Running an evening race in the winter is a thrilling affair with your senses heightened across every kilometre! Midlands' event organiser, Big Bear Events, have announced that it will be hosting three evening races at two of the region's best-loved locations - Salcey Forest in Northamptonshire and Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

The three events will take place between October this year and March 2025. Speaking about the events, a spokesperson said: "We're very excited to be launching our brand new Petzl Night Runner 10K series for the 24/25 winter. Split over two of our favourite venues we'll be getting out the world's best headlamps and releasing you in to the woods!"

Petzl will be at each race their market-leading head lamps for all to try. We were told: "There is no pressure to buy anything at all but you'll want to when you see the difference between a 'normal' headlamp and one of these!"

Up first is Cannock Chase on 1 October. The course here is hilly and takes place predominantly on crushed stone with a few sections on more exposed grass paths. The Salcey Forest events will take place on 20 November 2024 and 5 March next year, the route is fundamentally flat - but remember that any sort of uphill on a 10K can feel like a mountain!

Giving an indication as to the ethos of these events, our spokesperson continues: "As with our previous evening 10K events, these will be canicross friendly and are a great way to spend an evening after work!

"If you want to come and smash yourself for 45 minutes, great, if you want to run around with club mates having a natter, super or if you've never done night time trail running even better. These events are set up for everyone to come and have fun (whatever that is for you)."

It is also worth nothing that the entry prices for these 10K races have been reduced for 2024/25 (you don't see that often) as organisers want more people able to join in. If you enter the series, it's even cheaper!

If you'd like to know more, visit the Big Bear Events website.

Image: Big Bear Events Facebook