Race in your own time and at your own pace to help raise valuable funds for Wild Cat Conservation through The Big Cat Sanctuary

   Friday 1st January - Sunday 31st January 2027
   Wherever you fancy
   10k, 50k or 100k
   That's up to you! Take the challenge to your favourite route!


Overview
The Big Cat Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and rescue of wild cats globally. The charity is raising funds for a brand-new Cheetah Conservation Centre at its Smarden site in Kent, UK. You can be part of that journey by taking part in The Born To Run Virtual Challenge. Run 10k, 50k or 100k in a month whilst raising vital funds and help create a brighter future for cheetahs. 


Available race distances:
10k, 50k or 100k


Running for a Cause 
This race raises funds for our planned Cheetah Conservation Centre at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent and we are encouraging all of our runners to try and raise £250 (or more!) in fundraising towards this endeavour.

Cheetahs in the wild are running out of time, with numbers having plummeted from 100,000 in the 20th century to less than 7,000 today. Cheetahs have lost approximately 90% of their historical range and face ongoing threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade and genetic bottlenecks.

Captive breeding programmes, which are focused on breeding a genetically strong and diverse cheetah population are therefore critical as a genetic insurance policy, while efforts continue to secure and restore habitats in the wild. 

The Big Cat Sanctuary - the only specialist in wild cat conservation sanctuary in the UK and appointed Species Survival Centre for Wild Cats worldwide - is planning an ambitious new Cheetah Conservation Centre to maximise breeding success and contribute to coordinated conservation breeding programmes across Europe. 

The planned conservations centre gives cheetahs greater choice, privacy and behavioural flexibility, while enabling controlled breeding introductions, cub rearing, advanced veterinary care, and long-term behavioural monitoring. 


Race Highlights
•    Race your 10k, 50k or 100k wherever you want!
•    Earn a unique cheetah-inspired medal
•    Raise money for an incredible cause
•    Get a free cheetah running t-shirt

Challenge Duration
The challenge officially starts on Friday 1st January 2027 and closes on Sunday 31st January 2027. You can complete your distance across as many runs as you like and participants are welcome to join the challenge after the start date. However, you must complete your distance and submit your result between 1st & 31st January 2027. Don't worry, we'll tell you how!

Who can participate? 
The event is open to all abilities. It can be completed by running or walking, either indoors or outdoors. Once you have entered, we will send you a step-by-step guide to get you started and to let you know how to submit your results.

To feature on the results board, you must complete the challenge and submit your results by midnight on Sunday 31st January 2027. 
Please note, this race does not allow refunds, deferrals, or transfers to another runner.