Dame Kelly Holmes to Support Newcastle Pride's 5k Run at Leazes Park
Olympic athlete Dame Kelly Holmes will fire the starting gun for this year's 5k Pride Run in Newcastle's Leazes Park at the end of July.
The organisers of the event, the Newcastle Frontrunners, are thrilled to welcome Dame Kelly to the event which has kicked off Newcastle Pride's weekend for more than a decade.
The 5k Pride Run 2026 will be held in Leazes Park on Friday 24th July which is the start of the Pride weekend. In previous years, hundreds of people have taken part and the organisers are hoping this year's event will be another success.
It's being staged once again by the Newcastle Frontrunners who are an LGBTQIA+ running club based in Newcastle. Even though the club's focus is the LGBT+ community, all are welcome at the event.
There are 450 places available and there's also a Children's Pride Run which is a one mile loop of Leazes Park.
Steven MacDonald, Chair of Newcastle Frontrunners said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes to this year’s Pride Run in Leazes Park, as we kick start Newcastle Pride. Having such an iconic LGBTQ+ champion not only officially start both the Junior and Adults races but join in and run with our community is an incredible honour. Her presence embodies the very spirit of our event - celebrating visibility and inclusion in sport, highlighting the powerful message that everybody belongs in running.”
Andrew Melville, Event Organiser said: “The Pride Run is known for not just being an event for runners or those running in a running club, but open to those of any ability who want to give it a go and have fun.”
Phil Douglas, CEO of Curious Arts said: “It’s a real honour to have Dame Kelly Holmes play a part in Newcastle Pride this year. The 5k Pride Run 2026 is something that we look forward to each year as a brilliant way to mark the start of the Pride weekend and to have such a sporting icon join the Front Runners to help celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community is fantastic.”
If a group from a business wanted to enter, they'd be welcome. In previous years, corporate supporters either have runners who take part on the day or provide volunteers during the course of the day and on the evening for event coordination.
There are prizes for the first three finishers in three categories (male, female and non binary) and for fancy dress, with prizes also for the children's run. Each entrant will receive a medal and a goody bag.
Proceeds from the race will go to the Newcastle Frontunner's Charity of the Year, Be:Trans - an organisation helping trans people in the north east.
For more information or to register visit www.newcastlefrontrunners.co.uk/priderun.
Image: Dame Kelly Holmes with Newcastle Frontrunners Chair Steven Macdonald
