In September 1938, Alfred Wainwright set out on a solitary walk of 211 miles through the Pennines. The following year he wrote an account of his journey and this was finally published in 1986 as A Pennine Journey: The Story of a Long Walk in 1938.
In 1998 David and Heather Pitt completed their own version of AW’s Pennine Journey and this led to the publication of A Pennine Journey guidebook in 2010. The guidebook has recreated AW’s 1938 walk using public rights of way and trails with a Wainwright connection, not the roads that AW himself used – we like to think that this modernised version of A Pennine Journey might have been chosen by AW himself if he was creating the route in modern times.
This will be the forth running of the North version of the event. We have the 112 and 52 mile solo races and the 112 now also has a three person relay option. The North loop starts at Blanchland, and before returning to Blanchalnd vista Hexham, Hadrians Wall, Greenhead, Slaggyford, Alston, Garrigill, Cross Fell, Milburn, Dufton, High Cup Nick, Cow Green Reservoir, Cauldron Snout, Forest In Teesdale, Swinhope Head, Westgate, Rookhope and Bolts Law.
It is not flat and the terrain can be very challenging. Statistics suggest that the route is arguably the toughest 100 ish miler in England.
Relay leg 1-37.6 miles Blanchland to Greenhead
Leg 2-40.1 miles Greenhead to Dufton,
Leg 3-34.77 Dufton to Blanchland.
The 112-mile race will start at 8pm on Friday 2nd May 2025 with a 40 hr cut off.
The 52-mile race will start on Saturday 3rd May 2025 at 8am and have a 24hr cut off.
The 112-mile Ultramarathon starts at the medieval village of Blanchland, The 52 will start in Alston and follow the second half of the 112 route back to Blanchland.
Please note that whilst the route has some way markers, this is classed as a self navigating challenge. You must possess the skills to navigate around the route and look after yourself on the hills.
What you get:
Event Trackers
Parking/Camping available on the Friday night for 52 runners and all runners after completion of the event.
Aid stations – eight for the 112 and four for the 52. Indoor aid stations will have hot food/drinks.
Coach transport (from Blanchland camping to Alston start for 52 runners)
Drop bags: one for the 52, two for the 112 (Greenhead and Dufton)
Medical Cover
Hot meal, cakes and drinks at the end.
Bespoke Eco memento for all finishers, certificate of completion and some fab event swag.
Trophies (1st M, and F in both categories) and prizes for category winners.
Race HQ - Blanchland Village Hall and Recreation Ground, Clap Shaw, Blanchland, DH8 9UA.
Parking: event parking will be at the village hall with additional parking areas within the public car parks along the street.
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Trips & Adventurous Activities in Rowlands Gill.
