Teessiders with New Year fitness goals will be pleased to know that the January ballot for the AJ Bell Great North Run 2025 opens on Monday, January 6, at 10am.
The January ballot runs until Wednesday, January 15, at 2pm. The annual event is one of the world’s biggest half marathons and returns to the North-east on Sunday, September 7.
The ballot presents eager participants with a final opportunity to secure a much sought-after place. Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company said: “We’re excited to open the January ballot and begin the countdown for the 44th Great North Run.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating tens of thousands of incredible runners from across the country and the globe, as they achieve personal goals and raise much needed funds for good causes. Each year we’re amazed how the whole of the North-east gets behind and celebrates the event to create a truly special occasion.
!I encourage everyone to enter the January Ballot for the chance to experience the incredible atmosphere and roaring crowd support for themselves. The event is going from strength to strength and plans are very much underway to make this year’s event the best yet. To everyone entering the ballot, I wish you the best of luck.”
With 60,000 entrants crossing the start line, the Great North Run continues to be one of the biggest, with many taking part to support good causes raising an estimated £25 million for charity. Last year, thousands of Teessiders took part in the annual feat, including a family-of-four who watched their loved one suffer with dementia.
Roger Dickinson
Roger Dickinson was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2022. Inspired by his bravery, four members of his family decided to take on the Great North Run for a charity which campaigns to raise awareness of the condition. Roger sadly died on August 29, just over a week before they were due to take part.
Despite their sadness and grief, the family from Redcar were determined to complete the race in Roger’s memory. Speaking prior to the race, his granddaughter Hannah Beckett, 22, said they were expecting it to be a “very emotional” day.
2024 was the second year she competed in the run for the Lewy Body Society after raising £800 in 2023.
Beckett family left to right: Clive, Hannah, Alfie and Sarah
A Teesside dad who was given the shock news he had a brain tumour, completed the Great North Run. Chris Neal was working as offshore electrical engineer when he suddenly collapsed in May 2023.
After tests, the Nunthorpe man was given the heartbreaking diagnosis. Then in a second blow, in early 2024, an MRI scan identified that the tumour had progressed.
As a way of thanking the intensive care unit, neurosurgical unit and ward 24 teams who treated and looked after him so well, he decided he would sign up for the Great North Run 2024. “Even if I had to walk or crawl part of the way round, I was determined to take part of finish the course for such a worthy cause,” Chris said, “I actually felt good on the day, so was well enough to run most of the course.
Middlesbrough Football Club mascots Ava and Lucas Neal (left) and Chris Neal post-surgery (right)
A courageous young cancer survivor took on the Junior Great North Run to raise money for the charity which helped save his life.
Mason Arrowsmith was just a toddler when his family were given the devastating news that he was suffering from Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia and needed an urgent stem cell transplant. Unable to find a donor match on the Anthony Nolan stem cell register, the Stockton boy’s mum, Katie Jordon, set up a Facebook page called ‘Mason’s Journey’, asking people to sign up to help Mason and others like him.
Thousands of pounds was raised for the charity and thankfully a match was found. Mason, now five, has continued to go from strength to strength and Katie has continued to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan charity and is so proud her son wanted to do the same. The youngster raised £316 for the charity.
Cancer survivor Mason Arrowsmith took part in the Junior Great North Run to help others
(Image: UGC)
The January ballot will be drawn shortly after closing with all successful applicants receiving an email to confirm their place. It will once again be broadcast live on BBC One and in over 169 territories around the world, showcasing the best of the region nationally and internationally.
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