Run the city alight, Sunderland! Get ready for one of the biggest closed road running events in the North East on 16th & 17th May.

The first Sunderland City 10km was held in 2011 with just over 1500 taking part. In 2025, we’re welcomed 5,000 participants to the city streets in a celebration across a range of distances. Including the flat and fast 10K, a spring Half Marathon, and the Active Sunderland Big 3K, there’s something for everyone!

For 2026 we are welcoming back the Saturday evening 5K! Taking in the sights from the new Keel Crossing footbridge, the route will be fast and flat, perfect for first-time 5Ks.

One of the North’s largest running events that races through the city and along the sea front, with one of the famous bridges providing a stunning backdrop to both distances. No matter if you’re a first-timer or an experienced runner, the course and atmosphere are conducive to fast times as well as a lot of fun. Super early bird entries are now open for 2026, and we’re expecting record numbers to RUN THE CITY ALIGHT!