Durham City Run Festival 10K and 5K postponed due to coronavirus

Organisers Events of the North have announced that this year’s Durham City Run Festival will now take place in October – subject to coronavirus restrictions having been lifted.

Following consultation with Durham County Council, and with Durham University and other event partners, the event is now scheduled to take place from Thursday, October 8 to Sunday, October 11.

The Durham City Run Festival was originally due to be held from July 16 to July 18.

All entries that have already been received for the Durham City Run 10K and 5K, Run Like a Legend, and Families on Track, will be automatically transferred to the new dates.

Entries for the events will now stay open until midnight on Sunday, October 4.

Event founder Steve Cram said: “In the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak, we were hopeful that by July, we would be able to go ahead as planned.

“Clearly, that will not be possible, so we have been working hard with Durham County Council, Durham University and others to find suitable alternative dates later in the year.

“We are delighted to have managed that and can now focus on planning an uplifting Durham City Run Festival for October.

“Meanwhile, everyone can concentrate on the main priority at this time, which is to follow the official guidelines to stay healthy and safe, and protect themselves and others.”

Cllr Joy Allen, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, said: “The Durham City Run Festival has grown into one of the most popular events in our cultural calendar and we are really pleased that it has been possible to rearrange it.

“The festival offers people of all ages and abilities the chance to experience the magnificent sights of Durham City while having fun with family and friends.

“Preparing for and taking part in the runs are also great forms of exercise.

“We know some of these are not possible, very understandably, while restrictions are in place because of coronavirus but what better way to enjoy them all again than by joining in the festival.”

Once finalised, full details of the rearranged Durham City Run Festival events will be added to www.durhamcityrunfestival.com and sent to everyone who already has an entry.

Anyone with queries about the new arrangements should email [email protected]

During lockdown, the Events of the North team has been putting on a wide variety of ‘virtual’ activities for the public to get involved in while at home.

These include training sessions with the likes of Team GB’s Laura Weightman and leading North East athlete Matty Hynes, along with live Q&A’s.

Other initiatives include the first Virtual Sunderland City Runs from May 9 to May 11, which will allow people to compete in half marathon, 10K and 5K ‘races’, while safely observing the lockdown rules.

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