Running Challenges: 100 of the best runs in England, Scotland and Wales

by Keri Wallace

Running Challenges by Keri Wallace showcases 100 of the best runs across Great Britain, from inspiring 5Ks through to epic multi-day ultras. Split into three sections – England, Scotland and Wales – and featuring a mixture of marked trails, organised races and unmarked self-navigated challenges, the runs ramp up in difficulty as you go through each section, so, whether you are a beginner or a more experienced trail, fell, mountain or ultra runner, you can find something achievable, accessible or aspirational.
Keri draws on her experience as a mountain runner and running guide for Girls on Hills to hand pick the best and most interesting runs across Great Britain, starting with some first-rate parkruns and short trail runs, including the Loch Coruisk loop and the Hampstead Heath circuit, working up to tough and demanding routes and races, such as the Welsh 3000s and the Bob Graham Round. Use this book to tick challenges off, or as a tool to plan where to run next – wherever you are in the UK there will be a run nearby.
Each run has handy details to help with planning your adventure – start and finish points, distance and ascent, navigational difficulty, public transport, parking, route profile and overview map – along with inspirational text and stunning photography to give you a flavour of what the run is like. Other options nearby are included, along with suggestions for other similar challenges throughout Great Britain.

514 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2024

Reviews

[Arabella Woodrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

It comprises a catalogue of running challenges (100 in total, split between England Scotland and Wales) varying in distance from 5km through to over 1400km (that one is Lands End to John O'Groats). Most are between 20 and 100 km. All runs are graded 1 to 4 according to navigational difficulty (1 is waymarked throughout, 4 is not waymarked, may comprise complex terrain and requires good self navigational skills).
Many of the longer, and harder challenges either are fell races, or individual challenges regarded as classics in the fell running community, which require some considerable training, recce-ing and organisation in order to complete it (eg The Bob Graham Round, Paddy Buckley Round and Charlie Ramsay Round). For the most part, website links are given so that interested parties can find out more detail (though there wasn't any given for the BGR, although one exists). In this way each challenge can be described succinctly, without clogging up the page with lots of detail. 
Most of the events are definitely not for the fainthearted (or those who are not runners used to running off road and on mountains); would-be participants should consider not just the distance but the total climb given for each event. Approximate times are given to cover each route, which are calculated by the Jones Ross formula which is mentioned at the end but, sadly, not explained. There are magnificent photographs throughout, alongside or overleaf from every listing. My one grizzle is that I would have liked a caption for each, (on the longer ones especially) to say whereabouts on the route it was taken, or which mountain summit is featured.

[Graham Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this book! It's giving me inspiration for running in areas I will visit on holidays not just with the routes included in the book (100 routes is not that many spread over the UK) but through the 'What Next?' ideas after each run described. I like the layout and the amount of information which requires further research in terms of looking at maps, and in turn encourages further exploration of running in the chosen area. The book is split into England, Scotland and Wales. In each section the runs start with easily accessible short runs (a Parkrun in each case) and then increase in length, time and adventure all the way up to 24 hour challenges and some multi-day routes. A few are races.
With knowledge of my local area I can see that the information is good, with time needed, public transport options, and parking all very useful. I also like the Introduction which gives an idea of the ethos of the author, encouraging adventure with personal responsibility and respect for the countryside you will visit.
I think this book will appeal to a wide range of runners who want to go beyond Parkruns and be more adventurous in their running, and to those more experienced trail runners who are looking for inspiration to visit new areas or for bigger challenges. There's something for everyone.
Highly recommended.

[Rachel Fryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for inspiration for anyone interested in trail/fell/mountain runs. It's got a nice introduction in which the author articulates what might make a run a challenge for different people, and why we do it. Plus other useful introductory info (etiquette, river crossings...etc). The route information includes very basic non-OS maps. But it's not meant to be a guide book to follow - the idea of the book is to provide inspiration, with the finer detail/research/more detailed mapping for the runner to look into themselves, as part of the experience of planning their adventure. But there's lots of other information such as ascent, estimated time, start/finish (name, grid reference, GPS), public transport, parking. And interesting stuff about races on the route, the history of those, the groups who organise them, similar challenges. The photographs are really nice and give a good idea of the landscape/terrain. The only thing it might be useful to be aware of if you are based in England in the Midlands/East Midlands/Peak District, is there aren't many routes for that area, which I was surprised by. There aren't really any in the midlands, and the routes around the Peak District start at 33km. So although the book does include a starting point for all levels, the 5k's and other relatively shorter routes are in the north and south of the country.

