North East residents have been invited to get active on New Year’s Eve at a brand new running event in Newcastle. The HogmanHOWAY 5K will see the city join others around the world that host a race on 31 December, giving people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to exercise together as they prepare for 2026. Starting and finishing at the Civic Centre and following a route on closed roads around the city, the fast and flat run is the latest addition to Newcastle’s programme of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The HogmanHOWAY 5K is being pitched as the ideal New Year’s Eve event for keen runners of every generation, from elite club athletes to active families who want to celebrate together. With nearly eight weeks to go, there’s also time for beginners to prepare for the distance, and organisers hope that the event will inspire people to make an early start on their New Year’s resolutions to get fit.
The HogmanHOWAY 5K is being organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Newcastle City Council North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. The event is the brainchild of North East athletics legend Steve Cram and is being backed by Cllr Alex Hay, deputy leader of the council, and Mayor McGuinness. They met today to launch the HogmanHOWAY 5K and issue a call to action for North East residents to take part in the first event.
Steve Cram comments: “We’re delighted to team up with Newcastle City Council and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness to invite the public into the city for an exciting New Year’s Eve programme. The HogmanHOWAY 5K 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. There is an important underlying message, which is about encouraging more of the public to get healthy through physical activity. The HogmanHOWAY will be a great opportunity to do that as part of a big event that’s open to people of all ages and backgrounds. Join us to see out the year in style and run towards 2026 with a head start on your fitness resolution.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “The HogmanHOWAY 5K is the perfect opportunity to lace up your trainers and get cracking with your New Years resolution to get more active before 2026 has even arrived!
“I can’t wait to see the city alive with runners from right across the region, and beyond. We always put on a fantastic event and I know we will showcase the best of the North East.”
Cllr Alex Hay, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Following the unveiling of our extended New Year’s Eve celebrations, the introduction of the HogmanHOWAY 5K is another great new option to help our communities celebrate the New Year in a way that works best for them.
“With the return of midnight fireworks at the Quayside, the continued free family-friendly evening display, and now a New Year’s Eve 5K, Newcastle really is offering something for everyone as we prepare to see out 2025.
“It’s been a pleasure to be working with North East icon Steve Cram and the North East Combined Authority to make HogmanHOWAY a reality, and I look forward to seeing its first running at the Civic Centre on 31 December.”
To enter the HogmanHOWAY 5K, visit https://eventsofthenorth.com/event/hogmanhoway-5k.