NewRun, Newcastle’s premier running festival, will have a new look to it this year with subtle course changes and a new home base on Market Street Lawn.
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Construction works in the city have forced the course for the city’s iconic Hill2Harbour 10-kilometre event and the festival’s half marathon (21.1km) to be altered.
Newcastle City Council is upgrading the southern section of Shortland Esplanade and Church Street, extending from Zaara Street to Watt Street in Newcastle. Construction has been underway since last month and will take approximately six months to complete.
The upgrade includes rehabilitation of the roadway, retaining walls, drainage, lighting and fencing and will also provide a new section of Bathers Way shared pathway, new pedestrian crossings and parking.
NewRun director Paul Humphreys was happy to be able to still run the April 2 event, which offers arguably one of the most scenic backdrops in Australia as it hugs the Newcastle coastline.
“There were a few challenges to get around to make sure the event happens this year,” Humphreys said. “We’re just fortunate the event is on at the start of April; if the event was much later it might not have gone ahead.”
Humphreys used Market Street Lawn as a base for the Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon last month and said “it integrated the event into the city”.
The 10km and 21.1km courses will divert around the section of Shortland Esplanade being upgraded and instead use parts of Watt Street, King Street and Ocean Parade. There will also be a new “out and back” section in King Edward Park.
More information at www.newrun.com.au.