Trail runs in the UK
Discover trail runs across the UK and swap tarmac for tracks, paths and countryside routes. From woodland loops to rolling hills and coastal trails, use the filters to find off-road running events by date, location and terrain. Read more
Trail running offers a different kind of challenge to road racing, combining varied terrain, changing conditions and inspiring landscapes. Routes often follow footpaths, bridleways, forest tracks and coastal trails, rewarding runners with scenery as well as a strong sense of adventure.
Trail runs come in many formats, from short, accessible events ideal for first-timers to longer, more technical routes for experienced off-road runners. Some focus on steady climbs and descents, while others wind through parks, woods and open countryside.
If you’re looking for a specific distance, explore our 5K trail runs, 10K trail runs, trail half marathons, trail marathons or trail ultra runs pages or for bigger elevation and navigation challenges, mountain marathons offer a more extreme off-road experience.
Use the filters to choose your date, location and route type — and discover trail runs that take you beyond the beaten track.
Want to read more? Read the guides, tips and advice from our blog.
Got questions? Read our FAQs for answers.
Filter by date
This week
This weekend
Next week
Next weekend
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Filter by place
London
South East
South West
East of England
East Midlands
West Midlands
Yorkshire
North East
North West
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Jersey
Europe
Filter by category
Trail runs 2026–2027
Discover trail runs near you and get ready for your next start line.
- Sat 20 Dec
- £9.50
Santa Run Wales
Get your Santa suits, reindeer antlers, and elf ears ready — Christmas is Coming, and so is the most magical fun run of the year!
- Fun run
- 5K run
- Sat 20 Dec
- £19
Moel Famau Festive 'Piece of String' Race
A great chance to stretch your legs with this event on the last Saturday before Christmas, with a Canicross race going off before the main pack.
- Trail run
- CaniCross
- Sat 20 Dec
- £20-£22
Rumble In The Jumble II
Welcome to a 6-hour timed running event where you can run a 5K all the way up to an ultra marathon on an out-and-back route within the time limit, with fuel stations, pick-and-mix medal and goody bag.
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- Ultra run
- + 1 more race
- Sat 20 Dec
- £27-£32
Christmas Canter | Half Marathon
It's December, so what better way to finish the year than with a Christmas event? Follow the Windmill Way route over half marathon distance.
- 13.1 miles road running + 764 ft ascent
- Sat 20 Dec
- £22
Calverley Chaos
Chaos on the Calverley Millennium Way. A 12km/7.5 mile trail race taking place on the fully marked Calverley Millennium Way footpath. Find out why it's Chaos...
- 12 km trail running + 600 ft ascent
- Sun 21 Dec
- £32
Slow and Dirty
The ‘Slow and Dirty’ could actually be better described as the Fast and Clean, as its a very level 19k race along the hard surface of an old railway line.
- Trail run
- CaniCross
- Thu 25 Dec
- £16-£35
Christmas Day Cracker Run
If you prefer to put on a pair of trainers rather than open presents, drink and eat Christmas dinner (or if you want to get a run in before you do all of that) then this is the event for you!
- Trail run
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- + 3 more races
- Fri 26 Dec
- £16-£35
Boxing Day Challenge
Welcome to the 6-hour Boxing Day Challenge, where you can run the distance of your choice on an out-and-back route along the River Thames, with fuel stations, bespoke medal and goody bag.
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- Ultra run
- + 1 more race
- Sat 27 Dec
- £16-£35
Year End Time Turner
Join the final event of the year and see it out with a bang! You can choose the medal you want from a selection from throughout the year!
- Trail run
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- + 3 more races
- Wed 31 Dec
- £16-£35
River Thames Run
Welcome to a 6-hour timed running event where you can run a 5K all the way up to an ultra marathon on an out-and-back route within the time limit, with fuel stations, medal and goody bag.
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- Ultra run
- + 1 more race
- Wed 31 Dec
- £5-£10
Salcombe RNLI Resolution Fun Run
Join in for the Salcombe RNLI Resolution Fun Run — a 7km scenic trail run looping around the beautiful Snape’s Point and back.
- 7 km trail running + 350 ft ascent
- Thu 1 Jan 2026
- £16-£35
New Years Day Run
Kick off the year with a motivating run—5K, marathon, or 50K! Shake off festive indulgence, spark your New Year’s resolutions, and embrace the challenge together and start strong this day.
- Trail run
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- + 3 more races
- Sat 3 Jan 2026
- £16-£35
Rhino Run
Welcome to a 6-hour timed running event where you can run a 5K all the way up to an ultra marathon on an out-and-back route within the time limit, with fuel stations, Rhino medal and goody bag.
