The Red Arrows over the Great North Run start line

11 stunning photos as Red Arrows soar over Newcastle and South Shields for Great North Run

13 Sep 2026, 11:51 by chroniclelive.co.uk · ChronicleLive

It simply wouldn't be the Great North Run without the Red Arrows and, as the sun shone over the North East on Sunday, they ensured all eyes were on the skies for their much looked forward to fly-pasts. And we managed to get some stunning shots of them in action.

As well as taking to the streets to cheer on the many people who take part in the Great North Run, a real highlight for spectators of the famous race eery single year is the chance to see the display team of the Red Arrows take flight. It's always disappointing if their packed schedule thwarts plans to have the Red Arrows at the GNR and, despite several cancellations of displays over the last few weeks, they soared high in the sky once again for the 2026 race.

The conditions for Sunday's half marathon could not have been better, with warm sunshine greeting the runners, including a history making Andy Burnham, as they headed to the start line in Newcastle. And the rain was nowhere to be seen as Dan Burn had the honour of starting the run, with barely a cloud in the sky as the Red Arrows flew over the masses assembled on the Central Motorway.

The sight of the planes and their coloured flumes coming over the Tyne Bridge is one of the Great North Run's most iconic images and we managed to get that, as well as shots of them coming over the huge Hadrian's Tower in Newcastle city centre and down at the coast in South Shields.

You can check out all our Red Arrows pictures from the 2026 Great North Run in the gallery below...