Dufton Ultra Marathon - The Cup and the Cross

The North Pennines is one of England's most special places – a stunning landscape of open heather moors and peatlands, attractive dales and hay meadows, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, welcoming communities, intriguing imprints of a mining and industrial past, distinctive birds, animals and plants and much, much more. In recognition of its special qualities the area has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The North Pennines is also a UNESCO Global Geopark – highlighting its globally important Earth heritage.

The race route starts and ends in Dufton village, following the Pennine Way National trail to the top of the famous High Cup Nick, at the top of HCN the route follows a minor path and heads over to Cow Green Reservoir which is part of one of Northumberland’s Nature Parks and home to protected bird species and moorland. On reaching Garrigill you will be greeted by the chance to re fuel and get something hot to drink before setting off again on the Pennine way up past Greggs hut and onto the summit of Cross Fell which is the highest point in England outside of the Lake District National Park, stay on the Pennine way all the way back to Dufton via Little Dunn fell, Great Dunn fell and Knock fell.