First, the location, as this is what drew me to the event. Bamburgh is a gorgeous spot on the coast and a place I would never have been to if not for running. I arrived about an hour before the race and had a chance to look around the local area. You are right on the coast line, away from everything and have this fantastic castle sitting on a massive rock rising out the ground like something from a movie set. Well worth going just to see, a fantastic castle and a beautiful parts of the north east. The race was described as fast and flat, which turned out to be almost correct. It’s a good 90 min drive from Durham, so a potential Pb course and cool castle are the main draw. Newton Aycliffe is also on the same day and popular with striders but not for me. (I’m not a fan of loops after my Newcastle race course marathon experience).
You pick up your number on the day and parking was free, decent changing room and a place to get a brew. A very well organised event all round. No chip timing for this one but with about 300 people running, everyone gets quite a good start. You set off from the top of the castle which is very very cool; I even got inside the grounds to use their toilet after asking a helpful race official.
You almost always meet a few striders on race day so was no surprise to meet a few smiling if unfamiliar faces on this hot summers day. New strider Stephanie Piper had a very impressive sub 50 min finish and looking like another great runner to add to our growing pool of purple talent.
After my latest marathon adventures in Edinburgh I have decided to concentrate on the short stuff for a bit. Thanks to fellow speedy strider Rob and Adam (orange on the outside but still purple at heart), I have just started learning the art of speed sessions. This is kind of new ground for me and quite enjoyable. My aim is to improve my 5/10k speed and hopefully push for that sub 2:45 marathon time at York later this year.
The first 5k was quite fast and think I clocked about 17;40 as I passed the 5k marker. This was about on pace for my normal fast start and pb plan of sub 36:30. The second half is anything but fast and flat, you have a long open stretch and a long gentle climb at 7-8k which really sap the legs and killed my pace. My race plan was 5:45 min miles and knew I was on pace and managed to just about hold on for a new pb of 36:01 and 9th place. A very good time and even felt good during most of the race, a positive sign for the future as I continue with my fast track work.
Would highly recommend this race for anyone.
Results
Pos | Name | Club | Cat | Catpos | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jonathan Stead | Herne Hill Harriers | M | 33:00 | |
9 | Gareth Pritchard | M | 36:01 | ||
23 | Jane Hodgson | Morpeth Harriers | L | 39:18 | |
136 | Stephanie Piper | L | 49:43 | ||
170 | Lisa Bryson | L | 52:42 | ||
176 | Robert Clark | M | 53:35 |
289 finishers
Course records for first male and female