Accommodation close to Half Marathon Start Line
Jesmond Dene House
NE2 2EY, Newcastle upon Tyne, Jesmond Dene Road
This grand house boasts stylish interiors and luxury accommodation in a parkland setting, just 5 minutes’ drive from the vibrant city centre. With 40 unique individually styled bedrooms, featuring bathroom under-floor heating, bathrobes, The Molton... read more
Staybridge Suites Newcastle, an IHG Hotel
NE1 6NL, Newcastle upon Tyne, Buxton Street
Close to the city centre and just moments from the Quayside area, these stylish and modern suites are well appointed with fully equipped kitchens, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Staybridge Suites Newcastle is an all-suite... read more
Copthorne Hotel Newcastle
NE1 3RT, Newcastle upon Tyne, The Close, Quayside
Overlooking the River Tyne, the Copthorne Hotel Newcastle is located less than a mile from Newcastle Train Station. It offers an on-site fitness room. All spacious bedrooms are well-equipped with a satellite TV with on-demand... read more
The Vermont Hotel
NE1 1RQ, Newcastle upon Tyne, Castle Garth
The Vermont is Newcastle's only 4-star independent hotel. Located next to The Castle, overlooking Newcastle Cathedral and both the Tyne and Millennium Bridges, it has a gym, free Wi-Fi and free parking. This impressive Manhattan-style... read more
Cairn Hotel Newcastle Jesmond - Part of the Cairn Collection
NE2 2TJ, Newcastle upon Tyne, 97/103 Osborne Road, Jesmond
Situated in the affluent area of Jesmond, the Cairn Hotel Newcastle offers boutique style in a dynamic, central location. Focusing on the fundamentals that our guests deserve, we provide an affordable, convenient and comfortable place... read more
OYO The Rowers Hotel
NE11 9EJ, Newcastle upon Tyne, St Omers Road, Dunston
Less than a mile from Gateshead’s MetroCentre, Europe's largest shopping mall, this charming hotel offers comfortable, well-appointed en suite accommodation with a nautical theme. The OYO The Rowers Hotel near Dunston Hill Hospital is also... read more
County Hotel Newcastle
NE1 5DF, Newcastle upon Tyne, Neville Street
Newly Refurbished County Hotel is a 4-Star independent hotel that is located in the heart of Newcastle city centre and opposite Newcastle’s Central Rail and Bus Station, this beautifully preserved 19th-century building is now a... read more
Holiday Inn Express Newcastle City Centre, an IHG Hotel
NE1 4DN, Newcastle upon Tyne, Waterloo Square, St James Boulevard
In the heart of Newcastle, just 500 metres from Newcastle Railway Station, this Holiday Inn Express has a stylish bar and modern bedrooms. Eldon Square shopping centre is a 10-minute walk away, and the Metro... read more
Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Quayside - Formerly Jurys Inn
NE8 3AE, Newcastle upon Tyne, South Shore Road, Gateshead Quays
Overlooking the River Tyne and the Millennium Bridge, Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Quayside is just 2 minutes’ walk from the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. With an on-site coffee shop, this hotel is less than 1... read more
Heroes Hotel
NE1 5JE, Newcastle upon Tyne, 71 Grainger Street
Right in the centre of Newcastle and its famously vibrant nightlife, Heroes boasts an excellent location right in the centre of Newcastle’s major club and bar area. Newcastle Rail Station is only a 5-minute walk... read more
Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle
NE1 4SD, Newcastle upon Tyne, Gallowgate
With a sports bar and grill restaurant, this hotel has a fitness centre and modern rooms with free Wi-Fi. Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle is next to St James’ Park, home of Newcastle FC. The colourful,... read more
Hotel Indigo Newcastle, an IHG Hotel
NE1 5XU, Newcastle upon Tyne, Fenkle Street
This boutique Newcastle hotel offers quirky, 4-star accommodation 2 minutes’ walk from Central Station. Its rooms are striking and unique, there is a fantastic Marco Pierre White restaurant on site, and Wi-Fi is free throughout... read more
Roomzzz Newcastle City
NE1 3NG, Newcastle upon Tyne, Clavering Place
Offering a 24-hour concierge and free UK landline calls, Roomzzz Newcastle City provides spacious and contemporary apartments in the centre of Newcastle. The Georgian building is just half a mile from Newcastle Central station. Each... read more
Hotel Express Newcastle Gateshead
NE8 1AF, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cuthbert Street
Hotel Express is a contemporary hotel located 1.1 miles from Newcastle city centre and 7 miles from Newcastle International Airport. St. James’ park is 1.5 miles away and Metro Radio Arena is 1.3 miles away... read more
The New Mill Apartments
NE4 6PB, Newcastle upon Tyne, 411a Westgate Road
A 6-minute drive from the train station, The New Mill Apartments offer contemporary 1 and 2-bedroom flats in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There is free Wi-Fi and parking. Each apartment features a modern kitchen, fully equipped with oven,... read more
