More than 63,000 have entered the run including the Prime Minister Andy Burnham
It will be the 45th time the half marathon has been held
Runners start in Newcastle before running over the Tyne Bridge and finish in South Shields
You can watch live on BBC One from 10:00 and at the top of this page
The elite men and main start is at 10:50
Jim Scott
BBC North East & Cumbria
There was a roar, everybody looked up and there they were. The Red Arrows have just done a fly past over the finish line in South Shields.
The finish line is already packed with hundreds of people who have been here since early morning.
Thousands of people line the streets of the North East each year to see the runners make their way past.
Kelly Scott
BBC Radio Newcastle
People take part for all kind of different reasons - here is a snapshot of some of them before they set off.
Pamela Tickell
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
Another runner on his way is ex-Sunderland boss Peter Reid, who is taking part for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Reid was inspired to fundraise following his daughter's cervical cancer diagnosis, and the death of North East hero and former England captain Kevin Keegan.
“The atmosphere’s fantastic," he said at the start line.
Reid added the charity did wonderful work including raising funds to build a £30m cancer-fighting institute.
“I’m just humbled that I’ve been allowed to do this - at 70 years of age, brilliant."
Image source, NNPBriton David Weir has won the men's elite wheelchair race in just over 43 minutes
Eve Connor
North East & Cumbria
The atmosphere here at the Tyne Bridge is buzzing as the first of many footsteps begin to pound over it.
Friends, families and loved ones have turned out in force to encourage this year's runners.
There are hundreds of signs and posters lining the bridge, with positive messages to encourage runners to push on.
Robin Davies
North East & Cumbria
Newcastle United star Dan Burn is this year's race starter and says he can "feel the energy and excitement".
His dad is doing it for the "eighth or ninth time".
He hasn't done it himself, but having seen the atmosphere he says he will.
"I will do it at some point, I am sure," he says.
"It's not something that has been on my bucket list to be honest, but now that I have come here and seen what it's about, I would love to do it."
Image source, North News and PicturesPamela Tickell
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
Among those running is Shildon dad David Beadle, who is returning to the half marathon after losing his "running spirit" when his teenage children took their own lives separately, within the space of a year.
He is among a team of 40 raising funds for Quinn's Retreat, which offers a free break in static caravans for people who have been similarly bereaved.
"If people see our runners I'd ask them to give us a big cheer just like they give to all the runners out there," David said.
He asked Quinn's Retreat runners to "go out, enjoy yourselves along the way and soak up the atmosphere along the route as it's the supporters that make the day as great as it is".
The charity offered any runners for suicide prevention charity Papyrus to join them in their tent for refreshments at the end after the organisation went into administration earlier this week.
Image source, SuppliedHere we go - Newcastle United player Dan Burn has fired the start gun and the elite men and main field are off.
What a sight it is as tens of thousands of runner start pouring down Newcastle's Central Motorway.
Eve Connor
North East & Cumbria
The first of the elite wheelchair and female athletes have crossed the Tyne Bridge.
Hundreds cheer them on from the sidelines, signs raised and words of encouragement can be heard being shouted from both sides of the bridge.
These are the first of thousands who will cross this iconic landmark today.
Kelly Scott
BBC Radio Newcastle
Remember that picture we posted first thing this morning - things are looking very different now as thousands of runners have arrived.
Here is the view from the bridge which runs between Claremont Road and the Town Moor - absolutely packed with runners.
You can watch live coverage of the run on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.
BBC Newcastle presenter Kelly Scott is also broadcasting from the start line and you can listen here on BBC Sounds.
Andy Burnham has done the Great North Run before he became prime minister and says it is "the warmth, the atmosphere" he enjoys about it.
He adds: "It's something about the city, the people, the warmth, the humour, it's just a lovely event."
He praises run founder Brendan Foster for the "amazing event".
"The North East doesn't always get the attention it deserves, but this event is the best of British - the Red Arrows, everything," he says.
"And it's good for the North East to get the spotlight and it's good for the whole country to have its eyes on this wonderful part of the world today."
Pamela Tickell
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
There are even more road closures than planned as a water main has flooded the roundabout near the A189 Redheugh Bridge.
Parts of the A184 in Gateshead are blocked with diversions in place.
Northumbrian Water says there is a "considerable amount" of flooding on the road. The running route is unaffected.
Image source, Supplied
Image source, SuppliedMore young people are taking part in the Great North Run than ever before, according to the event's organisers.
Data from the Great Run Company shows the proportion of runners aged 25 and under has significantly increased over the past five years, with more than 15% of entrants now falling into that age group up from 8.7% in 2021.
Run founder Brendan Foster said: "It was becoming a little bit of an older demographic and suddenly in the course of the last five years the amount of youngsters running, under 25, has gone to about 15% from about 7 or 8%, so that's doubled.
"And if you look around you can kind of see why - there are lots of running clubs happening now, it's a cool thing to do, it's where they meet friends, it's where they socialise."
The average age is 39.6 with the youngest runner 17 and the oldest 89.
More young people taking part in Great North Run, organisers say
Here's the Prime Minister on the start line - wearing the Number 10 of course.
Andy Burnham is a keen runner and is the first serving PM to take part in the run's history, organisers say.
He is photographed with the race founder Brendan Foster.
Image source, North News and Pictures
Image source, North News and PicturesHere is the timetable for today:
10:00 BBC coverage starts on BBC One and the iPlayer
10.20 Elite wheelchair athletes start
10:25 Elite women start
10:27 Visually impaired participants start
10.50 Elite men and main race starts
10:52 Red Arrows fly over the Tyne Bridge
Callum Rowe
North East & Cumbria
This is the medal each of the runners will receive when they cross the finish line here in South Shields. It has been designed by Newcastle street artist Mul.
The sun is warm but the wind is cool down here at the finish line. The running conditions are ideal.
British runner Eilish McColgan will be hoping to claim her first Great North Run win.
But she will have tough competition with reigning champion, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui, taking part again alongside previous winner Brigid Kosgei, who is also from Kenya.
Also returning is last year's men's champion, Kenyan Alex Mutiso (both 2025 champions are pictured below).
Image source, North NewsThere will be a sprinkling of famous faces among the tens of thousands of runners making their way from Newcastle to South Shields.
Image source, PA Media
Robin Davies
North East & Cumbria
It’s the calm before the storm.
Runnin' by Beyoncé is blaring from the speakers.
People in athletic wear and fancy dress walking in both directions up Claremont Rd to find their start point.
The coffee kiosk is doing a roaring trade for those needing a last minute caffeine hit..
