Dormouse Challenge | Dormouse Challenge Canicross

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.

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.

GPX route

The route is displayed on the map above.

Overview

You decide how far you want to run! 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. If you're looking to cover a marathon distance you'll need to complete 7 laps (+ a little out and back) and a half marathon will be 4 laps (and a little long at 14 miles!).

The route is along well-maintained pathways. There isn't a meter of asphalt and the pathways are mainly crushed stone or very well trodden open forest floor. Obviously being in the middle of a forest the narrower ones are covered in tree detritus and can become a bit muddy and grimy, especially when wet. On a dry day, road shoes will be perfectly acceptable, on a wet day, trail shoes may be a better bet as some parts can become a bit slippy. 

Cut off

6 hours.

Entry fees

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