ADDITIONAL CAPACITY ADDED FOR 2025 ENTER NOW
RUN OR TREK OUR CLASSIC 70 MILE UK ULTRAMARATHON IN 26 HOURS
Take on the most iconic UK ultramarathon and conquer 70 stunning miles through historic Hadrian’s Wall country in a continuous, fully supported, and waymarked journey. Run or trek this ultramarathon’s classic route, which has been designed to be achieved at just 3mph and has an average completion rate of over 90%. It is the perfect first step into beginner UK ultramarathon territory for those new to the world beyond 26.2.
DISTANCE:
70 MILES (113 KM) ON FOOT
+3460FT ELEVATION
LOCATION:
NORTHERN ENGLAND
DURATION:
1 DAY
DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?
This event is designed to be completed at 3mph and is a fully supported adventure, the perfect first Ultramarathon.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
WAYMARKED AND SUPPORTED
Fully waymarked route with Pit Stop support en route
TRANSFER POLICY
Flexible transfer policy up to 1 month before the event.
SAFETY
Professional 4x4 support vehicles, safety staff, medical and welfare. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
RAISE £750 FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND RECEIVE A REFUND OF YOUR ENTRY FEE
RAISE £750 AND GET UP TO £275 REFUNDED
SET UP YOUR JUST GIVING PAGE HERE OR FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR CHARITY PARTNERSHIP HERE
MORE INFORMATION:
From Carlisle Castle to Gateshead Baltic Quay, The Wall is one of our longest-serving events that we've operated since 2012. Designed to be completed at a walking pace of 3mph, this UK ultramarathon is the perfect adventure for running your first ultramarathon and seasoned pros alike.
This UK ultramarathon’s route is a classic, shrouded in myth, legend and enveloped in glorious English countryside, moor, river and valley. The route then culminates in a dramatic finale amongst the bridges of the Newcastle Gateshead quayside. Our format for this UK ultramarathon comprises a continuous and fully supported journey, with expert waymarking and the now legendary Pit Stops – fuelling you up from Carlisle to Newcastle with the most unbelievable spreads you have ever seen in an Ultramarathon. If you don’t come for the views, come for the snacks!
Start location: Carlisle Castle
Finish location: Baltic Quay, Gateshead
The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the uncertain becomes certain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of a number of reasons, we cannot do so, and we need to wheel out Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities, of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons, and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately, our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you in good time (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end!
Click ‘Buy Event Voucher’ and go through the sign-up process, you’ll then be issued with an event voucher which will automatically reserve you a place in the event you have chosen.
Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure. If you wish to participate as a family group or with a responsible adult and you are 16+, we will consider applications on an individual basis. Please contact us if this is the case.
Getting to the start line is important and we are there to help you as best we can. However, if you feel on reflection that it is just not your time yet, we do have a transfer system that you can use to transfer out, receive Rat Race credit and come back again next year or do something else. Credit is typically valid for 12 months and there is a fee to be paid for transferring out in this way. We want to be really clear that this option is there for you if you need it, but it does have a deadline. View our full terms and conditions here.
The latest kit list will be sent to you before the event within the Essential Event Information Document however you can find the 2023 kit list here which will be similar.
Of course. If you run for Children with Cancer UK with a GENERAL ENTRY and raise the target amount for this event per person (£750), we will refund your entry fee up to the amount of £275. You are of course more than welcome to fundraise for any cause close to your heart.
If you enter as a CHARITY ENTRY you are committing to fundraise at least £525 for Children with Cancer UK. Please charity tab for more info on these places.
Yes, you can. We welcome support on almost all of our events and if you do decide you want to come and work with us, we will make sure we look after you. Click here to find out more about volunteering for Rat Race.
We’ve put together a fantastic new instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded.
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
By entering this event you agreed that you have entered in your own name (not nickname) and will bring photographic ID to event registration to prove your identity. If you cannot prove your identity at that time then you won’t be able to complete registration and therefore won’t be able to take part. Please note Registration is Friday before the event only, you cannot register on Saturday morning. Registration will be open from 2pm until 10pm in central Carlisle.
Sorry we cannot accommodate dogs on the route.
