How far is the Cheviots Challenge?

The Cheviots Challenge offers 2 distances: Long Run (35.4 km / 22.0 miles), Short Run (22.5 km / 14.0 miles).

How much climbing is in the Cheviots Challenge?

The Long Run has 1,300 m of ascent. The Short Run has 880 m of ascent.

How hard is the Cheviots Challenge?

Long Run: Very Hard. Short Run: Very Hard. Distances are measured off the course file. Where the file carries no elevation, the climb is the organiser's published figure.

Is the Cheviots Challenge course marked?

Yes, the course is marked. Navigation skills are not required.

What are the cut-offs for the Cheviots Challenge?

Overall time limits — Long Run: 10h, Short Run: 10h.

Can I download the Cheviots Challenge route?

Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.

When is the next Cheviots Challenge?

Sat, 4 Sept 2027, 10:00. Not open yet.

Trail Outlaws Cheviots Challenge

Rose & Thistle Inn, Alwinton, MorpethSat, 4 Sept 2027

Mountain rescue fundraiser over the Cheviots from Alwinton, 14 or 22 miles

Distance	Ascent	Per km
35.4 km Long Run	1,300 m	41 m
22.5 km Short Run	880 m	39 m

fellmoorMarked course

Nobody has reviewed this one yet

No reviews of the Cheviots Challenge, and nothing on what people wore. Both are things no organiser publishes and every runner wants before they enter — how it actually went, and what was on your feet.

Ran it? Write the first review

Running it soon? Connect Strava and we will ask you about it the day you finish, so you do not have to remember to come back.

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VERY HARD

TRP grade · E4

10h cut-off, which needs 16:57/km

starts 10:00

Download GPXFree, no sign-up.

This file is from a previous running and the course may have changed since. If you are navigating with it, get the current version from Trail Outlaws first.

What you’re in for

A long-running hill challenge raising money for Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team, with Trail Outlaws setting it up as a race as well as a walk. Both routes start and finish at the Rose & Thistle in Alwinton and cross Upper Coquetdale and the Cheviot Hills: the long route is about 22 miles with 1,300m of ascent, the short about 14 miles with 880m. The course is taped and marshalled, but the kit list is full hill kit including map and compass, bivi bag, torch and waterproof trousers, and walking boots or fell shoes are recommended. Checkpoints must be visited before their cut-offs, and the overall limit is 10 hours.

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Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Rose & Thistle Inn, Alwinton, Morpeth, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

HARD

Simonside and Dove Crag from Rothbury

14.7km · 392m climb · Loop · 15km away

Sandstone crags with a proper sense of drama, Iron Age rock art on the approach, and views stretching from the Cheviots to the Northumberland coast for under 400m of climbing.

MODERATE

Simonside and Dove Crag Circular

8.4km · 274m climb · Loop · 15km away

You get proper crag-top views over the Cheviots and the coast for a genuinely modest amount of climbing, which makes this one of the best value short routes in the county.

All Northumberland routes →

How to enter

Sat, 4 Sept 2027 · Not open yet · £23–£36

See the event on Eventrac ↗

Entries are handled by Eventrac, not by us. We take nothing for sending you there.

Add to your calendar · with the start time

Common questions

: The Cheviots Challenge offers 2 distances: Long Run (35.4 km / 22.0 miles), Short Run (22.5 km / 14.0 miles).
: The Long Run has 1,300 m of ascent. The Short Run has 880 m of ascent.
: Long Run: Very Hard. Short Run: Very Hard. Distances are measured off the course file. Where the file carries no elevation, the climb is the organiser's published figure.
: Yes, the course is marked. Navigation skills are not required.
: We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the Cheviots Challenge. Trail Outlaws confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.
: Overall time limits — Long Run: 10h, Short Run: 10h.
: We don't hold a checkpoint list for the Cheviots Challenge. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Trail Outlaws race information rather than turning up expecting food.
: Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.
: Sat, 4 Sept 2027, 10:00. Not open yet.