AJ Bell Great North Run: Shakeout Seven – presented by Mitchum7 to 10 September 2026
SEVEN SHAKEOUTS.
Kick off the greatest weekend in the North East with the AJ Bell Great North Run: Shakeout Seven – presented by Mitchum. With seven shakeout runs across seven regions of the North East, there's a local run for everyone. Join us to stretch your legs, ease into event weekend and connect with fellow runners before the big day. Whether you're taking part in the AJ Bell Great North Run or simply want to be part of the local running community, we'd love to see you there.
WHAT IS IT?
An easy run,the week of the event.
A shakeout run is the perfect way to get moving before the big day. A chance to stretch the legs, shake off the nerves and share the excitement with fellow runners as the countdown to the AJ Bell Great North Run begins.
This year, we're bringing the North East together with shakeout runs taking place in Gateshead, County Durham, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Northumberland and North Tyneside, before the headline finale in Newcastle. There's a chance for people across the region to get involved.
Everyone is invited, whether you're taking part in the AJ Bell Great North Run or not. Get ready for a relaxed run, friendly faces and the chance to be part of something bigger before the big day.
- An event near you
- With events across all seven North East authorities, there's a shakeout run happening in your local community.
- Your event, your pace
- Walk, jog or run. These are relaxed, inclusive events where everyone is welcome and nobody gets left behind.
- Powered by local clubs
- Each shakeout is hosted alongside a local running club, bringing people together and celebrating the communities that make our region special.
THE SHAKEOUT
Find yourevent.
Choose the shakeout nearest to you or join us at more than one. With runs taking place across the region all week, there's plenty of opportunity to be part of the AJ Bell Great North Run build-up.
Monday 7 September
On the event routeShake it out:
Gateshead
An easy 5k starting at Blaydon Rugby Club, heading along the Derwent Walk.
- Host run club
- Hosted with SMUG Club, presented by Mitchum
- Meeting point
- Blaydon Rugby Club
- Time
- Meet 18:30 · 19:00 set off
- Accessibility
- Step-free route: a surfaced, traffic-free path along the Derwent Walk, with no steps.
Event finishes hereShake it out:
South Tyneside
An easy shakeout along the South Shields seafront, where Sunday's event ends.
- Host run club
- Hosted with Believe to Run, presented by Mitchum
- Meeting point
- The Ferry View
- Time
- Meet 18:30 · 19:00 set off
- Accessibility
- Step-free route: paved riverside and seafront paths, with no steps.
Tuesday 8 September
Shake it out:
County Durham
An easy shakeout around Durham and its riverbanks.
- Host run club
- Hosted with Durham Social Run Club, presented by Mitchum
- Meeting point
- Riverview Kitchen
- Time
- Meet 18:30 · 19:00 set off
- Accessibility
- Not a step-free route: riverbank paths with steps, cobbles and some steep sections. For a step-free shakeout, try Sunderland on the same night.
Shake it out:
Sunderland
An easy shakeout along the seafront.
- Host run club
- Hosted with 303 Run Club, presented by Mitchum
- Meeting point
- STACK Seaburn
- Time
- Meet 18:30 · 19:00 set off
- Accessibility
- Step-free route: the paved seafront promenade, flat throughout.
Wednesday 9 September
Shake it out:
Northumberland
A coastal shakeout at Amble, starting and finishing at Ethos.
- Host run club
- Hosted with Lace Up with Lucy, presented by Mitchum
- Meeting point
- Ethos, Amble
- Time
- Meet 18:30 · 19:00 set off
- Accessibility
- Mostly step-free: harbour and coastal paths with no major steps, but some tight sections and thin pavements where the group will need to go single file. For wider, fully step-free paths, try North Tyneside on the same night.
Shake it out:
North Tyneside
An easy loop of Rising Sun Country Park, on paved and surfaced paths.
- Host run club
- Hosted with Fortis Run Club, presented by Mitchum
- Meeting point
- Car park, Rising Sun Country Park
- Time
- Meet 18:00 · 18:30 set off
- Accessibility
- Step-free route: paved and surfaced park paths throughout, gently undulating, with no steps, stiles or gates.
Thursday 10 September · Headline Finale
Shake it out:
Newcastle
Hosted with Collective Run Club, presented by Mitchum
One last shakeout together before the big weekend begins.
Quayside Gardens · Meet 18:15 · 18:30 set off
Step-free route: paved Quayside and riverside paths along the Tyne, flat throughout with no steps.
PRESENTED BY
Mitchum,at every event.
The AJ Bell Great North Run: Shakeout Seven is proudly presented by Mitchum, Official Personal Care Partner of the AJ Bell Great Run Series. Participants can enjoy product samples and giveaways from Mitchum at each event.
EVENT WEEKEND
It ends wherethe event begins.
The Shakeout Seven is only the beginning. By Sunday morning, 63,000 runners will make their way from Newcastle to South Shields, and you'll already have shared a few miles with some of them.
- Thu10SeptWith DashPoint
The Final Shakeout
Hosted with Collective Run Club, presented by Mitchum
Find out more - Fri11Sept
AJ Bell Great North 5k
More on greatrun.org - Sat12Sept
AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run
More on greatrun.org - Sun13Sept
AJ Bell Great North Run
More on greatrun.org
- 13.1 miles
- Newcastle to South Shields
- 63,000 runners
- 45th edition
HOW IT WORKS
Sign up once.Turn up.
Get the app
Free on iOS and Android. No event place needed to come to a shakeout.
Pick your event
Seven to choose from across four nights. Come to more than one if you like.
Reserve your place
Free, takes a moment, and it means we know how many people to expect.
Turn up
Shake out the legs, meet fellow participants and soak up the AJ Bell Great North Run atmosphere.
GREAT RUN × MITCHUM × DASHPOINT
Reserve your place.
Every shakeout takes its signups through DashPoint, including the final one. Free, and it takes a moment.
Signups happen in the app
Pick your event, reserve your place, and see who else is coming.
Your place is confirmed
No queue on the night, because we already know you are coming.
You hear first if anything moves
Venue, time or weather: the people who signed up get told before anyone else.
Get the app
Scan to install
Free · iOS 16+ · Android 9+ · syncs on sign-in
QUESTIONS
Before you lace up.
No. The shakeouts are open to everyone, whether you are running on the Sunday, supporting someone who is, or just fancy an easy run with company.
Yes. Every shakeout is free, and so is the DashPoint app you sign up through.
Through the DashPoint app. Every shakeout takes its signups there, including the final one. It is free, it takes a moment, and it means we know how many people to expect.
Short and easy, which is the whole point of one. Exact distances are confirmed with each night's details beforehand.
No problem. Walk, jog or run at your own pace. These events are designed to be relaxed, inclusive and welcoming to all. There will always be someone at the back of the group.
Every card says whether its route is step-free, which means no steps and a firm surface the whole way round, so it should suit a wheelchair or a running buggy. Where a route is not step-free, the card says so and points you to a shakeout on the same night that is. The host clubs are confirming each route, and the cards will update as they do.
Absolutely. With seven shakeouts taking place across four nights, you're welcome to join as many as you'd like. Come along to your local event, explore a different part of the region, or join us across the four nights.
The shakeout series is delivered in partnership with Mitchum, DashPoint and local run clubs as part of the build-up to the AJ Bell Great North Run. The AJ Bell Great North Run and every official event across that weekend are organised by The Great Run Company.
One region. One community. One incredible weekend ahead.
Join us across four nights as the countdown to the AJ Bell Great North Run begins.