The Wall is hailed as an ideal entry-level 100+ km Ultramarathon, it is well-supported and fully waymarked, meaning you do not need to carry a map or follow a GPS watch like many Ultramarathons. It is a mix of undulating trails and roads, but is primarily on road and although stunningly rural, you are never far from shelter or assistance.
All participants have 26 hours to complete the ultramarathon in one continuous effort. They start at 7am on Saturday and have until 9am Sunday. Whilst it is primarily an ultramarathon running designed event, The Wall has been completed by fast walkers in the past. It requires an average speed of 3mph (just under 5km per hour) to allow time for refuelling and breaks at Pit Stops. These will be reflected in the cut off points for each Pit Stop.
The Wall is fully waymarked with marshals enroute.
The nature of The Wall is that it is a one way journey and therefore you have to plan your logistics a bit if you do not have supporters with you. Most people will park their car at Newcastle Train Station and get the train over to Carlisle on Friday afternoon for Registration. Then after you finish the ultramarathon, we operate a shuttle service to the train station and city central hotels if needed. Please note that the train station does not reopen until 0730 on Sunday morning with no services running before that time.
We will collect you via the Sweeper vehicle and move you forwards on the course. We are unable to transport you backwards i.e back to the start.
Check out our blog post which runs through The Wall UK Ultramarathon kit list and links examples and recommendations
ULTRAMARATHON MANDATORY KIT LIST
Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing the ultramarathon. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for that assistance. Spot checks are carried out throughout the event and you will not be able to continue if you are found not to be carrying the requisite items
-
Running shoes or walking boots. We recommend road shoes.
-
Running pack/vest.
-
Hydration bladder or bottles. A 2L carrying capacity is required.
-
Basic first aid kit containing a triangular or conformable roller bandage, assorted adhesive dressings including 1 at least 100mm x 100mm. Gauze or gauze bandage and paracetamol.
-
Spare food to be carried with you
-
Survival bag, NOT blanket
-
Whistle
-
Reusable cup suitable for hot drinks at Pit Stops
-
Insulating mid layer merino or synthetic similar
-
Full waterproof body cover, long sleeve jacket and full length trousers with taped seams
-
Additional full length leg cover if you are running in shorts (eg a pair of leggings, if you are wearing leggings you do not need to carry a second pair)
-
Fully charged phone
-
Method of payment (card/cash/apple pay)
-
Tracker (supplied)
-
Hat or buff and a pair of gloves
-
Headtorch
-
Rear red light or reflective/hi-vis patch (10cm x 2cm minimum)
-
Spare batteries for your headtorch or back up light source
ULTRAMARATHON RECOMMENDED KIT
This kit is not mandatory but more 'common sense' additions that we recommend to give you the very best chance of reaching that bridge at the end and completing your ultramarathon!
-
Insulated jacket - we strongly recommend packing one if you think you might still be going in the early hours of Sunday morning. The most common reason that people retire in The Wall and other ultramarathons is that they get too cold. Regardless of the weather throughout the day, you will get cold at 2am, find one that packs down small and get it in your pack. It might be the piece of kit that helps you get to the finish.
-
Suncream/sunglasses
-
Blister treatment kit. Our paramedics will prioritise live cases and they are not a foot care service, we recommend that you know how to treat your feet if hot spots and blisters do occur and that you are self contained.
-
Anti-chafe lubricant
-
Spare socks
-
Trekking poles – totally optional but helpful if you are a walker
-
Headphones - when the going gets tough the tough listen to music! Please ensure these are not noise cancelling and that you can hear the traffic and people around you.
EVENT T-SHIRT
Pre-order your The Wall 2025 T-shirt to collect at the event registration.
£15 per t-shirt
CLICK HERE TO BUY A 2025 EVENT T-SHIRT
ULTRAMARATHON TRAINING
THE WALL TRAINING PROGRAMME
Completing an ultramarathon is something many people can do, but requires a certain level of fitness, a degree of training experience, and mental toughness. The key to reaching the finish line is having arrived at the start line well prepared, and this begins months before, with some simple steps.
PAY IN INSTALMENTS FOR 2025
£25.91
/ MONTH
SIGN UP TODAY
A booking fee of 5.99% will be added to all payments. Price shown is solo entry price per month when using the instalment plan.
SOLO ENTRY 2025
£230
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
SIGN UP TODAY
PAIR ENTRY 2025
£210
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
SIGN UP TODAY
All 2025 entries include a £10 donation to our charity partner Children with Cancer UK
PAY MONTHLY INTEREST FREE!
