A New Year’s Eve race will expand after organisers unveiled a route taking runners along one of a North East city's best-known streets for the first time in four decades.
The Develop North HogmanHOWAY 5K will bring racing back to Newcastle’s Northumberland Street for the first time since the early 1980s.
The new route will let organisers expand the race to 3,000 runners.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness (Image: North News & Pictures)
Steve Cram, founder of the HogmanHOWAY 5K and former Team GB athlete, said: "I have very fond memories of racing along Northumberland Street against Mike and many rivals from the North East, elsewhere in the UK and other nations.
"The Newcastle crowds always generated a great atmosphere and running past so many iconic landmarks added a lot to the occasion.
"So, it’s a great privilege and really exciting to bring the HogmanHOWAY 5K to Northumberland Street and we’re grateful to Newcastle City Council, Mayor Kim and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, and Develop North for working with us to make that possible.
From left, Michelle Percy - chief executive officer of Develop North PLC, Jack Stewart - fundraising coordinator for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Kim McGuinness - North East Mayor, Cllr Rob Austin - cabinet member for culture, communities and youth services at Newcastle City Council, Steve Cram - HogmanHOWAY 5K (Image: North News & Pictures)
"I don’t think that Mike or I are planning a rerun of our 1984 battle, but I look forward to watching thousands of others enjoy the experience of racing and supporting – it’s going to be a spectacular part of New Year’s Eve in Newcastle."
The 2026 HogmanHOWAY 5K will be the first official race to use the famous shopping street since the Newcastle City Centre 5K in the 1980s.
The event attracted elite runners including Mike McLeod and Steve Cram before being shown on national television in 1984 ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.
HogmanHOWAY 5K founder Steve Cram (left) with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and 'legendary' runner Mike McLeod (Image: North News & Pictures)
Develop North PLC sponsors the race, which is organised by Events of the North with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Newcastle City Council.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is the event’s official charity.
Runners will set off at 7.30pm from the junction of St Mary’s Place and College Street and pass through central Newcastle, including Northumbria University.
The race will finish on Ceremonial Way, outside the Civic Centre.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and HogmanHOWAY 5K founder Steve Cram, with members of Northumbria University's running club (Image: North News & Pictures)
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "The first HogmanHOWAY 5K was a huge success, and now we're backing it to go bigger and better as part of our ambition to make the North East a Region of Sport.
"Bringing thousands of runners together through the heart of Newcastle on New Year’s Eve is exactly the kind of event I want us to support: getting people active, bringing communities together and celebrating our region on a big stage.
"It’s going to be a fantastic night and a brilliant way to run into 2027."
Organisers expect the race to sell out, with bigger crowds also expected to line the streets for Newcastle’s wider Hogmanay celebrations.
Michelle Percy, chief executive of Develop North PLC, said: "Seeing 3,000 runners head along Northumberland Street will be a memorable way to end the year.
"It gives people a chance to experience a familiar part of Newcastle in a different way at the same time, bringing runners and spectators together to spend time in Newcastle city centre."
Already, 1,000 runners have signed up for the 2026 HogmanHOWAY 5K.