Trails, Tales and Ales

Question 1

Can I transfer my entry or get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Question 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

Will there be medical cover?

Accepted Answer

We pay for outside medical cover at all of our events, supplied by Events Medical Services based in Coventry. They have done many events with us and have been massively underworked - a good thing of course! However they have a defibrillator with them and are trained medics. In addition there will be people present with emergency first aid training. Don't be a fool - do not push yourself beyond your limits! Of course trips and falls will happen, especially with our off-road courses, but please try to be safe. If you are feeling unwell or you do injure yourself, end your race and have a sit down. It's not worth it, there is always another race day. We ask all of our runners to let us know if there is any medical information we need to be aware of (asthma, diabetes etc.) to enable us to try to keep everyone safe. As in any trail race often the first person to an injured/unwell runner is another runner and so we ask everyone to be good Samaritans in this regard.

Question 8

Will I get lost?

Accepted Answer

We would hope not! The courses will be fully signposted with a few volunteers out on course at periods through the events.

Question 9

Do I need a map?

Accepted Answer

No. The courses are contained within country parks or forests, marked and on clear footpaths. We do supply a gpx file with the route on though if you’d like to carry it with you. That said, these may be out of date come race day if there have been last minute changes to the route.

Question 10

Is there mandatory kit?

Accepted Answer

Generally not. The exception being a head torch at our head torch runs and the listed mandatory kit for the TrailFest events. Although you could be doing ultra marathon distances, with the lapped nature of the course and being signposted there is no mandatory kit. All we request is that you dress for the weather. If it's cold, add a layer, if it's hot be sensible. It's up to you to dress accordingly. In terms of footwear, look at the pictures on the event pages. We also post updates online as to ground conditions when we are marking the course the day before for last minute decisions.

Question 11

Is there somewhere secure for me to leave my bag?

Accepted Answer

Sort of, yes. We will have a small area under the gazebo where the aid station is where you can leave a bag but it is not "secure" so it is left at your own risk entirely. Big Bear Events does not accept responsibility for any items that go missing or are broken. We would suggest that as the car parks and HQ are never more than a few hundred meters away to keep a change of clothes and a chocolate bar for after in the car, not in a bag!

Question 12

Is there somewhere I can leave my own food or drink?

Accepted Answer

Yes at our Challenge events. We will tell you which table has been designated for competitor’s own food. If you ask though we will do our best to get you anything you’d like for the aid station. We don’t police this table either – if you leave a big box of beautiful brownies out we can’t be held responsible if a hungry runner nibbles at them!

Question 13

How old do I have to be to run in your events?

Accepted Answer

The below age restrictions are imposed by UKA.

Age under 12 years 3,000m
Age 12-13 years 5,000m
Age 14-15 years 6,000m
Age 16 10,000m
Age 17 25,000m
Age 18-19 45,000m
Age 20 and over. No maximum distance

Given that our challenge events are timed events entrants young enough to be effected by these rules will be stopped at the appropriate distance.

Question 14

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

Trails, Tales and Ales

Trails, Tales and Ales

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