What’s your plan for 2018? Is this the year that you take on your first big trail run, or your first orienteering challenge? Maybe it’s the year you decide to enter a foot race against 200 horses?

If you haven’t decided on your big challenge or escape yet there’s good news, because we’ve put our heads together to round up some of the highlights of the coming year for you.

Montane Spine Race

13-21 January

We genuinely can’t think of a harder race than this. Walking the entire Pennine Way is considered an achievement enough in itself, let alone running it in the middle of winter and with your food and shelter on your back. Good news for those who don’t like the cold is that the first ever summer version, the Spine Race Fusion will be held this year. Same race, different season.
More details: thespinerace.com

Fort William Mountain Festival

21-25 February

Adventurer and broadcaster Lowri Morgan will be talking about self-belief at this year’s festival at the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’. There’ll also be the annual film competition night, the Best of Banff showcase plus a host of mountaineering and adventure workshops.
More details: mountainfestival.co.uk

The OutdoorsMagic Trail Marathon and Half

5-6 May

Yes that’s right, we’ve got our own event this year. As part of the OMM Lite festival weekend we’re putting on an all-terrain marathon and half marathon in the beautiful Forest of Dean. It’ll be fully-waymarked and marshalled and at the end you’ll be cheered over the finish line by hundreds of spectators at the OMM basecamp.

TGO Challenge

11-26 May

Almost every year since 1980, around 300 backpackers from the UK and around the world head to Scotland to walk their own personally crafted routes from the west coast to the east. The self-supported journey typically takes around two weeks and the majority of hikers will opt to camp for the entire duration. This year’s event is full but keep an eye out for the call for 2019 entries.
More details: tgochallenge.co.uk

Ras y Gader / Cader Idris Mountain Race

19 May

A race in Snowdonia from Dolgellau town centre up to the top of Cader Idris and then back down exactly the same way. In the 10.5 miles covered, runners are faced with over 3000ft of ascent and a huge variety of terrain underfoot. It’s just one of many quirky mountain races on the running calendar this year.
More details: cader-race.co.uk