NewRun Festival split - a winner for runners 

The 16th City of Newcastle Hill to Harbour kicks off on Sun 2 April, for the first time as a stand alone event since 2009. There are almost 2000 recreational and serious runners expected to take part. The event, which is backed by the City of Newcastle major events funding as part of a 4 event packaged Newcastle Fitness Festival, will generate over $3 million in economic benefit to the area, attracting over 5000 athletes and their support crews to the City of Newcastle from Feb to April. The new split NewRun format for the Running Festival was implemented to allow runners the opportunity to take part in more than one event in the Festival, attracting more visiting runners and allow the Hill to Harbour more space to grow into the biggest regional running event in NSW. 

Event organiser, Paul Humphreys of H Events, said: “We are so excited to produce these events in Newcastle. There is a genuine desire in Newcastle for events that promote health, fitness and diversity, and we are glad to work with the local Council events team, support groups, charities and suppliers to present these 4 events.”

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said that events such as the Newcastle Fitness Festival enhance the city's reputation as the ideal destination for staging major events.

"Newcastle has a vibrant calendar of major and community events, which continues to grow off the back of a strategic focus and investment by City of Newcastle," Cr Winney-Baartz said.

"These events provide a welcome economic boost for local businesses while also creating an invaluable opportunity to increase tourism and showcase our city’s broader attractions to visitors.

"City of Newcastle is proud to support the Newcastle Fitness Festival, which provides people of all fitness levels with a number of chances to get out and be active amongst some of our most iconic locations, while also giving locals the chance to see some of the best athletes and para-athletes in Australia put their prowess to the test in elite-level competitions."

The events combine to attract a varied cohort of recreational, elite and athletes with a disability to  showcase the iconic sites of Newcastle including Bar Beach, King Edward Park, Newcastle Beach, Nobbys Beach, Fort Scratchley and Macquarie Pier, Market St Lawns and Queens Wharf, Honeysuckle, Newcastle Marina, Carrington and Stockton. 

Points of interest about Hill to Harbour:

• The Hill to Harbour is part of the NewRun Festival held from 2 -16 April
• The Hill to Harbour event is now in its 17th year (16 completed with 1 COVID cancellation)
• The format has moved to split the former 5 event format into 2 separate events including:

2 April – Hill to Harbour 12km, Halfa Hill to Harbour 6km and 2k4FUN

16 April – Newcastle Marathon, Half Marathon

 More events are planned for 2024!

Hill to Harbour start times:

• Hill to Harbour 12km – 8.30am from Bar Beach skate park on Memorial Drive
• ‘Halfa’ Hill to Harbour 6km – 9.30am from near the Station opposite Queens Wharf
•  Hunter Orthodontics 2K4FUN – 10.30am from Pat Jordan Oval

NOTE: The event will cause some traffic changes until 10.30am along Bar Beach, King Edward Park, Shortland Espl, Fort Drive, Nobbys Rd and Wharf Rd. 

Entries, race information and traffic changes for the event can be found at www.hilltoharbour.com.au

For more information contact Paul Humphreys on paul@hevents.com.au