Entries open for Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10k

Entries open today for the 2017 Run Sunderland Festival, featuring the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K races, on Sunday, May 7.

Organisers have confirmed that runners who book their places at www.sunderlandcity10k.com before midnight on November 30 can claim an early bird discount for the events.

Steve Cram, whose company, Events of the North, is organising the events, said: “The 2016 events were really successful in bringing the races into the heart of the city.

“Thanks to the support of Siglion and Sunderland City Council, we were able to put the spotlight on some of the transformational projects that are underway in Sunderland, and the revised routes were also better and faster for runners than in previous years. We still have room to grow and plan to make further improvements for 2017, so our hope is that the early bird discount will encourage people to secure their places quickly.”

For the seventh year running, Events of the North is working in partnership with Sunderland City Council and Active Sunderland to deliver the festival.

As with last year’s event, both Run Sunderland races are being sponsored by Siglion, the development partnership which is carrying out major regeneration projects on the Vaux site and at other locations in the city.

As in 2016, the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K will showcase Keel Square, a site that has become regarded as a symbol of the city’s renewal and regeneration.

John Seager, Siglion’s chief executive, added: “Events such as the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and Siglion Sunderland City 10K, alongside initiatives like the City of Culture bid, contribute to the vibrancy of the city. Bringing the events to Keel Square, helps us to demonstrate to runners and spectators the emerging developments being undertaken by Siglion on the Vaux site and that this is the start of what Sunderland will look like in the future.”

Portfolio holder for public health, wellness and culture Coun John Kelly said: “We’re delighted to be supporting next year’s half marathon and 10K. This is a fantastic event which is really helping to put the city on the map as it grows in popularity year on year. It’s wonderful that we get so many runners from across the North East and further afield coming here to take part in the event, but we would also encourage the residents of Sunderland to get involved and sign up to this major city event.”

Events of the North is offering a £3 discount on entry fees for both the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K, until midnight on Wednesday, November 30. Runners affiliated to a club can enter the half marathon for £29, while the price for unaffiliated runners is £31.

The early bird prices for the 10K are £20 and £22 respectively. From Tuesday December 1, the entry prices for the half marathon will be £32/£34 and for the 10K they will be £23/£25. For more information about the 2017 events and to book a place on one of them visit www.sunderlandcity10k.com.