EVENT GUIDE 2024
Exciting news!
We are thrilled to announce that Ultra North will be rebranded as Beyond Newcastle in 2025, as part of our exciting new series of events: Beyond Trails.
Beyond Trails is a community of trail running events, all starting in major UK cities. They all start in city centres and take you beyond the city, to the trails.
Beyond Newcastle will still have two distances to choose from: 25km trail and 55km ultra, the same route and will still be open to both walkers and runners. Only the name and the logo will be changing.
As you may have noticed on our social media (and on this event guide!) our branding has already begun to reflect this exciting change with our new core colours: pink and orange. You will also notice this change on race day with some new branding for the start and finish.
Don’t hesitate to follow our new social accounts.
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
The information in this event guide is applicable to all participants taking part in the ULTRA 55 and TRAIL 25 distances. Please have a read through to ensure you’re prepared on event day.
ULTRA NORTH rules are listed here.
This guide should answer any questions you have, but if you have any queries relating to event, please contact us here.
START & FINISH
The start and finish line is on the Swing Bridge (on the opposite side of the road to By the River Brew Co.).
The event village where registration, baggage and toilets will be located is situated across the road within By The River Brew Co. This is also where you will collect your t-shirts (if you have not opted out).
WHAT3WORDS location: ///poster.seated.daring
TRAVEL & PARKING
Getting to the Swing Bridge, Newcastle
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The easiest way to get to the start is by public transport.
The quayside is a short walk from Newcastle and Gateshead city centres with excellent metro and bus links. You can plan your journey here.
PARKING
There is no event parking. If you do need to travel by car, there are city centre and quayside car parks available.
REGISTRATION AND BAG DROP
REGISTRATION
Registration will be open from 07:00hrs for ULTRA 55 participants and 09:00hrs for TRAIL 25 participants.
Please arrive at By The River Brew Co. for registration no more than 60 minutes before your start time. All participants must register here to receive their race number.
Please note: The Event Village will be entirely outside (bear this in mind alongside weather conditions).
BAG DROP
Limited baggage storage will be located at the Event Village. Baggage will be available to collect from the same place you dropped it.
The baggage facility will be in operation from 07:00hrs for ULTRA 55 participants and 09:00hrs for TRAIL 25 participants. Only one bag per participant please.
Your race number will come with a bag tag which you must attach to your bag, before dropping this in the baggage tent.
Please note - Bags will be stored outside but undercover. Whilst we will make every effort to ensure all bags and belongings are stored securely, all participants leave belongings entirely at their own risk.
NEW FOR 2024
All ultramarathon runners (55km distance) will be handed a tracker from OpenTracking at registration, as part of your registration fee.
This tracker will allow your friends and family to follow you along the course, as well as giving you key information while you’re running including where you are compared to other competitors, etc. This information will be displayed at all times on a single tracking page through OpenTracking, accessible on mobiles and desktops. We will send you the link to this page a day before event day.
We will collect all trackers at the finish.
START TIMES
The event will have an open start system and runners will be allocated a 10 minute start window. Timing mats will record when you cross the start line and when you cross the finish line, ensuring all participants receive an accurate time.
Start between 08:00hrs & 08:30hrs
Start between 10:00hrs & 10:30hrs
We will confirm the time of your start window in a pre-race email.
THE ROUTE
Starting and finishing on the iconic Swing bridge on Newcastle Quayside, ULTRA 55km and TRAIL 25km participants will start their run by dropping down on to the Quayside and heading West along the River Tyne.
The course is a mix of trails, footpaths, parks, disused railway lines, woodland and more. Dependent on recent weather conditions, parts of the course may be muddy.
GPX files of the route are available to download below. For more information on downloading, or how to use GPX files, click here.
DOWNLOADING THE ROUTE
Download the route GPX file here
Download the route GPX file here
To use your GPX file, simply select “download” on our website via your laptop or smartphone.
You will then need to add the downloaded file to either your running watch or your phone via an app. The most popular ones are Strava, Garmin and Komoot for example.
Import this GPX file to your chosen app. The steps will vary depending on the app you’ve selected but you should be able to find a “Upload activity” or “Import route”.
FEEDSTATION LOCATIONS
Participants: there are three feedstations along the route, plus the finish.
FEEDSTATION 1
Will be in Wylam Car Park (Tyne Riverside Country Park)approx 15km from the start.
What3Words location: ///reviews.drizzly.moped
FEEDSTATION 2&3
Will be on the Derwent Walk.
This is an out and back feedstation so you will hit it first at around 33km and then again at around 44km .
What3Words location: ///sticky.deed.learn
A final feedstation will be at the finish (55km) at By The River Brew Co.
FEEDSTATION LOCATIONS
Participants: there is one feedstation along the route, plus the finish.
FEEDSTATION 1
Will be shared with the 55km participants and will be located on the Derwent Walk, approx 13km from the start.
What3words location ///sticky.deed.learn
A final feedstation will be at the finish (55km) at By The River Brew Co.
Please fill your own bottle at the feedstation. There will be a variety of provisions available at each feedstation, see next page for more information.
