In June 2024, over 800 runners lined up to take on the epic route of Hadrian’s Wall from Carlisle to Newcastle. Among them were a handful of Saltwell’s finest. Below they share their stories of an physical and emotional journey as they tackled this iconic ultra event.
What made you want to take on a 70 mile race?
Steve: This was my second time taking part int he wall. First time round having done several half marathons, a few marathons it felt like a good step up to the next level challenge. Plus it finishes in Newcastle so I knew it would be easy to get home. The second time round was more to do with the fact of trying to beat my time and get in before midnight so I could say I had done it in the same day. Unfortunately, that was not achieved and although at the time I said I would not do this one again it is still playing on the back of my mind that I have a point to prove to myself.
Andy: A good pal of mine wanted to do it and asked me if I would do it with him… like a fool I agreed!
Christie: I had worked my way up the distances from parkrun to marathon, mainly focusing on speed. I was happy with where my PBs were (sub-20min 5km, 1hr35 half) and wanted a new challenge. Had always been curious as to how far I could go.
Josh: I really enjoy ultras. With longer runs like this, nobody has any expectation of how fast something like this should take. The achievement is the distance, not time timing, so I feel like I can enjoy it more! I always say that a marathon is harder than a 50km ultra
Paul: I did Hadrian’s Wall with my partner about 5yrs ago. That took us 6 days of hiking. After we did it, just something in my head was saying I could do it faster and my partner agreed. So, when I saw this event, I thought wow that’s some challenge.
What did you do to train for an ultra?
Josh: I’m not very good at following a plan. I just tried to run a lot. And tried to build up to running 100km weeks… although I think I only hit 100km once in the end.
Steve: First time round was doing club training, with a few other 10km runs during the week with a long run at the weekend and then did a few 30+ mile runs with some training in the gym mixed into it to try and help with strength. This time round tried to change my training with more shorter runs and club with a bit of gym.
Paul: My training involved, weekly training with the Harriers on a Tuesday night and long runs on the weekend, gradually increasing the distance overtime. Nearer to the event I introduce more hills into my training runs on the long runs.
Christie: Mostly was normal marathon training (3/4 runs a week), but did some double long slow runs on a weekend (e.g. 18 miles Sat, 10 miles Sun) to get legs used to running when tired and achy.
Andy: Started doing longer runs on Sundays with my Sunday Social group which were usually 10-12 miles. Also and entered the Kielder Ultra a few months before to make the jump up to 31 miles.
What was going through your mind on the start line?
Paul: So many things were going through me mind at the start, excitement and pumped up for it, looking at my partner in the crowd and for some reason getting emotional about it. There were no nerves at all.
Christie: “Might as well get this started” 🤣. Was excited, more so for the mental challenge.
Josh: I think at the beginning of something like this there’s always a bit of nerves. But I was also excited, and there was a good buzz. It’s funny knowing you are about to voluntarily do something that’s going to cause you a lot of pain and suffering that you’ve chosen to do it for fun.
Steve: Absolutely buzzing as I absolutely loved it first time round so knowing what to expect kind of made it a little easier to enjoy.
Andy: It was drizzling at the start line but I was in good spirits and keen to get started.
What was your nutrition plan and how did it go?
Christie: Little and often. I used Trek bars and haribo, with electrolytes regularly. At the check points, we took advantage of the cakes, sandwiches, soup. An ultra is a moving picnic 🤣. We had a plan to walk 5 mins, run 5 mins for most of the race which meant we didn’t push ourselves too early and maintained an even pace, with enough time for food/water etc when we needed.
Andy: Nutrition was mainly Graze oat bars which I love. Also electrolyte tablets to drop into water. The food stations were superb and I found if anything I was carrying too much food.
Josh: Nutrition went really well for me on this run. It had been my biggest worry because I’d had stomach pain during a previous ultra. But this time I was able to eat well. I took gels and breakfast bars but relied a lot on the food provided by the event organisers on the route. At Hexham, I had a feast!
Steve: This is something I always struggle with. Was a mixture of gels, haribo, isotonic drinks and then just trying to eat what ever was on offer at the pit stops which as I right this is my absolute dream but at the time as I become more tired I begin to really struggle to eat.
Paul: I’ll be honest I didn’t have plan for this. I knew I had to eat at every pit stop and continue to take in lots of fluids but I believe I didn’t consume enough.
Was there a particular low point in your race, or hardest part?
