GNR Fringe: a week of build-up events & celebrations for the AJ Bell Great North Run

As 63,000 people take on the world famous 13.1 mile challenge on Sunday 13th September, and with many more running the AJ Bell Great North 5K on Friday and the Junior and Mini events on Saturday, organisers of the annual festival of running, The Great Run Company, have pulled together a jam-packed week of events running from Monday 7 September to Monday 14 September.

As part of the new GNR Fringe, you can expect Shakeout Runs across the North East, Runners' Restaurant Weekend, Coffee Raves, a Pasta Party, Runner's World Live Podcast, personalised merchandise print sessions, community beach yoga sessions, book signings, cinema screenings, and an After Party.... Just to name a few!

Check out the full line-up of activities, get yourself booked on, and share far and wide. Everyone is welcome!

https://www.greatrun.org/gnr-fringe/

Highlights

GNR Shakeout Seven – Mon 7th to Thurs 10th across the region

Ahead of the world’s biggest half marathon on Sunday 13 September, The Great Run Company are hosting seven shakeout runs across seven parts of the region. Working with North East-based business, Dashpoint, these will bring runners and communities together in Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, County Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle and Northumberland for these free events.

From the coast to the city, the seven shakeout runs will bring people together to move, meet and share in the excitement as Great North Run weekend approaches. Whether you’re part of this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run events, supporting someone who is, or simply fancy joining your local running community, come and be part of it. Places are limited so make sure you book your free place before they’re snapped up! Book now here

Runner’s World live podcast with Eilish McColgan – Friday, 6:45pm. Fenwick Newcastle, NE1 7AS.

Join Runner’s World for a special, exclusive live recording of The Runner’s World Podcast! featuring Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan.

Hosted by Rick Pearson and Ben Hobson, the evening will bring together inspiring conversation, running stories and plenty of race-day motivation. Eilish will share her experiences, training tips and insights as you get ready for the big day. There’ll also be time to put your questions to Eilish and the hosts, meet the Runner’s World team and connect with fellow runners ahead of an unforgettable weekend. Tickets available here

Professor Lieberman lecture - Friday. 6.30pm for 7pm. The Common Room, NE1 1SE
A unique opportunity to hear from esteemed Harvard University Professor Daniel E. Lieberman. A Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology and Internationally recognised as one of the foremost experts on the evolution of human movement, his pioneering research has transformed our understanding of how and why the human body evolved to walk, run, and stay active. In this lecture, Can You Outrun a Bad Diet?  Why Diet and Moving Both Matter, he will explore the complex relationship between diet and exercise, why physical activity is so important for our health, and why even relatively small amounts of movement can be beneficial Tickets on sale here.

Zucchini Pasta Party – Friday and Saturday, 12pm - 10pm.  Zucchini Pasta Bar, NE1 6BL

Zucchini are here for the carbo loading! Newcastle's ultimate pasta bar is bringing the pasta party back to the Great North Run weekend, serving a GNR themed menu from 12pm – 10pm across Friday & Saturday. With a running inspired playlist to boot, a GNR45 sticker for each customer and a few more surprises lying in wait, it'll be a delight for the senses in more ways than one. Whether you book a table to sit in, or pick up the perfect carbo loading takeaway, fuel up in style at the Zucchini pasta party! Book here 

Coffee Rave – Saturday, 9:30am – 10:30am. Boiler Shop Newcastle, NE1 3PE

The amazing Rant and Ramble Coffee Rave team will be launching their very first ever event in Newcastle as part of the GNR build up.

For 48 hours Great North Runners will have priority access to tickets so secure them today and get ready to be part of the action. What better way to kick-start the Great North Run weekend, than to shake off those pre-race nerves, grab a coffee and come and experience the energy that has people talking about Rant & Ramble Coffee Raves across the UK. With Sam Mitchen on the decks and the incredible Romi Foxx live on drums, expect huge tunes and unbelievable energy! Book here

Runners World Pre-Race Mobility & Stretch Session + Panel Talk  - Saturday 10am - 12pm. Freight Island

Join us for a morning stretch and mobility session, followed by a panel talk at Newcastle’s exciting new rooftop venue, Freight Island (54 Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5RQ).

