Records were broken for the second year in a row at the 2025 Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs, which saw the highest number of participants in the event’s history. Over 5,000 runners completed the weekend’s half marathon, 10K, junior races and family relay. With a new title partner in local insurance broker Sutcliffe & Co, the Worcester City Runs were organised by Events of the North, in collaboration with Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council.
The two day festival of running began at Worcester Racecourse on Saturday 13 September with family teams taking on Paula Radcliffe’s Families on track, completing a 10K relay together. First up on Sunday 14 September was the Young Athletes Run. The one-mile race was won by Samuel Hayward in six minutes and 19 seconds, followed by Alex Velasquez (6:27) and Albert Murphy (6:43). Winner of the girls race was Michalina Rutowska in 7:28, with Edie Dolphin (7:34) second in a photo finish ahead of Lucy Hill (7:34). Lucas Seyler won the 3K race in 10:34, with Charlie Lindley (10:57) in second and Ben Bean (11:03) third. Charlotte Ascough won the girls’ race in 11:29, followed by Lola Simpson (11:45) and Darcy Simpson (11:48).
Charlie Jones of Western Tempo won the 2025 Worcester City 10K in 31:22, with James Vaughan of Birchfield Harriers second (32:14) and Joshua Fisher of Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers third (32:19). Lauren Kennard of Worcester AC won the women’s race in 36:42, with clubmate Nicola Turner second (38:04) and Elizabeth Watters of Birchfield Harriers third (38:40). James Cook of Brighton Phoenix won the Worcester City Half Marathon in 68:02. Andy Lawrence of Stratford upon Avon AC was second in 69:35 and Ryan Haw of Long Eaton Running Club was third in 70:13. The women’s race was won by Julia Bijl of Candy Racing in 77:57, with Emily Smith of Charnwood AC second (79:03) and Kelly Edwards of Lemington Cycling and Athletics Club third (79:55).
Leading club runners took part in the Worcester City Runs, along with many others who were running for a variety of reasons, from personal challenges, to raising money for good causes, including Acorns Children’s Hospice, the event’s official charity partner. Among the participants were the Worcester City Runs Real Ambassadors, who had been supported in their preparations by Ryan Sneddon of event partner Worcester Physiotherapy Clinic. The races were started by Deputy Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Tor Pingree.
Event founder Steve Cram comments: “Once again, the Worcester City Runs delivered the goods! The event has grown year on year, which has been brilliant to see. That creates logistical challenges, but Worcester always rises to those. We have excellent sponsors and partners, and an army of great volunteers, who make is possible to stage this event. And the runners and spectators turn out every year to create a wonderful atmosphere. Thanks to Sutcliffe & Co, Worcester City Council, and Worcester County Council and everyone else who made this possible and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.”
Duncan Sutcliffe, managing director of headline sponsor Sutcliffe & Co, said: “We are thrilled with the success of the Worcester City Runs 2025. The atmosphere was incredible and it was wonderful to see so many people, from elite athletes to first-time runners, taking part.
“We are especially proud of our colleague Sue Smith, who showed true resilience, inspiring us all to lace up our runners and get outside. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Events of the North over the next two years and supporting this event as it grows from strength to strength. Next year will be even bigger!”
Entries are already open for the 2026 Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs, enter now via www.worcestercityrun.com
