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Thursday , September 10 2026

Gladiators start Junior and Mini races

Jason Arunn MurugesuBBC News, North East and Cumbria

North News Bionic, Athena, Sabre and Apollo, who are wearing all black, stand in front of a group of children posing for the camera and standing behind a rope. They are all wearing blue T-shirts and green signs on their fronts with their race numbers. North News

Bionic, Athena, Sabre and Apollo started the races

Thousands of children are taking part in the Great North Run’s Junior and Mini races.

More than 12,000 children aged between three and 16 signed up to the race on the roads surrounding Newcastle’s Quayside, the run’s organisers said.

BBC Gladiators Sabre, Apollo, Bionic and Athena have rung the starting bell for the races.

It is the precursor to Sunday’s Great North Run – a half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

North News Dozens of small children setting off on foot in a race. They are all wearing blue T-shirts and green signs on their fronts with their race numbers. They are at the starting line of the race which is under a giant red arch that says "AJ Bell Great North Run". Stewards and adults with stand in the backgroundNorth News

Three to 16-year-olds can take part in the junior and mini events

The Gladiators have started the races but are not running themselves.

A spokesperson for Gladiators said: “Inspiring a love for sports and staying active in young people is at the heart of our mission and something we deeply care about.”

North News Man in life-sife green turtle costume poses for the camera with their arms in the air. He is next to a group of children who are all wearing blue T-shirts and green signs on their fronts with their race numbers. They are standing behind a rope. Parents stand in the background looking happy. North News

The race is a precursor to Sunday’s Great North Run

The mini run is for those aged between three and eight years old and is a 1.2km dash.

The juniors, for children aged between nine and 16, tackle a 4km sprint.

The day also features the Mini 50 – a flat 50m course towards the finish line for children with additional needs, supported by their families and carers.


BBC News

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