Great North Run organisers apologise after map of Sunderland printed on thousands of medals

Organisers of the Great North Run apologised after thousands of finisher T‑shirts and medals bore a map of Sunderland rather than the River Tyne, a mistake that was discovered after more than 60,000 runners completed Sunday’s half‑marathon.

The 13.1‑mile race from Newcastle to South Shields was cheered on by crowds estimated at up to 200,000, but the souvenir items sparked a social‑media backlash when observers noticed the ribbon of the River Wear on the medal and T‑shirt design. In a statement on Monday organisers said "Wear sorry!" and confirmed the image was an error, not a hint at any future route change.

"As the eagle‑eyed have already spotted, the shape of the river on this year's finisher T‑shirt & medal is indeed the River Wear," the statement said. "To answer the rumours that this was the route reveal for next year.... sorry to disappoint, it's a mistake. Lots of people looked very closely at the designs and none of us picked it up."

The organisers sought to play down the error by noting elements of the event that did reflect Newcastle, saying there were "Newcastle United stars on the start line and the Stadium of Light on the medal." Founder and president Sir Brendan Foster, who has lived on the River Tyne all his life, said he had admired the design but had not noticed the geographical mix‑up.

"I loved the designs for the medal and T‑shirt, spent ages marvelling at them, and never spotted the mistake, even when we hung it in Fenwick's window," Foster said. "I've lived on the River Tyne my whole life and I should've noticed, but if I'd run the Great North Run yesterday, I'd still be wearing my medal with pride."

Organisers described the keepsakes as "the most unique T‑shirt & medal in Great North Run history" and said they expected the mistake to be a talking point for years to come. They added that planning was already under way for the 2026 event "after we've brushed up on our geography."

Sunday's event drew elite and recreational runners, celebrities and influencers. Among the participants was professional boxer Tommy Fury, who was recorded sprinting to the finish and appearing to shove two competitors out of his path in the closing moments. Fury, 26, the younger brother of heavyweight fighter Tyson Fury, has been captured in similar sprint finishes in other events.

Footage from the run circulated on social media showing Fury arcing around the final bend and forcing his way through a dense pack to reach the line. Organisers did not immediately comment on that footage. Earlier this year Fury was involved in a separate controversy after video from a January 10k charity race showed him nearly knocking over a spectator.

The Great North Run, founded by Foster in 1981, is one of the world's largest half‑marathons and has become a regional showcase, drawing participants and supporters from across the North East and beyond. Race officials said they would review design approval processes to prevent a repeat of the error but reiterated that the event itself — and the support along the route — remained a success.

For the thousands of finishers, organisers said, the medals and shirts will serve as an unusual memento of the 2025 race, albeit one that misidentified a local river.