CHIN-UP Beach Run Hailed a Success
Seahouses - Northumberland
OVER SEVENTY hardy souls between the ages of 9 and 67 toed the start line on a wild October Sunday morning on Seahouses beach to help the CHIN-UP charity celebrate the opening of its holiday house in Seahouses village. The run - from Seahouses to Bamburgh and back - was a full 10km. As the tidal waters receded from the beach to leave a near perfect running surface, they were steadily replaced by increasing quantities from the heavens! The local weather failed to dampen spirits with many of the finishers calling for the event to become an annual fixture such was the enjoyment of a route which delivered views of Seahouses, the Farne Islands and Bamburgh Castle.
Both men’s and women’s victors were runaway winners with Phil Walker from Morpeth breaking away from the field after about 2km to cross the finish line in 35 minutes 35 seconds and Veronique Oldham of Norham winning the womens category by a full 10 minutes in 39 minutes 10 seconds. Top local runners were all from Alnwick with Peter Grey claiming third position overall and in the women’s race, Bridget Peberoy and Benita Pickersgill staged a dead heat for 2nd position.
The simple out and back beach route was chosen for ease of management & to avoid police involvement, traffic management and road closure issues, it seems the beach formula has proved popular as well as convenient.
CHIN-UP would like to thank the following for their help and support:
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Nova International Ltd for staff help and Great North Run race paraphernalia & materials
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ADIDAS UK Ltd for prizes and and goody bag gifts
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Alnwick Harriers for event marshalling and course marking
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North East running clubs for assistance with entry form distribution
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North East newspapers for assistance with publicity
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South Tyneside Council for the portable PA equipment
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The Castle Close team of ladies who provided “life saver” tea and soup to all the workers after the event
The Start and Finish straight at Seahouses looking towards Bamburgh Castle
The magnificent Bamburgh Castle which marks the halfway turning point in the run