We're trying to finalize our England/Scotland trip for the first two weeks of October and are having no luck finding a hotel or B&B in Newcastle for October 5,6,7. Several replies mentioned being fully booked due to the "great north race". Anyone know of this race? Are there areas near Newcastle that would not be affected and fully booked because of this race? We are traveling mostly by rail, so a room near metro/train stations would be preferred. Thanks.

Are there any monuments in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for Eric Burden and the Animals?

The Great North Run will take place on Sunday 6 October 2002 over the half marathon distance, starting in Newcastle and finishing on the coast in South Shields. Due to the huge popularity of the event, the entry limit of nearly 50,000 runners has already been reached, making it Britain's biggest mass participation running event.<BR><BR>Try Durham.

Thanks Sheila. That explains why everyone's booked. I tried several places in Durham and they were booked too. We may alter our plans and arrive a day later as some places had openings for the 6th & 7th but no one had anything on the 5th. Thanks again.

Sheila, for someone who thinks they know the know, your grammar leaves a lot to be desired.<BR><BR>'Owing to' not 'Due to'. tut tut...

Inky, "due to" and "owing to" are pretty much interchangeable in the UK.<BR><BR>Ha.

Inky--there are several grammar rules that differ between the US and the UK. For instance, you'll regularly see headlines like "Liverpool Thrash Man United Again" in the UK, when in the US it would be "Liverpool Thrashes Man United Again".

Not only that, but "due to" meaning "because of" has been recognized as standard usage in the US by many authorities for at least 50 years. Language evolves.