Redcar Running Festival, 27th September 2026
A slight change of plan, Lynne Cornell reports from Redcar:
“Now Redcar Running Festival is a favourite of mine (!) and I’ve missed the last couple of years due to Camino Trail walk and holiday. I’ve always done the half marathon and this year was to be no exception, until sensible me decided to take a break from running a few days ago as part of preparing for the race, went to deepend aqua FITT and was so enthusiastic I hurt my calf! 2 gentle runs to test it, decided me that a half marathon wasn’t a great idea, so I asked if I could switch to the 10k which New Marske Harriers kindly allowed.
It was with a bit of trepidation that the other green goddess (who hadn’t signed up for the race, but offered to come along and hold my coat) and I set off for Redcar at what seemed like a very early hour – we were rewarded with a lovely sunrise as we drove to Teesside.
We arrived at the designated car park at Redcar Racecourse and made our way to the start at Zetland Park. As we left the car park we were joined by ‘Patrick’ who was very chatty and admitted he was very nervous. He had completed the couch to 5k but had never done a 10k race before, bless him. Hopefully we put his mind at rest as we walked the half mile to the start. Number and timing chips collected, I got myself sorted. 2 timing chips – one for each side- to be safety pinned to your vest/shorts at each side at about hip level. Handed back in at the end of the race.
It felt quite cold and I was hanging onto all my layers until a few minutes before the start at 9:10. Cloudy, rather breezy but certainly not too hot. Soon we were called to the start on the coast road and we were off. I was hoping my leg was going to be OK and settled into a steady pace which I hoped it would be happy with.
We headed south for half a mile into the breeze, then turned and headed north with the wind behind us to Lobster Road, another turn and then south along the coast road, past where we started (and the water point), to the turn at the end of the coast road at New Marske. Running south the wind was in our faces and I was quite glad I had opted for the 10k. Then it was 2 miles north along the seafront, with the wind behind us, to the finish at Zetland Park where a bottle of water, a medal, a t-shirt and a goodie bag was waiting. Steve is delighted that this year it contains a Mars bar after the disappointment of no confectionery in the GNR goodie bag!
Unfortunately we didn’t see Patrick at the finish but I did see him whilst out on the course and was able to give him a shout-out. Pleased to report the leg seems happy so far. The Redcar Running Festival remains a firm favourite of mine. I love the course, the organisation and the atmosphere-so friendly. I’ll be back – hopefully the other green goddess will also run it next year.”
Well done, Lynne, finishing 1st in her category as usual in a time of 48:56.
