‹ Events
Children’s Cancer Run Newcastle
- 17 May 2026
- 09:00-14:00
- Newcastle Racecourse, High Gosforth Park
On your marks… Get set… GO!
On your marks… Get set… GO!
Here’s all of the essential event information you’ll need to know ahead of the big day!
Mini Run – Runners aged 8 years and under taking part in the Mini Run must be accompanied by an adult along the route who must be wearing a free ‘Accompanying Adult’ or purchased entry run number. Parents can accompany their child in the Mini Run for free, or choose to pay an entry fee donation to receive a medal and snack pack too.
Runners aged 9 or older taking part in the Mini Run are permitted to run without the need for an accompanying adult if deemed appropriate by their parent or guardian, however they must remain supervised by a responsible adult during the other areas of the event.
3 and 5 Mile routes – Children aged 11 years and under must be supervised by a responsible adult on the course. Children aged 12 years or older are permitted to run any of the course routes without the need for an accompanying adult. Please note that all persons aged 16 years and under must remain supervised by a responsible adult outside of the course route areas of the event.
All adults taking part in the 3 or 5 mile course must register as an Adult entry in order to run the route.
Online entries close at midnight on Wednesday 13th May 2026.
However, you can still enter the run after this date by registering in person on either Saturday 16th or Sunday 17th (event day) May, at Newcastle Racecourse.
When you arrive at the venue, look for the directional signage to our Event Information Point. There you’ll find our team ready to help you with the in-person registration process. After providing some personal details to sign up and making your payment, you’ll then be provided your run number and commemorative t-shirt (for child and adult paid entries only).
Our Event Information Point will be open between 10am-1pm Saturday 16th May, and again between 9am-12pm on Sunday 17th May. It is located towards the back of the car parks opposite Brandling House/Border Minstrel Pub.
If you’re registering in person on Sunday 17th May (event day) please leave plenty of time to do so, as it can get busy and we don’t want you to miss the last wave of runners at 12.30pm.
All child entries will receive a Children’s Cancer Run t-shirt as part of their entry fee, if requested during the sign up process. All children’s t-shirts will be sent out to runners with their run number before the event so that they can be worn on the day as you run!
Children’s Cancer North are making another positive step in our commitment to sustainability. This means that depending on whether you’re a returning participant or joining us for the first time this year, your event t-shirt might come in a different colour to other runners taking part. By incorporating past stock from previous years, we’re reducing textile waste and promoting environmentally friendly practices. We’re committed to still ensuring everyone receives a commemorative t-shirt to mark the occasion, it just might not be our new design for this year. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards a greener, more sustainable event experience.
Adult-sized technical running t-shirts are still available to purchase online at the point of registration, or at Newcastle Racecourse on both Saturday and Sunday of the run weekend. These are priced at £10 each and are available in sizes Small to 3XL.
School entry runners – If you have signed up to run as part of a school team, your run pack will be sent out for your school to hand out in early May. Your run pack will include your run number and t-shirt.
General entry runners – If you have not signed up to run as part of a school team, your run pack will arrive with you through the post in April or early May depending on the date in which you registered. Your run pack will include your run number and t-shirt.
For anyone that registered after midnight on 4th May, including On the Day Entries – please head to the Pick Up Pack desk at the Event Information Point, which will be located towards the back of the car park opposite Brandling House/Border Minstrel Pub. This will be open between 10am-1pm Saturday 16th May, and again between 9am-12pm on Sunday 17th May. All Event Marshals will know where this is if you cannot find it so please just ask for directions if you need help locating it.
Yes, you can! Come along to Newcastle Racecourse between 10.00am and 1.00pm on Saturday 16th May or swap it on the day of the run between 9.00am and 12.00pm on Sunday 17th May.
Please head to the T-shirt Exchange at our Event Information Point marquee opposite the Border Minstrel pub, Newcastle Racecourse and our team will be happy to help swap it for a better size.
