In 1979, Cliff Sore and Pete Roberts stumbled upon the idea of organising a walk to raise funds the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team. Looking for a theme they considered a route taking in as many Tors as possible in the Cheviot Hills. Whilst of geological interest, their position did not facilitate a good route.
Nevertheless, the Tors were an important feature of the first walk, which started and finished at what was once the main field rescue post at Ingram in the Breamish valley in 1981, the same year as the Great North Run started. Had the Tors been viable, then the Challenge would have been known as the "Cheviot Tors Walk". The name finally selected encompassed what the Challenge was all about - a Challenge in the Cheviot Hills.
I wanted the event to be a two way affair, to raise funds for the Team and in return to organise a challenge, scenic, varied and interesting walk which people would want to return to.

Participants are taken into areas not many would otherwise see including important historical, archeological and geological sites, although these are not obvious as you walk by.
The start and finish was originally based at Ingram in the Breamish valley but was switched to Alwinton and has been based here for many years. Alwinton allows a greater variety of walks possible and so far we have never used the same route twice but some points have been regularly visited. Although, this is now becoming nearly impossible. Strangely enough, 1991 was the first time Cheviot summit was visited.