Jersey half Marathon 23.5.10 Posted by Claire Click here to return to HH News

The Fantastic North Run in Jersey lives up to its name. It runs in May every year, normally a lovely time to visit this beautiful rocky island. The north coast is the wilder, less visited and more rural side of the island, where there are more jersey cows than human residents, but also flowery headlands and unspoiled sandy coves and beaches.
So next year make a long weekend of it – there are short and cheap flights from Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham. There were about 520 runners but few clubs represented, a shame as club members from Cardiff, Bristol etc could have a good weekend away (so if you’re reading this…and want more details just get in touch with me or see the race’s website).
The race itself is mostly flat – it starts near the highest point on the island and follows narrow lanes that criss-cross farmland and moors. There’s a spectacular descent at the end to 5 mile beach – see photos – a vast stretch of white sand which attracts surfers from all over the world. You have a good chance of a PB, though this year was quite hot (the trees do offer plenty of dappled shade). Marshalling is excellent, there’s plenty of water and local support is friendly and enthusiastic. There’s a good welcome at the end (T shirt and medal too).
PS :  Wall to wall sunshine can’t be guaranteed but Jersey gets more sunshine hours than anywhere else on these islands…