Some good tips there, I'm running for the 17th time this year. I personally don't like to get in my zone too early, I stay outside it until it's nearly full then get into it. As you say take an old hoody or tshirt to wear until you are ready to start. Depending what your number is, it can take 20 mins or more to get over the start line but your race chip won't activate until you cross the line. Keep warm until you start. Check the weather forecast and it looks this year like it's going to be sunny, wear some sunscreen. Keep on the left for the first mile and go under the flyover, the OGGY OGGY OGGY chants are waaay more intense underneath rather than over, it's goosebump inducing and I've never had a problem with my gps watch going under. Definitely if there's one daft tip I can give people, don't panic when you see the HUGE queues for the toilets. You won't miss the start. The queues go down quite quickly but the main area where you start the race is well served with lots of bushes! Don't be shy, men, women of all ages use the bushes, no one is going to stare at you! There's plenty of water stations on the route, don't grab a bottle at the start of the stations, run past the bottlenecking for a drink, grab a bottle towards the end of the stations. Tshirts are quite small fitting, there are XL and I think XXL tshirts towards the right hand side at the end but you usually have to ask for where they are coz they're not always well signposted. Above all else, enjoy! Good luck to you all.
Never ran this race but the first "if ever" tip I was given is to book accomodation as soon as the race entry is confirmed as prices skyrocket for this event.
I’ve never taken the shuttle bus myself, but I’ve just seen a bunch of people on Facebook saying that is beyond a doubt the fastest way back to Newcastle. Good for a post run chat too supposedly 😁 Good luck!
Probably, there's buses from Team Valley up to Gateshead town centre (where you could get on a Metro over to Newcastle), but on a Sunday morning they might not be too frequent. A taxi will be the stress free option.
Thank you for this video, I think I've watched it a few times now. I've never been to Newcastle and I'm running this years event. There's a Travelodge in Gosforth, do you think that is a viable option, will there be transport from that way, or is it better to find a place in the city?
I’d imagine you’d be able to get a bus nearby as the Great North Road is a busy route into the city. Unfortunately that hotel isn’t near a Metro, the cities underground system, which is the easiest way into the city. If it's possible to cancel this hotel, I’d look at hotels near a Metro station instead or in the city. You’ll have a great time, it's a brilliant event! Good luck!
It seems like you are a fast runner if you are with elites. How easy is it to get space for a proper warm up and not stand around for 20 mins pre race in the zone A group?
There's definitely more room in A, space to warm up and more runners taking the time to do so, but 20 minutes before people are probably starting to crowd towards the front to get the best start position or getting behind Mo for the BBC coverage. Good luck with your race, it is a good one and if you're starting from A then it's possible to have a decent run...
I've never been in zone A but have been in B. You can warm up outside the pen easily enough and get in as they look like they're closing it. That said, these days there's usually spaces between each zone and enough to have a bit room for a warm up.
Some good tips there, I'm running for the 17th time this year.
I personally don't like to get in my zone too early, I stay outside it until it's nearly full then get into it. As you say take an old hoody or tshirt to wear until you are ready to start. Depending what your number is, it can take 20 mins or more to get over the start line but your race chip won't activate until you cross the line. Keep warm until you start.
Check the weather forecast and it looks this year like it's going to be sunny, wear some sunscreen.
Keep on the left for the first mile and go under the flyover, the OGGY OGGY OGGY chants are waaay more intense underneath rather than over, it's goosebump inducing and I've never had a problem with my gps watch going under.
Definitely if there's one daft tip I can give people, don't panic when you see the HUGE queues for the toilets. You won't miss the start. The queues go down quite quickly but the main area where you start the race is well served with lots of bushes! Don't be shy, men, women of all ages use the bushes, no one is going to stare at you!
There's plenty of water stations on the route, don't grab a bottle at the start of the stations, run past the bottlenecking for a drink, grab a bottle towards the end of the stations.
Tshirts are quite small fitting, there are XL and I think XXL tshirts towards the right hand side at the end but you usually have to ask for where they are coz they're not always well signposted.
Above all else, enjoy! Good luck to you all.
Brilliant tips! Thanks so much for sharing
Never ran this race but the first "if ever" tip I was given is to book accomodation as soon as the race entry is confirmed as prices skyrocket for this event.
That's a good one for sure!
Some great tips thank you. I didn't think about it being so busy getting out of South Shields, do you know if the queues are as bad for the buses?
I’ve never taken the shuttle bus myself, but I’ve just seen a bunch of people on Facebook saying that is beyond a doubt the fastest way back to Newcastle.
Good for a post run chat too supposedly 😁
Good luck!
@@racedayrunning amazing thank you so much, good luck to you too!
Thanks for this. First time runner of the event and I am staying at Team Valley on Saturday. Would best way into town be taxi on Sunday morning?
Probably, there's buses from Team Valley up to Gateshead town centre (where you could get on a Metro over to Newcastle), but on a Sunday morning they might not be too frequent. A taxi will be the stress free option.
Thank you for this video, I think I've watched it a few times now. I've never been to Newcastle and I'm running this years event. There's a Travelodge in Gosforth, do you think that is a viable option, will there be transport from that way, or is it better to find a place in the city?
I’d imagine you’d be able to get a bus nearby as the Great North Road is a busy route into the city.
Unfortunately that hotel isn’t near a Metro, the cities underground system, which is the easiest way into the city.
If it's possible to cancel this hotel, I’d look at hotels near a Metro station instead or in the city.
You’ll have a great time, it's a brilliant event! Good luck!
It seems like you are a fast runner if you are with elites. How easy is it to get space for a proper warm up and not stand around for 20 mins pre race in the zone A group?
There's definitely more room in A, space to warm up and more runners taking the time to do so, but 20 minutes before people are probably starting to crowd towards the front to get the best start position or getting behind Mo for the BBC coverage. Good luck with your race, it is a good one and if you're starting from A then it's possible to have a decent run...
I've never been in zone A but have been in B. You can warm up outside the pen easily enough and get in as they look like they're closing it. That said, these days there's usually spaces between each zone and enough to have a bit room for a warm up.
Alright thats perfect! Cheers for the advice guys! Good luck if you are taking part!
I'll be right behind you in B this year... Enjoy!@@morgankendall6891