Plans for socially distanced Sunderland City Runs 5K, 10K and half marathon to go ahead before June 21 restriction easing

After discussions with Sunderland City Council Public Health England and emergency services, Events Of The North made the decision to continue with preparations for the event to take place – although it make look and feel different to previous events.

Due to the Covid pandemic the 2020 event was cancelled.

Will there be restrictions in place?

Organisers say they are working to ensure that the national and local Covid restrictions expected on the event date will be fully complied with at all times.

With safety being a priority, various procedures will be put in place, including a series of social-distancing measures and expanded timescales incorporated into the event organisation.

As a result of essential adaptations, organisers say the 2021 Sunderland City Runs will look and feel a little different to previous editions, but Events Of The North is making plans to ensure that everyone involved enjoys the opportunity to be part of the return to running events.

Gerry Taylor, director of public health and integrated commissioning at Sunderland City Council, said: "We will be working closely with the event organisers to make sure that this event is as safe as it possibly can be for all involved, subject to the national guidance in place at the time allowing it to go ahead.

"This will include social distancing and other measures to keep everyone safe as well as making sure that the event complies with all national and local guidance at the time.”

How can you take part?

All those who had deferred entries from last year will now get the chance to run their race and organisers anticipate that many others will sign up to join them on the start line, in either the Sunderland City 5K on Saturday, June 19, and the Sunderland City 10K or Half Marathon on Sunday, June 20.

Entries are open now at www.sunderlandcity10k.com. If anyone has any queries about a carried over entry, they should send them by email to [email protected], and the team will respond as soon as they can.

What have organisers said?

Event director Steve Cram said: “We are thrilled to be in a position to press ahead with planning for a very special weekend in Sunderland. Of course, we will continue to monitor the local and national situation closely and understand that any changes to regulations will have to be adhered to.

"However, working with Sunderland City Council, we have put in a huge effort behind the scenes to adapt the Sunderland City Runs and we are all confident that we can deliver a brilliant weekend of races in June.

"People everywhere have really missed the sense of occasion of being part of a big event and everyone knows how important being active is for physical and mental health.

"So, we are all really excited that we will once again be able to give runners the opportunity to line up on the start line in our great city.”

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