There’s nothing better to get you out of that January slump than some time in the great outdoors.

Stay motivated to stick to your New Year health kick and raise some money for a good cause by signing up to one of Kent’s energising races. Here are some ideas to get you started…

BEDGEBURY FOREST 5 AND 10 MILE

Take a jog around this stunning country park and admire views of the largest pinetum in the world. It’s a muddy route through the forest and you can choose from five miles, 10 miles or the 2k junior race.

Details: Sunday, February 2 at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest in Goudhurst. Register online here.

BEWL WATER SPRING

You get four choices of distance with this race – 10k, half marathon, marathon or the 50k ultra marathon. All routes take you around the picturesque reservoir of Bewl Water with unrivaled views of the lake.

Details: Saturday, May 10 at Bewl Water in Lamberhurst, near Tunbridge Wells. Register online here.

BRANDS HATCH INFLATABLE 5K

One of the country’s largest inflatable obstacle courses is back this spring. Whether you want to try and beat your friends to the finish line or spend a unique day out with the family, you can bounce, slide and crawl your way through this larger-than-life course.

Details: Saturday, May 17 at Brands Hatch in West Kingsdown, near Sevenoaks. Register online here.

BRETT LYDD HALF MARATHON AND 20 MILE

This is a completely flat course, so runners can challenge themselves to achieve a personal best. It’s also ideal for people currently training for a spring marathon or those who are not too familiar with off-road running.

Details: Sunday, March 9 from the Banks Sports and Social Club in Lydd, near Romney Marsh. Register online here.

BROMLEY 10K

Complete four laps of the track, four laps of the park and a final 300m around the track to receive your finishers’ medal. There will also be trophies for the first, second and third place runners.

Details: Sunday, January 26 at Norman Park Athletics Track in Bromley. Register online here.

CANTERBURY RIVERSIDE 10K

Catch some great scenery as you venture from Chartham to Canterbury, and back again, on this flat 10k route. It’s perfect for beginners as the terrain is fairly easy-going, and everyone gets a finishers’ medal at the end.

Details: Sunday, March 23 from Chartham Village Hall, near Canterbury. Register online here.

COLOUR RUN ASSAULT COURSE

Inject some fun into your running with this colourful charity race. The run, which raises money for Breast Cancer Now, includes obstacles, such as rope swings, slides and tunnels, and splashes of colour as you run.

Details: Sunday, May 25 at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal. Register online here.

DARTFORD HALF MARATHON

This single-lap half marathon starts from the park, located in the heart of the town centre, and takes runners out into the Kent countryside with a trail that meanders through South Darenth before returning to Dartford.

Details: Sunday, March 2 from Central Park in Dartford. Register online here.

DEAL HALF MARATON

Pass Betteshanger, Northbourne, Ripple, Sutton, East Langdon and Martin on this peaceful half marathon. Young runners who aren’t quite ready for the full race can participate in the 1.5k junior course instead.

Details: Sunday, February 16 from Betteshanger Road in Deal. Register online here.

DYMCHURCH 10K

Take on this bracing winter run along the beachside promenade and bag yourself a finishers’ medal at the end. This seaside race is mostly flat, but it might get wet so make sure you dress for the weather.

Details: Sunday, February 9 from the Beach Cafe in Dymchurch. Register online here.

HEADCORN HALF MARATHON

If you want to achieve a new personal best in the New Year, you can have a go at this half marathon. The route is mostly flat and takes you on a pleasant trail along the Smarden Bell and Egerton Forstal.

Details: Sunday, February 16 from Headcorn Primary School, near Ashford. Register online here.

HENDY TUNBRIDGE WELLS HALF MARATHON

It’s been going for more than 40 years and is famed for its particularly challenging route. However, it’s also scenic and is in aid of a great cause, having raised more than £200,000 for charity over the years.

Details: Sunday, February 23 from Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre. Register online here.

HOWLETTS EASTER RHINO 5K

There aren’t many places where you can set off on a 5k run surrounded by 400 rare and endangered animals. This year’s Easter race will be rhino-themed to celebrate the rewilding of three black rhinos in Tanzania by the Aspinall Foundation and will help raise money for the conservation charity.

Details: Sunday, March 30 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne, near Canterbury. Register online here.

KENT SPRING MARATHON AND HALF MARATON

This popular spring race returns, with crowds of keen runners expected to sign up again for 2025. Both the marathon and half marathon take participants into the villages of Charing and Westwell and along a short section of Pilgrims Way.

Details: Sunday, April 13 from Sandyacres Sports Club in Ashford. Register online here.

MAIDSTONE ROAD RUN

Raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice, based in Aylesford, with a circular 10k run, a 5k run or a 1k family run suitable for children. You’ll receive chip timing results, a finishers’ medal and a branded vest.

Details: Sunday, March 2 from Cornwallis Academy in Maidstone. Register online here.

MESSY DASH

It doesn’t matter if you run, skip, dance or walk your way through this one, as long as you don’t mind getting covered in paint as you go. It’s open to all ages and includes two colour zones along the 2.5k route so expect to get, as the name suggests, very messy.

Details: Sunday, July 6 at Central Park in Dartford. Register online here.

MOUNT EPHRAIM 10K

Enjoy the beautiful summer gardens at Mount Ephraim on this 10k dash. There’s also a junior race where young participants can run one or two laps of the cricket pitch.

RUN KENT HALF MARATHON

For 2025, two new routes have been added to this long-running race. Now, participants can choose from the traditional half marathon, or opt for the newly-added 5k and 10k races. There will be live music to keep spirits high and spectators are welcome to cheer on their loved ones.

Details: Sunday, October 5 from the Judd School in Tonbridge. Register online here.

THREE CASTLES 50K

If you really want to push yourself, you can take on the 50k ultra marathon along the River Medway. You’ll start at Rochester Castle, then head through Aylesford towards Allington Castle and follow the riverbank all the way to Tonbridge Castle before making it to the finish line.

Details: Saturday, May 31 from Rochester Castle. Register online here.

WHITSTABLE AND HERNE BAY 5K, 10K AND HALF MARATHON

If you get the weather for it, this run is a great way to soak up the beach vibes and breathe in some fresh sea air. You’ll run from Herne Bay to Whitstable, with routes ranging from 5k to a half marathon, and it’s open to all abilities so anyone’s welcome to have a go.

Details: Sunday, March 23 from Hampton Pier Recreation Ground in Herne Bay. Register online here.

You can also sign up for one of Kent’s Race for Life events, which take place throughout the year in support of Cancer Research UK. Find your nearest race here.

Also, for those who want to take part in regular races, you can find your local Parkrun event here and join in with the weekly runs.

The free races take place every Saturday at 9am at locations all over Kent, with more than 1,300 Parkrun events held across the country.