Durham City Run Festival, 17th July 2025

An undulating report from Lynne Cornell:

“I last did this race in 2023 when the rain was biblical. Last night could not have been more different. Whilst it wasn’t sunny it was extremely warm and we were already glowing (sweating!) as we walked from County Hall to the bag drop and the start of the race. I had already decided I would be carrying a small bottle of water with me on the course and this turned out to be a good decision.

Having dropped our bags off, we walked to the start of the race, which this year was at Framwellgate Waterside just in front of the Radisson Hotel. We watched the 5K race start at 7:00 and managed to catch sight of Anton as he set off. We then waited for our turn at 7.30 – bumped into Michael and then Cate. Cate and I chatted until the start and then we were off.

Quite a different route in some ways from 2 years ago – the first few kilometres included going through the same underground car park UP to Framwell Gate Bridge and UP Silver Street. Then through the marketplace and along Claypath followed by the lovely downhill of Providence Row. Across the Pennyferry bridge and back to where we started!! Back though the carpark again (!) and UP to South Street. If I’m honest the next few K were a blur to me, but I know they involved a very steep hill at one point.

Finally reached New Elvet, a nice downhill section to Old Elvet and I was on familiar ground. A lovely stretch along the side of the river including water at nearly 6K – I was ready for it despite taking sips up to that point. Across the Maiden Castle footbridge and back along the other side of the river-beautiful and relatively flat which was good. Back across the river at Baths Bridge then back onto Old Elvet, New Elvet then a loop through another car park! Then a loop through Prince Bishops shopping centre and finally UP Saddler Street (I saw Steve Cram at this point, grinning as he walked DOWN – he was one of the organisers) and the final cobbles of Owengate to Palace Green and the finish in front of Durham Cathedral.

What a relief to finish. A medal and a goodie bag that included Chicken Sticklers (!), nuts, squashies and a chocolate coated flapjack, so husband has nabbed that! Met up with Cate at the end and we discussed the hills as we walked back to the sports centre to collect our bags. Susan’s description: “Picturesque but brutal” and to quote Cate: “Durham: ‘harder than Gibside’ 10k. Obviously that’s a subjective assessment, but… errgh, that was tough!”

Sad though I am, I thought I would compare the elevation to last time I did the race. 2023 – Ascent 137m, descent 126m. 2025 – Ascent 168m, descent 134m. Wonder what it will be next year!!! Definitely not a favourite but definitely a run that challenges me, and the riverside bit always makes up for the UPs!!!

Well done to everyone who took part-Anton in the 5k and myself, Cate and Michael in the 10k.”

5k
Position	Runner	Time
55	Anton Mirafsari	22:00

10k
Position	Runner	Time
354	Lynne Cornell (2nd V60)	50:06
601	Cate Walker	55:27
914	Michael Teasdale	60:02