Brentwood Half-Marathon (plus Marathon, 10K and 2K) (Essex, October 30)Fall in love wih the trails with this atmospheric running festival set in the glorious Weald Country Park. Whether you're a trail newbie or a seasoned pro, there's a race

The Skeleton Run 5 (Leicestershire, October 29)As darkness sets, grab a costume and join a band of fearless runners and nordic walkers for a thrilling Halloween race. The hilly trails of Beacon Hill Country Park offer the perfect racing grounds

-ROADAdistar Trail 2003 MODELSCUSHIONEDA3 Twin Strike Climacool ResponseNova Runner STABILITYSupernova Control MOTION CONTROLAdistar Control CalibratePERFORMANCE TRAININGRotterdamOFF-ROADClimacool Trail RACINGAdistar Competition 2002 MODELSCUSHIONEDBoston

Weight 370g Evaluation Mizuno added a trail shoe to its range this autumn with the Wildwood. This was essentially an existing road shoe with a slightly more rugged outsole and a tougher upper. The Redhawk follows the same path, although its off

There are two camps in the trail running world. The first believe that a waterproof trail shoe is as much use as a wire-wool thong. What you need, they say, is a shoe with wide open mesh that lets water in quickly, and then lets it out just

Three Forts Marathon: Sunday, May 5WHY RUN IT?Hills, South DownsA very tough trail marathon with no marshals, it passes three Iron Age forts.FEES£8, payable to MJ Airey by March 31. No entries on dayENTRIES TOM Airey, Tryfan, 56a Valley Drive, East

White Peak Marathon: Saturday, September 8WHY RUN IT?A testing trail marathon (though no navigational skills are required) from Thorpe to Cromford Meadows along a disused railway line in the Peak District. The course is tough with very steep

Weight 340gEvaluation The Gel Escape is a gem of a trail shoe. It hits the spot by feeling light yet protective, cushioned yet responsive, stable yet unrestrictive. It’s the sort of shoe your foot sits in, not on. You are cocooned in a snug upper

’s at its best off-road. Like many lugged outsoles, the deeper version of Nike’s waffle outsole can slip on wet pavement, but it grips splendidly in mud. The midsole has also been firmed up slightly for the trails, where you don’t need as much cushioning

Weight 338gEvaluation Good news! Trail shoes in general are starting to get really good. Like the quick, responsive New Balance 904, the GRID Harrier has an emphasis on traction and speed. It too places the foot low to the ground for a positive feel