5 UK Fitness Challenges - Walking and Running Events

Are you looking for a fitness challenge? Need a bit of boost to help keep your training consistent? Working towards a fitness challenge is a great way to help keep your training consistent. It helps keep you going and prompts you to push your limits. So, I thought I’d do a round up of a few walks and races for all fitness levels some of which are in aid of health related charities. Read on and you might just discover your next fitness challenge…

Source: Breast Cancer Care

1. Pink Ribbon Walk

In aid of Breast Cancer Care - a nationwide support charity for any one affected by breast cancer - you can take on a pink ribbon walk for anyone affected by breast cancer. Pink ribbon walk is in association with footwear brand skechers and there is the option to choose from these three key categories:

• 1: Step Together - 10 and 20 mile walks often in very scenic locations like Blenheim Palace, The Cotswolds and Peak District. Entry to these walks is priced at £20 and at the end you get a medal, free meal and massage to celebrate your support. You can register for 2020 pink ribbon walks here.
  

• 2: Step Up - allows you to set your own challenge and walk which every distance you prefer, at a date of your choice with family and friends. This challenge is free to sign up to.
  

• 3: Step Forward - walk 500,000 steps across May and June which represents almost one step for every woman in the UK affected by cancer. This challenge is also free to sign up to.

Walking is seriously underrated and does so much not just for your physical health but also mental health. Nothing quite like being out in nature! You can learn more about Pink Ribbon Walks on Breast Cancer Care’s website.

2. Race for Life

Next up is, Cancer Research’s Race for Life which is a series of events raising money for 200 types of cancer and over the past 20 years more than 8 million people have taken part with over £547 million raised to help beat cancer sooner. Race for Life used to be a women-only event but it’s recently been revamped and is now open up to women, men and children making it the perfect event for all the family. Better yet you can walk, run or jog!

Additionally, with Race for Life you can choose from 5k and 10K or Pretty Muddy (5K and 10K) obstacle course. I’d highly recommend this challenge as I’ve done it a few times in the past. It’s amazing how touching this event is and they are always well organised. There used to be a Half Marathon (21K) and Tough 10K which I took part in last year but these events have unfortunately been cancelled for this year.

Race for Life is priced from £14.99 (currently you can get 50% off with the code SUMMER50). Plus, you receive a medal , goody bag, water and a snack at the end. Learn more about Race for Life and find a race near you here.

3. RunThrough

Another good running challenge is RunThrough events which take place across London (Olympic Park and Victoria Park) and other parts of the UK in the north. Participants can enter 5K, 10K, 10 mile, half marathon or marathon distances. Also, RunThrough includes a chase the sun series and an option to run for a charity with a good list to choose from.

RunThrough events are priced from £18 for adults, chip timed and you receive a medal, fruit and flapjack. Learn more about RunThrough here.

Image via RunThrough.co.uk

4. Great Run

Like RunThrough, Great Run is a series of 5K, 10K, 10 mile, half marathon and marathon including the Great North Run. I took part in the 10K Great Run a few years ago and the route finished in the Olympic Park (yes the same track that so many running legends ran on) - this was an epic experience and one of my favourite 10Ks to date! However, the London event is no more… a real shame as I would love to do that run again and am sure my fellow Londoners would too… (Great Run if you are reading this please bring back the London event. :))

The Great Run series also provides a platform for runners to raise funds for their great charities notably Mind for better mental health, Breast Cancer Care, British Heart Foundation and Macmillan cancer support.

Additionally, Great Run is chip timed and a medal and goody bag is handed out at the end. Prices start at £21 and more info on these events can be found here.

5. Tough Mudder

Lastly, Tough Mudder, a series of 5K to 10 miles obstacle mud endurance runs with the option to choose from 5K mud and water or 5K urban challenge with no mud or water. Tough Mudder is basically a team version of Steve Austin’s broken skull obstacle challenge (love this show!). I’ve heard good things about this challenge! It’s priced from £59 which is a bit pricey but you can run for their amazing charity partner Help for Heroes. Learn more about Tough Mudder here.

Image source: ThoughMudder

Do you have any fitness challenges coming up or any charity walks and runs that you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by!

Krista x