Ultra Time in 2026

With the Shadowlands Winter Trail Series now out of the way our attention on the running front turns to our ultra running offerings.  This type of running has seen a rapid growth in the last decade as people look to push themselves further and further.  Drew, Andy and I often joke about the time when a marathon was seen as tough (it still is by the way) and both Andy and Drew took pride in their Ironman achievements.  Now an Ironman distance could be considered short compared to some of the multi day offerings in the ultra world at the moment.  To be fair anyone who has actually done an Ironman will tell you they are in fact rock solid!

Cold Brew have built up a solid reputation for well delivered and challenging ultra running events.  In the early days of High Fell Events (pre Andy and Drew) there were exploits such as the High Fells of Coquet or the Ingram ultra.  The latter ended up being moved from the summer to the winter and becoming the Cheviot Goat.  When High Fell switched to Cold Brew and we became a team of three it was easier to deliver the long duration ultras.  The first one together was the Tyne Trail Ultra that took people from the source of the Tyne way up on the Scottish border beyond Kielder all the way down the Tynemouth.  There was a half distance option that finished at Warden as well.  I remember being at the finish for the ones doing the full distance and desperately fighting off the fatigue of having been awake for 36 hours.  Heaven knows how the runners did it!  The Tyne Trail Ultra also had a south route and my personal preference was this one as it came from high above Garigil all the way down the old railway track until again it hit Warden.  Who knows, maybe we’ll bring this back one day.

As for 2026 we have three main ultras to aim for, each with their own characteristics and appeal.  Let’s go through them.

NORTH STAR ULTRA

When: 13th/14th June

Where: Kielder, Northumberland.  Visiting Byrness, Falstone, Stonehaugh and Carter Bar

Options: Solo, pair or quad

Distance: 170 miles in 36 hours.  Results based on fastest finished or furthest distance covered if not finished.

Website: https://northstarultra.com/

The North Star Ultra is something new that we are very excited about.  We look to bring a dimension of strategy and decision making to go alongside just sheer grit and determination.  There are 5 distinct legs that you can think of as their own ultras.  They each are an out-and-back to a different point on a star.  You can do the first four legs in any order you wish but you must finish with the north leg last.  Solo runners need to have a think about which leg suits their strengths and weaknesses based on profile, terrain, duration and effort.  Teams of two or four can only have one runner out on the course at a time and again they can analyse which of the legs are best suited to which runner.  We’re intrigued to see how this is going to play out.

PILGRIMS ULTRA

When: 26th/27th Sept

Where: Holy Island

Options: Solo

Distance: 50km to Craster, 100km to Rothbury or 100m to Chollerford

Website: https://pilgrimsultra.com/

The Pilgrims Ultra is set on a stunningly beautiful route has options for all types of people in the ultra running world.  The 50km distance is a high quality introduction to ultra with the only hill of note coming early and then being treated to a historical and picturesque tour de force coming down the Northumbrian coast.  Runners start at the priory that echoes with the sounds of marauding Vikings a thousand years ago.  Then they get over the causeway and then run under the mighty shadows of Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh castles before arriving in the stunning old fishing hamlet of Craster.  For people looking to step up to their first 100km distance they can continue onwards to Rothbury and most will be facing the prospect of running in the dark.  After that you’re left with the truly mad people doing 100 miles who first have to climb up and over Simonside before retracing the steps of St Oswalds all the way across the rolling hills north of Tynedale.  Whichever distance you choose the route is dripping with stories and significance.

SCOTT CHEVIOT GOAT

When: 5th Dec

Where: Ingram cafe, Northumberland

Options: Solo in 24 hours.

Distance: 59 miles

Website: https://cheviotgoat.com/

The Cheviot Goat is definitely not one for beginners.  It’s a hard one day winter ultra run that tests people’s will to progress over energy sapping terrain.  Isolated from any houses or civilisation this is a test of staying power as feet are sunk into deep bogs to disturb your rhythm.  Highly exposed ridges leave runners open to the elements with no other features to provide any kind of barrier to the biting conditions.  Having the right kit is essential as you’ll need to face whatever mother nature can throw at you.  The reward of finishing is knowing you have completed something truly special and you’ve managed to get yourself through the land where only the Cheviot goats roam.