FORMER Olympian Steve Cram yesterday launched plans for another great North running event – a marathon.

The former middle-distance world record holder said the event – scheduled to be held on a course yet to be defined in and around Sunderland on Sunday, May 6, next year – would meet demand in the region for a marathon.

The Marathon of the North will form part of a festival of running over the weekend, including the Sunderland City 10k on the same day, and a programme of live music and entertainment for runners on the Saturday night.

Mr Cram launched the inaugural Sunderland City 10k earlier this year, which started and finished at Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light – which will feature on the new marathon course.

DS Media and Events, a company set up last year by Dave Roberts and Steve Cram, will oversee the organisation of the marathon and 10k run.

Mr Cram, who is being backed by Sunderland City Council, said: “When we launched the Sunderland City 10k run, we made it clear that our ambition was to introduce a marathon in year two.

“The success of the 10k has reinforced our belief that Sunderland is a great location for other major road runs and we think that the Marathon of the North has enormous potential to deliver another iconic sports event to the North- East.”

He added: “I hope that experienced and aspiring marathon runners will be getting May 6 into their diaries right away and planning their training schedules, for what will be a very special new event on the regional and national sporting calendar.”

Sunderland City Council leader Councillor Paul Watson said: “This is a fantastic announcement and the council is thrilled to be working with Steve and Dave once again to introduce another headline sporting event to the city.”

Alyson Dixon, a Team GB marathon runner and member of Chester-le-Street Athletics Club, said: “Sunderland has a great heritage in marathon running and athletics in general, and has produced many international athletes over the years.

“This event is going to tap into the huge passion for the sport that exists in Sunderland and throughout the North-East.”

The event will include a club challenge. Entries are now being accepted at marathonofthenorth.com and runners can register for the event at an opening price of £30 until November 30.

After that date, the entry price rises to £33 for club runners and £35 for non-club runners.

For information on the 10k run visit sunderlandcity 10k.com