It's not long, it's not pretty but there is something special about the Blaydon Race... especially for locals and those northerners (like me) who now live outside of the area. It's the welcome from fellow runners that's outstanding and which is what you expect on Tyneside. I was not surpised there was good support at the beginning and end but it was a bit sparse along the route - although being a Sunday evening this year probably didn't help. The organisers were top notch at dishing out info in advance and all was accurate. Those who didn't get a place in the 4,000+ entry event were probably peeved at the registration website crashing during the second block of bookings (half to club runners one night, the rest open to all the following day), but I'm sure this will be corrected in future. There was also - as we were warned - a tight funnel just after the start which slowed racers to a walk, and even a stop in some case. That's a shame because the rest of the race went smoothly. No medal but a nice shirt and a bottle of specially brewed beer in the goodie bag made it a value for money event. I said I wouldn't do this race more than once but having heard the Blaydon Races song at the start, followed by Local Hero (played before Newcastle United games) and then Run for Home by Lindisfarne... well the heart strings got tugged and my keyboard finger's might have to be ready when on-line entries open next year!

The Blaydon Races is such a great and unique event on the racing calendar.

If you’re from the North East of England, the song is something you grew up hearing and also, one you know off by heart.

Entries open around February and it’s a random ballot entry, so it’s not guaranteed to get in. It spans over two days, day one is for club members and day two is open to the public.

It’s a 5.7 mile flat and fast course, starting just outside of Newcastle City Centre, running by venues such as the Life Center, the Metro Radio Arena and entering a long stint on the famous Scotswood Road, over Blaydon Bridge and then finishing at Shibdon Playing Fields on Shibdon Road.

It may sound like an odd distance to run, but it does fly by and it’s so well supported. If you’ve run the Great North Run the crowds at the start is very similar!

It caters for around 4800 runners, so it does get a little bottlenecked at the start, so if you want a fast time, my advice would be to get as close to the front as possible. Sometimes the race can be delayed at the start, out of the four times I’ve competed in it, this has happened twice, which when it involves closing main roads, it’s easy to understand why.

The goodybag is brilliant as well. You get your finisher’s shirt, a sandwich (ham & peas pudding) crisps, water and finally, a traditional and locally brewed beer!

My tips for this would be:

• Make sure you’re logged into Results Base before you enter.
• Click the option of getting the bus back to the town center.
• Take a bottle opener!
• Learn the song!

Popular local race in Newcastle. Entries sell out very quick, within hours, need to be in the online queue early. 

Always run on the 9th June normally on the evening. This year it was at 3pm due to other events in the city.

Start is in the centre of Newcastle and finish is 5.7 miles away in Blaydon. 

If you want to park at the finish, there are buses (£1.30) to get you back to the start. After the run there are buses to get you back into Newcastle also.

City centre parking is more difficult. We got into Newcastle on the metro and there is a station near the start area. 

There is a bag drop facility. Put your bag on a bus near the start and pick it up at the finish in the field after the run.

At the start, it is sectioned off into the numbers on your bib but these are given in alphabetical order so As at the front and Zs at the back. Different abilities mixed up and so a lot of overtaking when the race started. Not sure why a race organised by runners  has a start set up like this. Very odd! I’ll know for next time to move nearer the front. The race is chip timed so doesn’t really matter where you start. 

The start line was not marked so starting your own timer and knowing where it all started was very hard. 

The course is flat and fast. 1st mile or so is through the city streets before heading out of the city on a dual carriageway. This is where you run pretty much straight for about 3 miles.

Very small water only station at mile 4.

Finish was on a playing field, at least there was a marked finish line! Loads of room on the field to meet up with fellow runners. Baggage was also here but was not marshalled so don’t leave valuables in your bags.

No medal, but goodie bag with bottle of ale, crisps, sandwich, programme and certificate.

Local support was good but mainly around the start and finish areas.

First aid cover was excellent, it was very warm this year and we did see a couple of runners collapse but they were treated quickly. 

Buses to get back to the start area were not too far away. There was a long wait this year but there was road problems causing this.

Race results quickly online and texted to you straight after the finish.

An iconic local race which I was glad to have done. Although I did have a few minor issues with it, I would do the race again.

One of my favourite races which Ive completed 4 times now. 

Iconic North East race following the history of the Blaydon races.

The route has changed a few times but seems to have settled now. 

The busses at the beginning and end are well organised. I always get the bus from the end to the start. Parking isnt easy though.

The organisers are superb and always take safety of the runners seriously.

No medal but a T-shirt and bottle of beer at the end!

The route is pretty flat with a coupe of ups and downs.

The atmosphere is always good.

If you want to run you have to get in on the opening of entry as this is a very popular race!