The first Blaydon Race run from Newcastle to Blaydon was held on the 9th June 1981. The 5.9 mile road race was organised by Dr James Dewar of Blaydon Harriers. It became an annual event, held on th 9th of June every year, and begins with the singing of "The Blaydon Races", the folk song by Geordie Ridley, about the horse race of that name. The route starts from Collingwood Street in Newcastle, heading west along Scotswood Road, crossing the Scotswood Bridge, and finishing in Blaydon. The winners of the first run in 1981 were Mike McLeod of  Elswick Harriers (fastest male: 26:27) and H Boyes of Morpeth Harriers (fastest female: 34:10).