The course is a spectacular and inspiring challenge.  Rarely leaving the shores of Kielder Water, it follows the Lakeside Way meandering through the forest and heath land that surrounds the lake.  There are a few inclines to negotiate but most are of the short sharp nature and are rewarded afterwards with nice long stretches of easy running.  Most inclines come in the first 15 miles or so and the final few miles are amongst the easiest running on the course.

Depending on your pace my advice would be to employ a tactical walk on one or two of the sharpest rises.  They are short but can be energy sapping and a brief walk will not lose you much time but will save you precious juice for later.  As with all marathons pace judgement will be key for everyone but Kielder has so much else to offer visually that hopefully its challenges are balanced out.

The terrain varies between a mile or so of tarmac and the trail type surface which is ideal for running.  The Lakeside Way is still relatively new, however the surface has bedded down well.