VIDEO: Big Blue Runners Train at the Shore

Big Blue distance runners took to the shore Monday, legging the Lynnway half-mile from Swampcott to Red Rock Park. And back.

Actually, it's about 1.2 miles round trip, said distance runner coach Jeffrey Bartlett, one of track coach Joe Tenney's assistants.

The runners zipped over the Lynnway course time and again, their shoes slapping the concrete walkway above the seawall. Cars rumbled over Humphrey as commuters headed home. Seagulls squawked overhead about who knows what.

The runners, 20 to 25 boys and girls, will compete in outdoor track distance events — the 800, mile and two-mile, the coach said. 

These distance runners are some of the first, if not the first, Swampscott High athletes to practice outside this spring. Ice still covers part of the outdoor track.

The team started practicing indoors March 18. They have their first meet Monday against Peabody.

Swampscott will be competitive, the coach said.

They have depth, leadership and kids who are motivated.

A man walking his dog on the Lynnway stopped to tell the track coach how impressed he was with the stride of one of his runners.

These are the kids that people see all over town. Burrill. Paradise. Essex, Humphrey and Atlantic. Soon they will run in warmer temps as spring takes root.

Monday was more wintry than spring-like but the distance runners did not seem to mind. They were some of the high school's first spring athletes to get outside and practice, running with friends at the beach.