Blyth Links 10k

I’m not sure why more Wallsend Harriers don’t do this race. Perhaps it’s the end of the summer holidays and people are still away. But if you’re about I’d strongly recommend it for next year. Ok it’s not on Power of 10 but it’s FREE and it’s only up the road and it’s our friends and team mates at Blyth, and it’s a gorgeous route, and it’s a great training run ahead of the GNR. Do you need any more reasons? Oh, and there’s a free buffet at the end!

A small but enthusiastic cohort of Green and Golds assembled at the start line just by the dunes. It was a tad chilly and breezy for an August evening but aside from that the conditions were good. The 10k route takes you up and down the dunes into Seaton Sluice where you eventually turn left onto the clifftops as if you’re heading to St Mary’s lighthouse and then right just past the caravan park, up a bit of a hill and then back again.

As we finished the sun was setting and it felt like a very fitting way to bid an almost farewell to the summer. I got my PB on this course last year. I didn’t go with any expectations this year and, surprisingly, took another chunk off it, breaking 45 mins (my target for the season). There’s definitely something in the air. Andy Wigmore broke his goal of sub 40 mins and Alastair must have come in the top 10 (after a very late dash to the start line!) I can’t see the results anywhere yet but I’ll post them as soon as I do.

Congratulations to Andy, Alastair, Darryl and John Walker for taking part and doing so well. Thanks to Bill and Catherine for giving us all some much-needed encouragement along the half way point.