Noreen Takes on the North Tyneside 10K This Easter
On Easter Sunday (5 April), one familiar face from the I Love North Shields writers will be tying her laces and joining thousands of runners on the start line of the North Tyneside 10K.
Occasional ILNS writer Noreen will be taking on the coastal race — not just as a runner, but as someone who knows and loves the places the route passes through.
Starting at The Parks Sports Centre, the race winds its way through some of the most recognisable parts of the North Shields coastline before heading north along the shore.
From there, runners descend towards the Fish Quay, passing the Spanish Battery car park, before following the river and heading past the historic Watch House on the way towards Tynemouth, Cullercoats, and finally the iconic finish line at St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay.
For Noreen, it’s a route filled with familiar sights.
A longtime member of North Shields Poly Athletic Club, she’ll be swapping her club vest for something a little closer to home on the day — running the race in an I Love North Shields T-shirt.
With around 2,000 runners expected to take part, she’s hoping a few friendly faces might be along the route.
And if you do spot her, she says a bit of encouragement would be very welcome.
“I’ll probably be running slow enough to recognise people,” she laughs.
Noreen is aiming to cross the finish line at St Mary’s Lighthouse somewhere between one hour and one hour ten minutes, depending on how the legs — and the North Sea breeze — behave on the day.
Like any good North East outdoor event, there’s one thing no runner can control.
The weather.
But with a route that passes through some of the most beautiful parts of the coast, and the sea never too far away, it promises to be a memorable Easter Sunday run — whatever the skies decide to do.
So if you’re out along the Fish Quay, Tynemouth, Cullercoats or Whitley Bay, keep an eye out for a familiar ILNS T-shirt in the crowd and give Noreen a cheer as she runs by.
A small moment of encouragement can go a long way when you’re ten kilometres into a race.
And besides, it’s always good to see North Shields being run through — and celebrated — in the process.
