Millionth finisher to complete the Great North Run

This year’s Great North Run on Sunday 7 September 2014 will see the event achieve its millionth finisher - the first time an event has reached such a landmark.

Thursday 4 September will see the Great North Run Million Opening ceremony when the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside and the River Tyne will be transformed into a huge outdoor arena for a big event that will start a year of celebration of the millionth finisher. This, and the celebrations that follow, will celebrate not only running but also the wider history and arts of the North East.

People are being encouraged to leave their Great North Run story on the www.gnrmillion.org website, by emailing shareyourstory@greatnorthrunculture.org or using the #GNRMillion tag. You can read the experiences of some of the people to have been part of the Great North Run at www.gnrmillion.org/share-your-story.

From the end of August 2014, Great North Run Culture will present a yearlong programme of events, exhibitions and workshops in partnership with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England and Port of Tyne.

Kicking off in South Shields on 30 August is the touring Great North Greats exhibition which tells the story of individuals and communities, everyday triumphs and ground-breaking achievements. It is a celebration of all of the Great North Greats – ordinary people, extraordinary achievements.