Image source, Getty Images

Tens of thousands of people head to Tyneside 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.

Several road closures including the A167 and A194 have been in place from 06:00 BST in central Newcastle, external.

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

You can follow live coverage on BBC One, iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, NNP

The Great North Run (GNR) returns to Tyneside this weekend, with 63,000 runners taking part in the world's biggest half marathon on Sunday.

Saturday's Mini and Junior events on Newcastle's Quayside are in their 40th year and saw 13,000 young people take on courses ranging from 50m (164ft) to 4km (2.5 miles).

Gladiators Alex Gray (Apollo), Emily Steel (Dynamite) and Matty Campbell (Bionic) rang Saturday's starters' bell alongside GNR mascot Tyney the Tortoise, while Newcastle captain Dan Burn is Sunday's starter.

Sunday's 13.1-mile (21km) event sees runners and wheelchair users begin in Newcastle, race through Gateshead and South Tyneside before finishing in South Shields.

According to organisers, this year's Mini and Junior events are the biggest in its 40-year history.

They give youngsters "the chance to experience their own Great North Run moment - creating memories, soaking up the atmosphere and, for many, getting a taste of what the main event feels like", they added.

To continue reading, click here.

Data from the Great Run Company, which runs the event, shows the proportion of runners aged 25 and under has almost doubled over the past five years, with more than 15% of entrants now falling into that age group.

Among them are friends Gilbert Amakie and Scott Hakizimana, from Newcastle, who have set up their own running club, Non Stop Motion.

Both are preparing to take on this year's half marathon and say running has helped bring young people together.