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

Halstead Marathon, Essex: Sunday, May 19WHY RUN IT?Scenery, value for money, spaceA low-key marathon, over undulating country roads that strays across the Suffolk borders. This year’s race hosts the 2002 Road Runners Club Championships.FEES£9

rural two-lap event. There is also a half-marathon.FEES£8/£9, payable to Rotary Club of Stratford-upon-Avon by June 8. Entries on day (£12).ENTRIES TOM Bartlett, 40 St Andrews Crescent, Stratford Upon Avon, Warks CV37 9QL (01789 552951)E-MAILbardrun@shakespearemarathon.org.ukWEBSITEwww.shakespearemarathon.org.uk

Tresco Marathon, Isles of Scilly: Sunday, April 23WHY RUN IT?The complete anthesis to flat and crowded London. There are three hills on the lap (one big and two small), but unfortunately the size of the island requires eight laps, so with 24 hills

seasoned marathon veterans. Even the armchair fan is catered for with the kind of elite field that even the Olympics or World Championships envy. The inaugural event in 1981 was inspired by the New York City Marathon, but its ongoing success has made

6. Stockholm MarathonStockholm is an unusual marathon. It challenges your preconceptions both of Scandinavia and of marathon running. It starts at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon in early June, when the weather is warm and balmy and the city is full

Marathon has traditionally failed to catch the imagination of the running public. Things have definitely changed. The organisation has improved noticeably and it has the budget to draw a decent elite field – runners now flock to the race in their thousands

7. Rotterdam MarathonRotterdam is not high on anyone’s list of must-visit European cities. But every spring, thousands of runners flock to this modern, industrial port and city to take part in its marathon. They are drawn by a pancake-flat course

2. Berlin MarathonBerlin has established its world-class marathon credentials with a record-breaking course and a slick and efficient race organisation. But it does offer far more. The crowds are large, loud and enthusiastic (if sporadic

5. Boston MarathonBoston is the world’s oldest marathon, steeped in tradition and history, with fabulous crowd support, a top-class elite field and a surprisingly quick point-to-point course. Sadly it’s also a marathon that the majority of runners