2023 recap (part 1!!)
What a year. Much like with having children, the days are long and the years are short – although a few less tantrums with you lot (just as many snacks though)!!
Firstly, the thank yous. As has been the case from day 1 a huge thank you to Ann and Dave (my mum and dad) for volunteering at every event this year again. As I’ve said before, they were only meant to help for the first couple but 80+ events later they’ve been at everyone in some form or another – normally giving you your food and drinks at the aid station and checking you in at the start. Cheers!
Of course I am eternally grateful to every volunteer who has helped this year. A total of 76 people volunteered directly with Big Bear, that’s not including the support from The Olney Way to Run at the Salcey 50 and Cannock Chase Trail Runners at the Cannock 50 and Head Torch 10K. Including their support well over 100 different people have helped get you and everyone else around our courses. This sport is built on the backs of these amazing people who give their time back to the sport. Thank you, from me and from every single person who toed the start line. Heroes.
This year a special mention to Mary too who has helped at 14 events this year! A true part of the Big Bear family now, her support has been invaluable – thank you. Currently Mary nearly has enough event credits to bankrupt the company!!! Well over 50% of those who have volunteered have helped out at more than 1 event too. Thank you! It’s so important for new people to get involved though. It allows our regulars to get their runs in too. If you want to get involved next year please do let me know. It’s a good day, you fill the running- karma bucket, eat snacks, go for a wander in the woods and generally help people – it’s very fulfilling and you do get a different perspective seeing everyone at different points (you get the entry credit and flapjack too!).
In terms of the years events, and Big Bear more widely, there have been ups and downs. The running events industry is in a predicament at the moment (that’s me being positive!!). I won’t repeat what I’ve said before or be too negative but the mix of a cost-of-living crisis, the same number of trail events as 2019 but with overall entry numbers at a 2015 level (a number much lower than 2019) it’s a difficult time. Too many events and not enough runners! The bit that caught me out is the inconsistency though. To have 100+ one week then just over 30 the week after. It’s difficult to manage such inconsistent numbers in any business. Big Bear isn’t set up to make me a millionaire by any stretch so any dip in numbers is problematic.
It may have gone unnoticed by many but I took the difficult decision to cancel the Warwickshire Bear Ultra about 8 weeks before the event. Numbers were very low but also hadn’t picked up any momentum – most of the entries happened the day of launch and very few after. It’s the most complex event of my year and I’m all about putting on events with some atmosphere and camaraderie – if you’re on your own for 8 hours on a 20 mile long route…!! It’s not the sort of event I want people to associate with Big Bear. There are others that do those types of runs, but it’s not what I want to put on. I think the event would have lost money but more importantly people wouldn’t have had a proper Big Bear experience. For clarity, everyone was offered a full cash refund or race credit. I looked after every runner during COVID and I always will do. I do love the route and format though so it will be back - but not in 2024 – absence makes the heart grow fonder I hope!!
A major highlight of the year event wise was probably the Cannock 50/10 day. It was so great having so many people in the blistering sunshine attacking one of our toughest courses (nice for sunbathing tough to run up and down the switchbacks in!!). The 10 miler was a great success and is the reason we’ve expanded our Salcey 50 and Cannock 50 events in to TrailFest events for 2024. It was such good fun having people sharing the trails with those who had signed up for 50km and 50 miles. Jamie and the team at the Cannock Chase Trail Runners helped in every way too. EVery person (literally 100% of them) commented on the volunteers. The spirit and kinship was exactly what Big Bear is here for. I have high hopes for the TrailFest events in 2024 - get involved!!!
It was also great at the end of the year at Daventry Country Park to welcome lots of listeners of the Ultra Soundsystem Podcast to the Rabbit Challenge. It added a different dimension to the event having people from all over the country come and meet up at our event. Quite a few regulars (myself included) listen to the pod or are fans/followers of Allie and Anna already so it fitted in perfectly. It was great to welcome a good chunk of new people and show them how we do things at Big Bear. I’m sure it was nice for them to meet the random person that gets mentioned nearly weekly too!!
Anyway, 2023 was a great year on the individual level at our events with more and more amazing stories and more people becoming regulars. The Big Bear Brigade filled up and I had to start a new Brigade (1000+ bib numbers!). I never dreamed I’d get over 100 people ever sign up – to have 120+ now on the books in a relatively short time is amazing. I don’t say it flippantly, it’s the regular runners who come along who set the atmosphere and tone of the event. They/you are the reason the events are like they are. If we had a core group of people who were anti-social and only cared about times and Garmin stats the events wouldn’t be what they are. We’ve been so lucky that from the first event in February 2018 we’ve had amazing people every time who come back time and time again. Thank you.
I’m going to do another stats based round up soon too – we all love a good number! They take a bit more prep to do but I’m keen to look back on the year on a statistical level. Some of you have posted some great numbers – I’ve handed out two 25 event patches now… I think there are more to give out though!!
If you’ve been involved with Big Bear in anyway in 2023 thank you. 2024 will hopefully be bigger and better and I can’t wait to get started (after a little rest!)!!