The Maverick Kielder Forest Gravel

The Maverick Kielder Forest Gravel 2026

The Maverick Kielder Forest Gravel is a trail running event held in the ancient woodlands of Northumberland. Starting from Kielder Castle, the event celebrates a century of Kielder Forest by taking participants through its historical landscape. The routes consist of forest trails, fell running sections, and viewpoints overlooking the surrounding area.

Participants can choose from five different distances:

• 5 km: A short course on scenic forest trails.
• 12 km: A middle-distance route through the woodland.
• 24 km: A half marathon distance featuring a mix of terrain.
• 41 km: A marathon course with steady inclines and fast trails.
• 52 km: An ultra-marathon distance including the best trails and fell running sections.

The event is organized as a plastic-free race. Runners must bring their own reusable bottles or cups, as no plastic cups are provided at the outposts. While outposts are located along the longer routes, there are no water stations on the 5 km or 12 km courses.

Facilities at the venue include free parking, a bag drop area, and the option for camping within the forest. All participants receive chip-timed results, a metal finisher's medal, and access to official photography and GPX files of the routes. All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.