End of Day One

The Teenagers of The Land Between

Rich's Ones to Watch

Event Preview

Oliver Glen

Pedr Charlesworth

Dan Fox

Craig Monteith

Alex Dyson

Andrew Broadway

Stanley McNulty

Eva Grange

Rupert Hartley

India Landy

Matthew Jones

George Morris

Jason Craven

Matthew Chapple

Robert Davis

Rob Gibson

Charles Sales

Andrew Delamain

Nic Vieri

John Fettis

James Dyson

Josh Reid

James Steele

Gordon Mackenzie

Katy Orr

Lee Watson

Richard Wilson

Nathan Hughes

Jack Yates

James Rothwell

James Begg

Zoe McIntosh

Iain D'Arcy

Jack Westwood

Sam Kerr

Jack Taylor

Nick Tatt

Philippa Sumner

Paul Genet

Kyle Weir

Toby Willis

James & Edward Roff

Izzy Freshwater

Jordan Matthews

Jethro Warwick-Mooney

Mihir Joshi

Heather Kennedy

Adam Dobinson

Andreas Klinton

Joshua Hughes

Bradley Murphy

Helen Collard

Brian Sharp

Rosalind Clark

Matthew Gonzalez-noda

Stephen Edwards

Jon Fiarclough

Mike Wragg

Pete Alfano

Simon Mowles

Thomas Harrison

Svetlana Karadimova

Bill Anderson

Leanne Whitehead

Alec McLeish

John Cooper

Edwin Barnes

Johannes Ruff

Samuel Bartram

Steven Wheatley

Carl Salisbury

Just like that we're nearing the end of the first day! The distance will be starting to bite for our riders and for a few folks it may be one of their first attempts to ride into/through the night. Thankfully the weather remains on their side too and so it should be a great night for riding!

A quick note up front - the eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that **Jon Fiarclough** is at hospital! The good news is that he rode himself there and is getting checked out but it's not related to any crash. We'll bring any updates we're able to but rest assured the race team have got in contact to check all is ok.

![WhatsApp Image 2025-08-22 at 22.11.13](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5q92X1eag9xBLxWUvGnLvR/dbe5adadfd1a71989fe1a3db880cc480/WhatsApp_Image_2025-08-22_at_22.11.13.jpeg)

Towards the front of the race, riders are stopping for resupply at Chopwell - the last resupply for the night shift. As I commented earlier, the pace is very high, as expected: approximately the front 30 riders are through Chopwell as of 10pm, compared to the front 10 riders this time last year. **Olly Glen** continues his phenomenal ride off the front - now a full hour and fifteen minutes ahead of **Pedr Charlesworth**!! If he can continue at this pace, he will obliterate the FKT and be done in well under 24 hours.

Pedr has pulled slightly ahead of **Dan Fox** now for second on the road, but only by a matter of five minutes or so - this spot on the podium is still very much a fight. **Craig Monteith** and **Stanley McNulty** are not at all far behind either - so any significant stops could see these guys come into contention. Not only that but **Eva Grange** and **Andrew Broadway** are right behind them too! I estimate it's about 50 minutes between Pedr and Eva/Andrew, so very tight still!

![WhatsApp Image 2025-08-22 at 18.34.45 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1KX2ZQENvzyRuACRsgQp17/4aed1408d0bbaf7daf9d26ccb28fb0d6/WhatsApp_Image_2025-08-22_at_18.34.45__1_.jpeg)

The women's top three has a similar layout to the mens, with about an hour and 15 minutes between **Eva Grange** and **Zoe Macintosh** and then 20 between Zoe and **India Landy**. Eva is very much mixing it up with the mens field, much like Kerry did last year, which is always exciting to see! Fourth of the women is **Katy Orr**, who is one of the supported riders:

Both of our two *The Land Between* Supported Riders **Jason Craven** and **Katy Orr** are in the front of the field. These riders are both novices to the ultra world and were picked by Rich to be supported by the sponsors. They have been coached by Rich via *Advance Cycle Coaching* and supported by *Restrap* and *Albion* with kit. We've heard a few snippets from on the ground and it sounds like they are having a great event and Katy is raring to go to ride into the night but wisely not making any commitment as to sleep strategy yet. The fact that these riders are so far up the pack is testament to the amount of work they've put in under Rich's guidance to be ready to go!

