Forty years ago, some of Britain's finest distance runners were racing through the heart of Newcastle. Now Steve Cram is helping bring that tradition back, with the HogmanHoway 5K returning on Thursday 31 December 2026 and a new route that takes competitors along Northumberland Street.

The change is particularly significant for Cram, who competed in the Newcastle City Centre 5K during the 1980s. The 1984 race attracted an outstanding field, including world record holder Dave Moorcroft and Olympic marathon medallist Mike McLeod. McLeod claimed victory, while Cram finished sixth before going on to win silver in the 1500m at the Los Angeles Olympics just weeks later.

Organised by Events of the North, HogmanHoway made its debut on New Year's Eve 2025 and is already expanding. The revised course has allowed capacity to double to 3,000 runners, with Newcastle City Council and regional partners supporting the event's development.

The 2026 race starts at 7:30pm from the junction of St Mary's Place and College Street, following a closed road route through the city centre and parts of Northumbria University before finishing on Ceremonial Way outside the Civic Centre. Northumberland Street provides the centrepiece, bringing competitive running back to one of Newcastle's most recognisable thoroughfares.

There's a worthwhile cause behind the celebrations too. The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is the official charity, with fundraising supporting the development of the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute and its work in cancer research, treatment and patient care.

And this is Newcastle on New Year's Eve, so the atmosphere promises to be rather special. Runners can enjoy the Quayside fireworks at 6pm before heading to the start, with festive lights, fancy dress and a city centre celebration providing a memorable setting for the final race of 2026.

For Cram, the return to Northumberland Street brings back memories of racing against some of the country's greatest athletes. For today's runners, it's an opportunity to create a few memories of their own.

Entries are open, with runners able to secure their place through the runABC Race Hub.

Image courtesy Events of the North.