North East Mayor Kim McGuiness and creator of the Great North Run Sor Brendan Foster have both praised what the crowds offer to runners taking the iconic route from Newcastle to South Shields.
Speaking ahead of race weekend, both were quick to emphasise the importance and continued support of the public.
Speaking ahead of race weekend, both were quick to emphasise the importance and continued support of the public.
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00:00Q. Well, Great North Run, how are you feeling this weekend?
00:03It doesn't matter how I'm feeling, does it?
00:06It matters more how the people have ended.
00:08The Great North Run are going to run the Great North Run
00:10and are organising the Great North Run
00:12and are getting ready to meet people in South Shields
00:14because South Shields is so important to the Great North Run.
00:16The Lees, covered with people,
00:18covered with people who have done their thing,
00:22with a charity village at the end,
00:24is an integral part of the Great North Run.
00:27And I think this is going to be the biggest.
00:30So I think, you know, open the doors and welcome people.
00:34Q. Number one, how are you feeling?
00:36I'm a little bit nervous, I'm not going to lie,
00:38but I'm really excited.
00:39It's an absolutely massive privilege to be able to win number one.
00:42I never in a million years thought that it would be something that I would do,
00:46but, you know, as the North East Mayor,
00:49being able to stand there on the start line
00:51with 60,000 people from these incredible elite athletes
00:55and charity winners who have raised millions for charity,
00:57you know, that is a really special thing.
01:00Every year the Great North Run is a do-or-not crown for the region.
01:03It is iconic, it puts this beautiful place on the map.
01:06Where else would you find people,
01:0860,000 people running from an iconic city centre
01:11through to the gorgeous coastline at South Shields,
01:14raising millions for charity alongside the elite athletes,
01:17you know, trying to break world records at the same time.
01:20So we're really proud of it.
01:22It's something that everybody loves to talk about,
01:24everybody loves to go and see, to cheer people on,
01:26and we're also really famous for the welcome we give
01:28the millions of people who come in for the Great North Run.
01:31So is this your first time running it as well?
01:33It's my second time running it, so, you know,
01:35I'm not a runner and it is something that I've had to train for,
01:39so I'll be happy if I beat my last time.
01:41And how's training been?
01:43It's been tough, you know, I'm a new mayor,
01:45I was elected on the 2nd of May
01:48and before that I was Police and Crown Commissioner,
01:50so time is always in short supply.
01:52But I have really enjoyed the training,
01:54however it doesn't stop me from being just a little bit nervous
01:57about the run on Sunday.
01:59The nerves don't go away, do they?
02:01The nerves don't go away, do they?
02:03And I think I'll be joined by a huge number of people
02:05who will feel equally apprehensive,
02:07but what I would say is I have done it before
02:09and the atmosphere is second to none, it's incredible.
02:11You know, everybody has their name on their number
02:14and so people shout your name and it really does get you through.