17th May 2026 will mark the 15th anniversary of the first Sunderland City 10K. The first Sunderland City 10K took place in 2011 and had 1,500 people take part. Fifteen years later, the Sunderland City 10K is now part of the wider SG Petch Sunderland City Runs, and over 5,000 people take part across the 10K, Half Marathon and 5K, new for this year.
To celebrate 15 years of the runs, and the city where it all started, we’ve selected a few individuals who represent the partners, charities, runners and volunteers that make the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs so special. We asked what makes Sunderland so special, and why they keep coming back, some of them every year since the start!
Steve Cram
Steve Cram, former world record holder for the 1,500m, 2,000m and the mile (1985) is also the race director of the Sunderland City Runs. In fifteen years involved with the planning and delivery of the event, he has seen more of the progress over the years than anyone else. “I love the passion of the city and its continuing quest to change and adapt whilst always retaining its strong sense of identity and pride in its history.”
The first year was launched as the Sunderland City 10K, and the 1,500 runners who ran will remember a very hot day for the event. The start and finish were at the Stadium of Light, and the route of the 10K was different to what runners will recognise today.
Since then, the city has continued to grow and evolve, most notably for the event is the development of Keel Square. The square was completed in 2015 and is now the location of the start and finish of the 10K and Half Marathon, plus where the thousands of runners gather before and after, and where local charities and event partners place stalls to support and engage with runners.
“My favourite part of the run is when everyone is around safely and Keel Square is full of runners chilling out and reflecting on a job well done,” says Cram.
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr was an incredible influence on athletics in Sunderland, and his passing earlier this year was a huge loss to the region and the sport. Joining Sunderland Harriers at 15 in 1960, he then went on to coach at the club and organise annual road and cross-country races from 1970 onwards. “Over his 65 years as a Harrier, he was a formidable athlete, coach to many medal winners, an advocate for athletics in the area (and the reason we have a track at Silksworth), club secretary then Chairman and race founder,” says Sunderland Harriers. “The Penshaw Hill Race and Silksworth 5K are part of his legacy that will hopefully live on for many years to come.”
Carr was dedicated to athletics throughout his life, becoming President of Northern Athletics in 2018, President of the English Cross Country Association in 2019, and selected as a technical officer for the Olympic Marathon in 2012, the World Championship in 2017 and Commonwealth Games in 2022. He was also an athletics correspondent for the Sunderland Echo for forty years.
“He was also a great friend to many and his presence at trackside sessions and races will be sorely missed. He’s left us with an amazing foundation to build upon but most importantly some fantastic memories,” says the Harriers.
Events of the North are incredibly grateful to Kevin for his many years of support across our North East events, both as an official and a passionate advocate for the sport. Kevin loved running, championed local talent, and above all, was immensely proud of his home city of Sunderland.
With the blessing of his wife and daughters, we are honoured to introduce the Kevin Carr Memorial Trophy, which will be awarded to the first finisher of the Sunderland City 10K from 2026 onwards. Kevin’s contribution to athletics and to the Sunderland running community will never be forgotten.
Aly Dixon
Aly Dixon, female winner of the Sunderland City 10K in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2022, winner of the Half Marathon in 2014, 2017, 2023, 2024 and the 5K in 2019, has an incredibly impressive line up of results.
The born and bred Sunderland Olympian (Rio, 2016) runs for the Sunderland Strollers and is also the World 50km Champion (2019), a former world record holder for 50km, two-time British Marathon Champion (2016, 2017), British 10,000m Champion (2013), and the world record holder for the fastest half marathon dressed as a super hero!
She’s also been involved in the Sunderland City Runs since the very first event. She was part of the first launch in 2011, and although she withdrew from the 10K due to a hamstring niggle, was still out supporting her mum running the 10K. In 2016 she was the official race starter, just a week after qualifying for the Olympics at the London Marathon. Every year, she also works behind the scenes as crew, packing goody bags, marshalling, handing out medals, manning Race Information and as lead bike.
Despite travelling all over the world to compete, Aly still comes back to Sunderland every year. “What’s not to love about being amongst thousands of people enjoying running around the streets of Sunderland? It’s a great day,” says Aly.
“The route showcases some of the best parts of the city, the crowds come out to support. The buzz at the end, especially now with the Keel Square development, is brilliant. The early days of finishing outside the best football stadium in the world and then walking pitchside to collect your medal and goody bag was an incredible experience.”
