Fry and Beattie win elite races on New Year’s Eve in Newcastle as hundreds more enjoy the fast 5km 2025 finish.
A new event has brought extra energy to New Year’s celebrations in Newcastle city centre. The first HogmanHoway 5km, sponsored by Develop North PLC and organized by Events of the North in partnership with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Newcastle City Council, saw almost 2,000 people of all ages run together along the city’s closed roads. Starting and finishing at the Civic Centre, the route took in many local landmarks and offered a new spectacle for revelers in Newcastle to watch the year round.
Advertised as the ideal New Year’s Eve event for keen runners of every age and ability, the HogmanHowe 5km attracted a wide range of participants from the region and further afield.
The event began with elite racing on a special three-lap circuit that offered many excellent viewing points for spectators. The generous prize pool attracted some of the best athletes from the North East and Great Britain, including several who represented their country.
There was local success in the men’s elite race as Scott Beattie of Morpeth Harriers took victory in 13 minutes 59 seconds. Eritrean and Birkfield County representative Aron Gebremariam was second in 14:17 with James Gormley of Sheffield and Deerne AC third in 14:27.
Izzy Fry of Newbury won the elite women’s race in 15:48, followed by Verity Ockenden of Swansea Harriers in 16:03, just ahead of Lucy Jones of Herne Hill Harriers in 16:04.
The elite race was followed by a mass start for the HogmanHoway 5km runners. Experienced club athletes were joined by fun runners and beginners, including some who took on the challenge to get an early start on their New Year’s resolutions to get in shape.
The course was flat and fast, with many runners as they ran through iconic sites in the city, past festive lights and around the campus of Northumbria University, one of the event’s key partners. Many participants were raising funds for worthy causes, such as the event’s official charity partner, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which is part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity Trust.
The founder of the event, Steve Cram, said: “Newcastle already had a great party atmosphere and the Develop North HogmanHoway 5km added energy and excitement to it. We’ve had a great response to this new event for the region and I’m sure it can become a staple of New Year’s Eve in the city for years to come. HogmanHowe to that list because we know how much the people of the North East love to run and party.
“Staging the HogmanHoway 5km took a lot of hard work and coordination and we’re really grateful to Develop North, Mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council, Northumbria University, Start Fitness and all our volunteers for making it possible. I hope everyone agrees that this year was a good one. 2026!”
“What an incredible way to celebrate New Years in Newcastle. our region showcases its renowned community spirit and party atmosphere and lives up to our reputation as a world-class event venue. Energy, inclusiveness and pride – a great way to end the year and showcase what makes our region so special.”
HOGMANHOWAY 5km, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, December 31
Elite men. 1 S Beattie (Morp) 14:00; 2 A Gebremariam (Bir, U20) 14:18; 3 J Gormley (Chef & D) 14:28; 4 C Johnson (Gate) 14:33; 5 A Smith (Korst) 14:38; 6 G Taylor (Leeds) 14:41; 7 A Botterill (York) 14:45; 8 P Smallcomb (Morp) 14:47; 9 E Smith-Rasmusson (Newark) 14:53; 10 J Blevins (Gate) 14:59
Elite women. 1 I Fry (Newb) 15:59; 2 V Ockenden (Swan) 16:04; 3 L Jones (Herne H) 16:05; 4 L Turner (Birt) 16:22; 5 S Calvert (L’stone) 16:23; 6 Jay Wood (Durham) 16:24; 7 A Quirk (Brack) 16:27; 8 M Millar (Cent) 16:35; 9 L Armitage (Sell) 16:41; 10 E Davies (Border) 16:57
W45: 1 K Longley (Liv PS) 18:17
Open 5 km. 1 A Cook (Gate, U17) 15:25
M40: 1 C (Gate) Franks 16:01
M50: 1 D Parkin 5:32 p.m
M70: 1 C Hall (NSP) 21:11
Women. 1 K Francis (Birt) 17:58
W50: 1 K Davis (NSP) 21:53
W60: 1 L Aline 11:29 p.m
W70: 1 L Valentine (Washton) 24:42
