Throughout February 2024 (1st - 29th)
Run for the Trees is back for it's fourth year!
After a successful debut in 2021, Run for the trees has remained a popular fixture in the peak running calender. We hope you'll join us in 2024!
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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 begins to wear off. 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.
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Pssst... as 2024 is a leap year, you'll get 29 days to complete your challenge instead of 28!
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What's back for 2024
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Run-Forest Race Series: The (optional) virtual race series is back.
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The Run-Forest Grand Slam: Similar to in previous years, if you complete all ten of the virtual races in the "Run-Forest Race Series", you'll achieve the coveted Run-Forest Grand Slammer award.
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Guided Events: There will be a number of guided events throughout February, from evening head-torch runs to Sunday bRUNch clubs. Guided events will be free of charge for RFTT participants, though pre-booking will be required. ​
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Dogwood Challenge: After it's hugely popular debut in 2023, the Dogwood Challenge is back in 2024 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.
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Exclusive The Derby Runner discount: RFTT is once again supported by The Derby Runner and they are offering all participants of this challenge an exclusive 20% discount in-store with proof of entry. More details about how to use this offer will be sent via email after entering the challenge.
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How it works
There are 4 levels to choose from plus, for the very ambitious, the option of trying to achieve the 'RUN-FOREST GRAND SLAM'.
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Each of the levels has a mileage target for you to aim for during the 28 days of Feb (+ the additional day as it's a leap year!) which can be completed by running, walking or a mix of both. Plus, there are ten virtual races forming the Forest Race Series that you can take part in as you accumulate your mileage. These virtual races can be completed from any location and we have mapped out some fantastic suggested routes in the National Forest that you can explore if you wish.
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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.
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The Levels
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Dogwood
(Canicross option)
Target:
50-MILES
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You get:
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Downloadable Race Number for you and/ or your dog
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Entry to Virtual Races (optional)
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Entry to guided events (optional)
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Wooden Award, with a little more bark! (crafted locally)
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Quarter Share in a Tree to be Planted
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20% Discount at Derby Runner
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Entry Fee:
£16
(+£1.50 booking fee)
Please note that the above images are examples of the 2022 coasters.
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.
Run-Forest Race Series
These are the virtual events in the Run-Forest Race Series. You can complete the distances wherever you like, though there are suggested routes for your to download and use if you're local to the area or would like a change of scenery!
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.
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We have tried to make the distances of the routes as accurate as we reasonably can. However, please be aware that different devices will give slightly different results when measuring distance with GPS functionality, so you may find up to 5% variation. So to record your virtual race distance you may reach your personal finish line shortly before the end of our routes OR may have to continue a short distance beyond the end of our route to reach the required distance.
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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.
For some routes there will be a guided option, so you can run the route with our qualified run leaders. Details will be updated in the Guided Events section below.
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Virtual Races Rules
Participation in virtual races - aka The Run-Forest Race Series - is optional and included in your entry fee. We have mapped out some great suggested routes for you to use, but you can run the races anywhere you choose to.
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To enter a race you must cover the distance of that race in a single outing. You cannot enter more than one race simultaneously, e.g. use a 5-mile split for the Half Bash race while running 10-miles for the Personal Bash.
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You are responsible for timing your run. Races times must be based on 'elapsed' time (the difference between the time of day you start and the time you finish) not 'moving time'. If you stop during your effort (e.g. to take photographs, visit the toilet etc.) this time must be included in your race time, as it would be in a normal race.
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Race times must be submitted via the ResultsBase website as soon as possible after you have taken part, but no later than 24 hours after the end date of the event.
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To be eligible for prizes based on times and race positions, and to gain the 'Run-Forest Grand Slam' award, you must be able to provide evidence (such as links to or screen shots of GPS recordings on Strava or Garmin Connect) for your race efforts.
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There will be results for each event, and prizes for the fastest male and female time. There will also be prizes in other categories not based on time or position (e.g. best photos). Full details of these are currently being finalised.
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Please note that the virtual races are informal events that you can take part in at your own risk. As you would on a training run, you are responsible for taking care for the safety of yourself and others.
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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 2024, 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.
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The Guided Events will be free for participants of Run for the Trees (with the exception of the Wayfarer Special, which you will receive a discount for instead). 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.
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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. ​
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2024 Guided Events Schedule:
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Thursday 1st Feb, 18:30 - RFTT Kick-off Jog & Walk (Ticknall)
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Wednesday 7th Feb, 10:30 - Trail Therapy Jog & Walk (Brattam)
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Saturday 10th Feb 13:30 - Trail Therapy Jog & Walk (Thornton Res)
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Tuesday 13th Feb, 19:00 - PR pr Rike in the Night (Rosliston)
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Saturday 17th Feb - Tree planting opportunity + Wayfarer in the National Forest (full details TBA soon)
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Sunday 18th Feb, 09:00, Sunday bRUNch Club (Barton)
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Wednesday 21st Feb - Evening Adventure (full details TBA soon)
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Sunday 25th Feb, 09:00 - Sunday bRUNch Club (Donisthorpe)
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Thursday 29th 18:30 - RFTT Finale Jog & Walk (Ticknall)
Participant Benefits
If you achieve your target distance - which we hope you will! - over the 29 days you'll receive a specially made coaster crafted locally from sustainable wood. Plus you can compete for other prizes in various categories, including - but not limited to - the best performances in the virtual race series.
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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.
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As well as the above, all participants will receive a 20% discount at the Derby Runner.
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.
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For more information visit their website here.
