Holy Island - Half Marathon Route

Important note
Holy Island is an island. The sea comes in and covers the causeway. So you have to pick a time for the run which is safe. Before reading further - check out the official advice below...
- https://holyislandcrossingtimes.northumberland.gov.uk/

Check out the route on Strava:
- https://www.strava.com/routes/2719641022936103876

I checked the tide and the weather forecast and spotted a 0530 first crossing of the day combined with a blue sky - perfect. Parking can be done early in the morning at the tiny village of Beale about 1.5km from the crossing - TD15 2PB. The first section of the route is longer than expected, almost 6km to get onto the main part of the island running along the road. Then you can turn left and loop around a footpath that takes you clockwise around Holy Island. I saw three deer and also nine or ten seals in the waters to the east shores. The castle and priory are then stunning - the little port and village centre are lovely too. Then, if you don't mind soaking your trainers in the sea you can follow the wooden poles and run back along Pilgrims Way - the route of the 8th century! I actually looped around the island a bit to make it up to 21km, but the route below shows a little extra at the end around the footpaths. All in all - a fantastic run out.

Beautiful at sunrise - let the water go out and run across the road to the island
16th century castle



Quiet harbour behind the castle

Route back to the mainland - sea is out - walk the route St Cuthbert used to take - follow the wooden poles
Strava Segment of note:
- The Pilgrim's Way - 4.49km, Very few Strava runners have actually done it. The CR crown is there for the taking at the time of writing 19/7/2020 :)

Useful links:

Series:
For a list of different half marathon routes around the North East of England see:
- https://northeastrunning.blogspot.com/2020/07/north-east-half-marathon-running-routes.html

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