TrailFest - Cannock Chase Forest
BB
From Big Bear Events
4.0 ·
1 review
Saturday 13th September 2025
Past event
08:00
Rugeley
£27.00–£72.00 · 4 races
10km, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day at TrailFest - Cannock Chase Forest, organized by Big Bear Events! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 13th, 2025, as Rugeley, Staffordshire transforms into a trail running paradise. This exciting event offers four distances to cater to all levels of runners: a 10K, half marathon, marathon, and a challenging 50 km. Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner aiming for a personal best or a beginner tackling your very first trail race, TrailFest is the perfect opportunity to embrace the beauty of nature and the thrill of competition.
Join fellow runners in the stunning Cannock Chase Forest, where you'll not only push your limits but also enjoy the camaraderie of others who share your passion for trail running. With generous cut-off times, the event encourages newcomers to explore the sport without the pressure. Plus, don’t miss the chance to try out the latest Altra running shoes, designed for optimal comfort and performance. Get ready for a day filled with fun, fitness, and unforgettable memories at TrailFest - a celebration of the great outdoors and the spirit of running!
Join fellow runners in the stunning Cannock Chase Forest, where you'll not only push your limits but also enjoy the camaraderie of others who share your passion for trail running. With generous cut-off times, the event encourages newcomers to explore the sport without the pressure. Plus, don’t miss the chance to try out the latest Altra running shoes, designed for optimal comfort and performance. Get ready for a day filled with fun, fitness, and unforgettable memories at TrailFest - a celebration of the great outdoors and the spirit of running!
TrailFest - Cannock Chase Forest
This event has taken place
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Previous editions
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Reviews
4.01 review
ES
Edwars Smith
Verified entrant
This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2024 edition · 2 years ago
I’m sure the difficulty of this event was emphasised but this really was hard. It was like cross country at school but harder, longer, steeper and you chose to be there. It was good and very challenging, and the views were spectacular. Highly recommend but it’s not for the faint hearted.
Races
-
TrailFest - Cannock Chase Forest 50k
Entries closed08:00
£72.00
-
TrailFest - Cannock Chase Forest Marathon
Entries closed08:45
£57.00
-
TrailFest - Cannock Chase Forest 10k
Entries closed08:45
£27.00
-
TrailFest - Cannock Chase Forest Half Marathon
Entries closed09:00
£42.00
Event information
It’s pretty spectacular… and hilly! The routes start at the rifle range cadet hut and go on a tour of fire roads and tighter single track routes around Cannock Chase. With no road crossings you can just put your head down and enjoy the amazing hills.
Each route is tough. The main 10 mile loop has over 1500ft of elevation, the 10K has around 800ft! There are steep up and down hill sections on loose stones. It’s not scrambling and for experienced trail runners it’ll be nothing of great note. However, for any “tarmac lovers” it might seem a little crazy! It is rewarding though, I promise! The views are spectacular and the escapism is very real!
The routes will be fully marked, although having the route with you is very strongly advised.
The main elements of all the routes can be seen in the video. The forest is a living breathing habitat and as such things change, species need to be protected and pathways rerouted sometimes. We will be based from the Tackeroo campsite and use the block of woodland opposite but this potentially could be changed if it is deemed necessary.
Each route is tough. The main 10 mile loop has over 1500ft of elevation, the 10K has around 800ft! There are steep up and down hill sections on loose stones. It’s not scrambling and for experienced trail runners it’ll be nothing of great note. However, for any “tarmac lovers” it might seem a little crazy! It is rewarding though, I promise! The views are spectacular and the escapism is very real!
The routes will be fully marked, although having the route with you is very strongly advised.
The main elements of all the routes can be seen in the video. The forest is a living breathing habitat and as such things change, species need to be protected and pathways rerouted sometimes. We will be based from the Tackeroo campsite and use the block of woodland opposite but this potentially could be changed if it is deemed necessary.
Cannock Chase is in Staffordshire (WS15 2US). It is managed by Forestry England.
Competitor parking will be at the Tackeroo site (here on What 3 Words) and free. Spectators will need to park locally in the many car parks close to the start line.
The nearest train stations Rugeley Trent Valley and Rugeley Town are both approximately 2 miles away
Competitor parking will be at the Tackeroo site (here on What 3 Words) and free. Spectators will need to park locally in the many car parks close to the start line.
The nearest train stations Rugeley Trent Valley and Rugeley Town are both approximately 2 miles away
50 km
Registration Open – 07:00
Event Start – 08:00
Marathon
Registration Open – 07:00
Event Start – 08:30
Half Marathon
Registration Open – 08:00
Event Start – 09:00
10 km
Registration Open – 08:00
Event Start – 09:00
Registration Open – 07:00
Event Start – 08:00
Marathon
Registration Open – 07:00
Event Start – 08:30
Half Marathon
Registration Open – 08:00
Event Start – 09:00
10 km
Registration Open – 08:00
Event Start – 09:00
- The cut off for the event is 20:00. So for the 50 km event that means an 12 hour cut off - 23min/mile pace. All other events have the same 20:00 cut off - so that’s 10 hours to do the 10k! Our cut off’s aren’t mean to be punitive, we just have to let volunteers and medics when they can go home! In the last 3 years only 1 person has been within 1 hour of an 12 hour cut off on this course and they had about 30 minutes to spare.
Event video
Organiser's description
TrailFest is a day of moving around wonderful woodland for all abilities, speeds and experiences. Whether you’re an experienced ultra runner keen to get an early season 50 miler in or a newbie trail runner looking to do their first 10K TrailFest is for you!
We’ve got 4 distances for you to chose from 10K, half marathon, marathon and 50 km. A distance to suit everyone!
The idea of the day is to bring everyone together and to experience the fun of trail running in an amazing forest. Being around others doing what seems impossible can often make it seem a lot more possible too!! If you want to come and run your personal best or bimble about with your mates we’ve got the perfect distance for you.
We’ve got vey generous cut off times too, to try and remove some of those barriers to new people trying out the sport.
We’re going to be joined by our friends at Altra who will bring their demo sets of trainers for you to try. The plan is for them to have the Lone Peak 9 and Timp 5 with them - perfect for Salcey Forest.
If you’ve never tried Altra, you should. Their shoes are based on the belief that a natural foot position will keep you running with more comfort and less restriction. The FootShape and Zero to Low Drop design of our shoes allow your toes to spread out and your foot to sit naturally in the shoe.
Look out for competitions for trainers, kit and free entries in the lead up to the event on our social channels.
We’ve got 4 distances for you to chose from 10K, half marathon, marathon and 50 km. A distance to suit everyone!
The idea of the day is to bring everyone together and to experience the fun of trail running in an amazing forest. Being around others doing what seems impossible can often make it seem a lot more possible too!! If you want to come and run your personal best or bimble about with your mates we’ve got the perfect distance for you.
We’ve got vey generous cut off times too, to try and remove some of those barriers to new people trying out the sport.
We’re going to be joined by our friends at Altra who will bring their demo sets of trainers for you to try. The plan is for them to have the Lone Peak 9 and Timp 5 with them - perfect for Salcey Forest.
If you’ve never tried Altra, you should. Their shoes are based on the belief that a natural foot position will keep you running with more comfort and less restriction. The FootShape and Zero to Low Drop design of our shoes allow your toes to spread out and your foot to sit naturally in the shoe.
Look out for competitions for trainers, kit and free entries in the lead up to the event on our social channels.
BB
Big Bear Events
On Find a Race
Since
2019
Events
90+
Avg. review
4.8
