Fancy setting yourself a personal challenge, need inspiration to kickstart your fitness, or just want a day out with like-minded runners, swimmers, walkers or cyclists? Take inspiration from our pick of 2011/2012 races and sports events below.
Parkrun: weekly across the UK
No race number, no entry fee, just an informal timed 5k run. A membership card gets you access to all these volunteer-run parkland events. Sign up free at www.parkrun.com
The Lakeland Trails: Cumbria, April to November
Eight events set against a breathtaking backdrop - the perfect distraction when you're feeling the strain. Sign up for between £22 and £39 at www.lakelandtrails.org
Race for Life, Various dates and locations across the UK
The largest women-only fundraising event in the UK involving women of all ages and fitness levels. Participants can walk, jog or run 5k or 10k in order to help beat cancer by raising money for cancer research UK. Sign up for £14.99 and head to www.raceforlife.org to find out more information about races in your area.
British Gas Great Swim: Various locations across the UK, May to August
Taking place in five different locations, from London to Scotland, the Great Swim is an open water event over three distances. Participants can chose to swim 1/2 mile, 1 mile or 2 miles in rivers, lakes, docks or lochs. The event is open to all abilities. To find out more visit www.greatswim.org
Tri-Adventure, Surrey Hills, Swinley Forest and New Forest, February-November 2012
The Tri-Adventure are holding a series of races across 2012 catering for beginners through to elites and perfect for adventure racers, trail runners, orienteers and mountain bikers. Visit www.triadventure.co.uk
The MoonWalk: London, 12th May 2012
A unique event held in Hyde Park where participants wear decorated bras and power walk a marathon (26.2 miles) or half marathon (13.1 miles) in a bid to raise awareness for breast cancer. In 2012, The MoonWalk London will celebrate 15 years of outstanding fundraising success, with over £72m raised to date for vital breast cancer causes as of July 2011. Sign up at www.walkthewalk.org
The Great Manchester Cycle, Monday 4 June 2012
The course's 13-mile lap starts at Eastlands and goes past Old Trafford, with three different distances to cater for all abilities from club cyclists to families who wish to take in the sights of the city on a gentle cycle together. The lap includes a unique chance to cycle on the Mancunian Way: the inner city ring road normally closed to cyclists. Info at www.greatmanchestercycle.org
St Dunstan's 100k walk: London to Brighton, 9th June 2012
A demanding event organised by St Dunstan’s, the national charity that provides lifelong support to blind Service and ex-Service personnel. The 24 hour walk begins in Richmond, London and takes you through the trail footpaths of Surrey and Sussex, finally finishing inat the St Dunstan’s centre in Ovingdean, Brighton. Sign up as a team or as an individual www.walk100.org.uk
The SunWalk: London, 1st July 2012
A daytime challenge held in Battersea Park where participants can take on a 5k, 10k or half marathon challenge. It's a day for friends and family to do something wonderful together while still making a real difference for vital breast cancer causes. Sign up for £27 at www.walkthewalk.org
The NSPCC's HACK Hikes, 1st-22nd September 2012
Pull on your hiking boots for a demanding charity walk in locations across the UK. Distances range from 10 to 25 miles, with funds helping services for vulnerable children. Visit www.nspcc.org.uk/hack
The Aspire Channel Swim Challenge, 10th September -2nd December 2012
Swim the equivalent of the English Channel (22 miles) in your local pool over a series of sessions, raising moiney for charity Aspire. Visit www.aspire.org.uk
Become a bear adventurer, 9th-15th September 2012
Hike 50km across the Carpathian Mountains in Romania with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), to raise money for European brown bears. You will also get a chance to see rescued bears at the WSPA-funded natural woodland bear sanctuary. Visit www.wspa.org.uk/helping/raisemoney/bearadventure.aspx
The BUPA Great South Run, Portsmouth, Sunday 28th October 2012
The 10-mile route starts in Southsea and takes in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Great if you're looking for a PB as it's a flat run. Visit http://www.greatrun.org
Rock ‘n’ Roll Edinburgh Half Marathon, 14 April 2013
Take your mind off the pain with bands paying at every mile along the course in Edinburgh's second Rock n Rock half marathon, which starts and finishes in Holyrood Park, making a loop around the city centre. Registration until April 7, 2013.
Signed up for a challenge this year? Tell us about it here!
