TrailFest - Salcey Forest

Event overview

TrailFest - Salcey Forest is a multi-distance trail running event held at Salcey Forest in Northamptonshire. The event offers four distances: 10K, half marathon, marathon, and 50 km. The format runs all distances on similar sections of forest trails and is organised to accommodate a range of experience levels.

Course and location

Routes use well maintained pathways, mainly crushed stone or well trodden forest floor, with some grassland sections. There is no continuous asphalt on the course except two road crossings on the longer routes. Salcey Forest is a Forestry England site with a café and toilets. Parking is paid (stated between £3.80 and £9). The number 33 bus stops inside Salcey Forest and runs between Northampton and Milton Keynes. The site is near Northampton and close to Junction 15 of the M1.

Logistics, kit and cut-offs

The event operates tiered entry pricing. There are no cups provided at the event; entrants must carry their own drinking cup or bottle. Mandatory kit differs by distance: none for 10K (cup/bottle strongly recommended), and a cup or bottle holding at least 200 ml is mandatory for half marathon, marathon and 50 km. A foil blanket and a charged mobile phone are strongly advised. Missing mandatory kit incurs a one-hour penalty added to the recorded time. The 50 km route has an 11-hour cut-off (about 21 minutes per mile); other distances share the same day-end cut-off. Finishers receive a medal and a choice of Big Bear drink. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.