Windsor Half Marathon

ROAD – RURAL - HILLY This has garnered a reputation as one of the most scenic but challenging half marathons in the calendar. Even if Her Maj decides to take her morning constitutional you probably won’t be in a position to notice and give her a wave, as

takes runners past the beautiful white sands of Luskentyre beach. Outer Hebrides, Scotland, July (date tbc), harrishalfmarathon.org

ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON ROAD – TOWN - FLAT Getting a place at this race is as hard as finding a sensible Donald Trump tweet. Places are allocated in a ballot each spring so get signed up early. The route is another greatest hits tour of central London, but it’s the minute attention to detail and phenomenally good organisation that set this event apart. London, October 8, royalparkshalf.com

EALING HALF MARATHON ROAD – TOWN - HILLY When this race launched six years ago the uptake was immediately high, demonstrating the appetite for credible large-scale races in west London. It has only continued to grow since then – its universally appealing course and vast post-race village make it a very attractive autumn half-marathon option. London, September 24, ealinghalfmarathon.com

KIELDER HALF MARATHON TRAIL – RURAL - HILLY Everyone should run round stunning Kielder Water at least once; it’s the largest man-made lake in the UK and is surrounded by the type of woodland Robin Hood and his men would have happily made their home in. There are also 10K and full-marathon options to choose from. Northumberland, April 23, kieldermarathon.com/half-marathon

TUNBRIDGE WELLS HALF MARATHON ROAD – RURAL - HILLY The route of this notoriously tough half is a prime example of why Kent is called the Garden of England, showcasing as it does some of the finest English countryside you could imagine. Unfortunately, it also contains a few climbs that should by rights be tackled with grappling hooks. Kent, February 19, twharriers.org.uk

BRISTOL HALF MARATHON ROAD – TOWN - FLAT This is the most recent addition to the Great Run series (although it’s been a fixture in the UK calendar for a good while). Over 10,000 runners every year make this an unmissable event, with a race-day atmosphere that’s second to none. The scenic, sea-level route takes runners past the Harbourside, out and back along the Portway before returning to Anchor Road to finish. Bristol, September 17, runbristol.com

HASTINGS HALF MARATHON ROAD – TOWN - HILLY Be warned: the early sections of this long-established race (now in it’s 33rd year) will certainly test you, but the latter sections are flat or (bliss) downhill, so a PB is a definite possibility. The event is also great fun (with bands and cheerleaders to keep the spirits up) and exceptionally well organised. East Sussex, March 19, hastings-half.co.uk

BELFAST HALF MARATHON ROAD - TOWN - FLAT Growing in popularity each year, the event, now in it’s fifth year, had over 4,000 participants in 2016. RW race reporter Adrian Monti ran it and was so taken that he said it was among the best half marathons he’s done in Europe. He was particularly impressed with the stream of sights and the raucous spectators lining the course. Belfast, September 17, belfastcitymarathon.com/half-marathon

CARDIFF HALF MARATHON ROAD – TOWN - FLAT This one takes runners past several of the Welsh capital’s most impressive landmarks, including Cardiff Castle, the city’s football stadium, the Norwegian church, Penarth Marina, Cardiff Bay and Roath Park Lake – there’s so much to look at you’ll barely be aware of the miles passing. Maybe. Cardiff, October 1, cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk