The best UK races to enter this November
Leaf-strewn paths, tolerable temperatures, crisp air – autumn is the best season for running, and that’s a fact. What’s more, there are so many great races to sign up to. We’ve rounded up some of the best UK races in November – from off-road epics to first-timer-friendly 10K events. Enjoy!
Brewery Trail Run
Where? Tring, Hertfordshire
When? Saturday 2 November
Like trail running? Like beer? Then you’ll love the Brewery Trail Run. Organised by Run the Wild, the event offers 10K of running through the stunning Chiltern Hills, followed by a private tour of the renowned Tring Brewery.
Winter Sugar Loaf
Where? Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
When? Saturday 2 November
It’s a bargain £9 entry to this fell race just north of Abergavenny, but don’t dawdle if you want to take part – the field is limited to 125 runners. You’ll be following a largely unmarked path to the top of the Sugar Loaf and, since the weather can get nasty, full kit as defined by the Welsh Fell Runners Association is required. It may be only 9.6km in length, but there are some seriously steep bits on this excellent but tough race.
Wimbledon 10K and Half Marathon
Where? Wimbledon, London
When? Sunday 3 November
Fun fact: Wimbledon Common played host to the UK’s first ever cross-country event, way back in 1867. Though things have changed a little since then, Wimbledon Common remains a runners paradise – and this race takes in some of the finest parts. Like at all RunThrough events, the atmosphere is as friendly and inclusive as it comes.
Wendover Woods 50
Where? Wendover, Buckinghamshire
When? Saturday 9 November
There will be nine well-stocked aid stations along this 10-mile loop, meaning you’ll never be far from a rejuvenating snack. After all, you’ll need plenty of them for this five-loop 50-miler. The hills never end and, by the time you reach the finish (hopefully within the 15-hour cut-off), you’ll have ascended some 3,000m. The good news is that the trails are pretty well-established and aren’t especially technical.
Tunnel Vision Night and Dawn Runs
Where? Market Harborough, Northamptonshire
When? Thursday 7 and Friday 8 November
Usually dusk and dawn runs would be as different as, well, night and day, but for a section of these races they’ll pretty much be the same: pitch dark. While both races are five miles long and pass through the 422m-long Oxendon Tunnel, each one still manages to create its own unique feel. There is even the option of doing both the 7:30pm event and the 6:30am event – just don’t forget that you’ll need a head torch, regardless of your choice.
The Hayling 10
Where? Mengham, Hampshire
When? Sunday 3 November
We always like to schedule a nice, fast road race late in the year to round off the season and this one fits the bill. It’s a 10-mile outing that explores the south and west parts of Hayling Island and, judging by previous results, its field of 500 or so runners cover the entire spectrum of running abilities. While the course is flat, the fact that you’re always running by the sea means that wind is always a factor. Here’s hoping the running gods will provide a calm day this year.
Derby 10 Mile
Where? Derby, Derbyshire
When? Sunday 17 November
It’s good to see another 10-mile race on the calendar. Around 2.5km of this one takes place on a footpath running alongside a dual carriageway, which isn’t something that most runners would get excited about. On the flip side, however, this has the potential to be a blisteringly fast run, with virtually no inclines and a quick road surface most of the way. After the motorway section, you veer off into the countryside and follow a path by the River Derwent, which is gravelly in places. You’ll end up back where you started in Derby, close to Pride Park Stadium.
Conwy Half Marathon
Where? Conwy, Caernarfonshire
When? Sunday 17 November
This half marathon heads north out of Conwy toward Llandudno and that big rock sticking out into the sea. That’s Great Orme. The good news is that you’re running around it rather than up it, but the bad news is that the route around still involves some punishing uphills. It’s just one of many sights along the way, though. Others include the magnificent Conwy Castle at the start and finish, Llandudno Pier stretching out 700m into the Irish Sea and Conwy’s impressive suspension and railway bridges.
PieAthlon
Where? Huddersfield, Yorkshire
When? Saturday 16 November
With an event like this, it’d be easy to just see it all as a big joke and an excuse to scarf down a load of pies – and of course you can do that. There will be plenty of both sweet and savoury delights to go around. But a word of warning: this course certainly isn’t a joke. There’s almost 250m of elevation gain over this 6km race and the area called the Bog of Doom has been known to gobble up runner’s shoes, never to be seen again. Just be careful, lest the gobbler of pies becomes the gobblee of the bog.
Anglesey Half Marathon
Where? Newborough, Anglesey
When? Sunday 10 November
There aren’t many races on the calendar that will have you running on beaches one minute, then on forest trails the next. The short beach section comes with some lovely views of Ynys Llanddwyn, a rocky tidal island just to the south of Anglesey – provided, of course, poor weather isn’t obscuring your view of everything bar your own feet. There’s also a 10K race that doesn’t include the beach, should you wish to keep to the forest, although the surfaces there can also be sandy. Just accept it – you’re going to be washing sand out from between your toes no matter what.
Strathaven Striders 'Run with the Wind' 10K
Where? Strathaven, Lanarkshire
When? Sunday 3 November
This entire event essentially takes place on one rural road stretching to the northwest from Strathaven town, leaving you alone in quiet contemplation in the beautiful, melancholy late autumn Scottish countryside. You’ll also be heading gently uphill for the whole first half, then gently back down into Strathaven. This is one for the purists: no crowds, no atmosphere, no fanfare – just you and a tough but manageable run at a well-organised local event.
Moonlight Track 6 Hour Challenge
Where? York, Yorkshire
When? Saturday 23 November
Running around a 400m track for six hours may sound like torture, but in reality it can be quite a remarkable experience. There will be fantastic camaraderie between the runners and there’ll also come a point – probably just as night starts to fall ¬– when you’ll be quite exhausted and realise that you haven’t noticed the last couple of hours passing. However, a tremendous serenity, and possibly even euphoria, will descend upon you. It will be powerfully enlightening and nourishing for the soul. Either that or it’ll be pure torture.
Tadcaster 10
Where? Tadcaster, Yorkshire
When? Sunday 17 November
Another potentially quick season-ender. The route is a straightforward loop on closed roads that are mostly quite flat. With the first and last few kilometres in the town of Tadcaster, you’ll get a nice combination of support from locals and quiet time out in the countryside. And if you’re wondering what Tadcaster has to offer in terms of post-race activities, there are no fewer than three breweries in the town.
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