Can you beat the Hunstanton tide?

The coast of Hunstanton will see a fun running challenge return this June.

On Sunday 2^nd June 2024, Beat the Tide will begin with a mass warm up just before 9am. The event will take place on the sand just outside the Alive Oasis. Runners of all levels are invited to enter to take part here

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.”

With 250 places available, Beat the Tide is both a 5k event and a 10k event, with entrants able to choose on the day which distance they will run. Runners are asked to pay a £15 entry fee which will be split between event costs and a donation to the RNLI.

 The run takes place along the sand in Hunstanton

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.”

 The event raises money for the RNLI

Inevitably, there will be some puddles and sandy mud in places so runners must be prepared to get a little bit wet and muddy. However, organisers have ensured that the route for 2024 will avoid the very heavy mud at the Heacham end that was included in previous events.

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.”

The beach run will begin at Groin 12 and follow a 5k loop towards Heacham, whilst 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 who go through the finish funnel will receive a special Beat the Tide medal. Weather conditions permitting, runners should have around 1.5 hours to beat the tide. Should the tide beat you, you are able to choose whether to run around the groins or finish running on the promenade.

10k runners must be aged 15 or over and children under 11 years old may only enter the 5k if they are accompanied by an adult running alongside them. Dogs are not permitted to take part. All runners must collect and display an event number on their shirts which they must be wearing as they pass through the finish funnel to receive their medal.

Further information will be available 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, as well as KL1 Radio.

To sign up for Beat the Tide, visit: west-norfolk.gov.uk/Hunstantonevents