As we hit the summer solstice and with school holidays around the corner, you may be wondering how to entertain the kids (and yourselves!) for the six long weeks of summer holidays.
Luckily – from trail runs to beach parties, family relays and city races – we’ve got the perfect selection of active summer fun for families in the North East so that you can make the most of the *hopefully* warm weather and long days.
Run and relax on the beach at Tidal Trails
Brand-new for 2025, Tidal Trails brings the dream combo of beach trail runs and beach party to South Shields, giving you the perfect chance to combine some exercise followed by chill time on one of the North East’s best beaches.
Choose from an 8K or 2K trail run, then spend the afternoon sunbathing, enjoying Colman’s famous fish and chips, and soaking up the festival atmosphere with live entertainment on our Tidal Trails stage.
With the site open from 12-6pm, the runs aren’t the only way to get active with the family. Beach volleyball, pickleball and sand sprints will be going on all afternoon, so the kids will be happy while adults get some well-deserved down time in the sun.
Festival tickets guarantee you access to the site for the afternoon, plus entry to the trail race of your choice (8K, 2K adult or 2K kids), a £5 food voucher to redeem at the event, and a Tidal Trails goody bag to remember your day out.
Book a sporty city break in Durham’s historic centre
If you prefer the idea of an active city break this summer – or you’re already in Durham and looking for some summer sport on your doorstep – why not combine a local getaway with a fun road race at Durham City Run Festival.
From 17-19th July, the city centre will become a hub of running activity. The festival kicks off with the popular Durham City 5K and 10K races on Thursday evening, taking in some of the best historic sites in Durham – including the Cathedral, Castle and Palace Green. It’s the perfect way to combine some sightseeing with tackling a unique road race.
Turn your trip into a weekend and stick around for Saturday’s Families on Track relays at Durham Racecourse. The team relay challenge is all about getting the whole family running together, completing laps of an enclosed course, adding up to 10K, before running over the finish line as a team! Suitable for all ages and abilities, each participant can choose the distance they run, and it all adds up to a fun, friendly competition.
Escape to the wild at Kielder
If you’re looking to explore some wilderness with an off-the-beaten-track adventure in the North East this summer, a visit to Kielder Water and Forest Park is an absolute must.
Before the scenic trails get busy with runners at October’s legendary Altra Kielder Marathon weekend, all you need to do is walk, run or cycle through the stunning forest and lakeside paths and you’ll see why it’s nicknamed Britain’s most beautiful marathon. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to sign up!
If you’re an adventure-seeking athlete, we have the perfect event for you, with The Northumbrian returning to the North East very soon – this year with a new twist.
In less than two weeks, athletes taking on the Iron and Half Iron distance triathlons, duathlon and brand-new 20K and 50K trail runs will set off into the stunning wilderness to push themselves to the limit and return victorious.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you are a true thrill-seeker and experienced endurance athlete, this could be the perfect challenge for you.
Entries close soon, so pick your race, and dive into an unforgettable experience in the most beautiful place in Britain.
Turn it into a weekend by booking accommodation at Kielder Campsite and bring the whole family to be your cheer squad and moral support when the going gets tough. With plenty of spectator points on the stunning run route, supporting has never been so spectacular!
Whether you’re a serious athlete or just looking for some quality family time in the great outdoors this summer, we’ve got an event for you. To find out more information, and book activities, visit:
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