Sunderland celebrated the 15th anniversary of its city runs in style over the weekend. Over 5,000 runners completed races in the 2026 SG Petch Sunderland City Runs on Saturday and Sunday, which gave participants the opportunity to run over the new Keel Crossing footbridge and explore other city landmarks, cheered on by thousands of spectators.
The action started on the evening of Saturday 16 May, with the new SG Petch Sunderland City Runs 5K, when more than 500 runners followed a route that took them over the new Keel Crossing footbridge, around the Stadium of Light and past Sheepfolds Stables, which was the venue for a busy official after party. A very close men’s race was won by Andrew Swinburne of Morpeth Harriers in 15 minutes and 22 seconds, less than half a second ahead of Aaron Bark of North Shields Poly (15:23), with Scott Capewell in third (15:46). Grace Carroll of Sunderland Harriers won the women’s race in 18:03, ahead of clubmate Amy Callaghan (19:09) and Evie Kleiser of Durham Harriers (19:18). Race founder Steve Cram also took part, one of the WEAR 15 individuals who were celebrated over the weekend for their role in the development and growth of the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs.
The action on Sunday 17 May began with the Active Sunderland BIG 3K, when over 700 mostly junior athletes took over the centre of Sunderland.
Almost 2,700 participants completed the 15th anniversary edition of the Sunderland City 10K. Winner of the men’s race was Lee Davies of North East Project in 30:51, followed by Alex Brown of Houghton Harriers (31:07) and Lewis Gamble-Thompson of New Marske Harriers (31:40). The women’s race was won by Polly Moreland of Alnwick Harriers in 37:06, with Jennifer Berry of Wallsend AC second (37:21) and Alex Sneddon of Jarrow and Hebburn in third (37:26). Among the other runners was charity fundraiser Colin Burgin Plews, better known as Big Pink Dress, another of the WEAR 15 individuals.
After winning the 10K, Lee Davies was presented with the new Kevin Carr Memorial Trophy, in memory of Kevin Carr, a legend of grass roots athletics in Sunderland and the wider North East, who passed away earlier this year.
Over 1,300 people completed the 2026 Sunderland City Half Marathon and the winner of the men’s race was Conrad Franks of Gateshead Harriers, 73:04, followed by Jordan Wilson of Stockton Striders (74:35) and Matthew Woodhouse (76:49). Olympian Aly Dixon of Sunderland Strollers, multiple Sunderland City Runs winner and another WEAR 15 individual, won the women’s half marathon in 82:33. CharlotteRedhead of Heaton Harriers AC was second (83:51) Joanna McNeill of Saltwell Harriers was third (86:29).
Race founder and director Steve Cram comments: “It was a very special weekend of running in Sunderland, and a really fitting way to celebrate 15 years of the event. I was able to experience first-hand the brilliant atmosphere for our runners, and the new Keel Crossing was a great addition to the event, helping us to showcase the fantastic regeneration of the city centre. The SG Petch Sunderland City Runs go from strength to strength, and for making that possible we’re grateful to Sunderland City Council, all of our partners and volunteers, and of course the thousands of runners who take part every year.”
For more information about the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs, and to enter 2027, visit www.sunderland10k.com
