
RUN OR TREK OUR CLASSIC 70 MILE ULTRAMARATHON IN 26 HOURS
Take on the UK’s most iconic ultramarathon and conquer 70 stunning miles through historic Hadrian’s Wall country in a continuous fully supported and way marked journey. Run or trek this 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 ultramarathon territory for those new to the world beyond 26.2.
17 JUNE / 2023
EVENT DATES:

DISTANCE:
70 MILES (113 KM) ON FOOT

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

EXTRAS
High quality eco medal and rat rag for all participants.

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 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 to Gateshead The Wall is one of our longest-serving events and allows you to tackle 70 stunning miles through historic Hadrian’s Wall country, in one sitting.
The 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 comprises a continuous and fully supported journey, with expert way-marking and the now legendary Pit Stops – fuelling you up from Carlisle to Newcastle with the most unbelievable spreads you have ever seen in an Ultrarun. If you don’t come for the run, come for the snacks!
The date-range is set and the route is tried and tested. However, our challenges unfold in some of the most spectacular places on Earth. Sometimes we do have to change plans on account of weather or other unforeseen factors. If we do have to do so, you will be informed and usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end! That having been said, our route is likely to remain largely intact, regardless of any on-the-ground changes.
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.
Of course. If you run for Children with Cancer UK and raise the target amount for this event per person, we will refund your entry fee up to the amount of £2500. You are of course more than welcome to fundraise for any cause close to your heart.
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.
Sorry we cannot accommodate dogs on the route.
The Wall is hailed as an ideal entry level 100+ km Ultra, it is well supported and fully waymarked meaning you do not need to carry a map or follow a GPS watch like many Ultras. It is a mix of undulating trails and road and although stunningly rural you are never far from shelter or assistance.
All participants have 26 hours to complete the challenge in one continuous effort. They start at 7am on Saturday and have until 9am Sunday. Whilst the event is primarily designed as an ultra-run, 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.
We have a mandatory kit list that is required to undertake this challenge. Your kit will be checked before you are allowed to Register. Random kit checks will be carried out on the morning of the race, if you are missing a mandatory item you will not be allowed to Register or Start.
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.
This kit list is from our 2022 event - you will be notified of any changes to this list ahead of the event you have signed up for.
SUBJECT TO SMALL CHANGES DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Random kit checks will be carried out on the morning of the race and at Pit Stops, if you are missing a mandatory item you will not be allowed to start or continue past the Pit Stop you have been stopped at.
MANDATORY KIT
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Running shoes (or walking boots). Road running shoes are sufficient if conditions have been reasonably dry. If it has been wet we recommend shoes with some grip.
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Hydration bladder and/or water bottle – minimum 2 Litres capacity. BUY HERE
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Basic First Aid Kit (BUY HERE) containing at least: a triangular or conformable roller bandage, assorted adhesive dressings including at least one 100mm x 100mm, Separate sterile absorbent material (e.g. gauze or gauze bandage), paracetamol / pain killer.
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Spare Food minimum of 100kcals of nutrition to be always carried
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Water/Fluids – participants may not leave a pit stop carrying less than 1000ml (this may be increased if the forecast is hot and dry)
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Full waterproof body cover – i.e. long sleeve jacket or top & full-length trousers. Both must be waterproof & have TAPED SEAMS as a minimum standard. BUY HERE
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Survival bag (NOT a blanket) BUY ONE HERE
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Whistle BUY ONE HERE
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Reusable Cup suitable for Hot Drinks – Must be rigid enough to support itself when full please!
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Insulated jacket/layer*
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Additional full length leg cover (in addition to your waterproofs)
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Hat/rat rag/buff & gloves
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Fully charged mobile phone
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Money (min £10)
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GPS Tracker (supplied)
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Event Day Information Card (supplied) – This card includes Pit Stop & Checkpoint locations, cut off times, event day Race Team & Medical Contact Numbers as well as the Incident Protocol which you follow if you need assistance on event day.
You must carry the following items ahead of your departure from The Sill Pit Stop:
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Headtorch
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Rear red light, or reflective patch (min 10cm x 2cm or equivalent area).
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Spare headtorch batteries or back-up light source
*In upgrading the mandatory kit list from a thermal layer to an insulated jacket/layer we are attempting to address the recurring issue of the many people who would be very likely to finish if they were able to stay warmer during the night. These runners have generally slowed down during the night and then succumb to the cold without the necessary kit to keep themselves warm. Whilst many people achieve The Wall in their predicted time and pace there are many who for lots of reasons their day hasn’t gone to plan and are behind their schedule. Capable of finishing but slower than expected, which leads to being colder than expected or has been experienced before. We want as many runners as possible to complete The Wall and making decisions to enable as many runners to do so is what we’re about. It is important to note that although the event is in mid June and daytime temperatures may be well into the 20’s or higher it is the relative cold feeling of an 8 or 9 degree night time temperature that creates the problem not the absolute temperature in isolation. Ensuring that everyone has a proper insulation layer from the start is what we believe is required to allow the greatest number of runners to get to the finish. This is not an additional item, but an upgrade from the thermal layer.
You will need to show your insulation layer at kit check before registering. This needs to be a long sleeve (ideally) mid layer and not just a thin long sleeve tee. Think about the correct item to keep you warm when moving slowly at walking pace not your normal running pace.
What will we accept:
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An insulated jacket – synthetic or down
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An insulated Gilet – synthetic or down
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Long sleeve mid layer – fleece or similar: 175gsm weight fabric or greater.
What we won’t accept:
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A cotton tee – long or short sleeve
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A tech tee – long or short sleeve. The Rat Race Lundavra top is an example of a long sleeve lightweight running top and is NOT a thermal layer.
RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL KIT:
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Small Rucksack or BumBag – BUY HERE
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Headgear (sun, wind and rain)
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Additional upper & lower body thermal layer
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Sunscreen (hopefully)
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Sunglasses
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Blister treatment kit
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Some form of identification
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Anti-chafe lubricant (such as Vaseline)
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Spare socks
IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES FOR THE EVENT THIS WILL BE COMMUNICATED IN THE PRE-EVENT DOCUMENTATION
Carrying this kit is a requirement of the Event and forms part of our planning in ensuring reasonable measures are put in place to keep you safe should anything go wrong during this adventurous endeavour. We ask you not to take short cuts or ‘second guess’ our advice. For instance, the carrying of waterproofs is required even if rain is not forecast as a means to prevent cooling down too fast if you get injured in a location that is very exposed to wind – remember you may be very tired and sweaty, and who says the forecast is always right?
The emergency kit is important for several reasons:
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It helps you to help yourself should you have a problem.
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We are in this together and you may need to assist others if they have a problem.
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In the case of an incident our Race Control and Medical teams will make decisions based on the knowledge that you all have this equipment.
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Carrying the kit is a requirement for everyone and hence provides an equal and fair challenge.
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It is part of our risk assessment process that is shared with insurers. Your insurance may be invalid if you do not follow our advice.
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If your lack of kit preparation contributes to making an incident more serious, then you may be avoidably drawing resources from our medical team and the emergency services at the expense of others.
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Without the kit you will be unable to complete registration. If during the race you are not carrying the mandatory kit then you will be disqualified and deemed to have not completed the challenge.