Paul: My lowest point of the race was at Hexham pit stop. This is where I had to pull out. I entered the tent full of energy and feeling great, but soon as I stopped to start changing into fresh clothes my body just started shaking and just everything I did felt negative.
Josh: The halfway point was tough. It felt like an achievement, but I was already tired, and the thought of doing it all over again was taxing. There are always highs and lows but for me I find if I’m feeling low it’s normally fixed by eating something!
Andy: A couple of really difficult sections – physically, going over the Sill which was a series of leg burning climbs along the main ridge. Mentally, when it started to rain on the seemingly never ending straight road called Stanegate after Vindolanda — fatigued and cold.
Steve: The weather got to me this year it was pretty much raining on and off for the first 10-15miles and by that point everything was wet and impossible to dry out.
What was the highlight of your race?
Josh: Running along the Quayside near the finish was amazing. I felt like I was back on home turf. Seeing the Millennium Bridge gave me an adrenaline boost, and in my memory I was sprinting all the way along from the Redheugh. In reality it probably wasn’t more than a gentle jog!
Christie: Reaching Hexham c. Miles 44. 2 marathons down and 1 to go, mentally I was feeling quite strong so knew I could blag the last marathon. And the end – seeing the quayside was a bit emotional after 16h of moving!
Steve: The highlight both times has been coming out of the second main pitstop at the quarry and heading up over the wall towards the sill. It’s off road, there are a couple of nice little hills to climb and it’s the most beautiful place being up on the wall.
Andy: Highlight was the general camaraderie and scenery.
Paul: Everything up to Hexham, the start line seeing everyone getting ready for the big off, starting up conversations along the way, feeling determined at every pit stop and knowing that you are getting closer.
Did you listen to any music, and if so, which artist or track gave you the biggest lift?
Steve: I listened to music for about 30mins but looking back think my choice of music did not help. I put the tunes on at about 25miles in and Small Town Boy (Bronski Beat) kicked in followed by Welcome to the Pleasuredome (Frankie goes to Hollywood) and before I knew it the plan had gone out the window and I was running along (probably to fast) singing along and loving life!
Christie: I ran with my boss from work, so we just talked nonsense at each other for 16h, or found some fellow runners to chat to.
Josh: I actually didn’t listen to anything the entire run. I had some great chats with other runners and found the day went by quickly.
How did your race end?
Josh: Just as I was approaching the Millennium Bridge, the alarm for it to open started sounding. As I was running over it I could hear them announcing for people to get off the bridge! I was so glad I’d come in when I did! I would have been so annoyed if I’d been two minutes later and had to stand around for 15mins at the other side of the river looking at the finish 😅
Christie: Before midnight, which was our aim for a first ultra marathon, and at a faster pace than we had done for the last 10h! Finished with a curry, cheese and a beer 😊.
Steve: In the dark! Would have been nice to finish it in the light but was just happy that I was not feeling as bad as the first time round
Andy: I withdrew from the race at the Hexham (44 mile mark) — blisters finished me off.
Paul: My run finished at Hexham Pit Stop.
Would you do it again?
Christie: I’m so glad I ticked it off the bucket list. For a first big ultra the organisation is amazing – they really look after you. I want to tackle other ultras so unlikely I’d do it again.
Steve: At the time I said no (not because I didn’t enjoy it) as have done it twice and feel I wanted to give something different a go but having not bettered my time second time round it’s definitely back on the list.
Paul: Signed up for it straight away, I have unfinished business lol.
Andy: I’ve re-entered again… like a fool!
What would be your single bit of advice to anyone thinking of doing their first ultra?
Andy: Advice is to get the long runs in and seek support from fellow runners so you have company and motivation — there’s always someone willing to get out and join you. Judging from the runners I met there was all ability levels doing the run, it’s not the preserve of elite runners. The Wall distance is a bit extreme so also also consider a 50k ultra as a starting point.
Christie: You don’t need the most expensive kit (I used Decathlon or Amazon for almost everything) just got to be prepared and headstrong. The body can be pushed a lot more than you think!
Steve: Go for it. This is a really nice route, well organised event with amazing pit stops and great support all the way along. It’s designed to be walked the whole way so it takes a bit of the pressure off. And at the end of it you feel like you have really achieved something special. On to the 100miler next year!
Paul: Have nutrition plan and make sure you stick to it.
Josh: Definitely do it! Spend plenty of time on your feet and learn to run slow. It’s about finding a pace you can maintain. For runners used to going fast, slowing down and pacing yourself is key.
