Racing In Blaydon

9 JUN2010

The Start Fitness Blaydon Race will get underway this evening, with up to 5000 runners expected to toe the line for this 30th running of the popular northeast race. The event has grown from strength to strength since its inaugural race in 1981, where less than 300 runners turned out. The Blaydon race is now second only to the Great North Run as the biggest race in the area.

This year's race is in aid of the Charlie Crowe Scanner Appeal, set up by Newcastle footballing legend Charlie Crowe, who wants to raise £1.5m to fund a new scanner to speed research into Alzheimer's Disease.

The race will start outside the Bigg Market going 'alang' Collingwood Street, past the Centre of Life and O2 Arena, along Scotswood Road and over Scotswood Bridge before heading towards Blaydon, finishing in the car park outside the Geordie Ridley pub. Although there have been some slight changes to the course over the years, this year's race follows the exact route as last year so athletes will be able to compare their times with the 2009 race. The Lord Mayor of Newcastle will start the event at 7.15pm.

The race itself has been instrumental in maintaining interest in local traditions in general and in the Blaydon Races song in particular. Few could argue that the atmosphere both at the start and the finish can be matched at any other race. Music and dance displays as well as the popular Can-Can dancers ensure that all athletes are in good spirits before they set off.

Good Luck to all taking part in the race tonight.