The Pendulum

Conquer the wild, windswept spine of Northumberland's highest peaks at the **Pendulum Race on Sunday, March 22, 2026**. This ferocious 11-mile fell challenge, staged by Northern Fell Running and Cheviot Trail Events from the remote valley of Langleeford, demands nothing less than the ascent of both Hedgehope Hill and The Cheviot—back to back, with 3,689ft of punishing climb compressed into a single, unforgettable morning. This is not a race for metrics or medals alone; it is a conversation with the Cheviot massif, a negotiation conducted in breath, bedrock, and resolve. The 9:30am start sends runners upward into terrain where trail shoes, waterproofs, whistle, hat, and gloves shift from recommendations to necessities.
A 3-hour cut-off at the midway point imposes merciful clarity: summit The Cheviot and return within the window, and Hedgehope awaits. Miss it, and your Pendulum falls silent. Those who persist earn the full arc—both peaks, both descents, and the profound satisfaction of a finisher's medal hard-won from England's most uncompromising fell country. Mountain Rescue watches over the circuit; experienced marshals mark the line; a GPX file guides your reconnaissance. This is fell running stripped of pretension, delivered by people who know these slopes intimately and invite you to share that knowledge.

The Event Village awaits your return, but come prepared: the valley swallows phone signals whole, and all stalls operate on cash alone. Car sharing is not merely encouraged but essential, the limited parking at Langleeford a precious commodity on race morning. In the unlikely event of snow or ice closing the start, the race postpones—never cancels—because the Pendulum, once set in motion, demands its resolution. Registration opens soon; slots are strictly limited. Answer the call of the Cheviots. Let the Pendulum swing.