Hundreds of smiling runners have been pictured taking in the lively crowds as the Durham City Run got underway for another year.
Shoe laces tied and water bottles filled, hoards of runners kicked off the three day event with both the 5K and 10K runs on Thursday evening.
The run - one of the highlights of the city’s summer calendar - saw participants of all ages set off from Framwelgate Waterside at 7pm.
They then headed along the city’s cobbled streets and past the River Wear before a big finish saw runners cross the finish line on the Palace Green, in front of the iconic Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.
The rain may have held off for the event after a drizzly month so far - but kids and adults alike had to face humidity and warmer temperatures as they took on the two runs.
This year marks the eighth time the festival has taken place, with people of “all ages, abilities, and fitness levels” welcomed to join in the fun.
As well as the classic 5K and 10K, a string of other races are lined up for the festival, and are sure to equally prove popular among fitness fanatics. 
On Friday, runners are set to participate in the Run Like a Legend Mile, testing themselves on the mile-long course at Durham racecourse.
This event is due to take place between 10.40am - 4.40pm.
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Then, people will be invited to tackle their own running routes and gain points through a series of secret challenges in the XO Urban Orienteering event, kicking off at 6pm.
The Durham City Run will come to a close on Saturday with Paula Radcliffe's Families on Track, which includes three laps of their 250m, 500m, or 1K at Durham racecourse.
Each family will complete 10K in total at the race, which begins at 11am.
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