Starting running can be daunting. You’ve seen it everywhere on social media and now everyone you know is doing it. You may have sworn it would never be you, but as running is currently having its moment everywhere, you may have caught the bug and be wondering if you could ever complete your first 5K.
From Sunderland in May to Durham’s summer evening run and the iconic Ali Brownlee 5K in August, we’ve got a few 5K runs across the year that you could set as your goal, and put in the work now to cross the finish line in 2026!
Plus, with a few weeks or months to train, there’s time to work your way up to an official event. Aim for a local parkrun or social 5K with friends, and then set your sights on your first medal!
Sunderland City 5K – 16th May (8 weeks away!)
Durham City 5K – 18th July (entries open)
Ali Brownlee 5K – 30th August (entries open)
Ready to set yourself the challenge?
Our Events of the North team has runners from every background, from recent couch to 5K graduates, casual social runners and even a former world record holder. Here are some of our top tips on starting your running journey, and trust us, once you start you’ll be so glad you did!
- Start calling yourself a runner! No matter your level or distance you run, you are a runner. It’s not an exclusive title reserved only for those who compete regularly, represent their country or enter races – anyone can be a runner if they enjoy the sport.
- Download a couch to 5K program. They make starting running very digestible for complete beginners, combining a walk/run approach and slowly build up time and distance run after run, so you’ll start to see real progress in your fitness over time. Most couch to 5K programs are around 8-10 weeks for beginners, so perfect timing for the Sunderland City 5K in May!
- There’s no such thing as too slow. So many people run too fast when they start out, and wonder why they can’t run very far, or for very long. Slow it down, keep it easy, and you might be surprised how far you can go. Most runs should be conversational, meaning you should be able to speak while running, not gasping for breath.
- Run with a friend! Whether it’s someone who you’d like to introduce to running, or a friend you’d like to have a catch up with, running with someone can hold you accountable, and make the whole experience more enjoyable.
- Don’t overdo it. It’s easy when you first start to get excited and want to push yourself, but remember rest and recovery is as essential as your runs. Eat well, hydrate before and after, and make sure to find some time to put your feet up!
- You don’t need fancy, high-tech kit to see progress. Keep it simple with some comfy shoes and a bit of consistency.
- Keep it fun. So many runners become fixated on performance or time-based goals, but you don’t need to constantly be working towards a race or PB. Mix up your route to explore somewhere new, join a social run group, or implement ‘Jeffing,’ the popular run/walk method, to keep the journey exciting so you look forward to your runs.
Starting to run or joining a running group can be a big step, but just remember you are doing a great thing for your physical and mental wellbeing. You’ll be surprised how good you feel once you’ve been out for a few runs. It’s also a great way to meet new people, explore places on foot, and get outside in the fresh air.
Everyone feels the same way at the start; hesitant, full of doubt and unsure whether you’ll be able to stick to it. But we can assure you, you’ll be amazed by your own progress, and you’ll soon realise something you thought wasn’t achievable, actually is.
Check out our full 2026 events calendar at www.eventsofthenorth.com, and we’ll see you on the start line soon!
