What better way to spend a sunny Sunday than a trip to the beach? ??However our 10th league race meant we took our running shoes rather than bucket and spade.
After the usual late arrivals (whoops ?), forgetting numbers and quick dash home the Striders bus was on its way to the Pier to Pier. We met many more fellow Striders in South Shields as once again we were out in force. Chris showed his usual relaxed attitude by eating a bacon butty 30 minutes before the start. To most people that would mean leaving more than just footprints on the race route. ?
The Pier to Pier is an odd race where for part of the way you choose your own route. Qu weeks of people trying to find the shortest one and some even taking to Strava to look at past competitors routes… now why didn’t I think of that? ??
As the name suggest we ran from South Shields Pier to Roker Pier with the first stretch along South Shields beach. There’s nothing quite like an energy sapping sprint along sand to get you going. Kate and Vicky were on hand to give some much-appreciated encouragement before we headed up the sand dunes to the cliff top. So there was an advantage to Tuesday’s sand dune training other than eating chips! ?
At the top, we had to make the first decision. Which way to go? Andy said stay left… Cat said right was shorter… tough decision ?… nearly everyone is going left… so left it is… less likely to get lost at least with that many people going the same way.
We ran over the Leas – aka the Great North Run car park, many hours have been wasted sat waiting to get out of there. Running on it was much more fun. The views over the sea and along the coast were stunning, although I’m not convinced seeing the finish so far away was helping. A first and closer point we were heading for was Souter Lighthouse, which if anyone’s interested, was the world’s first lighthouse to be powered by electricity. Before reaching it, we had a few steps to negotiate. Anyone who regularly tackles Tees Barrage parkrun is an expert in steps so they were no problem to the many Striders running. ??
After Souter and Marsden Grotto, a pub carved into the rocks and one of the few ‘cave bars’ in Europe (bet you didn’t think this would be educational too! ? ) we followed the coastal path along the cliff edge. At times, this was tricky under foot with four tracks along the path. The sun was relentless with very little shade making for warm conditions. A head wind all the way made it even tougher but we all powered on regardless. We’re a determined bunch us Striders! ???There seemed to be a theme of the dreaded shoe laces coming undone… first mine losing ground on Ben then Ben’s came undone… could I over take him while he wasn’t looking? Sadly, not quite but at least the lost ground was made up again. ?
As we entered the final stage we had a nice stretch along Seaburn promenade. A welcome break for those tired legs. Unfortunately, that break didn’t last long as the last bit was along the soft sand of Roker beach. An impressive number of people were on the beach. If they had only intended to spend a peaceful day building sandcastle they hid it well and did a great job of encouraging everyone to the finish. Luckily, our earlier worries of having to do the slalom round kids digging holes or hurdling sunbathing people didn’t come true. There was no chance of a sprint finish with stones then soft sand in the final few hundred meters, but it made for one of the most interesting race finishes.
The Pier to Pier pride themselves on giving unique goodie bags and this year was no different. With no sign of the usual t-shirt and medal, we were given a mug, dry bag and decorative glass memento.
After the sand had been removed from our trainers and ice-creams eaten it was back on the bus to head home. To celebrate our achievements we headed to the Barrage café for lunch. ?? If only we got a Striders discount with the amount of times we go in there. ?
For me personally running along a path I’d walked many times and finishing by running along Roker beach, a place I used to run all the time 15 years ago (suddenly feels very old ?) was great. It’s a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time and defiantly one I’ll do again. Roll on the Pier to Pier 2018. As always, there was a brilliant supportive atmosphere with all Striders. No matter what position or time it was completed, everyone should be proud of their achievement on a tough course. Well done everyone! ????
Anyone worried about not being listed as a Strider on the results effecting their league points, worry no more, we have been assured Paul will take this into account when he calculates the scores.