Salcey Summer Challenge
The Salcey Summer Challenge is going to be the most wonderful event! We have used Salcey Forest for many events but this will be our first visit in the summer. We’re looking forward to lush green trees and beautiful shaded areas! This will be our first event with a 12 hour option! So you could run anywhere from 5K to over 100K!!
What’s a 6/12 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 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 25th lap at 20:55 and finish in 12hr30 having covered over 100K! ! 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 route is along well maintained pathways. There isn't a meter of asphalt and they are mainly crushed stone. 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. During the summer there will be a mixture of shaded and exposed sections.
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!
6 hour event (both 9am and 3pm start)
Before 01/01/2021 £23
Before 08/06/2021 £28
After 08/06/2021 £33
12 hour event
Before 01/01/2021 £39
Before 08/06/2021 £44
After 08/06/2021 £49
Where is it?
Salcey Forest is a Forestry Commission site with a cafe and toilets near Northampton. Use the post code NN7 2HX for Sat Navs.
You do have to pay to park (between £4-£6 at the time of writing). That said, be a hero and car share, save money and the world!
It is 18 minutes from Northampton and 9 minutes from Junction 15 of the M1. The closest train station is Northampton.
What will the set up be for the 12 hour/6 hour events and when do they start?
We will have 2 start times during the day, 9am for our 12 hour event and the first 6 hour start and 3pm for the second 6 hour start. Each event will be it’s on discreet event. This means there will be separate results for each event, a medal for each etc. We know the prospect of doing 2 marathons in a day will be too much for some of you to resist!
How far is the race?
You decide! The 3.3-mile off-road loop means your race can be 5k or even over 100K and anywhere in between. You decide how many laps you're going to do on the day within the 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.
Permission and licences
Permission for this event will be obtained from Forestry England.
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, sort of. We’ve run at Salcey Forest many times in the past but this is our first 12 hour event.
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.
What are your refund/withdrawal rules?
You can find them here
I have a question.
No problem, check out our FAQ’s
“The lap system was great, not only for the new snacks to look forward to at the end of each one, but to catch up with other members of our group to see how everyone was doing. The organisation was spot on and the atmosphere was really supportive. ”