Sleeperdorm
NE4 6JH, Newcastle upon Tyne, 52 Elswick Road
Situated in Newcastle upon Tyne, the stylish Sleeperdorm offers free WiFi access throughout and guests have access to a shared kitchen for self-catering. The property is just 15 minutes’ walk from Newcastle Central Metro Station.... read more
Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter, an IHG Hotel
NE1 3SA, Newcastle upon Tyne, Stephenson Quarter, Forth Street
We are thrilled to open our hotel to ALL guests again. Hawthorn Restaurant and club lounge are fully open now. Breakfast is served as full English buffet. Mineral House spa, swimming pool, gym and steam... read more
Maldron Hotel Newcastle
NE1 5RE, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newgate Street
Situated in Newcastle City Centre, Maldron Hotel features free WiFi and a private court yard. Located in a prime central location with all of the beautiful city’s attractions right on the doorstep, Maldron Hotel has... read more
Newcastle West Hotel & Bar
NE4 6SQ, Elswick, 159 Elswick Road
Located in Elswick and with St James' Park reachable within 1.8 km, Newcastle West Hotel & Bar provides express check-in and check-out, allergy-free rooms, a bar, free WiFi and a shared lounge. The property is... read more
Innside by Melia Newcastle
NE1 3BE, Newcastle upon Tyne, River View, Close Bridge Court
Set in Newcastle upon Tyne, 700 metres from Sage Gateshead, Innside by Melia Newcastle offers accommodation with a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front... read more
Dream Apartments City Center Newcastle
NE1 1UN, Newcastle upon Tyne, 19 Bigg Market
Featuring city views and free WiFi, Dream Apartments City Center Newcastle features accommodation ideally set in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, within a short distance of Theatre Royal, Newcastle Train Station and Northumbria University.... read more
Golden Tulip
NE6 1DN, Heaton, 127 Shields Road Flat 2
Golden Tulip is set in Heaton, 2 km from Northumbria University, 2.6 km from Theatre Royal, and 3.2 km from Newcastle Train Station. This apartment is 2 km from Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and... read more
Alexander Apartments Saltwell Park
NE10 9TD, Newcastle upon Tyne, Rayleigh Grove, Gatehead
Alexander Apartments Saltwell Park has well-equipped accommodation featuring free WiFi in Newcastle upon Tyne, 2.8 km from Utilita Arena and 3.2 km from Newcastle Train Station. Some units also have a kitchen equipped with a... read more
Moors of Newcastle
NE6 1DN, Heaton, 127 Shields Road
Moors of Newcastle is set in Heaton, 2 km from Northumbria University, 2.6 km from Theatre Royal, as well as 3.2 km from Newcastle Train Station. Private parking is available on site. This apartment comes... read more
Numero Uno Detached Aparthouse
NE4 9AW, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1 Romulus Court
Offering garden views, Numero Uno Detached Aparthouse is an accommodation situated in Newcastle upon Tyne, 2.4 km from St James' Park and 3.2 km from Theatre Royal. This holiday home has a garden, barbecue facilities,... read more
CityHost Rooms Newcastle
NE5 3BP, Kenton, 73 Chestnut Avenue
CityHost Rooms Newcastle features air-conditioned guest accommodation in Kenton, 4.1 km from St James' Park, 4.9 km from Northumbria University and 5.2 km from Theatre Royal. All units comprise a seating area with a sofa,... read more
Alexander Apartments Newcastle City
NE1 4EP, Newcastle upon Tyne, St. James Gate, The Bar
Set within 800 metres of Utilita Arena and 600 metres of Newcastle Train Station in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, Alexander Apartments Newcastle City offers accommodation with free WiFi and flat-screen TV. All units... read more
Alexander Apartments City North
NE2 4ND, Newcastle upon Tyne, 53a Hunter's Road, Spital Tongues
Alexander Apartments City North in Newcastle upon Tyne offers accommodation with free WiFi, 1.3 km from St James' Park, 2.9 km from Newcastle Train Station and 3 km from Utilita Arena. The property is 4.3... read more
Atehene CASTLE NEWCASTLE CITY
NE4 5JG, Newcastle upon Tyne, 17 Avison Street
Atehene CASTLE NEWCASTLE CITY has a balcony and is set in Newcastle upon Tyne, within just less than 1 km of St James' Park and a 17-minute walk of Theatre Royal. This apartment is 2... read more
Eazy apartments
NE4 6XH, Newcastle upon Tyne, neville house
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, Eazy apartments provides accommodation 2.5 km from St James' Park and 2.5 km from Newcastle Train Station. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property and private parking is available on... read more
more than 50,000 participants every year
The running event has attracted participants from far and wide ever since it was created in 1981, by the former Olympian and BBC sports commentator Brendan Foster.