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- Ultra run
- + 1 more race
- Sun 4 Jan 2026
- £14-£41
Bridlington
Brace yourself for this out-and-back course starting on the cliffs at Sewerby and running along the front at Bridlington. The course is great underfoot. Then enjoy hot food at the Ship Inn.
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- Sat 10 Jan 2026
- £8-£28
Dark Skies Surrey Hills
The Dark Skies returns for an undulating yomp through Surrey’s muddy, rolling hills and feature a thrilling 5K, 10K, 10 Mile, kids races and canicross with hot food and drinks, medals, kit and prizes.
- Fun run 2
- 5K run
- 10K run
- 10 miler
- CaniCross 2
- Sat 10 Jan 2026
- £16-£35
The Rise From The Ashes Run | South
Come and get involved in this Rise From The Ashes Run at The Last Hop in Staines, as long as you complete at least 3km you will be rewarded with one of the incredible phoenix medals!
- Trail run
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- + 3 more races
- Sat 10 Jan 2026
- £27-£31
Fitstuff G3 Run Series | Race 1
Take on a tough, award-winning trail run in the Surrey Hills and North Downs with a cracking sunrise, stop-in-your-tracks views and five-star reviews! No nonsense trail running.
- 10K run
- Trail run
- Sat 10 Jan 2026
- £73-£115
Kent Backyard Ultra | Round Two: Dover
A crisp morning start from the farm on a 50/50 road-trail mix with coastal views. Run a loop (a 'yard') every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains. Miss the bell, and you're out.
- Fixed time runs
- Ultra run
- Sat 10 Jan 2026
- £80
Country to Capital Ultra
A fabulous 43-mile point-to-point race, well established as the season opener to the Ultra race calendar and always sells out. From the countryside along the Grand Union Canal into London.
- 43 miles trail running + 1404 ft ascent
- Sun 11 Jan 2026
- £33-£38
WTF Where's The Finish?
Run as far as you can during the 4 or 6-hour event through Brandon Country Park in the very heart of Thetford Forest on a multi-terrain loop. Run, rest, then head out for more.
- Multi-terrain run 2
- Sun 11 Jan 2026
- £15-£58
Skipton Sweetie Skedaddle
Enjoy a trip up the Leeds and Liverpool Canal this winter on your choice of distance, along the flat towpath for runners of all abilities, from novices to PB chasers!
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Trail run
- Marathon
- + 2 more races
- Sun 11 Jan 2026
- £17
Vale of Clwyd 5K
The route is exactly 5K, multi-terrain in nature, with a nice mix of minor road and trail to make for an interesting run in lovely surroundings, with fantastic views. Chip timing, prizes and medal!
- 5 km multi terrain running
- Sat 17 Jan 2026
- £15-£56
Sir Titus Pie n Pickle Plod
Happy New Year Run along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal with a choice of distances, all along the flat, even towpath. This event is perfect for runners of all abilities from novices to PB chasers!
- 5K run
- 10K run
- 10 miler
- Half marathon
- Trail run
- + 2 more races
- Sat 17 Jan 2026
- £10-£24
Haldon Night
Popular night-time trail races through Haldon Forest with beer, mince pies and medals for finishers! A range of distances to cater for all ages. Fun for all the family with fancy dress awards too.
- 10K run
- 5K run
- Trail run 2
- CaniCross
- Sat 17 Jan 2026
- £20
Dark Skies Series | Storm the Fort
Storm the Fort is a Gold award-winning event part of the ‘Dark Skies Series’ night trail running events; a three-event series taking part across Somerset.
- 5K run
- 10K run
Trail running blog
Guides, tips and advice on trail runs.
- 10 mins read
The best trail runs this summer
Head off-road and into a world of epic trail running this summer, exploring the mountains, forests and coastlines of the UK.
Trail running FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about trail runs and trail running.
A trail run takes place mainly on off-road paths such as woodland trails, footpaths, bridleways or countryside tracks rather than roads or pavements.
Yes — many trail runs are beginner-friendly, especially shorter distances on well-marked paths with gentle terrain.
Trail runs involve varied terrain, elevation changes and natural surfaces, making them less predictable but often more scenic than road races.
Trail running shoes offer better grip and protection on uneven ground, though there are some easier trail runs suitable for road shoes, depending on the conditions.
Most organised trail runs are timed, though some focus more on participation and experience than finishing position.
Yes — some trail runs extend into ultra-distance territory. For longer challenges, explore our trail ultra runs page to find endurance-focused trail events.
Trail runs near you
Select your location for trail runs in your area.