Runners invited to race along Hunstanton beach in Beat the Tide event
A fun and challenging 10k or 5k beach run returns on Sunday, June 8.
Beat the Tide starts on the sand outside the Alive Oasis in Hunstanton with a mass warm up just before 9am and runners of all levels are invited to enter to take part through the borough council website at: west-norfolk.gov.uk/Hunstantonevents
Cllr Sue Lintern, council cabinet member for events and culture, said: “This event was hugely popular when we reintroduced it last year after a six-year absence.
“It’s a stunning location and a challenging event. I look forward to seeing hundreds of runners on the sand.”
There are 250 places in total for club runners and athletes, joggers, parkrunners, alongside families, whatever your fitness level. Beat the Tide is both a 5k and a 10k event with entrants choosing on the day which distance they will run.
The £15 entry fee will be split between event costs and a donation to the RNLI.
Jackie Merralls, volunteer fundraiser for the Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Guild said: “The RNLI here is very much part of the community, the crew live a very short distance away. They’re all volunteers, the majority of them are family people who are on call 24/7. They’re our people in our community.”
Derek Greening, chairperson of the RNLI Guild, added: “We provide safety for all those people who use the sea and beaches here, which links in to Beat the Tide.”
There will be some puddles and some sandy mud in places so be prepared to get a little wet and muddy. The route will avoid the very heavy mud at the Heacham end which was included in previous events. Some of this will be dependent on the weather.
Runners will begin the beach run at Groin 12 and complete a 5k loop, running mainly towards Heacham and back. 10k runners will complete two loops.
Medals will be awarded to male and female runners finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 5k and 10k events (at approximately 10.15am). All other finishers will not be timed or placed by the organisers. All entrants will receive a special Beat the Tide medal once they go through the finish funnel and as long as they are displaying their race number.
10k runners must be aged 15 or over on the day of the event. Children under 11 years old may only enter the 5k if an adult enters and runs with them.
Because the event is a low cost, charitable one, all entrants will pay the same entry fee, irrespective of distance or age. Dogs are not allowed with the runners and are not allowed on the beach in the summer.
Further information will come with the joining instructions prior to the event.
The event is organised by West Norfolk Council with support from West Norfolk Athletic Club and volunteers from the Hunstanton parkrun. KL1 Radio is also supporting the event.