Example of taped seams
EVENT T-SHIRT
Pre-order your The Wall 2023 T-shirt to collect at the event registration.
£15 per t-shirt
CLICK HERE TO BUY A 2023 EVENT T-SHIRT
TRAINING
THE WALL TRAINING PROGRAMME
Completing an ultra is something many people can do, but requires a certain level of fitness, a degree of training experience, and mental toughness. They key to reaching the finish line is having arrived at the start line well prepared, and this begins months before, with some simple steps.
YOUR ENTRY FEE INCLUDES THE USE OF A GPS TRACKER FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVENT.
PAY IN INSTALMENTS
N/A
/ MONTH
SIGN UP TODAY
INTEREST FREE!
All prices are in GBP.
A booking fee of 5.99% will be added to all payments.
SOLO ENTRY
£265
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
SIGN UP TODAY
PAIR ENTRY
£245
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
SIGN UP TODAY
NEXT PRICE RISE 1ST APRIL
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.

COMPLETED THIS EVENT?
We'd love to know what you thought of it! If you would like to write a short review or something a bit longer like one of our Trip Reports, please email us at events@ratrace.com with your experience.
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:
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A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
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Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
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A dedicated point of contact at the charity
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A technical Children with Cancer UK t-shirt to wear with pride
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 where participants showing their number can access food, water, toilets and medical provision. We will have the minimum of the following choices of food and drink:
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Water – Ensure you leave with water bottles and bladders filled so you have enough to get you to the next Pit Stop.
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Pit Stop Bars – yummy flapjacks.
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Salty snacks – such as crisps and peanuts.
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A fruit option – either oranges or bananas.
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Sweets – such as Haribo and Skittles.
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A variety of sandwiches, pastries and cakes.
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Hot drinks will be provided at Pit Stops from Walltown Quarry onwards.
Our 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 vegetarian 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.
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