How far is it?
The Cannock 50 can either be 50 miles (5 laps) or 50 km (3 laps + a tiny lap). You need to decide your distance before you enter. If you enter the 50 miles and need to stop at 50km on the day this will be allowed.
Course description
It’s pretty spectacular, and hilly! The route starts at the rifle range cadet hut and goes on a tour of fire roads and tighter single track routes around Cannock Chase. With no road crossings you can just put your head down and enjoy the amazing hills.
This is a very tough route, each lap has over 1500ft of elevation. There are steep up and down hill sections on very loose stones. It is rewarding! The views are spectacular and the escapism is very real!
The route will be fully marked, although having the route with you is very strongly advised.
The route is intended to be as per the video and the map. However this will be confirmed, in association with Forestry England, closer to the event. The forest is a living breathing habitat and as such things change, species need to b protected and pathways rerouted. Our intention is to be based from the Tackeroo campsite and use the block of woodland opposite but this potentially could be changed if it is deemed necessary.
Can I have a pacer?
The short answer is no.
Pacers are generally only involved in longer ultras or when you're running through the night. Want to run across the finish with your 3 year old you've made wait all day for you? Not a problem (we aren't horrid!). Want to run back 200m and help your mate get to the finish inside the cut off after you've completed your run? Hero. We would hope everyone is sensible enough to understand the difference between helping youd buddy at the finish line and pacing. This also includes unannounced runners, it’s your responsibility to tell them to leave you alone!
What does it cost?
We operate a tiered pricing approach. The earlier you enter, the cheaper the event but never ever will you pay a booking fee!
Cannock 50 miles
Before 24/05/23 - £65
After 24/05/23 - £75
Cannock 50 km
Before 24/05/23 - £55
After 24/05/23 - £65
Unaffiliated entries pay £2 more
Entries close midnight on Tuesday 21st June
I’ve heard you do recces of the route?
That’s right! We’ll plan a recce for Spring 2023. It’ll be with support from a great local group, the Cannock Chase Trail Runners. Between Big Bear and CCTR we’ll take 1 or 2 groups around the route for a socially paced recce. The idea is for it to help you get familiarised with the route, meet some others doing it and ask any questions you might have. Do not plan for it to be your tempo session as the speed will be determined by the group as a whole. It’s a challenging route so may catch a few by surprise!
Details will be emailed to all entrants and posted on the Big Bear Events Facebook Group in early 2023 regarding dates.
Where is it?
Cannock Chase is in Staffordshire (WS15 2US). It is managed by Forestry England.
Parking will be at the Tackeroo site (here on What 3 Words) and free.
The nearest train stations Rugeley Trent Valley and Rugeley Town are both approximately 2 miles away
Can I have a crew?
Of course, it's an ultra and crews are important. That said you need to understand they are your responsibility. If your crew misbehave, cause parking issues, are rude to our team or others involved in the race then you will be DQ'd. We know you're a highly trained athlete and must have your Jam Tarts at exactly the time you said (!!) but they need to act responsibly. We will send out crew instructions with the race day emails. It is your responsibility to share them with your crew.
Are there cut offs?
Yes.
13 hours for the 50 mile and 12 1/2 hours for the 50km.
For the 50 mile route that is roughly 15 minute miles, 4mph. This may seem easy but consider the course, time of year and terrain. It’s by no means an easy cut off. For the 50k it’s roughly 24 minute miles, 2mph. That is obviously a lot more generous but 12 1/2 hours is a long time on your feet if that’s the speed you’re planning to go at!
This might rule some people out, especially for the 50 miler. In that respect this might not be a super inclusive event. However, we host many events that are truly inclusive in terms of pace, speed and distance. There are lots of moving parts with an event like this and so a cut off will be in place and enforced, strictly. We know the enforcement doesn't always happen at some events, it will here to be clear. The cut off for starting the last lap for the 50 miler will be at 10hr30. For the 50K it will be at 8hr
We'll confirm these details as we create the athlete pack with all the FAQ's.
Permission and Licences
Permission for this event has been obtained from Forestry England. This event will be licensed and permitted by the Trail Running Association, permit number pending.
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?
No. We’ve held 6 hour events at Cannock Chase previously but out of the Birches Valley site and not as a fixed distance event. Sign up and be part of history! Sign up and be part of history! Our first weekend ultra was rated 4.9/5 on Racecheck winning us an award. so you can be confident we know how to put on a good event!
Can I walk it?
If you're quick! Whether you run, hike walk or crawl as long as you are on 2 feet and meet the cut offs then that is fine with us!
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.
The event is an incredibly rewarding event in challenging terrain. It’s not to be taken lightly but is equally achievable for those who put the work in. No one crosses that finish line thinking they had an easy day out - but everyone crosses it thinking they had a good day out!!
What are your refund/withdrawal rules?
You can find them here
I have a question.
No problem, check out our FAQ’s
