Crocodile Challenge
Ryton-on-Dunsmore, United Kingdom • 23 Jan 2026
Event overview
The Crocodile Challenge is a six-hour running event on 23 January 2026 organised by Big Bear Events at Ryton Pools Country Park, Coventry. The event format allows runners, walkers or hikers to complete as many laps of the course as they wish within the six-hour limit. The event has been run before and has been the organiser’s traditional season opener since 2018.
Course and format
The course is a 3.3-mile out-and-back loop set around pools and open pasture. Underfoot is mainly crushed stone with a short single-track section and some looser areas. The route is described as relatively flat with a few small rises. Canicross is permitted; leads should be kept short and canicross entrants start with the main field or may choose to start later. The event is also suitable for rucking. A GPX file of the route is available.
- 3.3-mile out-and-back loop
- Half marathon: 4 laps
- Marathon: 8 laps
Entries, price and logistics
The organiser operates tiered pricing: £37 before 23/12/2025 and £42 from 23/12/2025. Unaffiliated entrants pay £2 extra. Parking on site costs up to £5 depending on stay, and there is a cafe and toilet block near the event HQ. Ryton Pools is about 15 minutes south of Coventry and about 15 minutes from Junction 16 of the M1; the closest train stations are Rugby and Coventry.
The organiser will donate 7.5% of entry fees from this event to Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and has donated a limited number of charity places. Alternatives to a medal include a Big Bear Tree Token, which funds tree planting and contains wildflower seeds. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.