50th Blyth Sands Race

[Sun 6th Dec 2009] The 50th running of the Blyth Sands Race on Sunday 6th December was held in sunny but breezy conditions. Fortunately, for the runners, the tide was well out giving a good run on mostly firm sand, even the infamous groynes were fairly easy to negotiate.

The race started on the beach outside the new Dave Stephen’s building at and the runners headed north towards Blyth Pier where they turned and headed along the water’s edge to Seaton Sluice, this stretch being into the cold, strong breeze. At Seaton Sluice, it was again about turn and back to the finish at the Dave Stephen’s building. Congratulations to the Elswick pairing of Kim and Harry Matthews, with Kim finishing first and husband Harry third, sandwiched in between was Cath Young of Blyth. Fastest time on the day went to Paul Whalley of Blyth, who because of the age handicap system was in the last group away but worked his way through the field to finish 9th overall.