![537360627 18520530217026570 7035951008023523905 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2GEd03CGnDCQtM5av5cOhz/986e2d11cdf4a22340ab47d55e52985e/537360627_18520530217026570_7035951008023523905_n.jpg)
> 📸 [@keo44](https://www.instagram.com/keo44)

It will be interesting to see how many riders are going to opt to ride through the night, to wild camp/bivvy or to get hotels/accomodation. It looks like **Andreas Klinton** and **Mihir Joshi** may be taking the more luxurious option of a hotel for the night whilst a few others look to be quietly laying down their bivvy bags just off-route already. **James Rothwell**, **Edward Roff**, and **Jack Taylor**, our young riders, are all still out riding with James having a sizeable lead there.

![WhatsApp Image 2025-08-22 at 22.11.16 (4)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2ByLdTTqg660dO4nHRxXK2/9d20b822e4d7563c72eaf9be2847dd95/WhatsApp_Image_2025-08-22_at_22.11.16__4_.jpeg)

As is traditional with commentary posts, the leaders have moved on a lot by the time I've finished writing! **Olly Glen** has just cleared Hadrian's Wall at Once Brewed (hopefully leaving all landmark trees intact...) and is showing no signs of slowing down!

The plan is that most of tomorrow's coverage will be from **Niall Deans** and **Niall Shannon**, both veterans of last year's race, so I will let them have the privilege of announcing the podium tomorrow. Set those alarms early for tomorrow, because we could genuinely have a finisher before sunrise!


Well - Rich predicted a fast edition this year and he was right! Last year, the lead four went under the Tyne at about 5pm. This year at 5pm we'd had nine riders come through the tunnel and start to head back out of city, with **Olly Glen** forging the way at the front. He has a lead of just over 20 minutes over **Pedr Charlesworth** and **Dan Fox** who are about level in second position. **Eva Grange** is leading the women's race with about a 45 minute lead over **Zoe Macintosh** and about an hour over **India Landy**. Eva and **Stanley McNulty** regularly share their adventures over at [@twodots.cc](https://www.instagram.com/twodots.cc) and live in the Lake District. It's no surprise to see that they are both towards the front, with Stanley being not behind Pedr and Dan.

![WhatsApp Image 2025-08-22 at 11.59.46](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6ronnL97RzYjJQwgfdyqDl/91cb614346957f47780b3b259bbfa708/WhatsApp_Image_2025-08-22_at_11.59.46.jpeg)

*Restrap* roving reporter **Seun Alaba** caught up with a number of riders making rapid stops for lunch earlier today. I spotted in the picture that it is indeed the videographer **Josh Reid** that we have this year, making videos rather than trying for the win to avenge the close-run for first last year.

![WhatsApp Image 2025-08-22 at 13.39.24](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/15GnL2ZV8UZKStBE7DSRgI/06b869685d6072fa2aeb881f891db242/WhatsApp_Image_2025-08-22_at_13.39.24.jpeg)

It looks like we may unfortunately have our first scratches - **Brian Sharp** and **Mike Wragg** have both headed well off-route and into civilisaton but I have no news on what issues they've faced I'm afraid.

**James Rothwell** is leading the teenagers race with **Edward Roff** and **Jack Taylor** a bit further back. However, he reportedly forgot to take cash with him and then ran out of water early on! Perhaps a reflection on the fact that for his previous big endeavours he's had his Dad on hand to keep the admin under control!

![WhatsApp Image 2025-08-22 at 15.14.55](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/43ysqWJ8kyUdboGCV3rOhk/ae228c548644705a8331ace18b233b5e/WhatsApp_Image_2025-08-22_at_15.14.55.jpeg)

Finally, in the "race of the sponsors", I have to point out that **Rupert Hartley** of *Albion* has given **Alex Dyson** and **Nathan Hughes** of *Restrap* the slip and is well ahead of them, right at the front of the race!

