Dormouse Challenge
Fri 21 Nov 2025 Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK

Dormouse Challenge

Run through the woods at the award-winning Salcey Forest while you're served mince pies and treats from the aid station! Run as many 3.5-mile laps as you wish in the time limit.

2 races

  • Fri 21 Nov
  • #1 of 2
Salcey Forest, Northampton

Dormouse Challenge

09:00

Age 17 & over

£31.50-£37

  • 6 hrs trail running + 91 ft ascent
  • Fri 21 Nov
  • #2 of 2
Salcey Forest, Northampton

Dormouse Challenge Canicross

09:00

Age 17 & over

£31.50-£37

  • 6 hrs trail running + 91 ft ascent

Event overview

This is an event that enables runners of all abilities to run together (or hike/walk).

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Highlights

  • Run as many laps as you wish in the 6-hour time limit.
  • The 3.5-mile off-road loop means your race can be 5K or even over 80K and anywhere in between. 
  • You decide how many laps you're going to do on the day within the 6-hour time limit.
  • To cover marathon distance, you'll need to complete 7+ laps.
  • To cover a half marathon distance (14 miles), it's 4 laps.
  • It’s completely up to you. There is no pressure, but see if you want one more lap.
  • The format is great for people looking to run further than they’ve ever done before, do a long training run for future events or to enjoy a sociable event with your friends.

Event video

  • Average fitness
  • Dogs allowed
  • Event village
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators

Fitness level

The key thing is that these events are for everyone. There is no such thing as too slow!

Dogs

You can run with your dog.

You must keep your leads short and be considerate of the other runners. Canicross runners will start off with the main field. If your dog won’t respond well to this, consider starting a few minutes later or don’t bring your dog. It’s important that the dogs, you and the other runners have a pleasant day.

Support team

Ultra distance runners can have their own support crew.

  • Bag storage
  • Cafe
  • Paid parking
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Salcey Forest
Wootton Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN7 2HX
UK

Salcey Forest is a Forestry England site with a café and toilets near Northampton.

By car

Use the post code NN7 2HX for Sat Navs. It is 18 minutes from Northampton and 9 minutes from Junction 15 of the M1.

By bus

The number 33 bus stops inside Salcey Forest (just after 9am) and goes between Northampton and Milton Keynes (check for Sunday times).

By rail

The closest train station is Northampton.

Bag storage

Please note that this is not secure.

Sustainability

  • Bring your own cup
  • Optional medal
  • Sustainability policy

I had a lovely time at this event. Everyone was very friendly and I felt welcome and supported. The aid station was as good as ever and so was the flapjack! :) It is a beautiful course, well organised and a lot of fun! Kaz K

Great event and location. Well organised and friendly. Achieved my first ultra marathon. Elaine G

Beautiful course, mainly flat and a good running surface. Well organised event, friendly, great aid station and relaxed atmosphere. Hard to fault. Brian T

Everybody there was incredibly friendly, supportive and helpful. The course was so beautiful it didn't feel like running laps at all, and the pit stop in between laps had a vast range of different goodies to fuel you. So impressed, thank you!! Suzie F

Brilliantly organised, great atmosphere & camaraderie among everyone there. These events are really friendly and inclusive. A really enjoyable and memorable day. James M

Of all the events I've done, this one I enjoyed the most. Just enjoying each 5K lap and stuffing my face at the aid station in between and obviously an awesome medal. My most enjoyable 26K so far. Dean W

A lovely course through the forest. The aid stations were well stocked and all the marshalls were exceptionally friendly and supportive. This was my 11th Big Bear event and I can't fault them. Thank you, Paul and the team. Robert S

A most magical event with such a friendly, welcoming atmosphere it felt more like a big, happy family gathering. The food on offer at the aid station was of high quality and good to see wholesome stuff rather than a load of sugary rubbish! The delicious Tribe protein bars for those of us who are vegans or have allergies were especially welcome as was the fresh fruit... Marshals and officials absolutely brilliant and to put the cherry on the top, a simply gorgeous course... Highly recommended! Jim E

The event was in a beautiful location, well marked, well organised, and undulating so not too hard a route. But what made it was the friendliness of everyone involved, from race director to volunteers to the rest of the participants - everyone said hello, encouraged each other. Claire B

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

Races at event

  • Fri 21 Nov
  • #1 of 2
Salcey Forest, Northampton
Dormouse Challenge

09:00

Age 17 & over

£31.50-£37

  • 6 hrs trail running + 91 ft ascent
  • Fri 21 Nov
  • #2 of 2
Salcey Forest, Northampton
Dormouse Challenge Canicross

09:00

Age 17 & over

£31.50-£37

  • 6 hrs trail running + 91 ft ascent