All child entries receive a branded cotton t-shirt as part of their entry fee, but adults don’t need to miss out! They can also run in style in our adult sized technical t-shirts – available for sale online at the point of registration, on our online shop, or from the same T-shirt Exchange location at Newcastle Racecourse. Adult technical t-shirts are available in sizes Small to 3XL, priced at £10 each.
For anyone that registered after midnight on 4th May, including On the Day Entries – please head to the Pick Up Pack desk at the Event Information Point, which will be located towards the back of the car park opposite Brandling House/Border Minstrel Pub. This will be open between 10am-1pm Saturday 16th May, and again between 9am-12pm on Sunday 17th May. All Event Marshals will know where this is if you cannot find it so please just ask for directions if you need help locating it.
If you are running with a group of teachers and friends from your school, please head to the School Meeting Point which is located between the main 3 & 5 Mile start line and the Event Information Point.
A-Z banners, provided by proud event supporters ROSEN (UK) Ltd, will be dotted around this large area so that schools can congregate in easy-to-find locations within the space. Please arrange to meet at the appropriate banner for your school, i.e. if you are a pupil at King’s Priory Primary School please head to the J-L banner (for ‘K’) and find a spot nearby to wait for your fellow school runners.
Schools are encouraged to create a school banner that they can hold up high to differentiate their run team from those in another school group, and to make them more easily seen by their school families. If you know that your school has a banner, look out for it near to the appropriate alphabetical flag location.
‘Here to Help!’ Event Volunteers, seen wearing green t-shirts around the site, will be available to assist all runners and spectators – please ask them for help in the first instance.
Alternatively, you can visit the Event Information Point located towards the back of the car park opposite Brandling House/Border Minstrel Pub. Event signage will lead you to this area from the car parks and shuttle bus drop off point.
Bring a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated while you run. There will be free bottled water available to collect at the Finish Line once you have completed your run if you need it. There are sadly no water stations on any of the course routes, however our team remains committed to finding a suitable solution to this in the future.
Don’t forget your run number which should be pinned to the front of your running clothing. Our event volunteers will have spare safety pins at the start area if you need any. Please remember to fill in your details on the reverse of your run number before you take part.
Don’t forget your t-shirt! All child entries will receive their Children’s Cancer Run commemorative t-shirt BEFORE they run* (found in their run pack with their run number) so that it can be worn on the day. Any adult technical t-shirts purchased when you registered will also have been posted out in advance, or be within your run pack that you collect on the day depending on the date of your registration. Adult technical t-shirts will also be available for purchase on the day at the Event Information Point.
*Please note that any runners who registered after midnight on 4th May, including On the Day Entries will need to collect their run pack from the Pick Up Pack desk at the Event Information Point as it will not be possible to post this out to you in time. It is located on site at Newcastle Racecourse towards the back of the car park opposite Brandling House/Border Minstrel Pub and will be open between 10am-1pm Saturday 16th May, and again between 9am-12pm on Sunday 17th May. All Event Marshals will know where this is if you cannot find it so please just ask for directions if you need help locating it.
There is nowhere to leave unattended baggage at the event. Please limit the amount of kit you bring with you and, where possible, leave all bags in your vehicle.
There are no changing facilities on site so please come dressed ready to run.
We recommend bringing appropriate clothing or additional layers for after your run. You may cool down quickly so a spare top is a good idea.
Remember to dress appropriately for the weather! This is an outdoor event so suncream, sun hats and/or waterproofs may be required.
Please note if you book via our website before online registration closes at midnight on Wednesday 13th May, prices will be slightly cheaper.
If you visit Newcastle Racecourse to register in person on either Saturday 16th or Sunday 17th May, tickets will be priced at:
Please go to the Event Information Point to purchase your run number from the On the Day Entries desk which will be open 10am-1pm Saturday 16th May and 9am-12pm on Sunday 17th May.
There is a designated Lost Children Point located in the Grandstand which is staffed appropriately by a team of DBS-checked individuals.