To round off this update, I've got an on-the-ground interview come in from **Niall Shannon** with **Rosalind Clark** and **Helen Collard** who are enjoying a more sociable pace at the back of the pack!

![WhatsApp Video 2025-08-22 at 12.55.29](//videos.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5K4wiqlgfG3zd3J8IuslmV/8d79a82cdd5cbbfdd8b1c3729318c18a/WhatsApp_Video_2025-08-22_at_12.55.29.mp4)

A Rapid Afternoon

The race is now well underway with the lead riders strung out down the coast. The initial climb and descent into Scotland was tackled pretty quickly and **Olly Glen** rapidly broke off the front and has now established himself a sizeable lead!

![e41fa594-af6d-4282-9d7a-776c1b15eddc](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6vunI5Ev4XYe4jXQK1tJ7T/649b1b338f8deda519260491c4a1f869/e41fa594-af6d-4282-9d7a-776c1b15eddc.jpeg)

We have a larger group behind Olly which may contain some of those dark horse riders that Rich predicted. As I was reviewing the name list I had a feeling I’d come across **Pedr Charlesworth** before and seeing him at the pointy end of the race I’ve now remembered. He has just finished cycling from Mexico to New York to finish off a ride that COVID interrupted - he should definitely have the legs!

![6cdef7a4-0010-4e51-8fbc-3555efa65d85](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6azVzkvJIcvQK6aS5ZUTzO/0265a66b9c248d076a99a7f06cecba16/6cdef7a4-0010-4e51-8fbc-3555efa65d85.jpeg)

More to follow later as it comes in!

First Few Hours

Niall S interviews Edward, James and Jack - the teenagers of The Land Between!

![WhatsApp Video 2025-08-21 at 21.37.13](//videos.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1GE3jqdAZ8lz05Y0nKjqzo/fba57064142adad26c8f047a5c47dea2/WhatsApp_Video_2025-08-21_at_21.37.13.mp4)


There are lots of familiar names in the field for **The Land Between** this year, but also plenty of names you may never have heard before. One of the most exciting aspects of this race is the number of young riders involved. It's great that Rich goes out of his way to make sure that age need be no barrier to entry for his event. In particular **James Rothwell**, **Edward Roff**, and **Jack Taylor** are all teenagers taking on the event this year. Keep an eye on the event socials [@_thelandbetween](https://www.instagram.com/_thelandbetween) tonight for a special check-in with the event's three teenage riders!

Like last year, we asked race organiser Rich for his "Ones to Watch" for this year's edition. Here's what he had to say:

---

Well, we'd love you to keep an eye on everyone! All **The Land Between** riders have put in the hours of training and preparation to get to the start line, whether they are at the back, the front, or the middle of the pack. Why, even **Toby Willis** has trained SO HARD that he recently had to have a lie down on a hot beach for a couple of weeks, rehydrating and eating fine food to recover for the big day. Pro tapering right there!

![521089976 18518880562049057 4050529336024212327 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5kQxuZHbbgpwcGCtjtTKU3/fcbd63328376267ae9a183c52f5760e6/521089976_18518880562049057_4050529336024212327_n.jpg)
> Commentator's top tip: Toby takes incredible pictures and posts on Instagram when he's out on his bike!
> (📸 [@tobychillis](https://www.instagram.com/tobychillis))

In the women's field, there is a heady mix of experienced riders and racers. **Sam Kerr** has really been smashing out the big miles recently and is looking on great form. **India Landy** has taken on some big rides and races around the world and is known for her 'get it done' attitude, and always with a smile on her face! **Eva Grange** recently completed a huge global tour and can definitely keep moving over the long haul. **Katy Orr** is our supported rider, having trained with Advance Cycle Coaching and running with Restrap bikepacking bags. She's trained hard and has finished highly in her category in the Gralba gravel race series.

