Ultra North 55km 2020

Three weeks ago, head hung low, trudging defeated back into Wooler, I pronounced my ultra running attempts for the year done. The stance had softened slightly when I blogged about it later that week, but I still had no intention of attempting another any time soon.

I wasn’t lying, I just lacked foresight.

A week later, my phone buzzed with a message from a mate: “Fancy that ultra on 3 Oct?” We text back and forth a bit and then next thing you know we’re booked on with only six days to prepare.

I’m not sure that’s how you’re supposed to go about these things but hey, it’s 2020. Nothing’s exactly happening as it’s supposed to. We’d both been intending to do this event in April when it was cancelled, and had kept weekly mileage good. It was too tempting to have a race on our doorstep and not go for it.

UltraNorth 55 is a new event in Newcastle, ran by the company behind the iconic Great North Run. It’s a 55km (34 mile) loop out of the city, following Hadrian’s way west until it loops south into the woods and returns for a city centre finish.

My biggest concern before the start is that I’ve not trained for this. I’ve done plenty of long run days, but almost all have been in the mountains. I’ve scrambled, clambered, hiked, and everything else except for run fast. UltraNorth is, comparatively, a fairly flat and fast course.

UltraNorth is, comparatively, a fairly flat and fast course.

The team organising the event had done a great job making it Covid secure and allowed to continue even with the local lockdown. The start was staggered, with face masks, sanitiser and social distancing being the order of the day.

We’d both agreed that the only goal was to finish. So, needless to say, we set off in the third wave and went out fast. The rain was torrential and I started in my waterproof but removed it very early on as the weather was warm enough.

The route out to Wylam is smooth sailing, barring the slight hill to get over the A1. For most of the section we made good time and passed quite a few other runners, but the only focus was getting along the tree shaded bridleway at a consistent pace. This is one of the paths I run from home so it was nice to be on familiar ground.

From Wylam you enter into the uphill section, heading up some trails and through to Greenside. There’s a grassy stretch and then some rocky and muddy trail, but nothing too technical. It’s a welcome respite to slow down a little as we climb.

From Wylam you enter into the uphill section… it’s a welcome respite to slow down a little as we climb.

After Greenside we head through High Spen and on to Chopwell Woods. The second aid station was on the way into the woods and, as with all aid stations, it was well stocked. Flat Pepsi never tasted so good.

Chopwell Woods is a great place to run, loads of ups and downs and little trails make the pace slower but the route is great. We were warned not to trust our GPS but rely on the signs. GPS mapping of Chopwell tends to have routes that don’t exist anymore, and there’s the added inaccuracy of signal when under tree cover. We made one mistake and found ourself 500m up the wrong path before the rest of the field ahead met us coming the other way and corrected it.

On the way out of Chopwell I saw two friends who had came out to cheer, which was a real morale boost. I find it incredibly kind that people would come and cheer. The path from Chopwell to Lintzford was ankle deep in muddy water the whole way, which was great fun to run through.

From Lintzford we headed up to Hamsterley Mill where we joined Derwent Walk. With 33km down, I start to hurt. Everything between my knees and waist seemed to seize up. I tried to hide the pain, but don’t think I did a great job of it. I was struggling to keep the pace but a gentle incline and some determination helped. I promised myself not to walk until we hit the Tyne at the earliest.

Everything between my knees and waist seemed to seize up. I tried to hide the pain, but don’t think I did a great job of it.

Coming through the checkpoint at Rowland’s Gill my friends were there cheering again. It was a major lift to see them and they also mentioned that we were top ten at that point. Up until then we’d been running our own race but that injected a competitive edge to proceedings. I enjoyed more flat Pepsi and filled my soft flasks before we headed off again.

The race takes a lovely route down and along the Derwent before climbing back over the Nine Arches Viaduct. We passed the marathon mark in Derwenthaugh Park, a few seconds shy of four hours. By this point the pain in my legs felt savage and I must’ve looked a picture of misery, pushing forward, fighting an internal battle against the urge to walk.

It was here that I started to assure my mate he could run on, knowing my legs were failing me. My head sank, but he was somehow still moving like a steam engine.

I managed to keep my promise not to walk until hitting the Tyne, but the stretch from the mouth of the Derwent to the Millennium Bridge was a painful mix of staggering, bow-legged, and occasional shuffling. I start to lose track of how many people are passing me, although some will be runners from the 27k that follows the same route back to town.

The stretch from the mouth of the Derwent to the Millennium Bridge was a painful mix of staggering, bow-legged, and occasional shuffling

Coming off the Millennium Bridge I started to run properly again and my pace picked up for the final couple of miles towards the Eagles arena. I managed a sprint through the car park to cross the line in 5:36, for 20th position.

I was gutted by the 6km of run/walking along Gateshead Quays, but satisfied with my time and the fact I’d pushed through with pain in both legs for 20k or so. As Kilian Jornet says, “that’s what gives competition meaning–seeking difficulty and embracing it”.

“That’s what gives competition meaning–seeking difficulty and embracing it.”

– Kilian Jornet

I’ve been impressed with the event overall. It was well organised, well marshalled, and the aid stations were great. It ran with the professionalism you’d expect of Great Run company.

It’s my first organised Ultra and I think it’ll excel for people wanting to get into ultra running, the route is marked and you’re well supported. Running 55km is still a huge challenge, yes, but in a safe environment where you’re never too far from civilisation. It’s a testament to the beauty of the region that you’re never too far from town yet can often look around on the course and see only nature.

The overall experience has reminded me again of the need for better nutrition. I could maintain pace for longer if I could only fuel better; I did the whole race on a handful of gels and it just wasn’t enough. Next season has to be the year when I crack the best way to fuel for such things.

Next up for me is a quick turnaround for the Mourne Skyline on the 17th. It’s the centrepiece of my racing year and I can’t wait to hit those mountains. I just hope I can get some zip back in my legs in time!