With Durham City Run Festival set to return this summer, the event organisers have released the maps for the highly anticipated new routes. 

On July 18, 19, and 20 this summer, the ever-popular event - which sees everyone from pro athletes to new runners take the starting line - is expected to be another smash hit. 

The festival will begin with Durham City 5k and 10k on Thursday night, two events that have been running through the historic city centre since 2016. 

The Northern Echo:

The original events have refreshed routes this year, and will run alongside newer events, like XO Urban Orienteering, the Run Like A Legend mile and Paula’s Families on Track over the festival weekend. 

A new start location - at the Radisson Blu in Durham, was announced the alongside hotel partner, with organisers hoping the hotel "will become the new home of Durham City Runs."

The races will start with an ascent up the cobbles of South Street, both the 5k and 10k routes weave over the River Wear before runners cross the finish line at Palace Green, outside Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site.

The routes, put together by Events of the North in partnership with Durham County Council and Durham University, have been designed to minimise disruption in the historic city centre. 

The Northern Echo:

In a "welcome change" for runners, the 5k will start at 7.00pm, followed by the 10k at 7.30pm, to allow some delay between the two races.

The City Runs on Thursday night will kick off the festival, followed by the Run Like A Legend mile on Friday, which has booking slots open now from 11am – 4.40pm, and XO, a urban orienteering event where teams of two race to checkpoints around the city centre, starting on Friday at 6pm.

The popular family fitness event, Paula’s Families on Track will be returning to Durham Racecourse on Saturday at 11am, encouraging families to run and have fun together with a continuous team relay.