Nearly 1,000 primary school pupils from 32 schools across County Durham gathered at the iconic Beamish Museum on the evening of 17 June 2026 for the Durham Dash, setting a new attendance record and making it the largest event in the initiative’s history since it began in 2012.
Bathed in summer sunshine, the open-air museum was transformed into a festival of running and field events as children from across North Durham competed, cheered each other on, and celebrated the joy of sport in one of the most distinctive sporting venues in the North East.
Delivered by the Durham & Chester-le-Street School Sport Partnership (DCSSP), the Dash! has been a highlight of the school sporting calendar for 14 years, inspiring generation after generation of young County Durham athletes. This year’s theme — Move More, Grow Stronger, Feel Happy — reflected the event’s enduring mission: to get children active, build confidence and foster a lifelong love of sport.
Event Organiser
“The Dash! is a fantastic celebration of sport and physical activity for the whole community. Since 2012, it has been one of the most highly anticipated and enjoyed events of the school year. Children look forward to it every year, and some even train beforehand. It gives me great joy to see previous participants wearing their Dash! t-shirts with pride at other sports events, months and even years later. The Dash! is unique — it gets more young people active, builds confidence and encourages resilience.”
Andrew Scothern, Manager, Durham & Chester-le-Street School Sport Partnership
The Venue
“Beamish Museum’s unique setting provided an amazing venue for the Dash! We are proud to work with DCSSP to give all the children of North Durham a brilliant opportunity to stay fit and active, and to continue the legacy of the 2012 Olympics.”
Rhiannon Hiles, CEO, Beamish Living Museum
The Schools Speak
Reaction from participating schools on social media captured the spirit of the evening perfectly.
“Last night, children from across Key Stage 2 represented our school at the Durham Dash at Beamish. It was a wonderful event filled with sunshine, smiles, resilience, amazing sportsmanship and some well-earned medals. A huge well done to everyone involved.”
Neville’s Cross Primary School
“What a night! Excellent competitors in both running and field. So positive and supportive of one another — it was so lovely to see everyone cheering on one another and other schools too.”
Belmont Primary School
“The children gave their all in the track and field events — no medals, but plenty of smiles, determination and fun! A brilliant team effort.”
St Cuthbert’s Primary School
“Our children gave it their all and showed what our school is all about — effort, enthusiasm and pride.”
Langley Moor Primary School
A Festival for the Whole Family
One of the most distinctive features of the Durham Dash! — and one that sets it apart from almost every other event in the primary school sporting calendar — is its open invitation to parents, families and the wider community. Spectators are not just welcome; they are part of the event itself, lining the track to cheer, shout and celebrate alongside children from 32 schools.
Opportunities like this are rare in primary school sport. The Dash! creates something that few other events can offer: a shared experience where children compete in front of the people who matter most to them, and families see first-hand what an active, confident, resilient young person looks like in full flight.
On the evening of 17 June, the atmosphere at Beamish was testament to exactly that. The cheers that rang out across the museum grounds came not just from teammates but from parents, grandparents, siblings and supporters — all united in the spirit of sport. This is the Dash! at its very best.
Proud Parents
“Thank you for another fantastic evening at Beamish!”
Lisa Guy, parent
“It was a great night as usual. Fantastic organisation from everyone involved.”
Allison Biggs, parent
“I love that my girl got to see the biggest and best event that we run at work — The Dash! She’s heard me speak about it every year, and she finally got to take part. She came 1st in her heat and 5th out of 12 in the final. I’m super proud of her and all the children that took part.”
Jo Davie, parent and DCSSP colleague
Partners & Sponsors
The Durham Dash! is made possible by the generous, long-standing support of its partners: Ramside Hall Hotel, Swinburne Maddison LLP, MGL Group, Radisson Durham, Believe Housing and Workwear Express (official kit supplier since 2012), along with twelve Durham County Councillors who back the event year on year.
“We are delighted to have supported this fantastic event since 2012. It’s wonderful to see it grow, to see so many children enjoying themselves, and to see the local community brought together.”
John Adamson, Ramside Hall Hotel
Further news and photos on the Dash! Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dothedashuk/
