This year's race has added significance as it celebrated the 150th anniversary of the event that the famous song was written about:
Eiteen hundred an' sixty-two, on a summer's efternoon;
Aw tyuk the 'bus frae Balmbra's, an' she wis heavy laden,
Away we went alang Collingwood Street, that's on the road to Blaydon"
Second North East runner home was Ian Hudspith of Morpeth who is a former winner of the event. Now 41 years old, Hudspith was a clear winner of the veteran section ahead of Tyne Bridge's new recruit Steve Cairns.
Even without Hudspith, Morpeth's Senior men won the team title thanks to Ian Harding, Michael Dawson, Andrew Lawrence and Neil Gunstone. Tyne Bridge Harriers won the vet's team in a close fought battle with North Shields Poly. It was originally thought that 'the poly' had come out victorious but it came to light after the results were published that Tyne Bridge's new recruit Steve Cairns, who finished in 18th place, was recorded as a senior. It meant that Tyne Bridge won by 17 points.
In the ladies event it was 22 year old Great Britian International Lauren Howarth who got the better of the local lasses, finishing a magnificent 29th overall ahead of Chester le Street's Aly Dixon and Rosie Smith. First lady vet was the evergreen Alison Dargie of Elswick.
Wallsend, with 3 counters in the top twenty with Danielle Hodgkinson, Stacey Rogers and Vicky Hindson, were backed up by triathlon specialist Becki Newman who finished in 40th to comfortable win the team title from North Shields Poly.
FULL RESULTS CAN NOW BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE