It’s the biggest kids’ running event in Britain – and for good reason! Over 10,500 children take part!
Sign up your Minis (3-8 yrs) for a 1.2km dash and your Juniors for a 4km (9-16 yrs) sprint and inspire them with a taste of the atmosphere and community spirit that characterises the world’s biggest half marathon.
With an iconic riverside route, a supercharged atmosphere and jelly babies aplenty, it’s an unforgettable experience.
Come on, Minis and Juniors: they’re waiting to high-five you on the finish line!
Have a look at the Junior & Mini route maps here.
All runners will start by crossing the Swing Bridge. Junior runners will then do an out and back section towards the Redheugh Bridge, before re-joining the Mini route that heads along the Gateshead Quayside, past the Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. All participants will then run across the Millennium Bridge before their big finish on the Newcastle Quayside, near the Law Courts.
Mini 50
The Mini 50 is a 50m course for children (3-16 yrs) who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to participate in the Junior and Mini age group events, due to their specific needs. Starting 50 metres from the finish-line, towards the millennium bridge, the course is flat and includes all the infrastructure of the Mini and Junior event.
All participants will receive a run number and t shirt in the post before the event and a medal at the finish line on event day.
For all of these events, sign up directly with the event organisers via their webpage and then please let us know by completing this short form.
Date: Saturday, 12th September 2026
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Registration fee: Mini & Junior £27 (Mini 50 TBA) payable direct to the event organisers.
Minimum sponsorship pledge: There's no minimum sponsorship - just raise whatever they can!
Please note that Shine does not have any charity places in the Mini, Junior or Mini 50 Great North Runs - it's necessary to sign up with the organisers to get places.
When you join #TeamShine you will receive:
The course is suitable for wheelchair users and they will have a dedicated wheelchair start on the 1.2K course.
Participants in a self-propelled wheelchair will be automatically allocated to this wave, other wheelchair participants have the option to go into this wave, or take part in the age specific mass waves.
The route will involve going over the Millennium Bridge, involving an adverse camber, so those choosing to participate may want to do so accompanied by an adult support runner – all participants should take special care on sections that might be tricky at high speed.
Mini runners (age 3 – 8) must be accompanied by an adult around the 1.2km course.
Junior runners (age 9-16) have the option of running by themselves or with a Parent/Guardian around the 4km course.
Accompanying adults who are running are required to wear the specific accompanying adult bib, which is attached to the child’s run number. If both parents wish to run with their child, then you can collect another adult bib on the day from the event's Information Point.
More info about the events can be found here.
If you have any questions for our Fundraising Team, please get in touch by completing our enquiry form.