Prime Minister Andy Burnham participated in the Great North Run on Sunday, covering the half marathon route from Newcastle to South Shields to raise funds for the homelessness charity Changing Lives. Wearing a No 10 bib, Burnham completed the race in 1 hour, 57 minutes, and 35 seconds, becoming the first sitting UK prime minister to take part in the event’s 45th edition. Approximately 63,000 runners competed in this year’s run.
Burnham, who has previously run the event in 2021, 2023, and 2024, signed up earlier this year while serving as mayor of Greater Manchester. He described the race as a “fantastic event” that inspires confidence in the spirit of the British people. Speaking ahead of the run, Burnham highlighted the significance of showcasing the northeast region, which he said often does not receive sufficient national attention. “It’s good for the whole country to have its eyes on this wonderful part of the world today,” he stated.
The prime minister also emphasized the importance of physical activity and personal resilience, noting that continuing the run was a way to lead by example. “I’m a big believer that everybody should do a bit of activity, whatever it is people can do,” he told the BBC. He added with a touch of humor, “When I’m doing my job, I can hardly give up halfway round, can I?”
Burnham donated 15% of his first month’s salary as prime minister to Changing Lives and pledged to contribute a portion of his wages monthly to charitable causes. The donation followed a visit to the charity’s Newcastle service in August, during which he launched a national campaign aimed at ending rough sleeping.
Stephen Bell, chief executive of Changing Lives, expressed gratitude for Burnham’s support and involvement. “We’re delighted that Andy is running for Changing Lives and grateful to everyone who gets behind him,” Bell said. He noted that the prime minister’s visit allowed him to hear firsthand the experiences of individuals affected by homelessness and the impact of the charity’s assistance.
Brendan Foster, founder and president of the Great North Run, described this year’s event as the largest in its history, with more than £25 million raised across various causes. Foster highlighted the significance of having the current prime minister participate on the race’s milestone anniversary. “What a way to celebrate the Great North Run’s 45th anniversary,” he remarked.
Burnham ran in a personal capacity and took care to present himself respectfully to the local community, replacing his usual running shorts with new ones to avoid any offense. The prime minister’s participation underscores his ongoing commitment to supporting charitable causes and promoting public engagement in health and social issues.