Seaton is a seaside town in East Devon on the south coast of England, between Axmouth and Beer. It has a pebble beach which is where the run started from on the morning I visited on the 31st of July 2021. It is a coastal parkrun taking place mostly on the Esplanade running alongside the beach, with some pebble sections. I understand the route has been through a few variations, but on the morning I visited, it started on the pebble beach just to the East of the Esplanade. It is described as a two-lap course, but it is probably better to think of it as a twice out and back. Scenery wise it is a stunning course and you also have the option of going for a swim in the sea after the run. It was a really enjoyable parkrun and it would be a very quick course, except for the pebble sections which do affect the time somewhat. I really enjoyed the parkrun here, it has a friendly core team and is very popular with tourists. I even did a Video Blog for this parkrun, see in the links down below...
This course is a real parkrun gem, due to it's location. Probably the simplest route I've seen but stunning scenery. Really flat but with some pebbles to add a challenge. Road shoes will be fine all year round at this course. If you're coming into Seaton from Axmouth it's a lovely drive along the pretty estuary with a lovely little port and harbour at the end with loads of sailing boats.
[I first visited this parkrun on 31st July 2021]
Difficulty
This is a very fast and flat course with the kicker of about 400m worth of pebbles to run on. Because of the pebbles this is a solid 2 out of 5 but the rest of the course is easy to run on, obviously on a blustery windy day it would be harder, but it was a sunny day and fairly still on the morning I went. It's an attractive course with lots of pretty coastal scenery to keep you occupied.
Briefings
Briefings on a loud haler, Visitor and first time briefing focused on the description of the course, a request for us to group according to expected finish times, and some warnings to keep left at all times due to it being an out and back course and the course has a couple of pinch points which are narrow when runners are navigating in both directions. Main briefing again warned to keep left as the course is narrow in places with people in both directions... Covid related messages included reminders to keep distance where possible, no spitting and no High Fives (I miss High Fives), and token and barcode handling to reduce contact, as well as the usual milestone and tourist announcements.
The Course
This is probably the easiest parkrun course I have ever come across. From the start you head West along the esplanade, keeping left at all times especially when encountering runners coming the other way. There are a couple of pinch points, but provided you are lined up in the correct estimated finish time you should be OK. Keep going until the end of the esplanade where you will meet a marshal with a cone, go around the cone and head back the way you came all the way back to the other end of the esplanade, again keeping left. At the end of the esplanade onto the shingles and head for the next turning point 'Haine's Hairpin.'
Go around the Hairpin and then back to the esplanade. All the way out and back along the esplanade again. When you reach 'Haine's Hairpin' for the second time instead of heading for the esplanade this time stay on the shingles and head for the finish on the pebble beach. It's about 200m from the Hairpin so it seems like a fair old way at this point.
PLEASE NOTE: The course has changed since my visit and now starts on the beach about halfway along the esplanade heading west. You still use the esplanade for the vast majority of the run, with a small amount of pebbles at the start and finish and when dropping onto the beach for 'Haine's Hairpin'
Elevation
According to my Garmin, there are 23m of Elevation on this course, not sure how Garmin works this out, because you're running along the sea front, I cannot remember any inclines, and it seemed as flat as a pancake to me... I expect my altimeter is not working correctly because you don't get much flatter than this.
Parking, Facilities and Coffee
I parked on the sea front which was 80p for an hour, but there are also some free laybays on the road from Axmouth by the side of the River Estuary which is only a short walk from the beach. Public Toilets are on the esplanade about 2/3 of the way along on the western side, close to the revised finish area. There are various huts and cafes along the esplanade selling a range of hot/cold drinks, snacks etc, but the official post parkrun coffee location is in Pebbles, Marine Place, Seaton EX12 2LL. Which is close to the revised start location for this run. I picked up a cold drink and snack from the below hut on the morning of my visit, but this hut is much less convenient from the new start area.
Other Points of Interest
I didn't think of it but I wish I had. Why don't you wear your swimming costume under your running kit and go for a post parkrun swim, like these brave parkrunners did. I had to make do with having a bit of a paddle in the water instead.
Summary
One of my new favourite parkruns, scenery is stunning and it is a fast and flat course, with the added challenge of some pebble beach running. You've also got the option of a post parkrun swim or ice cream on the front. Super friendly core team and volunteers as well. I'll definitely be back again to rerun this one. Just remember to keep left at all times it is very tight in places so you need to look after yourself and your fellow runners. Next time I'll wear my trunks as well. Thoroughly recommended parkrun course.
Links
Link to official parkrun site for this course - https://www.parkrun.org.uk/seaton/
My You Tube Video Review (Click Below):
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