Dormouse Challenge
Northampton, United Kingdom • 21 Nov 2025
Event overview
The Dormouse Challenge is a six-hour loop event at Salcey Forest on 21 November 2025. Competitors run as many laps of a 3.5-mile off-road loop as they choose within the six-hour time limit. The format supports short or very long efforts; examples given include a single lap or multiple laps that can exceed marathon distances. Canicross is permitted; canicross entrants should use the canicross-specific entry and keep leads short.
Distances referenced
- 3.5-mile loop
- 5k (one lap)
- Half marathon : four laps (about 14 miles)
- Marathon : seven laps plus an out-and-back
Location, course and entry
The event takes place at Salcey Forest, postcode NN7 2HX. The Forestry England site has a café and toilets. The surface is entirely off-road: mainly crushed stone or compacted forest floor with tree detritus on narrower sections. Road shoes are acceptable when dry; trail shoes are recommended when parts are wet or slippery. The number 33 bus stops inside Salcey Forest. Salcey Forest is about 18 minutes from Northampton and 9 minutes from M1 Junction 15; the closest train station is Northampton.
Entry uses tiered pricing: before 21/10/2025 the fee is £37, after that it is £42; unaffiliated entrants pay an extra £2. There is a negotiated parking fee of £3.50 for the day. Alternative options include on-demand participation via the Skamper app and a tree-planting token option instead of a medal. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.