an objective set of criteria to judge every race. Each race has been marked out of 1000 (the number you will see after the race in the list). There were 200 points available for organisation and quality of course and 100 each for atmosphere, potential for fast

to soak up 13.1 miles of Geordie hospitality – from jelly babies and Elvis impersonators to high-five-happy spectators and welcome squirts from water-pistol-toting nippers. 10. Perkins Great Eastern Run 13.1, Peterborough, CambsDate in 2012: October 14This

1. Mull of Kintyre Half-MarathonArgyll and Bute, May 30 This race makes it into the beginner category for much the same reasons as it made it into atmosphere and half-marathon top 10 – it’s just a race that’s really good fun to run, the vibe

:51:26Point-to-point city marathon that took a dip in 2001 on new course 2002 date: October11 Snowdonia Marathon (14) 2:37:14/3:12:13A very tough course through mountainous North Wales 2002 date: October 2712 Blackpool Asics Marathon 2:37:38/3:16:52A very fast

-MarathonLondon, October 913. BUPA Great North RunSouth Shields, September 1814. Bedford Harriers Half-MarathonBedfordshire, December15. Brooks Paddock Wood Half-MarathonKent, March 27Find out more.16. Sheffield Half-MarathonYorkshire, May 8Enter online now.17. Hastings

12 Stroud 1/2M (17) 769 13 Lake Vyrnwy 1/2M (14) 766 14 Glasgow Women’s 10K (11) 763 15 Robin Hood 1/2M & Marathon (39) 762 16 Ballycotton 10 (9) 760 17 Cheltenham National 10K 757 18 Dewsbury 10K (12) 756 19 Nike 10K 755 20 Waterloo 15K (23) 755 21

The numbers in brackets are last year's position; the times are last year's men's and women's winning timesIf we've been given an event's details, you'll find it in the Race Diary.Best seriesThe Yateley 10K series, staged on the Hampshire

Robin Hood 1/2M (16) 1:08:15/1:17:09An interesting race around the city of Nottingham 2002 date: September 159 Windsor Nike 1/2M (11) 1:07:51/1:18:37Tough and testing route through Windsor Great Park 2002 date: September 10 City of Norwich 1/2M (34) 1:05:10/1:18:35

team at Mile 17. But they all have one aim, which is to shout as much encouragement as they can muster, for friends, family and complete strangers.  2. Trionium Midsummer Munro Half-Marathon Where: Surrey When: June 20 With 13.1 miles

and 10,000m. Last year, the Ethiopian competed in two 10,000m events. He won both. But from May to September, he entered only six other races. You'd think a guy who makes his living by running would step to the line as often as possible, but Bekele