Newcastle’s iconic coastline will once again be in the spotlight next month as the Henderson Newcastle Marathon returns to the city.
On Sunday 19 April, runners of all abilities will take off from The Station, navigating through a course that showcases some of the town’s most stunning coastal and harbour-side locations.
Participants will pass through Honeysuckle Foreshore, Nobbys and Newcastle Beach, with cheering crowds providing encouragement along the way.
The AIMS-accredited route is being coordinated by H Events, who has capped entries at 1,500 for the full marathon and 2,500 for the half distance.
And, H Events director Paul Humphreys says they expect to sell out both races.
“Entries have been really strong,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“Running has just exploded over the past few years and interest in marathon and half-marathon events has continued to grow.”
The race has experienced significant expansion since separating from the Hill to Harbour combination.
“Just four years ago, we had about 600 participants,” Humphreys said.
“Now, we’re expecting nearly 4,000 runners this year, and the spectator support has grown with it.”
Unlike most races, the Newcastle course is a loop, allowing runners to see supportive crowds on multiple occasions.
“Often in a marathon, spectators witness the runners at the start, and you might catch a glimpse of them at the finish,” Humphreys explained.
“At our event, you view them at the start, and loop back through.
“This means you will see them twice on every lap.
“There’s so many good viewing spots… and that makes it really cool for the runners to know that they’re getting lots of spectators cheering them on.”
The AIMS-accredited course ensures runners can aim for a personal best, while recreational participants may enjoy the journey at their own pace.
However, it’s more than just a race, it’s a community celebration.
When you sign up to the event, you’ll have the option to choose a charity and set up fundraising through the Grassrootz platform.
While the event has a competitive element, with some prizemoney for elite runners, Humphreys says the focus is on community participation.
“We get a huge mix of local runners and visitors from Sydney and beyond,” he said.
“It’s less about elite athletes and more about people having a go, chasing personal bests, or enjoying the day with friends.
“Support from volunteers is a crucial part of making the event run smoothly.
“We have about 120-130 individuals who will help out on race day.
“These are volunteers from surf clubs, rowing clubs and local groups who are just amazing.”
Registration is now open and runners are encouraged to secure their spots as soon as possible.
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