![510959295 18521422843005801 6848231229225841854 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/51PcmHxI63Ld0accp1mU7Z/487b1c5838fb80cd2e22732176e73be4/510959295_18521422843005801_6848231229225841854_n.jpg)
> Sam Kerr out training
> (📸 [@sam____kerr__](https://www.instagram.com/sam____kerr__))

In the men, **Olly Glen** is a strong bet for the front of the field. Olly has achieved high finishes at **The Dales Divide** and has the pedigree to ride a fast non stop ride. **Josh Reid** is also a fast rider and he's on home turf! Losing out in the three-way sprint in the inaugural Land Between, he's got a score to settle! But which Josh will turn up? The Racer or the Film Maker? Or both?! **Stanley McNulty** may not be a familiar name in ultra circles but make no mistake, he puts in the miles  in his home of the Lake District. He's super strong and a little bird told us he's going all out at The Land Between! **Alex Dyson** is also a super strong rider who has trained extremely effectively over the last year. He rode The Land Between last year, finishing a very solid 9th and we know he's aiming on going faster! **Andrew Broadway** is also a returning rider after a superb 7th place finish last year. **Jason Craven** is another rider who has been supported in his training by Advance Cycle Coaching, as well as Restrap. It's his first attempt at an ultra and his training and focus has been impressive. With a strong ride at the Frontier 300, can Jason power through the night and push the front of the pack? **Brian Sharp** comes from the trail running world so clearly has the aerobic engine. Recently turning his hand to long gravel rides and events, we think Brian will make a confident showing at The Land Between.

![521663430 18525340705012364 2545112750690806635 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/8d1G8vhnK6zr37q1HT9ly/87250ce07bf5a2472d701d96dce2f2ac/521663430_18525340705012364_2545112750690806635_n.jpg)
> Alex Dyson's recent trip to the Alps!
> (📸 [@a__dyson](https://www.instagram.com/a__dyson))

The beauty of these events is the Dark Horses and those riders who fly a little under the radar. We are sure they are in the field and will show their hand this weekend!

But most of all, we want **all** the riders to have their best ride and enjoy the stunning scenery and unique culture of Northumberland.

![4e64f864-2826-4328-8f28-cd1bfcc739c4](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/66DEpseN8KiHktyTOoiHrT/73690f2a95ada26ac524dc0ee4ef2ecc/4e64f864-2826-4328-8f28-cd1bfcc739c4.jpeg)
> Josh Reid in the leading trio during The Land Between 2024

![WhatsApp Image 2024-08-23 at 13.23.42 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/55FcdjudUwO1yaUmn3wSnD/843a0573187ba24056d2ae27abaac5d3/WhatsApp_Image_2024-08-23_at_13.23.42__1_.jpeg)

*The Land Between* takes place in and around Northumberland, the northernmost county of England. It is a historical border region, right on the border with Scotland, through which the ride briefly passes. In my research I learned that as a result, Northumberland has more castles than any other English county! The event's tagline on the website gives a pretty good description: "A bikepacking adventure through the ancient and varied landscapes of Northumberland. It's time to embrace the unknown.". 

*The Land Between* is the brainchild of well-seasoned ultra racer Rich Rothwell. Rich is well known within the ultra community and is a veteran of multiple Highland Trail 550 finishes, Race Around Rwanda, Atlas Mountain Race, Further Pyrenees, Further East and the inaugural edition of Further Elements.

![WhatsApp Image 2024-08-25 at 14.57.18 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7bbAhG8cWAOGpIrlNb3MQU/7a47bcfeae9beccf4f4bee3c8cce6225/WhatsApp_Image_2024-08-25_at_14.57.18__1_.jpeg)

This is the second edition of the event, with the first edition having gone down really well with riders both for the route itself but also for the atmosphere. Not a huge amount has changed since last year on the route, with a few short diversions due to road closures. The first edition of an event can often lead to major changes as the organiser's route ideas get put to the test by a multitude of riders. It's a testament to Rich's good planning and testing of the route that it needs almost no modification at all.

