The annual running festival will return to Durham City streets from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 July this year with our support as a major partner.
County Durham will take a sporting lead again in 2025 with another summer of big events, including the return of the Durham City Run Festival. Organisers have revealed details of this year’s Festival, which will kick-off with a special evening in the City’s Gala Theatre.
Since the first races took place in 2016, Durham City Run Festival has grown into one of the most popular major grass roots sports events in the North East of England’s calendar. Celebrating running and wellbeing for all levels and ages, the Festival takes place in and around the historic setting of Durham City centre.
We’re delighted to support the Durham City Run Festival again this year. It provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the university’s close links with the city and region, and to promote sport and wellbeing for all.
As a major partner of the Festival, we have seen numbers of University runners increase over the years. Last year, over 250 of our students, staff and alumni participated, and we hope to top that this year, alongside highlighting the volunteering work that many of our number do in the community. We spoke to three members of our staff who are training for this year’s races about their Festival experiences and motivations.
Left to right: Nicole Burlinson, Katie Binks, Steve Cram, Deanne Whatt, Peter Warburton, Srinidhi Seshadri
“I have taken part in Durham City Run for the past three years during my time working at the University. It has helped me feel even more part of the University community. I love the camaraderie with fellow staff and students on race day and particularly enjoy running as part of Team Advancement. I’ve fundraised for great causes personal to team members including the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Duchenne UK.
“Community is so important to me, and I spend a lot of time running a local Scout group. As part of this, I help support large scale Durham County Scout events, as well as community events that bring people together and inspire our young people with skills for life. So I will continue to support events like Durham City Run in any way I can.
“At this year’s Durham City Run I am aiming for a personal best, but will enjoy soaking up the atmosphere and any en route conversations - you never know who you'll meet or the story they have to tell. To get me ready for events like this, I joined a running group a few years back which helped me take on a new challenge I always felt was out of reach - last year I took on the Great North Run for the first time. This has definitely set me in good stead for Durham's challenging but fulfilling run.”
“My first 10k was in 2013, in India’s Coimbatore Marathon, which is organised by the Coimbatore Cancer Foundation in partnership with various organisations. It was a run to spread awareness about cancer and to raise funds for the Foundation. Up until then, I had been running to become fitter, but now, I was also running in support of a cause.
“I’ve continued to run wherever I have found myself, including in Durham as a student at 2024’s Durham City Run. Running through the cobblestone streets and the historic backdrop, it was a world away from Coimbatore, yet the feeling was the same. The camaraderie of the runners, the shared determination, the steady push towards the finish line and the encouragement when I needed it the most. As well as being inspiring, it was also a powerful reminder that running transcends age, ability, and background. It was a tough 10k finish but extremely rewarding and I left with an immense sense of accomplishment. Now as a Durham University staff member, I’m training for this year’s 10K.
“For me, running is a constant reminder that we are all capable of more than we think if we set our minds to it. Every run is a unique experience and a challenge from start to finish, but that’s what makes it more special.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of being a runner is the community. Whether in the bustling streets of Coimbatore, or the hilly paths of Durham, the running community remains a source of inspiration and support. My running journey has been filled with wonderful memories and has given me some incredible experiences. I look forward to making more.”
“I’ve completed Durham City Run’s 5K since 2023 and have absolutely loved the experience. After winning in 2023, and placing 3rd last year, I’ve wondered what this year might have in store for me. Since I first ran the race, I’ve joined a running club, Durham City Harriers, and have had the opportunity to meet some of the wonderful people within the club and compete in races I wouldn’t otherwise have done. I’ve started to enjoy running more than I ever have before!
“This year, I want to come back and compete to the best of my ability on the day and really take in the wonderful running community in the North East. Running as a sport has grown in popularity so much over the last few years and I think this race, and the Festival overall, are a huge testament to that.”
The ever-popular 5K and 10K races will return on Thursday 17 July, starting outside the Radisson Blu hotel and finishing at the Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site on Palace Green. Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track will also be back, on Saturday 19 July. Families on Track encourages family groups to get active together by giving them the opportunity to complete a 10K distance in a continuous relay, with the emphasis on fun. As an added bonus, there will be live music from performers featuring in this year’s Durham Brass Festival.
Further events and extra family activities will be added to this year’s programme during the weeks and months ahead.
This year’s Festival will open with an event in the Gala Theatre on the evening of Wednesday 16 July. Hosted by former BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown, Durham City Run founder Steve Cram will tell the story of how he set three track world records in just 19 days in the summer of 1985. In doing so, he became the first athlete to set world records at three different distances. Steve will share insights, images and footage, to mark 40 years after his achievements captivated sports fans everywhere.
He commented: “It certainly doesn’t feel like 40 years since I set those world records, and I can remember each race as clearly as if they took place yesterday. It will be a privilege to chat with Jeff on the stage in the Gala Theatre, and share my recollections of what was an amazing time for me. My running story started on the streets of the North East, and I hope that it inspires a new generation to try the sport. That’s at the heart of why we put on the Durham City Run Festival – to get more people active and enjoying that experience. We’ll be working hard with Durham County Council and Durham University to deliver our best festival yet, and one that sees more people involved than ever.”
Durham City Run Festival will be one of the highlights of a busy calendar of festivals and events during 2025, designed to cement Durham’s position as ‘The Culture County’.
Durham County Council’s leisure provider, Thrive, has become an official Festival partner, alongside official charity partner Red Sky Foundation, and will use the event to support the Moving Together in County Durham strategy, which aims to help more residents lead active, healthier lives. This is all part of wider work that the County Council is doing in its role of portfolio lead for culture, tourism and sports within the North East Combined Authority.
Councillor Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, adds: “We are delighted to support the return of the Durham City Run Festival this summer. The Festival offers a fantastic opportunity for families and individuals to come together and take part in a vibrant and exciting event, in the stunning setting of the city centre.
“Taking place alongside Durham BRASS, the Durham City Run Festival will enable participants and spectators to enjoy the city’s heritage and culture while also enjoying their run or cheering on their loved ones, cementing our position as ‘The Culture County’ and highlighting County Durham as a great platform for staging first class events.”
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Main image (left to right): Jackie Lowes, Councillor Amanda Hopgood, former BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown, Steve Cram, Peter Warburton, Katie Binks
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