Race Rundown: Pier to Pier, 19th May 2019

The Pier to Pier (South Shields to Roker, around 7 miles depending how many short cuts you can take) was one of the first races I did and remains a firm favourite. OK, it’s a bit up-and down, there are a lot of people doing it so at times there are bottlenecks and you have to slow down or walk a bit (not a problem for me but maybe would annoy some…) and as it’s a point-to-point you have to work out parking and buses etc, but these are small matters compared to the many outstanding features, as follows: –

1. You can’t get lost. Find your way to South Shields beach, turn right and run, keeping the sea on your left, until you see lots of people milling about waiting for you to finish so they can go home.

2. It starts and finishes on a beach. This may not be to everyone’s taste but I love to run along a beach; at least it’s mostly flat.

3. The goody bag for this race is right up there with the very best. As an added bonus, this year it included beer. Well, it did for about 5 minutes.

4. It is always a very sociable event, as there are always a lot of friendly Harriers (is there any other kind?) around. To meet up at the start and compare anticipated times (somewhere between 1 and 1 and a half hours was the accurate prediction from the conversation I was in) and share reviews of the toilet facilities is a good start to the day, and then at the end, by the time I finish, there are always loads of the speedy types around doing their best not to look pointedly at their watches but instead providing much-needed support and encouragement.

5. They usually pick a good day. This year was no exception – plenty of sun without being TOO hot and a lighter wind than usual.

6. The refuelling opportunities post-run appear endless – this year, the call of the fish and chips from Latimer’s, washed down by a Minchella’s ice cream proved irresistible again, but I jogged back past a number of very tempting eateries and might even try something else next year.

7. I normally get to see a couple of photos of myself in which a sympathetic eye (mine) might discern a trace of athleticism. Unfortunately, the photographers this year were unable to capture this; their fault, not mine. 😊

8. The organisation and marshalling are superb.

My own personal performance was marred by my unfortunate tendency to go off too quick. This does have the advantage that I can have a chat with a number of my fellow runners as they overtake me and quickly pull away; yes, Paul Frame and Dave Round, I am thinking of you. I did also think of having a chat with Sue Dobson as she was about to pass me, but it was on the beach with only about 200 metres to go so I thought: no, I’m not having this and was able to push her into a convenient rock pool before continuing to stagger towards the finish line. My new watch I bought myself for my birthday said about 1 hour 4 minutes which is around average for me. I understand that many Harriers were able to knock minutes off their previous best and there were some cracking performances so congratulations to everyone who took part in a great morning’s entertainment.

By Mike Wood:

Full Results: https://my4.raceresult.com/108808/results#1_94D641

Even more photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/SLBv4sByU9bee2NE6

 

2 Replies to “Race Rundown: Pier to Pier, 19th May 2019”

  1. I’ve just about dried out John, thanks. I’ll get my revenge but probably won’t be able to catch Mike in a racing situation so he’d better watch out if we’re training anywhere near water 😂

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