Train operator Lumo has given its support to a running event in Newcastle-upon-Tyne that kicked off the city’s Pride weekend on Friday evening.

The 5-kilometre run in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer rights was the biggest since before the Covid-19 pandemic. Sports legend Dame Kelly Holmes fired the starting gun for the ‘5k Pride Run’.

450 runners took part in the race, which was held at Leazes Park, with many dressed in colourful outfits. More than 60 young people ran in the Junior Pride Run at 6pm, before the main event started at 7pm.

The train operator described the sell-out event as “uplifting”. It was organised by LGBTQ+ community running club Newcastle Frontrunners (NFR), and was sponsored by Lumo.

Lumo has been supporting local Pride events for several years, and this year decked out a train in Pride livery.

Kelly Holmes took part in the run, alongside 2024 Mr Gay GB winner and dance artist Andrew Gardiner, who had led the runners’ warm-up at the start line.

Runners and spectators were entertained by local Drag Queen Miss Gloria Love, singing group Heaton Jukebox, Northern Proud Voices and the Metrognomes.

Lumo also showed its support for Pride by showcasing Pride organisations on Out of Home (OOH) screens across the city. Earlier this month, Lumo launched a train featuring many of the LGBTQ+ organisations the operator supports across England and Scotland.

“The run has been nine months in the planning. I am tired and relieved, but mostly just incredibly proud of what we have achieved.

“It’s been a difficult time for the LGBTQ+ community.

“There has been a lot of anti-LGBT and anti-trans sentiment, and for that reason we wanted to make this year’s 5K event bigger and brighter than ever.

“There may be grey clouds, but we’re not going anywhere.

“It’s never been as important for us to shine brightly, and we have attracted the support of some brilliant sponsors.

“Lumo were the first to get involved and have offered us many opportunities and connections, which we are grateful for.”

Andrew Melville, Newcastle Front Runners