Report by Anna Harrison.
If you would like to try something new, a range of terrain, fantastic coastal views and not fixated on your time according to mileage or Kms the 10 Bay or 10K challenge are races not to miss!
This year as the 10Bay was part of the club championships, there were several of us trying it for the first time – along with some seasoned runners of the race, like Chris Pascoe. It isn’t hugely busy; there were several I met from further afield but great to see so many from our local clubs and parkruns doing either race.
With a request the night before, to do the news report I headed out to find our club members for a photo shoot. So sorry I didn’t give an advance warning for a meet up – and wow we are hard to gather up. There are a few new members I didn’t manage to capture – and apologies if missed you off the result info below as my brain was truly frazzled at the end to remember! (I can’t wait for Sporting events to save results by club names)!
I was a bit wary with a 10.30 start – given potential for a really hot run (especially as my time was likely to be nearer the 3 hours than 2- as some were). I also had in my head it was 9.30am, so thankful of a message from Janice (who was doing the 10k) which meant last minute adjustments of my train time and supporters were required!
Steve Suttle was doing the race for the first time, having previously marshalled it. I felt honoured when trying to picture them and Dave Winch said to get in the photo! We laughed as I said I hoped to get a little bit of their legend running energy as I put my arms round them!
Whilst there is a map on Sporting Events website, it isn’t that clear how much is on the sand and rocks – so noting a bit below on the course, so if you fancy a go, you know what to expect. (My training in May certainly involved a lot of everything up to 15 ½ miles just so I knew I could do it (along with making sure I had enough water testing gels for first time). I love running on the beach – but there wasn’t as much beach as I thought)!
The race starts on Margate’s main beach, just below the block of toilets (bonus) and of course close to the station. Those doing the 10Bay set off first, with the 10k let loose as we got off the beach, near the Turner. The route is the same for both to start (with a slight change this year given the promenade by the Lido is blocked off). Heading behind the Turner, up at the Lido and dropping back down at the slope before the jet Ski café. Once over the bit of sand, the lower promenade path was swept so a clear route to run on all the way to the waterworks, then dropping onto the sand at Botany. Across the beach (staying lower down for longer where possible to avoid too much soft sand) then a scramble up the sandy dune (those who did Xcountry training with Andy will know where) and waiting behind others as you head up the cliff edge (coming out where Doreen at Margate parkrun marshals)!
Then just before Botany Bay hotel, down steps to the stacks (first water station) where the turn occurred for the 10K. We headed through the arch onto Kingsgate beach, several stopped in front for photos – I hear later they stopped for a beer on the beach at Broadstairs on their run back! I felt very happy in my gortex trail shoes – with the thick wet seaweed, then the rocks between Kingsgate and Joss Bay. From Joss, its up the slope, onto the path to the lighthouse (one of several hills), canter down the steps to Stone Bay and again on the promenade to Viking Bay and on the wooden boardwalk. You may like me then go past the old Funicular and see the first runners coming back, including Matt (I wasn’t even half way)!!
At Dumpton you then head onto the beach to Ramsgate – and in my case, got a cheery hi from Phil Stevens, sipping his tea at the cafe, having taken photos of several TRAC on the way our and mine and Chris on the way back).
Wasn’t sure how much beach next, but found runners heading to the first slope back onto the promenade – and then realised they had stopped and were bending over someone on the ground. As I arrived it was a relief to find they were helping two people who were okay, but had got their mobility scooters stuck and one at least was sideways with the owner out. They got them sorted, we all waited to check they were okay then headed off – and credit to those runners (with a rather excitable dog there too).
Up those “forever” steps just off the promenade to Winterstoke gardens, through King George park. For me it was great to have hubby Rich and friend Paul Cherry waiting to cheer me on as I left the park, near 8 miles.
Then it’s down Dumpton slope, same route back, except once at Joss Gap beach, you don’t have to go up and down at Botany Bay. (I have to say the steps up at Stone Bay with the hill after is normally okay, but not this time – felt like I barely moved).
Great marshals out there – particularly those from Overun Project (thank you for the shout outs) and final push across the beach.
Felt emotional at the end, as did hubby as I was so proud to achieve it and an even better finish time than expected! 2hrs 40:11, 2nd in age category, 10th female out of 38 and love they were all younger than me! Looking forward to next years race already – and with better training smashing my time!
Here’s Janice and Cal who did the 10k
Results
10 Bay Challenge (15 miles)
(114 runners)
Matt McCarthy – 2nd overall – 1:39:43
Jay Bailey – 4th Overall – 1:41:26
Chris Pascoe – 12th – 01:57:41
Mark Croucher – 22nd – 02:04:51
Steve Suttle – 36th – 02:14:26
Dave Winch – 44th – 02:22:20
Martin Broadbent – 62nd – 02:33:57
Anna Harrison – 68th – 02:40:11 (2nd in age category)
10k distance
(75 runners)
David Ian Johnson – 13th – 53:36
Chloe Chalkley – 48th – 01:07:26
Janice Lee Miller – 49th – 01:09:05
And here are the latest club champ standings…..
