21/03/2014
It’s with great disappointment that we have to announce the Alnwick Trail Runner will no longer be taking place. We set out to create this event in the belief that it could become one of the most beautiful trail runs in the UK at one of the country’s most stunning castles and our focus was on making an event that was inclusive of the whole family - the highlight was always the children’s trail runs! If you attended one of our events then we hope you will have appreciated that we didn’t cut any corners in trying to put on a quality event at an affordable price. Even with the last minute venue change that was forced upon us for the 2013 race, we still enjoyed a great day.
Unfortunately Alnwick Castle and Northumberland Estates have changed a number of factors which means that the event is no longer sustainable nor viable. Access to the trails used for the Half Marathon has been withdrawn and we have only been given the option of starting and finishing the event next to a public road which would in no way be safe for staging children’s runs. Alnwick Castle/Northumberland Estates have also hugely increased their fees that they are charging us to stage the event. The only possible option that remained would have been to stage a 10k race but this is not realistic given the fees being charged to us and this would no longer deliver on our original objects of creating an inclusive family event.
We are hugely disappointed by this situation made all the more worse by having already taken delivery of some medals for the 2014 event!
On a positive note we are working hard to bring new running events to the region. In case you hadn’t heard, we’re very excited about our plans to stage the Tyne Half Marathon which would start and finish on Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside and pass under the River Tyne using the Pedestrian Tunnel. This is scheduled for 2015 when the tunnel refurbishment is complete and it’s sure to be a great event with 2,000 people already having expressed their interest via the website! If you’re interested, let us know at www.TyneHalfMarathon.com
Finally, we're delighted to have been asked by the charity the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) to be their event partner to help them deliver their ‘Heart & Sole' running event in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle on 15 June. The event will feature a 5k, 10k and with a big focus on children’s runs for all ages - ‘Little Hearts, Big Day'. There will be activities on throughout the day, so if your family came to the Alnwick Trail Runner, then this will be a great event for you! This is due for launch on 1 April. More info at www.TotalRacingInternational.com
We hope to see you at soon at another one of our events.