In the event that a child or vulnerable person should be temporarily separated from their party, our Event Marshals will escort them to this location where they will be identified and remain cared for until they are reunited with their responsible adult.
You can view the location of the Lost Children Point on our site map HERE.
Please ensure that you fill in the emergency contact details on the back of all run numbers for your party as soon as, or before, you enter the event site. We also recommend that you take a photo of all persons in your group so that they can be easily identified if needed.
Spectators are very welcome on site. There is plenty of space to accommodate you in the Event Village and it helps make for a great atmosphere. Please come along and cheer your school community, family or friends over the finish line!
Plus we have lots of activities and refreshments on offer in the Event Village to keep you entertained whilst your loved ones complete their run.
Please note that spectators won’t be able to access the majority of the 3 and 5 mile course routes so cannot cheer from the sidelines, but we do have designated course marshals and multiple volunteer-staffed cheerpoints to keep up the atmosphere for those running the course!
The Mini Run route is accessible from the Event Village and there is a stretch of the course where spectators can cheer from.
We have lots of entertainment going on throughout the day in our Event Village…
This year we’re delighted to have partnered with Skate Island to provide even more fun at the run! Skate Island’s pop-up roller rink and entertainment space will be available exclusively for Children’s Cancer Runners and their families on event day, Sunday 17th May. Book an exclusive skate session between 9am-3pm using the special promo code sent to your ticket registration email address! £2 from every ticket sale on the day will be donated to our cause. And if roller skating isn’t for you, there’s still plenty to enjoy at Skate Island… from the mini beach and play park, to the fabulous karaoke booths and arcade!
Please keep to your specified start time which will be detailed in the letter you receive in your run pack if you’re running as part of a school team.
School teams – If you’re running as part of a school team, your school will have been allocated a group start time. If you don’t know your school start time, you can ask your school to confirm as they may want you to arrive earlier than the time we’ve allocated. Alternatively, you can check the list of school start times HERE. If you have any queries on the day, you can speak to our team at the Event Information Point who will be happy to help.
3/5 mile route – Those not running with a school can start anytime between 9.30am and 12.30pm.
Mini Run route (approx. 1km) – Mini Runners can start anytime between 9.45am and 12.30pm.
You must wear your run number on the day and ensure it is visible on top of your clothing when you are on the course. Our event volunteers will have a supply of safety pins available at the Event Information Point if needed.
Please fill in the medical emergency details on the reverse of your number before you start the run.
Mini Run – Runners aged 8 years and under taking part in the Mini Run must be accompanied by an adult along the route who must be wearing a free ‘Accompanying Adult’ or purchased entry run number. Parents can accompany their child in the Mini Run for free, or choose to pay an entry fee donation to receive a medal and snack pack too.
Runners aged 9 or older taking part in the Mini Run are permitted to run without the need for an accompanying adult if deemed appropriate by their parent or guardian, however they must remain supervised by a responsible adult during the other areas of the event.
3 and 5 Mile routes – Children aged 11 years and under must be supervised by a responsible adult on the course. Children aged 12 years or older are permitted to run any of the course routes without the need for an accompanying adult. Please note that all persons aged 16 years and under must remain supervised by a responsible adult outside of the course route areas of the event.
All adults taking part in the 3 or 5 mile course must register as an Adult entry in order to run the route.
By signing up to the main run, rather than the 1km Mini Run, your entry type enables you to choose to take part in either the 3 or 5 mile route.
The 3 and 5 mile courses both start at the same point and cover the same route for the first 2 miles. After this point, the course splits in two and you can choose to run the full 5 miles or take the clearly marked 3 mile shortcut to end up at the same finish point.
There is no need to make a decision on which route you will run in advance, you can decide which route to take on the day (or on the course) depending on how you feel.
Mini Run – The Mini Run course joins the last section of the 3 and 5 mile route. Please be aware that once the course leaves the wooded area of Gosforth Park and reaches the racecourse that there will be younger runners sharing the route with you. Slower runners are advised to keep to the left of the running course so that faster runners are able to overtake to the right.
