Port of Blyth 10k, 12th April 2026

Cate Walker managed to avoid being blown into the sea, to bring us this report:

“This race has become a staple in my running calendar over the last few years, as it is a fast, friendly, club-run coastal race, but this year whilst it was all of those things (well, maybe not a fast one, for me!), it was a significantly different experience. This was owing to a change in route – to one that anyone who did the Blyth Links 10k back in August would be very familiar with (i.e. it was the same route). It was also made more challenging because the winds were stronger than any I remember running into on any run taking place on this stretch of the coastline.

The two lap course meant we were treated to two extended bursts of this wind as we headed south, as well as a final blast as we rounded the top of the route for the last time. Aside from the winds (which, to be honest, it was hard to think about anything other than), it was a bright day, with the sunshine looking pretty on the sea, and a mix of undulating dunes and stretches of road.

After a thorough (and mostly audible) briefing we trundled off. Sarah and Laurie were ahead of me and I watched as they disappeared into the distance. I fairly quickly found my own group of similarly paced runners, including an Alnwick Harrier with the same first name as me, and we began the swapping-places-with-one-another dance, which lasted for the rest of the race (each of us wondering why so many people seemed to know our name as we ran past together!). About three quarters of the way around, Chris Jones ran past me, which was a nice surprise.

I had been hoping to beat or match my Blyth Links time from last August, and was happy with my overall progress, but the homestrait being an epic battle with the wind, I just dipped below my August time (by 13 seconds, according to Strava). I was pleased to finish under 50 mins on such a windy day, however, and my last kilometre was definitely made faster by trying to stay ahead of my namesake Alnwick Harrier, which I just managed.

Later on, we thanked and congratulated one another for getting the time we did. After the four-strong team photo had been taken (and yes, we did remember a portrait version!), we once again battled the winds on the way back to the car, telling ourselves that it had all been worth it.

Whilst nowhere close to the challenge that some of our fellow Claremonters had undertaken with various marathons on that day, it felt like a significant achievement to have fought the winds and won (just about!). After three years, I might give myself a year off this one next year, but on balance I’m glad I did it again.”

Position	Runner	Time
85	Sarah Kerr (3rd VW45)	42:58
89	Laurie Johnson	43:10
160	Chris Jones	48:43
178	Cate Walker	49:41