Twinks (aka Nicola Joyce), circumnavigating Britain’s largest Channel Island was just the latest in a series of challenges she’s always hoped to do.Having already undertaken both a solo Channel swim in 2004 and a two-way six-person Channel relay in 2005

flat, long-standing race that combines the medieval delights of Stratford-upon-Avon with the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. This is just one of several events commemorating the playwright's birthday weekend, and the town will be buzzing

Challenge (Lancashire, June 23) Southend Half-Marathon (Essex, June 10) Given Southend’s reputation as a popular seaside resort, you might be forgiven for counting coastal views, candyfloss and amusement arcades as part and parcel of an event that creates

10K (Greater Manchester, July 4) Expect to dig deep three times over in this challenging multi-lap course through Stockport’s oldest public park.The Abbey 10K (Cambridgeshire, July 8) Second staging of this flat, multi-terrain course across

race by running the route in reverse may seem like a somewhat quirky idea, but that's exactly the challenge organisers of this point-to-point multi-terrain event have chosen to undertake. A record number of runners are expected to tackle the route

-changed after record temperatures rendered the course one of the driest reported in the event’s 13-year history.More off-road highlights...Jog Shop Jog 20 (Sussex, October 14)Tough Challenge Marathon (Essex, October 14)SIS Sandhurst Poppy Trail 10K (Surrey

, November 10) Canal locks and bridges comprise the only inclines in this otherwise flat, point-to-point race along the towpaths of the river Lee.--Filling Up Fast…Luton Marathon, December 2Luton Marathon (Bedfordshire, December 2) This three-lap course

at the start of an eight-mile off-road challenge in the midst of winter, it speaks volumes about the atmosphere of the event in question. Fairies, hobbits, pantomime dames and even SpongeBob SquarePants were spotted limbering up for last year’s fixture

Deciding when and where you race is set to get even harder this year, thanks to a tantalising line-up of new events. From exclusive private locales to innovative multi-activity ideas, we’ve picked seven teasing highlights to give you a taste of what

Round The TableName Andrew Taylor, Running High Events Organises Bath Half-Marathon (since 2000) Name Paul Magner, Trailplus Organises Off-road events including the Saab Salomon Hellrunner series, Helly Hansen adventure races and Puma Urban Escape