Great North Run 2018

[Fetchez la vache]

Tentatively thinking about this one..
Has anyone done this before? (Sure they have)

I assume you have to get a place via sponsorship rather than getting a paid entry - though have just registered for notifications (not sure *when* the tickets are available).

Any general advice?
For info, the wife fancies a go at this so thinking of doing it together.
I was never a runner at school but am still fit-ish 35 or so years later. Started running a month ago and just ran 5k so not a bad start. The Mrs used be a decent runner but snapped her achiles last year so currently running my (slow) pace...

It's no-where near us so am going to assume local hotels fill up pretty smartish..

[ADogg]

I did it this year, and it was my first proper run. I started training from nothing in January and was happy I managed it without stoping!

I was amazed at just how busy and congested it was the whole way. I was also amazed at the people walking within half a mile of the start line.

I am glad I did it, I wouldn’t do that run again, but instead am opting for a quieter one next year to break the 2 hour barrier before I can retire from running!

Edited by ADogg on Monday 2nd October 23:26

[D1bram]

This year was my 6th Great North Run, I'm generally a keen runner so I've done many other races to compare to; but it is actually entering the Great North Run back in 2011 which kick started my return to fitness in my 30's and I have only missed one since through injury.

I've been lucky enough to get in through the general ballot twice, following the following link and sign up to the reminder service for the ballot;

http://www.greatrun.org/great-north-run

I am now 'member' which is something they offer once you have completed the run, costs you an extra £50 for three years membership and guarantees you a place.

It's an awesome event in my opinion, well organised and a real experience. It does get very busy, but if you're a quicker runner you start nearer the front. I ran with my Dad this year and dropped back to start with him... it would have been frustrating if I was going full pelt.

Accommodation wise, book something you can cancel now; I think it is worse than the London Marathon but I'm local.

A half marathon is a great challenge for a none runner (it was to me the first year) so don't underestimate it, but it is very, very achievable.

[dodgydave]

I've done about 20 half's in various places, and GNR is probably the only one I wouldn't do again.
If it's your first half marathon and you just want to finish, have a big race atmosphere, and have a collective experience with thousands of others then it's an OK choice.
I didn't like the long hold at the start, too many people for sometimes quite a narrow course. Not particularly scenic until the last mile and a half. Hard to get back to Newcastle from the finish on public transport.Lots of walkers and slow runners ahead of you.
Some people love it, but I just prefer other races.

[Fetchez la vache]

dodgydave said:

Some people love it, but I just prefer other races.

That's interesting - have to say the GNR is the wifes choice, rather than mine and has been taken in by the tv coverage, but out of interest which ones do you rate best?

I think part of the attraction is that neither of us have actually been to Newcastle tbh...

[D1bram]

dodgydave said:

Hard to get back to Newcastle from the finish on public transport.

This is true, I negate this slightly by walking down to the Steamboat for a few pints until the horrendous queues disappear.

[dodgydave]

Fetchez la vache said:

dodgydave said:

Some people love it, but I just prefer other races.

That's interesting - have to say the GNR is the wifes choice, rather than mine and has been taken in by the tv coverage, but out of interest which ones do you rate best?

I think part of the attraction is that neither of us have actually been to Newcastle tbh...

I run Stafford most years, which is in March. Start/Finish at the same place, 3000 runners, so there is plenty of atmosphere but you can run your own pace.
My GNR was my first time in Newcastle, and I loved the place.
With GNR you get the mass participation which is great, especially for first timers. But you need to be patient with the drawbacks that 40,000 runners bring.

[ED209]

I have done it a couple of times but not recently. My honest opinion is that its a massively overpriced corporate rip off on a fairly crap route which is so congested its almost impossible to run properly.

Far cheaper and far, far better races to do in the north east.