STEVE CRAM is delighted that next year’s Run Sunderland Festival will play an integral part in the city’s ongoing regeneration.

The 2016 Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10k will take place on Sunday, May 1, and instead of starting and finishing at the Stadium of Light, the events have relocated to Keel Square, which is rapidly emerging as a symbol of Sunderland’s renewal.

Both events have a new sponsor, Siglion, which is a partnership between Carillion and Sunderland City Council that is carrying out major regeneration projects at five locations on Wearside, including a phased redevelopment of the former Vaux Brewery Site.

Since their inaugural staging in 2011, the Sunderland City 10k and Half Marathon have become core parts of the North-East athletics calendar, and Cram is looking forward to seeing them at the heart of the city.

“We’ve enjoyed five fantastic years based at the stadium, but have always been keen to bring the Run Sunderland Festival closer to the city centre,” said the middle-distance great, who remains the pioneer behind the Run Sunderland project.

“When Siglion stepped forward to get behind the event, we felt that presented the ideal opportunity to do that and also use the races to showcase some of the exciting regeneration that is underway in Sunderland.

“Hopefully, by bringing the events into the heart of the city, we’ll help create much more of a festival feel. On the day itself, it would be nice to see the cafes and shops open and people coming into Sunderland City Centre to make a day of it and enjoy themselves.”

Alyson Dixon, a Sunderland Stroller and one of the UK’s leading long-distance runners, has won both the Sunderland City 10k and Sunderland City Half Marathon, and if all goes to plan, she is hoping to include next year’s event as her part of her build-up to the Olympic Marathon in Rio.

“It’s great that the Run Sunderland events have grown over the years and continue to improve and I'm very proud to have been involved in them,” said Dixon. “We have a great history of running here in Sunderland and having races like these bang in the centre of the city is a fantastic way of showcasing not only the top guys at the front, but also the huge running community right throughout the field.

“Next year is an Olympic year and I’m sure that will inspire all to make these races to be the biggest and best yet.”

‘Early bird’ entry fees are available for both the Half Marathon and 10k until midnight on Monday, November 30.  Runners affiliated to a club can enter the Half Marathon for £29, while the price for unaffiliated runners is £31. The early bird prices for the 10k are £20 and £22 respectively.

From Tuesday, December 1, the entry prices will be £32/34 for the Half Marathon and £23/25 for the 10k.

For more information about the 2016 events, and to book a place, visit www.sunderlandcity10k.com.