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!