Andy Burnham among Great North Run 2026 finishers – BBC News
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Andy Burnham among Great North Run finishers
Prime Minister Andy Burnham ran for homelessness charity Changing Lives.
By Pamela Tickell
North East and Cumbria
Published 12 September 2026 Updated 12 minutes ago
The Great North Run (GNR) returned to Tyneside this weekend, with 63,000 runners taking part in the world’s biggest half marathon – including Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
England star and Newcastle captain Dan Burn rang the starter’s bell, accompanied by other famous faces like football personality Chris Kamara and fitness coach Joe Wicks.
The 13.1-mile (21km) event saw runners and wheelchair users race from Newcastle through Gateshead and South Tyneside, finishing in South Shields.
Britons David Weir and Melanie Woods won the men’s and women’s elite wheelchair races, respectively. Brigid Kosgei claimed the elite women’s contest, while Zouhair Talbi emerged victorious in the men’s race.
In its 45th year, the half marathon raises about £25m for charity each time.
Kosgei wins Great North Run but McColgan withdraws
Tens of thousands taking part in Great North Run
Thousands lined the route on a warm, sunny day. Runners enjoyed a Red Arrows flyover above the Tyne Bridge at both the start and finish near The Leas in South Shields.
The prime minister said he was pleased with his finish time…
"It’s just a day that reminds you how good this country is when it’s together like this," Burnham said, referring to the spirit of camaraderie among runners and spectators.
As always, runners donned creative costumes to raise funds for various causes. Among them were nuns, horses, and even a pair of ovaries.
The Tyne Bridge, currently undergoing a major restoration project, was partially obscured by scaffolding. Several road closures were in place throughout the day, while a burst water main caused traffic disruptions near the Redheugh Bridge in Gatehead.
Saturday kicked off with Mini and Junior events on Newcastle’s Quayside.
Gladiators Alex Gray, Emily Steel, and Matty Campbell, alongside GNR mascot Tyney the Tortoise, rang the starters’ bell for the young runners. This year’s Mini and Junior events were reportedly the biggest in their 40-year history.