ENTER NOW AND SPREAD THE COST INTEREST FREE WITH OUR INSTALMENT PLAN
We’ve put together a fantastic new instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like, totally interest free*. The payments will be split equally allowing you to budget and plan for this stunning journey. All payments to be made before February, the year of the event.
*When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded.
Please see here for full terms and conditions and our cancellation policy.
PROTECT YOUR NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING WITH REFUND PROTECT
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
What our amazing #ratracers thought of The Wall
"I’d really recommend The Wall, especially as a first ultramarathon of this sort of distance. "
"An incredible day. A wonderful route, through spectacular country. Whatever discomfort felt is temporary, whilst the achievement is forever."
"My first Ultramarathon. The run was brutal, but the support was great and everybody smiled. I really like my medal with a low carbon footprint."
"Great event, first time I had ran over 20miles so hadn’t much to go off at the start line but learnt a lot throughout. The food options were amazing and the staff were superb."
"A superb very testing event both physically and mentally. Great scenery and route but even for an ultramarathon a brutal but ultimately rewarding experience."
"Excellent route with wonderful pit stops (food and people)!"
""An Epic Event! Well catered, varied terrain, well supported!
"A fabulous event super well organised impossible to get lost.
The section over the wall is stunning
Top feed stations and the best support crew. Definitely recommend it the sense of achievement at the end is unreal."
"Epic. Just a beautiful route, amazing volunteers and so worth the pain!! This was a dream come true to see so much of Hadrian's Wall!! I found out just how tough I really am and enjoyed every minute!"
"A fantastic experience, from friendly ratrace staff and volunteers to the easy to follow way signs.
I will definitely do another ratrace event."
"Once there the race was exceptionally well organised. The pit stops were amazingly well stocked and full of atmosphere. The volunteers were superb, thank you.
It was an incredible feeling running over the bridge to the finish line. I have never been happier during a race. Thank you."
THERE ARE TWO FANTASTIC WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH FUNDRAISING FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER.
GENERAL ENTRY: RAISE AT LEAST £750 (EXCLUDING GIFT AID) FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND GET YOUR ENTRY FEE ONLY (UP TO £275) REFUNDED!
Our longstanding partnership with Children with Cancer UK gives #ratracers the opportunity to raise much needed funds for this great cause in exchange for a refund of their entry fee. So far our #ratracers have raised over £2million for Children with Cancer UK and we would love for you to join the team to help us chase down that £3million target!
The funds you raise will be invested into vital specialist research to improve survival rates in children and young people and help more of them ring the end of treatment bell.
All you need to do is set up a Just Giving page here and start your fundraising! You will have until 1 month after the event date to hit your target and then send us the link to your page which will allow us to process your refund. Refunds will be made 2 – 3 months after the event completion date.
Refunds are not mandatory you are welcome to opt-out of receiving a refund. Should participants opt-out their refund will instead be used by Children with Cancer UK to help fund their research.
If you choose to support Children with Cancer UK and raise £750, you will also receive:
-
A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
-
Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
-
A dedicated point of contact at the charity
-
A technical Children with Cancer UK t-shirt to wear with pride
2024 CHARITY ENTRY: SIGN UP FOR A CHARITY PLACE AND PLEDGE TO RAISE £525
The Wall general entry is SOLD OUT but you can still take part by joining the Children with Cancer UK team and pledging to raise a minimum of £525.
After signing up as a charity runner you just need to set up your Just Giving page here to start your fundraising! You then have until 1 month after the event date to hit your target.
By becoming a Children with Cancer fundraiser you will receive:
-
A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
-
Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
-
A dedicated point of contact at the charity
-
A technical Children with Cancer UK t-shirt to wear with pride
Children with Cancer UK Charity Entry places terms and conditions
By signing up as a charity entry you are pledging to raise a minimum of £525 for Children with Cancer UK, please be confident that you can hit this target. If you are struggling with your fundraising please get in touch with the team on sports@childrenwithcancer.org.uk who will be happy to advise you on ideas and things you can do to help raise money. If you have not met the target by the 15th July 2024 Rat Race will be in touch to discuss methods to help you hit this target. If the target has still not been met by the 31st July 2024 Rat Race will charge the shortfall to the payment card on your account.
