Photograph: bazzadarambler via Flickr (Creative Commons 2.0)
There are many great places to run – mountains, valleys, along winding city streets. In fact, it’s much quicker to list places where it isn’t good to run – by the side of swimming pools, anywhere with scissors, from a bear (keep eye contact and back away slowly, according to bearsmart.com).
However, of all the fantastic places there are to run, the best might well be on the coast, with the smell of the sea filling your nostrils and the sound of the waves filling your ears. Treat your senses with one of these six 5K runs compiled by The Color Run UK ahead of its Brighton event, which features some of the very best stretches of coastline the UK has to offer.
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Brighton, East Sussex
One of the best things about most coastal runs, especially in cities, is that they are dead flat. That’s the case with this 5K in Brighton, which takes in the city’s famous pier. If you fancy running the route while getting doused with coloured powder (it’s more fun than it sounds), you can sign up for The Color Run event in Brighton on 23rd September.
Fistral Beach, Cornwall
One of the UK’s best surfing spots, Fistral Beach is on the north coast of Cornwall just a couple of miles along the coast from Newquay. You can opt for a loop of the beach for your run, or start in Newquay and visit Fistral Beach as you run along the coast to Pentire Head.
Bournemouth To Boscombe, Dorset
There are 11kmof sandy coastline to follow in Bournemouth, which hosts a cracking marathon along the shoreline in October. For a much more manageable distance, start at the pier and run to Boscombe before doubling back on yourself.
Brean Down, Somerset
This run along Brean’s peninsula is fantastic at any time of day, but if you can face an early start you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the sunrise over the Mendip hills. If you want a longer run, start and finish in Brean town centre for 11km in total.
Camber Sands, Sussex
Just south of the historic town of Rye, Camber Sands is one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, and a newly-built National Trail gives runners the chance to take in views of the White Cliffs of Dover as they jog along. For a sterner test, try tackling a run up and down Camber’s steep dunes.
Newcastle To The Leas, Tyne And Wear
Run north from Whitley Bay towards St Mary’s Lighthouse on the tiny St Mary’s Island. Just makes sure you go at low tide or you might find that you get a little wet… or even cut off from the mainland entirely. For an extra challenge, climb the lighthouse’s 137 steps.
