Newcastle artist reveals mural designed for 45th Great North Run
A 90 metre floor mural has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside, being first of several exciting installments across the city celebrate this year's annual Great North Run.
Alex Mulholland, a Newcastle based street artist and graphic designer, curated the piece, saying the design was inspired by North East culture and icons, such as the Tyne Bridge, which is featured in the installation.
It's part of the 45th anniversary celebrations of the Great North Run, which traditionally starts in Newcastle city centre, winding through Gateshead and ending in South Shields.
This year will see an increase in capacity, with this run being the biggest yet with 63,000 people expected to take part.
Mr Mulholland, also known under the alias, "Mul", has his iconic "DiscoVibes" artwork featured all around the North East, including in Newcastle and Gateshead. The mural also includes the Running Heart, an original character by the artist and a signature to his work.
He described the inclusion of the artwork as "a genuine bucket-list moment", with his artwork being featured in the Great North Run being "something of as an artist, I'm very proud of".
Sir Brendan Foster, founder and president of the Great Run Company, worked closely with Mulholland. He shared his experience in collaborating with the making of designs for the medal, t-shirt and installations was like, with the inclusion of the inclusion of the mural as "fantastic to celebrate the work off local talent". He believes the piece can be accessed by all as "an impressive piece of artwork".
Stephen Patterson, CEO of NE1 Ltd, said: "It is especially fitting that the Quayside pavement mural is being transformed in such a monumental way by Mul, the artist who was commissioned to create the very first pavement mural on the Quayside."
"This new artwork will be a fitting tribute to the incredible legacy of the Great North Run and the impact it has on Newcastle.”
He also said the artwork will be "a fitting tribute to the incredible legacy of the Great North Run and the impact it has on Newcastle".
Patterson also shared his thoughts on the piece; "I love the design and It's fantastic to have Mul back doing it".
The 45th Annual Great North Run will take place on Sunday 13th September 2026.