PRE-EVENT GUIDE 2026
THE WALL ULTRA
HELPFUL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN FOR THE WALL ULTRAMARATHON
This document is designed as a planning aid for you to dial into the logistics, the in-event support available, the kit list and general training advice for The Wall ultramarathon.
This does not replace our full Essential Event Information pack that is released in April with detailed, year specific information.
KEY INFO
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​Registration: Friday 12th June between 1200 - 2200 The Crown & Mitre Hotel, Carlisle, CA3 8HZ. You must register and pick up your tracker between these times, there is no option to register on the morning of the event.
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Adventure Packs: These will be posted out in advance of the event. UK residents should expect to receive their adventure pack around 1-2 weeks before the event. International participants will be required to collect their adventure pack from Registration. Please ensure you have your current address on your entry, you can update this by logging into your Rat Race account.
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The Start: Carlisle Castle between 0600 and 0700 on the 13th June, CA3 8UR.
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Starting Waves: You will have selected a wave when entering the event (wave1: 0600, wave 2: 0615 etc. the latest wave is 0700) These cannot be changed, but you can drop back into a later start time on the day to run with a friend. You cannot move forward.
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Bag Drop & Toilets: Available in the castle car park on the morning of the event. Please ensure your bags are clearly labelled, bag tags will be provided in your adventure pack. See Bag section below for more info.
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The Finish is at the Gateshead Millennium Bridge NE8 3BA.
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Pair Entry Details: MUST be filled in via your RR account by the 15th May 2026. After this date there will be a £15 charge per person.
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Transfer: The deadline is 12th May 2026. You can find more information on our transfer policy HERE and process your transfer from your Rat Race account. We are unable to make any exceptions after the deadline has passed.​
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Spectators: Must follow our guidance notes to avoid being turned away at key locations. These will be issued in the Essential Event Information.
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Route: You can view the GPX for this event here. Please ensure you DO NOT follow this route on the day and instead follow our waymarking due to last minute changes that may occur.
BAG DROP
LOCATION
0530 - 0700 13th June: Castle Car Park, CA3 8UL
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BAGS TO DROP
We will transport 2 bags for you, please ensure they are clearly labelled (tags provided in your Adventure Pack) and that you put them on the right truck! ​
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Hexham bag: this will meet you at the 44 mile mark and must weigh less than 5kg and be a max of 15L in size. This bag will be exposed to the elements so please ensure it is waterproof or that you pack your kit into dry bags inside your bag. This will then be transported from Hexham to the finish after you have used it, you will be directed where to put it at Hexham to ensure it is loaded onto the finish van.
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Finish bag: this will go directly to the finish at Gateshead and it can be a max of 70L and weigh no more than 15kg. This bag will be exposed to the elements so please ensure it is waterproof or that you pack your kit into dry bags inside your bag.
IMPORTANT
Head torches are mandatory so please do not put this piece of kit in your HEXHAM bag. They MUST be carried from the start.
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Bags over the weight limit will not be transported due to legal weight restrictions of the vehicles used. Please don't pack everything and the kitchen sink!
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PIT STOPS & CUT OFFS
PIT STOP AND
CHECKPOINT LOCATIONS ​
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PS1 Lanercost Priory CA8 2HQ 15 miles
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PS2 Walltown Quarry Pit Stop CA8 7HF 24 miles​
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PS3 The Sill Pit Stop NE47 7AN 30 miles
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CP Newbrough Checkpoint 38 miles
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PS4 Hexham Pit Stop NE46 3SG 44 miles
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CP Styford Toll Checkpoint 49.5 miles
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CP Ovingham Checkpoint 55.5 miles
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PS5 Newburn Pit Stop NE15 8ND 63 miles
WHAT IS A CHECKPOINT?​
​This is a manned point where you can check in with a marshal and let them know if you need any assistance outside of our Pit Stop locations. They are deliberately discrete and supporters are not allowed to meet you here. They are designed for you to grab a quick drink and a handful of sweets, they are not refill points for your bladder/bottles and you will only be able to fill your disposable cup here not your hydration bottles/bladders.​​
CP Newbrough Checkpoint 38 miles
CP Styford Toll Checkpoint 49.5 miles
CP Ovingham Checkpoint 55.5 miles
The Pit Stops at The Wall are famous and this event is often dubbed a walking picnic! These are the points where you can grab a snack, interact with the Rat Race team and also your own supporters if you have them. Our Pit Stops have a few staples that you'll see at all stations and also some which are bespoke to that Pit Stop location.
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Standard provisions include
Water
Juice
Sweet snacks
Salty snacks
Fruit
Toilets
Medical team
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Our Pit Stops are well stocked but they do not contain any sports nutrition products as we know you will have your own that you have trained with. The last thing you want to do in an ultra is try an untested gel and suffer the consequences! You should plan to bring your own supplements and be self contained when it comes to gels/electrolyte tablets.
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We aim to cater to a wide variety of dietary needs, every Pit Stop will have options for vegetarians and vegans, plus we have a box of gluten free/dairy free snacks for those with intolerances that are kept separate please ask our staff for more info when you arrive. While every effort is made to keep these snacks separate we cannot guarantee there is no cross contamination from allergens such as gluten/peanuts due to the nature of the Pit Stop during a live event.
CUT OFFS
The Wall is designed to be achievable for walkers who can maintain a 3mph pace, our cut offs reflect that and are as generous as we can make them. Cut offs are enforced and they are applied to your departure time not your arrival time into the location:
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PS1 Lanercost 1230
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PS2 Walltown Quarry 1530
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PS3 The Sill 1800
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PS4 Hexham 0000 (midnight)
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PS5 Newburn 0600 (Sunday)
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FINISH 0900 (Sunday)
LOGISTICS
This is a one way journey and if you are not travelling with supporters we recommend the following plan as a tried and tested method of planning your movements.
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Travelling by car
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Book a train from Newcastle to Carlisle for the 12th June. Tickets are normally released 12 weeks in advance on www.trainline.com
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On Friday drive to Newcastle train station, park in the long stay car park and catch your train to Carlisle.
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Book accommodation in Carlisle city centre for Friday 12th June.
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Attend Registration in Carlisle between 1200 - 2200 at the Crown and Mitre Hotel.
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Run/walk 70 miles!
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We strongly recommend booking a hotel in Newcastle city centre/Gateshead for the night of the 13th June if you plan to finish in the middle of the night, but let them know you may arrive in the early hours of the morning.
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Once you cross the finish line, you can use our free shuttle bus or book an Uber to get to your hotel (city centre hotels only). Our shuttle buses work on rotation so there may be a small wait for one returning.
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Our free shuttle runs to city centre hotels and also Newcastle train station to get you back to your car, the shuttle will only pick up from the finish line, there are no city centre pick ups.
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Travelling by train
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Book a train to Carlisle for the 12th June. Tickets are normally released 12 weeks in advance on www.trainline.com
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Book accommodation in Carlisle city centre for Friday 12th June.
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Attend Registration in Carlisle between 1200 - 2200 at the Crown and Mitre Hotel.
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Run/walk 70 miles!
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We strongly recommend booking a hotel in Newcastle city centre/Gateshead for the night of the 13th June if you plan to finish in the middle of the night, but let them know you may arrive in the early hours of the morning.
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Use our free shuttle bus or book an Uber from the finish line to your hotel. Our shuttle buses work on rotation so there may be a small wait for one returning.
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Our free shuttle runs to Newcastle train station from the finish on the morning of the 14th June (Sunday) please note the train station does not open until 0730 on the Sunday.