Druridge Bay Beach Trail Half-marathon, 25th January 2026

Mark Anderson survived a battle with the elements to report from Druridge Bay:

“Druridge Bay, one of the jewels in the crown of the Northumberland coast. Miles of golden sand with glorious vistas, run here and evoke memories of the opening sequence of Chariots of Fire – all that’s missing is the Vangelis soundtrack.

Of course, the reality is very different on a January morning with a 25 mph headwind and Strava telling you it feels like -6!

Despite this, 7 brave Claremonters took up the challenge of the Druridge Bay Trail half marathon (Lucy Ward courageously subbing in last minute in place of Julie Cross). Suppressing a number of misgivings as we gathered at a muddy start line in the wind, we set off.

A loop around the lake for starters before dropping onto the aforementioned beach – the wind really was something else, with nowhere to hide except in the lee of some other runners (which I managed to do with some success – running etiquette goes out of the window in these conditions!) Wet feet (x2!) as we traversed two sandy streams and then a blessed relief as we turned west and then northwards along tracks behind the dune system. At ten miles, two stiles to vault (!), another short beach section before the last mile or so back round the lake in a segment which would be familiar to anyone who has completed the Druridge parkrun.

Some excellent performances! Sarah Kerr was Second Lady. I played cat and mouse with Russ Brown for a while in the latter stages and we finished in 7th and 8th positions, but really the achievements were to have lived to tell the tale. We Sky Blues are made of tough stuff…”

Position	Runner	Time
7	Mark Anderson (1st MV50)	1:32:26
8	Russ Brown	1:32:58
18	Sarah Kerr (1st FV40, 2nd Female)	1:36:54
61	Nicki O’Brien (2nd FV40)	1:50:21
209	Lucy Ward	2:15:27
271	Terry Franklin	2:34:45
286	Sarah Taylor	3:05:31