“One of my all time favourite race memories is running the Half with the Queen of Marathons, Paula Radcliffe. Showing her the sights of Sunderland, before outsprinting her for the win!”
Colin Burgin-Plews (Big Pink Dress)
Colin Burgin-Plews, better known as Big Pink Dress, is an icon in Sunderland and the North East. Regularly spotted in his signature big colourful dresses and matching wigs, Colin has been involved in eleven Sunderland City Runs, including being the official starter one year, and has participated in eight of them. In 2024, Colin was diagnosed with cancer, and still took part in the Sunderland City 10K before his surgery.
Colin is a huge fundraiser for cancer charities across the North East, and has raised more than £150,000 over the years as Big Pink Dress. He keeps coming back to Sunderland as he loves the atmosphere in the city on the day of the race. “Once you’ve done one it’s addictive,” says Colin. “The organisation is fantastic, the medals and t-shirts are brilliant, the atmosphere is awesome and the course is lush.”
Colin will be back as Big Pink Dress for this year’s SG Petch Sunderland City 10K, and is currently working on a special 15th anniversary dress, made from snippets of the finishers’ t-shirts over the years. In fifteen years the colour and design of the t-shirt has changed many times, depicting landmarks of Sunderland including the Souter Lighthouse, the Spire Bridge, the Davy Lamp and the River Wear. The 2026 design celebrates the city and the fifteen years of the runs, featuring several of Sunderland’s most known landmarks. Colin will proudly be wearing all the designs over the years at the 10K.
Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison is the Chairman of the Sunderland Strollers Running Club, Race Director of the Pier to Pier race since 2015, and a Run Director at Silksworth parkrun. The Strollers have a huge attendance at the Sunderland City Runs every year, usually bringing over 100 runners to take part across the 10K and Half Marathon.
“I think I’ve run either the marathon, half marathon or 10K at every Sunderland City Run,” says Harry. “Any race that I can walk to and from the start and finish is always a winner to me. Also the support around the course, in all weathers, has always been exceptional. Sunderland is my adopted home, although having now lived here (19 years) longer than anywhere else in my life, maybe I’m slowly becoming a (guest) Mackem!”
For Harry, the community feel of the Sunderland City Runs is what brings him back every year. “Through running I’ve made so many great friends across the city, I’m loving all the new developments and I don’t see myself ever leaving.”
New for 2026, a series of SG Petch pacers for the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon will be present, helping runners hit their goals in the races. Harry has enthusiastically volunteered to be a pacer for the 10K.
“I’ve paced (unofficially) many times in the past, helping people to achieve personal bests. I’m really looking forward to pacing this year, my running over the past 3 years has been blighted with a succession of injuries but (fingers crossed) I’m slowly regaining some consistency and really enjoying my running. Helping others get the most out of their race entry really gives me a real buzz.”
Jackie Murdy
Jackie Murdy was our 2025 female Half Marathon winner, crossing the finish line in an impressive 1 hour 28 minutes at last year’s race. “I have been loving running for the past ten years,” says Jackie, who runs for South Shields Harriers. Jackie keeps coming back to the Sunderland City Runs, and has ran the Half Marathon five times and the 10K once. “They are both great races and very well organised,” says Jackie.
One of the big draws of the Sunderland City Runs is the route. Not only is it fast and fairly flat, but the sections along the seafront and through Roker Park are particular highlights for the runners.
“The things I love about Sunderland are the people and the sea,” says Jackie. “My favourite moment is from the Sunderland City Half Marathon 2024. I was running past Faustos at Roker Park with the lead bike and getting lots of cheers from friends and family!”
Jackie will be back racing the SG Petch Sunderland Half Marathon next month to defend her title.
Deano Franciosy
Deano is somewhat of a local legend and a very familiar presence at races across the North East, due to his unusual running outfit. Deano is a bin man working for Sunderland City Council, and he runs all his races with a wheelie bin on his back. This is all to raise money for the Sunderland Royal Hospital ICCU, in memory of his mother and his brother who were looked after there.
Deano remembers the first Sunderland City 10K, when the race started at the Stadium of Light. He ran the 10K with a 25-pound weight on his back, and then from 2017 onwards, has run all the Sunderland City 10Ks with the wheelie bin strapped to his back.
He has now completed all the fun runs in the North East, raising nearly £300,000 for charity. “I’m really proud of myself, it’s been really hard,” he says.
