What is TrailFest?
It’s a day of moving around wonderful woodland for all abilities, speeds and experiences. Whether you’re an experienced ultra runner keen to get an early season 50 miler in or a newbie trail runner looking to do their first 10K TrailFest is for you!
We’ve got 5 distances for you to chose from - 10K, half marathon, marathon, 50k and 50 miles. Each distance has it’s own event page for the event specifics but most of the information applies to all of them and is listed here.
The idea of the day is to bring everyone together and to experience the fun of trail running in an amazing forest. Being around others doing what seems impossible can often make it seem a lot more possible too!! If you want to come and run your personal best or bimble about with your mates we’ve got the perfect distance for you.
Where is it?
Salcey Forest is a Forestry England site with a café and toilets near Northampton. Use the post code NN7 2HX for Sat Navs . It is here on What 3 Words.
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!
The number 33 bus stops inside Salcey Forest (just after 9am) and goes between Northampton and Milton Keynes (check for Sunday times)
It is 18 minutes from Northampton and 9 minutes from Junction 15 of the M1. The closest train station is Northampton.
Can I run with my dog?
Not at thee events. As the event is run under a UK Athletics/ TRail Running Association license there are no dogs allowed at any of the events.
Course description
The different routes are all on the specific event pages however they all use similar sections of the forest.
The majority of the routes are along well maintained pathways. There isn't a meter of asphalt (except 2 road crossings for the longer events!) and the pathways are mainly crushed stone or very well trodden open forest floor. 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. There are a few sections across grassland. If we are experiencing a wet winter expect these to be muddy or waterlogged. Plan to do this event in trail shoes, if it’s suitable for road shoes we’ve had a dry winter!
Where is the distance specific information?
Here! We’ve got 5 distances for you to chose from - 10K, half marathon, marathon, 50k and 50 miles.
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!
10K
Before 24/02/2024 £18
After 24/02/2024 £23
Half Marathon
Before 24/02/2024 £30
After 24/02/2024 £35
Marathon
Before 24/02/2024 £45
After 24/02/2024 £50
50K
Before 24/02/2024 £55
After 24/02/2024 £65
50 miles
Before 24/02/2024 £70
After 24/02/2024 £80
Unaffiliated entrants pay £2 extra. Why not join your local running club or sign up the Big Bear Brigade and save 10% off entries for ever!
Can I run as many laps as I want?
Not at this event. This may seem an odd question to answer but given the majority of our events are 6 hour lapped events it’s one I’m sure people will have!
What are the timings for each event?
50 Miles
Registration Open – 06:00
Event Start – 06:30
50 km
Registration Open – 06:00
Event Start – 07:00
Marathon
Registration Open – 07:00
Event Start – 08:00
Half Marathon
Registration Open – 07:00
Event Start – 09:00
10 km
Registration Open – 07:00
Event Start – 09:00
Has the event been run before?
Sort of! We’ve run at Salcey Forest many times in the past with 50 milers, 6 hour lapped events and evening 10K’s but the TrailFest set up is a new one! Be part of something special and join us for the first one!
I’m unsure what to expect at TrailFest?
It’s a new format for us but it wont be a new experience - as we’re very proud of the experience at all of our events!
We’ve tried to make as much video content as possible so you can see what our events are like. Have a look at our YouTube channel. The key is that these event are for everyone. There is no such thing as too slow!
I’ve heard you do nice medals. What will it look like?
Once it’s in our hands we’ll share the design with you!
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.
Is there a gpx of the route?
The route gpx files can be found on the event specific pages.
I still have questions…
Then why not join our Big Bear Events Facebook group and ask our ever so experienced runners in there or email us directly here. We want you to enter with the confidence you’ll have a great (if not tiring!) day so are happy to answer any question we’ve not covered off here.
