Newlyweds from Cumbria run 300km ultra-race for a honeymoon

Rather than head off for a relaxing holiday in the sun, Krystal Garnett and Richard Moreland instead took on the mammoth challenge of an ultra-running race across the north of England.

Starting on the west coast of Cumbria early last Saturday morning, Krystal and Richard joined 180 other competitors in the SILVA Northern Traverse, covering 300km, which included 6,500m of ascent.

The happy couple reach the finish line of their 300km honeymoon trek (Image: No Limits Photography)On the move through the day and night with very little sleep, the happy couple reached the finish line on the east coast of Yorkshire after 84 hours and 21 minutes on the trail.

Founded in 2016, the SILVA Northern Traverse is a continuous footrace from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay.

It has to be completed within five days and follows the well-established coast-to-coast route created by legendary Cumbrian writer, Alfred Wainwright.

Krystal Garnett and Richard Moreland faced wind and rain during their challenge (Image: No Limits Photography)On Saturday and Sunday, Storm Kathleen presented Krystal and Richard with a wedding gift of 50mph winds and heavy rain.

The weather remained challenging throughout the race, and there were also very boggy conditions underfoot.

Krystal and Richard live in Kirkby Stephen, which is part way along the route of the Northern Traverse.

Krystal Garnett and Richard Moreland head uphill (Image: No Limits Photography)They got married last November, since when they have been training for their adventurous honeymoon. Krystal has attempted the Northern Traverse twice before, but this is the first time that she has finished the race.

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The distance, terrain, weather and lack of sleep ensured that it was a very challenging few days, and had psychological as well as physical impacts.

“The hallucinations were insane," said Krystal when asked about the trek. 

"I thought Richard’s running poles were our dog coming alongside for treats. And the flagstones appeared to be paintings, like scenes from Harry Potter!”