This year in Sunderland, he’s going even further and taking on the new SG Petch Sunderland City 5K on the evening of Saturday 17 May, before running as usual in the Sunderland City 10K the following morning! “It’s my hometown,” he says. “The people are amazing, and more come every year. I love doing it every year.”
Jo Moody
Jo Moody is one of our most trusted and reliable volunteers, who first joined the crew in 2017 at Kielder, choosing to help us out on the Saturday for the 10K and Run Bike Run before running the Half Marathon on the Sunday! “I took part in a lot of races as runner, so I completely understand how it’s not possible to put these events on without volunteers.”
For Jo, volunteering with us was a way to be part of the action on event day. “Since 2020 I haven’t been able to run myself, and volunteering at the events allows me to still be part of the running community, which I love.” The Events of the North volunteering army is like a family, as Jo says. “I’ve got to know quite a few of the other regular volunteers and it’s great to see familiar faces when you turn up for registration on what are often early, cold mornings.”
Jo has volunteered at the Sunderland City Runs six times, and always appreciates the response from runners on the day. “The EOTN team always show their appreciation to the volunteers and it feels like a bit of a family. It’s lovely to hear so many shouts of ‘thank you marshal!’ from the runners too, even when they’re out of breath!”
Nathan Cole (Red Sky Foundation)
Nathan Cole is a passionate supporter of our official charity partner, Red Sky Foundation. The local charity supports people with heart conditions in the North East by funding vital equipment, awarding grants and raising awareness.
Nathan’s relationship to Red Sky is deeply personal, as his young niece Nancy suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in November 2024, when she was just four years old.
Nathan’s brother (Nancy’s father) performed CPR while Nancy’s mother raced to their local defibrillator point. The defibrillator she received as a Red Sky Foundation community device, and paramedics later told the family that their swift actions likely saved her life.
“We’ll never forget what Red Sky did for our family,” says Nathan. “It wasn’t just about the equipment, it was the kindness, the support, the way they looked after us when everything was falling apart.”
Red Sky helped Nancy’s family while she was treated at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, providing emergency accommodation and giving the family a defibrillator to keep at home afterwards.
“Running this race is my way of saying thank you and to make sure Red Sky Foundation has the funding it needs to support other families in the same position.”
Charlotte Proud (University of Sunderland)
Charlotte Proud is a student at the University of Sunderland, currently studying BSc Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Mental Health nursing). Charlotte has previously completed fifteen half marathons and several marathons including Paris, Yorkshire and London, and regularly attends parkruns and volunteers at junior parkrun.
Charlotte has a rare genetic bone condition, and was diagnosed at two years old. She has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), causing her bones to break more easily, as well as affecting other parts of her body such as tendons and ligaments. Now at 34, she has experienced more than 50 fractures and undergone 13 surgeries, but that hasn’t stopped her running journey.
“I have struggled with fitness, particularly since Covid and I have suffered various injuries due to my condition,” says Charlotte. “But I love being physically active, as it helps me both physically and mentally. I’m not a fast runner at all, but I love getting out, and I’ll walk it if I have to!”
Charlotte is running the Sunderland City 10K this year for the University of Sunderland’s Futures Fund, which supports students and helps them to break down financial barriers while studying. “I’ve decided to run for the Futures Fund as I’ve really enjoyed my studies so far and want to give something back.”
“I absolutely love studying at the University of Sunderland and the opportunities that I’ve had through this. The city is great, very accessible and I particularly love walking down to St Peter’s Campus, along the river, past the marina and down to Roker.”
“I would say to anyone thinking of signing up, give it a go! I previously completed the Sunderland City Half Marathon and absolutely loved it, really well organised and a great atmosphere!”
Kevin Johnson (Everyone Active)
Kevin Johnson is a membership consultant for Everyone Active, who has worked across all the Sunderland leisure centres for four years. Kevin completed his first Sunderland City Runs in 2022, just ten weeks after clavicle surgery, in a very respectable 48:09. “That race was a real turning point in my running journey,” says Kevin. “It inspired me to join Sunderland Harriers later that year and Everyone Active in 2023.”
This May will be Kevin’s fourth year taking on the Sunderland City 10K, and he’s hoping to chase a PB on the day, due to the flat and spacious nature of the route.
“Running in my hometown and sharing the experience with such an amazing local running community, who I’m proud to now call friends, has been incredible. With the race right on my doorstep and along my regular training routes, the Sunderland City Runs are truly special,” says Kevin.
“It’s an incredible event that I wouldn’t miss for the world.”
