# First serving PM finishes Great North Run in under two hours

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/hes-definitely-running-andy-burnham-joins-in-great-north-run-as-he-becomes-first-serving-prime-minister-to-take-part/
- Published: 2026-09-13T15:12:08+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-13T21:23:45+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16127581/running-Andy-Burnham-Great-North-Run-Prime-Minister.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Art, Business, Culture, Geopolitics, Government, Markets, Politics, World

## Key points

- Andy Burnham first serving PM to run Great North Run
- Finished 13.1-mile race in 1hr 57min, joined by 63,000 runners
- Donating part of PM salary to homelessness charity Changing Lives

## Summary

Andy Burnham has become the first serving Prime Minister to run the Great North Run, taking part in the world's biggest half marathon alongside 63,000 other competitors. The 56-year-old completed the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields in 1hr 57min on Sunday, having previously run the race in 2021 before becoming Prime Minister in July.

Wearing a pink shirt with a number 10 race bib, Burnham joked about training in the public eye and swapping his "dodgy running shorts" for a new pair out of respect for the North East crowd. His participation coincides with a pledge to donate 15% of his first Prime Ministerial salary to homelessness charity Changing Lives, following a visit to Newcastle last month where his government announced £442 million in funding to help end rough sleeping by Christmas. This year's event, the 45th running of the race, was its biggest yet, with more than 200,000 spectators expected and British contenders including Eilish McColgan competing.

## Coverage

- [Daily Mail: First serving PM finishes Great North Run in under two hours](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16127581/running-Andy-Burnham-Great-North-Run-Prime-Minister.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)
- [BBC Sport: Prime Minister Andy Burham on competing at Great North Run](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/videos/ce876r2n351o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [BBC Sport: 'I loved it' - Andy Burnham completes Great North Run](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/videos/c80430d9z23o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.