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Our selection of the best, fastest, toughest, quirkiest and most enjoyable UK races this month
Watchtree Half Marathon
Wiggonby, Cumbria, 19 November
This new event is taking place in bucolic surroundings, winding in a loop along quiet, undulating country lanes in Cumbria. Another bonus is that there are plenty of fun things for members of your entourage to do while you’re running: the Watchtree Nature Reserve is full of wildlife and has an impressive array of bikes for rent, including trikes, cargo bikes that can carry up to four kids, a bike for transporting a wheelchair user and an amazing four-seater that looks more like a quad bike. watchtree.co.uk
BOO (Bridge of Orchy) 10K
Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute, 5 November
This event offers a varied route. You start and finish in Bridge of Orchy, first heading steeply uphill with 2km of tough climbing along the West Highland Way. You’ll then have to descend on this tricky terrain, finally meeting some solid, flat ground by around 4km. You’ll stay on this easier surface until the finish, skirting north and gently downhill around the big mountain that you just climbed. Great views, terrain that will keep you alive to every moment and a proper challenge: this is an excellent event. entrycentral.com
Hamsterley Moon Runner – 10K Head Torch Trail Race
Hamsterley, Durham, 11 November
The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, so why not take advantage of the hours of darkness with an exciting trail race? Your head torch will catch the reflective route markers along the way, so you’re very unlikely to get lost – and the beam may even catch the eyes of the many nocturnal animals in Hamsterley Forest, such as badgers and deer. With no cut-off, this is a great event for novice night runners or novice trail runners – or both. greenermilesrunning.co.uk
Wendover Woods Marathon, Half and 10K
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 4 November
A multi-lap trail course with plenty of undulation through stunning woodland in the Chiltern Hills. The marathon is four laps, the half is two and the 10K is one, so there’s an event for all levels. It’s also family-friendly, with a 1km kids’ run, on-site cafe, Go Ape Tree Top Adventure, Gruffalo trail, bike trails and adventure play areas. nice-work.org.uk
Dunnerdale Fell Race
Broughton Mills, Lancashire, 11 November
Eight kilometres might sound like an easy little outing to some people, but this race is not to be underestimated. The uphills come quickly and steeply, the conditions are likely to be squelchy and energy-sapping, and the lack of route markings mean getting lost is always a possibility. Overcome these obstacles and you’re in for a treat: this classic fell event in the southern
