Newcastle Frontrunners Pride 5k, 18th July 2025
How best to follow a challenging, Thursday night 10k? Why, with a little 5k on the Friday! Lynne Cornell will not be stopped:
“This year’s event was in Leazes Park so Susan and I had a bit further to walk in our fancy dress costumes this year. Thankfully it remained dry despite the weather warning in place – we weren’t sure if grass skirts would cope with rain!!!
I think we were both feeling a bit tired after our exertions in the Durham 10K the night before (plus I’m doing the Hexham 10k on Sunday – 3 races in 4 days – how does that happen?!!!) so decided a nice gentle trot taking in the atmosphere would be the order of the day.
We arrived in Leazes Park just in time to see the start of the junior race, then collected our numbers and got the chip timing contraption strapped to our left ankles. That left plenty of time to peruse the cake stall. We were prepared this year and took tupperware with us so we could buy our cakes before the race to ensure we actually got some knowing we would be near the back of the field. We didn’t want to finish to find no cake left -my hubby wouldn’t be too happy.
Also bumped into Harry Mawdlsey at the start who commented that he thought I had done a race the night before – I explained I was having a gentle trot tonight. We lined up at the start, choosing to me near the back of the field next to a man running as a snail with a magnificent costume!
The run was due to start at 7, but didn’t, and we were so far back we couldn’t hear the PA. Found out later there had been an incident on the course itself hence the delayed start until 7:20. The start itself was in front of the pavilion steps and we found ourselves doing some of the parkrun route but in the opposite direction to parkrun. Strange to be running uphill past the tennis courts. Like parkrun it is 3 laps.
A highlight for me was the Northern Proud Voices Community Choir in front of The Tower Cafe who were amazing, and the marshals, who were all fantastic. As we crossed the finish line, Susan and I were delighted to be given spot prizes for our fancy dress effort so we actually came home with 2 goodie bags. The prize one contained a Shokz cap and Shokz socks. The Frontrunners one included Lush soap, a water bottle and rainbow face paint. That’s us set for next year then.
A great night to be part of, and thank you to Newcastle Frontrunners for a really good event.”
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 80 | Harry Mawdsley | 25:57 |
| 166 | Lynne Cornell | 30:27 |
