Beyond Newcastle

Event Overview

Beyond Newcastle is a trail and ultra running event scheduled for Saturday, 25 April 2026. The event starts and finishes in Newcastle city centre, on the Swing Bridge.

Distances

Participants can choose between two distances:

• A 25km trail run.
• A 55km ultra marathon.

Route Details

Both routes begin and end at the Swing Bridge on Newcastle Quayside. They feature a mix of surfaces, including footpaths, woodland trails, riverside paths, disused railway lines, and some parks and steps. The course is mostly paved: the 25km route is 74% paved and 26% unpaved, while the 55km route is 73% paved and 27% unpaved.

The 55km route heads west along the River Tyne to Wylam, crosses the river, and follows it back to Derwenthaugh Marina. It then follows the River Derwent to High Spen, passes through Chopwell Woods to Lintzford, drops into the Derwent Valley, and returns via the Derwent Walk to meet the Tyne again for the final stretch back to the Swing Bridge.

The 25km route also follows the River Tyne, crosses the Scotswood Bridge, and returns on the opposite bank to the River Derwent. It loops around Derwent Walk Country Park before heading back along the Derwent to the Tyne and returning to the Swing Bridge.

Event Information

The course is fully waymarked with event-specific signs and confidence markers. A downloadable GPX file for each route is available. Participants are recommended to carry a sports GPS navigation device.

The event includes chip timing, feed stations, medical support, and a finisher's medal. The 55km distance has three feed stations, while the 25km has one. Strict cut-off times are enforced to ensure all participants finish by 19:30. The minimum age for the 25km is 18, and for the 55km it is 20. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.