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 just under an hour across the local trails and pathways at a social pace. We towel ourselves off (baby wipe shower?) grab a pint, or 2, and place an order for some food (if you want) and sit and listen to Anna chat for about an hour.
This one is going to be a bit special too as we’ll be “premiering” Anna’s “Running Home for Christmas” video for the Running Channel. It’s not really a premiere given the video is likely to have been out for a week but we’ll watch it together regardless and then do some Q&A and chatting after.
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 Anna Harding?
Anna is a local runner from Rugby whose main goal in her running life is to complete, not compete. Anna’s a familiar face among some in the running community, as lead presenter on The Running Channel on YouTube.
She's been running since 2017 when she first started setting lofty goals for herself, going from couch to marathon in 5 months. Although she now has 11 road marathons under her belt, her preferred environment is the longer trails, as she loves to explore on foot and push her limits to see where breaking point is.
Her most recent challenge, captured on film by The Running Channel, was an epic 115 mile run from their office in London along the Grand Union canal to Rugby. Come and watch the video for yourself and ask her any questions about how she got on!
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!
Just note the run is off-road and rural in December at 6pm - it’ll be completely dark! Head torches are a must!!!
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, here on What 3 Words. 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 trail shoes are highly recommended (if not essential!). Please bring a clean pair for the talk as we’ll be inside the actual brewery.
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
19:30 - sit down ready to watch and listen to the talk
20:30 - 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!! There are toilets and parking on site.
Has the event been run before?
Yes! We’ve hosted 5 great TTA’s at Church Farm with local and national endurance athletes.
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 we watch the “Running Home for Christmas” video (It’s a Running Channel video so it won’t be too long!) and then we’ll have a good chat to Anna about it and other 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.
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