Durham will once again take centre stage in the North East’s sporting calendar as Durham City Run Festival returns this summer (16-19 July). Organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Durham County Council and Durham University, the festival promises another action-packed summer of running and entertainment.

The event kicks off on Wednesday 16 July with a special evening at the Gala Theatre, celebrating the 40th anniversary of North East running legend Steve Cram’s historic triple world records. Hosted by former BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown, Cram will take audiences on a journey back to the summer of 1985 when he set three track world records in just 19 days.

The racing action begins on Thursday 17 July, with the return of the Durham City Run 5K and 10K. Runners will start outside the Radisson Blu and finish at the iconic Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site. On Saturday 19 July, the festival will host Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track, a unique 10K continuous relay designed to get families moving together.

New for 2025, festival partner Thrive will use the event to promote the Moving Together in County Durham strategy, encouraging more residents to lead active and healthy lives. The festival will also run alongside Durham BRASS, bringing live music and extra entertainment to the city’s streets.

Organisers are expecting another strong turnout, with over 250 runners from Durham University alone taking part last year. Steve Cram commented: “It certainly doesn’t feel like 40 years since I set those world records but I can still remember each race as if it were yesterday! It’s an honour to be back in Durham, sharing my story and, hopefully, inspiring the next generation of runners.”

If you'd like to know more, visit the Durham City Run Festival website.

Image: Events of the North