Dormouse Challenge
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Location
The event takes place at Salcey Forest, a Forestry England site near Northampton. The forest has a café and toilets on-site. Parking costs £3.50 for the day with a special offer for entrants. Public transport is available via the number 33 bus, which stops inside the forest. The closest train station is Northampton. The venue is 18 minutes from Northampton and 9 minutes from Junction 15 of the M1.
Event Format
The Dormouse Challenge is a six-hour timed event. Participants can complete as many laps as they wish within the time limit. Each lap is a 3.5-mile (approximately 5k) off-road loop. This means an individual run can be as short as one lap or cover distances over 80k. For example, a marathon requires about seven laps.
Course Details
The route uses well-maintained forest pathways. There is no asphalt. Paths consist of crushed stone or well-trodden forest floor. Some narrower sections can become muddy or slippery in wet weather. The organizers note that road shoes are suitable for dry conditions, but trail shoes may be better for wet days.
Participation
The event is open to runners, walkers, and hikers of all abilities. It accommodates participants aiming for personal distance records, long training runs, or a sociable day out.
There is a dedicated canicross category for those running with a dog. Organizers ask canicross participants to keep leads short and be considerate of others.
The event also welcomes participants interested in rucking (hiking with a weighted pack).
Entry and Pricing
Entry uses a tiered pricing system. Prices are cheaper for earlier registration and there are no booking fees. There is an additional £2 fee for unaffiliated runners. There are two entry categories: Standard Entry and Canicross Entry.
Charity Partnership
The event has a partnership with Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. During registration, entrants can opt to set up a fundraising page or make a direct donation; 100% of donations go to the charity.
Finisher Options
Finishers receive a medal and a flapjack. There is also an alternative, eco-friendly option: participants can choose to receive a tree token from Earth Runs instead of a medal. This token results in a tree being planted and contains wildflower seeds.
Additional Options
An on-demand event option is available in partnership with Skamper for those who cannot attend on the scheduled day. This allows participants to complete the route using an app on a day of their choosing and receive a medal by post. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
