Best Winter Running Events in the UK 2026-27

And there's no shortage of brilliant events to choose from. Whether you fancy a festive 5k, a fast winter 10k, a scenic half marathon or something a little more adventurous, we've rounded up eight of the best winter running events in the UK for 2026/27.

If you're looking for advice on training through the colder months, check out our winter running guide.

Run Alton Towers

Most running events don't come with the promise of a rollercoaster ride at the finish line, but Run Alton Towers isn't your average race. It takes place over two days in November, giving runners the chance to race through one of the UK’s best known theme parks.

There's a 5k, 10k and junior race on Saturday, followed by another 5k and a half marathon on Sunday. Best of all, your race entry includes access to the park's rides afterwards!

Find out more and enter Run Alton Towers.

Battersea Park Half Marathon

Battersea Park is ideal territory for setting a new PB. The entirely flat course follows tarmac paths around one of the city’s prettiest parks, so if you want to focus on your pace without worrying about hills, it’s perfect. There are 5k and 10k options too if you’d prefer a shorter challenge.

Find out more and enter Battersea Park Half Marathon.

Edinburgh Christmas Running Festival

If you're looking for an excuse to dig out your Santa hat and get into the festive spirit, the Edinburgh Christmas Running Festival is a great place to start. This popular event, now in its 22nd year, takes place in Inverleith Park, with a mostly flat course that boasts lovely views of Edinburgh’s skyline.

The whole family can take part, as there’s a 5k and 10k for adults and a 1.5k fun run for younger participants, and festive fancy dress is encouraged. Everyone who crosses the finish line receives a special Christmas-themed medal.

Find out more and enter Edinburgh Christmas Running Festival.

ATW St Albans New Year's Eve 10k

What better way to round off 2026 than with a new personal best and a celebratory glass of fizz? The St Albans 10k starts and finishes in Highfield Park, and the route is mostly flat, so it’s generally a fast one. There’s plenty going on for spectators, including live music, refreshments, and a free children’s run before the main event.

Find out more and enter the St Albans New Year's Eve 10k.

Country to Capital Ultra

This popular ultramarathon kicks off the UK ultra-running season and is a brilliant way to start the year for anyone who fancies a serious endurance challenge. The route takes you on a scenic 43-mile journey from the rolling countryside of Buckinghamshire to the busy streets of London. It's a demanding but rewarding mix of terrain, with five checkpoints along the way offering drinks, snacks and the organiser's famous homemade fruit cake.

Find out more and enter Country to Capital.

Cardiff Winter Warmer Run

Cardiff's Bute Park is home to over 3,000 trees, and on the last Sunday in January, it also plays host to hundreds of runners taking part in the Cardiff Winter Warmer Run. The course is mostly flat, starting at Coopers Field, and the number of laps you do depends on which distance you choose: 5k, 10k, or half marathon.

As part of the wider Winter Warmer series, the event supports Shelter Cymru, which helps people across Wales find and keep a home. Fundraising is optional, but it's a nice opportunity to support a worthwhile cause while working towards your own running goals.

Find out more and enter Cardiff Winter Warmer Run.

Westonbirt Arboretum Winter Night Races

Home to over 2,500 species of trees, Westonbirt Arboretum is a beautiful place to explore at any time of year. But on a Saturday evening in February, it offers something a little different, as runners take to its forest paths after dark for a 5k or 10k race.

Although the setting feels like a trail race, most of the course follows firm stone paths with relatively little elevation, making it accessible to runners who aren't used to tackling rough terrain. Just make sure you bring a head torch!

Find out more and enter Westonbirt Arboretum Winter Night Races.

Endurancelife Dorset

The Jurassic Coast in Dorset is famous for its dramatic cliffs, sweeping sea views and 185 million years of geological history. It's also home to some seriously tough running terrain, as anyone who's tackled an Endurancelife race will tell you.

Each route starts in Swanage and follows sections of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed coastline, with steep climbs, grassy trails and plenty of opportunities to admire the English Channel (when you're not concentrating on the hill ahead). Even the shortest route has around 235 metres of elevation gain, and the 32-mile ultra involves more than 1,300 metres of climbing. Endurancelife grades the terrain as 'extreme', so it’s not for the faint of heart!

Find out more and enter Endurancelife Dorset.

Find your next winter race

These are just eight of the brilliant running events taking place across the UK this winter, but there are plenty more to discover. Check out our full range of UK winter runs and find the one that gets you out the door, whatever the forecast says.

**

Related guides:

• Winter running guide
• The best 10k races in the UK
• The best half marathons in the UK