The Route in Sections
The Wall breaks into four very distinct chapters. Knowing what each section asks of you is half the battle.
Start to PS1 Lanercost (0-15 mi)
A gentle opener from Carlisle along the River Eden. Mostly flat trails and paths, nothing technical. The temptation here is to go out too fast - don't. This section should feel easy. Save your legs for what comes next. The first pit stop at Lanercost Priory feels far too early to start worrying about anything.
The route from Carlisle is predominantly road and hard-packed path. Around 80% of the entire 70-mile route is on hard surfaces - road shoes are a very valid choice throughout.
PS1 to PS3 The Sill (15-31 mi)
The Wall itself. You climb from around 58m at Lanercost to over 300m at the highest point of the race - reached in the miles just before The Sill. PS2 at Walltown Quarry (24mi) provides a crucial mid-section fuelling stop. The Sill (PS3, 31mi) sits just after the highest point of the race - by the time you arrive, you've done all the serious climbing.
This is the section where poles earn their keep. The relentless undulation along the Roman Wall ridge is demanding - walk the hills. Your quads need to survive 70 miles. See the poles guide for what the community uses.
PS3 The Sill to PS4 Hexham (31-44 mi)
The terrain eases significantly after The Sill, dropping down to Hexham at just 41m elevation. Psychologically this is the race's hinge point - 59% of DNFs happen at Hexham. The community is unanimous: decide before you arrive that Hexham is not your stopping point. Change socks, eat, and leave.
The route becomes more runnable and road-like. Many runners switch to road shoes here if they started in trail. See the drop bag guide to plan your Hexham stop well in advance.
PS4 Hexham to Finish (44-70 mi)
Almost entirely flat along the Tyne corridor. The climbing is behind you. What remains is a mental game through the night - 26 miles of mostly runnable path and road. PS5 Newburn at 63mi is just 7 miles from the finish at the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. If you're moving at Newburn, you are finishing.
This is where knowing your "why" matters most. Break it into landmarks - the next checkpoint, the next mile marker. One thing at a time. See the top tips page for how experienced Wall runners handle the overnight mental battle.
The Course - What to Expect
A rough guide to the race broken into three phases, based on community experience.
Miles 0-44: Carlisle to Hexham
The longer first section, following Hadrian's Wall through dramatic countryside. While there are trail, field and uneven sections, the majority is still on road, tarmac and hard-packed path - around 80% of the entire route is on hard surfaces. The famous Vindolanda Roman fort is in this section. Pace yourself - save your legs for later.
Miles 44-63: After Hexham
Fresh kit, soup, Red Bull - and then back out into the night. This is where the race really starts mentally. The terrain becomes more road-like and runnable, which is why many runners switch to road shoes here. Two more checkpoints (Styford Toll and Ovingham) and then one final pit stop at Newburn before the finish.
Miles 63-70: Into Newcastle
The final stretch from Newburn into Newcastle and Gateshead. More urban as you approach the finish. Many runners describe a mix of pain and exhilaration in these last miles. The finish at the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, with the Tyne Bridge in the background, is iconic. However exhausted you are - enjoy every step. You earned this.
Pit Stops & Checkpoints
The Wall has three types of stop. Pit Stops (PS) are full stations with food, water and medical support - plus drop bag access at Hexham only. Checkpoints (CP) are water refill points where you top up your bottles and flasks - there are no disposable cups anywhere on the course, so a reusable cup is on the mandatory kit list. CPs also have a small supply of sweets. Supporters are not permitted at CP locations. All cut-off times are wall-clock times on race day.
| Stop | Location | Distance | Cut-off | What's There |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS1 | Lanercost Priory CA8 2HQ |
24km ~15 miles |
12:30 6.5 hrs |
Food, water, medical |
| PS2 | Walltown Quarry CA8 7HF |
39km ~24 miles |
15:30 9.5 hrs |
Food, water, medical |
| PS3 | The Sill NE47 7AN |
50km ~31 miles |
18:00 12 hrs |
Food, water, medical. The serious climbing is now behind you. |
| CP1 | Newbrough | 61km ~38 miles |
No cut-off | Water refill point + handful of sweets. Bring your own cup - no disposable cups. No supporters at CPs. |
| PS4 | ⭐ Hexham NE46 3SG - Drop bag |
71km ~44 miles |
00:00 18 hrs |
Drop bag ✓ - Hot soup ✓ - Full kit change ✓ - Medical ✓ ~26 miles / 42km remaining. Buddy Up Station at exit. Set yourself a 20-30 min time limit and leave. |
| CP2 | Styford Toll | 80km ~50 miles |
No cut-off | Water refill point + handful of sweets. Bring your own cup - no disposable cups. No supporters at CPs. |
| CP3 | Ovingham | 89km ~55 miles |
No cut-off | Water refill point + handful of sweets. Bring your own cup - no disposable cups. No supporters at CPs. |
| PS5 | Newburn NE15 8ND |
101km ~63 miles |
06:00 24 hrs |
Food, water, medical. Only 7 miles to the finish. Buddy Up Station at exit. If you're moving here, you are finishing. |
| 🏁 | Gateshead Millennium Bridge NE8 3BA |
113km ~70 miles |
09:00 27 hrs |
The finish. You did it. |
Elevation Profile
The official Wall Ultra route - 70 miles from Carlisle to Gateshead. Hover the chart for elevation and gradient at any point. Scroll to zoom, or jump to a checkpoint using the pills below.