The Wall Ultra Marathon 2026: 70 Miles, Six Legends, and One Unforgettable Adventure

On 12th June, we boarded a train at Coventry Station bound for Carlisle. Dean, Nikki, Charlotte, Bridget, Kully, and Paul. The Ashby’s Adventure Trails & Treks crew were heading north for The Wall 70 Mile Ultra Marathon. Read on to find out what it's like to run this far, how we fuelled, tips on where to sleep overnight pre-race, how to stay mentally strong, and what our plans are next.

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Although we were all experienced marathon and ultra runners, The Wall Ultra Marathon was different. At 70 miles, it would be the longest distance any of us had attempted. And as the train rolled north, we knew we were travelling towards somewhere none of us had raced before. But spirits were high. This is a group built on determination, resilience and friendship. We knew there would be highs and lows ahead, but one thing was certain – we would support each other every step of the way.

After arriving in Carlisle, we headed to Rat Race HQ at the Crown & Mitre Hotel for registration. The Rat Race Team fitted our trackers and gave us our final instructions and after a team photo, we headed to our accommodation at Carlisle University halls.

As Kirsty showed us around, she asked:

“How far is the race again?”

“70 miles.”

“You must be mad.”

Perhaps she had a point.

The accommodation was exactly what we needed to rest pre-race. Comfortable rooms, a kitchen area, and somewhere to relax before the challenge ahead. We grabbed some food, stretched our legs, completed our final kit checks, and tried to settle the nervous energy before an early night.

Tomorrow would be a long day.

Race Morning

At 4:00am the alarms sounded.

Porridge.

Coffee.

Electrolytes.

Final tweaks to kit.

After months of training, we were ready.

At last, we were at the starting line. There’s something almost spiritual about standing on the start line of an ultra. The anticipation. The unknown. The knowledge that by the end of the day you’ll have learned something about yourself.

One of the things I love most about ultra running is the atmosphere. It’s different from a marathon. There’s a sense of calmness, respect, and shared understanding. Everyone knows they are about to spend an entire day testing themselves physically and mentally.

At 6:15am our runners in the second wave set off, with our remaining runners following shortly afterwards. The weather couldn’t have been better for a long-distance run. Overcast skies, a gentle breeze; perfect running conditions.

We settled into a steady pace and began the journey east.

Lanercost and The Sill

The opening miles passed comfortably. At 15 miles we reached our first checkpoint at the stunning Lanercost Priory. The Rat Race crew were brilliant and we were greeted by tables packed with tasty snacks and plentiful supplies.

Nuts and oranges for me. And five minutes was the rule.

• Refuel.

• Refill.

• Move.

Soon, The Wall was visible beside us as the landscape started to change. The rolling countryside gradually became more demanding and the climbs began to make themselves known.

The Sill checkpoint at 30 miles provided another opportunity to regroup, refuel, and head back out.

Again, five minutes. Then go.

The day was unfolding beautifully. Stunning scenery, great conversations, fun banter, and that unique feeling of being completely immersed in the journey.

Hexham – The Mental Reset

After travelling through picturesque villages and endless countryside, we arrived at Hexham. 44 miles. A huge psychological milestone.

This was where our drop bags awaited us.

• Fresh socks.

• Wet wipes.

• Food.

• A chance to reset.

• Deal with sore aand tired feet.

• Top up fuel.

• A quick freshen-up.

  
  

It’s amazing how much better you can feel after a few wet wipes when you’ve already covered 44 miles. Once again, the checkpoint crew were exceptional. We were even offered vouchers for free ice cream. We politely declined.

Looking back, I’m still not entirely sure why.

One of the little tricks our team used at Hexham was something many experienced ultra runners swear by.

We cleaned ourselves up, changed what we needed to change, and.......brushed our teeth. It sounds strange, but after hours of running, eating and drinking, brushing your teeth creates a surprisingly powerful psychological boost. Combined with a quick clean-up, it tricks the mind into feeling like you’re starting a brand-new run rather than continuing one you’ve already spent hours completing.

For a few moments the fatigue fades.

You feel fresher.

More positive.

Ready to go again.

Because ultra running is as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

At Hexham we weren’t thinking about the 44 miles behind us. We were thinking about the next checkpoint. The next mile, the next step. Because that’s one of the greatest lessons ultra running teaches you: Don’t focus on the whole journey, focus on the piece of the journey directly in front of you.

One step, one mile, one checkpoint at a time.

And before you know it, you’ve travelled further than you ever thought possible.

