Ultra North Race Report 13th July 2024

Race Report by Hannah Wright

Distance: 55km

Terrain: Trail

Weather: wet and miserable

I can finally tick an Ultra off my bucket list

The idea to enter an Ultra started last year when Anne Baleux Petit-Jean suggested it. Cut a long story short it’s all Anne’s fault. (Sorry Anne). 

In my search I came across Ultra North and booked it. The race is Ultra beginner friendly with generous checkpoint cut off times and reasonable elevation. 

The start, finish and event village is at Newcastle’s swing bridge. The usual process when you arrive at the event village of picking up your number, timing chip and bag drop. A real highlight was proper toilets. 

Starting times were in waves with the slowest of us setting off first at 8am from the swing bridge. Minimum kit was required for the run. 

The route follows the River Tyne until reaching Wylam. This section was flattish with great views of the river, taking us to check point 1, providing chance to refuel. A comprehensive list was sent out prior to the race with food list for each station. This included dietary information for anyone V, Vg, GF.  

Once in Wylam the route crosses the River Tyne and follows back along the river to Derwenthaugh Marina before turning and heading alongside the River Derwent. This section was more changing with undulations, mud and some narrow trails. 

It also led us to checkpoint 2/3 which is an out and back checkpoint. At this point peanut butter sandwiches tasted amazing. 

I knew after the checkpoint that the hills would be my next challenge. The route continued to High Spen and then heads into Chopwell Woods taking you through to Lintzford and then dropping into the Derwent Valley. Despite the ascent there was support from fellow runners and a sense of we can make it. 

Relieved after the last section to see the next check point and another peanut butter sarnie. Only one more checkpoint to go and that was the finish line. 

I headed back along the Derwent Walk until meeting the River Tyne again. At this point I was starting to struggle… everything hurt but I knew I was only 5 miles ish to the finish. I just had to hang on in there. Put some fresh music on and off I went. 

The route then follows the river back to the finish point on the West path of the Swing Bridge, finishing on the Newcastle side.

 

I was so happy to see the finish line. At the finish you receive your medal and a beer token. 

Despite the mileage the day seemed to pass by quickly. I even managed to get some pictures of me smiling. 

Striders Results.

Position Name Time Age Category
237 Hannah Wright 09:37:09 F35

Full results can be found at: https://ultraresults.greatrun.org/UltraNorth2024Results.html?i=1

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