TrailFest | Cannock Chase Forest

Timetable

• 07:00 | Registration opens
• 08:00 | 50km start
• 08:45 | Marathon start
• 08:45 | 10km start
• 09:00 | Half marathon start

Fitness level

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

Nordic walkers

This event is suitable for Nordic walkers. There is no special walkers entry, just sign up with everyone else.

Mandatory kit

Marathon and 50K runners will receive a mandatory kit list.

Dogs

As the event is run under a UK Athletics/Trail Running Association license there are no dogs allowed.

Support team

Ultra distance runners can have their own support crew but must follow the limited rules. No-one can run with you or walk alongside you for any period of time except in the final 100m. 

Altra running shoes

Altra will bring demo sets of trainers for you to try. They have a great selction perfect for Cannock Chase Forest.

If you’ve never tried Altra, you should. Their shoes are based on the belief that a natural foot position will keep you running with more comfort and less restriction. The FootShape and Zero to Low Drop design of the shoes allow your toes to spread out and your foot to sit naturally in the shoe.

Look out for competitions for trainers, kit and free entries in the lead up to the event on the event's social channels.

Event HQ

Cannock Chase Forest - Forestry England
Birches Valley
Rugeley
Staffordshire
WS15 2UQ
UK

Parking

Competitor parking will be at the Tackeroo site and is free:

https://what3words.com/hushed.punk.picnic

Spectators will need to park locally in the many car parks close to the start line.

By rail

The nearest train stations Rugeley Trent Valley and Rugeley Town are both approximately 2 miles away.

Bag storage

Please note that this is not secure.

Trees not tees

228 trees planted so far

This event partners with Trees Not Tees to offer a race entry that will help the environment!

Some of you aren't fussed about medals, beers, ciders and flapjacks. Some of you aren’t medal enthusiasts but have a huge collection or are using the event as a supported training run. This means your medal goes into an old shoe box, or even worse straight in the bin as soon as you get home. This is obviously an unnecessary use of resources, adds to environmental problems and is just a waste. 

Trees Not Tees have a solution! You can select the “please plant me a tree” option when you enter an event. This means that the money that would have been spent on your medal, drink and flapjack will be donated to Trees Not Tees instead and they will plant you a tree in their Scottish woodland. This isn’t a theoretical tree, or part of a tree but an actual tree! They’ll even send you a certificate via email with a picture of your young tree, details of the species of tree they have planted and a geo-location address on what3words! 

This is a completely optional initiative. There isn’t a right or wrong choice. There will be no shaming people that want medals and flapjack. It's a joy giving them to people. The t-shirts are great quality too. It’s an option for everyone to make without fear of judgement or your fellow participant. If on race day you decide you’d actually like to donate a tree despite not requesting this on your entry you can say and you'll be added to the donation list for that event.

If you’d like your medal, drink and flapjack but would like to “off-set” the environmental cost by having Trees Not Tees plant you a tree you can always make a donation on-top of your entry to have one planted. This is £6 and you’ll have this option when you enter every event.

A brilliantly organised event on a very well marked 10 Mile stunningly beautiful very hilly looped course all off road along gravel paths and trails including the famous Switchbacks. With well stocked aid stations and very supportive and encouraging marshals I would highly recommend this event if you want to challenge yourself I would give this event a 10 out of 10. Maurice H

Excellent, beautiful scenic course with some very challenging hills. Technical, but not too technical! Good support, excellent aid stations. David B

The event was very well organised and the atmosphere very friendly. Loved the food and drink options at check points. Keith B

Fantastic and unique event on a stunningly beautiful, but very challenging course. Organisation and Aid Stations were brilliant. Highly recommended 50K/50M Ultra. Rob C

From the arrival, round the course and to the aid stations everything was set up to make the day as easy as possible (given the hills!!) A special mention to all the volunteers who give up a long day to support and always have a smile and encouraging words. I can't wait til next year... Gillian H

The same exemplary service as ever, lots of pre race info… everything you could possibly or need to know from parking to the course profile etc . You just can’t go wrong. Philippa L

Third year in a row to this event and one of many with Big bear Events, I will continue to come back, everything was perfect as always, really well organised. Allan H

I wouldn't have finished without the support of the volunteers at the well stocked aid station and it was a massive boost having the support as I returned to the hub after each lap to restock. The whole event was brilliant from start to finish. I will never forget my first ultra. Thank you for making it a truly challenging but worthwhile event. The course struck a good balance, it was very gruelling but not completely soul-destroying for no reason and was clearly marked out with arrows and tags. The people and free beer at the end were personal highlights of mine. Tom R

Cannock Chase is my personal favourite. Jenny R

What a fantastic event. Big Bear Events are event gold. Can't fault anything. This is a challenging event made easier by the support from the wonderful crew and the well deserved slab of flapjack at the end! Jennifer P

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck