Port of Blyth 10k, 7th April 2024
Eight Claremont Road Runners faced down a tornado this morning in Blyth.
Cate Walker: “The marketing for this race states that ‘the course is very flat, and provides an excellent chance of fast times’. It was this, as well as the equally inviting promise of (potentially) sunny coastal views, that convinced me to sign up. It has been a while since I have done a timed 10k but recent unofficial 10k runs, and parkrun times, made me think I might be in with a chance of going under 50 mins. So, no few expectations accompanying me on the start line!
Overall, I was not disappointed. It wasn’t quite the ‘very flat’ course that it claimed to be – as Sarah had shared a few minutes before the start, ‘gently undulating’ seemed more accurate on the outward stretch – and we had a keen wind to contend with early on. Having not run in Blyth before, I found the undulating dunes added some interest so I tried to put aside thoughts of the potential sub-50 result and just enjoy them. Although there were persistent showers, the sun was shining in between and overall everything felt good.
As some of the faster runners started the double back, we looked out for one another across the dunes and encouraging waves and smiles were shared. The run back to Blyth Community Enterprise Centre was a good opportunity to make up some time, on a genuinely(!) flat part of the course with the wind behind us. As I ran this part, the sub-50 came back increasingly into the realm of possibility and the last couple of km were a bit of a blur as I sped up to the finish line.
I was delighted with my final chip time of 48:57, especially with the windy outward conditions. Lynne was just seconds behind me, and it was great to see Eddie finish with his own PB shortly after that. Most of us managed to finish before the freak hailstorm that came out of nowhere. Overall a wonderful event, made even more memorable by the weather conditions and of course the solidarity of doing it together with other Claremonters (even as some limped away from the finish line…)”
Lynne Cornell: “This race is always a favourite of mine. Slightly different conditions this year with Storm Kathleen and the forecast of gusts of 40-50mph which weren’t wrong!
Numbers collected, we sat in the car to shelter from the breeze and made our way to the start line with a few minutes to spare. Then we lined up and were off. The views, as ever, didn’t disappoint and this year I braved it without a t-shirt under my running vest, and it was surprisingly warm. I did keep my gloves on though! I was soon overtaken by Cate at the start and never did manage to catch her – a great run, Cate.
The wind in our faces for the first 3 miles was challenging (character building some may say) but the views didn’t disappoint. The view towards St Mary’s Lighthouse was gorgeous in the sunshine and a run along the Eve Black Coastal Walkway is always a treat. The water station was at 5k, and I must apologise to the marshal who I managed to cover in water as I grabbed a bottle!
The run back along the road with the wind behind us seemed like a breeze – literally. Great to get back to the finish, where a buff and an energy bar, as well as water were waiting. As ever, a lovely race and looking forward to next year already.”
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 55 | Laurie Johnson | 39:21 |
| 59 | Roberto Marzo | 39:35 |
| 94 | Paul Robinson | 41:23 |
| 103 | Sarah Kerr | 41:42 |
| 239 | Cate Walker (PB) | 48:57 |
| 248 | Lynne Cornell | 49:21 |
| 317 | Eddie Smith (PB) | 52:44 |
| 484 | Ann Smith | 68:26 |
