THE long wait is finally over with spectators returning to Redcar Races for the first time since October 2019.

The seaside track is one of five UK racecourses opening to the public – along with Carlisle, Leicester, Windsor and Ffos Las – as lockdown restrictions are lifted.

The Northern Echo: Smile – you’re at the races! Three-year-old Olivia Lawson, from Newton Aycliffe, with mum and dad Steven and GloriaSmile – you’re at the races! Three-year-old Olivia Lawson, from Newton Aycliffe, with mum and dad Steven and Gloria

First through the gates at Redcar were Mark and Sandra Keelty, from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough.

Mark said: “We’ve been club members here for a long time and it’s just brilliant to be back after so long.”

Sandra added: “We’ve really missed the atmosphere and seeing friends, so we are just thrilled to be getting back to some kind of normality.”

The Northern Echo: Elizabeth Haldane has her hat for a bit of shade and says: “It’s a fabulous day.”Elizabeth Haldane has her hat for a bit of shade and says: “It’s a fabulous day.”

Next in were brothers Nathan and Wayne Richardson. Nathan, from Scarborough, said: “We go all over the country, enjoying racing, and we really like Redcar. It’s such a friendly place and a really good track so it’s brilliant to be back.”

Wayne, from York, added: “I think it’s the camaraderie we’ve missed most – let’s hope we have a few winners!”

John Baxter and friend Chris Varley travelled from West Yorkshire to have a day at the races. John, from Bingley, said: “This was the nearest course to home and we just couldn’t wait to get back racing.”

Chris, from Haworth, added: “We set off at quarter past seven this morning, had our breakfast on the seafront, and now we just want to see some live racing – it’s much than watching it on the telly!”

The Northern Echo: Andy and Jenna Dixon are having fun in the sun with friends Joe Hughes and John ScottAndy and Jenna Dixon are having fun in the sun with friends Joe Hughes and John Scott

On-course bookies are also back and Richard Johnson, whose dad, Keith, started the family business in 1976, said: “I haven’t slept for two nights because I’ve been that excited.

“It’s absolutely brilliant to be back, knowing there’s going to be some people here, and seeing some colleagues.

“It’ll be a quiet start but Redcar’s done a great job and it’s a good place to get going again. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly, we manage to get a bit of business, and build from here.”

Redcar is operating at 50 per cent capacity for its meetings on May 31 and June 1 before returning to 100 per cent capacity on June 18 and 19.

However, strict safety measures were in place for today’s meeting, including temperature testing, a medical questionnaire, facemasks, social distancing, and numerous hand sanitiser stations.