Northumberland Coastal marathon 2018

It has been very hot this last week. Since the Durham Dales last Saturday I have had a busy week. Monday was a University Open Day, Tuesday graduation ceremonies and College graduation drinks. Wednesday graduation ceremonies and College graduation dinner. Thursday, a normal working day - College followed by surgery followed by College graduation dinner. Friday graduation ceremonies and College graduation drinks. Saturday, a very busy University Open day. Followed by a marathon in one of the hottest weeks for year. Not great planning and likely to result in a very slow run.

Luckily we were saved by a lovely sea breeze which kept us a bit cooler. As soon as we were sheltered from the breeze it got suddenly very hot !

The start is in the lovely village of Alnmouth. Not been there ? Go, the station is on the main line between London and Edinburgh and quite a few trains stop there. It is just lovely.

There weren't may people starting the marathon as this photo shows the entire field. Melanie was running this one as well which was great, she kept me going 😀

On a beach for the first two miles or so, on to Boulmer and Longhouton

Across the stream (Melanie took some of these photos)

and on to Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle

and Embleton Beach

 and on towards Beadnell Bay

We head towards Beadnell but turn around on to the beach at the stream which is about half way down the beach. It was so not you could see the water on the beach being evaporated into steam.

and then it was back the same way. My exhausting week and the heat finally caught up with me after 21 miles and I ran only occasionally after that. Melanie was starting to get a sore hip walking so she ran on. I finally got into the finish in 5hr 19min which I was very happy with.

A lovely relaxing couple of hours in Alnmouth before the drive home. Another well organised marathon by the North-East Marathon Club !