Duchy Marathon: Sunday, September 8WHY RUN IT?Challenge, Cornish coast and moorsOne of Britain’s oldest marathons, which offers a challenging moorland and coastal route.FEES£6/£7, payable to Cornwall AC. Entries on dayENTRIES TOVance Webster

Leeds Marathon: Sunday, May 12WHY RUN IT?Atmosphere, value for moneyA long-established city marathon, which finishes outside the town hall, in the city centre.FEES£9.50/£10.50, payable to Leeds City Council by April 19. No entries on day

Chichester Marathon, Sussex: Sunday, July 21WHY RUN IT?Hills, challenge, meeting walkersThis marathon, held over the South Downs, is also part of an event primarily aimed at walkers, marchers and bikers, but is still suitable for runners.FEES£6

Cornish Marathon: Sunday, November 17WHY RUN IT?Challenge, scenery, Bodmin Moor, peaceA small winter road marathon, run over a tough, out-and-back course near Bodmin Moor with a 16-mile loop on the Moor itself.FEES£9/£10, payable to East Cornwall

Leicester Marathon: Sunday, November 17WHY RUN IT?Challenge, scenery, motor-racing circuitHeld successfully for the first time in 2001, the race is run from Mallory Park Motor Racing Circuit. Held with a half-marathon.FEES£10/£11, payable

Manchester Marathon: Sunday, October 13WHY RUN IT?Speed, ManchesterTraditionally one of Britain’s top autumn marathons. This year it reverts to its tried and tested Heaton Park to Wythenshawe course, rather than the Commonwealth Games course

(EVENT CANCELLED)Taunton Marathon: Sunday April 8WHY RUN IT?The South-West’s leading marathon is a great-value event held over an undulating, rural, two-lap route, but is still reasonably conducive to fast times. The race is held with a half-marathon

Gloucester Marathon: Sunday, October 7 (EVENT CANCELLED)WHY RUN IT?A small, low-key autumn marathon with a mildly undulating course on a mostly traffic-free route, and along flat country lanes by the banks of the River Severn. The race has two seven

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

Dumfries New Millennium Marathon, Dumfries & Galloway: Sunday, March 25WHY RUN IT?This is a special one-off marathon (though it was run as part of the town’s millennial celebrations in 1986) over a mildly undulating course, mostly out in the country