Pier to Pier, 19th April 2026
A great turnout meant a lot of sky blue vests running with a clear blue sky in this increasingly popular run along the coast from South Shields to Roker. This year the event sold out in less than 3 hours, but 26 of us were on the ball, and so on the start line!
Although there was still a slight chill in the morning air, conditions could not have been better – the sunshine and lack of wind very welcome after last year’s experience. So it was a happy group of Claremont Road Runners who, obligatory photos taken, made our way around to the beach for the start. It is always a spectacle having such a large group of runners spread out across the beach, all looking for the flattest, shortest route on hard sand – and most ending up with wet feet!
As we left the beach, Gill and I were confronted with a bit of a bottleneck, so Gill left the sandy path to skirt around on the grassy bit, which meant a bit of scrambling but at least we were moving. Once on the Leas, while most runners stayed on the main path, we headed right across the grass, though still on a good path with firm footing. This meant we could pretty much run our own race, unimpeded by the crowds.
As we headed past Souter Lighthouse and Whitburn, we were treated to glorious views of the South Tyneside coast with its cliffs, stacks and sea birds – all looking resplendent in the sunshine. It had warmed up nicely, and we were grateful for the cup of water at halfway. Then, trail running over (and the frustration of the path blocked by ‘runners’ walking, we were onto the prom at Seaburn, where there was plenty of support and encouragement from the locals and marshals alike. This stretch is always longer than I remember, but finally we were on the beach at Roker with the finish line in sight.
As last year, there was a nice stream to give our feet a soaking a couple of hundred metres from the end, and a cheering crew of already-finished Claremonters to welcome us in. Then off to see what delights the goodie bag had for us this time! As ever, was the lovely glass lighthouse, snacks, beer and t-shirt with this year’s surprises being sunglasses, suncream and a kite!
Niamh Garratt couldn’t resist trying out the kite on the beach, but, on running across the sand, she nearly took out one of the slower runners who was just finishing. The poor soul had only just got to his feet after falling too! Don’t worry, Niamh, we won’t tell Jamie.
Although my target for this year was simply to finish, there were some good performances from our other runners. Til Weber was first Claremonter home, running an excellent race on his Pier to Pier debut; and it wasn’t a great surprise to see that Lynne Cornell finished first in her age group and, as such, recipient of a fantastic glass trophy.
Sitting in the sun, watching the sea, drinking coffee and cake from Fausto’s, it was hard to see how the day could get better (but it did when Van Dijk headed the winner at Everton!). Roll on next year.
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 64 | Til Weber | 46:04 |
| 144 | Peter Noble | 49:53 |
| 196 | Harry Tracey | 52:28 |
| 197 | Lena Lou | 52:30 |
| 203 | Nicki O’Brien | 52:41 |
| 322 | Anna Round | 56:12 |
| 356 | Cate Walker | 56:53 |
| 366 | Lynne Cornell (1st V60) | 57:08 |
| 368 | Mark Flynn | 57:11 |
| 437 | Tara Hipwood | 58:35 |
| 529 | Eddie Smith | 60:43 |
| 532 | Sarah Williamson | 60:51 |
| 567 | Lauren McQuillan | 61:41 |
| 568 | Nina Jensen | 61:41 |
| 734 | Heather Steel | 65:37 |
| 761 | Zoe Jukes | 66:01 |
| 762 | Niamh Garratt | 66:01 |
| 788 | Ailsa Ralph | 66:33 |
| 909 | Gill Milne | 69:38 |
| 910 | Tom Tinsley | 69:38 |
| 990 | Janet Palmer | 71:44 |
| 1033 | Aaron Mansell | 73:04 |
| 1034 | Ryan Thompson | 73:04 |
| 1078 | Cath Robson | 74:32 |
| 1197 | Claire Taylor | 79:03 |
| 1325 | Becky Webster | 85:11 |
