00:01The Great North Run, the world's largest half marathon, is just around the corner, drawing 60,000 runners to tackle the storied 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields.
00:12In light of packed public transport and road closures, transport planning becomes as vital as the endurance training itself.
00:19This year again, the Metro will carry an unprecedented surge of passengers.
00:23Nexus anticipates its busiest day ever, with trains hailed as essential lifelines to both the race start near Claremont Road and the seafront finish line in South Shields.
00:33Stations such as Haymarket, Monument, Jesmond and Manners border the starting area, though crowd control measures will temporarily limit access.
00:43Haymarket will only exit early in the morning, while Jesmond and Manners will close mid-race.
00:49The ingenious solution helping countless runners and spectators this year is the Great North Run Rover wristband.
00:56This clever all-day pass unleashes unrestricted travel across Metro buses, ferry services and even Northern trains within the Tynum Weir region.
01:05Last year, use of this wristband helped power a record-breaking 146,000 journeys on public transport during race day,
01:13up nearly 20% from 2022, highlighting its popularity and practicality.
01:19Raising around £25 million for charity every year, I asked locals if they think they could hack it.
01:25I wouldn't get anywhere! No, I wouldn't do a marathon, no.
01:30I don't think I can either. I can go uphill on a hill, but not a marathon, I don't think.
01:39I might try it one day. Would you? I might.
01:43OK.
01:45I would totally run a marathon, and I ran a child's North Run, the one-foot-under-16s.
01:51That was good. So I'd definitely run a marathon.
01:54I would never run a marathon, but, like, I run, but I don't think I could do a full marathon.
01:59I'd probably get up, like, 15 miles, I reckon. I don't think I'd get too far.
02:03So you could probably do the Great North Run, then?
02:05I could probably do the Great North Run, but I think I'll, like, max out at that.
02:08I haven't run a marathon. Unless it was, like, for a good charity, I think.
02:15For those arriving at the start, Central Newcastle offers accessible links.
02:19Expect a 15-20 minute walk from Haymarket or Monument Metro stations
02:24to the assembly areas along the A167 near the town motor.
02:28And if you're meeting a runner, the best advice is to pick one location,
02:32either the start, somewhere along the route, or the finish.
02:35Because with such heavy passenger loads, moving between them is nearly impossible.
02:41When the finish line beckons in South Shields, persevering through the traffic isn't necessary.
02:46Extra metro services, shuttle buses, and ferry crossings are on hand.
02:50Trains run every seven and a half minutes from South Shield station,
02:54and the Shields ferry adds frequent crossings from North Shields well into the afternoon.
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