Sunderland City 10K Route 2012

The start and finish of the 10K is at the Stadium of Light. The statue of 1973 FA Cup hero Bob Stokoe waves the runners across the start line as they head up Millennium Way and turn right onto North Bridge Street.

Ahead is the imposing structure of Monkwearmouth Bridge which carries runners across the River Wear and into the city centre past the 1km point.

The route heads straight up Fawcett Street until it reaches Mowbray Park. A gentle left through the gates into the Park gives great views of the spectacular Winter Gardens.

After a short loop through the park, the course exits onto Toward Road and winds its way through the impressively renovated Sunniside area, passing through 3K just after the Casino. Monkwearmouth Bridge once more takes the field back onto the north bank of the river and then a quick right turn provides a nice downhill canter onto the river front.

The University of Sunderland campus hosts the runners along the river, passing the National Glass Centre before gently rising up the path to then drop down again toward Sunderland Marina. The bobbing boats provide a fitting backdrop for the halfway point as the route circumnavigates the Marina and eventually brings everyone onto the sea front. Suck in the sea air and enjoy a quick dip if things are hotting up as you head along the shoreline.

A left turn up through the Dene brings you into the famous Roker Park and as you negotiate the incline past the bandstand at 6km you know home is not far away.

A loop through the park brings everyone out on the Roker Terrace and then it's a flat easy 2km back to North Bridge St. A right and then left back into Millenium Way and the Stadium of Light welcomes everyone to the finish line.