Life's A Beach
Sun (perhaps), sea, and strides as we take a deep dive into weekend's events
Everyone loves a seaside run. There's something particularly invigorating and good for the soul about racing along the promenade, particularly at this time of year before the 'grockels' descend on our coastal resorts in their thousands! On one of the busiest weekends of the year, with nearly 50 events in the runABC South race listing, we take a closer look at some of the seaside specials on offer in our area.
First up is the Votwo Jurassic Coast Challenge on the Dorset Coast Path starting on Friday 24 March 2023. This is a full weekender knee-bender with at least a marathon a day on different courses. Friday is 45.3K from Charmouth to Portland; Saturday is 42K from Portland to Lulworth Cove and Sunday is Lulworth Cove to Studland. Race HQ for the Jurassic Coast Challenge is the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Osprey Quay, Portland, Dorset, and here is a fabulous video from the Votwo crew to get you in the mood...
Also taking advantage of the natural beauty of the Jurassic Coast is the Jurassic Coast 40 Miler by the same Votwo team on Saturday 25 March. The Jurassic Coast Ultra starts at Abbotsbury and follows the South West Coast Path to Lulworth Cove. All competitors have access to a Geo Tracks personal GPS tracker and navigation mobile phone app, allowing them to accurately navigate the course and receive real-time positions of the other participants and themselves. All finishers receive a bespoke event T-shirt and medal. Transport is provided from the event HQ to the start and from the finish back to the Race HQ at Portland National Sailing Academy.
The sea, sand, and strides action continues on Saturday with the Total Coastal Ultra by Brian Lewis at Winding Paths. The 10K, Half Marathon, and 50K Ultra all finish at Shaldon Beach in Devon and the Ultra has over 6,000 feet of ascent on the South West Coast Path.
Got a sweet tooth? Then head for Samphire Hoe in Kent on Saturday for the Saxons, Vikings, and Normans Fudgeathon where all things fudge will be celebrated in a six-hour challenge on 3.28-mile loops in a nature reserve at the foot of the iconic white cliffs of Dover. The following day the same venue hosts the Crispathon for, you guessed it, crisp lovers. Apparently, Gary Lineker isn't among the entries!
Sunday also 'seas' promenade action at the Run Whitstable and Herne Bay Spring 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon by The Fix Events, based at Hampton Pier between the north Kent resorts and not far away at Minnis Bay, Kent there is the Smugglers 10K by Sporting Events UK, an innovative pirate-themed race with live music, muskets, real pirates and a cannon fire start.
Finally, surely the biggest field at any of our seaside races this weekend will assemble at St Leonards-on-Sea for the Hastings Lions 39th Hastings Half Marathon with race management by Nice Work. Last year there were over 2,000 finishers in this popular race.
For more information visit runABC South's comprehensive race listing here.
Image courtesy Votwo on Facebook