5k Runs in the North East 2026-2027
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5k runs across the North East: 55 5K races in 2026 and 2027, from the Tyne to the Tees, with dates, start venues and entry links. The Great North Run weekend in September opens with the Great North 5k on the Newcastle Quayside on the Friday evening, and that is the model for much of the region: a short race in the days before, or the hour before, a bigger one. Sunderland, Durham and Middlesbrough all have 5Ks on the same programme as their 10Ks and halves, the coast from Whitley Bay to Hartlepool has promenade races that are flat and fast, and the running clubs of Tyneside keep a full diary of low-key 5Ks going through the year.
5k runs by city
Find one near you: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough, Gateshead, Darlington, Hartlepool and South Shields.
What to expect from a North East 5k
North East fields are competitive at the front and welcoming everywhere else, with entry fees that stay sensible and a club marquee at most finishes. Race for Life reaches the region's big parks in early summer, the Tees valley towns run midweek evening 5Ks in June and July, and the Santa runs of December stretch from the Quayside to the Durham coast. Junior races over a mile or two kilometres often precede the 5K, which makes these mornings an easy family outing. Should a 6K or a 4K be the one you are after, the distance slider at the top of the page brings it into view.
Other distances in the North East
Once the five feels comfortable, the 10k runs calendar for the North East is waiting, and the full running calendar for the region has every distance, with the half marathon calendar, the marathon calendar and the trail running calendar beside it. Beyond Tyneside, the UK-wide 5k runs calendar collects every region of the country.
Get new running races (and updates) in your inbox every month.