Marathon
Sat 14 Sep 2024 Alnwick, Northumberland, UK

Mighty Hikes | Northumberland Coast | Marathon

Take on a challenge and join Macmillan at the Northumberland Coast Mighty Hike - where you'll take in famous sights such as Alnwick Castle and Bamburgh Castle to support people living with cancer.

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  • Sat 14 Sep 2024
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick > Bamburgh Castle, Bamburgh

Marathon

08:10

£25

Age 14 & over

  • 26 miles hiking + 75 m ascent

Overview

The Macmillan series of one-day hikes will take you to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled parts of the UK. Bring your family and friends together and have a fantastic day out while raising money for people living with cancer.

Challenge yourself in a spectacular coastal setting and enjoy a wonderful atmosphere whilst raising vital funds to support Macmillan Cancer Support.

This event is part of Mighty Hikes | Northumberland Coast.

Event video

  • Event village
  • Fancy dress
  • Spectators
  • Teams

Teams

It's easy to create a team! 

Follow the steps to become a Team Captain when you register. Make sure you have a list of names and email addresses of your fellow team members. Once you have signed up, an email invite will be sent to your team members with a bespoke link for them to fill out their own registration form and join your team.

As Team Captain you will have the option to pay their registration fee, otherwise your team members can pay when they get their invite.

Every time a member of the team completes their registration, you’ll be sent a confirmation email. That way you can monitor who has or has not joined your team.

  • Accommodation
  • Cafe
  • Camping
  • Coast
  • Free parking
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Alnwick Castle
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 1NQ
UK

Free parking

  • There's free parking for all hikers at Alnwick Castle's overflow car park.
  • For full marathon hikers there's also free parking at the finish at Glebe Field, Radcliffe Road, Bamburgh, NE69 7AE.
  • You can book this when you register.

 

Free shuttle bus

For full marathon hikers

There will be free shuttle buses to the start line in the morning, and back to Alnwick Castle after the event.

In the morning, the buses will run from 05:20 to 08:30, it's a 30 minute drive.

After the event, the busses will run from 16:00 to 22:00, it's a 30 minute drive.

For half marathon hikers

There will be a free shuttle bus from the half marathon finish line back to the start line after the event.

The journey from the half marathon finish line is 15 minutes and the shuttles will run from 12:00 to 17:00.

Please note that shuttle buses depart on a fill-and-go basis so listen out for updates on the day from the helpful Mighty Marshals.

Kit list

You will need to be prepared for all weather and bring all the essentials needed for the hike. A full kit list is available.

Supporters

Your family and friends can meet you at the finish event village to cheer you across the finish line. However, they will not be able to accompany or meet you at any of the pit stops.

Dogs

Unfortunately, no dogs can take part in a Mighty Hike with the exception of assistance dogs. This includes at any of the start and finish venues. 

  • Check points
  • Cut off time
  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Point to point
  • Return transport
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Undulating
  • Water stations
  • Wave start

The hike starts in the picturesque grounds of Alnwick Castle, a 12th Century stronghold. The majority of the hiking route is along the Northumberland Coastal Path, a hugely popular hiking route, due to the largely flat nature of the pathway, and the sublime coastal views that unfold around each corner. Huge unspoilt expanses of sand make up famous beaches and bays, and with impressive and imposing castles lining the route, this is sure to be an unforgettable hike.

Route highlights

  • Start from Alnwick Castle - one of the prestigious filming locations from the Harry Potter films
  • Catch your first glimpse of the coastline as you head eastwards towards Alnmouth
  • Follow the Northumberland Coastal Path northwards
  • Marvel at the imposing Dunstanburgh Castle which looms on the horizon
  • Expansive views along windswept beaches fronted by magnificent dunes
  • Enjoy an unforgettable finish in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle
MIGHTY HIKES NORTHUMBERLAND COAST ROUTE MAP
Point to point from castle to coast with miles and miles of fresh sea air and views.

  • Bring your own cup
  • Public transport links
  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy

Single use plastics

  • There are refill stations where you can fill your reusable bottle to avoid handing out bottled water
  • Compostable cutlery, plates and cups are used across the start, lunch and pitstops
  • The event day bib is fully recyclable

Recycling

  • A specialist company collects and sorts the rubbish post-event to ensure as much is recycled as possible
  • All Mighty Marshals and other staff are briefed to pick up any rubbish they see along the route on the day
  • There are plenty of bins at each pit stop for participants to use

Energy

  • The power at Mighty Hikes is provided by hybrid generators
  • Energy-efficient LED bulbs are used to light the marquees

  • Medal
  • Post-race meal
  • Race photo
  • Technical t-shirt

Included

  • Free Macmillan walking top
  • A clearly marked route
  • Pit stops with snacks and drinks
  • Medical assistance
  • Free food at the finish
  • Finishers medal
  • Baggage transfer from start point to the finish
  • Complimentary coach shuttles between venues
  • Celebratory bubbly at the finish

Useful resources

  • Mighty Hikes Sponsorship Form
  • Mighty Hikes Training Zone
  • Mighty Hikes Training Plan
  • Mighty Hikes Merchandise
  • Mighty Hikes Kit List
  • A-Z of fundraising ideas
  • Downloadable 'Sponsor a Mile' poster
  • Cotswold Outdoors 15% discount

Not Included

  • Accommodation
  • Travel to/from the event
  • Personal hiking gear (boots, clothing etc)
  • Travel insurance

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising required
  • Fundraising support
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Individuals

There is a £250 fundraising pledge per hiker.

Teams

There is a £250 fundraising pledge per hiker however a team may have a joint fundraising target and joint fundraising page. This means the overall goal is shared.

eg. a team of 4 will have a target of £1000. 

Tips

Fundraising towards your £250 pledge is part of the challenge and the team is full of ideas to help you get there. Small steps can take you a long way and every pound you raise will help support more people living with cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support

No one should have to face cancer alone.

Macmillan will move mountains to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are shared.

And they don’t stop there. They're going all out to find ever better ways to help people with cancer, helping to bring forward the day when everyone gets life-transforming support from day one.

But without your help they can’t support everyone who needs them.

  • Age 14 & over
  • Entries open
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Fundraising required
Enter now

14-17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Entry fees

Entry fee

£25.00

Minimum sponsorship

£250.00

When asked about my Mighty Hike, without thought or pause I would respond with a huge smile, and something along the lines of "it was absolutely excellent, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Hollie, 2023

Other races at event

  • Sun 15 Sep
  • #1 of 2
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick > Howick Coastguard Station, Alnwick

Half Marathon

08:00

£20

Age 14 & over

  • 13.2 miles hiking + 75 m ascent