Incorrect City On Great North Run Medals: Sunderland Appears

Michael

2 min read

Post on Sep 10, 2025

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Sunderland's Surprise Appearance: Great North Run Medal Misprint Sparks Social Media Frenzy

The Great North Run, one of the UK's largest and most beloved half marathons, has found itself embroiled in a slightly comical, yet frustrating, controversy. A significant number of medals awarded to participants feature a glaring error: the city of Sunderland is printed on them instead of the correct location, Newcastle upon Tyne. This unexpected geographical mishap has sparked a flurry of social media posts and amused, yet slightly annoyed, reactions from runners.

The 2023 Great North Run, held on September 10th, saw thousands of participants cross the finish line, only to discover the unusual error on their commemorative medals. The medals, usually emblazoned with the iconic Tyne Bridge and the correct city, instead displayed the Sunderland coastline – a city approximately 26 miles south of the actual race finish.

Social Media Erupts: #GreatNorthRunMedalFail Goes Viral

The unexpected mistake quickly went viral, with runners taking to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to share pictures of their "Sunderland" medals. The hashtag #GreatNorthRunMedalFail trended for hours, filling the timeline with a mixture of humorous memes, complaints, and calls for replacement medals. Many participants expressed their disappointment, particularly those who had travelled long distances to participate and valued the medal as a treasured memento of their achievement.

One runner, posting under the handle @Running_Rambler, tweeted, "Ran the Great North Run for my 5th time and what do I get? A medal saying Sunderland! Come on, #GreatNorthRun, get your geography right!" Another runner commented, "It's a funny mistake, but still a bit frustrating. It's a keepsake I'll always remember... for the wrong reason."

The Organiser's Response: A Promise of Replacement Medals

The Great North Run organisers, the organisers, have responded swiftly to the online backlash, acknowledging the error and issuing a statement. They apologised for the inconvenience caused and promised to provide replacement medals to all affected participants. The statement stressed that an investigation is underway to determine how such a significant mistake occurred in the production process. The details on how to claim a replacement medal are expected to be released shortly.

Beyond the Blooper: The Continued Success of the Great North Run

Despite the medal mix-up, the 2023 Great North Run remains a resounding success, drawing massive crowds and showcasing the spirit of running across the North East. The event continues to be a highlight on the UK running calendar, attracting both elite athletes and recreational runners alike. This year's race saw record numbers of participants raising significant funds for charity.

The incident, however, serves as a valuable reminder of the meticulous planning and production that goes into such large-scale events. While the "Sunderland" medals have created a memorable, albeit slightly embarrassing, anecdote, the core message remains: the spirit of competition and community spirit surrounding the Great North Run remains strong.

Are you a Great North Run participant with a Sunderland medal? Share your story in the comments below!