NFR PRIDE RUN 2025 - PROUD TO BE HOME

Drag, confetti cannons, rainbows, an LGBTQIA+ choir and tutus galore – it can only mean one thing – our Pride Run 5k was back for its fourteenth year. Not only that, it was back where it all began, in Leazes Park in the centre of Newcastle, after years of taking place on the Town Moor. We might have been missing our herd of cows, but with a backdrop of St James’ Park and a beautiful Victorian bandstand as the centrepiece we had the perfect location for a fun-packed night.

“I love to use my work to help spread queer joy, and I was given the freedom to express myself, my ideas and my interests, whilst also creating something that captured the feelings of community, coming together and celebrating each other” – so says Mack Sproates, the local queer designer of this year’s fabulous goody bag.

We’ve had a complete refresh, with not only a new location but a new name (moving on from our highly successful LGBT5k Festival of Running after finishing our run of rainbow medals), and a sustainable new wooden medal.

Not only was our honorary member Gloria Love hosting again this year, but she brought along some mates. Running up Rainbow Hill was so much easier with Mea T Cleaver and Costa Fortune cheering us along. The hill itself was pimped up with rainbows painted by local children, and made into an avenue of colourful flags so that rather than a chore it was something to look forward to on each of the three laps. We were also serenaded around the boating lake by Northern Proud Voices belting out a sequence of wonderful songs. 

Our fabulous hosts Mea T. Cleaver, Costa Fortune & Gloria Love

Did fancy dress feature this year? You bet it did! Our runners excelled themselves, with a Geri Halliwell lookalike, rainbow outfits galore, and the star attraction as ever – Saltwell Harriers team effort. Every year we think they must have exhausted their ideas but no – for 2025 they dressed as red-and-white capped mushrooms, along with two hippies high on magic mushrooms. Needless to say they won the team prize – but rumour has it that Tyne Bridge Harriers are planning to raise their game and go for the prize in 2026!

Our Team Fancy Dress Winners - the fabulous Saltwell Harriers and their 'Magic Mushrooms'

Although our event is a celebration of community it also has a serious purpose – raising funds for our nominated charity Rainbow Home who offer advice and support to LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers from across the globe. We were so pleased to have many of them come and join us on the run this year, and to be able to contribute financially to support them through the generosity of our runners and everyone who bought cake at our bake sale.

Rainbow Homes at NFR Pride Run 2025

The event was only possible thanks to the generous support of our main sponsors Newcastle Building Society and David Grey Solicitors LLP. Thank you also to the goody bag sponsors including Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Proud Supplies, Vitamin Well Water, Sexual Health Services 4 Newcastle, Bird and Blend Tea Co, and Lush Cosmetics. Thank you to our amazing army of volunteers from NBS and our own club members - you were incredible. A further thank you to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for the amazing games on site, to Cosmic Rainbow for brightening up everyone's faces, to Northumberland Coffee for keeping everyone fuelled, to Out North East for their support, and to Pride Radio for connecting our event to listeners far and wide. 

Plans are already being made for 2026, so keep an eye on our social media and website.