Northumberlandia Trail 10k, 19th July 2026
Mark Anderson reports on a race that really lived up to the ‘trail’ aspect:
“Saturday started wet. Having entered this race at short notice, this was not a good omen, given the weather last year. The prospect of a summer evening getting soaked did not appeal. Fortunately as the day went on the weather improved and so, it was in full sun that I arrived at The Lady of the North for the Northumberlandia Trail 10k.
After a brief warm up and catch up with Anna Round (the only other sky blue taking part this year) we were off. Starting in the car park we ran down the side of the aforementioned female then starting at her feet, heading through her cleavage (!) and round her head, before heading away across the old tracks that previously served the Shotton surface mine. These were easily runnable – what followed was not…
We turned into a single track pathway overgrown with bracken and brambles which continued for about 2 miles. Enormous amounts of concentration were required to try and pick the best place to put your feet, while avoiding the rabbit holes. At this stage I was running in 4th place with two runners breathing down my neck, but who seemed in no rush to pass me – perhaps trusting in my foot placement decisions! On exiting onto a minor road, I kindly let them pass.
We wound our way uphill back towards The Lady, passing a Morpeth runner who had been leading but was now walking, before climbing the zig zag paths back up the head of Northumberlandia, which was followed by a short sprint down to the finish where I managed to overhaul the runner in front to finish 5th overall.
One of the tougher trail 10ks I’ve done but more than made up for by beautiful scenery and evening sun. Highly recommended if you can guarantee the weather again next year…”
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 5 | Mark Anderson | 42:28 |
| 46 | Anna Round | 57:39 |
