I had really been looking forward to this one as it attracts a much bigger entry than many races and the route offers some amazing scenery.
I woke early and had a couple of hours to relax and sit out in the garden with a couple of strong coffees with the sun already shining out of a clear blue sky.
The start was at a sports centre near North Shields and once parked up it was immediately obvious that this one was a different scale in terms of number of competitors compared to the Dalton Park and Blyth runs.
People were milling around everywhere but just before 10 we were called to the start on a closed section of road. I decided to start near the back on the hope of overtaking some people rather than my usual tactic of starting as near to the front as possible which always results in people streaming past me.
Almost 2000 were lined up in front of me and as the horn sounded and the temperature climbed I started quickly and made my way up the field. The first kilometer was through a housing estate with plenty of people out offering encouragement to the runners. Then at North Shields a right turn and a sharp downhill plunge to the river Tyne. We made our way through the Fish Quay then around the bay towards Tynemouth with views south over the river to South Shields. In the far distance I could make out Souter Lighthouse, close to the finish of the Great North Run. Both the first couple of kilometres were well under 6 minutes, in all honesty to quick for me and my progress was brought to a halt by the 2 steep climbs up into Tynemouth.
From this point it was following the coast north passing some beautiful spots, Tynemouth Priory and beach, Cullercoats Bay and the newly restored Spanish City in Whitley Bay.
After the climb I got some of my momentum back but after the quick start and with temperatures well into the 20s for the last 3 to 4k the legs felt like lead.
As I struggled over the finish line at another local beauty spot, St Mary's Island, I was very glad to get home thought my time of 1 hour 9 minutes was at least 5 minutes slower than I hoped.
Still it was a wonderful event, well marshalled with hundreds of people cheering us on and weather you can only dream of in the North East at Easter.
2 weeks to go until the Sunderland HM where I must remember to start slow.
I'm sure many of you will have had races over the Easter weekend and hope you enjoyed them.
Run happy, run safe.
Written by
ChrisAllen1
Graduate10
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Great time for you Chris considering the temperature, you will have gained a little experience from today for your Sunderland HM in two weeks, just hope the weather is a little cooler than it was today.
Great run Chris...always good to hear from people who live even further north than me! I have never run in a field greater than 1(me!); 2000 would freak me out. Just think of the queues for flat whites and brownie at the end of the race. Definitely not for me, but I really admire those who can do it. You are brilliant 🥇🥇🥇
That's nothing Beachcomber66, The Great North Run last year attracted 43,000 runners, so I don't think that you will want to run in that, nevertheless it's a great spectical to watch on TV.
Well done in that heat ChrisAllen and with hills. It seemed to end in a different place to where you started. Did someone come and pick you up at the end?
I will have to investigate what they’ve done to the Spanish city.
Yes we started near North Shields and ended at St Mary's, my wife picked me up, after years of neglect they have done a great job revamping the Spanish City.
I have a vision of a visit I made to Whitley bay one Easter. It was freezing, I was wrapped up warm in winter clothes and then girls in very short skirts and bare legs started arriving in coaches. I think there was an all day dance going on at the Spanish city.
Sounds amazing. I think I will out that on my list for next year. I love that part of the world. Hit everywhere this weekend though so well done for finishing in that time!
I did York 10 miler last week in 1:42. I might do Souter but I’m unsure of summer running 🤔 Although I’ve just signed up to Dalby Forest trail half marathon in July 🤣
Nice one well done all runners I was giving out water at half way in Tynemouth never seen 1500 bottles go so quick! It was hot picking them all up afterwards! but great atmosphere- hope to run it next year 1.15 target slow and steady.
Well done 😀😀😀. It’s the first hot run and that was a great run. Sounds challenging too with those hills. So how are we going to curb your enthusiastic gazelle starting pace????
That ways a great time and you conquered my nemesis as well ie the hills!!! I hope your hm is flat and fast and the sun stays low!, I’ve a leg of Belfast half marathon in a fortnight and I hope to god we don’t get this heat wave😳 best of luck for your run x
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
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