The best UK races to enter this December
December: ’tis the season for warming food, whimsical light displays, cosy evenings by the fire – and, of course, a race or two. From dog friendly events to hilly half marathons on the trails, enter any of our race picks below to make running the highlight of your end-of-year festivities.
Run Northumberland Big 10 Miler
Where? Newcastle upon Tyne
When? Sunday 1 December
Back in the 1970s, 10 miles was the most popular running distance. It has since been usurped by 10K and half marathon – but a number of excellent 10-milers remain. This one is the biggest in the North East and boasts a scenic route that takes in the picturesque village of Matfen. It attracts runners of all stripes – from first-timers to club runners – and starts and ends in Newcastle upon Tyne, where the post-race options are aplenty.
Regent’s Park 10K by Mornington Chasers
Where? Regent’s Park, London
When? Sunday 1 December
London is blessed with a number of excellent parks – and Regent’s is right up there with the best of ’em. Enjoy a flat, fast and traffic-free running experience at this well established 10K, organised by running club Mornington Chasers. Other plus points include chip timing, kilometre markers and a baggage area. Just be warned: the toilets at the start require a 20p payment via contactless card.
Race the Light
Where? Plymouth, Devon
When? Saturday 7 December
Running is all about motivation. And what could be more motivating than attempting to finish a trail race before it becomes pitch black? Those are the stakes at this much-loved event that takes in the stunning Flete Estate and sees runners cross the River Erme estuary – twice. Wet feet are guaranteed, as is a good time.
The Brussel Buster
Where? Rosebush, Pembrokeshire
When? Monday 3o December
Christmas is a time for family and friends, and what better way to celebrate this time of togetherness than with a bit of night-time orienteering and running? Make your way to as many checkpoints – which have different points values – as you can within two hours. You’ll be deducted ten points for every five minutes over two hours that you take. A bonus fun game: which will create more arguments, this or the family Christmas dinner?
welshfellrunnersassociation.org.uk
The Christmas Charity Run at Rathfinny
Where? Alfriston, Sussex
When? Saturday 28 December
This event is run by one of the most environmentally conscious organisers in the country, and is therefore only open to local runners to reduce car travel. Of course, there won’t be any plastic cups available, so you’ll also need to bring your own water bottle. Another big bonus is that £7.50 of the £10 entry fee goes straight to a local charity that supports people with cancer, making this one of the most positive-impact events that you could possibly find.
Mapledurham 10 and Half Marathon
Where? Mapledurham, Oxfordshire
When? Sunday 1 December
Mapledurham events are always well organised and, with inclement weather likely, you’ll have to deal with some mud on the various uphills and downhills on whichever course you choose, whether that’s the 10K, 10 mile or half marathon. The organisers have prioritised finding a good route over precise distance measurements, so all three races have a rather loose relationship with their stated distance.
Bolsover 10K
Where? Bolsover, Derbyshire
When? Sunday 8 December
While this road event isn’t completely pancake-flat, it’s certainly flat enough for a good time. The start and finish lines are at Bolsover Castle, a well-preserved 16th-century building that is considered to be one of the most haunted in Britain. Some of the apparitions include ghostly horses and dogs, civil war soldiers, a mysterious crying baby and, most disturbingly, a ghost child who sometimes approaches guests and holds their hands. Don’t worry, you can probably outrun them… although perhaps not the ghost horses or dogs.
South Leeds Bah Humbug 10K
Where? Leeds, Yorkshire
When? Sunday 8 December
Do yourself a favour and bring towels and plastic bags with you, because every bit of gear you wear during this event is likely to be caked with mud by the end. You will be, too, so the organisers have done well to ensure that there are changing rooms and showers available for all runners. It doesn’t get much more multi-terrain than this, with a track section, a road section and then various types of trail sections.
Pednor 10
Where? Chesham, Buckinghamshire
When? Sunday 29 December
This race is all about the great big hill that begins gradually right from the start and then suddenly gets dramatically steeper around 4km in. If you find such things fun, good for you, because in this two-lap 10-miler you’ll go up and down the hill twice. If once is enough for you, just find a friend so you can form a relay team to take on the hill once each.
St Piran’s Revenge 10K
Where? Perranporth, Cornwall
When? Sunday 15 December
The organisers have decided that last year’s event was just a bit too easy, so this year they’ve added more hills and more dunes. Yes, dunes. Sand dunes. Also known as the most difficult running surface of all. So, don’t show up here expecting an easy run – instead, show up expecting a beautiful coastal route with lots of spectacular views.
Telford 10K
Where? Telford, Shropshire
When? Sunday 15 December
This race claims to be the fastest 10K in the UK based on the fact that last year’s event had more runners under 30 minutes than any other event, ever, in the UK. Numbers like that generally don’t mean a whole lot to normal runners like the rest of us, but one look at the course and you can see why it has the reputation that it has. There’s a nice downhill right at the star, and the best news is that there is no corresponding uphill.
Winter Woolly 10K
Where? Upper Woolhampton, Berkshire
When? Tuesday 24 December
Your dog is going to absolutely love this. The canicross 10K gets its own separate start to the standard dog-free 10K event, and the route through the grounds of Elstree School has plenty of puddles to galumph through, as well as plenty of mud to roll around in. An unparalleled way to kick off the Christmas festivities.
Slow & Dirty
Where? Sturminster Newton, Dorset
When? Sunday 22 December
The name is in fact not a commentary on your running ability or physical appearance, but instead a reference to the route that this flat 19km follows along the former path of an old railway. It was called the Somerset & Dorset, or S&D, which locals nicknamed the ‘slow and dirty’ due to its ponderous progress with many stops at little villages, and the dilapidated state of the carriages.
Winter Solstice Strider
Where? Bingley, Yorkshire
When? Saturday 21 December
Dig out that head torch from the clutter drawer for this night-time run or walk for a good cause. You have a 5K or 10K to choose from, both of which wind through the forest at the St Ives Estate. The route is far from flat and will almost certainly be muddy in places, so make sure your batteries are well charged lest you celebrate the Solstice with an undignified face plant into some mud.
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