As the AJ Bell Great North Run on Sunday 7 September edges closer, the line up for the elite field races are unveiled with 2024 Men’s Champion returning to defend his title and Eilish McColgan leading the Women’s elite line up as she seeks to clinch her first Great North Run win.
Abel Kipchumba from Kenya returns to defend his Great North Run title after successfully retaining his crown at the NYC Half Marathon in March. He will face stiff competition from fellow Kenyan Alex Mutiso Munyao, the 2024 London Marathon winner.
European record holder for the marathon Bashir Abdi (Belgium) and 2021 Great North Run Champion, Marc Scott (Great Britain) make up the highlights of the men’s elite field.
Defending champion Kipchumba said, “I’m very happy to return to the Great North Run again this year. It was a great honour to win one of the biggest half marathons in the world at my first attempt. I know I have tough competition this year but am ready for challenge”.
In the women’s event, Eilish McColgan will come head to head with Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui, who finished third to McColgan in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and was victorious at the 2024 New York City Marathon. They will be joined in the start line by Great North Run Women’s Champion from 2016 and 2018 Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya).
After her blistering run at the 2024 event which saw her compete in a six-way fight for the finish, only winning will count for McColgan in 2025 to join her Mum Liz McColhan on the honours board.
“I can’t wait to return to the AJ Bell Great North Run this year. It’s an event that holds fond memories for me. I’ve always loved competing in Newcastle and of course we have a proud family history at the Great North Run. I’ve had a great season this year, I’m feeling really strong especially off the back of London Marathon so hopefully 2025 is third time lucky, when I can match mum’s success and win this year’s race. The crowds are always amazing all along the route – the buzz I get from hearing them will definitely spur me on!”
The elite wheelchair athlete races make up the full elite field. Ones to watch in the Men’s race are last year’s runner-up Sean Frame, Commonwealth medallist Simon Lawson and Great Run favourite Rafa Botello of Spain, whilst in the Women’s race Mel Nicholls (GB) and Rita Curucca (ITA) are amongst the contenders competing for their first Great North win.
Over 100 invited elite athletes from across the globe including USA, Ethiopia, Kenya, Japan, South Africa and Europe will take part in the annual AJ Bell Great North Run, completing the 13.1 mile course from Newcastle to South Shields.
Sir Brendan Foster, Founder of the Great North Run and President of The Great Run Company, said, “It’s always an honour for the North East to welcome world class athletes from across the globe to the Great North Run each year, and nothing fills me more with pride than seeing a starting line up like the one we reveal today. Our spectators both on the streets and at home are in for some great sporting action once again!”
Elite start timings
Sunday, 7 September 2025 – The Great North Run will be broadcast live on BBC One from 10am until 2pm.
10:20 Elite Wheelchair Athlete Start
10:25 Elite Women Start
10:27 Visually Impaired Start
10:50 Elite Men and Masses Start
Elite athletes will line up alongside 60,000 runners at the 44th Great North Run, cheered on by over 200,000 supporters lining the iconic course route from Newcastle city centre to the coastal town of South Shields. Many runners will be taking part to support worthy causes, raising an estimated £25 million pounds for charity. The 2025 AJ Bell Great North Run concludes a weekend festival of running with starts with the Great North 5K on Friday before the Junior and Mini Great North Runs on Saturday.
