GNR company toasts rising profits this year

MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER TOOK PART IN ITS RUNS AND OTHER EVENTS

- By COREENA FORD

THE company behind the Great North Run is toasting a successful year driven by record numbers signing up for its flagship half marathon and demand for new events.

Based at Tyne Bridge House in Gateshead, Nova Marketing trades as The Great Run Company and is known for organising the Great North Run from Newcastle to South Shields, alongside a host of series of marathons, half marathons, 10ks and other events across the UK.

The company has now posted its results for 2024, showing a lift in turnover from £18.1m to £22.6m, which comes as demand rises for its events.

Pretax profit more than doubled from £1.45m to £3.61m, while operating profit also saw a similarly significant leap from £1.2m to £2.96m.

Overall profit for the year rose from £1.1m to £2.69m, and employee numbers also grew slightly, from 65 to 69.

Dividends of £3.86m were paid in the year.

The increases follow a number of years in which it tackled various challenges, including the lasting impact of the pandemic, high inflation and investments in staff.