After a life changing event and mid pandemic, Stuart decided to run 135km coast-to-coast along Hadrian’s Wall. Here he recounts his solo journey, and what he learnt along the way.
Why Did You Decide to Run Hadrian’s Wall?
The route for running Hadrian’s Wall covers three counties in a beautiful part of the world I’d always wanted to experience. I decided to run Hadrian’s Wall mid-pandemic in August 2021 to raise money for St Leonard’s Hospice in York who cared for my late wife, Natalie, on and off over the course of a year with her cancer.
A tiny part of me also did it for myself. After the first and longest of the pandemic lockdowns I wanted to get back outdoors and tick a few of my bucket list, while also raising money for such a wonderful cause.
Of course, all of this was far easier to plot on paper than actually do in reality.
How Did you Plan and Prepare for your Experience?
The various forts and Hadrian’s Wall attracts 100,000 people per year, but only a fraction of those walk its full length. Even fewer run it.
Planning the route – which direction to travel, pit stops and overnight accommodation, what to pack, etc – involved piecing together lots of blog posts and a heavy dose of Google maps.
I felt I went into it with a fairly solid plan and my eyes wide open, but I still got caught out on occasion. For example, I ran out of water multiple times and without the change to buy refreshments at the makeshift tuck shops in the most remote parts of the route.
I know now not everywhere takes contactless!
Finishing Hadrian’s Wall in 3 days took some hefty planning, so I wanted to share everything I could to help others considering doing the same by writing my own blog post for anybody considering running Hadrians Wall.
Describe Running Hadrian’s Wall to Us
Hadrian’s Wall Path is a National Trails hiking and walking route spanning 84 miles coast-to-coast across Northumberland and Cumbria. Slightly longer than the original 80 Roman miles long wall.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Wall was built in AD 122 at the height of the Roman Empire by Emperor Hadrian to keep the threat of a Scottish invasion at bay.
I tried to treat each day as its own mini-race – 60km, then 40km, then 35km. It definitely helped getting the bulk of the distance out of the way upfront.
If you travel West to East you finish Hadrian’s Wall in Wallsend, which has its own museum and gift shop to buy souvenirs. Then it’s only a short Metro ride to Newcastle for a celebratory drink.
You’ll hug the coastline, encounter farm tracks and remote paths, see Roman ruins and fully intact sections of the Wall, cross urban areas built on top of the wall, and be grateful for the odd life saving ice cream van. The only thing I failed to spot in all the 3 days was another runner!
Tell me About the Most Memorable Moment During your Experience:
Picture Hadrian’s Wall in your mind and you’re probably thinking of the most famous tree in the UK, I certainly do. A lone tree used to proudly stand in Sycamore Gap, universally known as the ‘Robin Hood Tree’ after its appearance in the blockbuster film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Of course, all that now remains of the tree is its stump as it was criminally cut down in 2023.
The Sycamore Gap tree was one of the only landmarks I knew to look out for. A majestic sight and sanctuary. Not only from the elements but for the soul. What a great loss.
Tell me About Your Lows – Did you Face Any Challenges?
I found the whole experience very emotional. That carried me through the toughest parts but I also don’t want to ignore how lonely it was at times. Not just the challenge itself, but also all the training and build up.
More practically, the lack of cover from the Summer sun and extremely sparse refreshment stops were tricky.
I ran Hadrian’s Wall solo, but was very lucky to have the support of a good friend who ferried my bags to our hotels every night. This definitely opened up my accommodation options.
How Did you Feel at the End?
On my final few steps of running Hadrian’s Wall I was greeted with a mix of emotions. Extremely grateful for the experience and a chance to see this incredible part of the UK, but on a bit of a come down.
What would I do with myself next?
Running Hadrian’s Wall has given me a huge appetite for more adventures. I now have a running bucket list and try to catalogue them for others thinking of doing the same.
It’s also encouraged me to take my running shoes on every holiday I go on, whether it’s to experience the trails or hop on a running tour of a new city.
What Items Could you Have not Done Without and Why?
I would have been absolutely lost without my GPS watch. With most of the wall buried or built over, the markers can be hard to locate in parts.
Plus there’s a tonne of detours taking you away from the paper map routes. My GPS would sound an alarm if I was starting to veer too far off course which really helped to proceed with more confidence and speed than if I was trying to read a paper map too.
The other must-haves were great snacks and a massage gun for my legs at night.
I don’t think the distance was the main achievement, it was waking up the next morning and doing it all over again!
Looking Back, is there Anything That You Would Have Done Differently?
I might have done stretches with friends. I didn’t want to be overly reliant on others or to hold them back myself, but it would have been wonderful to experience it with others and chat away on the route.
On reflection, I could have listened to the guidance to do it earlier in the year, outside of the hot summer months.
What Advice or Tips Would you Give Someone Looking at Doing the Same?
If I can do this, anyone can!
Even walking Hadrian’s Wall in 5-7 days is a huge achievement and it’s a unique way to see one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Just put the practice miles in as you’ll need to push through the tougher stretches to reach the highs.
Images copyright of Stuart Goulden.
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