FEEDSTATION INFORMATION
MANDATORY KIT
All participants (both ULTRA 55 & TRAIL 25) must carry with them the mandatory kit listed here. Mandatory kit may be inspected at registration and we will not be able to issue your race number if any items are missing.
Note that unfortunately there will not be an opportunity to purchase any kit at the start so please ensure you bring all required kit with you.
MANDATORY KIT REQUIREMENT
• Fully charged mobile phone with Ultra North event control number saved on the phone
• Debit/credit card to enable travel on public transport if required
• Running pack to carry mandatory kit
• Cash/card for any required food/drink purchases on route
• Cup(s) for water (ideally collapsible) and a water bottle
• Minimum water supply: 1L
• Food reserve (recommendation: 500kcal minimum for ex: 2 gels + 2 power bars)
• Closed-toe running shoes
RECOMMENDED KIT
If hot weather:
• Sunglasses
• Cap
• Sunscreen
• Minimum water supply: 2L
If raining:
• Waterproof running jacket
• Waterproof trousers
If cold weather:
• Leggings
• Gloves
• Beanie hat
CUT OFF TIMES
ULTRA NORTH has strict cut off times that will be enforced. These cut off times are to ensure that all participants have completed the route by 19:30 hrs.
CUT OFF POINT 1:
At feedstation 2 on the Derwent Walk, located approx. 33km from the start. Any participant who has not passed this point by 14:40 hrs will not be permitted to continue onto the Chopwell Woods section of the route and will instead be asked to do a u-turn and head back on the route towards the finish line.
CUT OFF POINT 2:
Cut off point 2: At feed station 3, located approx 44km from the start. Any participant who has not passed this point by 17:00 hrs will not be permitted to continue.
FINISH CUT OFF:
The final cut-off time is 19:30 hrs at the finish line. Participants must cross the finish line before this time to receive a finisher’s medal and have a recorded time.
CUT OFF TIMES
CUT OFF POINT 1:
At the feedstation on the Derwent Walk which is approx. 13km from the start. If any participant has not passed this point by 17:00 hrs, they will not be permitted to continue.
FINISH CUT OFF:
The final cut-off time is 19:30 hrs at the finish line. Participants must cross the finish line before this time to receive a finisher’s medal and have a recorded time.
SUPPORTERS & SPECTATORS
ULTRA NORTH is a fantastic event, not only for participants but also for spectators and supporters. The route is accessible for support crews at numerous points throughout the TRAIL 25 and ULTRA 55 journey, allowing your supporters to join you at multiple locations.
EVENT VILLAGE
The Event Village is located at By The River Brew Co. on the Gateshead side of the Swing Bridge. Here you will find your registration point and the baggage drop along with access to toilets.
By The River Brew Co. will be open from 09:00 with KNEAD & FAVØR CAFE serving breakfast, brunch and a selection of hot and cold drinks.
The TAP ROOM BAR and the HAWKR MRKT will also be open from Midday with a variety of different food and drink options.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Medical support is provided across the course and at the finish. If you have a problem that requires medical attention, but you can make your way to the next feed station, please do so.
If you (or another participant you are attending to) require medical assistance and are unable to reach the next feed station, call Event Control – this number will be on your race number.
Please note: For much of the route you are expected to be self-supported. Participants should recognise the physical challenge and train and prepare adequately. If you have not been able to prepare properly, please do not take part.
Event Control Number is: 07712 300 536
WHAT3WORDS APP
As part of our efforts to locate you quickly and to get you back on track we will use a free app called what3words.
This app is available to download for free to your smartphone from your app store in the usual way and we strongly recommend you have it installed on your device during the event. You can learn more about the app and how it works here but don’t worry too much about how it works – if you need to use it we will give you instructions when you call Event Control.
RISKS & DANGERS
HEADPHONES
It is important that you are aware of your surroundings at all times. If you wish to wear headphones during the event, it is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of what’s going on around you.
OTHER USERS
The event route is on public footways and cycleways and will be in use by others unconnected with the event. Please give due consideration to other users to ensure that everyone can enjoy their use of the route.
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS
There are a few points on the route where you are required to travel along, and cross, public highways. Some of these are busy at all times of the day. It is extremely important that you use footpaths and do not run on the roads. When crossing highways, always use the designated crossing points where available.
If you get completely lost you can call Event Control and we will help you find you way back to the route. If doing this, it’s best to use the WHAT3WORDS app to help us pinpoint your location, or failing that find a road.
GETTING LOST
While the route will be marked throughout with eventspecific markers, it’s possible that signage could be moved, damaged or changed by people unconnected with the event.
If you are unsure of the route, you are advised to wait for a following participant who may be able to assist with way finding.
GPX and OS map files of the route are available to download here. Please download the relevant route file to aid progression along the route.
WHEN YOU FINISH
Your finish time will be recorded when you cross the timing mats at the finish. Finish medals will be available to collect immediately after the finish line. T-shirts can then be collected from the event village where you will also find your final feedstation. Results will be available on the Ultra North website after the event.