Charnwood Challenge 2026
Date of Sunday 4th October 2026 has been confirmed for this year’s event. Enter at SI Entries!
The Charnwood Challenge is an off-road event for runners and walkers and covers approximately 10 miles route through the Charnwood countryside, to see route click here
Contents
Route
The route will be as per previous years (details on the website), starting and finishing at the Scout Group HQ building, and approximately 10 miles in length. Entrants are reminded of the hazards inherent in off-road/trail running and acknowledge that they are entering and running/walking this race at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. These hazards include rough and uneven ground, such as rocks, mud, tree roots, and wet grass, together with steep climbs and descents, and that some sections are rural and remote from road access. Participants are also reminded of the Event Disclaimer which they will have accepted as part of the entry process. In particular, this year we are aware that some sections of the bridleway to Woodhouse Eaves and the permissive path alongside the stream after the Dean’s Lane road crossing are quite eroded in places, so please watch your footing (as on the rest of course). Although some parts of the course may have been quite overgrown over the summer, hopefully these will have died down by the date of the event. Please remember that the majority of the course is on public rights of way, so please be courteous and considerate to other users you may meet. Ideally we would like all participants to be safely back at the Event HQ by 1pm so we can stand down the marshal team, who will have been out on the course since early that morning. While we would like everyone to be able to enjoy the event and take on the challenge at their own level, please bear this in mind (and we kindly request that you wait until after you have finished before stopping for lunch!).
The provisional route can be found here:
Dogs
Sorry, but as the route passes through several areas where livestock may be present, and private land, unfortunately dogs are not permitted to accompany runners or walkers competing in the event. Please also note that only assistance dogs are permitted within the Scout HQ building. We ask that any dogs are on leads within the grounds, and please do not allow them to foul within this area as it is frequently used by the scout group for their outdoor activities.
How to Enter
Main Adult event entry fee: Prior to 31/08/2026 is £16 (affiliated) for runners and walkers, or £18 (unaffiliated).
Between 31/08/2026-28/09/2026 is £18 (affiliated) for runners and walkers, or £20 (unaffiliated).
From 28/9/2026 is £20 (affiliated) for runners and walkers, or £22 (unaffiliated).
Junior Walkers £6 affiliated and unaffiliated
Junior Challenge is £4 and entry on the day at the event headquarters.
On the Day
Registration
Registration will be open from 8:30 for collection of race numbers and any last-minute queries. Please pin your number to your front and make sure it can be clearly seen by the marshals. All walkers will be asked to provide the number of a mobile phone which they will be carrying and which could be used to contact them during the event, if required. Any Junior Walkers (under 16) must remain with their parent/guardian for the duration of the event. Note that there may be photographs taken by the marshals or members of the scout group during the event which may be used for future publicity of the event. If you do not wish your photograph to be used for this purpose then please make this known at Registration so your race number can be noted. For any friends or family who would like to do the event, please note that should there still be places available then we will be accept entries on the day, which can be administered through the SI Entries page.
Start Times
The start times for the event are as follows:
9:00 Walkers
10:00 Runners Both will be a mass start, with a short briefing 10 minutes beforehand.
10:15 Fun Run
Water
There will be a water station just over halfway round the course (at approximately 5.5 miles / 9 km) on the approach to the Broombriggs carpark. If you think you may need more that what will be provided at this stop then we suggest you carry a bottle or similar for the event.
Water will also be available at the finish. Although this may be using disposable cups, if you are able to bring your own reusable water bottle then we will happily refill it for you.
Refreshments
Refreshments will be available to purchase at the Event HQ, including tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, breakfast cobs, and a selection of other snacks.
Changing and Toilets
Toilets will be available at the Event HQ, however no separate changing facilities are available. During the event itself, please note that there are public toilets at several points close to the route (i.e. top or bottom of Beacon Hill, Woodhouse Eaves village), although a short detour may be needed – please ask a marshal for directions if necessary and advise them of your race number and that you need to deviate from the event route so we can track your location.
Bag Storage
Secure bag storage will be situated at the Event HQ, manned by members of the scout group. You will need to show your race number to pick up your bag after the race.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded in categories to include: Runners – 1st man, 1st lady, 2nd man; 2nd lady, 3rd man, 3rd lady Walkers – 1st man, 1st lady, 1st junior (Please be aware that any walkers observed running, or admitting to (!), will be reclassified.) All participants will also receive a unique Charnwood Challenge 2026 Scout badge for taking part, as specially designed by one of the young people in the group.
Parking
Please car share if driving to the event, where possible. There will be no parking for competitors on the road immediately outside the Scout HQ building for safety reasons and to ensure access is clear for race organisers and first aiders etc. As Nanpantan Road can be fairly busy there is the option to park at the nearby Nanpantan sports ground off Watermead Lane (LE11 3TN). However, please be aware that this is a public carpark shared with several sports groups, so please park considerately. If you do park on local roads or side streets, then please make sure not to create a traffic hazard, and not to block the access for any local residents. For those competitors with the energy to cycle to/from the event (!) there are facilities at the Event HQ for cycles to be parked and secured, and although there will be members of the event team around during the day this will be at the owner’s risk.
First Aid and Emergencies
Please car share if driving to the event, where possible. There will be no parking for competitors on the road immediately outside the Scout HQ building for safety reasons and to ensure access is clear for race organisers and first aiders etc. As Nanpantan Road can be fairly busy there is the option to park at the nearby Nanpantan sports ground off Watermead Lane (LE11 3TN). However, please be aware that this is a public carpark shared with several sports groups, so please park considerately. If you do park on local roads or side streets, then please make sure not to create a traffic hazard, and not to block the access for any local residents. For those competitors with the energy to cycle to/from the event (!) there are facilities at the Event HQ for cycles to be parked and secured, and although there will be members of the event team around during the day this will be at the owner’s risk.
Junior Challenge Fun Run
Please car share if driving to the event, where possible. There will be no parking for competitors on the road immediately outside the Scout HQ building for safety reasons and to ensure access is clear for race organisers and first aiders etc. As Nanpantan Road can be fairly busy there is the option to park at the nearby Nanpantan sports ground off Watermead Lane (LE11 3TN). However, please be aware that this is a public carpark shared with several sports groups, so please park considerately. If you do park on local roads or side streets, then please make sure not to create a traffic hazard, and not to block the access for any local residents. For those competitors with the energy to cycle to/from the event (!) there are facilities at the Event HQ for cycles to be parked and secured, and although there will be members of the event team around during the day this will be at the owner’s risk.
Race Permit & Insurance
ARC Permit applied for – details to be confirmed.