The expert-led session will focus on mobilising the joints, reducing stiffness and activating key muscles to prime participants for running 13.1 miles the next day. Then sit down and enjoy a panel talk and audience Q&A with some exciting and inspiring celebrity guests, who’ll share stories to help motivate and inspire participants – and help ease any pre-race nerves! All attendees will walk away with a yoga mat and stainless steel water bottle courtesy of Primark. Book here

Sophie Raworth Booking Signing – Waterstones Saturday 12th September at 2pm

From the BBC news to the Marathon des Sables, this is the inspiring story of how one of Britain’s best-known broadcasters found her feet through running. Running on Air will show you that you can do so much more than you ever believed, just by putting one foot in front of the other.

'A generous, joyful book. Deeply moving at points, very funny at others. Generally — and genuinely — life-affirming' – The Times Magazine

Come and meet Sophie on Saturday 12th at 2pm. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. Please note you will need a copy of Running On Air to meet Sophie. Copies will be available to buy on the day. Find out more

Tyneside Cinema – The Barkley Marathons - Saturday 12th September, 12:50pm

A famous prison escape sparks the idea for a cult-like race that has seen only 10 finishers in its first 25 years. This award-winning, oddly inspiring, and wildly funny documentary reveals the sports world’s most guarded secret. Every year, 40 international runners descend upon a small town in Tennessee to test their mental and physical limits against the Barkley Marathons. The race’s cofounder Lazarus Lake is as weird, unpredictable, and irresistible a character as the idiosyncratic event he has created. With a secret application process, unknown start time, and treacherous terrain, the Barkley has gained cult-like status with ultrarunners and amateurs alike. This film invites you to the sports world’s most guarded secret; where pain has value, failure is spectacular, and it only costs $1.60. Book now here Tickets: £7 with code GNR2026

NE1’s Runners’ Restaurant Weekend
If you're looking for a good spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat, you're in luck! Newcastle has so many great options and for the first time the Great Run Company has teamed up with NE1 to offer runners and their friends and families a discount on food and drink as part of a very special Runners' Restaurant Weekend. Take a look

Freight Island After Party –Sunday. 2pm – 12am, Freight Island Newcastle City Centre

Freight Island is Newcastle’s newest neighbourhood right in the heart of the city centre. Think world-class DJs, your favourite food and drinks for days across all three bars.

 For Great North Run Sunday, we’re keeping the party going with DJs live from 2pm and all ten kitchens open. And after 13.1 miles, you’ve more than earned the first round. Show us your medal and choose a pint, house wine, prosecco, or any soft or non-alcoholic drink on us.

Runners Recovery Room - Monday 14th September. 6pm

A heated full-body recovery session created for active bodies and busy minds. Recovery Room combines active and static full-body stretching with mobility work, moving from head to toe to release built-up tension and restore ease of movement. The studio is heated with infrared warmth to around 26°C, creating the ideal environment to help the body soften and release. Expect a considered mix of movement and stillness, supported by props, hands-on adjustments, aromatherapy and soothing music. No experience is needed. This is dedicated time for recovery. 1hr for £14, book here

Runners and spectators, keep track of all of the GNR Fringe events

The 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run is the 45th edition of the event and will once again will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK and to over 170 countries world-wide. It will feature some of the world’s leading athletes competing at the front in the elite Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair athlete races, before the masses take to the very same streets from city to sea.

The 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run is the 45th edition of the event and will once again will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK and to over 170 countries world-wide. It will feature some of the world’s leading athletes competing at the front in the elite Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair athlete races, before the masses take to the very same streets from city to sea.