A WORLD record-breaking ultra runner spent International Women’s Day completing a new 48-mile pilgrimage route dedicated to one of the most prominent Northern saints.
Ultra-distance runner Sharon Gayter – who set a new record in 2019 by running the 822 miles between John O’Groats and Land’s End in 12 days, 11 hours, 6 minutes and 7 seconds – became the first person to complete the new Way of St Hild, a pilgrimage route between Hartlepool and Whitby.
St Hilda was the Abbess of both Hartlepool and Whitby in Saxon times and was a significant woman leader.
Hartlepool Borough Council launched the route yesterday to mark International Women’s Day.
Sharon Gayter completing the Way of St Hild in Whitby
About 250 runners took part in the event, running sections of the 48-mile route, which is supported by augmented reality stations
Mrs Gayter, from Guisborough, who is a lecturer at Teesside University, completed the whole thing in about 10 hours, after setting off from St Hilda’s Church, Hartlepool at 4am.
She said: “At 4am the lights around the marina were fantastic - who usually gets to see that? I thought it would be a lot of roads but the network of footpaths was really good.
“The paths go right through the industrial parts which was amazing. I thought it was absolutely fascinating.
“I hit the coast at Redcar and the the sun came out. The tide was out so I ran right along the sea front which was amazing too.
“It was a fascinating route. There was such a good mix I really would encourage people to do it.”
She arrived at Whitby Abbey in time for a service of reflection at 2.30pm.
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