Recently one of our members (Jane Collingham), ventured up north for a holiday to Northumberland. Whilst there she ran a half marathon! This is her story:
We had booked a holiday cottage by the South Tyne River and I wanted to sort a run out for myself whilst Dave (my husband) was chasing salmon – perhaps a Parkrun or a 10k or something. The Haltwhistle Half is a trail event, and was almost on the doorstep, so I signed up. It turned out to be the most unusual race I’ve ever encountered, well organised but at the same time very low key. Totally no-nonsense and no razzmatazz.
The start was in a field and we were gathered together just before 11 o’clock. The guy said “enjoy your run” and boom! We were off! No health and safety, no obey this that and the other, just go. We set off along a footpath towards the South Tyne Trail, a disused railway line and our route until we turned around a very ordinary looking post and ran back. The outward run rose steadily (think Ridgemere) along a variety of surfaces. We had to cross the Lambley Viaduct and to do that we had special permission to run through someone’s garden (the old station now being a private house). When I turned around at the half way point I thought I’d be able to count the people behind me. There weren’t many!
Happily though, as it was all downhill now, I was able to overtake loads of people – I can’t say that very often. As with so many races the last mile was painful but I finished in 2:08:37 an age group PB. The prize giving was so low key I didn’t see it. The finishing memento was a mug showing the Lambley Viaduct. The mug was full of cold water with a promise of a refill with tea or coffee later! The race limit was 300 but there were only 157 finishers on the results li
st. It was extremely friendly with lots of local runners. Litmus test a few days later: yes, I’d do it again.