Ian Hudspith gunning for home triumph

Jun 9 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

MORPETH Harrier Ian Hudspith is aiming to end over a decade of African dominance – and emulate the achievements of his brother Mark – at the 29th Blaydon Race tonight.

School teacher Hudspith is the region’s leading endurance runner and the best bet for a first North East winner since 1997, when brother Mark headed the field.

Since then Ethiopian and Kenyan runners brought over by coach Ian Ladbroke have risen to the top – boosting the reputation of the race and making it one of the most keenly contested short course races in the country.

There will be a strong African influence again this year but Hudspith should be in the mix again. With a third place finish last year he has the pedigree but there are slight concerns over a hamstring injury that means he has not raced for 10 weeks.

“My preparations have been a little bit mixed,” the 38-year-old said. “I have had the hamstring injury since March and I haven’t really raced since so my preparations are completely different from last year.

“But having said all that, the training sessions have gone well and I feel in good shape so I shall be giving it a real go again.

“Of course the prospect of being the first home winner since my brother is a big motivational factor for me. It’s always difficult against some top class athletes who come over but I will give it 100% as usual and go out there believing that I can win.

“It’s a terrific race that is fantastically popular with people and it’s a very enjoyable race to run in.”

The race, which is based on the 1862 Geordie Ridley song that has become a Newcastle United anthem, will once again see more than 4,000 people pounding the pavements between Newcastle and the finish in Blaydon.

With £1,000 on offer to the first man and first woman, the 5.9mile race always attracts a solid field with an international flavour and this year is no exception.