A BIG STARTER FOR THE BIG OCCASION Big Dan Burn confirmed as starter for the 45th Great North Run

The 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run official starter on Sunday 13^th September will be England star and Newcastle United Club Captain, Big Dan Burn!

Heralding from the North East, Burn joins a veritable roll call of local heroes who have performed official starting duties at the world’s greatest half marathon since it first began in 1981 including Sting, Ant and Dec, Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer, Mark Knopfler, Jill Scott and Steph Houghton.

After helping England reach the semi-finals of this summer’s World Cup, Burn is representing not only Newcastle United but England on the iconic starters platform and will be responsible for setting 63,000 runners on their way, marking the biggest Great North Run in the event’s 45 year history.

Sir Brendan Foster, Founder of the Great North Run and President of The Great Run Company, said:

“This year for us is huge in so many ways – it’s our 45^th anniversary and the biggest ever Great North Run with 63,000 runners taking on the famous course from city to sea. We needed someone big for this big moment, so we made a big signing… Big Dan Burn!

The Great North Run is about regional pride, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and a shared love and passion for the region. Dan epitomises all of this.  Since the first event, we’ve seen countless special moments. Kevin Keegan, as England Captain, was our first celebrity runner back in 1981, running the course in a split shirt representing both Newcastle United and Sunderland FC. It seemed also a fitting tribute to Kevin by inviting Newcastle United, and Dan as current captain, to start the race this year as we remember Kevin’s impact on the game across the region.”

Dan Burn, England star and Newcastle United captain, said: 

“It’s an honour to be starting the Great North Run on the milestone 45^th occasion.  I’m so excited to see all 63,000 of you on Sunday.  I’d like to wish everyone running all the best of luck!”

The 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run will once again will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK and to over 170 countries world-wide.

The event will feature some of the world’s leading athletes competing at the front in the elite Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair athlete races, before 63,000 runners take on the 13.1 mile course, spurred on by over 200,000 spectators lining the streets in support as the region comes together. 

The weekend of running will kick start with the AJ Bell Great North Run 5K race on Friday 11^th September, and what will be the 40^th edition of the Junior and Mini events on Saturday 12^th September.

Ahead of the running action this weekend, tens of thousands of people have already entered the September Ballot for the 2027 AJ Bell Great North Run. For your chance to be on the famous start line – sign up now at  greatrun.org/north.