It's that time again - the iconic Blaydon Race is just around the corner, with thousands of runners set to descend on Newcastle's Quayside for the historic event on Friday, June 9.
Making its debut in 1981, the running race follows the route once taken by coaches from Newcastle across to the Blaydon horse races in the 1860s - as made forever famous by Geordie Ridley's folk song. Now in its 41st year, Friday will see runners begin the race on the Quayside before making their way across to the the finish line in Blaydon, in a journey totalling around 5.8 miles.
This year will once again see 4,700 people taking part in the event organised by Blaydon Harriers & Athletics Club - but any regular partakers in the race will be aware that the route was changed last year, following a two-year absence during the pandemic. As a result of the redesign of Grey Street that narrowed the road to create new walking and cycling lanes, organisers had to to move the starting line away from its usual spot in the heart of Newcastle city centre for the 2022 race.
