Organisers of the Great North Run say they are 'confident' that the much-loved event will go ahead as planned - following the release of the long-awaited road map out of lockdown.
Boris Johnson's announcement of the planned time frame for the country emerging from months of restrictions came as welcome news for the famous half-marathon which is set to take place on September 12.
And just days after Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster voiced his concerns over the inability to secure insurance for the event, uncertainty over it was replaced by optimism.
Sir Brendan's son, Paul Foster - who is chief executive of the Great Run Company which creates the world-famous event as well as other televised mass participation sports across the UK - said the team is now 'confident' that the Newcastle to South Shields run will go ahead if the Government's proposals roll out as planned.
He said on Tuesday: "The Government’s announcement yesterday was definitely a cause for optimism.
"Its offers a clear road map back for everyday life - and, of course, for our events."
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He added: "There is still a long way to go but, if everything goes to plan, we're confident we can stage the Great North Run safely in September and we’ll be working with all local stakeholders to do so."
Earlier this month Sir Brendan teamed up with MP Julian Knight - chairman of the Commons' Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee - to call upon the Government to step in and underwrite the risk of lockdown cancellations so that major events like the Great North Run could continue with their plans for 2021.
With companies refusing to offer insurance due to the pandemic, they said a Government assurance to insurers would save the day and prevent big events on the upcoming calendar being forced to follow Glastonbury in pulling the plug.
The Great North Run is due to celebrate its 40-year anniversary in September, having been cancelled due to the pandemic last year.
