THAT time has rolled around again, already!

Whether a News Year's resolution, a lifelong ambition or a regular occurrence, runners up and down the country are signing up to take part in The Great North Run (GNR).

The largest half marathon in the world will take place on September 11 with participants, once again, running from Newcastle to South Shields.

The popular event, which last year celebrated its 40th birthday, was founded by Stocksfield's Brendan Foster, who in 2020, was given a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Sum 57,000 people take part each year - either for charity or personal achievement - and here, we take a look back at some of the inspirational Tynedale runners from years gone by.

As this year's ballot opened, Sir Brendan Foster said: "We can’t wait to return to our traditional finish line home of South Shields in September. The event is synonymous with its incredible costal finish and the unbeatable support from the communities along the course, including in South Tyneside.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating tens of thousands of incredible runners, achieving personal goals, raising much needed funds for good causes and demonstrating everything that’s great about our region, as they cross the finish line in South Shields once again.”

Coun. Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, added: “Hosting the finish line again will be a huge, much-needed boost for our communities and local businesses. The Great North Run is a real inspirational, feel-good event which is what is needed to help lift spirits and get our great region back on track after a very difficult and challenging period.

“South Shields is the historic home of The Great North Run finishing line – it is such a special event, much-loved by not only the people of South Tyneside but the hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators from all over the UK and beyond. It normally marks the end of a summer of packed entertainment across South Tyneside and has grown to become one of the most recognisable sporting events in the world, worth millions to the North-East economy, not to mention the tremendous amount of money it raises for so many fantastic causes."

The 2022 Great North Run ballot closes at 9am on February 21.