local support and the event's famously slick organisation ensures this race always comes highly recommended. After pitting your legs against the strong field of club runners in this fast and furious dash, you can tuck into a well-deserved hot cross bun

, thick, warm jumper which is never going to the charity shop – it saved me from hypothermia and, after all, what are a few moth holes between friends?Back at the Holiday Inn it was good to be reunited with family, friends and hot chocolate

dotted by right royal horse manure, this was an event designed to make any passing tourist weep with joy.The 6,000 runners who turned up for Sunday's unseasonably hot 1pm start seemed pretty impressed, too. It was hard not to be. There's something oddly

- such is the popularity of this flat, fast course that places are going like hot cakes.--National Highlights North Downs 30K (Kent, June 10) Kent: the garden of England, June 10 Few races in our event listings receive such consistent and unanimous praise

. But the beautiful coastal scenery and solidarity among the runners is enough to lift the spirits of anyone finding the climbs tough. If you're flagging, just make it to the next drinks station for a cheering spread of chocolate, hot drinks, hot cross buns

great build-up race for a spring marathon and a challenging event in its own right, this hilly 14-miler starts and ends in that corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park that is actually in Cumbria. Now in its 23rd year, the race attracts several

’s organisers pride themselves on making all runners welcome. The race is built on its inclusive atmosphere, with jelly beans and chocolate on hand at drinks stations to help entrants push on. Previous years have welcomed tired runners over the finish line

the race before. This seems like a one-time-only event and I'm starting to understand why. The climbs are like nothing I've ever encountered before. The Col du Grand Serre isn't even considered tough but it takes me more than an hour to reach the summit. I

line, you’re rewarded with masses of chocolate.12 Flora London MarathonWhen? April 22 Why? The 2007 FLM was the biggest ever in its 27-year history, with a field of 36,396. Nothing can top it for atmosphere and support, and this flat, big-city event

, but hey - Wilf's piping hot stew, cake and tea was exactly what I needed afterwards." Maureen Taylor10010029 ratings2Puma Garburn 24K, CumbriaWhen? May 31Why? Well-marked trails, robust terrain and just one incline of note make this the ideal introduction