Seaside coastal marathon/Ultra 24th March 2023
Pre-race nerves made me check the weather forecast for the day, wet and windy, 30-50km/hr with occasional gusts up to 65km/hr! Marathon plus route was out and back to Sutton on Sea with the ultra run reaching to Mablethorpe and back, both on mixture of footpath and trail. Gulp!
Race morning and around 250no runners arrive and meet near the leisure centre before moving around to the RNLI building where the start was situated. Many trying to find shelter from the wind to keep warm and wearing waterproofs against the forecast rain. Everyone in high spirits as Curly’s finally inflated the start gate, with 2 people trying to hold it in place against the wind, and shortly after the race briefing, much of which I could not hear due to the wind, the race started. In front of me was the juggler, Tim, who juggles whilst running! Behind me the DAC pack but alongside me an old friend, Dawn.
The first mile was out along the prom, path narrows for a short distance, but then off the prom and onto residential footpaths to detour around the golf course, before again re-joining the prom path where, in the distance, is the North Sea observatory. The next 5 miles is views of the sand and sea with the wind coming strongly from our left, trying to shelter as much as possible from it against the prom wall. Stretches of the prom covered in deep soft sand blown there by the wind making running tough…did I mention the wind? Mouth dry so grabbed a cup of water from a friendly hand to ease the dryness and, with shoes filling with sand, I approached the colourful beach huts before the observatory. As the path swings around it, the wind hits me full force nearly taking me off my feet and suddenly I am on a stretch of beach, deep soft sand, before dropping down behind the building to the first proper water/fuelling station. Did I mention the wind? The shelter for the volunteers apparently blew away and had to be rescued from the beach!
After a cup of flat cola and a handful of jelly babies, took a deep breath and started running again, but this time on a narrow road where instructions were to keep left, as the road remained open to all vehicles. The road edge was crumbling with occasional housing and a few bushes where respite from the wind, still coming strong from the left, was had for seconds at a time. Cars coming from both directions for the next 5 miles with friendly marshals and some houseowners cheering and clapping us all, and some nutter with a camera keeps popping up…thanks Chris. I started to walk short stretches, especially where the full force of the wind made breathing difficult, taking sips of water and more jelly babies for energy. Did I mention the wind? Mile 10, and the pack of DAC runners tapped me on the shoulder as they passed me by. Go DAC! IO grit my teeth and try to keep them in sight. Come on Julie, you can do this! Mile 11ish and we cut across the road and over a small hill to drop back down onto the prom at Sutton on Sea. Runners start to go pass me on their return runs so I know I’m not far from the turnaround point, lots of ‘well dones’ said and heard, along with comments about the wind…did I mention it was windy?
Mile 13.8 and I reach the turnaround point where the table is laden with all types of food and drinks, much of which the marshals were trying to secure across the sand blasting at us driven by the wind. Camera pointed in my directions again then another cup of cola, more sweets and chocolate, a deep breath and giving myself a little pep talk, I start running back towards Skegness. Near me are some of the DAC pack, the rest have gone onwards towards Mablethorpe, glad it was not me!. Wind now on my right as I run along the prom for the next couple of miles before turning off to pick up the trail route. I remove my outer jacket and tie it around my waist but within minutes rain hits like shotgun pellets. Fortunately it didn’t last long, but now cold and wet and tiring as the footing underneath becomes muddy and uneven. I finish off my first 500ml running bottle, stuff a couple more jelly babies in my mouth and try to keep up with the DAC runners. From here on, up to mile 20, running is on soft sand on a slightly undulating, narrow pathway. Mixing walking and running now for fear of twisting an ankle, or worse, as my legs are weary and the wind and uneven footing are taking their toll. Lots of encouragement from the DAC team along with lots of muttering about the weather…did I mention the wind?…and the sand in my shoes? Mile 18 and I hit a mental and physical barrier which I know I need to break through, so onwards I slog.
Finally, mile 20 and back at the Observatory and the refuelling station with the marshals there full of praise to all the runners. More cola, more sweets, a handful of crisps, many of which were blown out of my hand, (did I mention the wind?), a walk through the sand over the hill (well it felt like a hill) and around the observatory, back onto the promenade ready for the next 5 miles along the path. Now the path is full of tourists, some cheering us on, others looking very bemused, so now dodging them as well as the wind and the sand, and suddenly the sun comes out! Tracey, Paul and Sally still ahead of me but managing to keep them in sight but we are all now run/walking. Sally concerned about Jon Bird who had been sick and was trying to catch up with them once he had recovered. Mile 24 and Sally runs back to join him, true DAC runner, whilst the rest of us keep slogging away through the wind, sand and bright sunshine. Mile 25 and we turn off the prom to detour past the golf course straight into a headwind which leaves me walking, along with most of the other competitors I can see. Only 1.2 miles to go to complete the marathon but no sign of the timing gate as I turn the corner to head back to the prom. Head down, legs dragging, breathing okay as the wind is now behind me and I run/walk along the stretch of road leading back to the prom, when suddenly a marshal waves her arms at me and sends me behind a hedge into a car park where the timing mat is located, and I cross it with the biggest smile on my face ever!
Back on to the narrow path towards the prom and I decide I will power walk for a while to recover a little before the finish. Tracey and Paul just ahead of me, powering along the final stretch of the prom. Merv powers past me, having nearly completed his ultra. So many people, kids, dogs, etc now in the way but lots of encouragement from them as I dodge around them. Route now turns off the prom to go back past the RNLI building and round to the main road for the finish and I suddenly lose sight of the direction signs. I look around and see no other runners so try to remember the directions but am sadly lost. I head up to the main road through the crowds and finally see the sign to the finish, so engage proper running mode and follow them down to the line amidst a flurry of clapping. Done it! 28.4 miles, my furthest ever distance with my Garmin advising 2 personal bests for me. Chris points the camera at me, again, and other DAC runners are all waiting at the finish.
I pick up a lovely piece of bling, another cup of cola and some flapjack before joining them at the finishing line. Tracey and Paul arrive and cross the line just a little behind me, somehow I have shortcut a little of the route but not by much, but hope they forgive me.
One word really describes this run. Brutal. Mainly due to the wind, did I mention the wind?, though I suspect it will always be a tough one, especially the return trail route, where tired legs take a bashing. Would I do it again…ask me next year.
Ultra Runners:
Marathon Runners:
Julie Cull