The marathon clocked its millionth runner in 2015, and more than 50,000 participants partake in the marathon every year. Participants may enter through a general ballot, or through any of the several charities registered for the event. Charities allow participants on a first-come-first-served basis, unlike general ballot, where entry depends on the luck of draw.
Start Location Half Marathon: Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre (A167 Central Motorway/Claremont Road)
Finish Half Marathon: South Shields (Coast Road)
The race is sponsored by Simplyhealth, as the Simplyhealth Great North Run, and is the world’s largest Half Marathon. It’s one the Uk biggest running events together with the Virgin London Marathon in April and the Great Manchester Run in May.
Where to stay for this running event ?
As it is with any event that attracts sizable crowds, all accommodation options will be heavily booked during the marathon days. The event attracts thousands of participants from other parts of UK and Europe, and several of their supporters, fans, and enthusiasts. Most of them would like to spend a week in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for this running event.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne has several accommodation options, catering to all budgets, and all preferences. The nearby towns of Gateshead, Harton, Marsden, Jarrow, and Sunderland, through which the Great North Run passes, are all good choices to set base as well.
B&B offers you the chance to experience the local countryside and culture in its real setting, and avoid the touristy hotels. Hostels are yet another option for the budget traveller. A simple search would list several options.
Always read the reviews to ensure of your short-listed accommodation option suits your preference. Consider the facilities on offer, whether there is an attached bathroom, whether you require any extra beds, and the distance from the town. Do some research on the distance of the accommodation to the Great North Run route, and how easy it is to get there. As a general rule, do not go by the prices alone, and at the same time, do not trust all reviews blindly. The best value for money may be had from B&Bs which may be outside the tourist zone, and even outside the city centre, but well connected through public transportation.
The time of Great North Run is peak season, and as such, always book a hotel or B&B well ahead of time.
What is it like to run the Great North Run?
Running the Great North Run half-marathon is an invigorating experience. Not only is there a sense of accomplishment in making the run, there is also a chance to run alongside celebrities such as Mo Farah, who has won the race three times in a raw.
The Run starts from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on the A167 road, at the edge of the city centre, proceeds through the eastern side of the city centre to cross the iconic Tyne Bridge into Gateshead, and makes it way through A184 in the direction of Sunderland.
After a run of around three and a half miles on A184, the route deviates north-east, towards South Shields, and reaches Jarrow, from where it takes route A1300, passing through Harton and Marsden, to reach the seafront. The final mile runs along the seafront A183, to the finishing line at South Shields. The scenic and pristine route, culminating in the North East coastline, adds to the charm of partaking in the marathon.
Departure after the race
Getting out of Newcastle-upon-Tyne using public transportation could be a hassle immediately after the marathon, considering there would be more than 50,000 participants alone, besides an equally strong contingent of fans, supporters, media personnel, and others. The best option is to linger along and explore the scenic North for a while.
Apart from the buzzing bars, restaurants, shopping centres, and nightclubs, Newcastle-upon-Tyne offers several attractions such as the ancient castle, Discovery Museum, Centre for Life Science and innovation centre, and more, to keep a visitor engaged for days.
A walk through the historic quayside, the ancient St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Jesmond Dene dell, and other attractions also mesmerise the visitor. The countryside around the city also has several hiking trails, which is a good way to explore nature at its pristine best.
Location and some facts
Name : Great North Run
When : Sunday 10 September 2023
Start Location : The start line is in Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre on the A167 Central Motorway (Claremont Road)
Finish : South Shields (Coast Road)
Distance : Half Marathon
Nearest Hotels and B&B’s : in the city centre of Newcastle UK and South Shields.
Additional Information : chroniclelive, weather information, public transport