Our Official club photographer and good friend Adrian Don notifies us of this excellent series of races in aid of a superb cause.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) popular Summer Series is coming to South Tyneside this summer with runners urged to show their support for the charity which saves lives at sea.
The 10km and 5km beach runs are starting from Sandhaven beach in South Shields before taking runners on a figure of eight loop along The Leas to Lizard Point, then returning to the beach.
It’s the first time the Summer Series has been held in the north east but with both a 10km and 5km route on offer, RNLI Events Coordinator Chloe Mould says she’s confident runners of all ages will want to sign up.
Chloe said: ‘The RNLI’s Summer Series takes place at 11 venues throughout the UK and Ireland and provide an opportunity for both coastal and inland residents to test their fitness while enjoying some spectacular scenery.
‘Runners and walkers of all abilities can take part in both events and, with the Great North Run taking place in the autumn, it’s a fantastic opportunity to test your pace in the 10km run while raising money for the RNLI.’
The RNLI’s Summer Series raises money for training and equipment for the charity’s lifeguard service. In South Shields, South Tyneside Council covers the financial cost of the lifeguard’s wages while the rescue charity provides training and equipment at a cost of £1,000 per lifeguard per season.
Chloe added that as with the majority of the RNLI’s income, the charity relies on the generosity of the public to fund its lifeguard service, which is in its third year of operation in the north east.
She said: ‘Both staff and volunteers at the RNLI are continually humbled by the support we receive from residents on the north east coast. The RNLI exists to provide a seamless rescue service from the beach to the open sea and our volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards save hundreds of lives each year.
‘They couldn’t do it without the generosity of the public and we’re hoping that runners for the Summer Series will pledge to raise as much money as they can to enable us to continue providing our vital lifesaving service.’
The Summer Series starts at 10am on Saturday 13 August. To register for the event log onto www.rnli.org.uk/summerseries. Entry fees are £16 for the 5km run and £18 for the 10km event. All runners will receive a free t-shirt to run in and a medal on completion of the run.
