Great North Run organisers reveal the new changes runners can expect from 40th anniversary of iconic event

The race will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2020, and organisers Great Run have promised that it will bring a range of exciting new activities and experiences for runners and spectators to mark the milestone.

And now it has been revealed that the popular Great North 5k event will be held on Friday, September 11, kicking off a weekend of running.

It will be followed by the Junior and Mini Great North Run on Tyneside on Saturday, September 12, and the Great Tees 10K and Junior Mini in Teesside that same day.

More than 9,000 children under the age of 16 are expected to take part in the weekend of activity.

Great Run are also launching a competition to design a Great North Run mascot starting on February 3, with details on how to enter to be released soon.

The winning entry will be used by marketing team and made into an costumed character which will be unveiled when the weekend starts.

And new entertainment is also being planned to keep runners going through the course.

Catherine Foster, Great Run Company's brand and marketing director, said: “We are really going to celebrate the kids taking part on that Saturday.“We are also launching the Great North Run mascot which should hopefully be quite exciting.

“The competition is going to launch on February 3 and the idea being is that anyone can enter to design their own idea on what the Great North Run mascot should be.”

Great North 5k entries will open on Monday, February 10, the Junior Great North Run entries will open on Tuesday, February 18 and the Mini Great North Run entries will open on Tuesday, February 25.

To register for the Great North Run ballot visit www.greatrun.org/north

The ballot will close at 9pm on Sunday, February 9, with all applicants being notified via email by Friday, February 14.