Where and when?Sunday, October, 12, DurhamWhat is it?The Inov -8 kicks off a new form of trail running in the North East. Inspired by the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon, the event route will change every year, offering competitors the best

-capped Atlas Mountains could keep the field cool. Those running the full marathon - breaking away at mile seven to tour the city's expansive palmeraie via the Majorelle Garden - returned later with tales of shimmering Tarmac and thermometers reading 24°C

of either a medal or a T-shirt – plus a spread of post-event refreshments are sure to make this a hit among runners and spectators alike. More 10K highlights...London Chest Hospital 10K (London, July 8)Sherwood Pines 10K (Nottinghamshire, July 14)The Beaver

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

city centre, with a route taking in the River Taff, Cardiff Castle and Bute Park.Ash Excellent 8 (Somerset, Sept 10) Multiterrain event through country lanes and tracks, with plenty of hills and picturesque scenery.Yorkshireman Off Road Half

, 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.

’ll have the field of the 10-mile event for company for most of the course.Of course, if the friendly atmosphere’s not enough to keep your spirits up, the thought of the finish in Wymondham’s pretty marketplace will. Enter online nowMad March 20 (Hampshire

1. Mull Of Kintyre Half-MarathonArgyll and Bute, May 30   It was good enough for Paul McCartney and Wings, so it's surely a perfect setting for a race. The lure of this weekend-long festival of racing lies in the overall event experience as much

into the strong headwind that can whip up off the English Channel. The roads around the park and seafront will be closed for the event and this year sees the introduction of chip timing. More coastal highlights… Gosport Half-Marathon (Hampshire, November 16

dozen from the US, some from France, Sweden, Germany, and me from the UK. For the first 5K we’re grinding up a narrow tarmac road in bright, clear sunlight, past a few homes and a small, dusty building site. The seasoned campaigners are going slowly