Cram and Tall Ships inspire sail trainees to #RUNWITHTHETIDE in Sunderland
A group of North East youngsters have been inspired to ‘#runwiththetide’ by an athletics legend, as they train to take part in the Tall Ships Races in Sunderland this summer.
Sail trainees and volunteer crew members who are preparing to join the event met world champion and BBC commentator Steve Cram for some coaching tips. Two of them also joined Cram on the water to view sections of the course of the Siglion Sunderland City 10K, which they will tackle in May as part of their build-up to the Tall Ships Races.
The 2018 Run Sunderland Festival is being organised by Steve Cram’s company Events of the North, in partnership with Sunderland City Council and Active Sunderland. Featuring the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K and the Active Sunderland BIG 3K Fun Run, the eventwill take place on Sunday 13 May. Siglion, the development partnership which is carrying out major regeneration projects on the Vaux site and at other locations in the city, is once again sponsoring both races. This year’s event theme is #runwiththetide, reflecting Sunderland’s maritime heritage and the coastal parts of the race routes, and helping to promote and build up to another major event in the city this year, the Tall Ships Races.
Race organisers have given free places on the Siglion Sunderland City 10K to a group of sail trainees and volunteer crew members who aim to be part of a Tall Ships crew when the event visits Sunderland from 11-14 July. The trainees are undergoing a rigorous programme to ensure that they are fit and ready for the challenges that they will face on board a ship. Today, Cram met up with a group of youngsters to share some running advice ahead of the 10K, and then joined them on a motor launch as they started to get their sea legs.
“Sunderland has an amazing maritime heritage, which has always been reflected in the routes of the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K. Our runners cross the Wear twice and follow the river to the marina, before taking in some of the seafront. And of course, both races start and finish in Keel Square, a symbol of our city’s maritime history. We’re working closely with Sunderland City Council to make sure that our event does what it can to promote the Tall Ships Races by supporting the sail trainees and pushing our #runwiththetide message.”
Steve Cram
“It is fantastic to see just how many sporting events are planned for the city each year. As a council we are dedicated to supporting and promoting the delivery of some of the biggest events in the region.
“Working with partners on the 10k and half marathon gives us a great opportunity to promote healthy activities across Sunderland. I’d like to thank organisations such as Events of the North for all their hard work and I encourage everyone to sign up and take part.”
Victoria French, head of events for Sunderland City Council
For more information on The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018 go to www.tallshipssunderland.com