3 and 5 Mile routes – If you are taking part in the 3 or 5 mile route, please be prepared for cross country terrain. The course varies in terrain along roads, tracks and muddy paths through wooded areas.
This is not a timed race, it’s a fun run. Enjoy running with your friends and family and covering the distance you’ve chosen. There is no need to be a speedy runner at the Children’s Cancer Run, but you can be if you want to.
The first two miles and the last mile of both the 3 and 5 mile courses are the same. At the 2 mile point the course splits in two and you can choose to run the full 5 miles or take the clearly marked 3 mile shortcut to end up at the same finish point. You can make the decision on which of the two routes you’ll run on the day.
Course Marshals are available at regular points along the way to help you if you require any assistance.
A site map showing each course route is available to view HERE.
Pushchairs and wheelchair users are welcome to take part in the Mini Run but, due to the terrain, are advised not to take part along the 3 or 5 mile courses.
Please be advised that all-terrain buggies are permitted on the Mini Run course as it is uneven terrain, so please take caution.
All runners who have paid an entry fee for any of the run routes (Mini Run, 3 or 5 mile course) are entitled to collect a Children’s Cancer Run finisher medal and Greggs snack pack when you cross the finish line. There will also be bottled water available if you need it.
Free ‘Accompanying Adult’ runners taking part in the Mini Run will not receive anything at the finish line. Parents can accompany their child in the Mini Run and choose to receive a medal and snack pack too by purchasing an Adult entry ticket.
We have a designated Family & Friends Meeting Point located within the Event Village at the end of the run, which is a perfect place to reunite with the rest of your group.
It is located in front of the Grandstand in the Event Village and you can check out our event site map HERE for more information.
Look out for signs on the day, or speak to one of our friendly Event Stewards wearing green t-shirts who will be happy to help direct you.
Please arrange to meet family and friends there under the banner which correlates with the first letter of your surname, (e.g. Sarah Brown would meet under the A-C banner for ‘B’). These banners have kindly been provided by ROSEN (UK) Ltd, proud supporters of the Children’s Cancer Run for over 10 years.
If you become separated from your party at any time, this is also a great place to arrange to meet.
After you have finished the run, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the array of live entertainment, fairground rides, activity stalls and more in our Event Village!
Join in the fun with face painting, an inflatable assault course, climbing wall, motorbike and bike stunt display, emergency services expo, a chance to interact with your favourite Disney and Sar Wars characters, and lots more.
Plus, the next generation of scientific researchers can put on their lab coats and take part in a special interactive Young Scientist Zone for a chance to learn more about the world-class childhood cancer research that Children’s Cancer North help fund at Newcastle University, staffed by real-life research scientists!
There will also be delicious food and drink available from a wide range of caterers, including our very own ice cream flavour Orange Ripple Crunch – developed in collaboration with Children’s Cancer North supporters Ciccarelli Gelato and our new charity mocktail ‘Sweet Tooth’ developed by the team at Malhotra Group.
This year we’re delighted to have partnered with Skate Island to provide even more fun at the run! Skate Island’s pop-up roller rink and entertainment space will be available exclusively for Children’s Cancer Runners and their families on event day, Sunday 17th May. Book an exclusive skate session between 9am-3pm using the special promo code sent to your ticket registration email address! £2 from every ticket sale on the day will be donated to our cause. And if roller skating isn’t for you, there’s still plenty to enjoy at Skate Island… from the mini beach and play park, to the fabulous karaoke booths and arcade!
This year we’re delighted to have partnered with Skate Island to provide even more fun at the run! Skate Island’s pop-up roller rink and entertainment space will be available exclusively for Children’s Cancer Runners and their families on event day, Sunday 17th May. Book an exclusive skate session between 9am-3pm using the special promo code sent to your ticket registration email address! £2 from every ticket sale on the day will be donated to our cause.
