Isaac's Tea Trail Ultra Backwards
Isaac's Tea Trail Ultra Backwards is a 37-mile ultramarathon held on 1 August 2026 with Allendale as the event base. The route follows Isaac's Tea Trail through Ninebanks, Alston and Nenthead before returning to Allendale, and it includes about 4800 ft of ascent.
The race takes place within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark. The route crosses open heather moors, peatlands, dales, hay meadows, upland rivers and woods and passes areas with historical mining and industrial features.
Support is provided with marshals at key points and permanent signage, but the event is primarily self-navigating. Organisers supply a downloadable map and a GPX file for those who wish to use GPS. Checkpoints are stocked with cold drinks, snacks, fruit and vegan sweets, and hot drinks are available at race headquarters before and after the event. An event tracker will be used and free event photographs are provided. Each participant receives a branded event tea towel and a donation from each entry contributes to trail upkeep.
Entry options include a solo ultra and a relay team entry. The event has a minimum age of 18 and published entry fees for 2026 are £78 to £80 for solo entries and £100 per relay team.
Distances:
- Ultra loop, 37 miles, 4800 ft ascent
- Allendale to Ninebanks, 10.2 miles, 1200 ft climbing
- Ninebanks to Nenthead, 15.8 miles, 1900 ft climbing
- Nenthead to Allendale, 11.4 miles, 1750 ft climbing
Entry Information
- Ultra £78-£80 (affiliated/un-affiliated)
- Relay £100 per team
- 37 miles of dramatic scenery with 4800ft of ascent
- Branded event Tea Towel for each participant.
- Free event pictures
- Event tracker to provide safety and dot watching fun for your family and friends
- Well stocked checkpoints offering cold drinks, snacks, fruit, vegan sweets etc
- Hot drinks available at race HQ available before and after the event.
- A donation from each entry will go towards the upkeep of the trail.
Registration Venue: Allendale Village Hall, Allendale, NE47 9PR
Start Time - Ultra/Relay: 9am in Allendale
Registration: 6.30-8.30 am on 1st August
Relay Team leg distances:
- Allendale to Ninebanks 10.2 miles with 1200ft of climbing
- Ninebanks to Nenthead 15.8 miles with 1900ft of climbing
- Nenthead to Allendale 11.4 miles with 1750ft of climbing