A star-studded celebrity line-up has been unveiled for this year's AJ Bell Great North Run, with household names from the worlds of football, television, fitness and entertainment set to join tens of thousands of runners.
Football favourite Chris Kamara, TV presenter Ben Shepherd, fitness coach Joe Wicks, and football legend Peter Reid are among the well-known faces taking part in the world’s most famous half marathon on Sunday, September 13.
The event, which begins in Gateshead and ends in South Shields, has been attracting celebrities to its 13.1-mile route since it began in 1981.
The AJ Bell Great North Run has unveiled a star-studded celebrity line-up for this year’s event, with football favourite Chris Kamara, TV presenter Ben Shephard, fitness coach Joe Wicks and former footballer Peter Reid among the famous faces taking part.
(Image: Supplied)
Other famous faces set to take part include Morning Live presenter Helen Skelton, singer Joe McElderry, and Paralympian Richard Whitehead MBE.
Fans of The Traitors will also spot series four cast members Rachel Duffy, Sam Little, Reece Ward and Amanda Collier on the starting line.
Jake Quickenden, singer and TV personality, is also joining the roster, alongside broadcaster Sophie Rayworth, radio presenter and influencer Adele Roberts, and actors Neil Grainger and Harriett Bibby.
Organisers say this year’s run is set to be the biggest yet, with 63,000 runners taking part and more than 200,000 spectators expected to line the streets.
It’s estimated the event will raise more than £25 million for charity.
Since its inception, the Great North Run has seen more than 1.4 million people cross the finish line and has become a symbol of community spirit, resilience and achievement.
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The 2026 event will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK and to more than 170 countries worldwide.
It will feature elite competition across men’s, women’s and wheelchair athlete races, with the mass participation event following.
The Great North Run continues to offer not just a physical challenge but a chance to make a lasting difference through fundraising and awareness.