The 2026 Sunderland Strollers Championship will run from Saturday 3 January 2026 to Sunday 6 December 2026.
This year’s format increases the number of available races following the loss of a couple of events last year, making it easier for runners to record the six results required to compete.
Quick Summary
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Your best six results count
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You can run as many eligible races as you like
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A maximum of three Awayday races can count
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Only one result per measured distance counts
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Your best parkrun result counts from the selected venues
The first male and first female Stroller in each race score 250 points, with points decreasing through the field.
Championship Races
Measured Distances
(any officially measured race)
Your best result only from each distance will count.
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Marathon
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Half Marathon
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10k
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5k
This means a maximum of four results can come from measured races.
Example: if you run several 5ks and 10ks during the year, only your best time at each distance counts.
Parkruns
Your best time from the following parkruns during the Championship period will count:
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Silksworth
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Herrington Country
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Fulwell Quarry
You may run any or all of these, but only your fastest result counts.
Awayday Races
Six Awayday races are included in the Championship calendar.
You may run as many as you like, but only three can count toward your six results.
2026 Awaydays
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Sanddancer 10k (mixed terrain), South Shields – 10 May
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Penshaw Hill Trail Race – 27 May
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Summer Coast 5 Mile (road), Redcar – 21 June
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Branches and Bays Trail 10k, Seaham – 16 August
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Tynedale Jelly Tea (road), Ouston – 23 August
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Brampton to Carlisle (road) – 15 November
If any race is cancelled, a replacement will be announced during the year.
Club Events
The following club events will also count toward the Championship.
Maynard’s Mile
A quarterly timed mile at Silksworth Track.
3k Time Trial
Two sessions during the year (dates TBC).
Woody’s 5k
A summer 5k on tarmac at the Nissan test track.
Thompson Park Relays
The usual relay format remains unchanged.
In addition, Championship points will be awarded based on runners’ combined times across their two relay legs.
How to Qualify
To compete in the Championship you need six qualifying results during the Championship period.
These can come from any mix of categories, within the limits described above.
You can run more than six races, but only your six highest-scoring results will count.
Results may change in value during the year depending on the performances of other runners.
Example Combinations
There are many ways to reach six qualifying races.
Example 1
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Marathon
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Half Marathon
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Parkrun
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Woody’s 5k
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3k Time Trial
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Thompson Park Relay
Example 2
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Penshaw Hill Awayday
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Branches and Bays Awayday
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Sanddancer 10k Awayday
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Herrington parkrun
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Half Marathon
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Marathon
Example 3
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Parkrun
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3k Time Trial
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Woody’s 5k
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Penshaw Hill race
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Maynard’s Mile
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5k race
This flexibility means runners can compete without doing Awaydays, without running a marathon, or without running on the road if they prefer.
Final Note
It is very difficult to choose races that avoid clashes with other events or suit everyone’s preferences.
The aim of the Championship is to provide a broad range of options, giving all members plenty of opportunity to post competitive results across the year.
Good luck to everyone taking part in the 2026 Championship.
