Northumberland Coastal Run

This event is usually held on the second weekend of July although the date is subject to the tides. It is about fourteen miles long but, again, the distance varies with the tide. Like all point to point races there is a need to get to the start in running gear and find your belongings at the finish . The organisers provide a bus which leaves Alnmouth for Beadnell at an early hour. Otherwise you have to rely on friends and family.

The start is at the harbour in Beadnell which, despite being on the east coast, faces west - not many people know that! Up to a thousand runners of all abilities line up on the beach and, after a word from the starter about avoiding the bird sanctuary down the coast, dash off through wet sand, seaweed and rock pools.
As the field thins out into a long procession, it becomes apparent which way the wind is blowing. It is usually from the west, neither helping nor hindering, but keeping runners cool in the July sun. As competitors could be out for a couple of hours it might be wise to apply sun block.

After a mile or so the Long Nanny Burn has to be crossed. At low tide this means no more than splashing through an inch or so of water but if the tide is high it may be necessary to turn inland to cross by a foot bridge where queues may be expected. After the bridge there is a choice of returning to the beach or taking a path towards the village of High Newton.

Here the road turns back on itself before climbing a short hill and then dropping down to the beach again at Low Newton.
The route continues down the coast as runners try to find the best surface - soft sand high up the beach or hard sand near the water's edge.

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Soon the dramatic ruins of
Dunstanburgh Castle come
into view as the race
leaves the beach to skirt
around Embleton Golf
Course. Passing under the
castle walls, the route
continues along grassy
paths until Craster
is reached.

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This is a good place for
spectating with easy road
access to the village which
is midway between the start
and finish. Here the smell
of kipper smoking may be
apparent before the drinks
station comes into view in
the children's playground.

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Back to coastal paths,
sometimes overgrown with
grass, before a short
stretch of road which gives
way to a long section of
field paths.

Along here is the only
substantial change in height
as the path drops down
to a stream before rising
steeply and continuing
towards the tiny village
of Boulmer.

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Here is the last drinks station.
By this stage many runners are glad to be back on smooth tarmac but this is a long stretch
as legs become tired.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At last the road dips
down to the beach for
the last time and
competitors struggle over
rocks and pools
before the finish comes
into sight. Drinks are
provided, tee shirts
are handed out and
competitors go off with
their families for a picnic
on the beach or the Red Lion
for refreshments and results.

	The start is at the harbour in Beadnell which, despite being on the east coast, faces west - not many people know that! Up to a thousand runners of all abilities line up on the beach and, after a word from the starter about avoiding the bird sanctuary down the coast, dash off through wet sand, seaweed and rock pools. As the field thins out into a long procession, it becomes apparent which way the wind is blowing. It is usually from the west, neither helping nor hindering, but keeping runners cool in the July sun. As competitors could be out for a couple of hours it might be wise to apply sun block.
	After a mile or so the Long Nanny Burn has to be crossed. At low tide this means no more than splashing through an inch or so of water but if the tide is high it may be necessary to turn inland to cross by a foot bridge where queues may be expected. After the bridge there is a choice of returning to the beach or taking a path towards the village of High Newton.
	Here the road turns back on itself before climbing a short hill and then dropping down to the beach again at Low Newton. The route continues down the coast as runners try to find the best surface - soft sand high up the beach or hard sand near the water's edge.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Soon the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle come into view as the race leaves the beach to skirt around Embleton Golf Course. Passing under the castle walls, the route continues along grassy paths until Craster is reached.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx This is a good place for spectating with easy road access to the village which is midway between the start and finish. Here the smell of kipper smoking may be apparent before the drinks station comes into view in the children's playground.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Back to coastal paths, sometimes overgrown with grass, before a short stretch of road which gives way to a long section of field paths. Along here is the only substantial change in height as the path drops down to a stream before rising steeply and continuing towards the tiny village of Boulmer.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Here is the last drinks station. By this stage many runners are glad to be back on smooth tarmac but this is a long stretch as legs become tired.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx At last the road dips down to the beach for the last time and competitors struggle over rocks and pools before the finish comes into sight. Drinks are provided, tee shirts are handed out and competitors go off with their families for a picnic on the beach or the Red Lion for refreshments and results.