Big Bear Challenge
The Big Bear Challenge is a 6 hour challenge event at Daventry Country Park. The park is the perfect destination for one of our 6 hour events. The route is varied, relatively flat and runnable throughout. So if you’re looking to come along for your first 10K, aiming for a marathon or looking to see how far you can go in 6 hours then sign up to this event!
What’s a 6 hour event?
It is an event that enables all abilities of runner to run together (or hike/walk!). Ultimately you can run as many 5k (ish!) laps as you wish in the time limit. You can run one lap in 20 minutes, pick up your medal, flapjack and beer and go home! Alternatively you can head out on your 15th lap at 14:55 and finish in 6hr30 having covered over 50 miles! It’s completely up to you. There is no pressure from us,but we’ll also 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 mates.
Course description
The majority of the course is over freshly laid (in 2020) crushed stone and so unless the weather has been awful it should be good running for the majority of this section (around 80% of the route). The route is a lollipop with the loop around the newly pathed meadow. This slight tweak to the route (and the excellent work of the park) makes Daventry Country Park an all-weather route. This should give you something different to look at on each lap. The course is runnable throughout with no hills of note to mention.
What does it cost?
We operate a tiered pricing approach, the earlier you enter, the cheaper the event!
Before 8/1/2022 £30
After 8/1/2022 £35
Save 10% by joining the Big Bear Brigade!
Where is it?
Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 2JB.
The County Park has a large car park, cafe and children's play area. It's 20 minutes from M1 Junction 16. The closest train station is Long Buckby.
You do have to pay to park (£2.00 at the time of writing). This money goes directly to the country park, it's a great space that needs money and this is their main revenue stream. That said, be a hero and car share, save money and the world!
How far is the race?
You decide how many 3.3 mile 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 8 laps and a half marathon will be 4 laps.
Permissions
Permission for this event has been obtained Daventry District Council.
I’ve heard you do cupless events?
That’s right! Read all about how we do cupless events here
Has the event been run before?
Yes! You can find the previous results here. Previously when using this venue the event was called the Daventry Challenge and the Yeti Challenge.
I’m not that fussed by a medal, drink and flapjack…
In that case our partnership with Trees Not Tees may be of interest! When you sign up to this event you can select to have no finish line swag and instead we’ll donate the cost of this to Trees Not Tees who will plant a tree in their Scottish woodland on your behalf! You can find more info about this initiative here.
“Fantastic day out! Beautiful area, scenery and course, with helpful and very friendly marshals. Organised perfectly, with great communication beforehand, ensuring athletes would have everything they needed. I would definitely recommend it and will do it again. Many thanks to everyone involved. ”
