Newburgh Beach Bash 2020 Race Report

The sixth Newburgh Beach Bash 10k was held on Saturday 14 March 2020.

For once, it wasn’t only the local weather we had to contend with.  In the lead up to the race, we also had the developing situation of the Covid-19 or Corona virus to deal with.  Even up to the evening before, the organising committee were looking at various contingency plans and measures to minimise the potential impact of the virus, whilst ensuring our runners had a safe and enjoyable experience.  Several changes to the post-event activities around refreshments were made.  Despite our concerns, we had a record turnout this year, so thanks to each and every person for taking part or helping

280 runners took the opportunity to challenge one of the north-east’s toughest courses, a record turnout for the event.  Evidence of its popularity are the extremely fast sell-out, 1 hour 45 minutes this year, and a further waiting list of 50 keen to get a place.

By now, we have no expectations for the weather, it will be whatever it will be on the day.  This year mostly dry but with a strong southerly wind – a nice boost for the challenging mile on the sand section.

The men’s race was dominated by Kyle Greig (Metro), who came in at 36’17”, a new course record, a full 2 minutes ahead of second placed Bryan Kinghorn (Metro) in 38’31” and third placed Fraser Gormley (unaffiliated) in 39’26”

And in a family double, Debbie Greig (Metro) came home first lady in another new course record of 40’11”, ahead of Emma Watt (JogScotland Kintore and last year’s winner) in 40’42” and Tanya Sneddon (Peterhead Athletics) in 43’10”.

And once again, both under 18 records were broken.  Ross Chalmers (NDRC) took male placing in 44’38”, followed by Jamie Walburn (unaffiliated) in 45’26” and Ethan Walker (unaffiliated) in 46’45”.  Isla Burns (Ellon AAC) took female placing in 45’37” ahead of last year’s winner Ellen Astley (Ellon AAC) in 46’06”.

Kyle Greig	Debbie Greig	Ross Chalmers	Isla Burns
36'17"	40'11"	44'38"	45'37"

Other category placings were:-

Male Vet 40+

Martin Burns (NDRC) 39’29”, Mark Walker (NDRC) 40’53”, Andy Fenwick (NDRC) 42’25”

Male Vet 50+

Richard Horne (Metro) 39’18”, Brian Urquhart (Fraserburgh) 41’16”, Steve Leaper (NDRC) 43’02”

Female Vet 40+

Lianne Campbell (unaffiliated) 45’29”, Susan Strachan (Peterhead Athletics) 46’11”, Kirsty Harper (Metro) 49’30”

Female Vet 50+

Pam Cooper (NDRC) 56’48”, Helen Ewen (Jog Scotland) 58’33”, Audrey Douglas (NDRC) 58’40”

Times are all chip times

Full results can be found on the Perfect Timing website http://results.perfecttimingscotland.co.uk/Results.aspx?CId=20065&RId=6078

Photos from the day can be found on the Beach Bash 10K facebook page.  Thanks to Steve Dunthorne, Ron Macdonald, and various others for capturing these great visual mementos.

https://www.facebook.com/newburghbeachbash10k/

As ever, we are very grateful to our wonderful group of sponsors and community groups for their help in making the event so successful, we would be unable to hold it without everyone’s support.

Our thanks go to Scotia Homes, Ingram’s Home Cure, Keith Kelman (Building Contractors), The Barn, Karl Watson and K F Watson (Electrical).  The water station was manned by members of the Newburgh Scout group.  Post race water and bananas were provided by Costcutters Newburgh and non-alcoholic beer and category first place prizes by BrewDog. 

Race registration was again handled by the Newburgh Jog Scotland team, post-run home bakes courtesy of Newburgh Gala and soup courtesy of the Newburgh Inn.

Special thanks to local artist Claire Terris of Blue Wasp Creative for the design on this year’s finishers t-shirt and to local wildlife photographer Ron Macdonald whose short-eared owl photograph inspired our finisher’s medal.

And finally, a very special thanks to the volunteer marshals, who braved the weather to ensure the safety of runners and the public throughout the event.

Watch out for details of the 2021 Beach Bash which will be announced through our Facebook page in due course.