Last Call For Great North Run

3 FEB2012

Runners looking to take part in this year's Great North Run are being encouraged to apply before the ballot deadline closes this Monday (February 6). The race, which is Britain's largest mass participation event, has 50,000 places available for Sunday, September 16.

Since its inception in 1981 when 5000 runners took part, the Great North Run has established itself as the world's most popular half-marathon. Nearly 100,000 people have already applied to take part in this year's race, with applications received from as far afield as Australia, Bermuda, Canada and the USA. The run will be the first major event staged after the London 2012 Olympics.

Brendan Foster, Chairman of organisers Nova, commented: "It's amazing to think that the local fun run we planned back in 1981 has become a global event, but the heart of the Bupa Great North Run is its regional identity and we are particularly delighted that nearly half of all applications received are from people living in the North East."

You can enter the Great North Run ballot until midday Monday, and can do so by visiting the event website. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be informed of their status by Friday, February 10.