Witness the fitness: 20 races, fun runs and triathlons to enter in 2023
On your marks, get set, go! Fancy challenging yourself in the New Year? Then get booking your place on these Herts and Beds events. Trainers on, take a breath, and dig deep.
When: 29 Jan 2023
£: £27 – £29
What to expect: A fast, flat and traffic free trail that starts and finishes at the pretty Embankment and takes in the riverside paths, Bedford’s Grange Estate and Priory Lake. The 10 mile (not 10k!) distance is ideal for those already in training for the spring marathons. There’ll be a warm up with personal trainers, cheer squad, free kids’ fun run and food and drink to keep you fuelled up.
When: 5 February 2023
£: £10 for fun run, £31 – £33 for Half Marathon
What to expect: Choose between the Half Marathon (challenging route through undulating country lanes) and the 1.8km family fun run, which stays within the confines of Cassiobury Park. In past years, this event has featured in the Hertfordshire Half Marathon Championships – if it’s chosen again you must have been born in the county or lived in Herts for at least 9 months to be eligible.
Race for Wildlife, Sandy
When: 5 Feb 2023
£: £18
What to expect: Taking place at the RSPB’s The Lodge in Sandy, this 10K course is a multi-terrain double loop of the nature reserve (with some steep hills) and raises money to help the work of the RSPB.
Essendon Country Club Charity 10k and family fun 5k
When: 5 Feb 2023
£: From £15 for 5k to £20 for 10k
What to expect: A slightly undulating trail, which starts and ends at the country club and all finishers will recieve a medal. There’s no age limit but under 18s do need to be accompanied by an adult. The runs are in aid of four charities, Isabel Hospice, Carers in Herts, GOSH and Alzheimer’s Society. Food and drink will be available from the Courtyard Kitchen or you can pre-book Sunday lunch to enjoy with family and friends (don’t worry, there are showers and changing rooms available too!).
When: 26 Feb 2023
£: From £29 for 10k and from £36 for Half Marathon
What to expect: A single loop (for the 10k) along the riverside and over Town Bridge where you’ll hear the crowds cheer as you cross the finish line. Half Marathon runners will go for a second loop with a slight extenstion. There’ll be personal trainers on hand, and a free kids’ fun run too.
Berkhamsted Rotary Half Marathon and 5 mile Fun Run
When: 5 March 2023
£: £33 for Half Marathon and £12 for Fun Run
What to expect: In its 40th event, this Half Marathon is a great one for those working up to a full marathon, while the 5-miler is popular with local running and community groups. The trails wind through picturesque Chilterns countryside to help keep spirits up.
Lea Valley Ultra 50km, Welwyn Garden City
When: 25 March 2023
£: £52
What to expect: A fast 50 km from Welwyn Garden City all the way along Cole Green Way and the Lea Valley Path, to Hackney Wick in East London. All finishers have the choice of a finishers pack of locally sourced good or to have a tree planted instead!
Ashridge Duathlon, nr Berkhamsted
When: 26 March 2023
£: From £60 – £66
What to expect: Starting and finishing at the picturesque Ashridge House this event takes competitors around the estate. Great for novices but more experienced competitiors can use it to qualify for the European Championships.
Chilterns Trail Marathon, Tring
When: 1 April 2023
£: £69
What to expect: If trail running’s your thing and you love the scenery as much as the taking part, book this one with local adventure co, Run the Wild. Led by a qualified guide to give tips on technique, navigation and the local area, it follows part of the historic Ridgeway, takes in Nature Reserves and Wendover Woods. There’ll be plenty of refeshments and you’ll take away a unique wooden medal for completing it. Check out the Half Marathon on 15 April if you want a shorter distance.
Welwyn Half Marathon, Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn Garden City
When: 2 April 2023
£: From £27 – £27
What to expect: Starting and finishing at the 400m athletics track, the course follows a disused railway and loops back towards the stadium. There’s also a 400m kids fun run taking place on the running track before the main event (no need to register).
When: 7 April 2023
£: £24 – £26
What to expect: This flat, single lap course follows part of the Alban Way towards Hatfield, looping back to Highfield Park from Sleapshyde. Tarmac but traffic-free. There’ll be a children’s fun run ahead of the main race.
Chiltern Hills Challenge, Tring
When: 6-7 May 2023
£: £295
What to expect: Now this is an event for those who LOVE trail running. The two-day guided run through the Chiltern Hills, involves expert technique tuition, a free tech t-shirt, refreshment stops, bag transportation, accommodation at a countryside inn, dinner and hot breakfast, plus some inspirational running films and time to chat and socialise in the evenings.
Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 50km, near Hemel Hempstead
When: 7 May 2023
£: £66 – £68
What to expect: Ready for a serious challenge? This ultra marathon follows a single loop course with a variety of terrain, from the pretty Chiltern Hills, along the steep Ridgeway, the Chiltern Way, and through the forests of the Ashridge Estate.
Circuit du Sore Legs, Ware
When: 4 June 2023
£: £20 – £32
What to expect: We’re loving the name of this one as it really doesn’t shy away from the truth! This is a 6-hour timed event with the choice of five distances from 5k to an ultra-marathon, with all races around a 400m lap track. Rest between laps and pace yourself if you like (but you must run the releveant number of laps to complete your chosen distance), or take on the 6 hour challenge and run for the whole time.
St Albans Half Marathon AKA #icelollyrun
When: 11 June 2023
£: £10 – £35
What to expect: There’s something for everyone here, including a Half Marathon (a challenging closed-road route), a Walking Half Marathon, a Wheelchair Half Marathon (both taking in St Albans’ country lanes), a 5K race (anyone over 11) and a 1.5 mile fun run (open to all), which also raise money for local charities and organisations.
Centurion Triathalon, Box End Lakes, Bedford
When: 2 July 2023
£: From £60 – £150
What to expect: In training for an Iron distance? Step up your game for this challenge designed by triathaletes. The Imperial Centurion includes a 1.9mile swim, an 80 mile road bike and a 19 mile run. While the Metric Centurion involves a 2.2k swim, a 70km road bike, and a 20km offroad run. Or you can choose to take on the usual distances of a Standard or Sprint Triathlon. Not a runner? Opt for the Aquabikus (swim-bike) race, or team up for a relay and split the disciplines between 2 or 3 people.
Hertfordshire Triathlon, Rickmansworth
When: 30 July 2023
£: From £49 – £105
What to expect: Starting from Merchant Taylors Shool with its stunning grounds, you can choose from standard, sprint, or super sprint triathlons, with relay (standard only) and aquabike options, too.
Strive at Shuttleworth, Biggleswade
When: 20 August 2023
£: From £15 – £45
What to expect: In aid of the MS Trust this one takes in the gorgeous parklands and grounds of the Shuttleworth Estate within the 875 acres of Old Warden Park. Opt for the 5k, 10k, Half Marathon or Marathon distance, for 1 – 6 laps of the parkland course.
Bedford Running Festival, Bedford
When: 2-3 Sept 2023
£: £12 – £34
What to expect: A fun-filled weekend of running for all ages and levels. Sign up for the Mini-mile (all ages, under 8s need to be accompanied by an adult), Bedford 5k, Twilight 10K, Bedford Half Marathon or 20 mile race.
Running Grand Prix, Bedford Autodrome, Thurleigh
When: 24 Sept 2023
£: £24 – £140
What to expect: Run a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, 20 mile, or Full Marathon around the super-smooth tarmac track of Bedford Autodrome. Take home a finisher’s pack and medal if you complete the course.
