Whether you want to take on a new challenge, set yourself some goals, or get yourself on the right track for the new year, signing up for a run could be just the ticket.

Register for one of Kent’s many charity fun runs, marathons or obstacle courses and look forward to getting fit and raising money for a good cause in 2023.

Canterbury Half Marathon

This bank holiday run is hosted annually to support the work of Kent-based charity Pilgrims Hospices. The course takes you out of the city and around the quiet countryside outside of Canterbury, with lots of challenging country lanes.

There are medals available for each person who crosses the finish line, as well as celebratory goodie bags. There is also a two-mile fun run and a children's race if you don’t fancy the half marathon.

Details: Monday, August 28 at Merton Farm in Canterbury. Race begins at 10am and costs £25 to enter. Register here.

Colour Dash, Swanley

Returning for another year, this colourful fun run is a messy day out for the whole family. We Are Beams, a local charity that supports disabled children and their families in Kent, are putting on the run, which includes 5k and 2.5k routes and will see each participant covered in brightly coloured powder as they make their way to the finish line.

The shorter route is accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Colour powder stations can be found at every kilometre. You can wear old clothes, a white t-shirt (that you are happy to get messy) or go all-out in fancy dress.

Details: Sunday, July 9 at Swanley Park. Race begins at 10am and costs £15 to enter. Register here.

Folkestone Rotary Half Marathon

2023 will mark the 18th year that this race will take over the streets of Folkestone. Raising money for a number of local and international charities, the Folkestone Rotary Half Marathon takes you on a picturesque journey along the coast, with great views out over the beach at Folkestone and Hythe.

There are cash prizes for the first people to cross the finish line, as well as a number of prizes for all finishers and the leading runners in all age groups. There is also a shorter children’s race taking place before the half marathon.

Details: Sunday, September 24 at The Grand in Folkestone. Race begins at 10am and costs £24 to enter. Register here.

Hever Castle Races, Edenbridge

This year, Hever Castle will be home to a series of challenging races to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The first course is a true test of endurance as you pick from a range of activities - triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, aquathlon, swim or run - and can select a distance up to an ultra marathon. This race takes place on Sunday, July 9 and costs from £34 to enter.

The second event is a multi-sports day suitable for all ages. You can choose to run, swim or cycle your way around the castle ground, or even take part in a mixed relay race. There is also a junior event with lots of races designed for 9 to 16 year olds. This race takes place on Saturday, 23 and Sunday, 24 September and costs from £34 to enter.

The final run in the series is inspired by Royal Marines Commando training. The tricky 3k, 6k and 12k obstacle courses include mud runs, cargo climbs, tunnels and tubes, river crosses, slopes, drops and planks. This race takes place on Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 October and costs from £24 to enter.

Find out more about Hever Castle’s 2023 races here.

Howletts 5k, Canterbury

Get exclusive early-hours access to more than 45 species of animal and 90 acres of parkland, all while you help raise money for a good cause. The Aspinall Foundation, which carries out conservation work and protects wildlife from extinction, runs two of Kent’s biggest wildlife parks, including Howletts. During your race, you will get the chance to see Kent’s only giant anteaters and more gorillas, leopards and monkeys than anywhere else in the county.

Your entry fee for the race also includes free entry to the wildlife park for the rest of the day, so you can really make the most of your day.

Details: Sunday, April 23 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne near Canterbury. Race begins at 9am and costs £20 to enter. Register here.

Inflatable 5k, Brands Hatch

The world’s biggest inflatable obstacle run returns to Kent this year. This fun-filled touring course has 32 inflatable challenges to take on, including The Crawler, the Swing Shot and the Temple of Doom, with music zones spread out across the route to keep you motivated. The challenge has even been featured on TV shows such as This Morning.

There are four distances to choose from - 2.5k, 5k, 10k and 15k - and is suitable for children aged five and older.

Details: Saturday, May 20 at Brands Hatch in Longfield. Race begins at 9am and costs from £32 to enter. Register here.

Lydd 20 Mile, Romney Marsh

This race is perfect for beginners or those who are looking to beat their personal best as it’s a completely flat course. The route takes runners out onto the quiet country lanes around Lydd, which should be surrounded by colourful spring blossoms given the time of year. The money raised from the raise will be donated to the Mayor of Lydd’s Charity Fund.

There are lots of prizes to be won, and all participants will receive a medal for their achievements. If you aren’t quite up to 20 miles, there is also a half marathon that you can take part in.

Details: Sunday, March 12 at The Banks Sports and Social Club in Lydd near Romney Marsh. Race begins at 10am and costs £28 to enter. Register here.

Maidstone Road Run

With a circular half marathon, 10k run, 5k run and 1k family fun run, there’s no excuse not to get involved. This annual run, in support of the Heart of Kent Hospice, offers something for everyone, from challenging hill climbs to a fancy dress race with the kids.

The races all take place at different times, so make sure you check the details for your chosen run. Each runner receives a medal at the finish line.

Details: Sunday, March 5 at Cornwallis Academy in Maidstone. Races begin between 9am and 10.10am and cost from £8 to enter. Register here.

Race for Life

Cancer Research UK’s long-running Race for Life is back for another year, with two special events right here in Kent. This year, there will be races at Herne Bay, Folkestone, Maidstone, Margate and Tunbridge Wells.

The races vary and there are several options for you to get involved in. Choose your distance - usually 3k, 5k or 10k - and run, jog or walk for charity. There are also Pretty Muddy runs for both adults and families, which involve obstacles, challenges and lots of mess.

You can find the dates and locations of Kent’s Race for Life events below:

Herne Bay: Sunday, June 25 at Hampton Pier

Folkestone: Sunday, June 11 at The Leas

Maidstone: Saturday, 1 and Sunday, 2 July at Mote Park

Margate: Sunday, July 16 at Palm Bay

Tunbridge Wells: Sunday, June 4 at Dunorlan Park

To find the full list of Race for Life events, click here.

Don’t forget, you can also get involved in Parkrun events across the county every Saturday from 9am to help you train for your charity race - find out more here.

Kent’s current Parkruns are listed below:

Ashford: Victoria Park, TN23 4QA

Bedgebury: Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, TN17 2SJ

Bromley: Norman Park, BR2 9EF

Canterbury: The Pavilion at University of Kent, CT2 7SR

Dartford: Central Park, DA1 1JP

Eynsford: Lullingstone Country Park, DA4 0JF

Gillingham: Great Lines Heritage Park, ME7 5HB

Gravesend: Shorne Woods Country Park, DA12 3HX

Maidstone: Lock Lane in Sandling, ME14 3AU

Malling: Leybourne Lakes Country Park, ME20 6JA

Sittingbourne: Milton Creek Country Park, ME10 2DE

Tonbridge: Castle Road, TN9 1HR

Tunbridge Wells: Dunorlan Park, TN2 3QN

Whitstable: Whitstable Promenade, CT5 2BE