City to see in New Year with mass fun run

Outside Newcastle Civic Centre, two confetti cannons have just beens set off by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Deputy Leader of the Council Alex Hay, who stand either side of Steve Cram. In front of them are two identical signs that display the logo for the HogmanHoway 5K.Eve Connor

Newcastle is hosting its first HogmanHoway 5K run on New Year's Eve

Eve Connor
North East and Cumbria

A city's New Year's Eve celebrations will include a 5km elite and fun run event, it has been announced.

Headed by former world champion athlete Steve Cram, Newcastle is holding its inaugural HogmanHoway 5K through the streets ahead of a planned fireworks event.

The race will see Newcastle join other cities around the world that host New Year's Eve runs and will follow a circuit around the city centre.

Race organiser Cram said: "The HogmanHoway will be much more than a race – it's going to be a vibrant, feel-good celebration of everything that makes the North East unique, with its people and their passion front and centre."

Steve Cram is wearing a blue jacket with a poppy on the lapel, and is standing in front of the Newcastle Civic Centre smiling at the camera.Eve Connor

The event is being organised by North East athletics legend Steve Cram

The 5K will start and finish at the Civic Centre with the gun being fired on the elite men's race at 19:00 GMT.

It is followed five minutes later by the start of the elite women's event, before the mass run gets going at 19:25.

The "fast and flat run" aims make the event accessible for runners of all abilities, organisers said.

Whilst HogmanHoway is open to all runners, entry numbers will be limited due to this being its first year.

However Cram said they are hoping for 2,000 entries this year, with hopes that number will increase if the event takes place again next year.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. She wears a cream coat with a poppy, and is standing in front of the Newcastle Civic Centre smiling at the camera. To her left the top of the sign for the HogmanHoway 5K is slightly visible.Eve Connor

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said the run fits in with other events planned in the city

Event organisers met at Newcastle Civic Centre on Thursday to announce the race.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "We've got children's events and activities for families from six o'clock and then fireworks from eight o'clock as well, and so this joins up those events with a really fun sporting event."

Cram added: "We have lots of people come into the city centre for New Year's Eve celebrations, mainly for the fireworks, so why not add something else that people can take part in and enjoy?"

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