Chopwell Moon Runner – 10K Head Torch Trail

Your senses become razor sharp and you become aware of your heart beat pounding in your chest. You may hear the hoot or screech of an owl, or the rustling of woodland animals in the undergrowth. In the darkness of the woodland canopy the light from your head torch will be reflected back by the eyes of deer and other creatures peering out from the safety of the deep forest. Our Moon Runner head torch races take place in the winter months when a crisp ground frost is common. Beams of moonlight breaking through the trees can create a magical atmosphere while you run along the sparkling surface. You can experience a definite sense of isolation and remoteness, but with that come feelings of exhilaration as your feet react to changing terrain, and excitement as your senses adapt to the different sights and sounds in the darkness. Chopwell Woodland Park is a 360-hectare mixed woodland on the fringe of Gateshead. Miles of woodland paths and old colliery railway tracks make it very popular with walkers and cyclists. The trails criss-cross through the woodland, offering glimpses of the area’s industrial past including restored railway trucks that would have carried coal from the nearby collieries. The Woodland Park is great for trail running and enjoying the local wildlife. If you’re lucky you may spot one of the deer, badgers, red kites and squirrels.