The organisers of the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs have announced a change of date for next year’s event. In order to avoid a clash with Sunderland AFC’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, the Sunderland City Runs Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races will take place a week earlier than originally planned, on 8 and 9 May 2027.
Founded in 2011, the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs are organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Active Sunderland, Sunderland City Council. Over 5,000 participants completed races at this year’s event, which included the opportunity to run over the new Keel Crossing footbridge and explore other city landmarks. Thousands more people turned out around the city centre to support the runners.
The 2027 SG Petch Sunderland City Runs were due to take place on 15 and 16 May. Subsequently, dates for next season’s Premier League fixtures were released, which will see Sunderland playing at home on the same weekend. Following discussions between Events of the North and Sunderland City Council, the decision has been taken to hold the popular festival of running a week earlier, to alleviate pressures on city infrastructure and constraints during event set-up, which takes place close to the Stadium of Light.
People who have already entered the 2027 races have been contacted. Their places will automatically be transferred to the earlier dates, but they have also been given the option of deferring their entries, transferring them to other Events of the North races, or cancelling their entries and receiving a refund of their race fees.
For more information about the Sunderland City Runs, and to enter the events, visit www.sunderlandcity10k.com. Early bird prices for the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon are available until 31st October 2026.
