Great North Ballot Open

13 JAN2011

2011 will see the 31st staging of Britain's biggest mass participation sporting event and, as in 2010, the entry limit has been capped at 54,000. Last year more than 100,000 people applied for places.entry ballot for the 31st Bupa Great North Run, which will take place on Sunday, September 18, is now open.

David Hart, communications director of organisers Nova International, said, "The Bupa Great North Run has become a landmark event in the British sporting calendar, with participants from every postcode area in the UK descending on the region to take part in the world's greatest half marathon.

"Our objective is to ensure that the 31st Bupa Great North Run surpasses the 30 events that have preceded it and we are already hard at work to make it another fantastic experience."

The Bupa Great North Run will be the highlight of a weekend of activity in the North East, with the Bupa Junior and Mini Great North Runs, along with the hugely popular Bupa Great North CityGames, being staged on the Saturday.

Entrants can apply for the ballot by visiting the www.greatrun.org website. The ballot will close at noon on Monday, February 7, 2011, and all applicants will be advised during that week whether they have been successful with their application.