Blue green algae

There is currently blue green algae in the River Bann which bounds the south of the competitor area. There is no reason for runners to go near the water so the main hazard is to dogs. Subsequently we have changed our “all dogs on leads” rule for this event to “no dogs on courses”. Access to the beach is as normal.

On the 10th of August, an unusually dry, but largely grey day, the east end of Portstewart Strand resembled a sprawling endless car park. Ranks of cars and SUVs sat tightly packed together, cramed full of wetsuits, windbreaks, body boards, barbecue equipment, beach plastic and (relatively) happy families.