Running for office: Andy Burnham joins in Great North Run as he becomes first serving Prime Minister to take part

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By LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 11:10 BST, 13 September 2026 | Updated: 11:19 BST, 13 September 2026

Andy Burnham has become the first serving Prime Minister to run the Great North Run after joining 63,000 competitors for the 13.1-mile race across the North East.

The Prime Minister, 56, swapped Downing Street for his running trainers on Sunday as he took part in the world's biggest half marathon, which stretches from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields.

Burnham, who became Prime Minister in July, is no stranger to the event, having previously completed the race in 2021 when he wore bib number one to mark its 40th anniversary.

He finished that race in 1hr 55min - and will now be hoping to break the two-hour barrier again despite the demands of his new job.

The 2026 Great North Run is the biggest in its 45-year history, with 63,000 runners taking on the famous route and more than 200,000 spectators expected to line the streets.

Speaking ahead of the race, Mr Burnham said: 'It's something about the city, the people, the warmth, the humour, it's just a lovely event.'

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to race founder Brendan Foster, describing it as an 'amazing event'.

He added: 'The North East doesn't always get the attention it deserves, but this event is the best of British - the Red Arrows, everything.

'And it's good for the North East to get the spotlight and it's good for the whole country to have its eyes on this wonderful part of the world today.'

Andy Burnham has become the first serving Prime Minister to run the Great North Run after joining 63,000 competitors for the 13.1-mile race across the North East

Andy Burnham poses with Brendan Foster as he prepares to run in the Great North Run

Burnham's appearance comes as he makes good on a pledge to donate part of his Prime Ministerial salary to charity.

He is raising money for homelessness charity Changing Lives and has handed over 15 per cent of his first month's salary as Prime Minister to the organisation.

The donation follows his visit to Changing Lives' Alex's Place in Newcastle last month, where he launched a national drive to end rough sleeping.

His Government announced £442million in additional funding as part of the plans, including a pledge to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas.

Burnham has long used running as a way of raising money and awareness for charitable causes.

In 2014, while serving as shadow health secretary, he completed the London Marathon in 4hr 26min 19sec.

Five years later he ran the Boston Marathon in 5hr 13min 52sec after being invited by the One Strong Foundation, which was established by survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing to support victims of terrorism.

Burnham was then Mayor of Greater Manchester and ran in aid of charities established following the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

The Great North Run has been held since 1981 and has become one of the world's most famous half marathons.

Previous winners include Sir Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe, while British hopes this year include Eilish McColgan, daughter of Liz McColgan, who won the women's race three times during the 1990s.