Is this a “normal” event?
Nope! This is a bit different to anything we’ve done before - and pretty much anyone else!
The concept is simple. Run a lap (or more) of a Big Bear venue before we start our 2024 events and enjoy it. Simple! There are a few extra bits but fundamentally that’s it.
You need to enter the event* and then download the Skamper app. Join the Big Bear Winter Challenge (details given on the event email) and then decide which venue you’ll run at. When you turn up to the venue open the app, click on the event and pick your course, go to the start and run!
If you want to run multiple laps (make it a bit more Big Bear!) remember to start each time. You can run at multiple venues with a singular entry - however if you want multiple medals you’ll need to enter for each medal.
Whether you enter for free or get a medal, run at 1 course/venue or 20 you’re eligible for prizes.
*You can join the event for free, join with a £5 donation to Rugby Foodbank or join for £12.50 and I’ll send you the medal of your choice once you’ve completed your first Skamper run and I’ll donate £5 to the Foodbank too.
Is there a massive trophy for the winner?! Can I win?!
Not a trophy… prizes!!
There won’t be any trophies but we will have some awesome prizes thanks to the support from Skamper.
For each of “The Big Ones” we’ll send the Male and Female winners a £50 voucher in the form of; Big Bear Events credit, Coventry Runner voucher, Physio/massage appointment or a charity donation.
The Big Ones!
Highest Skamper score across any course
Highest number of courses completed
Highest mileage completed
If you are a “Course Champ” you’ll get a £10 credit to your Big Bear Event’s account for money off your next booking
Course Champs
Highest Skamper score on each course (Male and Female)
What is Skamper?
Skamper is a relatively new app that is looking to offer an alternative running experience on your phone and on your feet.
Their tool is a great fit for Big Bear as it allows you to compete against yourself, or against others if you wish, while finding new places to explore. You can take from it what you want - if you’re competitive, non-competitive or just having fun (I like finding routes on it I know have been tried and tested!).
There is no cost, there are no cross-sales or anything untoward - and there may be some more Big Bear/Skamper projects in the future!!
What does it cost?
You’ve got 3 options.
Free - you can sign up and join the Skamper event and be eligible for the awards
£5 - this will be donated to Rugby Foodbank
£12.50 - this includes a £5 donation to Rugby Foodbank and you can chose a medal that will be delivered once you’ve completed your first run on Skamper.
How does the app work?
It’s simple really. Download the app from here and set up an account. Click on “Events” at the bottom and then the + at the top followed by “join”. Enter the code you’ll have been emailed from Big Bear Events when you signed up (don’t share this with anyone else). You’re now in the event and ready for action!
All the courses are then displayed that you can use for the Winter Challenge. You can see some vital stats on each one too. When you decide where you want to go click on the course and download it (this bit isn’t essential but prevents issues when you get there).
When you’re at the venue ready to start go in to the Winter Challenge event on the app and click “Start”. You’ll get a countdown and then you are off! Use the app to guide you around the course, making sure to visit each checkpoint in order. Once you get back to the finish the app will log your time. If you want to run another lap - go for it, just press start again. If you’re done - enjoy a coffee and put your feet up!
You do need to complete the run with your phone on your person. There are plans a foot to have some integrations with your watch - but at present you need your phone with you the whole time.
If you do have issues you are best to contact Skamper directly, but I’ll try and help if I can!
Do I have to run for 6 hours to qualify?!
No! You can if you’d like to though - run for 60 hours if you want!!
You just need to run 1 lap at any route to qualify as a finisher of the Winter Challenge. You can enter once and run at all of the venues 300 times - you’ll only get one medal though (if you opted for this). The entry is for the Winter Challenge rather than each course.
If you want to bag more than 1 medal that has caught your eye then you’ll need to enter for each medal and complete multiple laps! These can be at the same venue - 8 medals for 8 laps anyone?!
