South Shields 10 Mile, 2nd August 2026

Thanks to Eddie Smith for this report:

“The South Shields ten mile run took place on Sunday 2nd August. Claire Taylor and Ann and Eddie Smith were the Claremont representatives among the 361 runners.

The route was centred on the Souter Lighthouse. The first few miles were around the Whitburn Point Nature Reserve to the south of the lighthouse. We then headed north and did two circuits of Horsley Hill. This is more or less the parkrun route, but in the opposite direction.

The first part was very stop/start for most participants,. It was a narrow path through woodland that caused jams when it became single file or reached obstructions. This, at least, stopped some of us from heading off too quickly. The rest of the run was more straightforward. It was along clifftop paths and the footpath alongside the Coast Road. Although it was a hot morning, the sea breeze provided some relief.

Overall, the event felt a bit like an extended parkrun. There was no chip timing and the initial slow progress mirrored that in some local parkruns such as Jesmond Dene.

Before the run there was a relaxed atmosphere as participants sat on the grass watching aeronautical displays by (I think) sand martins.

The run is in its tenth year and seems to have become part of Great North Run training for many, with a lot of the participants being unattached to running clubs.

I enjoyed the run and was impressed with the enthusiasm and helpfulness of the volunteers. They had even painted white circles around the many rabbit holes and there were piles of Jaffa cakes and sweets at the water stations.”