The Fix: Set Different Goals"Everyone slows down eventually because aerobic capacity drops off as we age," says Jeanne Hackett, a running coach who also has a master's degree in counselling psychology. "Once you've run your last personal best, you may have

- runners set off in groups, slowest first. A madcap parade of wild, woolly and weird fancy dress costumes adds to the race's carnival atmosphere, and runners are certainly well looked after. There's a free run-through of the course, and all finishers walk

Zebedee-fashion, it looks likely to be, well, magical. The multi-terrain (roughly) 10K race, organised by Hay Hotfooters, is entirely off-road, with some farm track, and covers an undulating, challenging route in glorious countryside four miles north

be good off-road, too – but harder work on pavement.Pros Good quality, especially for the price; high handlebar; back supportCons Not brilliantly balanced for running; no leash; sideways flexComes with Sunroof; rain canopy; basket; colour options; one

... Burnham Beeches Half-Marathon, Bucks, August 15 Starting and finishing at Caldicott School playing fields this half-marathon is run over an undulating course and narrow roads. Taking in the outskirts of Burnham Beeches, an ancient woodland administered

the estate's farmland – a climb kicks off the race and comes back to bite at 7K, before the period drama-worthy finishing stretch. It's a spectacular straight run down hill towards Longleat House which should inspire your tired legs to dig deep for a sprint

Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10K (October)2009 Date: tbc The Foot takes its name from Cape Agulhas, the southern-most tip of the African continent. The marathon is run off-road for the first half and on Tarmac for the second, with the first half featuring

of days off work and arranged for us to drive to the Sambura National Reserve for some game spotting before returning to the Lewa Reserve for the marathon the following day.The journey involved a six-hour drive on the worst roads I have ever experienced

. As one runner commented: "It’s the only race I’ve done where people stop to take photographs." The views apart, the race is also a challenging but enjoyable multi-terrain test, combining sandy beaches, cliffs, trails and roads. For many, this is what

. Then it’s up Giants Grave for classically scenic hilltop views, and a final dash down towards the finish. The homemade cakes at the finish will feel like a worthy reward.More off-road highlightsTadworth 10 (Surrey, Jan 8)Wendover Multi-Terrain 5 (Bucks