Durham runs you can enter now including 5k, 10k, one-mile and ultra – Chronicle Live
With new year resolutions under way, there are plenty of people now pounding the streets in a bid to shape up and trim down.
Exercise regimes are often top of the list for those looking to make changes in the new year and the good news is that there is plenty encouragement around to help them do just that.
One way to focus is the mind is to sign up for an upcoming event which will meant there is something to aim for – and runners can do good for others at the same time as helping themselves.
Durham City Run Festival
Durham City Run Festival which made its debut last June, spearheaded by world record holder Paula Radcliffe, and was a huge success will be returning this summer with dates confirmed for a three-day event running July 23-25.
The festival will again feature a 5K, 10K and Run Like a Legend mile as well as Paula’s Families On Track event, which is all about getting generations of families together to complete a set distance, regardless of ability.
Race for Life 5k
The Race for Life is one such run that embraces all ages and abilities and encourages people to have fun while raising much needed funds for Cancer Research – and it is offering a 30% discount to anyone who signs up in January. All those interested need to do is use the code RFLJAN30 online.
The 5k Race for Life in Durham will take place on St Leonard’s sports fields at County Hall on June 28 while the fund-raising movement also includes the popular Pretty Muddy events and there will be two of these – one for adults and one for children – on September 5 in Chester-le-Street.
Signing up to the events is a show of support for the 16,500 people said to be diagnosed with cancer every year in the North East. To register see .
Frances Kippax-Geary, event manager for the Newcastle branch of Cancer Research UK whose research does not receive any Government funding, said: “Our events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. Participants take part at their own pace – taking as much time as they like to complete the course. It’s not competitive. Instead, the Race for Life is about our doctors, nurses and scientists working as hard and fast as possible to help more people survive.”
Durham Trail 10k
Other upcoming running events in the area includes The Durham Trail which will take place on May 10 and is a scenic 10-mile route around Durham city and the surrounding areas.
Part of the Urban Trail series of events, the regular sell-out starts in the city centre and heads down along the river’s Weardale Way, then passes through Shincliffe and Croxdale woods before returning to finish with a climb the top of Whinney Hill which affords an uninterrupted view of Durham Cathedral from one of the city’s highest vantage points.
To register, see .
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Run to Infinity and Beyond
A seven-hour event on Sunday, February 16, where you choose your distance, from 5k to ultra marathon. The course is along the River Wear from Durham Amateur Rowing Club and it is classified as a trail run. Registration is open .
Run Durham Dalton Park 5 Miler
This event on June 3 comes from and is chip timed. Entry costs £16 or £18 if unaffiliated. It finishes at the Dalton Park shopping centre car park in Murton.
Parkrun
Other options for runners include the popular Saturday morning series of Parkrun events which take place throughout the area including in Durham, Blackhill, Sedgefield, Hartlepool, Darlington – and also down in Tees Barrage.
While these open-to-all runs are free, those interested need to register first: see . There are also for those aged between four and 14.
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