How to Watch the 2024 Great North Run Live in HD
The biggest half-marathon in the world, the Great North Run, takes place annually in North East England each September. This amazing 13.1-mile (21 km) race from Newcastle to the coast of South Shields is only available in the UK on BBC One. If you’re outside the country, you will probably be greeted by this frustrating message: “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”
In other words, BBC One doesn’t work in most countries. While you could, theoretically, use a virtual private network (VPN) to watch the Great North Run outside the UK, this goes against the BBC iPlayer’s T&Cs and could be construed as copyright infringement.
Quick Guide: How to Watch the Great North Run in 3 Steps
- If you're in the UK, choose a VPN with servers in the UK. See below for our list of the best VPNs available. (Spoiler alert:CyberGhost is #1.)
- Install the VPN and connect to a UK server near you for best speeds. This allows you to watch the race live in the UK without buffering.
- Head over to BBC One and sign up/log in to BBC iPlayer to watch the Great North Run.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
The Best VPNs for Watching the Great North Run
1. CyberGhost
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CyberGhost has fast connections for streaming and 3 UK server locations. But what I found the most appealing was its BBC iPlayer-optimized server. I tested this server while in the UK, and could stream the Great North Run live with no interruptions.
You can enjoy CyberGhost’s services on up to 7 different devices at the same time across various operating systems, such as Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It has 24/7 live support, a strict no-logs policy, 256-bit AES Encryption, and a 45-day money back guarantee.
With very affordable pricing, it’s no wonder that this VPN is rapidly growing in popularity.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is known for its exceptional speeds and has 148 servers in the UK. While visiting the UK, I tested servers in Docklands, London, and Wembley, and my average speed dropped by only 5%. It also offers split tunneling, which allows you to route some of your device traffic through the VPN, which can provide faster speeds since not all your data gets encrypted.
ExpressVPN boasts 24/7 live support, up to 8 simultaneous connections, no activity or connection logs, 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch.
It offers a 30-day money back guarantee and browser extensions that provide additional security, making it a user favorite.
3. PrivateVPN
Private VPN, an excellent VPN that doesn't keep logs, boasts some of the quickest speeds available in the market and operates two servers in the UK. It also offers stable and fast speeds for clear HD streaming, so you won't miss a second of the Great North Run from the UK!
PrivateVPN is also one of the very few providers to offer a dedicated app for the Amazon Fire TV Stick and allows you to protect 10 devices at any given time. AES-256 encryption and a VPN kill switch keep you safe.
PrivateVPN also offers 24/7 live support and a 30-day money back guarantee. Read the many user reviews we’ve collected for more reasons why this is a highly rated VPN.
4. HMA VPN
Renowned as HMA, this VPN boasts a network of 18 servers located in the UK. Whether you're using the Windows, MacOS, Android, or iOS version, the latest release (V3) comes equipped with a built-in speed tester. This feature ensures optimal server selection for streaming the Great North Run while in the UK, offering an enhanced streaming experience.
HMA uses AES-256 encryption and protects up to 10 devices simultaneously. You also get 24/7 live support, a free 7-day trial, and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Users have found a lot to like about this VPN apart from its funny name.
Summary
Watching the Great North Run online is only possible on BBC One in the UK due to copyright agreements. You can, theoretically, access BBC iPlayer and watch the event outside the UK using a VPN. But this goes against the platform's T&Cs and can be seen as a copyright violation. The VPNs on this list all have fast UK servers and top security features, so you can stream the Great North Run safely in HD from the UK.
If you’re still not sure which VPN is best for you, you can check out our quick side-by-side comparison of several of these providers for more information. We’ve also gathered up all the coupon codes you need to get great deals on these VPNs. All that you have left to do is make your choice and get ready to watch one of the most exciting races on Earth!
To summarize, the best VPNs to watch the Great North Run live online in 2024 are...
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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