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SIXTH EDITION!
ORIGINALLY A 'LOCKDOWN' CHALLENGE in 2021, Run for the trees has remained a popular fixture in the peak running & NOW JOG DERBYSHIRE calendar.
We hope you'll join us THIS YEAR FOR WHAT IS REMARKABLY ITS 6th EDITION!
Run for the Trees is a fun, personal challenge event for runners and walkers alike, to keep you active as the novelty of the new year HAS worn off AND SPRING IS IN THE AIR.
this challenge can be completed anywhere in the world and leaves a positive footprint on the planet, as the more miles we cover the more trees will be planted in the national forest.
What's back for 2026
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Guided Events: There will be guided events during APRIL that will be free of charge, though pre-booking will be required.
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Dogwood Challenge: After proving popular in the last 2 editions, the Dogwood Challenge is back in 2025 meaning that you can complete Run for the Trees with your four-legged friend with this special canicross addition! Similar to the Cherry Challenge, you and your woofer will need to complete 50 miles in total during February to receive a special coaster for your efforts... with a little more bark.
How it works
There are 4 levels to choose from - 3 for humans and 1 for your four-legged friends.
Each of the levels has a mileage target for you to aim for during the 30 days of APRIL which can be completed by running, walking or a mix of both.
You also have the option to join guided events. All mileage clocked up when running / walking solo and as part of the group events, count towards your total.
The Levels
Please note that the above images are examples from a previous year.
Groups and Families: If you are a couple, family or group of friends and wish to have tree dedicated to you, we can do this. If 4 of you enter the Cherry Challenge or 2 of you enter the Lime Challenge (or 2 x Cherry and 1 x Lime), just let us know after you have entered that you'd like to pool your entries for a dedicated tree.
Route Suggestions
If you're local to the National Forest Area and/or would like to explore different parts of the forest or test yourself over different distances, there are various suggested routes for your to download and use.
Links to the routes in various formats are provided, from where you can download GPX files. Also, if you are a subscriber to Ordnance Survey Map online, you will be able to print a detailed map at the scale of your choice.
Whether you use our suggested routes or design your own, remember you complete them at your own risk as you would on a training run, taking responsibility for the safety of yourself and others you run or share the trails with.
Guided Events
After the success of the guided events for previous Run for the Trees challenges, we're are excited to be offering this again in 2026, meaning that we can explore some fantastic National Forest locations together. All guided events will be optional and if you'd prefer to explore the routes at a time more convenient for you, you can use our suggested routes instead.
The Guided Events listed below will be free for participants of Run for the Trees. Please note that you will be required to pre-book your place on all Guided Events and you will need to let us know if you can't make it so that we can make the space available for another participant. You can secure your place on the events from here.
If you have a friend or family member who is not entered into Run for the Trees but would like to join a guided event, they can do so on a "pay as you go" basis.
2026 Guided Events Schedule:
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Details coming soon.
Participant Benefits
If you achieve your target distance - which we hope you will! - over the 30 days you'll receive a specially made coaster crafted locally from sustainable wood.
Part of your entry fee will go towards planting new trees in the National Forest, providing a legacy of more green space for our community to enjoy and a positive environmental impact. The more miles that are covered during the event, the bigger the area of new forest we create.
The National Forest
25 years ago, large swathes of the Midlands landscape had been left scarred by centuries of coal mining and other heavy industry. But a passionate group of people had a vision: a forest. - the first forest to be created at scale in England for over 1000 years!
The National Forest Company was formed and is a charity that works with public, private, voluntary and community organisations to create the National Forest. One of the boldest environmental regeneration projects in the world, they are truly transforming a scarred landscape from black to green. But the story doesn’t stop here. They believe that trees are the catalyst for transformation, not only of the landscape but of the economy and for our communities too.
By continuing to grow the Forest, making it accessible to all and creating a woodland culture of passionate people who can engage with it, there will be a lasting benefit for generations to come.
For more information visit their website here.
