Shakespeare Marathon: Sunday, April 28WHY RUN IT?Scenery, speed, value for money This is the Midlands’ alternative to London, and is held on the weekend nearest to Shakespeare’s birthday, in Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a pleasant,reasonably fast

eight to choose from. One is the Shakespeare Marathon, and half that accompanies it, in Stratford-on-Avon - this year on Sunday, April 24.Held as part of the celebrations of William Shakespeare’s birthday (he would have been 441 years old in 2005

doesn’t reach 20 metres above sea level, so fast times are still achievable. It’s like mountain running, but without the mountains.Black and white houses line the route in StratfordShakespeare Marathon and Half-Marathon (Warks, April 24) Now in its 24th

&S Leisure GROUP Marathon: Sunday, April 28 Lochaber Team Strides Marathon, Inverness-shire, SCOTLAND: Sunday, April 28 Shakespeare Marathon: Sunday, April 28Belfast Marathon: Monday, May 6 Leeds GE CAPITAL Marathon: Sunday, May 12 Isle of Wight Marathon

seaside summer marathon 2002 date: June 2313 Leeds Marathon (12) 2:36:20/3:01:40Quite a tough city-based, two-lap event 2002 date: May 614 Shakespeare Marathon 2:28:24/3:25:29Attractive rural event passing through Stratford Upon Avon 2002 date: April 2115

finish. A great way to kick-start your 2006.More Scottish highlightsBalloch to Clydebank Half-Marathon (Dunbartonshire, Mar 12)Dumfries Marathon (Dumfries, Mar 19)Edinburgh Forthside Half-Marathon (Midlothian, Mar 26)Rough 'n' Tumble 10 - January 15Rough

. Enter online now.11. Virgin London Marathon12. Experian Robin Hood Festival of Running Marathon13. Great Welsh MarathonEnter online now.14. Rotary Shakespeare MarathonFind out more.15. Luton Marathon16. Gloucester MarathonEnter online now.17. Blackpool

this if you like... tackling the toughest Endurancelife series course; having tricky rocky and boggy terrain underfoot; touring Cornwall’s ancient stone circles.Rotary Shakespeare Marathon When: April 25 Where: Warwickshire 2009 Rating: 90% Run this if you

Marathon, April 29Shakespeare Rotary Marathon (and Half-Marathon) (Warwickshire, April 29) Enjoy a dose of Olde England in this predominantly flat, long-standing race that combines the medieval delights of Stratford-upon-Avon with the beautiful

option too. Black and white houses line the route in StratfordShakespeare Marathon (Warks, May 7) Okay, this one's in May, but with the closing date less than two week away, you'd be wise to get your entry in fast. It's one of spring's racing highlights