Northumberland Coastal Run – Race Report

 

Having run this race back in 2012, I was quite looking forward to it….little did I know that it was going to be one of the hottest days of the year and I was going to be running with 850+ other people in the mid day sun.Back in January when entries opened I quickly entered the fast filling up race and managed to sell the race to both Ewan Cochrane and Stephen Robson before it filled up. The club races hadn’t been released by this time so we were all a little disappointed when we later found out that it clashed with Harrogate 10k, the club run for July.The Robsons and Cochranes took advantage of the gorgeous location of the race and went up the day before to make a weekend of it. I decided to travel up early Sunday morning.I was quite hopeful for cooler weather after the drizzle and thunderstorms the day before, however as I approached Alnwick (where the race ends) the clouds were parting and the sun was shining. The car was recording 26 degrees.

I boarded the bus that takes us to the start of the race in Beadnell wishing that the race had started at 10:30 like in previous years (however due to tides it had to be mid day).On arrival in Beadnell I quickly bumped into Ewan and Stephen sunbathing on a grass bank next to the beach. At this point I really wish that I could have stayed there all day long. We started talking race tactics and both me and Ewan decided to take it steady whilst Stephen was planning on racing.

After visiting the Portaloos (not a very nice experience) and dropping my bag on the bus we made our way onto the beach ready for the 1:30 start. Here we bumped into two more YKH, John Middleton and Vanessa Barrett and had a group photo taken (by Mrs Middleton).

Due to the huge toilet queue the race was delayed by 15 mins. Those 15 minutes appeared to drag so much I just wanted to get it over and done with now.

The horn went and the long line of runners set off along the beach…both Ewan and Stephen had a fast start and appeared to be a long way ahead of me almost instantly. Despite me thinking I was plodding I was still running at sub 7 mm (so I have no idea how quickly they were running) so I subsequently slowed myself down (although probably not enough).

The first two miles takes you across the beach towards Dunster castle. Runners tend to follow the edge of the sea and then make a sharp right turn towards some small sand dunes which lead on to a road. Leaving the wet impacted sand to run on the soft deep sand at the sand dunes was tough on the calfs even though it was short in distance.

Once on the road I thought it would be much easier, however due to it being more sheltered the breeze disappeared and I just became warmer and warmer…the first drink station at about 3.5 miles was a welcomed relief. At this point I caught up with another runner from Yorkshire and to my surprise he recognised me from the South Yorkshire championships (not sure if that’s a good or bad thing). I ended up running with him for a couple of miles whilst talking about Sheffield United, this years fiver milers and his next marathon in Athens.

After roughly 1.5 miles on this road you then head back on to the beach. There was a strategically put cone (in front of a camera man) at this point that nearly took a few runners out.

After another mile or so on the beach, you then left the beach and ran on a rocky trail path that climbs up and around Dunstanburgh castle. This then leads on to a field that you have to cross to get to Craster. In Craster (roughly half way) was a 4th water station and plenty of people cheering us on. At this point I have to admit I wasn’t feeling too great, I was feeling quite dehydrated, my hands had become oedematous, I felt nauseous and I could feel my arms burning in the sun. I decided to slow down a little, take on more water and have an emergency jelly baby to see if that would help.

The nausea seemed to settle but I still wasn’t feeling great. I continued on over a field and out of Craster. Despite feeling so rubbish, I was still passing some runners, so I knew it wasn’t just me struggling in the heat.

I continued along a few more trail paths, thinking it was a shame that such a beautiful run had been spoilt by the hot sunny conditions. I now tried to take in the gorgeous country side to try to take my mind off the rest of the race. The sea was so blue and inviting, I started to think about taking a little detour and jumping in. The only thing putting me off doing this was the knowledge that it would result in a longer distance to run!

Before I knew it another water station was approaching. I decided to stop here. I’ve never had to stop in a race before, however my left ITB had started to twinge and I was starting to feel dehydrated again. After a little pit stop to stretch my ITB, pay a visit and drink a bottle of water I was on my way again. Two women had passed me during this time. Normally I would be quite disappointed by this but today I really didn’t care…it was all about finishing.

This section of the race is probably the worse bit, a long boring road, however after my little pit stop I was feeling a little better and started to pick up my pace again. Up in front I could see I was gaining on another YKH and as I got closer I realised it was Stephen. Stephen had been injured and hadn’t really run for the last couple of weeks. He was feeling better pre race, however by 17k the injury had decided to reappear. At this stage he was walking so I slowed down and walked with him for a short while to check that he was ok.

By 11 miles it was back on the beach with roughly two miles to go.  I started to dream about jumping in the sea again and having an ice cream. I slowly picked up my pace despite running on sand and over rocks and managed to pass the two ladies that passed me whilst I had my pit stop. I was feeling much better now (probably helped by the breeze) and finished quite strong. Ewan was at the end cheering us in (he’d had a fantastic race finishing 10 minutes in front). Pauline, a friend from Alnwick carriers who had mentored me for VLM last year was also there at the finishing tunnel shouting words of encouragement.

Afterwards I laid down in the sea fully clothed, and quickly cooled down. Just as I was getting out Stephen crossed the finishing line, he looked to be in so much pain, but had managed to run the last bit along the beach in sheer determination. He must have been hurting as he swore not to run for a full month.

We left the finish line and collected our technical shirts and water, I then went off to find Pauline and Ewan to thank them for their support. I couldn’t find Ewan but Pauline gave me a huge hug and a glass of wine. My husband then came over and gave me an ice-cream….the perfect way to finish a tough race.

Would I do this race again? Of course. Its a gorgeous course, with beautiful scenery. Its not an easy course with 2/3 being off road on beaches, trail paths and across fields, but it is one of those magical, special races that everyone should get to experience. I just hope next year it has an earlier start and its much cooler.

Times:
Ewan Cochrane 1:35:10
Sarah Attwood 1:45:35
Stephen Robson 1:50:07
John Middleton 2:03:02
Vanessa Barrett 2:22:48

Distance according to watch 13.4 miles.