The centre of Durham was taken over by thousands of runners and spectators for the 2024 Durham City Runs on Thursday 18 July. Over 2,100 participants completed the Durham City Run 5K or 10K events on a mild evening, finishing at the World Heritage Site in front of Durham Cathedral. The races were part of the three-day Durham City Run Festival, which also included a family relay event on Saturday 20 July that attracted a record number of teams. The festival was organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Durham County Council and Durham University, and supported by Everyone Active gyms and Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham.
The winner of the Durham City 10K was Corrin Leeming of Western Athletic Club, in a time of 30 minutes and 47 seconds. Adrian Bailes of Birtley AC was second in 31:42, with Stephen Jackson of Sunderland Harriers third in 32:30. The women;s race was won by Charlotte Dillon of Houghton Harries in 35:48, followed by Vicky Simpson (39:05) and Natalie Lye (40:45), both of North Shields Poly. Chris Perkins of Birtley AC retained his title in winning of the Durham City 5K in 15:43, followed by Duncan Hughes of Blackhill Bounders (16:23) for the second year in a row, with Liam Taylor of Sunderland Harriers in third (16:31). Jessica Eaton of the Tyne Bridge Harriers won the women’s race in 19:02, followed by Anna Pigford of Houghton Harriers (19:06) and Nicole Burlinson of Durham City Harriers (19:15).
Charlotte Dillon of Houghton Harriers won the women’s Durham City 10K race.
Both the Durham City 10K and 5K followed new undulating routes this year, starting outside the Radisson Blu Hotel. The races started half an hour apart, which allowed for increased capacity and more action for spectators to enjoy. Along with leading club runners from around the region, many of the participants were taking on personal challenges or raising money for good causes, such as the festival’s official charity partner, Red Sky Foundation. Several representatives from event partners Durham County Council and Durham University were also running. Among them were Amy Harhoff, the county council’s corporate director of regeneration, economy and growth, Katie Taylor, the university’s alumni and supporter engagement officer (events), and Mark Tallentire, the university’s senior communications and engagement manager.
Event founder Steve Cram comments: ‘Thursday was a fantastic evening of running in the heart of Durham. The new routes have worked really well, and all our runners rose to the challenge of tackling the hills in this beautiful city. As ever, we’re grateful to Durham County Council, Durham University and all of our partners and volunteers, who together make it possible to host the Durham City Run Festival.”
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council and North East Combined Authority cabinet member for culture, creative, tourism and sport, said: “The Durham City Run Festival is one of the most important events in County Durham’s cultural calendar and demonstrated our commitment to encouraging people of all ages and abilities to participate in sport. It’s been wonderful to see the streets of Durham City bustling with thousands of runners and their supporters over the last few days. The sense of camaraderie and positivity has been palpable and is such a key part of the festival and grass root sports in general. It was also a great honour to welcome decathlon champion Daley Thompson to the county to launch the festival with a special screening of the documentary about his career at Gala Durham. Daley’s Olympic successes continue to inspire new generations of athletes and his visit definitely added to the excitement surrounding the event.
“The Durham City Run Festival is just one of many fantastic events taking place in County Durham this summer, with Durham Fringe Festival taking place next week and Seaham Food Festival returning in August. Events like these not only add to the vibrancy of our city, towns and villages but attract tens of thousands of visitors and boost the local economy.
“We are proud to have supported Events of the North to deliver the Durham City Run Festival and we are looking forward to an action-packed summer of culture and sport in the weeks ahead.”
Quentin Sloper, director of student enrichment at Durham University, said: “The atmosphere for this year’s Durham City 10K and 5K was electric and it was wonderful to experience such a great celebration of sport and physical activity with so many participants. That ever-increasing numbers of our staff, students and alumni get involved alongside running clubs, families, the local community and many others, is a testament to the strength of the partnership between the University and our community. We’re delighted to continue to be part of the Durham City Run Festival.”
The 2024 Durham City Run Festival continued on Friday with XO urban orienteering in the city centre, and concluded on Saturday with Paula’s Families on Track at the old racecourse, which saw a record number of 75 teams of three to five family members of all ages tackle a 10K relay event.
Find out more about the event at www.durhamcityrunfestival.com.