Customer Spotlight: Barking Mad Events – Building a Trail Running Community That’s a Little Bit Different
At Sustainable Medals, we’re fortunate to work with event organisers who are passionate about creating memorable experiences. One of those organisations is Barking Mad Events (BME), a growing trail running company that has built a loyal community by doing things a little differently.
We caught up with the team behind Barking Mad Events to find out how it all started, what makes their events unique, and why creating a welcoming atmosphere is just as important as crossing the finish line.
How Barking Mad Events Began
Barking Mad Events was founded by husband and wife team Adam and Georgia, who wanted to create the sort of events they loved attending themselves. Later, their friend Sam joined the business, and together the three have grown Barking Mad Events into a thriving community of trail runners.
Like many great ideas, it started from personal experience.
“As parents, we always found that races with a family atmosphere and festival feel were the ones we remembered the most,” they explain. “We wanted to create events that are challenging but achievable, where everyone feels welcome and enjoys the whole day—not just the race itself.”
That philosophy continues to shape every event they organise.
A Love of the Outdoors Inspires Their Sustainable Approach
Trail runners often have a deep appreciation for the countryside, and the Barking Mad Events team are no exception.
Sustainability isn’t simply something they talk about – it’s part of how they plan every event.
“We love being outdoors and have a huge respect for the ‘leave no trace’ principle,” they say.
“We always try to be as sustainable as possible when organising our events.”
It’s one of the reasons they chose us as their sustainable medal partner. They wanted their finishers to receive something memorable while reducing the environmental impact that traditional metal medals can have.
For us, it’s always rewarding to work with organisers whose values closely match our own.
Every Participant Has Their Own Story
Ask the Barking Mad team what their participants are like, and the answer comes instantly.
“Inspiring.”
It’s a simple word, but one that says a lot.
Every runner arrives with a different motivation. Some are experienced competitors chasing personal bests, while others are taking on their very first trail event or simply proving to themselves that they can finish.
Because Barking Mad Events remains a relatively small organisation, the team gets the opportunity to speak with most of the people taking part.
Those conversations are one of the biggest rewards of organising events.
“Hearing everyone’s story and understanding why they’re there is what keeps us going.
Every participant has their own reason for taking part, and it’s incredibly motivating.”
Tough… But Always Achievable
Trail running can seem intimidating to someone entering their first event, but Barking Mad Events has worked hard to make newcomers feel comfortable from the moment they arrive.
Their events are designed to challenge people without making success feel impossible.
“We’re very welcoming,” they explain. “Our races are tough but doable. They might sound daunting to beginners, but with the right mindset they’re absolutely achievable.”
One thing they’re particularly proud of is recognising that success means different things to different people. Some runners are racing the clock. Others simply want to reach the finish.
“We don’t like handing out DNFs to people who have genuinely worked hard. Some participants are chasing a PB, while others are just trying to finish, and both achievements deserve to be celebrated.”
That inclusive attitude is something participants clearly appreciate and is a big reason why so many return year after year.
Looking Beyond Race Day
Although Barking Mad Events doesn’t currently offer structured coaching, they’re already working on ways to support runners before they even arrive at the start line.
The team is developing links with a training app that will integrate with their races, while discussions are underway to create event-specific training plans with one of their ambassadors – a respected trail runner and personal trainer.
It’s another example of their desire to help runners enjoy the entire journey, not just race day itself.
Events That Live Up to the Name
If you’ve ever wondered where the name Barking Mad Events comes from, the answer is simple. They enjoy creating races that are a little different.
Alongside traditional trail running events, they like to introduce fresh ideas that combine outdoor adventure with fitness, bringing elements of the gym into the natural environment.
The result is an event calendar that offers something different from the standard race format and keeps participants coming back to see what’s next.
Building a Community
While memorable races are important, the team’s greatest achievement isn’t measured by finish times or participant numbers. It’s the community they’ve created.
“We’ve had lots of individual success stories over the years, but the biggest success for us is the sense of community and unity we’ve built.”
Knowing they’ve helped people build confidence, improve their fitness and make new friendships is what stands out most.
At the same time, they recognise that the community gives just as much back to them.
“The people who come to our events inspire us every bit as much as we hope we’ve inspired them.”
Advice for Anyone Thinking About Starting
For anyone considering organising their own events, the Barking Mad team has one clear message.
Start.
“You don’t need to begin with a huge event. Start small rather than not starting at all.”
Smaller events provide the perfect opportunity to meet participants, learn what works and gather ideas that will help future events grow.
Every successful event organiser started somewhere.
Looking to the Future
The future is an exciting one for Barking Mad Events.
With every event they organise, they continue to learn, improve and strengthen their growing community.
“The future is only getting better,” they say. “We learn something from every event and hope more people continue to discover just how ‘barking mad’ they really are.”
Judging by the enthusiasm of their participants and the welcoming atmosphere they’ve created, we’d say they’re well on their way.
Proud to Support Barking Mad Events
We’re delighted that Barking Mad Events chose Sustainable Medals to create their custom made medals.
Working with organisers who genuinely care about their participants, their local environment and creating unforgettable race experiences is exactly why we love what we do.
If you’re looking for trail running events that are friendly, challenging and full of community spirit, Barking Mad Events is certainly one to watch.
And if you’re organising your own event and looking for sustainable, custom-made medals that reflect your values, we’d love to help.
