Great North Run Runner's Hub
So you’ve made the first step on your Great North Run experience.
Thank you so much for signing up to the world biggest half-marathon.
We are with you every stride, every water break and every blister of the way!
Like any big challenge, preparation is key!
That's why we've put together this pack for you to get the most out of your Great North Run experience.
It's full of useful tips for your fundraising, training, helpful tips for race day, and answers to questions that you may not have even thought about.
Now that you’ve signed up and received your entry confirmation, your Enthuse fundraising page is already live. You can start personalising it straight away, add photos, share why you’re running, and begin spreading the word. The earlier you share your page, the quicker you can build momentum and boost your fundraising!
There is no such thing as a silly question
When will I receive my running vest?
If you have selected that you require a running vest when signing up, you will receive this at the end of July.
If you have moved address between signing up for the Great North Run please email Rebecca to update this or this will be sent to your previous address.
When will I receive my running number?
Your running number will be sent from the Great Run Company approximately 3 weeks before race day.
If you have moved address between redeeming your token and 10 weeks prior to race day, please contact the Great Run Company- more details can be found on their FAQs section under “Editing my Entry/Contact Details”
I can no longer take part in the run, what do I need to do?
Please email Rebecca and she will assist with next steps.
Can I get a paper sponsor form?
Yes! This is available in the resources section of this page.
How do I get the money I have raised to you?
- Cash- This can be bank transferred or brought into our offices. Please contact Rebecca to arrange this
- Fundraising Page- All donations made via online pages are automatically sent to the charity as they are received. Don’t worry about having to close your page or sending this to us post run.
How can I connect with my fellow runners?
During the lead up to GNR 2026 you can connect with your fellow runners either via our Facebook group or Strava club.
I have a question not covered here, what should I do?
If you cannot find the answer to your question and it is related to race day please visit the GNR website FAQs.
If your question is related to anything else please contact Rebecca.
Fail to prepare? You know the rest.
Preparation is key so start thinking about training for this challenge now, even if it seems miles away.
If this is your first ever half marathon and you’re stuck for where to start with your training, or you’re aiming for a PB, we have you covered.
The runners within our team also recommend the following apps:
- Couch to 5K
- Runna
- Strava
Did you know that you can link Strava to your Enthuse fundraising page?
If U Care Share's Top Fundraising Tips
- Add a profile picture
- Did you know that by adding a profile picture to their fundraising page, runners on average raise £203 more.
- Tell your story
- Personalise your fundraising page by sharing why you are running, maybe include suicide prevention or bereavement support is important to you?Sharing your story allows people to see your personal connection to the run. Fundraisers who tell their story raise on average an extra £264.Remember, only do this if you feel comfortable doing so.
- Show Gratitude
- Always thank your donors promptly and publicly. Acknowledging their contributions makes them feel appreciated and could encourage future donations.
- Set Achievable Goals
- Break your fundraising target into smaller, more manageable goals, and celebrate each milestone. People will often donate a few extra pounds to see you over that milestone mark. For example, aim for £100 every month, and thank those who have helped you get there!
- Tag Us
- We love seeing your progress! Tag If U Care Share in your posts so that we can see and reshare! Keep resharing your fundraising page across all your social media platforms so people don't forget to donate.
- Bring Donations To You
- Organise events like quiz nights, bake sales, or online raffles to gather donations. These events can bring together family, friends, and colleagues, offering a fun way to contribute.
- Involve Your Community
- Ask your workplace, local businesses, or community groups to sponsor your run or contribute prizes if you’re hosting an event to help with your fundraising. Many businesses are keen to support local charities and might even match donations. We can also provide paper sponsor forms for these!
- Educate Your Audience
- You could share suicide prevention facts about the importance of mental health. Sharing statistics or success stories from If U Care Share helps people understand the impact of their donations.
- Shout About Your Success
- Did you know that 20% of fundraising comes in after an event? So share how you did and what taking part meant to you. You’ll be amazed at how many extra donations come in.
Helpful advice from Ross, a #TeamIUCSF runner
The week of the race: Light runs, lower distance and just keep yourself ticking over. If you’re not used to it don’t do a massive run a couple of days before.
Getting there and arrival: The bus is ideal because they can get around the majority of the blocked roads. Give yourself plenty of time for when you get to town because there will be a lot of people about. Enjoy the walk up to the Town Moor, there’s a proper buzz.
Pre-race: Follow your routine. If you have carbs get them in with some time to digest. Stay hydrated and sip water. You’re not going to want to be full. It’s going to be grim but get yourself in the queue for the portaloo and expect there to be no paper. People are generous to share but I recommend bringing a few sheets just in case you come up short before the race.
Crossing the start line: It’ll be very easy to get overwhelmed with the event and everyone around you. Try to stick your pace to what you want to be running at. You don’t want to come out the blocks too hot and regret it later on. There’ll be people who run past you and those that you run past as well. It’s YOUR race! The only competition is yourself so run it exactly how you want.
Along the run: The support is amazing. Take it in. Listen for people you’ve never met shouting your name. This will get you through the later miles. Kids and adults will be handing out sweets and fruit as you go. Take what you need but don’t over do it, refuel sensibly. At the water stations, sip it. Again to make sure your body doesn’t go into any shock. If they have the shower tunnels use at your discretion. Looks like a good idea at the time but I’ve never seen anyone come out the other end and not regret it. Running soaked is not the one!
The final mile: It’s going to feel a lot longer than it is and you go from a massive drop in gradient to a steady incline. Have some energy in the tank for the final push.
Most importantly: Enjoy it! There’s nothing like the atmosphere and the feeling once you’ve crossed the line. If you’ve got a time goal and you achieve it, class! If you miss it for whatever reason, you’ve still ran a half marathon!
Utilise Your Social Channels
Pin to your page
Pin your fundraising page to the top of your feed and pop it in your bio so it's easy for people to find it.
Stories
Utilise Instagram and Facebook stories to provide timely updates about your training and your fundraising journey. On Instagram, group your stories into a specific 'Great North Run' story so it's easy for people to see your progress
Tag Us
Make sure you tag us in your updates whenever you have the option to do so. You journey is part of our journey, too!
Weekly Round Ups
Provide weekly round ups of how your training and fundraising is going, and show how close you are to hitting your targets.
Get Creative
Create reels, make TikToks, go live. The social media world is your oyster!
Countdown
Keep counting down to the big day. This keeps your challenge fresh in people's minds.
Be Real
Share the good, the bad, and the ugly. No training or fundraising journey is easy so let people see the reality of what you're working towards.
Meet Rebecca – Your GNR Contact
Rebecca is here to guide you every step of the way as you prepare for the Great North Run. Whether you need advice on training, fundraising tips, or just a bit of encouragement, she’s your first point of contact.
Don’t hesitate to reach out - Rebecca loves supporting our runners and helping everyone have the best experience possible on race day!
Get in touch: rebecca@ifucareshare.co.uk
