Best Sporting Races To Register For in 2020

Need a new running goal? Always dreamed of doing a triathlon? Whether you’re a newbie to the sporting races scene or a pro-athlete looking for a new challenge, there are a plethora of events taking place across the UK this year. Check out our round up of the best sporting races to register for in 2020, including a gruelling 12-hour Tough Mudder, a boozy half marathon and a 5k where you’re sprayed head to toe in paint.

Running

Simplyhealth Great Bristol Half Marathon

This scenic half marathon route takes runners under the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, along the Avon Gorge and through Bristol Harbourside before heading into the city centre. £41 per entry. 27 September. greatrun.org

Simplyhealth Great North Run

You have from 6-9 February to put your name the ballot for the world’s biggest half marathon, The Great North Run. Crowds line the route from the middle of Newcastle all the way to the coast at South Shields, creating one of the best atmospheres of any race in the UK. £58 per entry. 13 September greatrun.org

The Colour Run

Described as ‘The Happiest 5k on the planet’, The Colour Run involves getting sprayed in a rainbow of colours as you run, skip, walk or dance your way round the course. You can get involved in Cardiff, London, Manchester or Leeds. £30 per entry for solo colour runners, £25pp for teams of 4 or more. 5 – 26 September. thecolourrun.co.uk

Adidas City Run

Adidas City Run is hosting three events across London this year. The first is the 1 Hour City Run, where your challenge is to run as far as you can in one hour, past some of London’s most famous landmarks. There are also two 10k runs, one in Shoreditch and another in Fulham, with dates yet to be announced. Bookings for the 1 Hour City Run (5 April) run are open now, £35 per entry. adidascityruns.com

Craft Half

Fancy getting boozy while pounding the pavements? At London’s Craft Half Marathon, you can have the best of both worlds. Every two miles, runners can stop and ‘refuel’ with a pint of craft beer. The fun doesn’t end when you cross the finish line – celebrate afterwards with live music, street food…and even more craft beer! Dates for this year are yet to be announced, so watch this space if you’re keen to get involved. street-child.co.uk

Run For Chocolate

Need a bit of motivation to get you to the finish line? At the Run For Chocolate events, a steaming mug of hot chocolate will be waiting for you at the end. A number of 5k races will be taking place in venues around the south of England, including Bournemouth, Southampton, Bristol and Reading. £25 per entry. Various dates. runforchocolate.co.uk

Adventure

Tough Mudder Midlands

Hailed as Europe’s toughest mudder, this is not one for the faint-hearted. Battle your way through a gruelling 12 hours of thick mud, freezing water, obstacles and wild terrain, busting through as many five mile laps as you can. Participants can enter in teams of two or four, or as an individual. A test of mental grit as much as physical stamina, this will push you to the absolute limit. £139 per entry. 13 May. toughmudder.co.uk

Race The Sun Lake District

Beginning at sunrise, you and your team have 14 hours to complete the race before sunset. There are three different sections: a 50-mile cycle, a hike at the top of Helvellyn (England’s third-highest mountain), and a 3km canoe on Lake Thirlmere. No mean feat…15 September. £195 per team of four. active.com

Triathlons

Royal Windsor Triathlon

This popular triathlon – which has been taking place for 28 years – runs around Berkshire’s Windsor Castle, with both Sprint and Olympic distances to choose from. From £99. 14 June. royalwindsortriathlon.co.uk

The London Triathlon

The iconic London triathlon, which takes place at ExCeL London, attracts over 11,000 participants and 30,000 spectators each year. With a variety of distances, routes and wave categories to choose from, the event caters to athletes of all levels. Begin at the Royal Dock and swim, cycle and run past some of London’s finest landmarks. Early bird tickets are on sale now from £62.99. 8-9 August. livetotri.co.uk

Walks

Walk The Walk – Moonwalk

Raise money and awareness for breast cancer at the Walk The Walk Moonwalk, where thousands of people walk the length of a marathon or half marathon – in their bras. Take part in London in May, or Edinburgh in June. Tickets from £49.50. London: 16 May, Edinburgh: 6 June. walkthewalk.org

Thames Path Challenge

Start at Putney Bridge and follow the River Thames, choosing between 25km, 50km and 100km routes, with the longest going all the way out to Henley. Participants can pay for a place, or raise money for a partner charity. Self-funding entry from £79pp. If you are raising money for a charity they will pay for your entry. 12-13 September. thamespathchallenge.com

Great Strides 65 Surrey Hills

During this challenge you’ll cover 65km by foot in the picturesque Surrey Hills – all in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Start and finish at the Hampton Estate near the village of Seale, and be warned: at the 50km mark there’s a big hill, but the stunning scenery and views from the top will soften the blow (slightly).  You’ll need to recruit a team of four to six people, with a support driver required. £80 plus £1,000 fundraising target per team. 6 June. cysticfibrosis.org.uk

London’s Best Running Routes / Winter Walking Routes / New Exercise Classes for 2020