It wasn’t about driving but more face painting and flag-making for the region’s largest bus company, Go North East, at this summer’s Angel View Run; hosted by Low Fell Running Club and held in celebration of the Angel of the North’s 20th birthday.
Over 1,200 runners of all abilities took to the starting line ahead of three races across the event, beginning at the Angel View Inn, in Gateshead. Plus, there was a choice of fun family activities and pop-up food and drink stands for attendees to enjoy.
To support the occasion, Go North East supplied one of its branded Angel 21 buses. It hosted face painting by Newcastle-based Not Just A Pretty Face Paint, and children’s flag-making to entertain the younger attendees, with local visual artist, Yvette Hawkins.
The annual run was part of the #Angel20 campaign – a calendar of events by the Gateshead Council culture team to mark 20 years of the iconic North East landmark. In partnership with Low Fell Running Club, runners could participate in the 5-mile Senior race, the 2-mile Junior race, or the new 1.2-mile family fun run.
As one of Go North East’s most popular services, at the start of 2018 Go North East invested £4 million into the Angel 21, which journeys between Durham, Chester-le-Street, Low Fell and Newcastle city centre. The 19-brand new environmentally-friendly double-deck vehicles all feature Wifi and contactless technology, luxury leather seating and audio-visual next stop announcements and have ‘Angel 20’ badges to celebrate the momentous milestone.
Stephen King, commercial director at Go North East said: “We’re proud to support Gateshead Council with its year-long celebrations to commemorate the Angel of the North’s 20th birthday, especially with family events like the Angel View Run. It was great to see runners and their supporters hopping on-board the bus for fun activities while cheering on their friends and family.”