Meet the Team Behind Newcastle's New Great North Run Mural
Find out more about the fabulous Great North Run-themed mural on Newcastle’s Quayside
If you’ve taken a stroll along Newcastle’s Quayside lately, you may have noticed that there’s an amazing brand-new pavement mural at Wesley Square.
Each summer since 2022, the team here at NE1 has worked with artists to brighten up the Quayside with a mural just like this one, but this year it’s an extra-special collaboration between NE1, local artist Alex Mulholland – aka Mul Draws – and the Great North Run Company to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Great North Run, now the world’s biggest half marathon.
We caught up with Mul Draws, Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster and NE1’s Placemaking Project Manager Louise Debnam to find out more about the mural.
Mul Draws, Artist
You were behind the very first mural installed at Wesley Square back in 2022. How does it feel to be creating a mural here once again?
It’s gone off without a hitch this time! We’ve had better weather and I’ve enjoyed it much more this time around. The first time was an uphill struggle but this time we had amazing sunshine and a great couple of days putting the mural together.
How have you paid homage to the Great North Run in your mural?
It all feeds into each other but what I really wanted to highlight was the Tyne Bridge, because it’s such an iconic element of Newcastle that everyone knows. I kind of wanted to take the Tyne Bridge and almost put my own spin on it a little bit.
It’s nice to see your iconic Running Heart character in the mural. What inspired the character and how did you go about incorporating it into the mural?
The character has kind of become an extension of myself. It was originally just one mural at The Tyne Bar, based around the iconic disco track Young Hearts Run Free. That’s where it started and we’ve kind of gone off on a tangent with it, but I enjoy painting it. I think people respond well to it and it gives a lot of love!
You’re also working with the Great North Run Company on the design of its finisher medal and t-shirt. Are you able to reveal anything about the design yet?
I can’t, I’m afraid – it’s a closely guarded secret!
Sir Brendan Foster, Founder of the Great North Run
How does it feel to be celebrating 45 years of the Great North Run?
It’s fantastic. It started off as an idea, a run from Newcastle to South Shields, and it’s grown into an icon. It’s grown into a huge, huge event. This year, the 45th Great North Run, is the biggest ever with over 85,000 people taking part over the weekend.
We couldn’t be prouder, but we’re most proud of the community support and institutional support that we have in the region. We do the organisation but on the day the community and the people come on board and animate the event and the stage that we provide and help make an event that is memorable every year – and this year probably more than ever before!
Did you ever imagine the Great North Run would become the world’s biggest half marathon back when you founded it back in 1981?
Absolutely no chance! If anyone had imagined it would be like this now, you would have said they were a lunatic! Back then, the biggest running event in the UK at the time had 1,500 runners and this year we’ve got 85,000. If anyone had said the Great North Run would become that big, you would’ve said “Oh, don’t be silly.”
How did the collaboration between the Great North Run and Mul Draws come about? It seems like the perfect team up of two North East icons.
He’s a leading local artist, he’s based in the region and he said that he’s watched the Great North Run year after year. When he was approached by our marketing team to join us, he was thrilled to bits – so that’s a perfect formula.
What else can Newcastle expect from The Great North Run’s 45th anniversary celebrations?
You’d better go ask the 85,000 people taking part – they’ve got a better answer to that than me!
Louise Debnam, NE1's Placemaking Project Manager
What’s it been like working with Mul Draws on a mural again?
It was great to work with Mul again, as he was the first artist that NE1 commissioned for the first Wesley Square mural back in 2022 – in a way, we’ve come full circle!
What value does artwork bring to Newcastle’s Quayside?
The artwork becomes a focal point throughout the summer months and really sets the stage for a hive of activity, from al fresco lunch breaks and sunset walks to NE1’s much-loved summer events.
What's the importance of the Great North Run mural?
Artwork plays an important part in making places what they are and inspiring people – and here in Newcastle, what’s more inspiring than the Great North Run?
Mul Draws’ Great North Run mural will be in place at Wesley Square on Newcastle’s Quayside for the duration of summer. For more information about Mul Draws visit mul-draws.com and to find out more about the Great North Run visit greatrun.org.
Images: Mul Draws' Great North Run mural at Newcastle's Quayside, Photo by Tynesight Photography for NE1
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