Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series
A New Year, another inspiring Coastal Trail Run
Press Release / 12.02.2009
Over 500 competitors attended the sell out event, with three distance categories: Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K. The Endurancelife Race Base was located at the superbly equipped Olympic Games 2012 sailing venue, the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy. From here runners set off on a demanding course, negotiating the Isle’s coastal paths and quarried landscape.
After passing two of Portland’s more notorious landmarks, its Prison and Borstal, runners were soon weaving their way between rocks and disused quarries along the eastern coast. With a light breeze, mild temperatures and a warming winter sun, competitors couldn’t have wished for better running conditions.
On rounding the distinctive Portland Bill lighthouse, runners began their return leg along the west coast. Running along the exposed cliff path ledge, competitors needed to be sure of their footing. Many simply couldn’t resist the temptation to pause for a moment to take in the stunning views of the Portland cliffs, with Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour in the background.
The descent from the upper coast path led the competitors to a newly included section for the 2009 race, a 1.5 mile stretch along the shingle beach. This was utterly gruelling and energy sapping. The profanities towards the event organisers were flowing as the runners battled their way along the stony ridge. Many loved it, many hated it! But it was all in the spirit of coastal trail running and a perfect example of the challenging nature of the Coastal Trail Series.
SleepMonsters
