kielder is beautiful.  I had never been and was invited to run by a friend who lives nearby.  It is quite out of the way so only really assessable if you are driving. The pre race emails were very straight to the point.  It is a very hard race with tight cutoff times and a 7 hour time limit.  The kit check is very thorough and if you don't have something you don't progress to collecting your number.  Location of registration is a scout complex so buildings to keep warm, toilets which aren't portaloos etc. Is was a very friendly atmosphere but most people knew each other probably due to location etc. The route was well signposted and you were running in daylight for approx a third of the time.  The pre race breifing was good and informative while being relaxed and fun all at the same time.  Once it became dark the route was just as easy to follow. The checkpoints were spaced out really well.  There wasn't much available at the checkpoints but as with trail you should be carrying enough food with you.  Safety was paramount in the cold and dark so as you came to each checkpoint your number would be recorded.  One checkpoint was located near brick toilets which was a welcome sight. There were no other toilets on course apart from nature. The view of the stars once it was dark was spectacular and gave this trail marathon something else. There was only one section which seemed to create junk miles whereby you ran up then turnaround and back round.  Otherwise the route was really well planned.  The finish was coming into the scout complex and this meant as a slower runner you needed to run between cars which were leaving. This was hard as it was cold, dark and we were tired, with headlights of cars coming towards you. This was disorienting at that time of night. Would I run it again? Maybe but it was tough, more mentally than physically because of it being dark and cold.  The medal, t shirt and buff was a great reminder of a truly amazing experience.