What’s Trails, tales and ales then?
Wonderful for starters! The idea is simple. We meet at Church Farm Brewery at 17:45 ready to start running at 18:00. We’ll likely set off in 2 groups with the intention of running for about an hour across the local trails and pathways at a social pace. We towel ourselves off (baby wipe shower?) grab a pint and place an order for some food (if you want) and sit and listen to Allie chat for about an hour. This is no powerpoint presentation, think live podcast or pub chat! You can then either head home or sit and have a few more beers until Church Farm shut down for the evening.
Who is Allie Bailey?
Allie is an experienced ultra runner, endurance coach and mental health advocate. She has a number of world firsts to her name, including running the entire Namib Nukluft park in Africa three times, crossing the 100 mile frozen Lake Khovsgol in Mongolia on foot and to date has the only known time for an entire traverse of the Panama Canal on foot and kayak. She has also run across Panama, Dominica, Malta and the entire Outer Hebrides, coast to coast in most cases.
Not only has Allie pioneered some unique challenges as part of her work with Rat Race Adventure Sports, she has completed a number of high profile “normal” ultra events including Devon Coast to Coast and Mark Cockbain’s Accumulator (twice) . In 2021 she was one of only a handful of Centurion Grand Slam finishers, completing the four 100 milers in 12 months and adding in a couple of their virtual 100 milers for fun. In June 2022 she will attempt to run 1000 miles in just 35 days across some of the UK's most demanding trails as part of the first team out on Run Britannia - a new take on the classic Lands End to JOG event.
Allie is also known for her work with the National Running show, hosting their hugely successful Ultra Zone for two years in a row and is also a co presenter on the Bad Boy running Podcast. Her open and frank discussions regarding mental health are what separates her from many others online. Expect an honest chat about the highs and lows of the expeditions and adventures she has been part of - and hear all about her preparation for her biggest challenge to date - the 2022 Dragons Back race.
How fast do I need to be?
It’s not a race. There are no prizes for getting back to the farm first (except to be first in the queue for the bar!). We’ll ask you what you current 10K time is when you enter and split the group in to 2. Hopefully this will mean that the faster runners can go at their steady pace and the slower runners at their steady pace. The idea of the run isn’t to tire you out! It’s not a tempo run, it’s a social run across the fields with some fellow runners. We have the option of 4 or 6 miles routes to be completed in about an hour - as long as that sounds doable for you then we’ll have no issues! No one is getting left in a field on their own!
What does it cost?
Tickets for the whole event cost £15.
(For clarity, drinks and food are not included)
Members of the Big Bear Brigade will save 10% on their entry - if you’d like to do the same consider signing up to the Brigade here!
Where is it?
Church Farm Brewery, CV35 8QL. It is a farm just outside Warwick in a village called Budbrooke. It’s on the big farm on your left if you’re coming from Warwick Parkway station.
There is ample parking, but obviously car share and have a nominated driver so you can enjoy more than one beer!
It is easily accessible from the A46, less than 5 minutes away. Warwick Parkway train station is a short walk from the farm too (and on the run route!).
What is the run like?
The proposed routes can be found below (these could be changed leading up to the event). It will be at a sociable pace, the idea is for both runs to take less than 1 hour. The route takes in the canal along with some very quiet country roads and fields. The fields may have livestock in them (they did when the routes were recced) so if this is an issue for you then consider if you want to enter. Given the time of year road shoes are likely fine, unless there is a week of heavy rain in the lead up!
How long will the event last?
The plan for the evening is as follows:
17:45 - arrive, say hello, get a “before” photo and be ready to run at 6
18:00 - trainers hit trail and we run for around an hour
19:00 - return to farm and get warm/clean clothes on and get a pint in hand and order food
19:15 - sit down ready to listen to the talk
20:15 - talk finished, go home or stay and enjoy another beer!
What facilities are on-site?
Church Farm Brewery have been opening up their tap room since 2020 and have expanded it even more in 2022. They know what they’re doing and it’s a great night. We’ll confirm the food vendor closer to the time. There will be non-alcoholic drinks available too, but the beer is genuinely spectacular!!
Has the event been run before?
Yes! We hosted 2 really successful events in 2021 with Ed and James.
I have enough of PowerPoint presentations at work, will the talk be boring?!
No! There will be no PowerPoint or graphs in sight! The idea is for you to sit and listen while Allie and I talk about the many things she’s done. Think of it as like a big pub chat or live podcast. There will of course be a chance to ask questions too if you’d like to.
What are your refund/withdrawal rules?
You can find them here
I have a question.
No problem, check out our FAQ’s
