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 海角视频. 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.
Pre-tax 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.
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Dividends of £3.86m were paid in the year. The increases follow a number of years in which it tackled various challenges, including the last impact of the pandemic, high inflation and investments in staff.
In a report signed off by the board, the directors highlight strong demand for its events, both long-running and new. The accounts say: “2024 was another successful year for the Group with results reflecting the increasing demand for running and activity.
“Across the year, we successfully sold out all events to capacity, including the ballot for the Great North Run, which outperformed all previous records of demand. Our adventure division successfully delivered the 13 Valleys Ultra, which again saw increased demand in its second year, the Beyond Series of trail events was launched with events in Newcastle and London and we also negotiated a deal to acquire and deliver the long-established Windermere Marathon.
“FilmNova also enjoyed a successful year, with an expansion of the Professional Triathletes Association expanded to 7 events, from 3 in 2023. Diamond League London was added to the FilmNova portfolio for the first time, and we began a new 3-year cycle of UEFA commissions.”
The year also Nova Marketing complete the final year of its contract as host broadcaster for World Triathlon. Meanwhile, at the start of the year the group announced it has entered into a joint venture with 海角视频 Athletics and London Marathon Events to create Athletic Ventures, a vehicle to deliver elite athletics events in the 海角视频, including the Diamond League, as well as bid for and stage international athletics events.
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Following the launch of the joint venture, Athletics Ventures was awarded the right to deliver the European Athletics Championships, which are due to take place in Birmingham next year.”
Directors said the success of its 2024 performance has carried into 2025, with continued demand for the Great Run Series of events.
The firm said: “This demand was not restricted to road running with continued growth of the trail events delivered by our Adventure division and the first successful delivery of the Windermere Marathon, as part of the Great North Swim weekend.
“FilmNova has enjoyed a successful start to 2025 with two additional events, added to the PTO Portfolio. Further commissions have been successfully achieved, notably Boxing for Channel 5 and a three-year contract was agreed with Channel 4 to deliver live coverage of matches in the Women’s FA Cup.
“In Summer 2025, Athletic Ventures successfully delivered the largest 1-day athletics meeting in the world, with the sold-out Diamond League in London. The directors are pleased with the performance in 2024 and remain confident that the group will continue to deliver against its strategic and commercial objectives through 2025 and into 2026.”