Victoria Running Ground

HER Number

10123

District

Newcastle

Site Name

Victoria Running Ground

Place

Elswick

Map Sheet

NZ26SW

Class

Recreational

Site Type: Broad

Racing Sports Site

Site Type: Specific

Athletics Track

General Period

POST MEDIEVAL

Specific Period

Victorian 1837 to 1901

Form of Evidence

Documentary Evidence

Description

Probably the first running ground in Tyne and Wear. It opened in 1858. It was designed to host professional running. The Victoria Ground had a 444 yard track and a grandstand. In 1861 the half mile race between James Rowan and Jack White attracted at least 5000 people. The Victoria Ground was bought by the North Eastern Railway Company in 1863.

Easting

424240

Northing

563230

Grid Reference

NZ424240563230

Sources

Ordnance Survey Second Edition of 1896; Lynn Pearson, 2010, Played in Tyne and Wear - charting the heritage of people at play, p 114