The cool and windy weather wasn't enough to keep keen runners away from their first Parkrun since the COVID-19 lockdown in March.
More than 100 people turned up to Bar Beach on what was a chilly Saturday morning to take part in The Beaches first Parkrun in nine months.
It was a larger crowd than usual, with The Beaches, Stockton and Blue Gum Hills being the first events to return in the city on the weekend. Other events are set to restart in the new year.
While some participants managed to keep their fitness up over the break, many were excited to be back in the Parkrun environment.
Trent Bonar, who took part in the run with his family, said it was great to be back.
"It's a sense of community, it's exercise and it's a family thing for us," he said. "I've got my three boys here who run as well.
While the family usually take part in Newcastle Parkrun, which is yet to return, they occasionally take part in the sand event.
"It's close to where we live," Mr Bonar said. "On a nice day in summer you can do your run and have a swim after."
The Beaches Parkrun co-director Michael Sharpe had to quickly rush off to work once the run started, but said he couldn't not be there to see it return after nine months off.
"I'm so excited, it's been so long," he said.
Mr Sharpe said he first started running due to being overweight.
"I lost 15-20 kilos through running and Parkrun is so social. I love the social side of it. We run then we go have coffee and cake, which we might not be able to do at the moment because of social distancing.
"But the Parkrun and running community in Newcastle are so lovely, they're all very welcoming."
While the thought of running on sand might be enough to deter some, for Mr Sharpe, who has run The Beaches about 150 times, and many others, being able to do the run barefoot is a big drawcard.
"I love running on sand," he said. "I don't like running with shoes on so the sand is my favourite place. It can be really easy on low tide with good conditions, and then on high tide with a big swell you're running on soft sand, which is tough. You might get a gauntlet of water and you're fighting waves."
Larry Roddick, who has taken part in international and interstate Parkrun events, said Parkrun was a great collegiate activity.
He said rather than being disappointed the event was cancelled, he was appreciative it was now back.
"It will be a long time before you can run in the UK or the US," he said. "Compared to what some people have gone through Parkrun being cancelled was really a small thing."
