A record number of participants tackled the 2025 Sunderland City Runs in warm and sunny conditions on Sunday 11 May. Over 5,000 runners of all ages and abilities had signed up for this year’s Sunderland City 10K, Sunderland City Half Marathon and Active Sunderland BIG 3K, and the good weather brought out big crowds around the city streets. The 14th edition of the Sunderland City Runs were organised by Events of the North in partnership with Sunderland City Council.
All three runs started and finished next to Keel Square in the heart of Sunderland, where the Event Village was packed with people throughout the event. Organisers arranged for extra water stations around the route, to help keep runners hydrated.
The action began with the Active Sunderland BIG 3K, in which the majority of the 700 runners were young people. They were set on their way by Cllr Allison Chisnall, Mayor of Sunderland, who started all of the day’s events.
Lewis Gamble-Thompson of New Marske Harriers won the 2025 Sunderland City 10K in 30:44, with Liam Aldridge (30:50) of Billinge Running Club second and Dave Richardson (32:00) of Gateshead Harriers third. Stacey Smith of North Shields Poly retained her title in the women’s race in 36:23, followed by Alex Sneddon (36:36) of Jarrow and Hebburn, and Jennifer Berry (37:05) of Wallsend Harriers. Also among the runners in the 10K were North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and charity fundraising legend Colin Burgin Plews, better known as Big Pink Dress.
Monte Watson of Highgate Harriers was the convincing winner of the 2025 Sunderland City Half Maratho in 69:03. Last year’s winner Liam Walshaw of Sunderland Harriers beat his 2024 time by two minutes to claim second in 71:17 and Adam Pearson was third in 72:27. Jackie Murdy of South Shields Harriers won the women’s race in 88:57, followed by Sarah Norman (89:56) and Siobhan Durcan (91:09).
Many runners in all three events were raising funds for good causes, such as official charity partner Red Sky Foundation, and official health partner STS Charity, the dedicated charity of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. Over 150 volunteers were on duty to make the Sunderland City Runs possible, including many from event partner the University of Sunderland. Other key partners included Active Sunderland, Holiday Inn Sunderland in Keel Square, Everyone Active, SG Petch Sunderland, JC Events and Goodr Sunglasses.
Race director Steve Cram comments: “It was a glorious day in Sunderland for running and spectating. Along with record numbers of participants, we saw some excellent times at the sharp end of each race. It was brilliant to see so many smiling faces around the course, enjoying the weather and the action during what was a fantastic showcase for getting active. We’re grateful to Sunderland City Council and all of our partners and volunteers for working together to deliver another brilliant event.”
For more information about the Sunderland City Runs, and to sign up for 2026, visit www.sunderlandcity10k.com
