I just love the GNR, it has it's haters, but like marmite, those that swear by it too. My 2nd year runnning it, and even slowly with an injury this year and having to walk parts it was still great.
Running over the Tyne Bridge, seeing the red arrows fly over, to chants of Oggy Oggy Oggy! OI OI OI! It's awesome. Brilliant crowds, handing out free ice pops and lollies, this year, in the most northern thing ever there was a lady giving out mini sausage rollls!
Yes, its packed, but if you start in the right pen for your speed then it shouldn't be a problem. I like runnning alongside people as I can get very de-motivated when the crowd thins out and your left alone, or trying to chase people down.
It's an experience, that you should at least do once.
Pros- The crowd support, the Red Arrow flypast, the South Shields finish by the sea, good medal/goody bag.
Cons-Massive toilet q's, expensive for a half, can get elbowed a lot!
Overall I recommend it to anyone. Great fun. :)