The Blaydon Race is back this week, with thousands of runners set to take their place on Newcastle's Quayside for the historic occasion to race for the title of King or Queen of Scotswood Road.
The iconic race, forever immortalised in the words of Geordie Ridley's folk song, is marking its 41st year on Friday, June 9. A staple of Tyneside since 1981, the six-mile run is sure to see the Toon packed out with spectators - and whether you're planning to cheer the lads and lasses on at the finish line or you've got a place in the race yourself, you'll need to know all the timings for the day.
The Blaydon Race begins at 7.15pm on the Quayside - after a rendition of The Blaydon Races, of course - with the first runners set to cross the finish line at Shibdon Playing Fields in Blaydon at approximately 7.40pm. Below are all the key timings you'll need on Friday, from when the baggage buses depart to the presentation of awards.
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Start line timetable
Here are all the key timings for the Blaydon Race start line on the Quayside:
5.30pm: Race Information point opens
5.30pm: Metro Radio kicks off the entertainment
6pm: First baggage bus leaves - South Shore Road/Baltic Centre, Gateshead
6.30pm: Quayside area is closed to traffic
6.30pm: Last baggage bus leaves - South Shore Road/Baltic Centre, Gateshead
7pm: Runners invited into the start area
7.05pm: 'The Blaydon Races' is performed
7.15pm: The Blaydon Race begins.
Finish line timetable
And here are the timings for the finish line at the Shibdon Playing Fields in Blaydon:
5.15pm: First Runner bus leaves - Chainbridge Road/Morrisons layby
5.30pm: Children's Race starts
5.45pm: Children's Race finishes
5.55pm: Last Runner bus leaves - Chainbridge Road/Morrisons layby
7.40pm: Arrival of the first Blaydon Race runners
8pm: First Runner bus leaves - Chainbridge Road/Morrisons layby
8.45pm: Presentation of awards next to the finish area
9.30pm: Last Runner bus leaves - Chainbridge Road/Morrisons layby.
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