Ultra North

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Booked 13 times in the last week
£48 - £78

4.5

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Booked 13 times in the last week
About
Take on this epic challenge on Newcastle's doorstep. Run, jog or walk a fully-marked, all-terrain 25k or 55k route, with stunning views and historic landmarks the whole way. Entries are available at a special launch price for a limited time only.
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TRAIL 25 and ULTRA 55
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Calendar
Sat 15th Jul 2023
View logistics
LocationPin
Blaydon-on-Tyne, United Kingdom
View location
Star
4.5
(123 Reviews)
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Where and when
Location
Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 6JA, UK
Start times
Sat 15th Jul 2023
TRAIL 25:
TBC |
ULTRA 55:
TBC
Event summary
Here are the distances available for Ultra North
TRAIL 25
Distance
25km
£48
ULTRA 55
Distance
55km
£78
Route information
ULTRA 55
ULTRA 55 is a 55k ultra-marathon starting and finishing within Derwenthaugh Park. The route will take competitors on a tour of the region, passing iconic landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge, Millennium Bridge and 9 arches viaduct, and following iconic footpaths including Hadrian’s Way, Wylam’s Wagon Way & Derwent Walk.
TRAIL 25
TRAIL 25 is the perfect event for half marathon runners and challenge walkers looking to embark on a new off-road challenge. Starting in Derwenthaugh Park, the 25k route follows the Derwent River to the famous River Tyne, before crossing the iconic 9 arches viaduct and a final stretch on the Derwent Walk before finishing in Derwenthaugh Park.
Organiser route images
What's included
  • Exclusive finishers medal
  • Exclusive finishers t-shirt
  • A fully signed route
  • Chip timing
  • Checkpoints/aid stations along the course with food and drinks
  • Medical Support
Train
How to get there
Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 6JA, UK
Get full directionsExternalLink
Parking
There is no parking at Swalwell Cricket Club and limited parking throughout the Derwenthaugh Valley. You can choose to walk or cycle to the venue, however the easiest option would be to use the drop-off facility at the cricket club. Cars will be permitted through the one way system at the cricket club to drop participants off or get picked up.
There are car parks in the surrounding area at the following what3words locations:
  • ///freed.lion.visits
  • ///lamp.rubble.blank
  • ///among.term.gravy
By Car
Join the A1, heading towards Metrocentre. On the A1 (Both Directions), take Junction 73 and head towards Consett, Newcastle and Blaydon.
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit to Derwenthaugh Road/ A694. Follow the A694 for half a mile, and the Cricket Club entrance will appear on your left-hand side.
By Public Transport
The start line is accessible by bus from Newcastle City Centre using the X45, X46 or X47 route ran by Go North East from Stand C at Eldon Square. These services run on Saturdays regularly and it is appropriate to exit the bus at the stop on Spa Well Road, turn left and walk a short distance before turning right at the Cricket Club entrance.
Event day logistics
Age Requirements
Entrants must be 18 and over to enter the TRAIL 25 and 20 and over to enter the ULTRA 55.
Checkpoints
ULTRA NORTH 55
There are four checkpoints along the route, plus the finish:
  • Checkpoint 1: will be at Hadrian's Wall Path, Newcastle Upon Tyne, approx 13k from the start. What3Words location: design.drives.puff.
  • Checkpoint 2: will be at The Keelman Pub, Newburn, approx 21k from the start. What3Words location: castle.fully.scout.
  • Checkpoint 3: will be at Hookergate Lane, Gateshead, approx 34k from the start. What3Words location: each.cape.chap.
  • Checkpoint 4: will be at Limtzford Road, Rowlands Gill, approx 44k from the start. What3Words location: panicking.landowner.driver. ​
  • A final checkpoint will be at the finish (55k) at Swalwell Cricket Club.
ULTRA NORTH 25
There is one checkpoint along the route, plus the finish.
  • Checkpoint 1: will be at Spen Lane, High Spen, approx 13k from the start. What3words location washroom.feeds.monkeys. ​
  • A final checkpoint will be at the finish (25k) at Swalwell Cricket Club.
Cut-off Times
There will be strict cut-off times at the event to ensure all participants have completed the routes by 7:10pm. Individual route cut-offs are detailed below:
Ultra 55
  • Cut off point 1: At Checkpoint 4 at Lintzford Road, located approx. 44k from the start. Any participant who has not passed this point by 4:48pm will not be permitted to continue.
  • Finish cut-off: The final cut-off time is 7:10pm at the finish line. Participants must cross the finish line before this time to receive a finishers medal and have a recorded time.
Trail 25
  • Cut-off point 1: At the 25k checkpoint at Spen Lane which is approx. 13k from the start. Any participant who has not passed this point by 12:58pm will not be permitted to continue.
  • Finish cut-off: The final cut-off time is 7pm at the finish line. Participants must cross the finish line before this time to receive a finishers medal and have a recorded time.
Toilets
There will be toilet facilities at the start/finish, as well as close to checkpoints along the route. There will also be public toilets and portable toilets at various points.
Walkers
Walkers are more than welcome to take part, but there will be paces to maintain for each route to ensure you finish within the cut-off time:
  • Ultra 55: average speed of approx. 12 minutes per KM (19 minutes per mile)
  • Trail 25: average speed of approx. 19 minutes per KM (30 minutes per mile)
FAQs
Can I walk the Ultra North?
Absolutely! There's no doubt it'll be a tough challenge, but walkers can definitely take on this challenge.
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Are there any road crossings or gates/stiles to negotiate at the Ultra North?
