THE 40th staging of the world's biggest half marathon is taking place today.

GNR40, which was postponed last year due to Covid restrictions, will bring 57,000 runners together to mark four decades of the iconic event.

For the first time, instead of finishing in South Shields, the race will now start and finish in Newcastle with runners crossing the Tyne Bridge twice.

Organisers The Great Run Company had said the change in route will help reduce crowds at the event and on public transport before and after the race.

And rather than the traditional mass start, runners have been allocated specific timeslots.

Sir Brendan Foster, along with his team of original founders, staged the first ever Great North Run on a sunny day in June, 1981.

Since 1981 there have been 1.2 million finishers, and The Great Run Company said the event now raises around £25M for charity each year and contributes around £31m to regional economy.

Sir Brendan said: "Since the very beginning the Great North Run has been an unapologetic celebration of ordinary people doing extraordinary things – it embodies everything that’s great about the region; our grit, determination and sense of community.

“That support has elevated the event to one of the best in the world, welcoming runners, elite and amateur, from across the globe.

“If you’d told me 40 years ago this is where we’d be I would have found it hard to believe, I can’t wait to see what the next 40 years bring.”

This year’s event will also pay tribute to the heroes of the pandemic.

The Great North Thank You Campaign, with support of partner HSBC, will feature 13 inspirational individuals in a large-scale visual installation along the route of the course.

Four of those heroes, local NHS Staff, will also be the event’s official starters. Dr Mickey Jachuck a Consultant Cardiologist from South Tyneside District Hospital, Senior Sister Jade Trewick from the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Community Staff Nurse Dorathy Oparaeche and Deborah Southworth Occupational Health Team Lead at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, will officially set runners on their way.

The Great North Run is live on BBC Two from 09:00 to 10:00 and then footage will move over to BBC One until 13:30. The highlights will be shown on BBC 2 from 17:00 to 18:00 on Sunday evening.

Are you taking part? If so email us your pictures and stories to news.hx@cnmedia.co.uk