Blaydon Race winner from the North East

Jun 9 2009 By Sam Wood

MORPETH Harrier Ian Hudspith ensured there was a North East winner of the Blaydon Race for the first time in more than a decade after he edged out Kenyan Raymond Tonui in a thrilling finish.

Hudspith, who's brother Mark was the last local victor in 1997, clocked in at 27.44 after making a decisive break on the flyover just before the finishing straight.

Hudspith and Tonui were head-to-head for most of the race and played a cat and mouse game as they each took it in turns to lead the field.

But the school teacher was determined to end the long wait for a North East winner and it was a richly deserved triumph. Jean Ndayasenga of Birchfield Harriers finished third.

In the women's race Clapham's Justina Heslop won with a time of 31.46 from Kendall's Sarah Tunstall. Kenyan Joyce Kandie finished third.

More than 4,000 runners took part in the 29th race and they were cheered on by crowds along the way.

Among the runners congregating in the Bigg Market before the start of the race was Rachel Weddle from Fenham. She was running to raise funds for the Freeman Hospital heart unit.

The 25 year old said: "One of my relatives was born with an enlarged heart and she was connected to a machine to survive until they could find a heart suitable for transplant. "She was in the Freeman, they saved her. This is the first time I have done the race but I wanted to raise money for them, it is such a good cause.

"It has been a brilliant at atmosphere so far, I’ve met one or two people who I haven’t seen for years."

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle Coun Mike Cookson rang the famous hand bell to set the runners on their way along the 5.9 mile course to Blaydon.

He said: "This is all about the Geordie spirit. Lots of those here running today are doing so with a purpose, they are doing it to help others and to make a difference. This race just sums up Geordies, they are at their happiest when they are helping others, its just such a great atmosphere. It is a great honour for me to be involved and to be starting this race."