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

this chip-timed, UK Athletics-certified race in your next bid for 10K PB glory. 3. Castle Combe Chilly 10K, Chippenham, WiltshireDate in 2012: November 25Three laps of this smooth Tarmac circuit is all you need to smash your PB – and the organisers even

and Tarmac, you’ll have the chance to spot some of the 20,000 waterfowl that live in this European Special Protection Area. 5. Conwy Half-Marathon, WalesDate in 2012: November 21Gird your loins and get ready to climb the Great Orme, a 207m lime headland

-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