Commit to fit: 9 Wiltshire races to sign up to in 2022
No matter if you're a total novice or a seasoned runner, these are the runs and races to help you stick to your 2022 fitness goals
The fun one (yes, really!): Park Run, every Saturday morning, various locations 9 am
I started doing Park Run in 2019 and genuinely look forward to it every single week. The vibe is always immaculate, with hundreds of runners of all abilities turning up week in, week out. It doesn’t matter if you’re a speedy gonzales or need to walk for the majority of the course, you can do this run. There are pacers to help you hit the time you want to (ie. you run with the 30 minute pacer if you want to do the race in 30 minutes) and there’s a tail walker too, so even if you walk most of the way, you’ll have someone to walk alongside.
Park Run takes place at various locations in Wiltshire, including Lydiard Park in Swindon and courses in Melksham, Chippenham and Westbury.
The super challenging one: Beyond the Far Side, Westbury, 22 January 2022
Even for seasoned runners, this one sounds pretty tough. First off, you select to do it for six, 12 or 24 hours, then you run the same five or so mile course as many times as you can in that time. It includes steep hills and narrow paths, but the organisers assure us it is fun… We’ll leave that for you to decide.
From £37, find out more
The safari park run: Longleat 10km and 2 mile fun run, 30 January 2022
If you’re looking for a run with amazing views, this is the one for you. It starts in front of the impressive Longleat House, then goes around in the estates’ private, traffic-free roads. If 10km seems a bit daunting in January, there’s a two mile fun run too.
Form £24, find out more
The flat race: The Castle Combe Chilly 10km, 20 Feb 2022
If you’re anything like me, you’ll hate running up hills, so this flat, smooth course around the Castle Combe circuit is an ideal track. Plus, you get a cute snowflake print medal at the end.
From £23, find out more
The shorter run: Cancer Research Race For Life, 3km, Lydiard Park, 14 May 2022
For new runners who want to take on their first challenge, we recommend this three KM run around Lydiard Park. You’ll trundle through the woods and fields too, for a nice varied route. If you’re feeling more ambitious, you can opt for a five km route and a 10km route on the same day at Lydiard Park
The messy one: Swindon Pretty Muddy 5km, Lydiard Park, 14 May 2022
If you like your runs with a side of mud, this is the race for you. It sees runners romp around an obstacle course and crawl through a mud pit. In aid of Race for Life, it costs £19.99 to enter, or £10 for children.
The famous on: Cancer Research Race For Life, 5km and 10km, Salisbury, 12 June
There are options for both 5km and 10km routes on this iconic charity run, which takes in views of old Sarum and has a few undulating hills. It costs £14.99 to enter, or £10 for children.
The stately home one: Bowood House Triathlon, 25.26 June 2022
If you fancy running, swimming and cycling all around a beautiful location, sign up to Bowood’s triathlon, there are five different distances to choose from, starting at 1.5 km up to 5km running.
There’s also a duathlon, with two runs and a cycle, if you’re not in the mood for getting wet.
The ultra-marathon: Race to the Stones, The Ridgeway, 9–10 July 2022
Not one for new runners, this 100km race sees participants run along the glorious Ridgeway scenery, starting at Lewknow in Oxfordshire and finishing in Avebury, taking in historic hotspots such as Wayland’s Smithy, Uffington White Horse and Barbury Castle. The idea of running 100km has us breaking us out in a sweat, but the fact that you’re treated to incredible scenery that whole way makes it much more manageable!
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