Great North Run 2026: Parking Guide for Newcastle
With 63,000 runners and road closures across Tyneside, parking for the Great North Run needs planning — here's how to sort yours.
Great North Run Parking: Your Complete Guide for 13 September 2026
Don't leave your parking to the day. The 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run brings 63,000 runners and tens of thousands of supporters to Newcastle and South Shields on Sunday 13 September — and with major road closures in place across Tyneside from Saturday evening, spaces near the start fill up fast. Book your parking near Newcastle through JustPark now and arrive with your spot confirmed and your morning sorted.
The AJ Bell Great North Run 2026 is the 45th running of the world's biggest half marathon. The 13.1-mile route starts on the A167 near Claremont Road on the edge of Newcastle's Town Moor, heads through the city centre, across the iconic Tyne Bridge and into Gateshead, then east along the Felling Bypass before finishing at the Leas seafront in South Shields.
Book Great North Run Parking Near Newcastle
There is no official event car park at the Great North Run start. The best option is to pre-book a private driveway or off-street space through JustPark in the residential streets of Jesmond or Gosforth — both within comfortable walking distance of the Town Moor start area. Book your parking near Newcastle in advance and take the stress out of race day morning:
Reserve your space ahead of time — on Great North Run day, roads around Town Moor and the A167 are closed from early morning and the surrounding streets fill quickly with runners and supporters.
Choice of locations and price points — from private driveways in the residential streets of Jesmond and Gosforth within easy walking distance of the start, to car parks across the city.
Your space is confirmed the moment you book — no driving around looking for a spot on one of the busiest mornings Newcastle sees all year.
Extend your stay from the app — if you're spectating and want flexibility around the finish, extend your booking without returning to the car.
Know your cost upfront — no surprises on the day, just a space waiting for you when you arrive.
Road Closures and Traffic Restrictions for the Great North Run 2026
The Great North Run brings significant road closures across Newcastle and Tyneside. Plan your route carefully — and if you're parking near the start, aim to arrive early before the main closures take effect.
Key closures for 2026 (based on the established annual pattern — confirm the full list on the Newcastle City Council website closer to the event):
From 8pm Saturday 12 September: Road closures begin around the start area near Town Moor and Exhibition Park, including the North West Radial (A167) and associated slip roads between Grandstand Road and Great North Road, and North Terrace between Claremont Road and Town Moor.
From approximately 8.45am Sunday 13 September: The Central Motorway (A167M) between Great North Road and Tyne Bridge, and the Tyne Bridge itself, close to through traffic until approximately 2.30–3pm.
Throughout the day: All roads on the race course are closed while runners are on them.
Arrive near the start before 8am to avoid the worst of the closures. Routes into Newcastle via the A1 and A19 will be busy — allow significantly more time than usual.
Getting to the Great North Run by Train
Newcastle Central station is served by LNER, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, and Northern, with direct connections from London King's Cross (approximately 2 hours 45 minutes), Edinburgh, Leeds, and Manchester. On race day, trains into Newcastle are busy — book tickets in advance and aim to arrive early.
From Newcastle Central, the start area on Town Moor is reachable on foot (approximately 25–30 minutes) or by Metro (one stop to Haymarket, noting the entry restrictions from 8am).
Do You Live Near the Great North Run Route? Earn Extra Income on Race Day
If your driveway or off-street space sits in Jesmond, Gosforth, or anywhere close to the route between Newcastle and Gateshead, the Great North Run is one of the highest-demand days of the year in the North East. With 63,000 runners and their supporters filling the city, local parking is at an absolute premium from early morning.
Hosts near major sporting events earn significantly more during event periods — on average 57% more annually than hosts in non-event locations. Listing is free and takes less than 10 minutes. Rent out your driveway near Newcastle and let one of the world's biggest running events work for you.
Great North Run Parking: FAQs
When is the Great North Run 2026?
The AJ Bell Great North Run 2026 takes place on Sunday 13 September. It is the 45th running of the event, which has been held annually since 1981.
Where is the Great North Run?
The Great North Run starts in Newcastle upon Tyne on the A167 near Claremont Road, on the edge of Town Moor, and finishes at the Leas seafront in South Shields. The 13.1-mile route passes through the city centre, across the Tyne Bridge, through Gateshead, and out to the South Shields coast.
How long is the Great North Run?
The Great North Run is a half marathon — 13.1 miles (21.1km). It is the world's biggest half marathon, with 63,000 runners taking part in 2026.
How many people run the Great North Run?
In 2026, 63,000 runners take part, making it the world's largest half marathon by field size. The event has welcomed millions of runners since its first edition in 1981.
Is there parking at the Great North Run start?
There is no official event car park at the Great North Run start near Town Moor. The best option is to pre-book a private driveway or off-street space through JustPark in the Jesmond or Gosforth areas, within walking distance of the start, or to use a Metro park-and-ride station and travel in by train.
What time does the Great North Run start?
The elite races begin in the morning, with mass-start waves for general participants following through the mid-morning. Gates and the start area open early — check the official event guide for confirmed wave times closer to race day.
Is the Great North Run hilly?
The Great North Run has a net downhill gradient overall, from the Town Moor start to the South Shields seafront finish, but the route is not flat throughout. There are notable inclines at the Red House roundabout section in Gateshead, which many runners consider the toughest section of the course.
What is the Great North Run route?
The route runs from the A167 on the edge of Newcastle's Town Moor, east along the central motorway, across the Tyne Bridge into Gateshead, along the Felling Bypass (A184), north-east on Leam Lane (A194), and into South Shields, finishing on the Leas seafront.
Book Your Great North Run Parking in Newcastle
With road closures starting Saturday evening and 63,000 runners on the road by Sunday morning, race day parking near Newcastle fills up fast. Book your space through JustPark now, arrive ahead of the closures, and focus on what matters — whether that's crossing the finish line or cheering someone else across it.
