History was made on Sunday as the 45th staging of the Great North Run saw Prime Minister Andy Burnham line up with 63,000 runners take part in the biggest ever event in the race’s history.
Becoming the first serving Prime Minster to compete whilst in office, the 2026 Great North Run was Mr Burnham’s fourth time taking on the iconic 13.1 mile course from city to sea, having previously run in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Running in a personal capacity for charity Changing Lives to raise awareness of homelessness, he completed the event in 1:57:35 having signed up to run at the start of this year whilst still in office as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Supported by over 200,000 people lining the Newcastle to South Shields route, and watched by millions on the BBC, the elite athletes delighted crowds before the mass waves of every day and charity runners took to the streets.
American Zouhair Talbi won the Men’s elite race on his first visit to the Great North Run. In a close run battle down the final straight he pipped last year’s winner Alex Mutiso from Kenya to take the tape in a time of 00:59:47. Mutiso finished a short distance behind in 01:00:01 with Yohei Ikeda of Japan in third in 01:00:40.
In the women’s race it was a Kenyan one two with Brigid Kosgei taking the crown for the second time in 01:06:15. Last year’s champion Sheila Chepkirui came second in 01:08:19
with Melknat Wudu (Ethiopia) in third in 01:09:37.
It was double British success in the elite wheelchair athlete races with David Weir taking a record 10th win in the men’s elite wheelchair athlete race (00:43:06), and Mel Woods taking first place in the women’s event in 00:50:19.
Newcastle United Captain and England player Dan Burn was on official starter duties all morning, dishing out high fives until the very last runner passed under the famous starting gantry. The class of 2026 were joined by a host of celebrities including Chris Kamara and Ben Shepherd running for Prostate Cancer UK, Joe Wicks, Sophie Rayworth, Helen Skelton, Jake Quickenden, and England legendary footballer Peter Reid.
Founder and President of the Great North Run Sir Brendan Foster said: “Since our first event in 1981, we’ve seen countless special moments and incredible feats and today was no different. Our biggest ever Great North Run, over £25 million raised for many worthy causes and our current Prime Minister on the start line, what a way to celebrate the Great North Run’s 45th Anniversary.”
The sun was shining and the region came out in force to cheer our runners on their way. There really is no other crowd like the Great North Run supporters. From the runners, to our loyal volunteers and everyone that lines the streets, you help us show that the Great North Run is at the Heart of the North East!”
