[1] The first race attracted 212 entries, but by 2004 a record of 4,000 people took part with more than 600 other hopefuls rejected.

[2] The 25th anniversary of the race was run by the Blaydon Harriers in 2005 as the "Nike Jim Dewar Blaydon Race" in memory of James Dewar, who died in June 2004 just 2 days after the running of the 24th event.

The task of organising the race was guaranteed by other Blaydon Harrier members and the event's popularity typically means that the entry limit is reached within hours of the race entry forms becoming available.

In keeping with the local flavour of this race, a lot of the instructions for entering, together with subsequent information mailed to competitors, is written in local Geordie Dialect.

'Wu wivvent charge ye owt extra or tyek any cut from it' : we will pass on to our charity everything you donate.