The Bridges of the Tyne 5 Mile race starts and finishes on Newcastle’s historic Quayside passing seven of the river's iconic bridges.

The 2019 race incorporates the NECAA 5 Mile Championships.

UKA Licence number: 2019-36101

Event entry process

Because this event normally sells out very quickly and entry is opening early in the morning, the Results Base Queue System will be in operation. Please take the time to read this page before entries open so you understand the process!

Entry is £17 per runner with a £2 reduction for UKA members. Please note that your British Athletics/UKA membership will be checked during the registration process and if valid the appropriate discount will be applied. Scottish Athletics and Welsh Athletics members can also obtain the discount by entering their membership number into the appropriate field.

An administration fee of £1 per runner will be applied to each order by our online entry system partner, Results Base.

Race start and course

Race HQ and registration is at the Tyne Pub on Maling Street, with registration beginning from 5:30 pm and closing at 6:45 pm. The race HQ is approximately 800 metres from the start on the Quayside and there will be an area set aside at The Tyne for runners to store baggage

The race starts facing West towards the Tyne Bridge. Keeping to the left of the path runners will then run under the swing bridge and continue along the Hadrians Way cycle path towards the Quayside Business Park. The route will be open to pedestrians and cyclists and whilst the route will be marshaled runners will have no priority on the course. On the approach to the Swing Bridge runners need to be aware of items of street furniture including original mooring posts from the Quayside. On exiting from under the Swing Bridge there is a tight left turn before the path widens for a long straight section past the Copthorne Hotel towards the first mile point.

On the approach to the first mile marker the path narrows at a river access point, runners will need to be cautious in the approach to this section of course. Although the route is flat and fast on the approach to the second mile point there are a number of left hand corners to negotiate, continuing to run on the left hand side of the path at all times.

After passing the second mile point runners will follow the riverside path around the BA car park before facing the only incline on the course. This short stretch takes the course to its turning point before beginning the return to the Quayside.

The turn is indicated by one of the Hadrian’s Way mile markers, after this sharp right hand turn the course takes runners on the grass verge for approximately 100m after leaving the grass stretch there is a short downhill section which has three steps at the bottom which runners are asked to approach with caution. After negotiating the steps leading runners will be running in the opposite direction to runners on their outward route and are asked to keep to the left.

The course from this point is basically a straight route back along the riverside path to The Quayside. After passing the third mile the course widens out again heading back towards the City centre and mile 4, which is located outside of the Copthorne Hotel and offers runners spectacular views of the Bridges. Passing mile 4 leads runners back to the Swing Bridge where once again caution is needed in respect of the street furniture.

For the final section of the race, runners should move to the right hand side of the footpath for the run into the finish. Marshals will be on the Quayside as athletes run past the entrance to the Pitcher and Piano Pub, at which point the course is at its widest for a fast run into the finish that is located at the mouth of the Ouseburn.

Prize presentations will be at the Tyne Pub from approximately 8:30, allowing all competitors an opportunity to finish their race and change into fresh clothing.

Course records

Male: Ian Hudspith (Morpeth Harriers & AC) 24:46 on 9^th July 2013

Female: Aly Dixon (Sunderland Strollers) 27:49 on 8^th July 2014

Past results

2018 : 2017 : 2016 : 2015 : 2014 : 2013 : 2012