THE route for the first Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Durham 10k Town and Gown has been announced this week, as hundreds of locals and students limber up for the event on Sunday March 9.

The run will start and finish at Maiden Castle sports ground, taking runners along the bridle paths of the River Wear, before crossing the Elvet Bridge into the heart of the City and looping back on itself. Runners will pass iconic Durham sights, including the castle and cathedral and will take in stunning views of Durham and the surrounding countryside along the river.

Thanks to the revision of the original route which took in Pelaw Woods, now blocked by a landslide, those taking part can enjoy a lie-in – the starting gun will now be fired at 11.15am, rather than 10am.

More than 250 people have already signed up for the first Durham Town and Gown 10k and with three weeks to go, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign hopes hundreds more will join them. The event is on course to raise £10,000 towards the charity’s work funding groundbreaking research into treatments for muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions and supporting the 70,000 people in the UK who are affected.

Runners and spectators alike are being encouraged to ‘turn the City orange’ by donning an item of clothing in the charity’s vibrant signature colour, to show their support for the 3,000 families in the North-East living with muscle-wasting conditions.

Toya Champ, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s events manager, said: “The City Council, Durham University and the Cathedral have all chipped in and helped us put together a route which we are proud to be able to offer to our runners - multi-terrain, scenic and perhaps surprisingly for Durham, relatively flat!

“We hope Durham will become a permanent home for the Town and Gown 10k and we need the support of everyone – locals, students and runners from across the area – to make sure this happens. Whether you support us as a charity or are simply looking for a great local chip-timed run, just by joining us on the day you will be helping us transform the lives of children and adults with muscle-wasting conditions.”

Visit townandgown10k.com for further information or to enter. Registration costs £16.