Plans have been revealed that herald an ambitious new era for two popular annual running events in Middlesbrough. From 2026, Steve Cram’s company Events of the North will be organising the Middlesbrough 10K and the Ali Brownlee 5K, and will bring them together to be held on the same day. The races will be at the heart of Middlesbrough Runs, a weekend of events that will also feature Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track initiative, all organised in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and Everyone Active. The 2026 Middlesbrough Runs events will be held over the weekend of 29-30 August.
On Saturday 29 August, Paula’s Families on Track will come to Albert Park. The event is the brainchild of athletics legend Paula Radcliffe and gives family groups of all ages the opportunity to get active together by completing a 10K relay in a controlled and safe environment. The focus of Families on Track is on participation and fun, and the event is suitable for every generation and ability.
The Middlesbrough 10K and Ali Brownlee 5K will be held on the morning of Sunday 30 August, following routes around the town. 2026 will mark the 10th anniversary of the death of ‘Voice of Boro’ Alastair Brownlee, and organisers will be working closely with Ali’s family to celebrate his life and legacy through Middlesbrough Runs.
Steve Cram comments: “We’re really excited about the potential for Middlesbrough Runs. Bringing the Middlesbrough 10K, Ali Brownlee 5K and Paula’s Families on Track together into a two-day event allows us to celebrate a vibrant summer festival atmosphere in the heart of the community. The 10K and 5K are already great races, but we’re ambitious to grow them, and adding Paula’s brilliant Families on Track to the mix opens up the opportunity for more participants of all ages to get involved. We’ll be working closely with Middlesbrough Council and Everyone Active to deliver a fantastic event next August.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “The Middlesbrough 10K was launched 20 years ago, and has become a popular fixture for runners not just from this area, but from across the UK and beyond. The 5K took on a new lease of life in Ali Brownlee’s name – Ali was a tireless champion of this area and its diverse communities and the run is a fitting tribute to a much-missed character.
“I’m grateful to Run For All for their careful stewardship of these important events in recent years and they continue to show our town and the wider area in the best possible light. I’m also delighted to welcome Events of the North – Steve and Allison are true legends with an amazing track record of delivering world class events. They will take the Middlesbrough 10K and Ali Brownlee 5K to a whole new level and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength in the coming years.”
Everyone Active’s area contract manager Paul Ayre said: “We are proud and excited to be working with Events of the North and Middlesbrough Council to deliver the Middlesbrough Runs events. These will offer something for people from across the local community and beyond, no matter what your age or ability, and will celebrate physical activity in a unique way.”
The Brownlee family adds: “We are honoured every year to have Middlesbrough come out in support of Alastair’s memory and are very much looking forward to the new style Middlesbrough Runs event in 2026. Alastair loved the football, the town and the people, so it’s fantastic to come together in his name. Ten years has gone by so quickly, but his voice always remains… up the Boro!”
Entries for the Middlesbrough 10k and Ali Brownlee 5K are open now at www.eventsofthenorth.com/middlesbrough-runs. Entries for Paula’s Families on Track will open soon at www.familiesontrack.co.uk
