If the thought of the long, cold British winter ahead is enough to dampen your spirits, then it's time for you to sample the joys of winter racing in the sun. Jet off with your trainers and you can explore some of the world's most exotic

steaming mug of hot chocolate, we get to see the seasons change, enjoy empty morning streets and experience an unmatched post-run feel-good sensation.Of course, the fire, the duvet and chocolate may sound far more appealing than running in winter because

Winter brings icy roads and even icier open waters to the UK, which means triathlon is really only suited to our self-styled summer. But that doesn't mean your competitive juices have to dry up when the cold settles in - the UK hosts a growing

the top. – Little LizardPack on the breathable layersWhen it's this cold I run in short (to the knee) and running tights, with long winter-weight running tights over the top. My legs stay nice and warm, but the tights are breathable so I don't get too hot

Sweatshop Flash Armband (£5)Kerry says: It's easy to use the dark winter nights as excuse number 498 for 'why I should stay in, eat a bowl of pasta the size of my head and watch trash TV instead.' But get your backside off the sofa, strap

for a decade. This winter’s update has the day-in, day-out dependability of its predecessors, with more of an emphasis on midfoot support than last year’s model. A big plastic midfoot shank cradles the underside of the foot; and more significantly

market for its price. This winter also sees the launch of an additional version of the 1080 - the darker-coloured 1080 H20 (pictured, £70). Asics couldn't give us a model with fully functioning water-resistance to test, so we can't comment on that, though

Cornish Marathon: Sunday, November 17WHY RUN IT?Challenge, scenery, Bodmin Moor, peaceA small winter road marathon, run over a tough, out-and-back course near Bodmin Moor with a 16-mile loop on the Moor itself.FEES£9/£10, payable to East Cornwall

Kodak Harrow Marathon, Middlesex: Sunday, November 4WHY RUN IT?A low-key winter event run from the Kodak Sports Ground close to London. The course is undulating, but it’s not too severe. The race is run together with a half-marathon.FEES£10

Once in a while you get that unpleasant feeling that you should be doing something you'd rather not, such as a long road ride to help maintain and build your winter base. At this time of year, it can be hard to find the motivation: cycling on our