The biggest difference this year, according to Rich, is the weather. It has been so incredibly dry this year that the course is very fast-rolling and he predicts a new FKT with a faster first-finish than last year. The weather for the event itself is also forecast to be good, with no rain at all, unlike last year. It's shaping up to be an exciting one to watch!

### The Route
The route kicks off from the village of Alwinton and almost immediately the first major off-road challenge comes in the form of the ancient Clennel Street bridleway which should be a solid warmup and have all the gravel bike riders rethinking their choice nice and early! This is spectacular but tough going, with the second-highest point on the route coming just 15km from the start. However, having crossed the border into Scotland, riders will be rewarded with a long descent with the next 40km being primarily downhill all the way to the coast, with only a few smaller rises along the way. Rich calls this out as one of the sections that will be a lot fast and easier with the dry weather lately. From here, little back lanes wind through a couple of small Scottish villages before crossing the border back into England and heading into the market town of Wooler.

![WhatsApp Image 2024-08-21 at 07.21.43](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3eTQV7hBEyPUMOw8leicWZ/253ea36a716f49affc63cdad6aac8a65/WhatsApp_Image_2024-08-21_at_07.21.43.jpeg)

From here the route goes back off-road and follows the Sandstone Way that meanders out towards the coast past a variety of interesting places such as St Cuthbert's Cave (see cover photo at the top of this post!). After reaching the coast the route turns south down the coast, with a long road stretch past places such as Bamburgh Castle, the coastal villages of Seahouses and Beednall, and Dunstanburgh Castle. The route jumps between the road and off-road a fair bit down the coast; it's fairly flat but is very close to the coast and exposed so the wind is likely to be far more of a concern than the gradient!

Just before the major town of Blyth the route turns inland for a time, with various farm tracks and singletrack. Rich rates this as something of a hidden gem: rarely ridden but a great stretch to ride from there to Seaton Sluice. From here it's not far to Whitley Bay and Tynemouth - a much more urban area with plenty of resupply options, especially for a well-deserved fish and chips by the sea!

Staying in the urban environment, the route goes up the Tyne and the riders get the unusual experience of riding through a tunnel under the river. Not many events go *under* rivers! Showing riders the sorts of things that they won't normally see like this is typical of the route as a whole.

![WhatsApp Image 2024-08-23 at 19.44.39](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4HtVJ5RmlpvQ9PUVBsSYO5/c6d636a6866ebb968564c5946e4c5425/WhatsApp_Image_2024-08-23_at_19.44.39.jpeg)

From here the route heads slowly back out of the urban landscapes but nonetheless interesting, including potential views of the Angel of the North which they pass quite close to. The section from Sunniside down into the Derwent valley was described by Rich as one of the best descents of the route: "mental, much more fun that it should be, considering it's semi-urban". The route continues on various farm tracks and singletrack as it heads further and further out of town and by the village of Chopwell it is very much Pennines and no longer city!

After the village of Whittonstall comes Slaley Forest with a great descent down into Blanchland but with a brutal road climb back up the other side out of the village. MTB riders will be more rewarded for their efforts than gravel bike riders on the following descent from Townfield to Edmundbyers: Rich describes it as another descent that is very much mountain bike territory - one of the best bits of singletrack in the North East.

The gravel bike riders will get some enjoyable descents still, with the one down to Rookhope shortly after being fast gravel followed by another road section. The gravel section just into Allenheads is another hidden gem that Rich describes as rarely ridden but stunning. He's really hoping that at least a few people get to ride it in daylight to enjoy it properly!

