Red leaves, crisp blue skies but temperatures that haven’t plummeted so much that they leave frozen droplets of water dripping from your nose, you can see why for many autumn is the favourite season of the year to get outside and run. A scan around the country and there are numerous 10km, half marathons and marathons to choose from, but for accessibility, you can’t beat a good 5km…
THE COLOR RUN
Brighton, 10th October 2015
The Color Run is also known as the happiest 5km on the planet that organisers proclaim, ‘celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality and giving back to the community’. At each kilometre, participants are doused from head to toe in different colours, concluding at the finish line with a huge ‘Color Festival’. That’s why organisers suggest – nay order – you wear all white at the start. But you’ll have to be quick – the morning wave is sold out, though a few places remain for the afternoon wave.
Cost: from £24
www.thecolorrun.co.uk/brighton
DARK & WHITE TRAIL RUN #3
Buxton, 11th October 2015
The Peak District National Park provides the backdrop to this stunning 5km. Terrain fluctuates between footpaths, tracks and trails with the Trail Running Peaks team certain that you’ll encounter paths you never knew existed. If you’re a battle-hardened runner, there’s also a 15km distance available.
Cost: £7.50
www.trailrunningpeaks.co.uk
ONE BIG WEEKEND JOG SCOTLAND
Scotland, 10th-11th October 2015
Jog Scotland has organized a weekend of running events in Scotland’s two biggest cities – Glasgow (10 October) and Edinburgh (11 October). Glasgow’s 5km run happens in Bellahouston Park, while Edinburgh’s version weaves its way through the beautiful Holyrood Park. If the races whet your appetite, there’s also Strathclyde Park’s 6km Christmas Cracker on 13th December.
Cost: from £19.99
www.jogscotlandonebigweekend.com
NATIONAL TRUST NIGHT RUNS
Various locations, 31 October 2015
2014 saw the National Trust launch their inaugural night run series. Well, it proved so successful that it’s back for a second year, with the 16-race series starting with three separate events on 31th October. Two race distances – 2km and 7km – take place at Osterley Park, Middlesex; Plympton, Devon; and Stowe, Buckinghamshire. A headlight’s essential!
Cost: from £6.95
James Witts is a writer & editor specialising in endurance sport, health & fitness, outdoor adventure and sports science.
