The Northumberland Ultra

This August bank holiday saturday, saw the first ever running of the Northumberland Ultra a 100km (62 mile) run around the stunning Northumbrian hills. The race followed a circular route starting from Wooler and going as far South as Alwinton before looping North again, taking in sections of the Cheviots, the Pennine Way and St. Cuthbert’s Way trails.

At around 6.30 a group of about 30 runners sheltered in the little white tent that served as race HQ, to receive the pre race briefing from AdvertureHub, the organisers.

Half an hour later briefing over, we were heading out into the rain, climbing the gentle slope into Wooler. It was a month since my disappointment in Lakeland 100 (officially timing out at 36 miles, but then unofficially running the 50 later that day). I was just a little worried that with such small number of competitors that I might find myself in danger of running a lot of the course alone and at the back again. There seemed a reluctance for anyone to lead on this one, with most of us seeming happier chatting to fellow runners than competing for places (which is generally my kind of race).

As we descended to the first checkpoint after seven miles one of the runner had broken off and was a little way ahead of the leading group, but to my surprise I still found myself in amongst that leading group. There were around 6 or 7 of us, that would generally stay together for most of the day, we all had our own strengths and weaknesses and were constantly passing each other throughout the run. I got to chat to pretty much all of them at one point or another, and very much enjoyed their company.

The rain eased off as the day went on and while the sun didn’t exactly shine, we were treated to some spectacular views as the cloud lifted. Northumberland hasn’t quite got the drama of the Lake district, but it does have a rugged charm of its own, and the route planners seemed to find a course that took in a wide variety of terrains including everything from long exposed climbs to wooded sections, with a wide variety of river crossings and long sections of stone pavement and duckboards. [side note: I'm not sure its really politically correct to admit this, but I especially enjoyed running on the sections of stone pavement that have been put in to protect the path, there is something very satisfying about running over those slaps of rough hued rock that I just loved.]

The ground remained wet most of the day and our feet never really got a chance to dry, and as we left the last check point the sky started to darken, both with the return of the rain and the coming of nightfall.  Leaving that final checkpoint it came as a pleasant change to have a section of road to run along at least for a while and as we past a large marque in one of the little villages along the way a couple celebrated their wedding, I can’t tell you how tempting it would have been to have stopped for a pint, but had to soldier on into the dark.

The route was well marked and while navigation hadn’t been bad during the day, (especially with Peter’s expert local knowledge to guide us a lot of the time), it became a little harder in the dark and Peter, Martin and I decided to stay together for the final stage, which I was very glad of especially at the point where we lost St. Cuthberts Way and had to cross a little bit of open fell to get back on course. In fact it was only the last mile or so that Peter and Martin pushed on ahead that I found myself alone for the first time in the day, but by that point I had a magical trail of glow sticks guiding me in through the woods.

Despite the Lakeland being further and probably having more climbing in total, I think I actually found the Northumberland Ultra a more challenging event, whether it was because the checkpoints were further part, because of the terrain or simply the weather, I’m not quite sure, but it was the toughest run i’ve done to date.

Thank you to the Organisers for their support and for putting on a fantastic event in Northumberland, and to Peter, Borris, Martin and the 2 Irish lads (who’s names I unfortunately never did get), all of your company was very much appreciated. I’m sorry that I didn’t get a chance to speak to Nick, Frances, Maxine or Sean as much as i would have liked all of your posts on facebook persuaded me to sign up in the first place so thanks for that.

[side note: I hope that Borris wasn't in too much trouble with his wife for being in late and that they made it over to the Lake District to meet their friends for the rest of the weekend]