Everything you need to know about City Runs ahead of bumper running weekend in Sunderland
Thousands of runners will pound the pavements in Sunderland this weekend for a bumper sporting event.
It’s 15 years since the first Sunderland City 10K was held in 2011.
Over the years, it was joined by the Half Marathon and the Active Sunderland Big 3K, making City Runs one of the North’s biggest running events.
The 2026 SG Petch Sunderland City Runs will see 6,000 runners take part across the weekend - the biggest ever event, organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Active Sunderland, Sunderland City Council
It takes place this weekend, on Saturday May 16 and Sunday, May 17 with two days of running action.
The weekend kicks off on the evening of Saturday 16 May, giving around 750 runners the opportunity to run over the new Keel Crossing footbridge, around the Stadium of Light and past Sheepfolds Stables, venue for the official after party for the run.
The following day, more than 5,000 runners will tackle the Active Sunderland Big 3K, SG Petch Sunderland City Half Marathon and SG Petch Sunderland City 10K on
There will also be a host of celebrations to mark 15 years of the event, including the new Kevin Carr Memorial Trophy.
The winner of the 10K will be the first person to receive the new trophy in memory of Kevin Carr, a legend of grass roots athletics in Sunderland and the wider North East and former Sunderland Echo athletics writer, who passed away earlier this year
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s City Runs:
When and where?
Saturday 16 May
*6:30pm – start of the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs 5K on Plater Way
Sunday 17 May – all events start on Livingstone Road, next to Keel Square
*8:45am – mascot dash
*9am – start of the Active Sunderland Big 3K
*10am – start of the SG Petch Sunderland City 10K
*10:25am – start of the Sunderland City Half Marathon
Road closures and route
There will be road closures in place on Saturday, May 16 from around 4pm until 8pm.
In the city centre, these will affect: Plater Way, St Mary’s Boulevard, Keel Square and Keel Crossing footbridge.
In Monkwearmouth, these will affect: Easington Street, Easington Street North, Millennium Way, Hay Street, Sheepfolds North, Back North Bridge Street, Vaux Brewery Way, Sheepfolds Road and Stadium Way.
There will be road closures in place on Sunday, May 17 from around 6am to 2.30pm.
In central Sunderland, these will affect: St Mary’s Way, Livingstone Road, Wearmouth Bridge, Fawcett Street, Burdon Road, Tatham Street and Toward Road.
In Hendon, these will affect: West Wear Street and Hendon Road.
In Grangetown and Ashbrooke, these will affect: Ryhope Road, Mowbray Road and Park Road.
At the seafront, these will affect: Dame Dorothy Street, Roker Terrace and Side Cliff Road.
Wear 15
City Runs is marking its anniversary with Wear 15 celebrations this weekend, which will put the spotlights on the organisers, sponsors, runners and volunteers who have shaped the events over the years.
They are:
Steve Cram – former world record holder is also the race director of the Sunderland City Runs. In 15 years involved with the planning and delivery of the event, he has seen more of the progress over the years than anyone else.
Kevin Carr – known as ‘Sunderland’s Greatest Harrier’, Carr was a Sunderland Harrier who was dedicated to athletics throughout his life. After Kevin’s passing earlier this year, the Sunderland City Runs team would like to pay respects to his legacy and acknowledge the impact he had on athletics in Sunderland and the wider North East with the Kevin Carr Memorial Trophy, awarded to the first finisher in the Sunderland City 10K from 2026 onwards.
Aly Dixon – female winner of the Sunderland City 10K in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2022, Sunderland City Half Marathon winner in 2014, 2017, 2023, 2024, and winner of the 5K in 2019. The born and bred Sunderland Olympian has been involved in every Sunderland City Runs event, working behind the scenes as crew, packing goody bags, marshalling, handing out medals and as lead bike.
Colin Burgin-Plews (Big Pink Dress) – huge fundraiser for cancer charities across the North East, usually wearing signature big colourful dresses and matching wigs. He has been involved in 11 Sunderland City Runs, including being the official starter one year and participating in eight.
Harry Harrison – Sunderland Stroller who is joining the team of SG Petch pacers at the event. Strollers bring over 100 runners to the runs every year, and Harry has run either the marathon, half marathon or 10K at every Sunderland City Run.
Jackie Murdy – 2025 female half marathon winner. The South Shields Harrier is back this year to defend her title in the Sunderland City Half Marathon.
Deano Franciosy – local legend, and bin man for Sunderland City Council, who runs every year with a wheelie bin on his back to raise money for Sunderland Royal Hospital ICCU. This year he is running the 5K on the Saturday, before the 10K on the Sunday.
Jo Moody – one of the event’s most reliable volunteers, first joining the Events of the North crew in 2017. For Jo, volunteering was a way to be part of the action on event day, and she always appreciates the response from runners at the event.
Nathan Cole (Red Sky Foundation) – Nathan is running for Red Sky Foundation, as his young niece Nancy suffered a cardiac arrest at four years old, and Red Sky supported the family during Nancy’s hospital stay.
Charlotte Proud (University of Sunderland) – student at the University of Sunderland with a rare genetic bone condition diagnosed at two years old. She has struggled with fitness and injuries due to her condition, but she loves running and is raising money for the University of Sunderland Futures Fund.
Kevin Johnson (Everyone Active) – membership consultant at Everyone Active who was inspired to join Sunderland Harriers after his first Sunderland City 10K in 2022. He says the race was a turning point in his running journey.
Phil Hubbard (Foundation of Light) – a strong advocate for men’s mental health working in both the women’s academy and in health and wellbeing, predominantly in schools.
Katie Bulmer-Cooke – Sunderland based personal trainer who has run the 10K, warmed up runners on the start line and cheered on friends and clients in the runs. This year, her daughter is moving up from the Active Sunderland BIG 3K to the Sunderland City 10K, and Katie will be there to watch her.
Chris Cairns (STS Charity) – nurse consultant for older persons at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, raising money to improve patient care and provide services and activities to enhance hospital stays for patients.
David Gillick – Irish international track and field athlete who won the European Indoor Championship in 2005 and 2007, as well as the Irish National Outdoor Championship in 2006 and 2007. He also set national records for both the 400m indoor and outdoor. David is an honorary Mackem after marrying his wife and spending a lot of time in the city.