HEALTH insurance plan provider Simplyhealth is to be the new headline sponsor of the Great North Run.

The company is to sponsor all Great Run events, including the world’s largest half marathon which takes place in September.

The sponsorship deal covers the Junior and Mini Great Run events, as well as the company’s other events across the country, including Manchester, London and Edinburgh.

Simplyhealth Chief Executive Romana Abdin said: “Our sole purpose at Simplyhealth is to help people make the most of life, through better everyday health.

“Our new partnership with The Great Run Series will allow us to help even more people get the most out of every day, simply by running, jogging or walking together.”