Refund Policy

To start this, I will always try to be fair to entrants. There are rules though to make sure the events are sustainable and fair to everyone. I think however I’m more generous than the majority or organisers and as accommodating as possible. This page is probably the grumpiest page on our whole website, sorry! I’m just trying to be as clear as possible. I get many emails where it seems the individual thinks they’re the only person to have ever been in their situation – the difference is it’s the 3rd email that week I’ve received saying the same thing! Injuries happen, last minute childcare problems or work issue happen – it’s rubbish but sometimes these things work against you.

If you do have an issue with these policies though, don’t enter. These are the rules and these won’t be bent, please don’t ask or think you’re the exception to a rule.

Refunds

At no point will I do cash refunds. There is a cost to me as soon as you click pay, I never see the full fee you pay and as such can’t refund it. There are no exceptions to this. This includes if you’ve incorrectly entered twice or not applied a discount code. Before you click pay make sure you’ve double checked everything. If you enter an event incorrectly you can transfer/defer or potentially have a gift card to the same value to be used against your next purchase but you will not be offered a cash refund.

Deferrals and transfers

The different type of events have slightly differing rules as outlined below. For clarity, a deferral is you moving your entry to a different event, a transfer is to a different person in the same event. You never need to give a reason for your deferral or transfer, whether you have the best reason or you just don’t fancy it anymore – the rules are the same!

You can also complete these yourself by logging in to your account at my.bigbearevents.net. Click on the entry and you’ll see the option to defer or transfer. If the option isn’t there it probably means you’ve missed the window. If you think that’s incorrect though so email me. You will need to pay any difference in entry fee if there is one for a deferral. I don’t charge any “admin fees” either. This is not meant to be a money making exercise. Do email me at paul@bigbearevents.net if you have issues, but try yourself first to make it quicker for us all.

6 hour midweek events

Transfers and deferrals can be made anytime up to 7 days before the event. So, if your event is on a Wednesday and starts at 9am you can make a deferral/transfer up to 9am the Wednesday before the event. Anytime after this and the window has passed and no deferrals or transfers can be made.

10K evening events

Transfers and deferrals can be made anytime up to 7 days before the event. So, if your event is on a Tuesday and starts at 7pm you can make a deferral/transfer up to 7pm the Tuesday before the event. Anytime after this and the window has passed and no deferrals or transfers can be made.

TrailFest

Due to bib printing for these events and the inclusion of longer distances the policy is slightly different.

50 mile and 50K

Transfers and deferrals can be made anytime up to 4 weeks (at 9am) before the event. So if your event is on April 24th you have up until 27th March at 9am to transfer or defer your event. The exception to this is if you wish to change distance at the same event you can do this up until the event starts. If you want to run in a more expensive event there will be a fee to pay, or the distance is reduced there will be no refund of the difference. Your bib colour may not correspond with your event or you may have a bib number without a name depending on numbers and when the transfer is made.

Marathon/ Half Marathon/ 10K

Transfers and deferrals can be made anytime up to 2 weeks (at 9am) before the event. So if your event is on April 24th you have up until 10th April at 9am to transfer or defer your event. The exception to this is if you wish to change distance at the same event you can do this up until the event starts. If you want to run in a more expensive event there will be a fee to pay, or the distance is reduced there will be no refund of the difference. Your bib colour may not correspond with your event or you may have a bib number without a name depending on numbers and when the transfer is made.

The only exception to this is for Big Bear Brigade members. Part of their membership is the ability to transfer and defer entries up until entries close.

Hopefully that comes across as fair and transparent. I’ve no interest in annoying you as a potential future entrant – that’s not how you grow a business and community! However, I do have a business to maintain and need to be fair to everyone. If the events become unsustainable then there is no more Big Bear or prices have to go up – 2 things I’m keen to avoid.

As always, please contact me directly at paul@bigbearevents.net if there is an issue.

The previous policy from before 01.08.2023 can be found here