If you plan to replicate a bit of the 6 hour challenge event by running multiple laps be aware you need to start a new lap on Skamper each time. It’s set up for 1 lap, not multiple laps.
Where is it?
Any of of our Big Bear Event locations! You can run a lap (or more!!) at any of the locations we have held events at. You can view the locations here.
You just need to complete a lap at one of these venues using the Skamper app before our 2024 season starts (Tuesday 23/01).
Can I run with my kids?
Of course! Getting out with the kids is great. To be clear - do so safely, again, this is 100% up to you. The idea is to make them enjoy it - not to torture them!
Under 16’s are ineligible for prizes - over 16s only. If a medal is a good carrot to dangle for them you can of course sign them up for the event including the medal. If you don’t want your young person to be using the app, just send me an email once they’ve done it - no cheating… you’re only cheating yourself and probably not setting the best example!!
How do I know where to go? Will there be arrows?
There will be no arrows, or any infrastructure of any nature, from Big Bear on the day you decide to visit the park/woods.
However, Skamper have you covered! The whole point of their app is that they help you explore new routes. Their app will help guide the way as you run. There is no need to download the gpx (although you can download the route beforehand if the start is in a remote area with poor mobile reception). You can follow the line and tick off the checkpoints as you go, it really is simple to use and very intuitive.
Obviously don’t blindly follow the app! Be aware of your surroundings and obey any park signage. You are 100% responsible for your safety.
What medals are there?
You can see below the different medals you can chose from (if you wish). Once they’re gone - they’re gone! if one takes you fancy then get signed up now before it’s gone, there are less than a handful of some designs so don’t delay!
Is there a beer and flapjack?!
Not this time!
We’re not moving away from the joy of placing that flapjack and drink in you hand at the end of an in-person event. Nothing replaces that!
Can we organise an “unofficial event”?
Boring bit first - only events explicitly organised by Big Bear Events are covered by Big Bear Events in anyway. Unofficial events are exactly that. Unofficial and not sanctioned by us at all.
That said - if you’re planning on running a few laps and want to see if anyone wants to join you - tell people in the Big Bear Facebook group - you might find some like minded individuals. You could even get some Jaffa cakes and cheese sandwiches, leave them in your boot and make it feel more Big Bear like!
If you’re in a running club why not try and get a few mates along and see how you all get on? They can always sign up for free, run 1 lap then sit in the café while you run around all day. Perfect! Or use it as a way to have some inter-club competition in the off-season.
Has the event been run before?
We’ve never really done anything like this before! However there might be similar ones in the future if this goes well…
Are there any “rules” or restrictions?
A couple, but not many - the idea is to have fun.
You are 100% responsible for your own safety. If you do not feel fit, competent or safe to run, don’t. There is no provision put on by Big Bear Events and the courses have not been checked so use them with the necessary caution and assume and plan for the worst.
Be respectful to the parks and forests you are in. If a section is closed or blocked you may have to abandon your attempt, it can’t be helped. Respect the venues as you would on an event day. How you behave effects the whole Big Bear and trail community.
(Coombe Abbey for example - the Meadow section is closed from October-April so you cannot complete the route)
If you win multiple prizes you will only be eligible for 1. You will keep the highest rewarding prize where you attained the highest Skamper score (if there is a tie it’ll be down to a coin toss!). The other prizes will “roll down” accordingly (remember it’s meant to be for fun and fundraising!)
You must move on feet (run, hike or walk) - no wheels (unless it’s for the kids!)!!
All attempts must be logged on Skamper to be considered for prizes (with the exception of under 16’s).
Money for prize vouchers will be sent directly to your choice (physio, charity etc. ) Physios and massage therapists must be at a practice/have a company - it can’t be your mate who has some olive oil!
Big Bear decisions are final.
What are your refund/withdrawal rules?
For this event there are no refunds or withdrawals.
I have a question.
All the info for this event is on this page. If you have further questions join the Facebook group and ask the experts in there or email us directly.
