The Beginner and PB categories in this section have been put together using a slightly altered system to the other categories. While we still only used races that notched up 25 ratings or more, we tweaked the final selection to ensure that we

1. Snowdonia Marathon, GwyneddDate in 2012: October 27The Snowdonia Marathon is close to the heart of many runners, and tops the chart again as it enters its third decade. The demanding course circles Wales’ highest peak, and the dramatic views

marathon-length stage, on top of the 2,000kcal to fuel his day, and the 500kcal to feed his elevated metabolic rate.2. Big FootHeat edema causes feet to swell, so runners must wear shoes one half to two sizes larger than normal. “The body’s natural cooling

heart after all?Snowdonia Marathon (Gwynedd, October 30) Rated as one of the UK's toughest races by Runner's World's editors, and one of the most spectacularly scenic by our website members, a race preview of the Snowdonia Marathon was well deserved

1. PUMA Garburn Trail 24K Where: Cumbria When: June 6The race you rated as the most scenic in Britain is a stunner – a rough-and-tumble trail tour of the Lake District, complete with panoramic views. Its footpath and bridleway route

be described as challenging and hilly, not for the faint-hearted." CakeReader Reviews | Enter 2010 Race 4. Hawkshead Trail 15KWhere: Cumbria When: AprilWinding through some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside in the heart of ‘Beatrix Potter country

:-)"And finally, some British humourThe 'FLM 2007 - Anyone thinking of doing this one?' thread may come as a welcome antidote if you're put off by vastly experienced runners in earnest discussion about splits and heart rates. "How far is it?" asks Tri

through the air on rope swings in this adrenaline fuelled cross country 10k or 5k. Enter as a team and keep all the family amused at the bustling event village with its bouncy castle and climbing wall. The only thing that won't quicken your pulse rate

through the rolling countryside, but these shouldn’t deter any novices keen to debut at this distance. A high return rate ensures a sense of camaraderie among the field, while the promise of a race memento for all finishers – last year there was the choice

, offering jelly babies, orange slices, drinks and even beer to the annual invasion of runners."This is such a great event and the support from the spectators is fantastic. The buzz of the whole event seems just the thing to get any beginners hooked