The Long Road to Newburn

Leaving Hexham, the race entered a different phase. The miles began to feel longer, the legs became heavier. Everyone was now spread across different sections of the course.

I bumped into Nikki at Hexham and from that point we decided to buddy up for the remainder of the race. Mentally, that made a huge difference.

One of the highlights of the entire event was the support from local people. Families stood outside their homes cheering runners on, and volunteers appeared with unofficial aid stations. They offered us flat coke, freshly sliced oranges, delicious ice lollies. And in some cases, even access to their toilets. Now that’s hospitality! Letting a stranger who’s run 50 miles into your house to use your toilet deserves a special kind of medal.

Eventually, we arrived at Newburn. 63 miles completed. Just seven miles remaining.

The route now followed the River Tyne and for the first time all day the finish line felt genuinely achievable.

At Newburn, we regrouped, refuelled, and topped up our water. We’d now been pounding our feet and stretching our bodies for over 12 hours.

Then came one of the greatest culinary experiences known to ultra runners: watermelon and pineapple.

You simply cannot explain how incredible fresh fruit tastes after 63 miles. At that moment it felt like Michelin-star dining.

One Mile From Legendary Status

The final miles seemed to last forever. Every long-distance runner knows the feeling. You check your watch, then check it again. And somehow another half mile has passed.

Then we saw it.

The sign.

1 Mile From Legendary Status.

Suddenly everything changed. An injection of energy. The finish became real and we were flooded with motivation.

Throughout the day we’d been messaging each other encouragement, sharing locations, and reminding each other to keep pushing forward. And now, there was nothing else to say; it was time for one final effort.

As we approached Newcastle’s Millennium Bridge, Nikki summed it up perfectly.

“We’ve gone 70 miles. Let’s style it out.” So we did.

The crowds.

The live stream.

The cheering.

The atmosphere.

Newcastle looked magnificent.

Run or walk?

At that point there was only one answer.

Run.

Crossing that finish line was one of those moments that stays with you forever. We bowed to collect our medals. A small gesture for a huge achievement.

The Finish Line of The Wall Ultra Marathon

Rat Race know how to welcome runners home. The atmosphere inside the finish area was incredible. There was warm food and friendly faces aplenty, people beaming and glowing with the pride of their ultra marathon 70 mile running achievement.

I headed straight for fries, salt and curry sauce. Trust me. After 70 miles, that combination tastes like heaven.

Meanwhile Bridget was unpacking the famous packet of mini Cheddars she had carried in her pack all the way from Hexham. Still unopened. Instead of crisps, she’d fuelled herself on ginger and watermelon.

Ultra marathon runners really are a different breed.

One by one our team crossed the finish line, every single one of us. We had completed all 70 miles. And it was a day and a journey none of us will ever forget.

More Than a Race

The Wall Ultra Marathon wasn’t just about miles. It wasn’t about medals. It wasn’t even about the finish line. It was about friendship, shared experiences, mutual respect, and the kind of bond that only develops when people willingly spend an entire day pushing themselves beyond what they thought was possible.

I’m incredibly proud to have shared this adventure with Nikki, Charlotte, Bridget, Kully, and Paul. They are genuine legends and they inspire me every day. Because they never give up.

The Cravings

People often ask what you crave after running 70 miles. The answer is simple: everything. Once the celebrations were over and the body started to realise what it had just been through, the cravings kicked in. Not for gels or sports drinks, but for real food: chicken, sweet potato wedges, chicken and bacon salad, king prawns, poached eggs, chocolate milkshake - Mountain Fuel Recovery milkshake, naturally - ice cold Peroni and salted nuts. This is the kind of food your body has been dreaming about for the last 13 hours.

Ultra running strips life back to basics. It's all about movement, fuel, determination, and resilience.

As we headed home, tired but proud, the aches began to settle in, but so did a sense of satisfaction.

The knowledge that we’d stepped into the unknown, challenged ourselves, and come out the other side stronger.

And somewhere between the finish line, food, celebrations, shared stories, and journey home, the conversation started.

“What’s next?”

By Dean Ashby.

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Thank You

To the Rat Race team, thank you for delivering an exceptional event.

To Carlisle University, thank you for hosting us.

To every volunteer, supporter, and runner we met along the way, thank you for making The Wall so special.

And if your race didn’t go to plan this year?

Keep the faith.

There is always next year.

Because every ultra teaches us something.

Every setback teaches us resilience.

And every finish line starts with a first step.

From all of us at Ashby’s Adventure Trails & Treks:

Stay on the trails. Live life. Stay Strong.