at the finish. All the events in the series offer runners the opportunity to race on exclusive government-owned sites, but don’t expect a relaxing rural setting. Acres of protected heathland, pine forests or wide open trails there may be, but that won’t keep
of trails over more than 3,000ft of ascent, the Midsummer Munro Half in Surrey is said by some to be tougher than a flat marathon course. But this doesn’t deter the race’s loyal band of fans who return every year. With eight tough ascents on the course
, Berks. A splendid 500-strong evening trail race in Windsor Forest. Accurately measured, with an emphasis on runnabilitySunday 22 Blackpool Marathon, Lancs Sea air and one of Britain's fastest courses at the North's premier resort. It heads along coastal
miniature classic.Don't think we're being swayed because we're hosting online entry for the 2005 race (you can enter by post too). We're just terrifically excited that a race like this - traditionally the preserve of foreign countries - has now established
First man: Aaron Burgess 35:21First woman: Sarah Rendall 40:10Last finisher: 1:21:07No. of finishers: 186RW Rating 2011: 91%Lest you think this race is about fleet-footed fowl battling it out down the home straight of a motor racing track, let me
Devils Chimney Chase (Cheltenham, July 16)Feel the fire in your legs and chest as you take on this fiendish run. This mischievous 9.6K race organised by Cheltenham's Almost Athletes starts off gently, but will soon have you breaking into a torturous
calf that was trying to run uphill. There in front of me, blocking the narrow trail I was supposed to be running down, were more cowboys and a herd of 60-odd cattle. Trampled by a herd of cattle or impaled on the horns of a bull never makes good reading
finish. Sandy 10 (Bedfordshire, March 30) Be part of the 25th staging of this popular 10-miler, whose mix of ups and downs leads you through a trio of quaint pastoral villages. Chedworth Roman Trail 10 (Gloucestershire, April 6) Uneven terrain, several
From all corners of Britain, from six miles to 26.2, road to trail, and from small rural races to big city marathons, all the best fixtures are here in your 50 top UK races of 2009. The list includes familiar events and lots of new entries
, and are great for quick changes. One of several nice touches on the shoes is that you can hide away the top of the laces in the tongue. In short An excellent shoe for long-distance trail or off-road races, as well as anything else on the adventure-racing