Phil Hubbard (Foundation of Light)
Phil Hubbard is from the Foundation of Light, and is a strong advocate for men’s mental health. He works with young people to ensure they have a person and a place to talk. “That’s what I love about it,” says Phil. ” I get to see people change in front of me – little wins that remind you life’s worth sticking around for. The Foundation isn’t just about football, it’s about building people up so they’re ready for life.”
Phil has worked for the Foundation for two years, working in both the women’s academy and health and wellbeing, predominantly in schools and supporting many of the Foundation’s programs around Sunderland. “It’s nice to see how far the city is coming, developing all the time. And the people are some of the best.”
Phil worked for the Foundation last year at the Sunderland City Runs. “It was absolutely brilliant to see so many kids and participants I had worked with!” This year, Phil is taking on the SG Petch Sunderland City 10K, but isn’t planning to go all out, as he has a triathlon and a 100km run to prepare for, all to raise money and awareness. “It’s about showing that you can push through, that you can still achieve things after thinking you’re finished.”
Katie Bulmer-Cooke
Sunderland-based personal trainer Katie Bulmer-Cooke has been involved in the Sunderland City Runs in numerous ways over the years. From running the 10K, to leading the warm up on the start line for the thousands of runners, and cheering on clients and friends, she has a lot of good memories of the event over the years.
“It’s really tough to choose just one, there have been so many,” she says. “Of course there’s the PBs and those times when you feel like everything just lines up for you and you have a great run, but equally I’ve loved celebrating with clients when they’ve done the run for the first time or beat their previous time.”
“The people are the best part, they really do bring the energy on Sunderland race day!”
Katie is a keen runner herself, and has run the 10K several times. “I’ve always enjoyed running,” says Katie. “I love the feeling of just going out in the fresh air, challenging myself, clearing my head and being grateful for what my body is capable of.”
She has even inspired her daughter to start running, and she has completed the Active Sunderland BIG 3K a few times. The BIG 3K is held on the same morning as the Sunderland City Runs, and welcomes younger runners and adults in the shorter distance.
“I have a feeling this year will be my favourite, as my daughter is moving up from the 3K and running the 10K for the first time. I can’t wait to watch her smash it!”
Chris Cairns (STS Charity)
Chris Cairns is a Nurse Consultant for Older Persons at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, supporting individuals with dementia and delirium. “Having the opportunity to raise money to improve patient care for the people I work with gave me great motivation to take part in the Sunderland City Runs,” says Chris.
Chris usually runs shorter distances to maintain his fitness, but after being unwell for a significant portion of 2024, he decided to commit to the Sunderland City Half Marathon last year. “The event has grown in popularity and I find it a really enjoyable run – especially as it’s very local to me.”
Fundraising is a huge part of the work the NHS Foundation Trust does, and many of the staff are taking part across the weekend to raise money. The funds raised contribute to enhancing patients’ experiences in hospital, and offering activities for patients. “Fundraising is pivotal to the care we provide, particularly in dementia care,” says Chris. “It allows us to purchase items we wouldn’t normally be able to buy or bring in entertainers who can brighten someone’s stay as an inpatient.”
“Seeing patients smile and laugh during activities funded through charitable donations is priceless. It not only brightens their day, but also reminds me how important fundraising is to improving their experience.”
David Gillick
David Gillick is an Irish international track and field athlete who won the European Indoor Championship in 2005 and 2007, as well as the Irish National Outdoor Championship in 2006 and 2007. He also set national records for both the 400m indoor and outdoor.
For David, running is not just about competition, it’s about headspace, stress release and a sense of accomplishment. “Running has given me energy, confidence, friendships, opportunities, and a real appreciation for what the body and mind can do when you stay consistent. Most of all, running reminds me that you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other,” says David.
Sunderland has become a second home for David after marrying a Mackem, and he has a soft spot for the coastline, the open space, and most of all, the people. “As an Irishman, the people of Sunderland remind me a lot of home – great craic, always up for a laugh, don’t take themselves too seriously, but at the same time, they’re resilient, hardworking, passionate, and fiercely proud of where they come from. I love that… so much so I ended up marrying one!” says David.
“There’s a real sense of community around Sunderland too. The city has had it’s tough times and people look out for each other and are always willing to help. I’ve been lucky enough to travel a fair bit, and you don’t find that everywhere.”
David is joining thousands of runners on the start line of the SG Petch Sunderland City 10K this year, a race that welcomes everyone from world-class athletes, to club front runners, charity fundraisers and first-timers.
