The North leg to Carter Bar is both your first and your last leg.  All runners must begin with this.  Then it can only be attempted if you have completed all four of the points of the star.  By this point you’ll be tired, exhausted even, and the clock will not be on your side.  Do you have enough left in the tank to summon up the energy and get this final leg done?

The first 10km is relatively quick as it goes over hard packed forest trails where you can find a decent rhythm and get the distance ticked off.  From Scaup Farm to Carter Bar you’re onto uneven ground and out into the open.  The pace will slow and even though your concentration levels are falling you have to be switched on for the navigation.  Leaving White Kielder Burn the first ascent takes you up and around White Crags before gong cross country past ancient hill forts to the historical border crossing at Carter Bar.  Unlike other legs you will not find any cosy indoor arena where you can rest up and recharge before heading back.  You can expect to see a marshal who will check in on you but otherwise you’re on your own.  Now find that resolve and get to the finish in time.

48km with around 1200m of climbing should be a suitable text after having already completed the other legs.  Solo runners will be in a world of pain.  Those is a team of two or four need to think carefully about who to send on this final stretch.  Who can best cope with what the land has to offer?  The challenge awaits.

Route map for North Star (North) Carter Bar by Drew Swinburne on plotaroute.com