Hilbre Island Run – Thursday 24th July
What is the event?
The event involves:
· Running out to Hilbre Island at low tide. (Choice of distances (5, 3 or 2 miles)
· An optional swim
· Running 2 miles back to West Kirby (all using the same route)
· A post-run coffee, picnic or Fish and Chips (from Marigold’s Restaurant) in Sandlea Gardens, West Kirby.
Your choices are to run out to the island and back or have a dip/swim while you are out there.
Run schedule (and indeed the date!) are governed by the time of the low tide – approximately6.00pm on Thursday 24th July.
The shortest run option is four miles (2 miles to the main island, and 2 miles back). This may be suitable for families of Pensby Runners, but all children must be strictly supervised at all times. Neither Jill Murphy or I (event facilitators), nor the club, will be held responsible if anything goes wrong.
Registration
So that we know everyone has returned safely, there will be a registration point at the start so that runners can be logged out and then back in again at the end. We need to know that everyone has returned safely.
I will compile a list of participants so if you are intending to participate, please reply in this post, or send me a private message, or email me with the names of you, and your family members, so I may start compiling the register.
Meeting time
Timings are governed by the low tide (6:05pm) so, we need to meet at around 5:30pm and start running from West Kirby promptly at 5.45pm. We will regroup on the island at about 6:30pm. After a quick swim, we’ll leave the island at 6:50pm to complete the 2 mile run back to West Kirby for approximately 7.10pm, in time to collect food from Marigolds, which closes at 8pm.
Meeting place
We will all be starting from point number 1 on the diagram below. This is adjacent to the RNLI/Life Guard caravan and flags in the Sailing Club car park, near to the start of the Marine Lake walkway – the Morrisons end of the Marine Lake.
Running out to the island
Trail shoes are recommended. There are usually several patches of shallow water to run through, so expect wet feet. Also, when choosing your run distance, remember that running on wet sand is more energy sapping than running on tarmac.
The diagram below shows the recommended safe route, for all three distances, to and from the main Hilbre Island via The Little Eye, avoiding mud and quicksand:
The swim (or just a dip)
We enter the water using the slope next to the disused lifeboat station. There is sand and shells underfoot but the beach shelves gently. Please ensure you are a competent swimmer, and are used to open sea swimming.
Post swim, there are no changing facilities. Most simply leave their wet kit on and dry off in the breeze during the run back to West Kirby.
After the optional dip/swim, we’ll leave the island at around 6:50pm to complete the 2-mile run back to West Kirby for about 7:10pm.
Everyone must find their own way back by retracing the outward route via the Little Eye.
Please remember to sign back in on your return.
What happens following the run, and after signing back in, in West Kirby?
Arrangements have been made for us to have a social coffee, a picnic, or even Fish and Chips in the nearby Sandlea Gardens – accessed via the road called, “Sandlea Park” opposite the side of Morrison’s supermarket in Dee Lane.
The picnic area is a large grassy patch at the Grange Road end of the gardens. Please pack any rugs or folding chairs you wish and bring your own refreshments.
Fish and Chips – Please contact Claudia with your orders for Marigolds. The full menu is on the Marigold’s web site. Please order your food choices in advance by messaging or emailing, Claudia. Please check the price and pay Claudia on the day or in advance.
Car parking
· Dee Lane car park
· The Concourse car park
· Banks Road
· West Kirby promenade
· Caldy car park (Wirral Way) and jog to the start
Volunteers
I need some volunteer helpers to assist please.
Please let me know if you can help with the vacancies:
· A “Registrar” – non-participant who can log people out and back in again to ensure there are no castaways. (Could be a non-participating partner or spouse)
·Run leaders for the outward legs only –
5 miles out
3 miles out
I will lead the 2 miles group out and provide a pre-start briefing.
Let’s hope the sun is shining on July 24th and we look forward to seeing you then.
