Perfect overcast conditions set the backdrop for Sunday's Newcastle's Festival of Running .
The marathon event, which got underway at 6am at Queens Wharf, is now an institution on the Australian running circuit.
A bumper crowd also lined up for the half marathon event, which got underway at 9am.
About 60 per cent of participants in the sold-old event were from outside the region.
The course runs along the harbour foreshore and out to Nobbys. The 10-kilometre Hill 2 Harbour run also takes in the iconic and epic Memorial Drive hill.
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