It's that time again - the iconic Blaydon Race is just around the corner, with thousands of runners set to descend on Newcastle's Quayside for the historic event on Friday, June 9.
Making its debut in 1981, the running race follows the route once taken by coaches from Newcastle across to the Blaydon horse races in the 1860s - as made forever famous by Geordie Ridley's folk song. Now in its 41st year, Friday will see runners begin the race on the Quayside before making their way across to the the finish line in Blaydon, in a journey totalling around 5.8 miles.
This year will once again see 4,700 people taking part in the event organised by Blaydon Harriers & Athletics Club - but any regular partakers in the race will be aware that the route was changed last year, following a two-year absence during the pandemic. As a result of the redesign of Grey Street that narrowed the road to create new walking and cycling lanes, organisers had to to move the starting line away from its usual spot in the heart of Newcastle city centre for the 2022 race.
READ MORE: Blaydon Race 2023 full list of instructions for runners including dos and don'ts for Friday
This will be the case again this year, with runners taking their position on the Quayside in front of the Law Courts to start the race at 7.15pm. The route follows the Quayside along to Newcastle Business Park, where runners will continue until the route meets Scotswood Road.
Once past the miles and the water station, runners will cross Scotswood Bridge and into Gateshead before heading towards the Metrocentre. A quick turn before the roundabout and runners will then be on the road to Blaydon.
Through five miles on Chainbridge Road, over the flyover before heading past Morrisons and into Churchill Industrial Estate. Finally, the finish line awaits on the Playing Fields near Shibdon Pond - you can take a closer look at the full route on Plot A Route.
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