What could be better than going for a run through some of the beautiful parks in Sunderland? Or going for long walks appreciating and being informed about Sunderland’s historic past through the many heritage sites and monuments that are dotted all over the city? Well, we have been out and about in the city again this week running and walking, not only because both are great fun, but also to enhance our health and well-being and to appreciate the heritage of Sunderland that is on display throughout the city.
On most weekends, at least one of us can be found taking part in free fun runs that are held in the city. Every Saturday at 9 o’clock there is the Silksworth Sports Complex Park Run where on average, there are about 120 people who run, jog or walk along the 5K course which starts and finishes in front of the Tennis and Wellness Centre and takes in two laps of the lake. This event is a great way to start your weekend with family and friends or just come on your own to enjoy the fresh air and to meet new people. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned runner or even if you are not a runner at all – it is not a competition! There is a great atmosphere and there are always people cheering you on and giving you words of encouragement. Then, on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, there is the Sunderland 5K Great Run local (there is also a shorter 2K run as well) this time in the lovely Mowbray Park which is again a free fun run even though it includes that cursed hill! Still, at the top of that hill (Building Hill) you do get a fantastic view, and get to say ‘hello’ to the statue of General Havelock, who was a prominent British colonial army officer in the 19th century (there is also a statue of him in Trafalgar Square). Both runs are only made possible through the hard work and commitment of wonderful and enthusiastic volunteers and we sincerely thank them for coming out no matter the weather (although we all know this is usually subtropical in Sunderland).
Another great activity to enhance well-being is indulging in heritage walks through the city. Of particular interest is the well-known Sculpture Trail walk along the north bank of the river from Wearmouth Bridge to the coast. This was
initially created during the early regeneration of the former industrial sites, with a project that ran from 1991-1997. This has been added to over the years, with the huge ‘Second Sun’ sculpture by Andrew Small commissioned in 2009 to mark the final stage of the C2C cycle route. This sculpture starts under Wearmouth Bridge and is well worth a look as it is the initial part of a much larger work that stretches to the coast with smaller installations representing the planets of our solar system positioned along the path, proportionately distant from the Second Sun, with distance markers indicating to C2C cyclists how far they are from the finish. The Sculpture Trail passes our campus, St Peter’s, so we get to enjoy it every day when we are at work. To take a walk along its full length, as a circular route, would be the more leisurely version of the 5k park run. There are many other walks around Sunderland, and the city council has devised some useful maps: http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7337 For a more interactive wander around Sunderland, have a look at a project we are developing to explore Sunderland’s literary and cultural heritage through its buildings: http://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/seagullcity/2016/07/07/seagull-city/ There is such a lot to see in Sunderland, once you get beyond the corporate shop fronts. Just don’t walk into any lampposts as you are doing it.
Sunderland is a great place to be if you want to lead a healthier lifestyle whether through participating in the city’s free fun runs or learning more about the city’s heritage while walking through its historic streets. It is just another reason why Sunderland is worthy of the City of Culture award.
— Professor Donna Chambers & Professor Angela Smith, University of Sunderland
