Races Under a Tenner – 2025
Running can be an expensive hobby if you’re into racing. After realising how much I spent in 2019 (half of which I didn’t get to), I decided to focus on prioritising races which cost under £10 to enter as an England Athletics member, and there are more out there than you realise when you start looking! Races do not have to break the bank, especially if you’re happy to support your local running clubs for a cheer and a smile rather than handing over your hard-earned cash to a bigger company for a metal plate on a ribbon you won’t know what to do with by the time you get home 🙂
Below is the list of the races I have come across in the North-East to date with a £10 or lower entry fee for affiliated runners (unaffiliated prices are listed second). Race entries where possible will be linked in the race title, and if I’ve run them before you’ll find them in my Race Reviews list on the menu to the right. This list is not exhaustive, and there will be more which become available as events are finalised throughout the year.
If you’re willing to go up to £15, the list opens out a bit more with 5M/10k options from local running clubs featuring, but currently I’m trying to stick with what’s available for up to £10 knowing travel costs for some can easily creep it up to £15.
This list was last updated on 10th of March 2025.
Free Events
There’s always a parkrun! Timed 5k events on Saturday mornings at 9am all over the world!
National Trust run the Trust 10 at several of their properties around the country. Unfortunately Cragside in Northumberland no longer host one but a new one has opened at Ormesby Hall in Teesside and you may be able to pick another one up on your travels.
Virtual Events
Race the Distance are a site I have used before for virtual events which give a medal. Several are under £10 and they’re all very shiny. I’m currently enrolled on their 500 mile annual challenge for 2024 – it’s not going very well!
Race at Your Pace are great for monthly running/walking mileage challenges to get you out the door if you’re a bling motivated individual! The monthly medals will set you back approx. £12/month.
Great Run offer a 9 week Couch to 5k program with medal for £10 if that helps motivate you to get your trainers on! There are obviously free apps available (NHS/Garmin/etc.) so this is by no means the only way to achieve 5k from a standing start.
March 2025
5th – DT25: Riverside 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
9th – TEWV 5k – HMP Kirklevington Grange Prison – NHS Tees, Esk and Wear Valley – £6.40 inc. booking fee
23rd – DT25: Baydale Beck 10k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £10 / £40 for full series (6 races)
April 2025
2nd – DT25: Locomotion 5k – Middleton St George – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
2nd – Pie & Peas 5k – Trimdon Grange – Muddy Roads – £10/12
4th – DK Mile Series – Blyth – DK Mile Series – £10 (6 races inc.)
6th – Run Like a Haggis 60/90 minutes – Cockfield – Run Like a Haggis Navigation Events – £7 / £9
20th – Easter 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £7
24th – Summer Series 5k: The Middridge – Newton Aycliffe – Muddy Roads – £6/£8 / £30/£40 for full series (6 races)
24th – Cockfield Chase 7k – Cockfield – Durham Fell Runners – £5/£6 (prices from 2024)
30th – DT25: West Park 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
May 2025
2nd – DK Mile Series – Blyth – DK Mile Series – £10 (6 races inc.)
18th – DT25: Harrogate Hill 10k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £10 / £40 for full series (6 races)
22nd – Summer Series 5k: The Saltburn – Saltburn-by-the-Sea – Muddy Roads – £6/£8 / £30/£40 for full series (6 races)
28th – DT25: Low Conny 5k – Low Coniscliffe – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
June 2025
6th – DK Mile Series – Blyth – DK Mile Series – £10 (6 races inc.)
15th – DT25: Darlington Trail 10k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £10 / £40 for full series (6 races)
22nd – LRC Tees Trailtastic 3.5M – Barnard Castle – LRC Run Collective – £9 / £13
25th – DT25: Cummins 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
26th – Summer Series 5k: The Lordstones – Middlesbrough – Muddy Roads – £6/£8 / £30/£40 for full series (6 races)
July 2025
1st – Cock Crow 5k – Hebburn – Jarrow and Hebburn Athletics Club – £10 / £12
4th – DK Mile Series – Blyth – DK Mile Series – £10 (6 races inc.)
13th – DT25: Riverside Trail 10k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £10 / £40 for full series (6 races)
23rd – DT25: Baydale Beck 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
24th – Summer Series 5k: The Pine Forest – Middlesbrough – Muddy Roads – £6/£8 / £30/£40 for full series (6 races)
August 2025
1st – DK Mile Series – Blyth – DK Mile Series – £10 (6 races inc.)
6th – DT25: Woodham Burn 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
14th – Summer Series 5k: Newham Grange – Coulby Newham – Muddy Roads – £6/£8 / £30/£40 for full series (6 races)
September 2025
3rd – DT25: Harrogate Hill 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
4th – Summer Series 5k: HMP Kirklevington Grange – HMP Kirklevington Grange Prison – Muddy Roads – £6/£8 / £30/£40 for full series (6 races)
5th – DK Mile Series – Blyth – DK Mile Series – £10 (6 races inc.)
14th – DT25: Locomotion 10k – Middleton St George – Darlington Trail – £10 / £40 for full series (6 races)
October 2025
15th – DT25: Trail Night Run 5k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £5 / £37.50 for full series (9 races)
15th – DT25: Trail Night Run 10k – Darlington – Darlington Trail – £10 / £40 for full series (6 races)
29th – Halloween 5k – Trimdon Grange – Muddy Roads – £10/£12
November 2025
None found yet!
December 2025
None found yet!
Blue Runnings 