So, have you always fancied doing a classic fell running round but felt like a Ramsay/Bob/Paddy might be a bit too far away/awkward to recce/too Welsh/too gnarly/too long* delete as appropriate? Well luckily for you Glen McWilliams who organises the Cheviot trail races has also devised 2 fell running routes in the Cheviot Hills. The short 32 mile offering takes in portions of St Cuthbert’s and the Pennine Way plus some “interesting” pathless sections over Cheviot and Hedgehope summits. There’s also a longer 43 mile route (12 hour time limit) or if you are feeling frisky you can combine the two (24 hour limit). There’s a Facebook page with details and if you let Glen know you are making an attempt he’ll try and see you off at the start in Wooler.
My sister and I did the short route yesterday and had a cracking day out despite taking an appalling line down off Cheviot. Not that I am biased but it’s among my favourite places to run – lots of lovely runnable trails, wide open views and best of all hardly any people. If you fancy it then it’s well worth the drive down from Edinburgh.
Nicola Dunn