyne Bridge and through Gateshead, before turning round at Whitemare Pool roundabout and returning through Newcastle city centre to the finish line on the Town Moor.
There's always a few famous faces taking on the route - this year Politician Andy Burnham is runner number 1, using his position to raise money for charity.
You can find out more about the road closures for the event here
There is also no mass start this year - but runners have been allocated start times as part of their coloured wave.
The timings are expected to run as follows:
9:15 - Elite wheelchair and visually impaired start
9:20 - Elite women start
9:45 - Elite men and Orange wave runners start
11:05 - White wave runners start
12:25 - Green wave runners start
READ MORE: Northumbria Police's Chief Constable reflects on 40 years of the Great North Run
The Great North Run in pictures
The first finishers start to cross the Finish Line
Runners at Whitemare Pool roundabout - the midpoint of the Great North Run
Runners at the Midway point of the Great North Run 2021
Runners at the side of the Great North Run 2021 route
Runners at the halfway point of the Great North Run
Runners at the midway point of the Great North Run
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is running the Great North Run 2021 as runner number 1
People getting warmed up for the Great North Run 2021 at Newcastle's Town Moor start line
The Red Arrows have flown over the Great North Run in previous years.
One of the most famous winners of the Great North Run over the last few years - Sir Mo Farah.
Runners at the Great North Run
Supporters at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run
Runners at the Great North Run