Horrible Histories author Terry Deary is leading a run through the historic streets of Durham to mark the start of a popular North East running festival.
Those taking part in the Deadly Durham 5k can enjoy some of the city’s grisly history, with stops along the way to hear the tales of notorious events where they happened.
The first event is on Thursday at 4.30pm, with a second on Saturday at 1pm, as part of the Durham City Run Festival.
Organised by Events of the North, with Durham County Council and Durham University, the festival coincides with Durham BRASS Festival and is expected to attract thousands of participants and supporters.
Durham City Run Festival founder Steve Cram said: “This year’s festival is packed with a great variety of events.
There’s something for everyone who has an interest in running, or would like to get started in the sport.
“Durham is a truly stunning location, and working with Durham County Council and Durham University, we’ve put together a programme that provides loads of opportunities to explore the city.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone who joins us, whether they’re pushing for a personal best in the mile, listening to Terry’s gruesome stories, enjoying a stroll with our friends at St. Cuthbert’s Hospice, or teaming up as a family to tackle 10K down by the river.”
New for 2022 is the XO Urban Orienteering event, which will take place around the city centre on Thursday evening.
Teams of two will tackle their own running route through a landscape of architecture and cultural landmarks on an urban orienteering experience. Planning and strategy are key to achieving points in XO, as teams take on a series of secret challenges around the checkpoints.
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The event will be hosted from a ‘basecamp’ in the city centre, but the exact location will not be released until 3pm on event day.
On Friday morning, Durham Mums on the Run will hold a buggy warm up run for mums, dads and youngsters.
At lunch-time that day, the festival’s official charity partner, St Cuthbert’s Hospice, will host a guided walk around the city, welcoming people along for a sociable wander and to find out more about how the organisation supports individuals and families.
The Durham City Run 10K and 5K will both take place on Friday evening, starting by the river at Durham Racecourse and following courses around sections of the River Wear and past some of the city’s iconic landmarks.
Both races will finish in Millennium Place.
The deadline for entries is midnight on Tuesday, July 12.
First thing on Saturday, European 1,500m medal winner turned coach Becky Lyne will lead a race technique workshop at Durham Racecourse near the site of Families on Track.
Becky will guide runners through her ‘GRACE’ approach, with five key principles that form the blueprint of how humans are designed to run.
Throughout Saturday, runners will be able to challenge themselves in the Run Like A Legend Mile.
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Following a fast, flat route along the river, there is ample opportunity to achieve a personal best, or simply set a first time for the iconic mile distance.
The deadline for entries is midnight on Thursday July 14.
Saturday also sees the return of Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track at Durham Racecourse, during which family teams will complete a 10K distance together in a relay format on a safe, enclosed course, running laps of either 1,000m, 500m or 250m.
Paula’s Families on Track made its global debut in Durham in 2019 and has established itself as one of the most popular events at the festival.
The final free themed event will be hosted by Sedgefield Ploggers after the conclusion of Paula’s Families on Track.
Plogging combines jogging with picking up litter.
Gloves, bags and grabbers will be provided, and the Sedgefield Ploggers will lead participants of all ages on a sociable tidy up to wrap up the festival.
Councillor Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “This year’s Durham City Run Festival gives people the chance to have fun with friends and family and to get some exercise, all while taking in some truly stunning sights such as our wonderful World Heritage Cathedral and beautiful riverside.
“There is also plenty for people to do while they are here, not least Durham BRASS Festival and its eclectic mix of live brass music, as well as our city’s array of shops and restaurants.
“We don’t want people to miss out so we would encourage everyone to book their places for the Durham City Run Festival events and look forward to a fabulous time here.”
The themed events are free, but places still need to be booked. People can do so here
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