, a few tweaks to the route this year have seen this race rocket to the top of the charts. The route is traffic-free, the views are varied but uniformly captivating, and runners can't get enough of the steep, narrow climbs and copious quantities of mud

popularity has spawned the launch this year of a new Jane Tomlinson 10K race, to be staged in York’s city centre. 5. BUPA Great Manchester 10K Where: Manchester When: May 17A quintessential city-centre 10K, the Bupa Great Manchester run is big

1. PUMA Garburn Trail 24K Where: Cumbria When: June 6The race you rated as the most scenic in Britain is a stunner – a rough-and-tumble trail tour of the Lake District, complete with panoramic views. Its footpath and bridleway route

Saturday evening." Adam Donogue 999958 ratings2North Downs 30K, KentWhen? June 15Why? This year was the 25th anniversary of this perennially popular multi-terrain race. As well as slick organisation, runners keep coming back to sample the beautiful scenery

will challenge your legs on the way to a majestic finish at Corfe Castle.27. Serpentine New Year's Day 10K (92%, 98%, 20 ratings) Where? London When? January 1The perfect antidote to party season excesses – clear your head with this popular race through London

How the results were calculatedThis list was calculated using ratings given by respondents on www.runnersworld.co.uk after they took part in the races. We worked out the average of the 'overall' rating runners gave races, to arrive at a figure

, relentless mud and an impressive selection of home-made cakes attract 400-plus runners to the pretty village of Milton Lilbourne each year.What you say "This is a hard race, but it certainly isn’t elitist. All are welcome and all runners win their own

& Galloway When? March 23 Why? After a two-year absence, the return of this stunning tour of the Solway coast had runners clamouring for its appointment as a regular racing fixture.What you say "The 100-strong field enjoyed fantastic views of the snow

How the results were calculated This list was calculated using ratings given by respondents on www.runnersworld.co.uk after they took part in the races. We worked out the average of the 'overall' rating runners gave races, to arrive at a figure

hardest. Never give upI never doubted myself, but it was many years until I won another race. I was a slow developer, with not much natural speed. I was good at cross-country, but at the back of the school team, and I never got my colours, which rankled a