![4e64f864-2826-4328-8f28-cd1bfcc739c4](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/66DEpseN8KiHktyTOoiHrT/73690f2a95ada26ac524dc0ee4ef2ecc/4e64f864-2826-4328-8f28-cd1bfcc739c4.jpeg)

From Allenheads there is another longer extended road section back out to the Tyne valley with a descent out to Bardon Mill before climbing up again through Once Brewed. Last year I saw this name and thought it was a joke(!) but thanks to the infamous felling of the tree at the nearby Sycamore Gap in September last year, this village is now much more well known! The route passes the site of Hadrian's Wall with a fairly spectacular view and not long after this, they enter what Rich describes as a no-mans-land through Wark Forest before the potentially critical resupply point of Bellingham. Resupply will be a really interesting tactical divider on this route: there is a lot of resupply in the first part of the route, but from Bellingham, 371km in, there is pretty much no resupply again until the finish.

From Bellingham it's back on the road again up to Kielder Water via the Haul Road and Lakeside Way. They skip visiting Kielder Castle and head back North East onto the Kielder Forest Drive, a long climb followed by a long, fast descent down to cross the A68 onto the Cottonhope Road. This is a long but very remote road climb up through MOD land. The rider notes are very specific that riders should not leave the designated route through this section although there should be no live firing during the event!

![WhatsApp Image 2024-08-21 at 07.31.42](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4uHJ6msrFmnmpThcSQcXeA/479b734f306f23eabbcbf519e8192ac7/WhatsApp_Image_2024-08-21_at_07.31.42.jpeg)

As the route returns towards Alwinton at around 440km there is, in Rich's own words: "a little bit of off-road which is brutal; I put it in because I just wanted to... it ends with a hike-a-bike but the view from the top looking back is one of the best views on the whole route. So they'll hate me but they'll like it".

Last year I predicted that the pass through the start/finish with 70km to go would be a mental challenge to keep moving. However, I was very wrong - almost all but the front riders used this to their advantage, taking the chance to stop at Alwinton and rest overnight before taking on the remaining 70km the next morning. It also helped morale, with the front riders who had finished being able to go out and cheer on those who were further back.

The route heads south back out of Alwinton via a little bit of singletrack but then primarily road over a climb to the village of Elsdon. Whilst there are some off-road options available, it turns out that Rich does have a heart after all! Now very much on his local patch, the route goes through Harwood Forest before another fun but slightly gnarly descent out of the forest. At the bottom of the descent the riders will pass the distillery of [Hepple Spirits](https://hepplespirits.com/), one of the event sponsors.

![428716225 1865138530594500 7470553228261807610 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6O3ldU0vUwjLe5WEYaFZHC/6a9ad4aacd1b1de9c78439404e7b4fc7/428716225_1865138530594500_7470553228261807610_n.jpg)

Rothbury is the next major point on the map and a resupply option (the first proper resupply since Bellingham!) followed by a tricky technical ascent up onto Rothbury Carriage Drive - another one where Rich predicts that only the most talented gravel bike riders will be make it through without walking. The route passes round Cragside House, originally the home of industrialist William Armstrong and was one of the most technologically advanced houses of its' time! Worth popping back to visit after the event, perhaps?!

From here it is a primarily road affair back to Alwinton with a final off-road descent to the finish. A tough test for riders at 515km and nearly 7000m of climbing! Who will make it round? How many will do it in one, without sleep?! We'll find out between 7:30am Friday and midnight Sunday!

### Your Team
As this race has proven a hit we have brought in reinforcements to try and bring the best possible commentary! We'll have two of last year's riders **Niall Shannon** (who was second finisher) and **Niall Deans** out on the road chasing down riders and providing some commentary here. **Seun Alaba** will also be out with his camera on an eBike chasing down our riders alongside Rich and sending them in. Finally, I, **Steve Haskew**, will be filling some gaps and writing things up back at home. I am envious of those out on the ground, that's for sure!

Steve Haskew

Niall Shannon

Niall Deans

Kerry MacPhee

John Hale

The Land Between 2025 tracking and commentary: The edition of this off-road Northern England event will explore the ancient and varied landscapes of Northumberland over isolated fell, along stunning coastlines and through industrial landscapes, both old and new.



The Land Between 2025

The edition of this off-road Northern England event will explore the ancient and varied landscapes of Northumberland over isolated fell, along stunning coastlines and through industrial landscapes, both old and new.

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The Land Between 2025

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