Ian Hudspith gunning for home triumph

Jun 9 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

As well as the North East’s own Hudspith, Ryan McLeod and fellow homegrown talent Lewis Timmins, Mongolian Morpeth Harrier Serod Batochir is another contender for the top prize in the men’s field after winning the North Tyneside 10K earlier this year. In the women’s race the Kenyan athlete Joyce Kandi is strongly favoured – especially after Cumbria’s Laura Park was forced to pull out through injury. The teenager finished third last year.

Sarah Tunstall and Rebecca Robinson are other contenders, while North East hopes rest with Chester-le-Street’s Alyson Dixon.

“This field is up there with the best fields we’ve ever had,” race secretary Bob Houston said.

“There is the usual strong showing of excellent African athletes but there are more than a few from the area who will be fancying their chances.” The race is more than just top class athletes, however, and its popularity with fun runners shows no signs of abating.

Half of the places for the race went within 12 hours of the application forms going online, while postal applications accounted for the other 2,000 over the next four days. Once again Houston and his band of volunteers have worked hard to make sure the race runs smoothly – including having to accommodate a sold-out Boyzone gig at the Arena which starts at the same time as the race.

“It’s inevitable that there are always a few little things that need to be ironed out,” he said.

“But we consulted with the relevant authorities and the route goes around the area where Boyzone are playing.

“But we’re telling all the runners that when they pass by the Arena they have to belt out Blaydon Races to drown them out!”