Charity entries are not eligible for the General entry fee refund offer.
For more information on Children with Cancer UK please visit www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
Alternatively please contact the Sports Team on 020 7430 7788 or email sports@childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
Children with Cancer UK is a registered national charity (no. 298405)
PIT STOPS AT THE WALL
WE’RE FIRM BELIEVERS THAT A GOOD FEED IS THE KEY TO RUNNING ULTRAMARATHONS, SO OUR PIT STOPS AT THE WALL ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL INDEED! CHECK OUT WHAT’LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT EACH OF THE STOPS…
‘Pit Stop’ is the name for a service area where the event organisers, support vehicles, and runners all meet up. Pit Stops are the ONLY places where runners are allowed to take external support from friends & family. This is both part of the ethos of the challenge and a measure to prevent excess traffic mixing with runners on the route.
At the wall, we operate 5 pit stops throughout the ultramarathon, where participants showing their number can access food, water, toilets and medical provisions. We will have the minimum of the following choices of food and drink:
-
Water – Ensure you leave with water bottles and bladders filled so you have enough to get you to the next Pit Stop.
-
Salty snacks – such as crisps and peanuts.
-
A fruit option – either oranges or bananas.
-
Sweets – such as Haribo and Skittles.
-
A variety of sandwiches, pastries and cakes.
-
Hot drinks will be provided at Pit Stops from Walltown Quarry onwards.
Our Ultramarathon Pit Stops are there to help supplement any personal sports nutrition plan you may have. If you have any special dietary requirements then please plan for this and pack your kit accordingly. We have a Bag Drop system to ensure you have supplies that suit you. Rat Race aim to offer Pit Stop snacks that are tasty and functional for as broad a mix of needs as possible. We have options available that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and availability of this will depend on demand. If peanuts are served, these will be in individual portion bags to reduce the chance of contamination, but Rat Race cannot guarantee that the food does not contain contamination from allergens such as nuts or gluten in its preparation or serving.
Please take care when consuming food with dirty hands. Please please please take care with litter and help us in our aim of leaving our venues and routes tidier then we find them.
PIT STOP AND
CHECKPOINT LOCATIONS
-
CP Irthington Village School 10 miles
-
PS1 Lanercost Priory CA8 2HQ 15 miles
-
CP Birdoswald Checkpoint 19.5 miles
-
PS2 Walltown Quarry Pit Stop CA8 7HF 24 miles
-
PS3 The Sill Pit Stop NE47 7AN 30 miles
-
CP Newbrough Checkpoint 38 miles
-
PS4 Hexham Pit Stop NE46 3SG 44 miles
-
CP Styford Toll Checkpoint 49.5 miles
-
CP Ovingham Checkpoint 55.5 miles
-
PS5 Newburn Pit Stop NE15 8ND 63 miles
CUT OFFS
The Wall is designed to be achievable for walkers who can maintain a 3mph pace, our cut offs reflect that and are as generous as we can make them. Cut offs are enforced and they are applied to your departure time not your arrival time into the location:
-
PS1 Lanercost 1230
-
PS2 Walltown Quarry 1530
-
PS3 The Sill 1800
-
PS4 Hexham 0000 (midnight)
-
PS5 Newburn 0600 (Sunday)
-
FINISH 0900 (Sunday)
MORE EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE:
ULTRA TOUR OF ARRAN
20 - 21 APRIL 2024
A 2 day off-road running adventure with dense forests, coastal scenery, crumbling castles and dramatic mountains
ARRAN,
SCOTLAND
2 DAYS /
3 NIGHTS
THE ISLES ULTRA
28 SEPT - 5 OCT 2023 / 2025
A breathtaking foot traverse of the entire chain of the Outer Hebrides from South to North.
HEBRIDES,
SCOTLAND
8 DAYS /
7 NIGHTS
RACE TO THE WRECK
3 - 10 NOV 2024
A journey across the Namib Desert by foot and fat-bike to reach the most famous shipwreck on Earth.
NAMIBIA,
AFRICA
8 DAYS /
7 NIGHTS
All event entry systems and Rat Race customer accounts will be offline between 10:00 and 16:00 GMT on 20th November while we implement a new system.
You will not be able to enter an event, login to your account or transfer an existing entry during this time period.