History

1987 saw the first Blyth-Blaydon-Claremont social night, a race around the Town Moor followed by a social night.  In 1988, Blyth returned the favour and organised the Blyth Links 10K, although other Clubs were also invited.  Since then the event has grown, with several clubs incorporating the race in their Grand Prix.  The basic route and format has stayed the same, although the venue for the after race drinks has changed several times, we seem settled at the Quay pub now.  The race has always been on the Tuesday evening after the August Bank Holiday Monday.  The latest course starts alongside the children's playground opposite the 'Mermaid' Cafe, runs along the footpath nearly as far as Gloucester Lodge Farm and then follows the dunes cycleway to Seaton Sluice.  From here it's a left turn onto Colywell Bay Road and then another left onto the cliff top path to the caravan park before turning right, up hill to the Delavel Arms pub.  Then it's back along Colywell Bay Road, the dunes path and the promenade before finishing at the bandstand on the seafront.  This is an annual event, where we invite runners from several local clubs to take part. They in turn return the compliment by inviting our members to their own similar events during the year. A buffet is provided by our members, free to our guests who all assemble in a local pub afterwards to have a drink to see the prizes being presented, and to complain about injuries and so on.  In recent years, North Shield's Poly have used the race as the first race in their Grand Prix handicap series.

Since the race's inception in 1991, the course has virtually been as at present with only a couple of minor differences and has always been a 10k.  On this basis, below is a list of the the ten best male and female times since 1991.

The best times by Blyth runners are:-      32:46 by Andy Brown in 1992 (13th best overall)

                                                           40:19 by Jacqui Lumsden in 1998

Thanks to all who have took part, and especially to all those who have helped.  Hopefully, we'll  see you all again in future years.

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Links 10k

7:15 pm on Tuesday 27th August 2019

Started in 1991, this year saw the 29th running of our own Links 10k invitational “training run” and with 300 finishers it was just below last years record of 315. Including Blyth a total of 12 different clubs were represented on the night. First back and making it three wins in a row was Kurt Heron in a time of 34:34,  with North Shield’s Poly’s Claire McManus first lady in 22nd place overall with a time of 40:04.  Congratulations also to Jon French who was the winner of this years Brian Stringfellow Memorial Trophy, awarded for being the fastest Blyth master.

RESULTS