Yes, there are a number of road crossings along each route. It is the responsibility of all participants to ensure they travel along footpaths and not on roads, and that they crossroads at suitable and designated road crossing points. Participants must leave gates as they find them (i.e. opened or closed).
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Are support crews allowed at the Ultra North?
Yes, participants may receive support from friends and family along the course. Naturally this support cannot extend to assisting the participant to travel along the course.
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Is there a minimum qualification standard to achieve before I enter the Ultra North?
No, there isn't a minimum standard, however it is recommended that entrants have some experience of long-distance events, and have trained and prepared as entrants will be self-sufficient most of the route.
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Are pacers allowed at the Ultra North?
No, pacers are not permitted at the event. Entrants can run with friends who have also entered.
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Do I need a map for the Ultra North?
A map and/or course notes are recommended. Course notes will be made available on the website before the event.Whilst there will be event-specific directional signs and confidence markers throughout the course, due to the nature of the route, certain parts are somewhat complex to navigate and runners are advised to moderate their speed at these points to ensure the correct path is taken. A sports GPS navigation device is recommended if you have one.
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What happens if I need to drop out during the Ultra North?
It will be your responsibility to contact event control (via phoning the event control number or notifying event staff at the checkpoints) to let them know of your decision. Except in an emergency or where you cannot continue due to injury or ill health, please make your way to the next checkpoint and inform the event staff at the checkpoint that you intend to drop out. This is important so that we can account for all participants in the event. If you cannot make it to the checkpoint, you must call the event control (number on the back of your race number) to notify them of your location and of your intentions for onward travel (i.e. if you are planning to make your way to the finish). In the unlikely event of an emergency situation call the emergency services first and then call event control.
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How do I contact the event director on event day at the Ultra North?
The event control number will be printed on your race number. Participants will be advised to save this number into their phone at registration.
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Reviews
4.5
123 reviews
jeremy
Star
4.3
Did the race in 2022
If you want all trails then this isn’t for you. I really liked the mix of surfaces and surroundings from city to forest. Very good pit stops, great selection of food and drinks, with extremely helpful staff too. Shame some of the route markings had been moved in the woods, the downloaded GPX route file (I wish all runs did this) saved the day!Loos at the start we’re a bit of a fail - only arriving a few minutes before the start of the race and only (I think) 3 or 4. Maybe use a different company for these next time?.
lissa
Star
4.0
Did the race in 2022
The signage wasn’t the best unfortunately. We missed one of them and ended up running an extra 2km. We then met up with a very disgruntled lady who had ran an extra 10km due to kids messing up the signs. A bit disappointing.
amanda
Star
3.0
Did the race in 2022
It's a perfect entry level ultra, I've done 5 ultras now, including the Lakeland 50 twice and this is the easiest I have done. The course I found was very boring especially the first half. We walked the event, we always walk ultras but we were very put off by the sweeper on the bicycle 2 foot behind us for the whole course, if the sweeper left a big gap say an hour after the last person crossed the line it would have been better or even using a tracker instead of sweepers would have been perfect. Even though we were not the last competitors to finish and we finished well within the cut off, when we got to the finish line the start finish line and event village had been taken down, again this has never happened at an ultra I have done before. All the checkpoint volunteers and medics were superb the welcome we received at the feed stations and the choice of treats on the feed stations was fantastic.
michael
Star
4.7
Did the race in 2022
Very challenging course but well sign posted.
kim
Star
5.0
Did the race in 2022
As a first ultra I really enjoyed it, course was manageable as we're cut off times and support staff were really helpful on the course
jane
Star
5.0
Did the race in 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Great course. My only negative was there was only one water station. Could possibly do with another one.Myself & my friends will definitely be back next year.
mike
Star
4.7
Did the race in 2022
Well organised and friendly race. Great aid stations. Would have like it even more if somebody had turned down the thermostat.
david
Star
3.7
Did the race in 2022
The event was a great thing to be a part of and the t-shirt/medal was fab. The route marking was the biggest disappointment. I didn't think the signs were big enough. So much so that I took a wrong turning at one point which meant I ended up doing almost under 2 miles less than I should've done. I wasn't alone in being impacted by that wrong turn either.
kirsty
Star
4.7
Did the race in 2022
I would of preferred a little less tarmac,other then that it was a great route and well stocked check points
wendy
Star
4.3
Did the race in 2022
There were 2 signs at the junction of housing estate in Swalwell which went both ways, we followed some runners infront of us only to find we were going the wrong way so had run an extra 2.5 miles. If you use marshals it would be very helpful to have a marshal on this junction in future so as to avoid confusion.
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£48 - £78
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