AJ Bell Great North 5k

The AJ Bell Great North 5k is a Friday-evening 5k run on Newcastle and Gateshead’s Quayside, opening the Great North Run weekend. It is a flat, accessible run, not a long-distance challenge, open to runners aged 14 and up. The public race follows elite 5k races with fast runners from the UK and abroad, so the evening starts with spectators watching sharp racing before joining the mass run. The route stays on the Quayside, passing well-known landmarks with views across Tyneside and both Newcastle and Gateshead. Music and local entertainment are present along the route, runners can have their names printed on their race numbers, and finishers receive a medal and T-shirt. The setup creates a compact race with a large-event atmosphere: quick enough for newer runners, flat enough for those seeking a fast 5k, and timed so runners can proceed directly to the Quayside after finishing.