[ANDREW JULIETTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author who is Co founder of Girls on Hills, a guided trail running company for women, has curated an excellent selection of 100 running challenges located across England, Scotland and Wales. There are 34 challenges listed for England (most in the north), 35 in Scotland and 31 in Wales. The challenges range from relatively easy 5k runs to multi sector routes such as the Cambrian Way (479km) and the epic 1400km ‘Munro round’ which covers 282 peaks above 3000 feet. Each country section is colour coded to make reference easy. The book is beautifully illustrated with colour pictures of the scenery and terrain many are full page. The details of each run are quite brief so if attempting some of these further more detailed maps and guides would be required. Each run links to other options nearby so it serves as an inspirational guide to explore some of the most beautiful areas of the UK. The book has a section on mountain safety and should be used I think as a ‘coffee table’ reference book to inspire readers to tackle all of part of each challenge listed

[Alix A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great, classic routes in here! Such a good range from short and less challenging to some real monster routes. Really lovely photos to help inspire and a short overview of each route is given including options, if there’s a race attached to the route and also other ideas for runs close by.

I especially like and appreciate the introduction, in particular the ‘Etiquette and style’ section. I was a little concerned the book was going to be sharing routes without the history, but the intro covers and words really well the proper attitudes and actions that go towards being responsible in attitude and to the environment.

It’s not a guide you can use to complete the routes, but a great pointer for finding new adventures and sparking ideas. It’s definitely a book I’ll keep picking up and looking at.

[pete munford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running Challenges is a guidebook, an information resource, a wonderfully illustrated coffee table book, a piece of printed inspiration...
The book contains descriptions of 100 running challenges, ranging from 5km in length to 1400km (!). Some of the runs stand alone, others are part of a longer challenge, but all are of interest and cover the UK from Cornwall to Fair Isle. The book is split equally into three covering England, Scotland and Wales and as one would expect, the major mountain areas feature heavily.
Each run is described in eloquent detail, with an overview route map, beautiful colour images, and suggestions of shorter or longer variations, local races and ultras. Other options in the same style but in other areas are also included, widening the readers' horizons since most of us know our local areas well, but not necessarily those elsewhere.

[Debbie Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The running challenges are very varied, from 5km to over 100km. The
different routes will suit different abilities, from beginners to the athletes.
For each route, Keri gives a brief description about the area, provides a map, gives the ascent, parking or public transport options, provides information about how easy/difficult it is to navigate, often offers other options and more.
The book is packed with some invaluable information about 100 running challenges, but as explained in the book, extra research is needed before the challenges are attempted. It has plenty to ‘wet your appetite’ and help choose which challenge is best for you. Great to browse through. I am looking forward to simply walking some of these amazing routes.
Lovely feel to the book and some great photography.

[Anne Macnamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky enough to receive a review copy, I really enjoyed this book with ideas for a range of running challenges across the country.
Having read many other excellent Vertebrate guides, it is worth remembering that the author clearly describes the ethos of the book at the outset - it’s about inspiration and ideas, not a detailed how-to guide. I forgot this sometimes and got a little frustrated at descriptions of places not shown on the maps or a lack of clear locations for photos - then reminded myself that Keri wanted us to make our own adventures without being spoon fed.
Great layout, so many ideas for challenges at all levels and Vertebrate’s always excellent production values. I will return to this for some over-winter planning ahead and as great inspiration to get running fit again.

[Emily Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a keen runner I love the sport for the opportunity to explore places. There’s always an emphasis on racing and events so a book which encourages exploration and personal challenges will always get my vote. It includes routes from 5km to over 1000km and everything in between. It includes the Cambrian way across wales, Bob Graham, but also short routes like Whinlatter parkrun. Each route has a brief description and a summary of the key stats as well as any races which cover the route (for those that need medals).
I love this book and can’t wait to tick off new challenges!