Blaydon Races, 9th June 2023

“I went to Blaydon Races, ’twas on the ninth of June,
Twenty hundred and twenty three on a summer’s afternoon,
I took the bus from the Quayside and she was heavy laden,
Away we went along Skinnerburn Road, that’s on the road to Blaydon.”

Well, the Blaydon Race may no longer follow the traditional route as described in the Geordie national anthem, but it still has much of the same great atmosphere – fast and competitive, yet fun and friendly too. Indeed it was a lovely “summer’s afternoon”, and it was hot and sweaty by the time we were finally “gannin alang the Scotswood Road” into the bright, low sunlight.

As ever, there was a good turnout of Claremont Road Runners and most gathered by the Millennium Bridge for the traditional pre-race banter and photoshoot. Then it was off to take up our position in the start funnel, where I am not sure if the traditional singalong helps calm the pre-race nerves or makes them worse!

It has always been a fast start to the Blaydon and the new route doesn’t seem to have changed that at all. Once running, I didn’t see much of the other Claremonters, though I was surprised to pass Maria who I am sure had started behind me! The race started to settle down as we climb through the business park towards Scotswood Road, and it was here that Laurie Johnson overtook me. I knew that he was having a good run as I very quickly lost sight of him as he progressed through the field. Laurie wasn’t the only one running well, as several sky blues recorded excellent times.

Talking of excellent times, a quick mention for former Claremonter Jason Hall, now based in Leeds. Jason finished 14th in his first Blaydon outing in a remarkable 28:44. I like to think that Claremont set him on his road to the successful running career that he is now enjoying!

Technically the first Claremont Road Runner home was Jack Shawcross, though as Jack was running in his first-claim colours of Heaton Harriers, Roberto Marzo was first sky blue on the night. Only a few seconds behind Roberto was our first lady, Sarah Kerr. Sarah’s brilliant form over the last couple of years had rightly earned her a start amongst the elite women, and she ran another great race here. Although her 21st place meant she just missed out on the top 20 prizes for women, she will be rewarded for finishing third in her age group (even more impressive when you consider that the first two, Aly Dixon and Justina Heslop, are former international athletes). Our other age group prizes will go to the old men, Tom Tinsley and Mungai Wairia, who were 1st and 3rd respectively in the over 65 category.

At the end, it was the usual Geordie fayre in the goodie bag with beer, sandwiches and crisps. I must find out what Kimberley made of her first ever ham and pease pudding stottie! It is all part of the unique experience that is the Blaydon Race and why the 9th June is a special date is the North East running calendar.

Well done to everybody – the results below are in order of chip time, which is why the positions may look a little odd.

Position	Runner	Time
87	Jack Shawcross	32:28
198	Roberto Marzo	35:03
206	Sarah Kerr (3rd F40)	35:16
309	Laurie Johnson	36:53
376	Tom Tinsley (1st M65)	38:12
458	Maria Duenas	39:11
533	Mungai Wairia (3rd M65)	39:49
632	Kimberley Metson	40:47
686	David Lydall	41:44
751	Nicki O’Brien	41:54
1424	Charlotte Johnston	43:38
1002	Dean O’Brien	44:13
994	Julie Cross	44:19
1057	Lynne Cornell	44:55
1039	Lucy Keating	44:57
1091	Nina Jensen	45:21
1152	Howard MacLennan	45:56
1231	Liz Denyer	46:17
1327	Richard Slack	46:36
1372	Tara Hipwood	47:46
2222	Nina Jentl	48:24
1945	Alan Dunning	48:54
1529	Rachel Hurdman	49:00
2153	Mariana Mouzinho	54:03
2197	Rose Hawkswood	54:33
2325	John Bell	54:49
3513	Mary Martin	65:50
3514	Elizabeth O’Mahony	65:50

Thanks to Gill, Clare, Mungai and others for the photography. Thanks also to Ian Harman Photography and Alistair MacDonald for making their albums available,