Want to get fit, give something back and have something to look forward to in 2022?

Signing up to take part in a run, whether just for fun; for charity; or to give yourself a goal, is a great way to start the year. Here are nine ways to get off the mark in 2022...

Deal Half Marathon

The half marathon returns to Betteshanger Country Park and the quiet roads around it on Sunday, February 20.

On the day it costs £22 to sign up.

There is also a Junior 1500m race along the cycle path starting at 10.45am and costing £3 to enter. Sign up by clicking here.

Trosley Park Challenge

The trail run on Sunday, February 27 takes runners around Trosley Park's ancient woodland with its views over the surrounding countryside. You can choose to run a 5K or a 10K route.

Organised by Sporting Events UK, you can sign up here.

Maidstone Road Run

Heart of Kent Hospice volunteers and marshals will be on hand for the return of the Maidstone Road Run on Sunday, March 6, when runners can take part in either a half marathon, 10K, 5K, or the 1k family fun run. All the routes start at Cornwallis Academy and will take runners along the country roads around Linton, Boughton Monchelsea and surrounding villages.

Hospice events manager Erica Snow said: “We are hoping that this important fundraising event will attract over 500 runners who together will be raising much needed funds for the Hospice. Many of the enthusiastic runners have a personal reason for taking part and a running goal they want to achieve.”

For the 1k family fun run there is the option of running in fancy dress.

All runners get a finishers' medal. To sign up click here.

Bewl Water Runs, Lamberhurst

Bewl Water at Lamberhurst will be the setting for four courses, ranging from a 10K to a half marathon, marathon and ultra, all on Saturday, May 7.

All four courses are run on a combination of undulating rural wooded trail and along some quiet country lanes, with views of the lake for most of the route. Sign up by clicking here.

Little Welly, Sevenoaks

There will be a longer course option and new obstacles when the family run is back at the St Clere Estate on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15.

The event, which returns for a second year, will also have new entertainers, activities and food and drink choices.

It supports the work of the nurses of the Roald Dahl Marvellous Children’s Charity. To book your place for up to £27.74, click here.

Inflatable 5K, Brands Hatch

The event promises to bring the world’s largest inflatable obstacle run to Brands Hatch on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

There will be 32 gigantic obstacles for runners to tackle over the 5K course, organised by UK Running Events, with names like Temple of Doom, The Demon and The Mangle.

As seen on ITV’S This Morning, this epic event shall once again be touring the UK and will be in visiting Brands Hatch on May 21, 2022.

There are four route lengths to choose from ranging from 2.5K to 15K. Sign up by clicking here.

5K Colour and Foam Run, Betteshanger

Runners can take part in the event organised by the Kent Wish Foundation on Sunday, June 19 at Betteshanger Country Park for fun, or, as a fundraiser, collecting at least £100 for charity. Runners who raise more than £300 for the foundation will get a bottle of champagne.

Raise £500 and you'll get an afternoon tea for two.

The race takes runners through coloured foam at the beginning and end, and colour stations on the way round

All entrants receive a branded t-shirt and medal. Sign up by clicking here.

Race for Life across Kent

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is back and coming to a park near you in Kent.

At Tunbridge Wells there will be a 3K and a 5K race on Sunday, May 29 while the event comes to Folkestone on Sunday, June 12, with a 10K at 11am and a 3K and a 5K at noon.

There will be two days of events at Maidstone's Mote Park, with a Pretty Muddy Kids and Pretty Muddy 5K on Saturday, July 2, and a 10K and 5K on Sunday, July 3.

Margate's Race for Life will be on Sunday, July 17, with a 10K at 10am, and a 3K and a 5K at 11am.

Sign up to take part by clicking here.

Parkrun

Why not get into running mode by joining your nearest Parkrun on a Saturday morning? The 5K events are for walkers and runners and are held across the county.

There is also Junior Parkrun which is a 2K event for children aged four to 14 on a Sunday morning.

Across the county they are held at Maidstone; Canterbury; Ashford; Bexley; Gravesend; Dartford; Folkestone; Tunbridge Wells; Sittingbourne; Tonbridge; Whitstable; Swanley; Bedgebury; Gillingham; Lullingstone; Leybourne and Bromley.

To find out more about joining and where your nearest run is click here.