Newcastle's Hill2Harbour fun run has achieved a record number of entries for the fourth consecutive year, with over 4,000 participants registered for the event this Sunday.
Organiser Paul Humphreys confirmed that entries have increased annually, making this year's turnout the largest in the event's history. The challenging course begins at Bar Beach, featuring a steep 1.3-kilometre uphill stretch to the top of Memorial Drive before descending through King Edward Park to Newcastle beach and the foreshore.
First held in 2007, the Hill2Harbour has grown significantly, prompting organisers to split the events across two weekends. The Newcastle marathon and half marathon will be held separately on April 19, with over 3,000 entries already received for those races.
Humphreys noted that interest comes from both local and out-of-town participants, and he expects Hill2Harbour entries to surpass 5,000 next year. He also highlighted that many runners are motivated by charity fundraising, with over $47,000 raised so far through the Grassrootz platform. The Mark Hughes Foundation and Hunter Medical Research Institute are leading fundraising efforts.
