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Three Forts Trail Challenge - 28/02/2027

Distance(Miles)

Ascent(Feet)

Descent(Feet)

Cut Off(Hours)

About the event:-

The Three Forts Trail Challenge is set in the heart of Northumberland National Park and includes many splendid uninterrupted views to the far horizon and many undulations along the way. You will pass over and through Humbleton Hill Fort, Akeld Hill Fort and Yeavering Bell. In order to prove that you made it to the third hill fort! You must adorn yourself with an item from the fort loot box and take a selfie. Group selfies are allowed.

Banner Three Forts Trail Challenge Enter Now Pre Race Info

Entry includes:-

  • Bespoke Medal
  • Electronic race timing by TOTS
  • Instant Online results by TOTS
  • Feed stations – water and sweets, more substantial snacks and drinks on longer events
  • Fully marked and marshalled route
  • Medical Cover
  • Free event parking
  • Awards for first 3 male and female finishers
  • Awards for age categories 40, 50, 60, 70, 80
  • Digital photography of event and entrants
  • Chance to purchase bespoke event t-shirt
Enter Now Pre Race Info

This is a challenging walk/ with just under 3000 feet of ascent, but the views available are well worth the effort. You are all passing through some ancient historical areas. Yeavering Bell is the largest remaining hillfort in England and dates back to the noelithic period. Although this a challenging walk, we have tried to allow as much as time as possible for you to round the course. The time limit for the walk is 9 hours. Which should still leave plenty of time for all those selfies.

Route and course markings: The course will be marked and flagged and marshals will be on hand at key points in the race. Please remember that navigating the course is your responsibility.

What runners say:-

4.8/5
90 reviews
Would you recommend it to others? Yes
How did you rate the scenery? 5/5
How did you rate the atmosphere? 5/5
How did you rate the organisation? 5/5
Do you think this was friendly to beginners? Yes
Read all 90 reviews on Eventrac
Event schedule
Sunday, February 28

Registration - Wooler Hostel
07:15 - 08:10

Event briefing - Start area
08:25

Event start - Start area
08:30

Wooler Hostel - Event presentations
15:00

Wooler Hostel - Event cut off
17:30

Mandatory kit:-

  • Whistle
  • Head/chest/waist torch
  • Survival blanket
  • Compass
  • Hat and gloves
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Full length leggings
  • Minimum of 500ml water
  • Emergency food/sport bar
  • Personal cup
  • Mobile phone number of the race directors +447734309500 (Tim)
  • Fully charged phone

Event rules:-

  1. All competitors must be taking part under their own names and numbers. No swapping of numbers or taking part in another’s place will be accepted. If you are found to be taking part in another’s place you will be disqualified.
  2. You must log your number with event marshals at each check point. It is your responsibility to make sure the marshal takes your number.
  3. Any competitor who is deemed unfit to continue by the event directors, marshals or medics will be withdrawn from event. The decision will be FINAL.
  4. Runners must carry all mandatory equipment at all times during the event unless stated otherwise at event Briefing by the event Director. If found to be not carrying the required kit at any time, you will be disqualified.
  5. If you decide to retire from the event you must notify a marshal. You must surrender your event number and you will not be allowed to continue.
  6. Unsporting behaviour (cheating) will not be tolerated and result in immediate disqualification. This includes but not limited to, not carrying mandatory kit at all times, taking short cuts, use of PEDs.
  7. We strongly advise against the using of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs i.e Ibuprofen) during the events, as they are proven to cause harm during endurance events. Doing so against this advice is strictly at the competitor’s risk.
  8. All runners take full responsibility for their own navigation during the event.
  9. You must have your bib number visible at all times or easily accessible to show the Check Point team.
  10. If you do not leave an aid station before the cut off time you will not be allowed to continue for safety, cut-off times will be strictly enforced. If you get to the finish line after the final cut off you will unfortunately not be listed as an official finisher and will not be eligible for awards.
  11. Littering will result in immediate disqualification. We must respect the trails at all times. Some of our events take place in SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), and securing permission to host events in these areas is very difficult. If you litter you not only jeopardise the events future, but more importantly you jeopardise the area.
  12. Dogs are NOT allowed to take part in the event. They present a trip hazard to other runners and a risk of upsetting livestock of local land owners.
  13. Earphones/headphones may be used, but MUST be taken off head or out of ears completely at certain points.
    1. When you’re approaching a road crossing
    2. When you’re approaching a checkpoint
    3. If you see a marshal in hi-viz anywhere along the event route
    4. On any section of trail narrow enough that you’re in single file
    5. Speakers are not allowed
    6. If you forget about your earphones, and a marshal signals you to remove them, you must do so immediately. If you try to argue the point about your music being turned off, your earphones may be confiscated from you until the event finish, and you also risk being removed from the event for your own safety, i.e. disqualified.
  14. You do not have a right of way priority over any other users of the course, you must respect other users of the course throughout the duration of the event.
  15. The event has an ARC permit number and will be held under ARC rules. We recommend that you make yourself familiar with ARC rules specific to Trail running: http://www.runningclubs.org.uk/rules

Event Registration/HQ

Wooler Hostel,

30 Cheviot Street,

Wooler,

Northumberland,

NE71 6LW

Map for Wooler Hostel

Parking

Wooler Long Stay Car Park,

Ryecroft Way,

Wooler,

Northumberland,

NE71 6EB

Map for Wooler long stay car park

Three Forts Trail Challenge - Course records

Male Category Year Time
Jonathon Parker M 2026 02:32:46
Jon Daniels M40 2026 02:43:46
John Phizacklea M50 2026 02:37:02
Paul Feeley M60 2026 03:12:59
Douglas Ball M70 2026 04:04:33
Female Category Year Time
Dyllan Pickavance-Clarke F 2026 02:41:46
Emma Leigh F40 2026 02:57:32
Lynn Wrightson F50 2026 03:21:09
Marie Louise Drozdowicz F60 2026 03:37:31

Three Forts Trail Challenge - Check points

CP Name Mile Toilet Cut off Grid reference
0 Start: Wooler Hostel 0.0 08:30 NT988278
1 CP 1 - Akeld 4.12 10:20 NT950289
2 CP 2 - Common Burn House 8.12 12:42 NT930268
3 Finish: Wooler Hostel 13.5 17:30 NT988278

Please click on the links to see the checkpoint in a map view. Checkpoints 1 and 2 carry as a minimum of water, coke, sweet snacks and fruit. Hot drinks are available at Wooler Hostel.

Three Forts Trail Challenge - Route

Elevation profile for the Three Forts Trail Challenge
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