Man V Coast - 3 July
Report by Sheena Jackson
Julian and I did Rat Race’s Man v Coast event on Saturday. They’re not technically known as races, more adventures or events.
The event ended up being 24 miles (I clocked 26 last time we did it) and starts on Marazion beach near St Michael’s Mount, just outside of Penzance.
You only run a few metres at the start before wading waist deep into the sea for a short distance. This bit is optional but Julian and I were there for the full experience so headed in. You then run about a mile down the beach before wading waist deep into the sea again. From there the event heads inland and up a stream and through some tunnels formed by low road bridges. On climbing out of the stream, you begin the long ascent to the moors, which follows quiet, narrow country roads. It’s about 6 miles of climb to the top of the moors then across to the north coast to follow the South West Coastal Path.
Anyone who’s been on the South West Coastal Path will know it’s rarely flat and it was a rollercoaster of a run from there on in. We dipped down to a beach for a quick little sea swim where you had to dive under a bar. As the weather had now turned quite sunny, this was quite welcome and refreshing!
It was then on along the path to bits of coasteering (where you clamber along the rocks and jump off into the water) and eventually on to a beach for a spot of body boarding! This was great fun and the sea was lovely.
We later crossed a long stretch of big boulders, clambering and balancing our way across. Then it was on to another beach and another swim round an inflatable orca!
After a bit more running it was then on to rope bridges and more coasteering. I confess to squealing a bit on the big jumps into the water!
After this it wasn’t far to the finish at Lands End – maybe a couple of miles.
We thoroughly enjoyed our ‘Grand Day Out’ and took it steady, enjoying the amazing scenery and stopping to take photos along the way. We certainly weren’t doing it for a time as that would have meant missing out on all the fun to be had on the way!
Despite some dire weather forecasts predicting rain and thunderstorms, we actually had glorious sunshine for most of the event. The sea was an incredible shade of blue and the views quite breathtaking.
If you’re after an adventure rather than running for a time, this is an event I’d highly recommend. Rat Race events are always brilliantly organised and the pit stops well catered for. We had such an amazing day out and took about 6 1/2 hours all told. It was definitely worth the 400+ mile journey south!