There were so many races to choose from yesterday…Crowborough 5K/10 K, Hartfield Honey Run, Brighton 10K, Marden 10K/Half Marathon but, encouraged by Deb Stamp and ex-Harriers June & Luke Edwardes-Evans, I plumped for the Coastbuster 10 miles at Ramsgate.
This is a small event, organised flawlessly by Nice Work, with a total of just under 400 runners in the 10K and 10 mile races. The weather gods smiled on us as the biting cold wind at the start was replaced by a gentle breeze and a strange gold disc in the sky. The route was varied as we ran at different levels, sometimes next to the sea and sometimes up on the esplanade, and there were plenty of things to look at. There were hills (obviously to get from the sea to the upper level!) but I actually found them all runnable for a change. It’s largely an out and back course but with the final mile being half a mile past the start/finish and back, which could be a bit demoralising if you didn’t expect it, but it did allow a nice flat half mile sprint to the end. The many marshals were all very friendly, especially the ones in the guise of two chickens and a seagull!
Our party thoroughly enjoyed it, with June getting a PB and Deb managing the 10K on her road to recovery from injury. I was 1st FV65, in 1:38:24. We rounded off the morning with a very bracing dip in the sea. I’m sure we’ll return in 2025, but I may skip the swim next time!
Another Harrier taking part was Fran Dungey who completed the 10 miles in 1:30:24. I didn’t get to see him afterwards so don’t know what he thought of the race, which I understand was part of his preparation for Manchester marathon.
Well done to all the Harrier record setters over the weekend,
Lucille
