Hundreds of runners were cheered on by crowds through the cobbled streets of Durham as the Durham City Run returned for another year. 

Whether they were carrying a wheelie bin or just a water bottle, kids and adults threw on their best running shoes to take part in the 5K and 10K races on Thursday. 

Fitness fanatics set off from Framwelgate Waterside at 7pm, making their way through the city and along the River Wear before finishing off at the Palace Green. 

The run - which continues to be one of the highlights of the city’s summer calendar - saw an array of wild costumes, from the pink panther to a giant red love heart.

Hundreds of runners were pictured making their way along the course - and while some put on their best poker faces with focus firmly on the road ahead, others opted to show off their beaming smiles. 

Here are the top five results for each race: 

5K

  1. Chris Perkins - 15:44 
  2. Duncan Hughes - 16:23
  3. Liam Taylor - 16:31
  4. Rory Woods - 17:08
  5. Liam Huntington - 17:33

 

10K

  1. Corrin Leeming - 30:47
  2. Adrian Bailes - 31:42
  3. Stephen Jackson - 32:31
  4. Morgan Kendall - 33:36
  5. James Largey - 33:58

This year marks the eighth time the festival has taken place, with people of “all ages, abilities, and fitness levels” taking part. 

The three day event will also see several other runs, including the Run Like a Legend Mile on Friday at Durham racecourse, which is due to take place between 10.40am - 4.40pm.

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This evening (Friday), 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 which starts at 6pm.  

The Durham City Run will conclude on Saturday with Paula Radcliffe's Families on Track, which includes three laps of their 250m, 500m, or 1K at Durham racecourse at 11am. 

See if you can spot yourself in our bumper gallery of pictures from the 5K and 10K races below.

Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024Runners take on the 5K and 10K races at Durham City Run 2024 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) To see all the photos, click on the main image at the start of the article.