WILD RUNNING

BY JEN AND SIM BENSON, WILD THINGS PUBLISHING, £16.99 (PB)

If getting fit and exploring the British countryside are two of your goals for 2019, then this could be the book for you. Returning with a second edition of Wild Running, outdoor enthusiasts Jen and Sim Benson have run the length and breadth of the UK to find 200 of the best trail running routes.

Whether you’re new to trail running or a veteran of the hills, this comprehensive guide is full of practical advice to help you get started. There’s a good section for beginners, which features easier, gentler routes; you’ll also find more challenging, technical trails for experienced runners. If you prefer not to run, these routes can easily be walked, as each route has clear directions and GPX downloads for maps.

Like many regular runners, at times I have found myself stuck in a running rut – sticking to the same reliable routes and finding my training lacks variety. This is where Wild Running is useful as it offers inspiration to step away from the treadmill and venture outdoors to run (or walk) along some of Britain’s most beautiful coastal, mountain or forest terrain. I preferred to dip in and out of this book to find routes by region to help me plan runs to do on weekends away.

Thanks to Jen and Sim, I have rediscovered that exploring new trails is one of the best ways to gain a sense of freedom and adventure. Carys Matthews, web editor