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.