Great North Run gets £100k to fill TV funding gap

Tens of thousands of people take part in the Great North Run every year [PA Media]

Organisers of a half marathon that attracted 60,000 runners has been given £100,000 to cover a "funding shortfall" allowing it to broadcast coverage to more than 100 countries.

The North East Combined Authority (NECA) signed off the cash in support of last year's Great North Run, which follows a route from Newcastle to South Shields.

NECA said it received the request from the Great Run Company shortly before the 2025 event to help it reach an audience of more than three million people in the UK and be shown in 127 countries around the world.

A spokesman for the Labour-led authority said it singed off the grant after receiving an analysis showing it would offer value for money.

The Great Run Company said: "Working together with NECA, visitor numbers, international broadcast coverage, event and spectator participation numbers increased, helping to showcase The Great North Run and the North East region to a global audience."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said a NECA report found more than half of those taking part in the race travelled to Newcastle from outside the region.

It added: "The project is a unique event with a £36 million positive economic impact to the North East.

"The Great North Run facilitated £24 million in charity fundraising, of which at least £4 million will be directly invested back into the North East via local charities."

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