Knee-high mud, driving rain, howling wind and numb hands form many people's memories of cross-country running at school. But despite this unappealing recollection, cross-country is the training backbone for many of our most successful distance

Have you been bitten by the cross-country bug? If not, you've got some catching up to do because more and more triathletes are realising just how beneficial a winter of cross-country running can be. As well as being one of the most effective ways

-mile cycle ride and eight-mile cross-country run, though those feeling less courageous can take the event’s half-length option without feeling short-changed of the fantastic views and varied landscapes on offer.Both races start and finish in the bay

I've ticked most of the 'must-do' boxes in my 20 years of running, from 5Ks to marathons, a multi-day event and even a night run. But I've never raced a mile, attempted cross-country or donned fancy dress. Nor have I run a European city marathon

Mo has always been able to mix track and cross-country success. At the start of his senior career in 2005, he was the fifth European to finish the 12K in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, placing 37th in the field.Picture credit: Paul

Clarendon Way Marathon, Winchester: Sunday, October 13WHY RUN IT?Scenery, challengeA cross-country marathon. Run along the Clarendon Way from Winchester College to Wyvern College near Salisbury. There is also a half-marathon and a four-stage relay

for maintaining a runner’s fitness. Here’s how I rank the options available at most gyms in terms of their effectiveness for cross-training a runner, from best to worst:Elliptical trainerDeep-water runningCross-country ski machineStairclimberStationary bicycle

Neolithic Marathon: Sunday, May 5WHY RUN IT?Scenery, Stonehenge, challengeThis cross-country marathon starts at the Great Barn in Avebury and follows the route to Stonehenge over which the famous rocks were hauled 5000 years ago. There is also a

readers responding to today's poll say they 'loathed' running at school, compared with a mere 18 per cent who 'loved' it. To have your say and check the latest results, see the poll box on the left-hand side of the forum page.Cross-country = Abuse of kids

Where and when?Sunday, November, 9, BristolWhat is it?Comprising eight heart-stopping, lung-busting and back-breaking 'country' miles, The Easy Runner Sodbury Slog is anything but 'easy'. Starting with a long road section, the course is run across