Giants Causeway Trail Run
One of the best aspects of being a runner for me, is that I can always fit in some speedy sightseeing whilst on my many travels. This week, my travels took me closer to home than usual - Northern Ireland’s holiday resort of choice - Portrush! I used to holiday here every year as a child and have fond memories of building sand castles and swimming in the Atlantic.
Chimney Pots in backgroundI was accompanying my aunt and uncle on a week-long caravanning adventure / trip down memory lane. It fast became evident that this trip involved a culinary tour of every café in the province to sample cake, buns and tray bakes. Boy, do the Northern Irish have a sweet tooth.
Anyhow, on with the report. On the last evening, full of shame over all the cakes and candy flossed, I forced myself out to the Giants Causeway for one last special treat - an eight mile run along the stunning Causeway coastline. This is without a doubt the eighth wonder of the world and definitely deserves its World Heritage status - hopefully my photos are testament to this.
Starting at the ruins of Dunseverick Castle by Whitepark Bay I headed out over the headland along a great wee path that hugged the precipitous cliff faithfully. To call this a run is a slight extension of the truth. In true Peter-style I had brought the camera along and couldn’t stop taking photos. It was a perfect evening without a breath of air and fabulous visibility. I even caught a glimpse of Scotland in the distance.
Scotland in the distance
At each turn in the path and summit of each headland another stunning bay came into view and as I approached the Giants Causeway you could see the rock taking on the distinctive hexagonal and column-like form which is so well known. There wasn’t a soul to be seen which is so unusual for this place - usually it’s heaving with tour buses and ramblers. I even made it out along a narrow arête to glimpse the famous ‘chimney pots’ from above.
Chimney PotsIn sight of the visitors’ centre I turned and decided to retrace my steps (as opposed to completing a circular route.) The views were worth slogging up those undulations and steep steps for a second time. This was never going to be the fastest run of my life but I guess that is what holidays and recoveries are for. A fabulous wee adventure stolen from the last moments of a relaxing holiday. I noticed the next day that they are holding an off-road Causeway marathon on 10th October - I strongly suspect it will take this route. Now, that would be an adventure… for another year.
Tour Guide Amanda Henderson
