What Is This Site?
This is an unofficial, community-built guide to The Wall Ultramarathon — the 70-mile race from Carlisle to Gateshead organised by Rat Race Events. It has no affiliation whatsoever with Rat Race Events, The Wall Ultramarathon, or anyone officially connected to the race.
It exists because the knowledge that helps runners finish The Wall is scattered across Facebook groups, Strava clubs, Reddit threads, blog posts, and race reports — and pulling it together in one place seemed genuinely useful. Everything here is written from the runner's perspective, not the race director's.
Where Does the Information Come From?
Community Research
The bulk of the advice on this site — gear recommendations, nutrition strategies, race-day tips — has been gathered from the unofficial Wall Facebook community and other online running communities. We've read hundreds of posts, comments, and discussions and distilled the most consistent, widely-agreed-upon advice. No individual runners are named or identified.
Race Reports
Personal race reports and blogs written by runners who have completed The Wall. These give real-world accounts of pacing, conditions, what worked and what didn't.
Official Results Data
The 2024 finishing times and DNF analysis on our Results page are based on the official 2024 race results published by Rat Race Events. The elevation profile is built from the official RideWithGPS route (route 49746292). Surface data is from the official route information.
General Ultramarathon Advice
Some sections draw on widely-accepted ultramarathon knowledge — nutrition science, blister prevention, training principles — that applies broadly to long-distance events, not just The Wall specifically.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Information on this site has been compiled from previous years' races, community posts, race reports, and publicly available sources found on the internet. It reflects what was known at the time of writing and may not be accurate for future editions of the race.
Race details change. Cut-off times, mandatory kit requirements, checkpoint locations, distances, course routing, and race procedures are all subject to change from year to year at Rat Race's discretion. What was true for the 2024 race may not be true for the race you're entering.
Always check the official Rat Race website for up-to-date race information:
www.ratrace.com/the-wall-ultramarathon
Check here for mandatory kit lists, cut-off times, checkpoint distances, and race-day logistics for your specific year.
We are not responsible for any inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete information on this site, nor for any consequences arising from reliance on it. This site will not necessarily receive updates when Rat Race changes race rules, routes, or requirements. It is your responsibility — to yourself and to fellow runners — to verify all race-critical information directly with Rat Race before your race.
Gear recommendations and product links are based on community opinion and personal experience. We do not guarantee the suitability or performance of any product for any individual runner. Product availability, specifications, and prices change. Check current product details before purchasing.
Some links on this site are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. This does not influence which products are recommended — all recommendations are based solely on community feedback.
Not Affiliated With Rat Race
This site is in no way affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Rat Race Events or The Wall Ultramarathon. "The Wall" and "Rat Race" are trademarks of their respective owners. This is a fan-made resource created by runners, for runners.
If you have any feedback, spotted something incorrect, or have information that would improve the guide, the best place to share it is in the unofficial Wall Facebook community — that's where this knowledge lives.