sand, trail and tarmac between the coastal villages of Beadnell and Alnmouth, before being rewarded with their technical finisher T-shirts. The route offers less demanding contours than one might expect from a course that includes both beaches

on nice smooth tarmac, and then do the same on grass or, worse still, long, wet grass or sand, and you may think you've upped your pace by half a minute a mile – the heart rate will be that much higher.So when logging your training heart rates, take care

down Santa Monica Boulevard towards the ocean. Strangely, I seemed to have become the star of a continuous Beach Boys video.A light, warm breeze played in my hair as I pulled over and slipped on my running shoes. I set off along the Tarmac track

with only 1200 metres of tarmac to cover. Don’t expect a pancake-flat course though. The race is littered with long sweeping drags and energy-sapping hills, with 1400 feet of climbing in total. If that sounds too demanding, why not try the eight-mile run

chance to discover them. Starting and finishing in Stansted Park near Rowlands Castle in Hampshire, the race is run over forest trials and farmland with only 1,200 metres of tarmac to cover.Don't expect a pancake-flat course, though. It's littered

, the scenery offers some solace, as the mainly tarmac course (there’s a brief section on woodland paths) takes you through the stunning grounds of the medieval castle in County Durham, and the prospect of a picnic in the park later should spur you on.

, March 14)Quiet roads, regular drinks stations and a choice of distances makes the Mad March 20 perfect spring-marathon preparation. With smooth tarmac to race on and a difference of just 82ft between the highest and lowest points of the race, it's a

Tarmac, bridle paths, grass and plenty of mud; great organisation meant the race ran smoothly and the marshals were some of the most vocal around. Enter online now.5. Chippenham Half-MarathonWiltshire, September 12   This is one of those races

to do so at times.The sight of Shooting Star supporters en route was a welcome relief from the monotony of pounding tarmac step after step and, strangely, one of the most challenging parts of the race was just before Mile 24. Here, there was a tunnel

, especially on tarmac or concrete,' she says.'Eagle pose opens them up more, including the knee, hips, ankles, elbows, shoulders, and scapula (shoulder blades), and allows more blood to flow in meaning they recover quicker after a session and remain supple