/var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/set-yourself-a-goal/14748756-2-eng-GB/set-yourself-a-goal_GA.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/set-yourself-a-goal/14748756-2-eng-GB/set-yourself-a-goal_GZOOM.jpgSet Yourself A Goal Unless you love exercising it’s hard when the days are short and grey to get motivated to work out.
It’s even harder if you don’t have a goal, be it a bikini or wedding dress to squeeze into.
Without a social event to slim for, why not book yourself on to a race to help motivate you to get fit?
We have rounded up the 12 best races in early 2013. Find your favourite, book a place and start practicing – we guarantee it will keep you pounding those pavements this winter...
/var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/elle-and-nike-s-we-own-the-night-10k/15569499-4-eng-GB/elle-and-nike-s-we-own-the-night-10k_GA.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/elle-and-nike-s-we-own-the-night-10k/15569499-4-eng-GB/elle-and-nike-s-we-own-the-night-10k_GZOOM.jpgELLE and Nike's 'We Own The Night' 10K What: ELLE has teamed up with Nike to bring you the ultimate 10K run in London's Regent Park on the evening of May 18.
7,000 women will lace up their trainers and head off on a route twice around Regents Park. A suitably fashionable event we have all sorts of top secret surprises along the route and in the runner's village at the event - it’s run, festival and rave all rolled into one. Trust us, you won't want to miss it!
Where: Regents Park, London
When: 18 May
Cost: £28
Medal: Yes, of sorts (it's top secret)
Get your mates together and book your spots on the race here...
/var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/a-weekly-challenge/14748763-2-eng-GB/a-weekly-challenge_GA.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/a-weekly-challenge/14748763-2-eng-GB/a-weekly-challenge_GZOOM.jpgA Weekly Challenge What: If a marathon sounds too much like hard work then head to parkrun.org.uk. They organise weekly 5km timed runs that are free.
Simply browse the events listings around the country, find a run, then register to take part.
You’ll be emailed your time post- race so each week you can aim to beat yourself! Great motivation.
Where: nationwide
When: every week
Cost: free
Medal? No
/var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/climb-a-mountain/14749012-2-eng-GB/climb-a-mountain_GA.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/climb-a-mountain/14749012-2-eng-GB/climb-a-mountain_GZOOM.jpgClimb a Mountain What: Raise money for the NSPCC and tick ‘climbing a mountain’ off your to-do list by reaching the summit of Mount Snowdon, which at 1085m is the tallest in England and Wales.
Where: Wales
When: 23-24 March (other dates available)
Cost: £169 + fund raising
Medal? No
/var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/run-a-marathon/14749034-2-eng-GB/run-a-marathon_GA.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/run-a-marathon/14749034-2-eng-GB/run-a-marathon_GZOOM.jpgRun a Marathon What: If you keep getting knocked back by the notoriously hard-to-get London Marathon, then maybe it’s time to move on.
The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is one of the top long-distance races in the country but with little over half the entrants of the London race (20,000 runners compared to 38,000 in London) it makes for a less crowded run.
Where: Belfast
When: 6 May
Cost: £33
Medal? Yes
Click here to visit the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon website...
ALAMY
/var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/get-on-your-bike/14749058-3-eng-GB/get-on-your-bike_GA.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/beauty/diet-fitness/diet-features/motivating-races/get-on-your-bike/14749058-3-eng-GB/get-on-your-bike_GZOOM.jpgGet on your Bike What: If you prefer getting on a bike to pounding the pavements why not take on a long-distance cycling challenge?
Moon Riders organise 100km night time bike rides from London to either Cambridge or Brighton.
The route is sign-posted, there are support riders along the route, as well as two snack and one hot meal stop.
Where: London to Cambridge
When: 10 May
Cost: £49 when you sign-up + £300 pledge to charity or £139 when you sign-up
Medal? No, but you get a well-deserved celebratory breakfast
ALAMY 
