Alzheimer’s Society has been named the official charity partner of the AJ Bell Great Run series for 2026-27.
The dementia charity anticipates that its two-year partnership with the series, which includes the Great North Run and the Great Manchester Run, will raise almost £4m.
Paul Reynolds, associate director of commercial and partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society said: “With new treatments on the horizon, we know that a better future is now within reach.
“That’s why we’re so proud to be selected for this partnership – collaborations like this are absolutely vital in supporting us to making that hope a reality.”
Alzheimer’s Society will take the place of the running events’ current charity partner, British Heart Foundation, which is aiming to raise £1m from this year’s series.
In 2024, over 5,000 supporters ran for British Heart Foundation and raised a total £860,000.
Record participants last year
Overall, more than 250,000 runners take part in the Great Run events annually, with the Great North Run recording its largest ever number of participants last year, around 60,000 runners.
Meanwhile, the Mass Participation Pulse Report reported this year that mass fundraising event participant numbers have started to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
Stephen Vowles, chief marketing officer at AJ Bell, said: “We’re proud to have nominated Alzheimer’s Society to be the official charity partner of the AJ Bell Great Run series 2026-27, and incredibly excited to get started.
“Together we want to invest in a future without dementia – the UK’s biggest killer.
“We look forward to cheering on the Alzheimer’s Society runners at the Great Run events next year and hope that this partnership with AJ Bell will raise vital funds to improve the ways we research, diagnose and treat dementia to support those affected across the country.”
