Blaydon Race brings back Geordie trophy

A historic race with long-standing roots in north-east England has reintroduced a very Geordie prize.

During the annual Blaydon Race thousands of people run through Gateshead and Newcastle competing for dozens of cash prizes and trophies.

This year the organisers have brought back the Me and Wor Partner trophy, to be awarded to the married couple with the combined, fastest finish time.

The race is organised by Blaydon Harriers and the club's vice-chair, Isaac Dunn, said the couple's competition was a "reincarnation" of the old "Me and Wor Lass" category.

"We've just modernised it a bit and brought it back, because that category hasn't been in use for about five or six years," Dunn said.

The winning couple, who must be married or in a civil partnership, will each win a £50 voucher and will be presented with the Bob Houston Memorial Trophy.

The silverware has been made in honour of the club's former chairman, who died last year.

The event takes its name from a horse race which began in 1811 and was later immortalised in a song of the same name.

The horse race ended in 1916 but was brought back in 1981 as a foot race.

About 5,000 people compete in the event and Dunn said it was primarily aimed at club runners and offered a huge number of prizes.

First place winner gets £600 in cash, with second getting £450 and third £300.

There are also dozens of other prizes for a host of age and team categories including £600 for the first "lad and lass" from local clubs to cross the finish line.

"I mean the prize pot is about £10,000 worth of prizes," Dunn said.

"I don't even think it's comparable to any other local race I've seen anywhere."

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