PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Many roads will be closed for the event and parking is limited so public transport may be the easiest way to travel for both runners and spectators. Please plan your journey to and from the event well in advance. For a guide to the local bus services and their operations on the day of the Great North Run please see below. For a guide to using the Tyne and Wear Metro please read the following:
METRO TRAINS
Tyne and Wear’s very own light rail transport system – Metro – means getting around couldn’t be easier. With over 40million passenger journeys a year it proves ever more popular as it is cost effective and simple to use.
Most of you will be staying in accommodation which is a long way from the start line. Don’t stress about driving through unfamiliar surroundings and instead leave your car at your accommodation and jump on to a train at your nearest Metro station; or use the Park and Ride facility at some of the larger stations – remember to take some change with you for the car park.
Extra trains will be running throughout the day between Newcastle and South Shields and there will be plenty of Metro staff on duty to ensure you are heading in the right direction.
Start Line - Newcastle
Approximately a 15 minute walk from Haymarket Metro station on Northumberland Street.
Finish Line – South Shields
Approximately a 15 minute walk to South Shields Metro station on King Street.
Travel on the Day
It is worth remembering Metro ticket machines at South Shields are always very busy. To make your journey easier, remember to buy a ‘Return’ or ‘DaySaver’ ticket at the beginning of your journey, which will save you time and money.
ADVANCE TICKETS
Alternatively, you can organise your travel by ordering advance tickets, which will be posted out to you before you leave home. For further details, prices and advice call 0191 20 20 747 or visit
www.nexus.org.uk/metro
SHIELDS FERRY
The Shields Ferry between North and South Shields will operate extra crossings and will run from approximately 08:45 to 18:00.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
If you do decide to travel to the event by car, it is important to note that no event parking is available at the start. We advise you to use one of the following options:
1) Drive and park at the finish, then catch a Metro or shuttle bus from the Leas to Haymarket Metro and the start. Parking is available on the seafront and in South Shields town centre.
2) Park in one of the designated parking areas in Newcastle city centre, do not park in areas that have police restrictions in place. You can then catch either the Metro or a shuttle bus back from South Shields to the city centre after your run.
3) Get dropped off at the start and collected from the finish. If you are being dropped off at the start we recommend that you are dropped off near to Haymarket Metro Station. If you have someone collecting you from the finish and plan to get picked up on the Leas, please be aware that to speed up exit from the car parks here there will be no entry after 14:00. Hence, please ask the driver to be parked up in the Leas prior to this (other car parks in the town centre or seafront are unaffected). It is key to plan your journey in advance, stay relaxed and aim to get to the start in plenty of time (study the maps for details). If you follow this advice you’ll be able to relax on the morning of your run and make your day all the more enjoyable.
NIRVANA COACH INFORMATION
Race transfer pick-up points available throughout the region – please contact Nirvana Europe on 0191 257 1750 for further information.
RACE SWEEP VEHICLE
In the interests of motorists leaving the event, certain roads will be opened in accordance with the times detailed on the map at the top of this page. Such timings will be influenced by a race sweep vehicle travelling at a designated pace of 17 minutes per mile at the rear of the field. If you fall behind this vehicle you will be deemed to be out of the race and be instructed to complete the remainder of the course on the pavement. If you feel you are unable to complete the course a bus will be on hand to transport you to the finish. Race souvenirs, refreshments and the baggage service will be maintained at the finish until such time as all runners have completed the course.
PLEASE FOLLOW SIGNED EXIT ROUTES TO REDUCE CONGESTION
Additional routes will be opened as the race progresses and junctions on exit routes are cleared but please be patient - 75,000 people exit South Shields after the race so please stay in line. FOR all the local travel information please call Traveline Northeast on 0871-200 2233.
BUS SERVICES AVAILABLE ON THE DAY
SPECIAL additional buses for spectators and competitors will be available on the day of the Bupa Great North Run. Whether you are travelling to see the start or finish or just wanting to get home after the event, there will be a Go North East or Stagecoach bus to help you on your journey.
Getting to the start from South Shields
Go North East Service R1 runs non-stop from Bents Park Road, South Shields to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station at least every 10 minutes from 06.30 to 10.50. There will be an earlier departure at 06.15 to get into Newcastle for 07.00. Stagecoach Service 553 runs from Bents Park Road, South Shields to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station at least every 10 minutes from 07.00 to 10.30, stopping at Chichester Metro, Heworth Metro, Gateshead High Street and Newcastle Central Station.
Stagecoach Service 552 also runs a frequent service at least every 10 minutes between 09.00 and 16.30 from New Crown to South Shields Market, for access to Metro and Ferry.
Getting to the start from Heworth and Gateshead Interchanges
Go North East Service R3 runs at least every 10 minutes from 08.00 to 10.00 From Heworth and Gateshead interchanges Non-stop to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station. Stagecoach Service 553 runs at least every 10 minutes from about 07.15 to 10.40 from Heworth, Gateshead High Street and Newcastle Central Station to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station.
Getting to view the finish at South Shields From Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station
From Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station Go North East R1 runs at least every 10 minutes from 07.00 to 12.00 to Bents Park Road, South Shields.
From Heworth and Gateshead Interchanges
Use Go North East service 27. Additional journeys will be provided on this service and full details are available on
www.simplygo.com
Getting home after the Race
Go North East R1 runs from Bents Park Road, South Shields to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station every 10 minutes from 12.30 to-17.00 and will call at Heworth and Gateshead from 13.15 onwards.
Stagecoach Service 553 runs from Bents Park Road, South Shields to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station at least every 10 minutes from 13.00 to 17.00, stopping at Chichester Metro, Heworth Metro, Gateshead High Street and Newcastle Central Station. This service will also call at Heworth from 13.15 onwards.
FARES
Fares on Go North East R1, R2 and R3 services are £3 for each single journey. No other tickets or passes valid. Fares on Stagecoach services 552 and 553 will be £3 for single trips between South Shields and Newcastle, and concessionary passes will be accepted on all Stagecoach services. Full details will be publicised on
www.stagecoachbus.com.
Go North East and Stagecoach regular local bus services will also help get runners and spectators to and from the Bupa Great North Run. For full service and timetable details visit
www.simplygo.com and
www.stagecoachbus.com.
BY BIKE
There will be temporary bike racks set up in Gypsies Green stadium to allow anyone who wishes to use their bike to lock it up on the morning of the run, catch a shuttle bus to the start from Bents Park Road and then collect their bike afterwards. Please note that the organisers cannot accept any responsibility for any bike left on site and all items are left at the owner’s risk.
FURTHER TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Prices from one bus provider to another may vary.
For full details of fares call Traveline on 0871-200-22-33.
Please note that tickets issued for the Metro train system are not valid on the bus services.
Please allow time in your journeys to compensate for the high number of people travelling on the day and for walking distances to and from your final destination. The walk from the Race finish to the Metro Station at South Shields takes approximately 25 minutes and to the bus departure area approximately 5 minutes. Haymarket Bus and Metro stations are approximately 10 minutes from the start.
Details of the Metro train system are shown above.