OXFORDSHIRE
Banbury 15 Mile Race, Banbury
When: 20 March 2022
£: £20
What to expect: A picturesque race that starts in Spiceball Country Park and loops through local villages on a hilly course. There will be two water stages along the way for refreshment.
Tough Mudder at Culden Faw, Henley
When: 21-22 May 2022
£: £10 – £89
What to expect: Let’s get truly muddy! This is a hilarious and literally filthy adventure which will see you iced, walking a tightrope, and sweating buckets in this test of both mind and body. You’ve got the option of a 15k, 10k classic, a more beginner-friendly 5k, or a 1 mile for kids. All promise a loop of mud-soaked mayhem packed full of obstacles.
2022 Triathlon, Blenheim Palace
When: 28-28 May 2022
£: From £80.99
What to expect: Set to the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace, this triathlon kicks off with a beginner-friendly swim in the lake, followed by a bike ride across undulating scenery and finishing with a tour of the parkland as you run around the Queen’s pool. Exhausting but cultural!
Little Welly, Henley
When: 11-12 June 2022
£: £10 – £24
What to expect: One for the kids to get stuck into, this is the UK’s biggest obstacle course for children. Packed with fun challenges like the foam run, climbing walls, and The Big Slide, this 3km route is sure to get them having fun and being active. With live music and plenty of refuel options, this is a proper day out. Fancy something a bit more classic? Sign up to the 5km or 10km family trail run.
Henley Triathlon, Henley
When: 10 July 2022
£: £60 – £75
What to expect: Taking place for the thirteenth year in a row, this triathlon is based at Henley Leisure Centre and within the grounds of Gillotts School. Starting from 8am, there is a rapid swim in the heated indoor pool, a bike course through Oxfordshire countryside, and a flat grass run through the school grounds. Tackle a 400km swim, 25k cycle, and 5k run, or stick with the 200m swim, 12.5k cycle, and 2.5k run.
Conquer the Chilterns, Henley
When: 25 Aug 2022
£: £20 – £110
What to expect: Show the Chilterns who’s boss with this fantastic and scenic course around the Chiltern Valley and the banks of the River Thames. The cycle and run both involve climbing some serious hills, but the beautiful views and breezy downhill cycle of almost five miles through the Stonor Valley should sweeten the deal.
Oxford Half Marathon, Oxford
When: 16 Oct 2022
£: From £51
What to expect: Jog on through the picturesque and winding streets of Oxford, spurred on by live entertainment. You’ll start in the city centre and pass through Old Marston village, the River Cherwell, Oxford University’s impressive Lady Margaret Hall, and end up on Parks Road.
Mapledurham Half Marathon and 10k, South Oxon
When: 4 Dec 2022
£: £25 – £30
What to expect: Warm up to next Christmas with this race through the beautiful surroundings of the Mapledurham Estate. The courses are multi-terrain: 1 lap for 10k and 2 laps for the half marathon, with two water stations along the way and mince pies and mulled wine at the end. Now that’s something worth running for…
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
MK Festival of Running, Milton Keynes
When: 13 March 2022
£: £9 – £31
What to expect: A festival with an option for everyone. Choose between the gentle 5k event, the classic 10k distance race, the respectable half marathon, and the hardcore 20 miler. The courses are generally flat and well-maintained, beginning in Milton Keynes and winding out into pretty countryside.
The Maverick Adidas Terrex Original, Princes Risborough
When: 23 April 2022
£: £25 – £40
What to expect: If you’re going to run a race, why not run along one of the oldest roads in Britain, already old when the Romans set foot upon it? Get sweaty while enjoying the ancient woodland and incredible views of the Chiltern Hills. Choose between an 8km, 14km, and 22km route.
RightMove Milton Keynes Marathon, Milton Keynes
When: 1-2 May 2022
£: £50
What to expect: For seasoned runners, this 26.2 mile run takes place on a scenic route with tree-lined boulevards, lakes, parks and woodland and a spectacular stadium finish. Voted the UK’s friendliest marathon, and with all those runner’s endorphins, this one’s sure to get you smiling!
Marlow Classic Triathlon, Marlow
When: 29 May 2022
£: £20 – £110
What to expect: Open to all abilities, this is a fairly flat, picturesque route across the Thames Valley. If you’re dipping your toe (sorry) into triathlons for the first time, this could be a good option as its swim course is designed to make even the weakest paddler get a fast time. The sprint route is a 750m swim, 24.5km cycle, and 5km run. The Olympic route is a 1.9km swim, 85.6km cycle, and 20km run. Phew.
Wendover Woods Night 50km, Wendover
When: 16 July 2022
£: £65
What to expect: Running in the day? So basic. Based entirely within Wendover Woods, this race will see you run three x 10-mile laps to reach your final total of just under 50km, all on night-time forest trails. The terrain is soft, and features smooth descents and runnable climbs, contrasted with more abrupt hills elsewhere. The course is marked with reflective marker arrows.
The Ridgeway Challenge, Chiltern Hills
When: 27-28 Aug 2022
£: £88 – £100
What to expect: Challenge yourself to a whopping 86 miles (138km) in this continuous running event that starts at Ivinghoe Beacon, near Tring, and ends at Avebury Stone Circle in Wiltshire. (So not to be undertaken lightly!) Taking place along a 5,000 year old trackway, the stunning scenery should help you on your way to that (distant…) finish line.
FURTHER AFIELD
Dorney Lake Half Marathon, Berks
When: 6 Feb 2022
£: £24 – £120
What to expect: One of the most successful venues for Team GB 2012 (in rowing, no less), this course takes you around the iconic water of Dorney Lake, near Windsor. Suitable for runners of all abilities, the route consists of flat tarmac and should have you dreaming of Olympic glory.
Dorney Lake triathlon, Berks
When: 6 March 2022
£: £45-£56
What to expect: Nestled in 450 acres of glorious parkland, this 2012 Olympic Course site should spur you on to a new personal best. Keep it fast with a 400m swim, 10km ride, and 2.5 km run, or go long distance with a 1500m swim, 40km ride, and 10 km run.
RunReading Multi Stage Enduro, Berks
When: 14 May 2022
£: £32
What to expect: With amplified staggered starts, this 20k race has a nicely relaxed feel. The route is predominately public footpath, with some quiet lanes and village roads.
Gloucester Marathon, Gloucester
When: 23 Jan 2022
£: £34 – £52
What to expect: Bit of a squeeze if you’ve yet to do any training, but a great route. Choose between a Half Marathon, Marathon, and 50k option.
Woburn Abbey triathlon, Beds, near Milton Keynes
When: June, exact date TBA
£: £65 – £195
What to expect: One of the UK’s most loved triathlons, this weekend promises charity fundraising, family fun, and athletic challenge, all at the iconic Woburn Abbey. Challenge yourself to a 1,900m swim, 90km bike, and 21.1km run, or sprint your way through the 750m swim, 22km bike, and 5.25km run.
Fancy a bit of R&R after all that exercise? Check these best spa breaks to book now.
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