Introduction

The CALKE OUTDOOR WEEKENDER (COW) is a brand-new, weekend long event inspired by the great outdoors, organised by Peak Running in partnership with the National Trust at Calke and the National Forest. Timed to coincide with the start of the annual National Forest Walking Festival, the event will welcome people of all abilities to get active and reconnect with nature in the Calke estate and surrounding countryside of the National Forest. 

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On each of the three days there will be a main feature event based at the COW arena on the meadow next to Calke Abbey itself. Simultaneous to these will be a host of other activities to get involved in, with something for all the family. Full details of the entire programme will be available soon.

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If you want to make a weekend of it, camping is available at the nearby Whistlewood Common. For details and to book your pitch click HERE.

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The FRACTURED MARATHON - Friday 15th May, 19:00 to midnight  

The main feature on the Friday evening will be the Fractured Marathon, an exciting and unique running event for solo runners or teams that was a smash hit with runners when it was first held in 2019. The innovative format creates an electric atmosphere and is as much a Friday night running party as a race! There will be 10 timed laps around a scenic 2.6-mile course, which will start every half hour on the half hour.

Teams, or solo runners, can take part in as many or as few of the 10 laps as they like. For runners, solo and team, to be eligible to run the next lap they must be back before it starts. Otherwise they will have to wait for the next start time to re-join the game. So, to remain in with chance of completing a full marathon, each loop must be completed within half an hour.

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Full details can be found HERE.

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The COW's BIG CHALLENGE - Saturday 16th May, 08:00 to 18:00

The COW’s Big Challenge provides participants the opportunity to run, jog, walk or skip their chosen distance around the wonderful South Derbyshire countryside within the National Forest.

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The options to choose from are:

Ultra: 40 Miles

Marathon: 26 Miles

Half Marathon: 13 Miles

Calf 6 Miles

Calf 3 Miles

There will be a number of different routes exploring different parts of the Calke estate and the surrounding countryside. Each route will start and finish in the main COW arena on the meadow next to the Abbey, with the number of different routes you need to complete depending on the distance of the challenge you choose; from 6 routes for the 40-mile ultra to just one for the ‘Calf 3’.

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Before, after or even in-between completing routes, there will be plenty of other things to get involved in back at Calke. These include yoga, natural movement workshops, inspirational talks, or just relaxing with some great food.

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Full details of the COW's Big Challenge can be found on it's page HERE

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The CALKE EXPLORER - Sunday 17th May, 09:00 to 12:30  

The Calke Explorer is the last of the three main COW events.  It is an orienteering type trail event for all abilities. Participants will navigation their way around the spectacular Calke estate to find a series of checkpoints at their own pace, using a map they will be given at the start line.

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Start times will be staggered so you can't just follow the person(s) in front, but you can opt to team up with friends, club-mates of family members.

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Full details of the Calke Explorer can be found on it's page HERE

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OTHER ACTIVITIES - all weekend 

Throughout the weekend there will be a variety of other activities taking place alongside the above featured events. These include:

• Guided family & wildlife walks

• Natural Movements Workshops

• Inspirational Talks

• Yoga 

• & More

Timetable

Below is the timetable of activities.  Download pdf here

PLEASE NOTE: The schedule for activities and talks is currently PROVISIONAL and subject to change/confirmation. Lot os items yet to be added.

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Saturday

Sunday

Prices 

Below are details are the prices applicable to COW events. On the Saturday and Sunday, entry to the feature events includes general entry to Calke park and gardens. If you are a Natural Trust member the entry fee to the park will be deducted from your entry, but you will need to produce your membership card on the day.