The Maverick Kielder Forest Gravel

The Maverick Kielder Forest Gravel 2026

The Maverick Kielder Forest Gravel is a single-day trail running event on 5 September 2026, based at Kielder Castle in Kielder, Hexham, Northumberland (NE48 1EP). The event takes place on mixed terrain with fast forest trails and steady inclines. Cut-off times apply to the Ultra and Marathon routes; detailed cut-offs will be published before the event.

Distances on official routes:

• Ultra: 52 km, +1409 m elevation
• Marathon: 41 km, +950 m elevation
• Half Marathon: 24 km, +568 m elevation
• Middle: 12 km, +500 m elevation
• Short: 5 km, +184 m elevation

Camping is available nearby at Kielder Campsite, which offers camping and campervan pitches, family pods and caravans. Online entry closes on 2 September 2026; on-the-day entries may be available if the event is not sold out. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Transfers out of an entry are permitted once and must be requested by the Monday before the event.

Outposts will offer top-up food items, gels and electrolyte drinks; there will be no prefilled cups. The event asks runners to bring a reusable cup or bottle. The car park is pay and display, managed by Forestry England; day parking costs £6.50.

Mandatory kit for Ultra and Marathon includes a waterproof jacket, mobile phone, about 800 calories of food, minimum 1 litre of water, self-adhesive elastic bandage, whistle, foil blanket, hat or buff, a reusable cup, and a GPX file of the route on watch or phone. Headphones are strongly discouraged. The course is fully marked and fully timed, with outposts, bag drop, event photography and a finishers medal. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.