Where does Birch Challenge take place?

Birch Challenge takes place in Rugeley, UK.

What distances does Birch Challenge offer?

Entry options include: 6 Hours.

How is Birch Challenge rated by runners?

Birch Challenge has an average rating of 4.91 out of 5 from 95 verified participant reviews on Racecheck.

What is Birch Challenge like?

Based on participant reviews, runners describe it as: Ideal for beginners (78% of reviews), Large Festival Atmosphere (64% of reviews), Remote Nature (100% of reviews), Undulating - Mixed (57% of reviews).

Birch Challenge reviews

Name: Birch Challenge
Start: 2023-10-19
End: 2023-10-19
Location: Rugeley, UK
Rating: 4.91

Emily T.

5.0

· 2024 10km ·

Had decided in advance to only do two or three laps of this event as I was doing a half marathon four days later! Traffic held me up and I started well after the 9am start but it was no problem at all and the volunteers at the check-in desk were helpful and supportive, as always....

Had decided in advance to only do two or three laps of this event as I was doing a half marathon four days later! Traffic held me up and I started well after the 9am start but it was no problem at all and the volunteers at the check-in desk were helpful and supportive, as always. The weather was grim so I only did two laps but as always it was a very well run event and volunteers out on the course and at the start/finish were wonderful. Because I didn't start with everyone else and my sense of direction is shocking, I didn't actually know where I was going but the course was brilliantly signposted throughout and I didn't get lost once! I did the event as a Canicrosser (with my dog) and there were ample water stations at the start/finish. The course was rather undulating and with the rain mixed in, there were some loose pebbles to be cautious around but no main issues at all. A lovely, scenic route and another wonderfully organised Big Bear Event. Thank you, Paul and team.

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Phillippa E.

5.0

· 2024 Marathon (6 hour event) ·

I love these 6hour events, so inclusive & friendly with the best aid stations I've seen. Despite the weather being appalling the event went ahead & the volunteers stayed smiling & supportive. I cannot recommend Big Bear Events 6hour events enough. Everything is thought of incl...

I love these 6hour events, so inclusive & friendly with the best aid stations I've seen. Despite the weather being appalling the event went ahead & the volunteers stayed smiling & supportive. I cannot recommend Big Bear Events 6hour events enough. Everything is thought of including extensive pre-event information (even helpful videos) making turning up at these events entirely stress free.

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Rachel L.

5.0

· 2024 36.3 miles Birch challenge ·

What a fantastically run event. The volunteers were fab. Everything was great except for the rain and that is my fault for living in Great Britain.

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Barry M.

5.0

· 2024 13.2 miles ·

Usual excellent event courtesy of Big Bear Events. Not been to Cannock Chase before but I'll definitely be back!

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Will W.

5.0

· 2023 10km Head Torch ·

Great event, my first head torch race. Heavy rain at the finish wasn't ordered though.. Paul (race director) of Big Bear has been amazing the 2 times I've raced his events, really friendly and knowledgeable and clearly loves our mad sport.. Thank You

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Thanks for the review! It is mad and I do love it! Glad it comes through - see you at your 3rd event soon I hope!

Karen c.

5.0

· 2023 6 Hours ·

Very well organised, course very well marked, aid station catered for everyone even people with intolerances and every lap there was something new it was the best aid station I have ever visited. Excellent event for beginners as well as experienced runners. Event staff have a ...

Very well organised, course very well marked, aid station catered for everyone even people with intolerances and every lap there was something new it was the best aid station I have ever visited. Excellent event for beginners as well as experienced runners. Event staff have a kind understanding of people's abilities and made me feel very welcome, I would recommend this race and big bear events and I will def be going to try more of their events

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THanks Karen! Glad you enjoyed the day and we look forward to welcoming you back for many future events!!

Tasha C.

3.9

· 2023 10000m ·

Good local race - I did the night 10k. Seemed a really friendly atmosphere around the start, and low faff with plenty of facilities. Route was nice and wide (although still felt a bit at risk with mountain bikers, dogs and many segways whizzing around the same course - if we'd ha...

Good local race - I did the night 10k. Seemed a really friendly atmosphere around the start, and low faff with plenty of facilities. Route was nice and wide (although still felt a bit at risk with mountain bikers, dogs and many segways whizzing around the same course - if we'd have been told about this beforehand I would have worn more lights on me, I think this should be mandatory on such a busy course). Well marshalled and decent signs too. Easy parking and simple directions. Shame it's not part of their series Gato series - but I would definitely come back. It would be nice if it were a bigger event, small prizes for top 3 men/women/dogs might make it more attractive for people to enter, or perhaps the option to borrow a torch for those who may be new to night running. There were good options with medal vs trees though.

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Tasha, glad you enjoyed the event and thanks for the feedback. Being a trail event it isn't possible to close the trails. The addition of the Segways was something I wasn't aware about beforehand. I'll have to speak to Go Ape next time about this. We'd all like the event to be bigger - if everyone who enjoyed themselves brings another person with them next time we'll get the event to a bigger level! Spreading the word is very difficult. Hopefully we'll see you on the start line of a future Big Bear event soon.

Simon H.

4.9

· 2023 10k ·

The only criticism I have and it really isn't meant as criticism and it seems silly to mention but for the Headtorch 10k, really could do with the marshalls not looking up, down the course as these headlamps were quite blinding so couldn't see where I was going even with my Headt...

The only criticism I have and it really isn't meant as criticism and it seems silly to mention but for the Headtorch 10k, really could do with the marshalls not looking up, down the course as these headlamps were quite blinding so couldn't see where I was going even with my Headtorch. This only happened a few times and didn't hamper my progress, it was just noticeable when it did happen. Ideally, head torches need to be angled down and/or red. Other than that, despite the deluge towards the end it was very fun and look forward to repeats of this next year.

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Si,on, glad you enjoyed the event and scored it so highly. You're point on the marshals is valid and I'll remember to remind them next time.

Beth R.

3.8

· 2023 10k ·

Was a great event, really friendly staff. However could of done with a few more marshalls around the trail as it was sometimes hard to see where you were going due to the downpour of rain.

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Beth, when it's a biblical downpour running at night does become tricky as youyr head torch reflects off the rain drops. Not ideal running conditions thats for sure but it adds to the fun!

Rachel A.

4.0

· 2023 10k ·

Overall I had fun, it was great. It was well organised and marshalls and other staff were really friendly and helpful. I'd enter the race again next time. It was a great experience. An improvement for me would be to low light the major turns on the course and the water station. ...

Overall I had fun, it was great. It was well organised and marshalls and other staff were really friendly and helpful. I'd enter the race again next time. It was a great experience. An improvement for me would be to low light the major turns on the course and the water station. Some of the marshals head torches dazzled which made seeing intended turns on the course appear a bit darker.

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Rachel, I'm glad you enjoyed the event. Lighting corners is tricky for many reasons, not least our lights going walkabouts once we've put them out! I'll take the feedback on board when marking the route in the future though.

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Birch Challenge