After two years of postponements, one of the main events in the North East running calendar was back. The 40th Blaydon Race took place as always on the 9th of June, and over 3000 runners found themselves gannin’ alang (a bit of) the Scotswood Road!
Due to some reconfiguration of the Grey Street area during Covid times, the organisers were forced to come up with an alternative start area and route. So for the first time, instead of the annual crush on Collingwood Street, we lined up on the Quayside beside the Tyne Bridge. Despite the change of venue, there was still the usual music, guy on the PA giving shout-outs, photos, walk forward to the line, bell ringing, and annual 15 minute delay. It still felt like the start of the Blaydon Race we all know and love…
The course change had us running along the river, so the first mile or so was nice and flat. There were a couple of extra upward slopes in the first half, and less of the downhill, so none of the ‘look we’ve just run a 5k PB‘ of past years! Overall it was probably a slightly tougher course, and feelings about it were mixed, but most seemed to agree it was still a good run. Speaking to volunteers at the end, it would seem that this might be the route going forward, so get used to it 😀
As always we had a phenomenal Heaton Harriers turn out, with 79 registered finishers! First Male finisher for the club, in 30th place overall, was James McKenzie. First Female finisher was Danielle Smythe, who finished 7th in her age category. Also finishing highly in their age categories were Thomas Stutt (6th in MU19), Elaine Waters (11th in VF55), Ellie Reed (18th in VF35), and John James (19th in VM60).
Well done to everyone; there were some excellent individual performances not mentioned, and plenty of folk who really wish it had been just an extra 200m long as they would have smashed a 10k PB (so maybe the course wasn’t so bad after all?) 🙂
Full results here: http://www.timingupnorthresults.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16576&RId=6203
One of the quintessential Blaydon Race experiences is of course the drinks afterwards, and HH always take this part very seriously 😉 We moved venue from our usual place at the back of the Bacchus, to Barluga, where Alison Vaulkhard looked after us all in fine style on the amazing terrace. The food was appreciated by many, especially those who don’t rate a pease pudding sandwich 😀
So, a fine evening out as always; and whatever you might have thought about the start delay, the course, or the queue for the bus back; you’ll be back next year!
(Thanks to Mark Slade, John Sturman, and Ellie Clark for the photos used here)