Organisers have announced that heart health charity Red Sky Foundation is the new charity partner for the Sunderland City Runs. The charity, which campaigns and raises money to install community defibrillators around the North East, will field scores of runners at the event on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May.

A fixture on the grass roots sports calendar for over a decade, the popular 5K, 10K and half marathon races will see leading club athletes and charity fun runners tackle routes that take in many of Sunderland’s iconic landmarks, with the 10K and half marathon starting and finishing alongside Keel Square and the recently completed City Hall.

Sergio and Emma Petrucci set up North East charity Red Sky Foundation following the pioneering life-saving treatment that their daughter Luna received after she was born with a serious heart problem. Recognising the importance of ensuring that there is easy access to life-saving defibrillators in city centre locations, the foundation raises money and installs devices throughout the region.

Sergio Pertucci commented: “I’m thrilled that Red Sky Foundation is now the official charity partner for the Sunderland City Runs and can’t wait to see all of our fundraisers in action on 7 and 8 May. The timing is ideal – we can highlight the importance of having easy to access community defibrillators just as we’re about to install a device at City Hall.

"It’s really encouraging that Sunderland City Council recognises the need to encourage people to get more active, while also ensuring that community defibrillators are readily to hand for those unfortunate moments when they are really needed.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The Sunderland City Runs mark the start of a really exciting summer of major sporting events in our city which we’re hoping will inspire more people to get active and enjoy all the fantastic physical and mental health benefits that this brings with it."

Organisers expect around 5,000 runners to take part in the 2022 Sunderland City Runs, with thousands more spectators lining the streets of Sunderland to cheer them on. The event will kick off with the Northern Spire 5K on the evening of Saturday 7 May.

Sunday 8 May will see the Active Sunderland 3K and the return of the popular Sunderland City 10K and Sunderland City Half Marathon, both starting and finishing in the city centre between Keel Square and the new City Hall.

Entries are now open for all of the events and you can find out more here.

Image: Sunderland City Runs/Red Sky Foundation