Luton Marathon, Bedfordshire Sunday, December 1WHY RUN IT?Last chance to run in a marathonBritain’s last marathon of 2002 is run over three fairly undulating laps of town and countryside. The race is run together with a three-stage relay.FEES£11

Blackpool Marathon Sunday, June 23WHY RUN IT?Speed, sea airOne of Britain’s fastest courses (a new one this year) at the North’s premier resort along coastal paths and promenades, including the Golden Mile. Includes a half-marathon.FEES£16

Longford BMW Cars Marathon, Ireland, Sunday August 25WHY RUN IT?Speed. Countryside. A rare marathon in the Midlands of Ireland, run through quiet Irish villages, close to the River Shannon.FEESEuros 25 payable to Longford Marathon by August 25. 35

Powerhouse Cardiff Marathon, Sunday September 1WHY RUN IT?It's new. Speed. Cardiff.A new marathon around Cardiff City Centre and the suburbsFEES£15/£16 payable to Barnardo's (Cardiff Marathon) by August 23. No entries on day.ENTRIES TOCardifff

Moray Marathon, Elgin, Scotland: Sunday, September 1WHY RUN IT?Space, scenery, speedlow-key event over a reasonably flat, rural course. The race also hosts a 10K and a half-marathon.FEES£9 (SAF affiliated only)/£11, payable to Moray Marathon

Snowdonia Marathon, Wales: Sunday, October 27WHY RUN IT?Challenge, sceneryOne of Britain’s toughest marathons, run over a scenic course in the shadow of Snowdon.FEES£10/£11, payable to The National Trust by September 30ENTRIES TONational Trust

AKZO Nobel Abingdon Marathon: Sunday, October 20WHY RUN IT?Speed, Oxfordshire countrysideA well-established autumn marathon, run over reasonably flat country roads.FEESLast year £9/£10ENTRIES TOAbingdon Marathon, PO Box 57, Abingdon OX13 6XR (01235

Kodak Harrow Marathon, Middlesex: Sunday, November 4WHY RUN IT?A low-key winter event run from the Kodak Sports Ground close to London. The course is undulating, but it’s not too severe. The race is run together with a half-marathon.FEES£10

Wolverhampton Marathon: Sunday, September 1WHY RUN IT?Speed, space (on the second lap)different course from the original, over a faster course from West Park. Held with a half-marathon.FEES£15/£16, payable to Wolverhampton City Marathon by August 23

Belfast Marathon: Monday, May 6WHY RUN IT?Speed, atmosphereNorthern Ireland’s only marathon is run from the Maysfield Leisure Centre. It is held with a relay, and is celebrating its 21st anniversary and hosting the Irish Championships this year