Beat the Tide

A fun and challenging 10k or 5k run set in the beautiful coastline of Hunstanton is returning this June.

Beat the Tide is to return on Sunday 2 June 2024. The event starts on the sand outside the Alive Oasis in Hunstanton with a mass warm up just before 9am and runners of all levels are invited to enter to take part through the borough council website now at west-norfolk.gov.uk/Hunstantonevents.

Cllr Simon Ring, Cabinet member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, said: “I’m pleased to see that we are reintroducing this fun run to the Hunstanton events schedule that is organised by the borough council.

“It’s been six years since Beat the Tide was last held in the town and what a picturesque backdrop too. You won’t find me running on the sand, I’ll be supporting our runners from the Promenade and hope to see as many take part as possible.”

There are 250 places available in total for club runners and athletes, joggers, parkrunners, alongside families, whatever fitness level you’re at. Beat the Tide is both a 5k event and a 10k event with entrants choosing on the day which distance they will run.

The £15 entry fee is to be split between event costs and a donation to the RNLI. Jackie Merralls, Volunteer fundraiser for the Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Guild said: “The RNLI here is very much part of the community, the crew live a very short distance away. They’re all volunteers, the majority of them are family people who are on call 24/7. They’re our people in our community.”

Derek Greening, Chair of Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Guild, added: “We provide safety for all those people who use the sea and beaches here, which links in to Beat the Tide. The event is taking place on the same day as the RNLI crew exercise. Hopefully we’ll also be able to see the lifeboat or hovercraft if they’re available.”

There will be some puddles and some sandy mud in places so be prepared to get a little wet and muddy. Importantly however, the route will avoid the very heavy mud at the Heacham end that was included in previous events. Some of this will be dependent on the weather, but it will be great fun whatever.

Hunstanton resident Kate Dunbar plans to take part with the Vegan Runners group from the town and says: “Running on sand is a bit challenging. The last time it was my first ever 10k. My tips are that you can do it and everyone’s a winner just for turning up and giving it a go. It’s a lovely showcase of our beautiful town and lovely beach.”

Runners will begin the beach run at Groin 12 and complete a 5k loop, running mainly towards Heacham and back. 10k runners will complete two loops. Medals will be awarded to male and female runners finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 5k and 10k events (at approximately 10:15am). All other finishers will not be timed or placed by the organisers.

All entrants will receive a special Beat the Tide medal (make sure you go through the finish funnel). Weather conditions permitting, runners should have about 1 hour 30 mins to beat the tide. Should the tide beat you, then you can choose to go around the groins or complete the run on the prom.

10k runners must be aged 15 or over on the day of the event. Children under 11 years old may only enter the 5k if an adult enters and runs with them. Because the event is a low cost, charitable one, all entrants will pay the same entry fee, irrespective of distance or age. Dogs may NOT take part and are not allowed on the beach in the summer. All runners must collect and display an event number on their shirts. They will receive an event medal as they pass through the finish funnel ONLY if they are wearing their number.

Further information will come with the joining instructions prior to the event.

The event is organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk with support from West Norfolk Athletic Club (WNAC) and volunteers from the Hunstanton parkrun. The event is a charity event with funds being raised for the RNLI. KL1 Radio is also supporting the event.