22km Newcastle River Tyne Half Marathon West Run

22km Newcastle River Tyne Half Marathon West Run

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A circular half marathon (slightly over 22km) run heading west from Gateshead Millennium Bridge along mostly traffic-free cycle tracks and routes, crossing over the River Tyne at the Newburn Bridge Road to run back along the other side of the river. Not all paths and roads are lit at night, so this route is best done during daylight hours.

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Route overview

Start on Newcastle/North side of Gateshead Millennium Bridge (green star in the map below). Run West (river on your left-hand side) and follow the signs for National Cycle Route No 72 Hadrian’s Way for just over 10km.

The award-winning Gateshead Millenium Bridge is unique in its design as it is the world’s first tilting bridge, costing £22 million. The design was chosen through a competition in 1996 where citizens could vote for their favourite design. The bridge is sometimes called the “blinking bridge” or “winking bridge” due to its design and the way it moves. An interesting feature of the bridge is its “self-cleaning” mechanism, where rubbish rolls towards traps built in at the ends. The nighttime scene of the bridge is also quite something to wonder.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge. Credit: Richard Kenworthy, Visit Newcastle

Part 1 of the Newcastle Run River Tyne Half Marathon West (22km)

Map below shows part of your out on the North side of the River Tyne, and part of your route back on the South side of River Tyne.

Part 2 of the Newcastle Run River Tyne Half Marathon West (22km)

Part 3 of the Newcastle Run River Tyne Half Marathon West (22km)

Part 4 of the Newcastle Run River Tyne Half Marathon West (22km)

At approx 6.5km into this section (just after running under the main A1 road bridge over the River Tyne) you will come to a large roundabout on the A6085 with Hadrian’s Cycleway No 72 signed off to the right to follow the A6085. Instead, turn left onto Kingfisher Boulevard to follow the alternative cycle route alongside the river as this is more pleasant!

Part 5 of the Newcastle Run River Tyne Half Marathon West (22km)

When the bike lane comes out at Newburn Bridge Road, turn left to cross over the bridge to the other side, then turn immediately left at the end of the bridge to follow Cycle Route 141 Keelman’s Way back to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge where this run began.