What to expect from this year's Great North Run

Tens of thousands of people are expected to head to Tyneside next week in their attempts to tackle the Great North Run.

In its 45th year, the 13.1-mile (21km) event involves runners and wheelchair users beginning in Newcastle, racing through Gateshead and South Tyneside before finishing in South Shields on 13 September.

Several road closures including the A167 and A194 will be in place from 06:00 BST in central Newcastle, with times for closures in South Tyneside to be released soon.

Metro operator Nexus said additional services and crowd control measures would be put on for its "busiest day of the year", and warned people to plan extra travelling time.

Among those lacing up their running shoes will be ex-Sunderland boss Peter Reid, 70, who said he was "honoured" to be running for Sir Bobby Robson's cancer charity.

Reid said he was inspired to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation following his daughter's cervical cancer diagnosis, and the death of former Newcastle United and England star and manager Kevin Keegan.

Last year, Sheila Chepkirui, the 2024 New York Marathon champion, won the women's elite race while Alex Mutiso won the men's competition.

Sean Frame won the men's wheelchair race in 49:24 and Mel Nicholls won the women's contest in 1:05:24.

In June, a giant mural which stretches 90m along Newcastle's Quayside was unveiled alongside the River Tyne to celebrate the event's 45th anniversary.

It was created by local artist Alex Mulholland, who described the commission as a "true honour".

The event, which is one the largest half marathons in the world, inspires many to raise thousands of pounds for charities.

Among them will be David Beadle, 45, from Shildon in County Durham, whose teenage children took their own lives separately, within the space of a year.

He had been a keen runner, having completed the annual half-marathon eight times, but he felt unable to take part after the loss of his children until "something changed" this year.

He will be raising funds for Quinn's Retreat.

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