Isaac's Tea Trail Ultra

Isaac's Tea Trail Ultra. Backwards

The Isaac's Tea Trail Ultra. Backwards is a trail running event that follows a 37 mile loop through the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark. The route starts and finishes at Allendale Village Hall, traveling through Nenthead, Alston, and Ninebanks. Participants navigate the course in a reverse direction compared to the traditional trail marking.

The course features approximately 4800ft of total ascent. The landscape consists of open heather moors, peatlands, hay meadows, and upland rivers, with visible imprints of the region's industrial and mining history. Participants are responsible for their own navigation, supported by permanent trail signage, a provided GPX file, and a downloadable map. Marshals are present at specific points along the route to assist.

Registration and race headquarters are located at Allendale Village Hall. The event offers two main participation formats:

• Ultra Solo: A 37 mile individual ultramarathon.
• Ultra Relay: A team category for up to three participants.

Relay teams divide the course into three sections. The first leg from Allendale to Ninebanks covers 10.2 miles with 1200ft of climbing. The second leg from Ninebanks to Nenthead is 15.8 miles with 1900ft of climbing. The final leg from Nenthead back to Allendale is 11.4 miles with 1750ft of climbing.

The event includes a 12-hour cut-off time. Checkpoints along the route provide water, fruit, and snacks. Each participant receives an electronic tracker for safety and post-race food at the village hall. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.