A proud local tradition
A Historic Horse Race to an Iconic Road Race
The story of the Blaydon Races stretches back more than two centuries, beginning in 1811 with a simple point-to-point horse race held on the land where Blaydon Railway Station now stands.
What began as a local sporting event would go on to become an important part of Tyneside’s heritage — inspiring the famous song, creating a lasting Geordie tradition and, eventually, giving rise to the Blaydon Race we know today.
'The Blaydon Races - A Study From Life' by William Irving, 1903.
Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
The Blaydon Races Begin
The story begins with a point-to-point horse race held on land where Blaydon Railway Station now stands, becoming a popular local occasion alongside fairs and festivities.
1811
Blaydon Station, 1965 © Ben Brooksbank / geograph.org.uk – CC BY-SA 2.0
1835
The First Races Come to an End
After more than two decades, construction of Blaydon Railway Station brings the original horse races to an end. But the spirit of the race wasn’t gone for long...
Blaydon Island depicted on a map, 1871.
Robinson Library, Newcastle University.
The Races Return & an Anthem Is Born
The Blaydon Races are revived on Blaydon Island, with racing returning in 1861. On 9 June 1862, George “Geordie” Ridley performs The Blaydon Races for the first time, creating a North East anthem that lives on today.
1859–1865
The Centenary of the Blaydon Races
1887–1916
One
Final Revival
The horse races return at Stella Haughs in 1887. After initially proving popular, they gradually decline before coming to an end in 1916.
A Balmbras float carrying the 'Can Can Girls', 1962.
100 Years of The Blaydon Races
The centenary of Ridley’s famous song is celebrated with a grand parade of floats and vintage vehicles travelling from Newcastle to Blaydon.
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1962
Competitors in the 1989 Blaydon Race - the first one took place in 1981 (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
1981
The Modern Blaydon Race Is Born
Dr James Dewar of Blaydon Harrier and Athletics Club creates a road race inspired by the journey in Ridley’s song. 212 runners take on the first race from Newcastle to Blaydon.
Runners gather at the starting line of the modern-day Blaydon Race.
From 212 to 5,000 Runners
The Blaydon Race grows into one of the North East’s most distinctive running events, with 5,000 places and generations of runners taking part every 9th of June.
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1981–Today
Still Ganin’ Canny.
Since the passing of Dr. Dewar in 2004, the race was organised by Bob Houston, followed by dedicated club members Lynn Craig, Daniel Flint and Isaac Dunn. But it's truly a team effort, supported by an incredible group of volunteers from Blaydon Harrier and Athletics Club.
The modern Blaydon Race is more than just a run, it's a celebration of the North East's running community, local culture, and history.
The late Dr James Dewar, former Race Organiser and member of Blaydon Harrier & AC.