A CHARITY race taking in the historic sights of Durham City has been staged today. (Sunday, March 8)

More than 350 people took place in the cathedral city’s inaugural Town and Gown run this morning.

The 10k run was organised by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to help fight the genetic, currently incurable, muscle-wasting condition.

Toya Champ, the campaign's events manager, said: “We are delighted with how people in Durham have supported this, our first Town and Gown 10k in the City.

“They were rewarded by perfect spring weather. The sun shone down on our runners, who really got into the spirit of the event.

“Many people wore orange, the charity's vibrant signature colour.”

Runners followed a route past sights, including the cathedral and castle, along the banks of the River Wear into the heart of the city.

Ms Champ said: “We would like to thank everyone who joined us, including the many who volunteered, and locals for their patience with road closures.

“We are on course to raise £10,000 towards vital research into treatments for muscle-wasting conditions and support for thousands of families affected by them."

The charity funds groundbreaking research into treatments for muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions and supports the 70,000 families affected nationally with 3,000 of them from the North-East.

ITV newsreader Nina Hossain, who studied English language and linguistics at Durham University, ran in support of two-year-old Iris Jaworski.

Iris’s big sister, Bay, is a classmate of Nina's own daughter, and Ms Hossain took part in the run with Iris's father, Paul.

She said: “The run was fantastic and the route was the best I have ever done, so scenic and inspirational.

“Durham should be very proud, as should the hundreds of runners who gave up their Sunday morning to support the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Let's make it thousands next year."

The three fastest male runners were Tom Cornthwaite, 34mins 1 sec, John Widdrington, 37 mins 18 secs and Andy Graham, 37 mins 27 secs.

The three fastest female runners were Danielle Hodgkinson, 37mins 8secs, Laura Knox, 41 mins 14 secs and Laura Munro-Bennett, 41 mins 29 secs.