If you like your trail running accomplishments to be BIG, you need to hear all about BigFeat Events' Classic Element Trail Series – four trail running events based on the classic elements of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Whether it's clawing over muddy hills and rainy valleys (Earth); battling over an ancient rugged coastline (Water); pushing on under a relentless sun (Fire) or running under a never-ending sky (Air), BigFeat Events have developed a series of races that will send you on an epic journey of discovery!

The 2025 series started with the BigMud (Earth) race from Queen Elizabeth Country Park in the South Downs National Park near Petersfield, Hampshire on Sunday 23 February. Back for a fifth year, the BigMud programme features two wild, muddy, single-lap trail runs around the scenic Meon Valley, with a 518ft climb up to the highest point in the South Downs, Butser Hill....twice! Nearly 400 runners contested the 16-mile or marathon race and the full results are at the runABC South race listing here.

Looking ahead, the next element to tackle is 'Water' with the BigSea trail races on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset on Sunday 8 June 2025. Choose between a 50K Ultra, marathon, 18-mile, or half marathon. The races start and finish on the beautiful sand of Knoll Beach at Studland and the four single-lap routes will take you out to sights like Purbeck Hills, Corfe Castle, Chapmans Pool, Dancing Ledge, Durlston Castle, and Old Harry Rocks.

If you are more drawn towards the element of 'Fire' you will want to enter BigHeat on Sunday 20 July 2025 where you'll have a choice of marathon or 16-mile distances. The Royal School in Haslemere, Surrey is the base for two scorching trail runs that will take you along the winding dusty tracks, sun-baked forests, and open sandy plains of Thursley and Hankley Commons.

The Classic Element Trail Series concludes with BigSky, celebrating the element 'Air', on Sunday 21 September 2025 from the spectacular viewpoint at Hyde Common, one of the highest points in the New Forest National Park. As dawn becomes day, you’ll set off under a dome of Southern England sky, with views from horizon to horizon. The 18-mile and marathon routes showcase the best scenery in the New Forest before finishing with a thrilling run along Hampton Ridge to the finish back on Hyde Common.

Visit the BigFeat Events website for more information and to enter these events.

Photos courtesy BigFeat Events Classic Element Trail Series