We signed up for this run bloody ages ago, and it would appear that it is suddenly less than a week away. In fact, the lovely people at Trail Outlaws have a handy countdown on their website, just in case you’re not quite nervous enough. This is what it looked like this morning:
If you know nothing of the Dark Skies Run Kielder, then let me explain:
- 26.5 miles (don’t even bother asking about the distance – no idea what it’s not the regular marathon distance)
- It is a trail race, run around a big lake, starting early evening and running in the dark.
- It is held at Kielder Water & Forest Park. Kielder was given ‘Dark Park Sky’ status in 2013 – making it the perfect venue for the ultimate star lit running challenge (don’t bother asking me to explain – something about the lack of light pollution)
- There is mandatory kit you need to have with you: whistle, headtorch (with spare batteries), foil blanket, hats and gloves, waterproof jacket, water, emergency food and fully charged phone. Oh, I nearly forgot, and a freaking trailer to put it all in and pull along behind you.
- I think it may have some ‘hills’. After doing a trawl of the internet I found one lovely person describe it as, ‘certainly undulating’. The official numbers…
I’ve even had to buy a running back pack. Still to actually attempt running with it on. That may well be a job this week: get to the woods one evening and have a go.
A group of five of us are running it, well when I saying running, it might be walking, walking/running, we don’t have a definitive plan yet. Run our own race? Stay together for a bit? Stay together the whole way? Still to be decided. Whatever happens it’s definitely going to be an experience.
Wish me luck.
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2 replies on “Dark Skies Run Kielder”
Let me be the first to wish you all ‘Good luck!’ šš šš¶
Now that looks and sounds like my kind of run, can’t wait to hear about it!