Runners will line the streets of Durham on Thursday (July 18) evening as the city’s annual run festival kicks off.

Marking the start of the Durham City Run festival on Wednesday (July 17) night crowds gathered at the Gala Theatre for a special evening with athletic royalty.

Run organiser Steve Cram welcomed two-time gold medallist Daley Thompson for a special screening of a new documentary on the decathlete’s career, 40 years on from winning his second gold.

The doc, ‘Daley: Olympic Superstar’ first aired on BBC Two on Tuesday (July 15) night.

Daley Thompson and Steve Cram.Daley Thompson and Steve Cram. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

It tells how he overcame poverty growing up on a council estate in London’s Notting Hill and his dad being shot dead in the street before winning at successive Olympics in 1980 and 1984.

Cram, who also won ’84 games in Los Angeles, sat down with Thompson for a fireside chat after the screening.

They were joined by a host of the region’s highest achievers in athletics including Hebburn-born Sir Brendan Foster, Bishop Auckland’s Charlie Spedding, Northumbrian Mike McLeod and Allison Curbishley from Stockton.

Allison Curbishley, Steve Cram, Charlie Spedding, Mike McLeod, Brendan Foster and Daley Thompson.Allison Curbishley, Steve Cram, Charlie Spedding, Mike McLeod, Brendan Foster and Daley Thompson. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Speaking before the event Steve Cram said: “Daley has had an incredible life and it has been put down on film.

“We’ve always tried to do something for if you don’t want to run but you like your sport. This is the second time we’ve had this sort of evening the night before. I’ve seen it (the documentary) and people will absolutely love it.

“He’s one of my oldest and best friends in sport, and he also happens to be one of the greatest athletes that the world has seen.

Daley Thompson and Steve Cram.Daley Thompson and Steve Cram. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“It’s not before time that a film has been made about his life and career, and we’re delighted to have teamed up with Durham County Council to arrange this special screening in the Gala Theatre.”

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The Durham City Run Festival has been running since 2019.

At 7pm tonight crowds will descend on the city with runners starting at the Framwellgate waterside and finishing on the Palace Green.

Road closures will be in place from 3pm to facilitate the event, with diversions in place.