Million Opening Ceremony Nominated For National Award

Great North Run Million Opening Ceremony nominated for prestigious Sport Industry Award

Last year's highly acclaimed Great North Run Million opening ceremony has been shortlisted for Best Live Experience at the national BT Sport Industry Awards.  

It will go up against; the Invictus Games 2014, IRN BRU – BRU Shop, Lucozade Sport Conditions Zone, Nike – We Own The Night 2014 and O2 – Wear The Rose Experience, in a  black-tie ceremony at Battersea Evolution in London on 30 April.

The Great North Run Opening Ceremony, which was held on the banks of the Tyne last September, was a spectacular celebration of the Great North Run becoming the first event in the world to reach a landmark one millionth finish.  

The occasion was a celebration of the thirty four year history of Britain's biggest running event, and the North East's reputation as a region of innovation and industry.  Devised by Artistic Director Bradley Hemmings (co-Artistic Director of the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony), and other members of the London 2012 Opening Ceremonies team, the event included performances from some of the biggest names in the music industry –  including local legends Sting and Mark Knopfler and Mercury Music Prize nominees The Unthanks.

The event was brought to life through a specially commissioned piece of writing by author David Almond, narration from actors Jill Halfpenny and Tim Healy, state of the art video projection on the Sage Gateshead, floating sculptures and hundreds of volunteer performers who formed a giant choreographed circuit around the Quayside. 

Multi-platinum selling electronic music duo Chase and Status closed the show against a backdrop of spectacular fireworks in what has been described as one of the greatest ever occasions on the Banks of the River Tyne.

The event was organised by the Great North Run Culture and part funded through an Exceptional Award from Arts Council England, it was the curtain raiser for a three year long programme of cultural events designed to  attract visitors to the region and reach local audiences.  It was also supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, Port of Tyne and Shepherd Offshore.

The Great North Run Million Opening Ceremony was first broadcast as part of the Great North Run coverage and is now available to view in full on the Great North Run Culture page at www.greatnorthrunculture.org