Andy Burnham turns into first serving PM to tackle Great North Run half-marathon
The Great North Run, the world’s biggest half-marathon in Newcastle, has returned with many famous faces set to take part – including Prime Minister Andy Burnham
Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares to run in the Great North Run (Image: Getty Images)
Andy Burnham has become the first serving Prime Minister to take on the world’s biggest half-marathon as 63,000 runners set off from the starting line in Newcastle city centre.
The Great North Run is back today, with runners setting off on the 13.1 mile route from the city centre to South Shields. Other familiar faces among the UK Prime Minister include Joe Wicks, Chris Kamara, Ben Shephard, Joe McElderry, Helen Skelton and Peter Reid.
The PM has previously run the famous half-marathon course several times while serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He’ll be running for the homelessness and housing charity Changing Lives.
Joe McElderry at the starting line(Image: ChronicleLive)
This year’s Great North Run marks its 45th anniversary. The PM said: “I’m running the Great North Run for Changing Lives because I’ve seen the difference they make with my own eyes.
“A few weeks back I visited Alex’s Place in Newcastle to launch our drive to offer everyone a route off the streets by Christmas. I sat down with residents over a cup of tea and heard what it actually takes to rebuild a life once you’ve lost everything – not just a roof, but people who stick with you while you find your feet again. That’s what Changing Lives does.”
Great North Run organiser said: “History will be made at the AJ Bell Great North Run today as the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP becomes the first serving Prime Minster in the event’s 45 years to take on the world’s greatest half marathon whilst serving in office.”
This year’s Great North Run marks its 45th anniversary(Image: Claire McKie-Reid/ChronicleLive)
The streets are expected to be lined by thousands and there are also displays from the Red Arrows expected, reports Chronicle Live.
There is a staggered start to this year’s race. 10:20am: Elite Wheelchair athletes start; 10:25am: Elite Women start; 10:27am: Visually impaired (VI) participants start; 10:35am: Warm Up; 10:50am: Elite Men and masses start.
According to the Met Office, the weather should be fine for runners. It says: “A fine day, with early cloud in places breaking up to leave some warm sunny spells. Temperatures will be near average with mainly light winds. Maximum temperature 20 °C.”
63,000 runners are set to take on the 13.1-mile Great North Run route(Image: Claire McKie-Reid/ChronicleLive)
A Great Run app, which is free, can be used to follow any particular runner from the race start. This will also offer a predicted finish time to help those aiming to meet a runner at the finish line. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
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