At this stage you probably don’t need to be doing any event specific training, but it’s always good to be keeping a solid base level of fitness. It might be a good time to be thinking about your goals for the event. If you want to be smashing some PB’s maybe look at speaking to a coach about setting a plan up for you (I can personally recommend Josh Merrett Strength and Fitness as someone who has helped me). Although you wouldn’t want an event specific plan to be starting quite yet, by the time you make contact and get everything sorted you might be getting towards the time you’d want a plan to start.

If the event is a long way from home do you need to sort out accommodation? The earlier you book the cheaper your rates and you’ve got time to plan if there happens to be a big conference on locally and hotel space is difficult. Don’t leave it to the last minute!

A pre-event visit to the venue can really help. The routes for all of our events are on the relevant event page. Just visiting the venue, getting a feel for the place, where the toilets are, parking etc really helps settle any anxieties for some.

I’ll always set up so it’s easy to spot us (who else is in a park at 8:30 on a Tuesday!!!) and we’re more often than not next to a toilet block but if it makes you feel better why not do it!?

The vast majority of the venues also have a very nice café too so a coffee and cake treat post run is always good.

If you’re looking to get a real understanding of a Big Bear event why not see if you can volunteer in the coming months? The best way to know how the set up works is to be part of it! It also means when you’ve got that finishers high in 5 months you’ll be able to go home and sign up for an event for free with your volunteer credit! Double winner!!

None of our 6 hour events have mandatory kit lists. But if you’re looking to come and run there are some fundamentals you’ll need. Trainers, shorts, top etc. You’ll struggle to do any of our events without comfortable functional kit.

If you’re using this event as a training run for a future event maybe think about kit you may need for that one that you can test at this event.

We stock some branded kit here (soft flasks, collapsible cups etc) but for more specialised pieces of equipment our friends at Coventry Runner can kit you out. Supporting your local running shop is really important, there aren’t many left. Luckily ours is also great!

5 months is also plenty of time to badger your mates in to joining you. Running with friends is always great so get them to sign up too!

The beauty of our events is that with a lapped format you don’t have to run every step together. If one of you is faster than the other you can catch one another up, do a “hot lap” and one takes a slightly longer break and suddenly you’re running together again. If you’re friend wants to run a little longer than you that’s fine too.

The flexibility makes it such a good event for friends, training partners or running groups to come along together but not hamper each others day. Of course the café at the end is always handy too!

I’ve tried my best to answer any questions or queries you might have here. Everything from toilets, to parking to food. It’s a bit of a read (grab a cup of tea!) but there is lots of detail in there that will hopefully help alleviate some stress’ and anxieties. I want to you to come to the event feeling ready to run/walk - not fretting about where you’re going to park!