The Blaydon Race is the largest club race in the North East of England and following a 2 year hiatus last night saw its post- Covid return.
This was the 40th running of the event established in 1981 to commemorate Geordie Ridley’s famous song ‘The Blaydon Races.’
The race has always as far as possible followed the route from Newcastle to Blaydon as described in the song. This year however the start was moved to Newcastle Quayside, rather than its traditional starting point outside Balmbras in Newcastle Bigg Market, due to the increasing pedestrianisation of the area and subsequent traffic constraints.
Despite the new start making the race longer (‘The Blaydon’ tends to vary in distance most years) and in my opinion slightly tougher, seemed to be a popular one. Not hitting Scotswood Road until nearly 3 miles into the run there were a couple of extra uphill drags to contend with along with a bit of a headwind.
The race which this year was just under 10km (the second longest in its history since the year the finish had to be switched to Newburn) was won in 29.19 by Calum Johnson of Gateshead. Calum’s father Alan was a great runner for Elswick Harriers and I remember trying in vain to get anywhere near him during races in the 1980’s.
Danielle Hodgkinson had a great run finishing 43rd overall in 33.38 to take the First Lady position. With Aly Dixon of Sunderland Strollers taking second.
Meanwhile way back in the field I managed to maintain a steady pace at around 7.45 pace to finish in 47.29.
Mentioning the 80’s earlier, as I lined up for the start last night I found myself just behind Ray Smedley. As in the 80’s once the race started he just ran away from me. The photo below is the front row at the start of the Blaydon in the 80’s (possibly 1989) and there is me, number 37, just behind Mr Smedley (not for long mind).
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