The company behind the Great North Run is celebrating a return to pre-pandemic levels and an influx of new particpants to its headline event.
The Great Run Company has seen demand for entries into the ballot for the 2023 AJ Bell Great North Run return to levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused huge problems for the company, including event cancellations and changes to races.
But the firm said almost two-thirds (61%) of those entering the ballot for this year’s run were first timers, with a revival of younger demographics leading to 10% of those applying this year being under 25. At the other end of the age scale, Great Run said it was also seeing people take up running in the post-pandemic era later in life, with 31% of those entering this year were over 46.
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The event will also continue to bring thousands of people to the North East, with runners from all postcode areas of the UK due to be represented on the start line. More than 500 runners from 47 countries have also applied for places.
Great Run Company president Sir Brendan Foster said: “We were delighted to see such a high level of interest in the AJ Bell Great North Run this year, especially given the challenges we’re facing as a country. When times are tough, it’s sometimes important to remind yourself of the good in the world, and nowhere is that more evident than at the AJ Bell Great North Run.
“Seeing people from all over the country, and around the world, line up together with a common purpose and sense of camaraderie is a humbling experience. We know so many of those runners are also out there to raise funds for charity and support good causes, which in turn are providing a life line to more people than ever before.”
Chief executive Paul Foster said: “This surge in entries is a testament to the enduring popularity of the event and the resilience of the running community. The AJ Bell Great North Run is a North East institution and has a positive economic impact on the regional economy of around £31 million. Runners also raise around £25m for charities and good causes every year. We know things are difficult for a lot of households at the minute, so we’re grateful so many people see the value in taking part in the event and the importance of supporting charities through their participation.”
The Great Run Company took a major hit to its revenues during the pandemic, with accounts last year showing that turnover more than halved from £18.3m to £7.5m, while operating profit fell from £2.05m to £813,376. Employee numbers also dropped from 74 to 60.
But the company earlier this year announced ambitious expansion plans for the next five years, including an ultra-marathon event in the Lake District National Park and investment into the company’s production outfit, Film Nova.
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