Sand Dancer 10k, 13th April 2025

Another Sunday, another 10k for Lynne Cornell:

“I didn’t do this run last year for fear of tripping over a rabbit hole and twisting my ankle, or something worse, and spoiling my chances of running the London marathon which was a week later. However, with no marathon on the horizon for me I was delighted to be able to do this run again.

The forecast had been a bit uncertain and I thought we were going to be running in rain, but the warm sunny spell continued and the path was the driest I’ve seen it in years. It’s a lovely course that starts at the Sand Dancer pub and goes south along the coastal path towards Souter lighthouse on gravel coastal paths. I found myself glued to the tracks to ensure I didn’t trip up and fall.

It felt great with the wind helping me along but I knew payback time would be coming soon. This happened when the route turned back north towards South Shields along a grass track, with lots of red marks kindly pointing out the holes to avoid and a very strong breeze blowing straight at us.

At the end of the grass track it was then back along the coastal path for lap 2- a welcome relief from the breeze before the second time back along the grass track, wind still blowing strongly in our faces and finally down the hill to the promenade and along to Gypsies Green stadium.

A lap of the track took us to the finish line where a medal, a buff, a bottle of water and a Kitkat were waiting. The latter isn’t in the photo as by the time I took it the kitkat had gone!!! Not eaten by me!!!

A really well organised enjoyable run, thanks to South Shields Harriers p.s. the photos were taken afterwards in South Marine Park where we went for a well deserved cuppa. We then realised we hadn’t actually taken any at the stadium! Steve met us there and I think that is when the Kitkat disappeared!”

Well done Lynne on finishing strongly in 52:04.