It was the first Saturday of the month, meaning it was time for another round of Claremont club tourism! A sizeable cohort shipped out to South Shields on a grey and windy morning, 4 of our crew making their course debuts. What a day to do so…
The north east is home to several wonderfully picturesque coastal parkruns, and South Shields is no exception. Starting out by the promenade, the bulk of the first two-thirds of the course meanders along paths near the cliff-edge, offering lovely views across impressive rocks, and out to sea. At this point we were fairly sheltered, it was only on our first proper turn away from the coast, up toward the road, that we got our initial buffeting. A short while later, passing through a section that those familiar with the Pier to Pier race would recognise, we made our full ascent towards the main road, and turned onto tarmac for the final long stretch toward the finish.
This road also provides the final epic run-in for the Great North Run. However, instead of roaring crowds, we were treated to around a mile of lonely, relentless slog against a particularly viscous headwind. After assembling for the obligatory photo, we hauled our windswept frames back down to the prom for much-needed coffee and cake at Minchella & Co. There were course PB’s for the three L’s of Laurie, Lena and Lucy, despite the latter two preparing to run in the Great North 10k the following day.
There was also plenty of solo tourism taking place around the country. Julie Cross was out west in the Lake District at Muncaster Castle, where she ran incredibly quickly to finish as 1st lady. Alex Harding was in West Yorkshire, revisiting Chevin Forest Country Park after 3 years for a course PB.
Further south, Chris Jones was in Cheshire, taking on the challenging Lyme Park (described as “Breathtaking. Literally!”) near Stockport. More southerly still, Rose Hawkswood managed not to run aground on Black Rocks, near Matlock Bath in Derbyshire. This weeks Scottish adventurer was Aoífe Mongahan, venturing to the coastal town of Dunbar, east of Edinburgh, to run in Lochend Woods with Jack.
Back home, Catherine Young was 2nd lady at Fulwell Quarry, and Lily Crouzier took herself for a final spin around Jesmond Dene, before she leaves the north east behind for now. We wish her and Katy well in their careers and future running, after making a significant impact and contribution to the club in their relatively short spell with us.