And if roller skating isn’t for you, there’s still plenty to enjoy at Skate Island… from the mini beach and play park, to the fabulous karaoke booths and arcade!
Once again, our event transport partners, Stagecoach North East, are kindly supporting us by providing a free shuttle bus service operating from various locations locally to help bring runners and spectators to Newcastle Racecourse. We are extremely grateful to their employees for donating their time to volunteer and support us by running this free service.
CC1 Shuttle Bus – This bus will operate from Four Lane Ends Interchange and arrive at the East Entrance of Newcastle Racecourse. It will stop along the way at Quorum Business Park, just off Benton Lane, to collect runners and spectators using the Park & Ride car park located there.
CC2 Shuttle Bus – This bus will operate from Great Park The Sage and arrive at the West Entrance of Newcastle Racecourse.
You can view our Park & Ride map HERE and a full shuttle bus timetable is available to view HERE.
Travelling by Metro – The closest Tyne & Wear Metro station is Four Lane Ends. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on Metro when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Hop on our free CC1 event shuttle bus operated by our transport partners, Stagecoach North East, which will take you from Four Lane Ends to Newcastle Racecourse (East Side). This shuttle bus also stops at Quorum Business Park on the way to collect other runners and spectators using our Park & Ride car park located there. Please note that Nexus will be operating a new Metro timetable from Sunday 17th May, we advise using their journey planner to check if this impacts your travel.
Travelling by Bus – The nearby Four Lane Ends Interchange operates multiple bus services connecting passengers across the North East. Benefit from our free CC1 event shuttle bus operated by our transport partners, Stagecoach North East, which will take you from Four Lane Ends to Newcastle Racecourse (East Side). This shuttle bus also stops at Quorum Business Park on the way to collect other runners and spectators using our Park & Ride car park located there. You can view our Park & Ride map HERE and a full shuttle bus timetable is available to view HERE.
There are also additional bus stops close to both entrances of the Racecourse – located on the A189 road (East Side) and the B1318 road (West Side).
You can use each local bus operator’s online journey planner to find the best route and timetable for you:
There are bike park facilities at the event which can be accessed from both the East and West Gates at the Racecourse. A site map with exact location details is available to view HERE.
Please remember to bring a bike lock to keep your bike(s) secure.
There are two large car parking areas on site at the Children’s Cancer Run: Car Park A and Car Park B. If you are planning to park at the racecourse, please check the details in your run pack letter about which car park you have been allocated a space in. Please stick to this car park to ensure planned capacity remains stable and allow our Event Parking Team to get you parked as quickly as possible.
During some busier periods throughout the morning, you may encounter a delay in getting parked. This will likely be due to the large number of runners and spectators coming to support the event, but we are also aware of an additional event taking place at the Grand Hotel Gosforth Park. As a result, there is likely to be increased traffic at the West Side of the racecourse.
Please follow the instructions given by our Event Parking Stewards at all times to help traffic flow into and out of the racecourse as promptly as possible. We appreciate that it’s never fun to be stuck in traffic, please remember that these fellow runners and spectators have all turned up to help raise money for children with cancer.
Please make your way through either the West Gate or East Gate entrance to the racecourse and inform an Event Steward that you are a Blue Badge holder. They will direct you to the nearest Blue Badge parking space available.
If you are in doubt about any medical problems, please consult your doctor before you run.
If you feel unwell on the day of the run, please do not take part.
Please remember to bring your inhaler and/or any other medication you may need.
Any medical conditions, allergies or medications you take should be detailed on the back of your run number. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, please mark a red cross on the front of your run number to help anyone treating you in an emergency.
First Aiders will be in attendance on the day, based near the Finish Line, and will be able to get to points along the run courses for all first aid medical requirements.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, please mark a red cross on the front of your run number to help anyone treating you in an emergency. Any medical conditions, allergies or medications you take should be detailed on the back of your run number.
Children’s Cancer North will have an official photographer(s) and/or videographer(s) at the event to capture key moments throughout the day.
