Join the Hunstanton Beach Run to Support the RNLI

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

Beat the Tide is to return on Sunday 8 June 2025. 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 Sue Lintern, Cabinet member for Events and Culture, said: “This event was hugely popular when we reintroduced it last year after a six-year absence.

“It’s a stunning location and a challenging event. I look forward to seeing hundreds of runners on the sand.”

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.” – has this been copied from last year? Has this been checked that they are doing it again this year on that date?”

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.

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).

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.