12,000 Children Fill Newcastle’s Quayside with Colour
The AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run returned to the Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside, with 12,000 children filling the streets with happy faces – making this year the biggest staging of the Junior & Mini North Run to date.
Amongst those running today’s event was 6 year old Margot and her family. Nothing was going to stop this determined 6 year old from running today and fundraising for Children’s Cancer North
“Margot was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2024. She has dealt with so much and been incredibly brave. She finished her treatment in May 2025 and wants to raise money to give back to Children’s Cancer North as the charity has supported our family during this unimaginable difficult year.” said mum Helen.
Margot started the first mini wave alongside the Gladiators before completing the course herself with parents and older sister Delilah. Parents Helen and Simon are also taking part in Sunday’s Great North Run as part of their Miles for Margot campaign. Created to give back to Children’s Cancer North and Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation who have supported the family during Margot’s illness, over £30,000 has been fundraised to date by the family and their friends by completing various charity challenges throughout the year.
Familiar faces joining today’s celebrations were starts of the BBC hit show Gladiators, Great Run Mascot Tyney, running royalty Eilish McColgan, Paula Radcliffe and Steve Cram, and fitness coach and TV personality Joe Wicks.
Minis aged 3-8 ran a fun and energetic 1.2km, whilst Juniors aged 9-16 completed an impressive 4km route before receiving a very special and well-earned 2025 medal at the finish line. The AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run also features the wheelchair race and the Mini 50 – a flat 50m course towards the finish line for children (3-16yrs) with specific needs – ensuring that every youngster can enjoy the fun of the Great North Run.
The AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run will be back next year on Saturday 12 Sept 2026 and entries are now open! Enter here.
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