Run the Raid Half Marathon, 3rd August 2025
Jim Crinnion sampled this scenic half, which is a fairly new edition to the North East racing calendar. From his report below, it sounds great, definitely one to look out for:
“The run is a point to point multi-terrain half marathon, starting at Spittal, just south of Berwick, and finishing near the castle on Lindisfarne.
The event arranged coaches to take runners from the car park on Lindisfarne to the start point at Spittal, this made the logistics of the day much easier, parking my car there so it was waiting for me when I’d finished. The run start time of 2pm, was to allow runners time to cross onto Lindisfarne safely, coach to the start, complete the run and leave. All before the tide came back in and trapped anyone unwillingly on the island.
It was a warm and sunny day with clear views of Lindisfarne from the start point, with a variety of local running club tops on show and two hardy souls who were in full Viking attire. With a steep climb early on the route, the course is mostly an undulating one along the costal path, with stretches of track, sand, gravel path and road. WIth the sun beating down and no shade to speak of, the water stops at 3, 6 and 9 miles were a welcome relief and I paused at all three to hydrate and cool myself. The 9 mile water point was just before the causeway, four miles remaining at this point was longer than I’d expected, a quick look across the causeway to Lindisfarne Castle in the distance, where the race finish would be, confirmed that my Garmin hadn’t mismeasured my distance to that point.
One of the race selling points for me, was running across the causeway, and although the even road surface allowed me to push on a little, I was none the less, pleased I wasn’t being chased by an Alpha Zombie along that stretch. (One for those who have watched 28 Years Later). There was plenty of encouragement from people in many of the cars I encountered along this stretch. Near the end, in the last half mile or so, there is a steep scramble/climb which was somewhat unexpected and significantly slowed the ‘fast’ last mile I’d planned.
Although a little shorter than the 14 miles in my training plan, I had decided to use it as my long run for the weekend. I’d planned a mostly steady pace with a strong finish so was content with my 31st place overall and official time of 1:48:30.
One final point for anyone who is interested in doing this next year. There are various food and drink stalls on the island, all of which were appealing on completion of the run. Unfortunately they were all ‘cash only’ and, having none with me, I wasn’t able to buy anything. It would be a good idea to take some with you.”
