HogmanHOWAY 5K backs the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for second year

Organisers of the Develop North HogmanHOWAY 5K have officially launched the second edition of the New Year’s Eve race – with The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, returning as the charity partner for the event.

The HogmanHOWAY 5K, organised by Events of the North, in partnership with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Newcastle City Council, and will be taking place on a new route for 2026. Heading down Northumberland Street for the first time, it will allow over 3,000 runners to take part and solidify its key role in Newcastle’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

This year’s race will once again support The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, with the last year’s HogmanHOWAY 5K raising over £1,500 to support the building of the £30 million Sir Bobby Robson Institute.

Funded by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, construction of the £30m cancer drug trials hub began at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital in April, with a final £500,000 still needed to complete the building. Once operational, the institute will support pioneering cancer treatments benefiting around 3.5m patients across the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

HogmanHOWAY 5K founder Steve Cram said: “We are absolutely delighted to have The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation on board, I know how successful it’s becoming, but how much more work needs to be done.

“Anything we can do help them raise funds, then we are really pleased, it’s a great tie in for the event.”

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness commented: “I’m so proud that we’ve got the Sir Bobby Robson Institute. The fact that it’s right here in the region, developing world class solutions to cancer treatment that will be exported – they will go well beyond the North East.

“But, because of where it is, it has a positive impact on people here first.”

Starting at 7:30pm on 31 December at the junction of St. Mary’s Place and College Street, the race will follow a route around the city centre, including key sites within host partner Northumbria University. The HogmanHOWAY 5K finishing line will be on Ceremonial Way in front of the Civic Centre.

Jane Curry, Fundraising Manager for Newcastle Hospitals Charity: “We’re so proud and grateful to be working with the HogmanHOWAY 5K once again. It’s a brilliant addition to the calendar and with a new route and more runners than ever, we can’t wait to see everyone out there on New Years Eve.

“Community fundraising has been a vital part of getting us so close to our £30million target, so we would encourage anyone thinking of taking part, consider joining Sir Bobby’s last and greatest team to help us get over that finish line.”

To enter the HogmanHOWAY 5K on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation visit: https://charity.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/get-involved/fundraising/hogmanhoway-5k-2026/.