Druridge Bay 10K 2018

We are pleased to announce that the 12th Druridge Bay 10k will take place on the 27th of May 2018 and will be in aid of HospiceCare North Northumberland

Druridge Bay 10k 2018 - Announcement

It is with enormous pride and great pleasure that HospiceCare North Northumberland are able to announce that they are now the official custodians of the annual Druridge Bay 10K Event with immediate effect.

 

The DB10K, now coming into its 12th year, has so far raised well over £120,000 for local charities since its incenption and has been organised and run by a small, but incredibly dedicated, team of volunteers.   The event was initially an idea to raise funds as a memorial to cricketer David Griffiths who collapsed and died of an asthma attack in December 2006 while working at Cheviot Foods in Amble and proceeds from the run were donated to Asthma UK.

 

The inaugural DB10K run in 2007 had 214 entries and was a huge success, the committee decided to make it an annual event and continue to raise funds for worthy causes. Those causes have included RNLI Amble Shannon Appeal, The Grafters Club, Grace House North East, Help for Heroes, The Stephen Carey Fund and HospiceCare North Northumberland. The DB10K is now firmly established in the annual sporting calendar and an event that people return to each year. With a total of 500 entrants and places that sell out, it’s proving to be one of the most popular runs in Northumberland.

 

Asked why the DB10K committee have decided to hand over the event in its entirety to HospiceCare they replied “It wasn’t a decision we took lightly, but after much consideration we decided that as a small team of volunteers it was becoming a bigger task each year so we felt it was the right time to consider the future of the DB10K.  It was a unanimous decision to offer the event to HospiceCare because we knew from working in partnership with them over the years,  that the charity could provide the infrastructure to not only maintain the current level of success the event enjoys, but also to build on that success for many years to come. So whilst it has been tremendously rewarding to organise and run this event over the last 11 years, we are all delighted to now hand the baton over to HospiceCare.”

Emma Arthur from HospiceCare said “To receive an event such as the DB10k, which is so well organised, loved and supported, is a wonderful gift to the hospice. We know from working in partnership over the years with the committee, the full magnitude of what we are taking on and are looking forward to building on the historical success of this fantastic local event. With growing demand for our clinical services which sees us needing to raise in excess of £525,000 this year with just a 7.5% contribution from the NHS, opportunities like this are like gold to us and we are all tremendously grateful for this fantastic fundraising opportunity. On behalf of all the team here at the Hospice I would like to extend our huge thanks and gratitude to the members of the DB10K committee:  Andrea Wilson, Alison Singer, Andy Grieves, Jacqueline Prouse, Gil Owens, Gordon Black, Mick Pearce and Stan Hurst.”

 

 

 

2017 Winner Ian Harding

An Olympian's view

The Druridge Bay 10km is set in the picturesque country side of North Northumberland, a beautiful route that incorporates the lake and the beach. I ran the inaugural race in 2007 in aid of Asthma Uk. It is an enjoyable race for all abilities, a great day out for all the family. An event I would recommend.

Best wishes and good luck to everyone taking part.”   Laura Weightman

Albert Schucksmith - A Druridge Bay legend

There will be one very special entrant missing in this years Druridge Bay 10K - Albert Shucksmith.

 

Albert, pictured in his military uniform here after completeting the 2010 Druridge Bay 10k at the age of 91 in a time of 2hours and 41 minutes, died peacefully at home on March 9th 2012 aged 93 years.

 

The druridge Bay 10K comittee and its participants will be sad not to have Albert's sheer determination and support and encouragement of 'younger' participants with us this year and we would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to his family.

 

To recognise Albert's contribution to the Druridge Bay 10K, and the community as a whole, the 'Albert Shucksmith Memorial' trophy will be awarded on the day to the oldest competitor of this year's Druridge Bay 10K. The fun run takes place on Sunday June 3rd, starting at Druridge Bay Country Park visitor centre at 10.30am. Postal entries are now closed however you can still enter on the day prior to 10am. For further information please visit www.druridgebay10k.org.uk