Great North Run 8 Sep 2024

Today, the streets of Newcastle will transform into a sea of runners, joggers and walkers all headed in one direction—south. The Great North Run, the world"s largest half marathon, is back. Founded in 1981 by former Olympic 10,000-metre bronze medallist Brendan Foster, this annual event started with humble beginnings. Just over 12,000 runners took part in the inaugural race, but it quickly grew into a phenomenon. Today, the race attracts around 60,000 participants each year, from elite athletes to charity fundraisers dressed as giant bananas.

© Glenn Gibson/iStock/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

What returned to this city 500 years ago?
Sep 7, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
8 Sep 2025International Literacy Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

26 Jan 2025European beech forest, Belgium
20 Oct 2024International Sloth Day
Tis the season for travel
Where are these spectacular peaks?
Mists over the Amazon
23 Jun 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh
26 Dec 2024Boxing Day
6 Aug 2026Migrating wildebeest crossing Mara River in Masai Mara, Kenya
Amber waves of grain
Panoramic Penzance
20 Feb 2025Red deer, Canada
4 Aug 2026International Owl Awareness Day
10 Apr 2024Apple trees in spring, Germany
2 Jan 2024Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
6 May 2025An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia
28 Nov 2024City Hall, London, England
27 Mar 2026World Theatre Day
7 Oct 2025Autumn colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
6 Mar 2026The Wave, Vejle, Denmark
22 Sep 2024Autumn equinox
Where can you find this cute creature?
26 Jun 2026The River Thames, London
24 Nov 2023Green Friday
Boardwalk over Balkan lakes
5 Oct 2025World Teachers Day
Blue as far as the eye can see
31 Jan 2026International Zebra Day
10 Jul 2025Independence Day of the Bahamas
29 Jul 2025International Tiger Day
Castle in the sky