Bat Challenge
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About the race
Bat Challenge is a six hour trail running event at Beacon Hill Country Park, Lower Car Park (LE12 8TA), England. It is scheduled for 30 April 2027 and uses a repeated off-road loop of about 3.3 miles per lap. Runners and walkers complete as many laps as they wish within the six hour time limit; a marathon distance equates to eight laps and a half marathon to four laps.
The lap route climbs from the lower car park toward the high point and then descends back to the start. Paths are mainly well maintained crushed stone; underfoot is generally decent but can be mucky depending on weather. The trig point lies near the high point but is not on the official route. The format allows running in daylight and later in darkness, so participants starting laps after dusk are required to carry a head torch.
Practical details: parking at the lower car park is charged (£5 for under three hours, £5.50 for the day) and can be paid by card or coin. The nearest train station is Loughborough, approximately six miles away. Dogs and canicross entries are not permitted. The route GPX is available online and the course may receive last-minute markings on race day.
Entry fees use a tiered structure: £38 before 30/03/2027 and £43 after that date; unaffiliated entrants pay £2 extra. There is an optional fundraising partnership with Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity; 100% of any small donation made alongside an entry goes to the charity. The event has run in previous years, including 2025 and 2026. A tree token option is available instead of a medal; each token results in a tree being planted and contains wildflower seeds. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
