Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race remains very sorely missed
COMPETITION for athletes on New Year’s Day for many years centred around the annual Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race.
In its heyday the race, billed as the oldest road-running event in England, attracted many internationals who would fast-foot down the North Road - passing huge crowds lining Gosforth High Street before finishing on the outskirts of the city adjacent to Town Moor.
The event was first run in 1904 but, sadly, after a series of safety issues the last time athletes contested the official Morpeth to Newcastle road race was in its centenary year 2004.
Huw Lobb travelled from his Bedfordshire base to claim victory in the men’s contest, Annie Emmerson of the Serpentine Club the first woman home.
Over the years three-time Olympian and Commonwealth marathon gold medalist Glasgowborn Dunky Wright won the Morpeth seven times while the region’s own Commonwealth Marathon gold medalist Jim Alder etched his name on the trophy on five occasions.
Before the race’s demise Morpeth brothers Mark and Ian Hudspith shared six victories, Mark winning in 1993, 1997, 2000 and 2001 while Ian was successful in 1995 and 1999.
Among the women, Houghton’s Lynn Cooper (nee Harding), another Commonwealth Games marathon representative, won three Morpeth’s on the trot from 1992 to 1994.
Last year a new race under the banner of Newcastle2Morpeth was introduced and was run during the month of October.
It was not the success it was hoped to be and was dropped from this year’s fixture calendar.
However, all is not lost for those hoping for an outing on the first day of the year - as Morpeth Harriers’ host their annual 11k road race which takes in the leafy lanes on the outskirts of the Northumberland county town.
It may not be an event for the traditionalists but it is a meeting point for friends, spectators and athletes to meet up.
The race gets under way at 1.00 and athletes can register at the race headquarters at Morpeth Rugby Club on Mitford Road on the morning of the race.