setting and although you would be hard pushed to beat Fred Goddard's lap record of 1 minute 2 seconds, the first race of this year's series did herald a new course record.Thruxton's raison d'etre is speed and the incline-free and flawlessly smooth tarmac

when you get out on the tarmac and find it again. (Lyra O'K)GIT YO ASS OUT THERE (Plodding Hippo)

off your foot-plant, leading to sore muscles and injuries. Whenever possible, choose tarmac roads over concrete (concrete is harder), and always run against oncoming traffic. This makes you more visible to the driver (especially if you’re wearing light

and enthusiastic crowd support.Llanelli Waterside Half-Marathon (Dyfed, March 11) The beautiful (yet blustery) Millennium Coastal Path makes a great setting for this relatively new out-and-back half, run mostly on flat tarmac, with a few mildly undulating dirt

such a buzz on our forums. In fact, the race route forgoes the tarmac promenades, and instead remains inland, twisting along rural country roads, farm tracks and the odd bumpy bridle path through the Great Wakering and Stambridge area. Its predominantly

average coastal fixture. Sea tides dictate a tough three-hour cut-off time, though organisers promise runners won't be pulled from the course after this deadline. Instead, they'll be redirected onto the tarmac promenade to complete the race, ensuring

and the Old Deer Park. Run over a mix of tarmac and track, the tree-lined towpaths make for a cool and shady jaunt, though conditions can quickly turn muddy underfoot. An opening lap of a local sports field serves to scatter the 600-strong field within

Stornoway Half-Marathon (Western Isles, May 24)Mull of Kintyre Half-Marathon (Argyll and Bute, May 25)Sevenoaks 7 (Kent, May 11) For those who want to give their legs a rest from the tarmac, this trail number – now in its 15th year – is ideal. Comprising two

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

through the beautiful Kent countryside, the Harvel 5 covers tarmac, woodland, rocky slopes and all the mud a keen cross-country competitor could wish for. Tired finishers will be revived by the beer, burgers and ice creams on sale at the finish, plus