Story added: 9th September 2024

Run Norwich 2024 breaks new records!

The eighth rendition of Run Norwich certainly didn’t disappoint – Sunday 8th September 2024 will forever be remembered as a truly record-breaking day in the Norfolk capital.

With 6,923 finishers, this year’s sold-out race not only saw the highest number of finishers in event history but also two new course records set at the front.

Race Highlights

A clear and still autumn morning drew stark contrasts to last year’s event, where strong winds had buffered our runners for the duration of the race. Our early-rising runners made the most of the pre-race sunshine in our Race Village, which once again was the usual hive of noise and energy.

The 10k race, supported by co-main race sponsors Norse Group and Anglian Home Improvements, was officially started by Norwich City FC Head Coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.

In the men’s race, debutant Jonathan Escalante-Phillips of Cambridge & Coleridge emerged victorious, crossing the finish line with a new course record of 30:41. The women’s race also saw a new course record set, thanks to an impressive performance from another debutant, Holly Archer (Cambridge & Coleridge), who clinched the top spot with a time of 34:38.

Prior to these stunning performances in the 10k race however, we saw the first ever Junior Run Norwich take place, with over 200 young runners gathering on Theatre Street ready to take on the 1-mile route. This inaugural event gave the next generation of aspiring athletes the chance to experience the ‘big race-day feel’, whilst also helping to contribute to the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation’s charitable initiatives.

An unforgettable experience

The atmosphere throughout the 10-kilometre course was electric, with thousands of spectators cheering on the runners. Over 15 cheer stations featuring live bands like Sons of Mark, the Pop Club Choir, and various DJs dotted the route, providing constant motivation and entertainment to both runners and supporters. Over 550 fantastic marshals were also located around the course, spurring our runners on both through the early miles and in those final steps across the line.

There was no shortage of both laughter and tears on the finish line, as thousands of runners celebrated those last few steps over the line. With all our runners running for different reasons, it was no wonder the emotions came pouring out, as weeks of training and hard work came to fruition. Run Norwich 2024 once again saw hundreds of charity runners take to the streets, with their tireless fundraising helping to have a positive impact on their respective charities.

The Community Sports Foundation had over 500 runners don the electric green charity t-shirt this year  as part of #TeamCSF, helping to raise essential funds to support the Foundation’s work with disabled and disadvantaged individuals across the region.

Alongside their fundraising efforts, all proceeds generated from the race will go to support the charity’s work, once race costs have been met.

Race Presentations

This year, the trophy presentations were back in the bandstand at Chapelfield Gardens, with hundreds gathering to watch this year’s winners and runners up presented with their prizes.

Race podiums:

THANK YOU!

There truly are too may people to thank individually, but we truly could not have done it without ever single one of you.

A huge thank you to the 500+ volunteers who helped on the day, whether that was in Chapelfield gardens handing out refreshments to runners, or out on the course bringing your best cheering voices!

Another huge thank you must go to our race partners, whose sponsorship and race day support is invaluable to the Foundation and more importantly, the runners who derive so much energy from your fantastic cheer stations.

Thank you to:

Anglian Home Improvements, Norse Group

Lotus, Chantry Place, Gasway, Joma, Lovell, Hugh J Boswell, Regency Security, FM Family Law, Sharp, Recover Physio

Norwich Cathedral, Sir Isaac Newton College, The Forum, ESP, Norwich Theatre, Coder, Mortgage Advice Bureau

Ian Thornton OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Sports Foundation said:

“We are absolutely thrilled with the record turnout and the incredible enthusiasm shown by everyone involved this morning.

“Run Norwich is about more than just running; it’s about coming together as a community to support important causes, including ours, and this year was a perfect reflection of that spirit.

“We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, staff, participants, and sponsors – especially our main sponsors, Anglian Home Improvements and Norse Group – for their unwavering support. Organising an event of this scale in the heart of a historic city centre, with 8,500 participants, inevitably causes some disruption. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the residents and businesses not involved in the event for their patience and understanding.

“Run Norwich is truly the people’s race, with countless inspiring stories of fundraising for charity, personal triumphs, and the incredible support from the sidelines. On behalf of the Foundation, I want to thank each and every one of our volunteers for their outstanding efforts this morning – their goodwill, energy, and commitment made this event possible.”