Teaming up with athletics legend to inspire residents to run

The annual Durham City Run Festival will feature three days of races and family friendly activities, and many of our employees are taking part. Held from 18-20 July, the Durham City Run Festival is being organised by Events of the North, in partnership with the council and Durham University.

We are the portfolio holder for culture, creative, tourism and sport in the new North East Combined Authority, and the Durham City Run Festival will be one of the first major events to take place in the county since the formation of the new authority. Amy Harhoff, our corporate director of regeneration, economy and growth, will take on the Durham City Run 10K, while Alison Clark, head of culture, sport and tourism, will tackle the 5K.

Other members of staff have also signed up to participate in or volunteer at the festival, which also includes the Run Like A Legend Mile challenge, XO urban orienteering, and Paula Radcliffe's Families on Track initiative that gives family groups the opportunity to complete a 10K distance in a continuous relay, having fun while exercising together.

Promoting healthy lifestyles

With just under a month until the start of this year's festival, Amy, Alison and some of their colleagues met event founder Steve Cram, who provided them with a few training tips. They also talked through final plans for this year's event and discussed its importance as a big event in County Durham, and the role it plays in encouraging more residents to get active as part of healthier lifestyles.

We have been a core event partner since the first Durham City Run 5K and 10K races in 2016, and have helped the event to grow into the three day festival of running that was launched in 2019, working closely with Events of the North and Durham University. Recognising the important role that events like the Durham City Run Festival can play in helping people to get more active, we promote the event through our own internal and external communications activities. Many members of staff are also members of local athletics clubs, and act as informal ambassadors for the festival, and for running in general.

Something for everyone

Durham City Run Festival founder Steve Cram said: "One of the most important aspects of the Durham City Run Festival is the wide range of opportunities to get involved that it offers, which means that there is something for participants of all ages and levels of ability. Of course, we love seeing the fierce competition at the front of each race, but looking at the bigger picture, it's even more important that people who are new to the sport, or returning after a break, feel welcome and enjoy their experience here.

"We work closely with Durham County Council to reach as many residents as possible with positive and appropriate messages that persuade them to take part in one of the running events, or join us as a volunteer. So it's great that county council officers are also prepared to put their best feet forward and set an example by taking part."

Increasing participation in sport

Amy said: "The Durham City Run Festival is a brilliant event as there is something for everyone - whether you are a beginner, have recently completed the Couch to 5K programme, or are a seasoned runner.

"Activities such as running not only benefit our physical health, but our mental health too, and we are absolutely committed to working with our partners across the county to support people to get moving. This includes our own colleagues within Durham County Council, and I'm delighted that many of them are joining myself and Alison for the 5K and 10K races.

"Increasing participation in sport in County Durham and the wider region is a key priority for us in our capacity as culture, creative, tourism and sport lead at the North East Combined Authority. The Durham City Run Festival is the perfect example of this in action. We are proud to support Steve and the Events of the North team to deliver this fantastic event that brings Olympians, club athletes, first-timers and families together and boosts the region's visitor economy."