Challenge Multi-Terrain Marathon (Hertfordshire, July 20) Despite Fairlands Valley Park being on the outskirts of Stevenage, this event, organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans Running Club and now in its 14th year, is surprisingly rural. Competitors

during the challenge, and has run a number of ultras including the 46-mile Swiss Mountain event.Ray O’Connor (38) Race director of the Connemara Marathon in Galway, Ray has completed 47 marathons and has challenged himself to complete 100 by 2012. Phillip

of this charity fund-raiser - Santa suit included. Hastings 100th Anniversary Marathon (East Sussex, December 14) Commemorative one-off challenge on the picturesque South Coast, offering a testing course, fantastic spectator support and a feel-good factor second