Grand Prix Race 2 – Bay2Bay 10M (10k to 10M Category)
There will likely be many adjectives (and maybe a few expletives) used to describe this race but what was it all about, read on for my take on what was indeed an experience, leaving a mahoosive smile upon my face…..
The day started early with pick-ups and arrival at Newbiggin church point car park for 08:30 for further pick-ups and transfer to the start at Drudidge Bay. Arriving at Druridge at 08:50, we were greeted by Lesley Falkous and her go-Pro/Camera to capture early comments from the participants, kept it clean while on camera and while the guys went off to get their numbers and have a warm up, it was flag duties for me as the start needed setting up. The high tide was at 06:45 on the day and it was a spring tide at nearly 5m high meaning that the only option for setting up the start was just before the race started. At 09:00 and there was just enough room to actually set up the start on the sand, I say just but in reality when I hammered the seaward stake into the sand, it was swamped by a rogue wave from the receding tide, not to worry though, kept my feet dry and eventually the start was prepared and off back to registration to collect my number.
Number pinned and it was time to make our way to the start line, as expected the tide had receded further and the flags were intact, phew!! As we gathered on the beach and exchanged banter and good wishes, it became apparent that the southerly wind predicted for the day was indeed in evidence and it wasn’t exactly a light breeze, but it was the same for everyone so time to get on with it, 5-4-3-2-1 and we’re off.
We knew that there was a long beach section at the start of the race, some 4.5 miles down to Cresswell and the first few hundred yards were very pleasing to feel the hard flat sand below our feet, this could be a canny run one thought…. Then came the first of the challenges, the water splashes, the amount of recent rain had left 3 significant runoff’s down the beach towards the sea. The first was easily manageable at only a few inches deep but all hopes of dry feet for the day evaporated at this stage, the second water splash was a little deeper, maybe 6 inches and came just as you were nearly forgetting about your squelching feet, then came the third!!! Wow, I could see the runners ahead running through this one and noticed the high knees. As I approached closer, it reminded me of meggies burn run off a few years ago in the Blyth sands race and as soon as I put my first foot into it, that is exactly what it was like, knee deep and fast flowing. Committing to it, keeping the knees high stride after stride was the chosen tactic and despite the slight trip climbing the sand bank on the way out, we were through and off to Cresswell we continued. I am aware that some were not quite as successful in negotiating this third water splash with a few getting somewhat wetter than had been hoped.
The climb from the beach, when we finally reached it nearing the 5 mile mark, was up a fair few steps. Encountered a few dog walkers on these steps who quite politely allowed us to pass then it was left at the top, aid/refreshment station was here and onto tarmac, woohoo Tarmac, through Cresswell towards Lynemouth. The tarmac was a very pleasant relieve from the sand for me, finally felt as though the stride could be lengthened and enjoyed the next section past the caravan park and up the incline towards the stand alone cottage. The nice tarmac wasn’t to last mind, no sooner had we passed the cottage then the marshall directed us back offroad and onto the grass tracks to the left of the road.
This next section could best be described as brutal. It was massively waterlogged and claggy, there were large puddles on the track, unsure of what the footing would be like when each stride landed and offline of the track the edges had grass on them (which might suggest traction) but they were sloping in towards the centre line so no traction there either, just a downward slide on every stride. Eventually the end of the grass tracks came with a short 5-10 metre downhill which must have been about 20-25% decline. This felt like being at cross country but without the spikes and I very nearly went on my backside. It sounds like I’m having a bit of a whinge about this grass section but to be absolutely honest, I was having a bit of a giggle as I ran it, the conditions are the same for everyone, and maybe even a little bit worse for the runners further back as the front runners churn it all up, so no point complaining and may as well enjoy the experience.
Briefly onto the road to cross the little single lane bridge before Lynemouth then back onto the trails immediately. The ground conditions were quite nice here, hard pack gravel (black, probs spoil/reclaim from the power station) and this led us to the cliff tops next to the golf course. One or two sketchy areas here with the cliff edge being 12 inches or so away from the running line, but sturdy enough, just didn’t ‘feel’ right staring over the cliff edge…more strong storms and that running trail might not be there for much longer, coastal erosion in plenty evidence….
We dropped briefly onto the golf course for a small section then over the cliff edge and down onto the beach as per marshalls directions. Bit rocky on the beach in places here and as we approached the northern side of church point, we had some rocks to negotiate to climb back onto the upper cliff and head round to the prom. Many have referred to this as ‘rock climbing’ and to be fair, it was a little bit ‘scrambly’ but all good, everyone finished.
Once the rocks had been scrambled, it was over the grass at church point, down the steps onto the prom, onto the beach at the lifeboat station, along the beach to the semi-circle steps, onto the prom and to the finish. First two runners unfortunately were sent up the stairs after the semi circle steps but the organisers modified finish positions to take account of this where necessary. The sand at newbiggin is awful to run on, like sharp sand, a bit like that seaton sluice section of the blyth sands race, not the best at just over 9 miles in, but same for everyone.
At the finish line, bling and merch collected, snacks and drinks picked up then review and race discussion time. For those I saw post race, while the comments initially were ‘what the hell was that??’ the smiles then began to develop across the face and boy, they were broad smiles, and were quickly followed by the exchange of ‘stories’ from the race itself.
In summary, for the inaugural running of this race, it went pretty smoothly, well organized, a small blip for the first two runners, but on the whole a welcome addition to the calendar. It was a challenge and each will have their own story to tell of how the race was, it will live long in the memory for most and I think was worthy of being included in the GP for 2026.
Next up, Race 3, Middlebrough HM on 01/03/2026. See you all there.