North Star Ultra | 200 miles. Five sections. 36 hours.

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KIELDER CASTLE

13 June 2026

Solo / Pairs / Quads

The Challenge: Conquer the Star

This isn’t just a race; it’s a tactical challenge. Furthest distance wins. Five distinct legs radiate from the centre like a star. While the North leg is your mandatory finale, the order of the other four is entirely up to you. Five legs in total. Each leg represents a different undertaking in terms of effort, distance, terrain, speed, ascent, and type. Plan out whether you want to tackle the furthest one at the beginning or end of your race – or do you prefer to tick off a shorter and quicker route but face the longer stuff later? Success depends as much on your strategy as your stamina.

ROUTES

170

MILES

6000m

TOTAL ASCENT

36 hr

TIME LIMIT

Enter as a Soloist or in a Team of 2 or 4 in an Ekiden Relay format.

This course is designed to push you to your limits; we don’t expect any solo runner to finish all five legs unless you’re really on one. When the 36-hour clock stops, the athlete with the highest mileage takes the crown.

For the team challenge, the GPS Tracker must be transferred to the currently active runner. The winners are determined by who finishes the whole course fastest then by the furthest distance covered.

WHEN?

8.00am Saturday

13th JUNE 2026

WHERE?

Kielder Castle

Northumberland

HOW MUCH?

Entry Fee

from £150

ENTRY INCLUDES

Live GPS Tracking

T Shirt & Medal

Location

The event centre is based around Kielder Castle. All routes begin and terminate at this point.

On Google Maps is can be seen here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/arBuZJwupx2KZpBb6

W3W: stags.skippers.quicksand

Parking

There is a large public car park nearby which is close enough to be less than a minutes walk from the central venue.

Registration

Registration will take place within our event HQ at Kielder Castle. Here you will be given a number(s), be photographed and issued with a tracker.

Online Tracking

We will be using the high performing and reliable Open Tracking system where people can follow runners progress online. A link will be sent out just prior to the race. There is limited signal in and around Kielder unless you are on vodafone but we will have a Starlink on hand for those wishing to be online.

Route Marking

There is absolutely no route marking on this race. Self navigation is a must by the means of a gpx device. You need to consider your chosen device wisely as it needs to be weather proof and be able to be recharged if needed.

Which Legs?

Everyone must start the North Star Ultra at 8am. The countdown begins.

You can choose to do the Byrness, Falstone, Stonehaugh and Newcastleton legs in any order you wish.

You then need to finish by doing the North leg to Carter Bar.

Mandatory Kit Requirements

If you have entered an event of this distance then clearly you know how to handle yourself in an ultra run. You need to prepare yourself for six long independent stints out in the hills. All we ask is that you take your tracker, mobile phone, food and drink and any kind of emergency shelter in case you have difficulties.

What Is At The End Points?

At Byrness, Stonehaugh, Falstone and Newcastleton we will have an indoor location for you to rest up and recover. We will provide food in the form of something nutritious like soup and bread as well as having smaller nibbles that might take your fancy. We will not be transporting any drop bags out to the end points so make sure you carry enough food to get a leg done. If you have a support person or team they are welcome to go to the end points and assist. If you’re alone and wish to pull out we will organise transport back to Kielder.

At Carter Bar on the North leg you’ll find nothing except a person there to check on you. For this one you’re on your own.

Safety

Each tracker is equipped with an SOS button and should you need help you can press this. We will have a dedicated safety team for each leg ready to respond. Professional medics will be on hand to help if required.

Teams

Only one runner from a team of two or four can be out on the course at any one time. The tracker is kept by the person who is running. Teams need to decide who is best placed to run each leg based on their fitness, freshness, abilities and the terrain/distance at hand.

Team handover

Handing over the timing device between team members can only be done at the start/end point at Kielder.

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