Northumberland landmarks set to host Castle and Islands Challenge 2026
The Castle and Islands Challenge, combining running and sailing, will take place on June 19th and 20th.
The Castle and Islands Challenge 2026 will get underway next month, with sailors and runners set to visit a number of the region’s most iconic landmarks in a 24-hour race.
As part of the unique challenge, competitors will take in five castles - Alnwick, Warkworth, Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh, and Lindisfarne - and the islands of North Northumberland.
The event, set be held on June 19th and 20th, starts at Alnwick Castle with a 16km run to Amble, passing Warkworth Castle on the way to Amble Harbour. At Amble the runners join their yachts, which are allowed to motor to the affectionately known “sewer buoy", after which only sail power may be used.
The yachts must circumnavigate Coquet Island then, in any order, visit Newton Haven, Seahouses Harbour, and Holy Island, as well as passing through both Inner Sound and Staple Sound. At Newton Haven, Seahouses Harbour, and Holy Island Harbour, runners will complete set routes of 7km, 11km, and 15km.