THE START LIST We asked readers: What’s the best snack you’ve had at a mid-race fuel station?
RACE
event. The organisers say the course comprises ‘a good mix of terrain – woodland trails, rocky climbs and open fields, with great views over to Glastonbury Tor.’ Sounds like a great day out to us. March 19, Somerset, relishrunningraces.com
Bath Half Marathon This ever-popular 13.1 sells out every year, with the capacity now standing at a tremendous 15,000 runners. The course is a two-lapper through the heart of the historic city, so it’s perfect if you’re taking a crew of spectators with you. The route is generally flat but a little twisty in places, just enough that you can’t completely tune out. March 12, Avon, bathhalf.co.uk
HISTORIC at the Stockholm Marathon and salted boiled spuds at the Tollymore Trail Marathon.’ — Agnew Mercer ‘Flumps at mile 19 of the Snowdonia Marathon.’ — Kath Cheadle
GLORIOUS WOODLAND
‘Guinness cake with mulled wine at the Bovington Half.’
New Forest Running Festival There are six distance options available in this two day event: 10K, 10 miles, 20 miles, half marathon, 50km and 75km. All are run on well-established trails through the gorgeous heart of the New Forest and all are ‘undulating’, so think carefully before you choose.
— Michael Guy ‘Hotdog with all the trimmings at mile four of the LA Marathon.’ — Martin Beresford
March 18 &19, Hampshire rgactiveevents.com
WO R D S : K E R R Y M CCA R T H Y. P H OTO G R A P H S : G E T T Y
March 18, County Antrim larnehalfmarathon.webs.com
NEW RACE
Ebbor Gorge 10K Viewed by locals as the little brother of Cheddar Gorge, which lies just 10 miles down the road. It’s a National Trust-owned nature reserve and this is the first time the 150-acre site has been opened up to a running
Hastings Half Marathon
Jurassic Coast Three-Day Challenge
This year will be the 33rd outing for a perennial premarathon favourite. It’s very much a half of two halves, with the first six miles being uphill and the final seven either flat or downhill, so you’ve got a fair chance of a negative split. Starting at the seafront, you’ll follow the route of William the Conqueror towards the town of Battle, taking in the ‘Old Town’ and fishing village before heading back along the seafront for the final two miles, finishing where you started. And if the route doesn’t sound like enough fun, there are bands, pop-up discos, choirs and a cheerleading troupe to entertain you. The crowd support is terrific, too.
whole thing is a highlight The total distance to be covered over the three days is 78.6 miles, which equates to a marathon a day. Throw in the undulating and very varied terrain and you have a substantial challenge. But balanced against that is the fact that this is – without a doubt – one of the most jaw-dropping runs you can find in the UK, as you hug the Dorset coastline from Charmouth to Lulworth Cove to Shell Bay. The details (accommodation, meals, maps and massage) are taken care of, so all you have to focus on is ensuring you hobble over the finish line in one piece.
March 19, East Sussex, hastings-half.co.uk
March 24, Dorset, votwo.co.uk
THE HIGHLIGHT What do you mean? The
OBSTACLES GALORE
The Beast
Larne Half Marathon A stunning run along the Antrim coast road, offering beautiful clifftop sea views. This sells out in advance every year and the capacity has been capped at 2,000 runners, split between solo participants and teams of three tackling it as a relay. There are pacing groups and music along the course to help you round.
QUAD BUSTER
‘Pickled gherkin
THE HIGHLIGHT Conquering the beast
RW ONLINE RACE LISTINGS
Staged at Aylesford Equine Cross Country Course, this is just as tough as the name suggests. There are 40 (give or take) obstacles to tackle, including water jumps, hills and camouflage nets. It’s a five-mile route and you can decide on the day – or even as you’re approaching the very welcome finishing straight – if you want to stop here or do it all over again. Apparently some masochistic nutters do plump for doubling up. Twice the fun, it seems. March 5, Leicestershire, thebeastrun.co.uk
Thirsty for more? Go to runners world.co.uk/ events, the UK’s most comprehensive race database, where you can search over 4,500 upcoming races by location, terrain, distance and more. MARCH 2017 RUNNERSWORLD.CO.UK 111