Tyneside keeps Blaydon Races in fine tune

Jun 10 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

THE famous Blaydon Races tune rang out across Newcastle last night as thousands of runners took part in the 28th annual event.

The Geordie anthem – and a group of cancan dancers – set more than 4,000 runners off from the start line in Newcastle’s Bigg Market on their way to the shopping centre in Blaydon.

And the early evening sun blazed down on the athletes as they trickled through the Tyneside streets, all vying to complete the 5.9-mile run in the quickest time and join an elite list of previous winners.

However, it was Ethiopian Ayele Mergessa who eventually triumphed as he crossed the line in just 28min 34sec.

The race, which sticks as close as possible to that immortalised in Geordie Ridley’s tune about the horse race, was started by Newcastle Mayor Peter Arnold and the hand bell mentioned in the song. The closest a North East runner could get to winning the contest was Morpeth Harrier Ian Hudspith, who finished in 28min 58sec.

Among those running along the Scotswood Road was television presenter Roger Thames. He said: “I’ve done it a few times over the years, about eight or nine times. I’m 56 now, so I’m in the over-55s category. But the atmosphere is great.”

Dee Rowley, 45, a financial controller from Wallsend, was running the race in memory of her 50-year-old husband George, who lost a long-fought battle with cancer in October 2006. She said: “We used to run it together, but he died of bone marrow cancer and so we did it for charity last year. This year we are just doing it for the memories really.”

Terry O’Garra, the 66-year-old chairman of Wallsend running club, was looking to defend his record as the unbeaten champion of over-65s running.

He said: “I have done it for a lot of years now, and I love it. It’s a great occasion and we have about 60 entries from the club this year. It’s excellent for the clubs, but it’s a lot of fun too. It’s as big a race back to the pub as it is to get to Blaydon.” Annie Chapman, 37, from Ryton, Gateshead, was embarking on her first run in the Blaydon Race, but was pleased to be taking part in such a renowned event. The teacher at St Bede’s Comprehensive School in Lanchester, County Durham, said: “All I wanted to do was finish before the pub closes. But this race is amazing. I’m from down south and even my mother has heard of the Blaydon Races, it’s so famous. It’s part of being Geordie and part of living here.” Blyth Running club member Kirstie Johnson, 16, of Cramlington High School, said: “This is my first year. I’m quite excited and nervous, but it should be good because the race is well-renowned.”