Badger Challenge
Loughborough, United Kingdom • 27 Feb 2026
Badger Challenge : event overview
The Badger Challenge is a six-hour trail event held on 27 February 2026 at Beacon Hill Country Park, Lower Car Park, Leicestershire (LE12 8TA). Competitors complete repeated laps of a 3.3 mile off-road loop within a six-hour time limit; entrants choose how many laps to attempt. Entry fees are tiered, with unaffiliated entrants paying an extra £2. The event offers a physical medal or an alternative Big Bear Tree Token from Earth Runs; the token corresponds to a tree being planted and contains wildflower seeds. There is an optional fundraising link for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and donations given at sign up go entirely to the charity.
Course and practical information
The route leaves the lower car park and climbs along well maintained crushed-stone paths toward the trig point before descending the other side back to the start. The trig point is not on the main route. The first half of the lap is uphill and the second half is downhill. Underfoot is generally decent but can be mucky depending on weather; the route is not technical. Dogs are permitted for canicross with short leads and separate canicross entry; rucking is also allowed. A GPX of the route is available from Plotaroute. Parking at the country park is £3 for under three hours or £4 for the day, and Loughborough station is about six miles away. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
- One lap - 3.3 miles
- Half marathon - 4 laps
- Marathon - 8 laps