Charity Volunteers Keep Over 300 Runners Hydrated At the Return of the World’s Only Tidal Bay Half Marathon
The Cross Bay Half Marathon made its long-awaited return on Saturday 4th July, drawing over 300 runners across the iconic tidal sands of Morecambe Bay after a ten-year absence — and raising vital funds for local cancer charity, CancerCare.
The 13.1-mile race, widely recognised as the only half marathon in the world to cross a tidal bay, saw participants set off from Arnside Promenade and make their way to the finish line at Cark Airfield, guided safely across shifting sands and shallow channels by the King’s Guides to the Sands.
To help keep runners hydrated throughout the challenge, six volunteers from charity the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) supported the race at three points — serving water at the start, aboard the tractors that accompanied runners across the bay, and at the finish line — offering refreshment and encouragement as participants took on one of the UK’s most unique endurance events.
Every place in the event supports the vital work of CancerCare, a local, independent charity offering free counselling, therapy and bereavement support to adults and children across North Lancashire and South Cumbria. Operating across four centres in Lancaster, Barrow, Kendal and Morecambe, CancerCare relies almost entirely on fundraising to keep its services running, which cost approximately £2 million per year to deliver.
"The Cross Bay Half Marathon is a remarkable event — there's nothing quite like it anywhere in the world, and the fact that it raises funds for CancerCare makes it all the more worthwhile. Every runner out there on the sands today was doing something genuinely difficult, and all of it in aid of people in our community facing cancer and bereavement. It was our privilege to be there to keep them going."
Bruce Burwood
RRT Lancaster Team Leader
The Rapid Relief Team, which is made up of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, has over a decade of experience supporting charities, community events and fundraising challenges across the UK. The charity puts compassion into action by providing practical welfare support wherever it is needed, from local community occasions to national campaigns.
