The first two-day Middlesbrough Runs festival has seen thousands of runners tackle races around the streets of the town. The event brought together the Middlesbrough 10K and Ali Brownlee 5K, along with Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track initiative. Over 2,100 people lined up for the 10K and 5K and were cheered on by crowds of spectators as they took on the races in sunny conditions. The Middlesbrough Runs were organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and Everyone Active. Other event partners included SG Petch, Holiday Inn Express and Teesside University.
The weekend began with Paula’s Families on Track at Middlesbrough Sports Village, where 35 family teams of between three and five members completed a 10K relay. Runners of all generations were able to participate in the colourful and noisy event, with an emphasis on making sure that getting active together was fun.
Runners in the Middlesbrough 10K and Ali Brownlee 5K started arriving under leaden skies, but by the time they assembled to run, the sun was shining brightly. The races were started by star of Smoggie Queens Neil Grainger (Neil), alongside Ali Brownlee’s wife Wendy and his daughters Alison and Emily. Neil then joined runners in the 10K, while Alison and Emily ran the 5K.
Before the start of the races, there was a moment of silence and reflection, followed by applause, to remember those who have recently lost their lives in tragic events in Middlesbrough. A group of members of Teesside Running Club took part in the Middlesbrough Runs and ran in memory of clubmate PC Matthew Blades, who died in the line of duty, alongside PC Tom Clough.
It was a home win in the Middlesbrough 10K, with Max Creasey of Middlesbrough AC (Mandale) claiming victory in an impressive time of 30 minutes and 32 seconds. In an exciting finish, Max was just three seconds ahead of Finn Brodie (30:35), with Adam Theaker of Loftus & Whitby AC third in 32:02. Home success continued in the women;s race, which was won convincingly by another Middlesbrough AC (Mandale) athlete, Jessica Robertson-Dover in 37:06. Ruth Cole was second in 38:53, followed by Abby Codling of Birtley AC in 39:35.
James Largey of Darlington Harriers won the Ali Brownlee 5K in 15:07, followed by Aiden Lamb of Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers (15:31) and Liviu Ionita of Darlington Harriers (15:43). Emma Fleming of Stockton Striders won the women’s race in 19:02, followed by Alex Essex of Middlesbrough AC (Mandale) in 19:39 and Kay Neesam of New Marske Harriers in 20:11.
Along with club runners and others who were pursuing personal bests, many runners were raising funds for good causes, including official charity partner Zoe’s Place, the local children’s hospice where Ali Brownlee was patron. Among them was 70-year-old grandfather Kit Tapscott, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, and completed the Ali Brownlee 5K to support Zoe’s Place.
Middlesbrough Runs event director Steve Cram comments: “In the end, the sun shone for us and it lit up thousands of smiles on the faces of our runners. It was great to be part of such a wave of positivity at the Middlesbrough Runs and witness the excellent atmosphere created by everyone involved in the 10K and 5K. It’s a fast course, so we saw some excellent times at the front of each race, and runners of all ages and abilities enjoying the experience of being part of a big event. We’re grateful to Middlesbrough Council for such strong support and to all of our event partners and wonderful volunteers for making this possible. We look forward to building on this success next year.”
Scott Hydon, sports and leisure contract and development manager at Middlesbrough Council, adds: “It’s wonderful to see the Middlesbrough 10K and Ali Brownlee 5K continue to grow in popularity. The Middlesbrough Runs programme engages thousands of runners from across the region, raising money for local charities and seeking to improve their personal best times. The Middlesbrough Runs continue to be an integral part of Middlesbrough’s sporting and cultural calendar.”
Find out more about the Middlesbrough Runs at Middlesbrough Runs – Events of the North, and on social media.
