The South Shields 10 Mile reaches a major milestone in 2026 as the popular North East event celebrates its tenth anniversary with another scenic journey along one of the region's most spectacular stretches of coastline.

Taking place on Sunday 2 August, the race starts and finishes at the iconic Souter Lighthouse, following a fully marshalled out and back route along The Leas and the South Shields coastline. Over the past decade the event has grown into a favourite among local runners, combining stunning scenery with a welcoming atmosphere created by the volunteers, friends and club members behind organisers Run Eat Sleep.

The 10 mile distance makes the event a popular choice for runners preparing for the Great North Run, offering an excellent fitness benchmark just a few weeks before the world's biggest half marathon. Equally, the friendly environment attracts runners of all abilities, from experienced club athletes chasing fast times to those taking on the distance for the first time.

The route showcases some of the North East's best coastal scenery, with views of Marsden Rock, Frenchman's Bay and Sandhaven Beach along the way. On a good day, runners may even spot dolphins offshore as they make their way around the course.

The event's roll of honour reflects the quality of competition it has attracted over the years. James Anderson returns as the defending men's champion after victories in both 2024 and 2025, while Charlotte Redhead arrives as the reigning women's champion following her success last year. Previous winners include some well known names from the North East running scene, helping cement the race's reputation as a competitive but welcoming fixture on the regional calendar.

All finishers in 2026 will receive a special tenth anniversary medal, marking a decade of coastal running at South Shields. Combined with enthusiastic support, a memorable route and the community spirit that has defined the race since its launch, the anniversary edition promises to be a fitting celebration of one of the North East's most popular summer races.

Ten years on from the first edition, the South Shields 10 Mile continues to prove that great scenery, dedicated volunteers and a passion for running remain a winning combination.

You can enter here now via SiEntries.

Image AI enhanced courtesy Run Eat Sleep on Facebook.