Additional personnel from other organisations such as local news broadcasters and newspapers may also be present at the event, to help increase publicity of the run and of the charity. This may include televised footage and/or photos published online or in print.
All official media personnel will be identifiable from their event badge as media attendees.
By signing up to the event, you will be accepting the General Conditions of Entry which includes the use of any images/video taken at the event which may capture your participation.
We want to see all the fun you are having!
You can upload your best moments to our Children’s Cancer Run Community Wall including your photos, highlights, and dedications.
You can also post your photos on social media using #CCRun and tag us @ChildCancerNTH on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky or LinkedIn.
Treat yourself or your loved ones to something sweet by taking part in our Children’s Cancer Run competition with long-term event supporter Greggs!
They’re not only joining in the fun at the run on Sunday 17th May by providing snack packs for all of our registered runners, but they’re also offering one lucky participant a chance to win a £50 Greggs voucher by taking part in our new competition!
Want to be in with a chance of winning? It’s easy to enter, simply head down to your local participating Greggs shop before 17th May and snap a photo of yourself in front of our Children’s Cancer Run promotional poster in the shop window (a tasty Greggs treat is also encouraged!).
Then just post your photo on our dedicated competition page linked below, stating your name and which shop location you’re at, and it’s that easy – one entry into the competition completed, hooray!
With over 200 participating Greggs shops in the region, you’ve got lots of chances to enter too! Plus, there’s a bonus 10 entries up for grabs if you can snap and share a photo of the special Children’s Cancer Run branded Greggs delivery truck that’s out and about delivering tasty treats across the region!
Post your pics here 📸👉 Join in the fun with Greggs and the Children’s Cancer Run!
By entering this competition, you agree to the terms and conditions linked HERE. The winner will be selected at random and contacted by Children’s Cancer North during the week commencing 18th May 2026.
There are lots of free and simple ways that you can help our event reach new audiences and raise even more awareness and money for our cause!
Create a social media post to share with your community to let them know you’re taking part or simply share that the event is taking place to encourage others to sign up!
Post your content using #CCRun and tag us @ChildCancerNTH on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky or LinkedIn.
Share your post in local groups, or on WhatsApp or other messaging services.
Put up a poster in your window or get in touch to receive some flyers/posters to distribute around your local area.
Host a talk at your local club, school, or workplace about why you’re taking part and encourage others to join you or donate to your fundraising.
Get creative with your fundraising and host an event, activity or bake sale!
Join in the fun with Greggs and take part in our exciting competition for a chance to win a £50 Greggs voucher! Find out more including our competition T&Cs HERE.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome at the event but cannot run the course.
Children’s Cancer North are taking another positive step towards sustainability by reusing some of our t-shirt stock from previous years, alongside the new designs launched in 2026.
This means that depending on whether you’re a returning participant or joining us for the first time, your event t-shirt might come in a different colour than others and all t-shirts will not feature the date of the run on them.
By incorporating past stock, we’re reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices, whilst ensuring everyone still gets a commemorative shirt to mark the occasion. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards a greener, more sustainable event experience.
There are sadly no water stations on any of the course routes or in the Event Village due to limitations of us using an outdoor site, however our team remains committed to finding a suitable solution to this in the future.
There will be free bottled water available to collect at the Finish Line once you have completed your run if you need it. We are trying to reduce the amount of single use plastic we generate at our events so if you do not want a bottle of water just say “No thanks!” to our friendly Event Marshals at the Finish Line.
Recycling bins have been provided by event supporters, REMONDIS, for all recyclable waste so if you do take a bottle of water please dispose of it in one of these bins when you are finished with it to help us with our recycling mission.
General waste and recycling bins have been provided across the site by event supporters, REMONDIS.
Please ensure that you dispose of your rubbish responsibly to help keep the outdoor site safe for all the wildlife that live there.
Remember to recycle what you can, so if you do take a bottle of water with your Greggs snack pack please dispose of it in one of these bins when you are finished with it to help us with our recycling mission.