Great North Run Medals Feature Sunderland and River Wear Instead of Newcastle and Tyne
Organisers Respond with Humor Following Design Confusion
The medals handed out to finishers of this year’s Great North Run contained an unexpected geographic error: the map engraved on them depicted Sunderland and the River Wear, rather than Newcastle upon Tyne and the River Tyne, which are integral to the race’s actual course. This inaccuracy was also present on official event T-shirts.
Race Course Mismatch: Sunderland Replaces Newcastle in Medal Artwork
the half marathon stretches 13.1 miles from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields, tracing the scenic banks of the River Tyne. Yet, this year’s finisher memorabilia showed a winding river that aligns with Sunderland’s River Wear instead.sharp-eyed participants and local residents quickly noticed this geographical inconsistency.
A Playful Apology from Event Coordinators
After social media buzzed about the mistake, organisers issued a lighthearted apology using a pun: “Wear sorry!” They acknowledged that despite thorough reviews during production, no one caught that the river outline was incorrect until after distribution.
The statement also pointed out other design elements celebrating regional pride-such as depictions of Newcastle United players at the start line alongside Sunderland’s Stadium of Light featured on medals-highlighting how this mix-up unintentionally honored both northeast England cities.
Debunking speculation about Route Changes for Future races
This design slip sparked rumors suggesting next year’s Great North Run might shift its route further south toward sunderland or beyond. Organisers swiftly dismissed these claims, confirming no alterations are planned for 2026; it was purely an artistic oversight.
Event President Shares His Take on Overlooked Details
Sir Brendan Foster, founder and president of the Great North Run who has lived near the River Tyne all his life, admitted he too missed spotting this geographic error while reviewing medal designs before race day. He expressed pride in every finisher’s accomplishment irrespective:
“Even if I had run yesterday’s race myself, I would wear my medal proudly despite this oversight.”
He concluded by expressing enthusiasm for upcoming events-with a commitment to double-check geography more carefully next time.
A Distinctive Souvenir for Thousands of Participants
This year saw nearly 60,000 runners take part-the largest turnout since before pandemic restrictions-and each received what organisers now describe as “the most unique T-shirt & medal in Great north Run history.” Despite its flaw, these keepsakes have become memorable tokens likely to be talked about within local running communities for years to come.
