Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was the official starter of the 2023 Great North Run, the world's largest half marathon held annually in North East England. He led the start of the race, which featured about 60,000 participants running the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields
. Howe's role as starter was notable because he is the first Newcastle manager to start the Great North Run since Sir Bobby Robson, who also led the team to the Champions League, a feat Howe recently matched under his leadership
. The event is a major sporting occasion in the region, with many runners raising money for charity, contributing an estimated £25 million annually
. Additionally, the 2023 race was significant as it marked the final competitive run of Mo Farah, a celebrated long-distance runner
. Eddie Howe's involvement highlighted the strong connection between Newcastle United and the local community through this iconic event.
