Blyth Sands, 3rd December 2023

The 63rd edition of this unique race took place on a freezing Blyth Beach this morning. A couple of our brave runners gave their accounts:

Julie Cross: I can’t count the times I’ve done Blyth Sands, probably not that many, but it is always a hit, and to anyone who hasn’t done it, it is hard to explain why.

Today proved the best conditions I have met in this race: just above freezing air temperature so that dipping feet into the water didn’t feel too cold, next to no wind, and the tide about as far out as it could be.

One attraction must be the handicapping: we all set off in our little sub races at intervals of one (or was it two?) minutes based on age and gender. After a delayed start, as the first aider had disappeared, I set off with the sprightly women ‘d’un certain age’ and the over 70 men, and headed north towards the big pipe which for the first time, we had to duck under – I think my regular yoga helped me all but limbo dance under here, since one of my pack had zipped off quickly, and I think I nudged closer to her after the pipe.

Then off to the Blyth club flag, round it, and back towards the start. This is another nice bit: you get to see all the younger and older male runners coming in the opposite direction, and once can’t help just a touch of smugness, which is set to dissipate later when the nippers all come thundering past.

I caught my opposition soon after emerging from under the pipe the second time, an even smoother lunge down this time. Then came the groynes – I had never seen stepladders there before, provided for our convenience to help those who needed it over the top, twice on the way out. One flatters oneself one can leap over, or do some athletic steeplechase type jump, but it had to be more of a more ungainly bum swing over, just time to catch a breath before heading south for a couple of miles to the next turnaround.

The good conditions meant there was less water, indeed no wading through, and we could make a beeline for the turning points, so I guess we ran a shorter run, but that would involve more Strava analysis that I care for. The start of the run back served another good look at the mass of participants. And what a backdrop: snow right up to the water line, a wintry beach, not what you would usually call idyllic, but one of those races where you have to appreciate being lucky enough to be there.

It was more of a slog back, however, surely right if we are pushing ourselves? And some ever so speedy ‘proper runners’ trotting past, those groynes didn’t seem much of an issue for them. The ladders came into their own on the last one, I really wanted to go over without help, but it would have needed more upper body strength than I have to heave myself up from shoulder height.

Then a final sprint push to the finish, and the biggest surprise of all: hardly any runners there! The rest of the Claremonters came in steadily after, just time for a photo shoot, then back inside for a cuppa/tot of sherry or whiskey/mince pie/biccy to round it all off. Blyth Sands is a good for the soul no frills race.

Ken McCormick: It was an easier run than last year with little breeze, though it was still very cold with snow still on the promenade and dunes.

The start was a bit late, but once off everybody set off well.The first part to the pier was negotiated by ducking under the water pipe and then again on the way back to the start area. The groynes (careful how that is spelt) had big drops. The second one had a gap that could be crawled through; I felt empathy with some of the female runners as the gap was tight, with me having some of my dangly bits getting a bit stuck!

After the groynes the route was more straightforward, if wet. Once at the turnaround oar it was back towards the start. The groynes needed clambering over. The second one had a ladder which I used as there was a group of people trying to get over by themselves. This was the first time I had used a ladder and first time I recall there being a ladder.

After that it was a shortish distance to the finish and relief! Back home I enjoyed a coffee with honey, a bacon butty and a hot bath! A good day in all, looking forward to whatever the run brings next year!

Congratulations to Julie, who was not only 15th, and first Claremonter home, but winner of her age category!

Position	Runner	Race Time	Actual. Time
15	Julie Cross (1st V55 W)	29:14	40:14
51	David Lydall	33:03	40:03
59	Izzy Neatrour	33:56	37:56
78	Sonam Wangdi	35:31	35:31
80	Laurie Johnson	35:48	35:48
97	Liz Denyer	37:49	45:49
100	Holly Porter	37:59	41:59
124	Alan Dunning	40:41	47:41
157	Aoife Monaghan	44:43	48:43
164	Ken McCormick	45:15	56:15

_{Thanks to Tom for coming down to support and take photos.}