Colmans sees return of Great North Run finish line

Colmans Seafood Temple in South Shields is celebrating after organisers of this year’s Great North Run announced the race will return to its usual route, finishing just 200 yards from the restaurant entrance.

The half marathon, which starts in Newcastle and traditionally finishes in South Shields, was diverted last year due to covid restrictions and for the first time saw it end back in Newcastle.

With over 50,000 runners taking part, the Great North Run is one the Temple’s busiest days of the year.

Owner Richard Ord Jnr comments: “It’s excellent to have the Great North Run back home in Shields. It’s an incredible day and it’s one of the busiest days of the year for us. All people want to do when they finish the race is run down and grab fish and chips and a cold beer. We sell a lot of Peroni on Great North Run day, believe me.”

The return to South Shields is not just good news for the Temple, but also the whole town, with Richard adding: “It’s great for all the Shields folk, they’ve grown quite proud of being home to the Great North Run finish line. For the town itself, it’s incredible with the coverage on the tele, it’s quite a celebratory day.”

It will be all hands on deck when the race gun goes off on Sunday 11th September with Richard planning on pulling in the entire Temple team.

“You go from having a lovely quiet morning at 12 o’clock and within an hour you have 50,000 people walking past your doorstep. The takeaway, restaurant, bar, the whole place will be packed, it will be relentless. But it’s good relentless, everyone is in good spirits, nobody is worried about waiting, it’s a great atmosphere and all the local bars have live music outside.”

Richard has declined a place in this year’s Great North Run on the grounds that he will be needed in the Temple that day, but did say he would run to work instead!