SUNDERLAND ‘VIRTUAL’ 5KM 2020

The annual Sunderland 5km, including the Northern Athletics championships, was scheduled to take place at Silksworth Sports Complex on Thursday 23rd July. Unfortunately as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic the competition is not able to take place, though it will return to Silksworth as the Northern Championship in 2021. However, Sunderland Harriers have decided to launch the inaugural virtual Sunderland 5km taking place between Thursday 16th – Friday 31st July.
The Sunderland 5km is well known throughout the North East for producing fast times and exciting races; last year’s event was no exception with 325 finishers across the two races, the overall winner was Morpeth’s Sam Hancox in 15:02, taking the title by just one second. The first Sunderland man home was Liam Taylor in 5th (15:27). In the Veteran’s and Women’s race North Shields Poly scored a winning double with Guy Bracken (O’55) breaking the tape in 16:18 and Charlotte Penfold (17:40) claiming the women’s title! Jenna Wilkinson in 14th was the first royal blue home (19:30).
In keeping with the tradition of the event entry fees will be low and there will be a substantial prize list across all age groups. Entry to this virtual event costs just £4, with £1 going to local charity Grace House, which provides short breaks and respite care for children and young people who have complex disabilities, autism health needs and life limiting conditions, living in the North East. Entry is open to runners of all abilities from every part of the UK and beyond. Entries are being taken through the Opentrack entry portal and athletes simply submit evidence of their run by uploading their GPS data. Prizes are available for the first male and female overall plus for first finishers in all age categories. Prizes include a number of Start Fitness vouchers.
Finally, remember to charge those watches, dust off the racers and post the super quick times we always see in the Sunderland 5km. We hope you enjoy the event and thank you for supporting an important local charity at this difficult time. We look forward to welcoming you back to Silksworth for the Sunderland 5km including the Northern Athletics championships in 2021.

To enter please visit this link:
https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2020/GBR/sunderland5k/

Sunderland ‘virtual’ 5km 2020.