The 69th Chevy Chase will take place on SATURDAY 4th July 2026. Entries will open on Sunday 1st February 2025.
Once again, we will offer the option of The Chevy Chase Challenge Walk. The same route, but starting an hour earlier, and with a time limit of 7 hours. Although this is non-competitive, walkers will have their times recorded at each checkpoint, and be able to purchase a T-shirt. Please note, NO RUNNING is allowed – if you intend to run / walk, please enter the ‘run’.
Entries for both the run and the walk are online through sientries.co.uk. The link will be added here a few weeks before.
As always, there is a limit of 300 on the event. Further entries will be added to a waiting list and the race will be filled from there if people drop out. You will be contacted when payment is due.
The Chevy Chase is now affiliated to the Association of Running Clubs (ARC) and the event permit number is ARC/25/0060.
Please see our Facebook page for up to date changes. These will also be emailed to competitors the week before.
Here is the link for the Chevy Chase results:
2024 results
Competitors can also scan the QR code at the finish line to get their results on their mobile ‘phone.
The Challenge for 69 years!
The Chevy Chase Race is a 20-mile journey through some of the finest upland scenery in Northumberland giving runners the opportunity to channel their energies into a rewarding and demanding personal challenge.
You will need to be fit and sure footed, determined, and prepared for all weathers. Your route will take you deep into the heart of the “land of the far horizon”; you will summit both Cheviot 2676 feet / 815m and Hedgehope 2348 feet / 714m.
You will have the unrestrained freedom of the hills, the route is unmarked and you may choose your own path as long as the manned checkpoints are visited in the correct order. Only a short section is on road; the rest of your route follows tracks, footpaths, sheep paths and crosses rough fell.
Although taking place in mid summer the sun is never certain to shine and low cloud is a distinct possibility therefore you must be able to navigate by map and compass.
Click here to view the chevy map
Equipment
Each competitor should be prepared to carry:
- Full waterproof whole-body cover (i.e. covering the torso from head to ankles).
- Other body cover appropriate for weather conditions, including as minimum, hat and gloves, but also a fleece.
- Whistle.
- Map, preferably waterproof of the race route and surrounding area.
- Compass suitable for navigating the course (GPS alone is not acceptable).
- Emergency food and drink.
There will be random kit checks at the start and finish. A few maps will be available to purchase at registration if required. Those not having required equipment will not be able to start the race.
Parking
As usual, there will be some parking for 4×4 vehicles just up the hill from the hostel in the field on the right hand side of the road.
The main car park this year is the new car park on the site of the old first school – please follow signs for ‘long-stay car park’ which is at the north end of the High Street, behind the church. Please be aware that parking in the Padgepool Place car park in front of the doctor’s is now restricted to 2 hours!
This is a 5 minute walk from the start – head along the High Street to the Co-op and walk up Cheviot Street to the YHA as usual.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK ANYWHERE ELSE in Wooler as this will annoy our neighbours and risk the future of the event.
Start & Finish
The event centre and finish is at the WOOLER YOUTH HOSTEL, Cheviot Street, NE71 6LW. The start is 5 minutes from here. Please park where directed, this may be a 10 minute walk from the hostel. At the hostel you will be able to register, collect your race number and electronic dibber before having your kit checked.
Registration times: From 7.30am
Start time: Walk – 9.30am Run – 10.30am
Time allowed: Walk – 7 hours Run – 6 hours
Runners and fast walkers may enter the ‘run’, but strict cut off times will apply. Only those starting at 10.30am will be eligible to receive a prize.
Checkpoint Times:
| Checkpoints: | Grid Reference: | Checkpoint estimated opening: | Checkpoint closes: |
| 1. Broadstruther | 942 248 | 10.15 | 11.30 |
| 2. Cheviot knee | 933 222 | 10.40 | 12.05 |
| 3. Cheviot summit | 909 205 | 11.10 | 12.55 |
| 4. Hedgehope summit | 944 198 | 12.00 | 13.55 |
| 5. Langlee Crags | 967 220 | 12.20 | 14.40 |
| 6. Brand’s Corner | 982 238 | 12.30 | 15.10 |
| 7. Hell Path | 957 257 | 12.55 | 16.00 |
| Carey Burn Bridge (unofficial) | 976 249 | 12.40 | 15.45 |
Retirement Points:
1. HAWSEN BURN BRIDGE: 954 226 (accessible from various checkpoints)
2. CAREY BURN BRIDGE: 976 249
Retirement
If you start the race but need to drop out for any reason you MUST inform the organiser either by calling in at your closest checkpoint, a retirement point or at the finish. If asked to retire by a marshal please comply as it is for your own safety.
The Chevy Chase is supported by the Northumberland National Park Search and Rescue Team. There will be communication between checkpoints to monitor competitors’ progress. Our marshals are experienced volunteers who enjoying cheering you on and offering encouragement. They will advise you if they feel you should not continue, please accept this advice with grace and do not abuse them.
Retirement points are:
Hawsen Burn Bridge GR. 954226
Carey Burn Bridge GR. 976249.
On Finishing
You will receive a print out of your split times at each checkpoint and total time for the course. You can collect your T-shirt (pre-ordered), drinks and chips from our sponsors Particularly Good Potatoes, cooked by Ann from Wooler Mart Canteen as soon as possible then hopefully relax in the sunshine before prize giving at approximately 3.30pm. Our other sponsors, Doddington Dairy Milk Bar have also provided a voucher for tea / coffee / hot chocolate to use on your way back to the car park, or before the end of July.
As with the last couple of years, there is minimal access to the hostel except to use the toilets. We plan to register, kit check, and provide catering outside.
There is an extensive prize list for runners:
Male – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, MV40, MV50, MV60, first team of 3, 1st local male (NE71 postcode or Wooler Running Club member)
Female – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, FV40, FV50, FV60, first team of 3, 1st local female (NE71 postcode or Wooler Running Club member)
Please respect our beautiful hills, leave no litter, cause no damage and enjoy!!
Enquiries to: chevychaserace@hotmail.co.uk
Please click here to get to the The Chevy Chase Facebook page
Wooler Running Club 