Middlesbrough to Lace up for Brand New Running Festival

Run For All is thrilled to announce the launch of the Asda Foundation Middlesbrough Running Festival which will incorporate a host of running distances for all ages and abilities including FREE entries for children.

In partnership with Middlesbrough Council and Everyone Active, the Middlesbrough Running Festival will take place across Friday 4^th September, Saturday 5^th September and Sunday 6^th September, and will feature an Ali Brownlee Schools Challenge, Middlesbrough Fun Run, Ali Brownlee 5K and Middlesbrough 10K run. 

Following a hugely successful 2019 across the Ali Brownlee Riverside 5K and Middlesbrough 10K, Run For All will be combining both events across the weekend to create a feast of running events and activities fit for the whole family. Road closures around the Town centre will be transformed into an activity-filled hub, with creative tents, entertainment and charities gathering to create a weekend of fun.

On Friday 4^th September, the previously named Ali Brownlee 2K Fun Run will be back as the free to enter Ali Brownlee Schools challenge. Taking place on Friday morning the event will be held to encourage school participation with medals available for all entrants. Schools across the Borough are being encouraged to take part in this fantastic community run.

On Saturday 5^th September, the Ali Brownlee Riverside 5K will be back to continue the lasting legacy of the late Ali Brownlee, Voice of the Boro. With a new start/finish location in Centre Square in the town centre the route will still incorporate the iconic Riverside Stadium whilst offering entrants a new challenge in the town.

Sunday 6^th September will see thousands of runners take to the brand new 10K and Fun Run route. Also featuring the Riverside Stadium, 10K runners can enjoy a town centre route that includes Teesside University, the Transporter Bridge and a grand finish at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art on Centre Square. Fun runners can also enjoy a riverside run and join in the grand finale with the 10K finishers.

Entries to Sunday’s Fun Run will be free for anyone under the age of 14 with all entrants receiving an array of goodies at the finish including a well-deserved medal.

The weekend is set to give local charities a boost as many runners fundraise for causes close to their heart.

Councillor Mieka Smiles, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Culture and Communities, said: “Middlesbrough has developed a deserved reputation for staging some of the region’s best running events, so we’re extremely excited to be a part of the brand new Middlesbrough Running Festival.

“It will build on our already amazing community spirit, with an all-inclusive weekend that promises  fun for all the family and a great way to help raise money for local charities and good causes.”

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Head of Events at Run For All, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Middlesbrough for 2020 and can’t wait to get the community involved in these exciting runs. We saw thousands come together in 2019 to raise incredible amounts for great causes and achieve brilliant things and it’s a privilege to get even more runners involved and together across one weekend. Whether runners have been involved in the event previously or not, we want to encourage everyone to get active and get involved as it is sure to be a fantastic weekend.”

Paul Ayre, Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re really excited to be working closely with our partners Run for All and the Council to deliver brilliant fitness events in Middlesbrough which are focused on getting families active across the region.

“Middlesbrough Running Festival is set to be a fantastic weekend for runners of all ages and abilities. We hope fun is had by all and we’re looking forward to supporting what will be a great event for charity and the community.”

The launch of the Middlesbrough Running Festival comes as part of “Run For All Day” on Thursday 30th January. The organisers have launched events for next year, including a new running festival in Bury, a new route launch at Leeds 10K, and opening entries to the Leicester 10K and Yorkshire 10 Mile.

An early bird price is now available for all of the events throughout the weekend, offering a chance to sign up at a discounted price until midnight on 31^st January 2020.