SCOTT Cheviot Goat

It’s taken a while to get over the pain of the Cheviot Goat being cancelled at the last second.  Storm Darragh decided to worsen as the weekend approached and replicated the problems caused by Storm Arwen a few years back.  In the end it was the right decision as the wind got up so strong it was hard to stand up on the tops and the rivers burst their banks all over Northumberland.  A person with many links to the Ingram area actually lost his life that night when his car was swept away when trying to cross a ford.  From the runners point of view the race could actually have started but by midday it was clear the event would have had to have been pulled with the ensuing logistical joy of plucking runners off the course wherever we could find them.

Cold Brew Events were not the only organisation devastated by the non-event as Ingram Cafe had prepared for days and bought a huge amount of produce ready for one of its biggest weekends of the year.  In the end they were left holding the baby but a huge thanks goes out to all you kind people who donated to the Buy-Me-A-Coffee fund which raised over £1500 for Biddy and her team.  Biddy was blown away and in tears at the generosity.  Those that donated may not understand how much that act of kindness means to a tiny cafe in rural Northumberland.

Looking ahead to the future the Goat is such an iconic event that we’re determined to keep it going.  Part of its appeal is that the conditions can push the very limits of people to the edge of what they can take.  Those same conditions can sometimes overstep the mark as in the case of the two storms and it’s on us to not put anyone in real danger.  The run is now going to add a summer version which will be a variation of the original route but needs to exclude all those key areas that are affected by local industry such as the rearing of ground nesting birds.  A ground for a summer run will be easier going and psychologically the extra light will suit a lot of people who want to dip their toes in the Goat ultra scene without going waist deep in a bog in the depths of winter.

For the beast that is the winter run we’re giving half a thought to adding different distances.  A shorter version at 30 miles that sticks to the Breamish valley side of the course but ticks off a lot of the tough terrain to give people a real flavour of the Goat without doing double the distance.  The other idea being floated is the “Billy Goat” which is a tough old beast consisting of the original Goat route followed by the shorter one and totalling 90 miles of suffering.  The longer one is unlikely to make an appearance in 2025 as it adds a bit of logistical work but the shorter one could be an option.

Either way we look forward to delivering the event that has caused runners as well as ourselves a whole load of joy and satisfaction.  Anyone who tackles the Goat is in for a long, hard run in tough conditions and we’re here to support you all the way.  The new sponsor SCOTT has stepped up to be the brand of the Goat in 2025 and we look forward to working with them closely.  Creators of some of the best running gear around their UK office just happens to be down the road.  Expect to see Michelle and her team cheering you on at every turn.

We look forward to a very exciting 2025.