Dragonfly Challenge

Question 1

Can I transfer my entry or get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Question 2

Are there awards for the winners?

Accepted Answer

No, not really! Our events are for everyone to enjoy, if you run a marathon distance in 2:10 but someone completes 1 more lap in 6 hours who is the winner? If you complete your first ever half marathon at the age of 60 are you not a winner too? With these events potentially there could be 5 or 10 people who feel like winners (fastest marathon, fastest lap, fastest half marathon, longest distance etc.) and as such it would somewhat spoil the occasion. Officially the 'winner' is the person who covers the most distance on the day but everyone has different goals - achieve that and you're a winner in our eyes! We may get awards prepared for our series events though to reward those that have run across all of the events in a series.

Question 3

Can Nordic Walkers enter the events?

Accepted Answer

Most definitely! All of our events are suitable for Nordic walkers, all we ask is that you start at the back and make space for faster entrants. Essentially the same as we'd ask of any slower movers to be honest. With a huge range in abilities and people running different distances at our challenge events we expect the field to spread out pretty quickly so it shouldn't impact you as a walker or other competitors after the first 30 seconds. You don't need to tell us beforehand and there is no special walkers entry, just sign up with everyone else!

Question 4

Can I race with my dog?

Accepted Answer

Only at events that specifically are marked as Canicross friendly. You can see all of our information regarding canicross here. If you turn up to an event with a dog at an event nor marked canicross friendly you will not be able to run with your dog. You must also ensure you book on to the canicross entry when you book. If you enter the non-canicross entry send us an email and we’ll switch you across. We need to know who will be coming with dogs before the event.

Question 5

Are there toilets or will we need to go like a bear in the woods?

Accepted Answer

We will have toilets! Depressingly it’s one of the first things we look for when picking a venue! We try to make the race HQ/ lap end as close to the toilets as possible so you aren’t running to many extra meters to use the facilities. That isn’t always possible however but we do try. You are of course allowed to use the toilets as and when you need them.

Question 6

Can I run with headphones?

Accepted Answer

If you want to, yes. As a traffic-free event you can run with headphones. We would say however that you must be aware of your surroundings. There might be no cars but there could be horses, small children, bikes, dogs and of course small children on bikes being pulled by dogs! You’re out in the countryside, enjoy the relative quiet but if you prefer headphones that is not an issue either.

Question 7

Can I run “just” a marathon?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our Challenge events (6 hour events) will have a set number of laps for marathon distance. In an ideal world the laps will be 3.3 miles, so 8 laps is then 26.4 miles (close enough to 26.2!). Where the lap is longer or shorter we may sometimes have to put in a “mini-lap” to get you close to marathon distance, we’ll try to never make you run 28 miles for your marathon!

Question 8

Can I run “just” a half marathon?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our Challenge events (6 hour events) will have a set number of laps for half marathon distance. In an ideal world the laps will be 3.3 miles, so 4 laps is then 13.2 miles (close enough to 13.1!). Where the lap is longer or shorter we may sometimes have to put in a “mini-lap” to get you close to marathon distance, we’ll try to never make you run 15 miles for your half marathon!

Question 9

Do I have to raise money for charity?

Accepted Answer

No not at all. If you'd like to then that's brilliant but all of our events are about running for the joy or running first and foremost. We pay to be at our venues, so we are putting a small amount towards the beautiful parks and woodlands we run in. Where there is car parking this money directly goes to the park too, so you’ve done your bit too!

Question 10

Contact

Accepted Answer

If your question hasn't been answered of you are still unsure of anything please contact us at racedirector@bigbearevents.net where we'll do our best to help.

Big Bear Events

Dragonfly Challenge

Dragonfly Challenge

Organiser Details