Photo: Dan O at Kielder Marathon (photo shared by Dan)
3rd – 5th October: Charmbracelet 100 (50 miler also available)
This 104 mile event starts in the Cumbrian village of Dufton with entrants following the Pennine Way, Teesdale Way, The King Charles III Coastal Path and The Cleveland Way for the last 6 miles of the event, passing through 10 checkpoints including Middleton, Cotherstone, Whorlton, Piercebridge, Croft, Middleton St George, Stockton and Redcar, before finishing in Skinningrove. The route passes the iconic charm bracelet sculpture at 100 miles in and has 6000ft of elevation.
The 50 mile event follows the second half of the 100 route, starting in Croft-on-Tees and finishing in Skinningrove. It is described as ‘undulating, but not hilly’ and has 1709ft of elevation.
Emily Beaumont completed the event in 30:35.
4th October: parkruns – Gdansk & Cotsford Fields
At Gdansk parkrun, Rachel Thomas was 2nd female finisher in 21:57, whilst Juliette McLaren was 2nd female finisher at Cotsford Fields.
4th October: Lakeland Trails – Cartmel (5k, 10k and 18k routes available)
Starting and finishing at Cartmel Racecourse, runners take on their off-road journey through some of the most scenic and varied countryside in the Lake District, along waymarked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, giving panoramic views of Morecambe Bay and the surrounding peaks.
Phil Neal completed the 10k event in 1:14.
5th October: Great Cumbrian 10k (Half Marathon also available)
The mainly closed-road 10K route goes through the City Centre then heads up Brampton Road taking the turning into Rickerby Park, turning right passing the War Memorial to the fallen of the Great War (1914-1918), crossing the Memorial Bridge and running along the new path back to Bitts Park and to the finish on the track at Sheepmount Athletics Stadium.
John Harrison completed the 10k in 52:16.
5th October: Kielder Events Weekend – Marathon and Half Marathon
The Kielder Marathon route is an almost entirely off-road course around northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, Kielder Water, in Northumberland. Advertised as ‘Britain’s most beautiful marathon’, it is the finale to the weekend of events, including 10k and Half marathon and a duathlon.
Dan Rushton-Orton completed the Marathon in 4:45 and Rebecca Dodd in 5:10, whilst Steve Snook completed the Half Marathon in 1:52.
5th October: Penshaw 10k (Championship Race)
Part of the Urban Trails series of races by Trail Outlaws. The Penshaw 10K (approx. 6.5 mikes) is set on the fantastic trails surrounding Penshaw Monument and the River Wear. Organisers describe the route as ‘undulating, some that have actually taken part in the race, go as far to say that this course is brutal for a 10k’.
Alex Mathers finished in 8th place overall and 2nd in age category in 50:45, followed by Billy Harris (1:00 and 2nd in age category), Simon Rek (1:09), April Corbett (1:09 and 2nd in age category), Anthony Corbett (1:10), Wendy Colling (1:13 and 2nd in age category), Helen Clark (1:18) and Lisa Jenkins (1:22).
5th October: Cardiff Half Marathon
The route starts outside Cardiff Castle and takes runners past the Principality and Cardiff City Stadiums, with runners taking in Penarth Marina, before crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay, past the Norwegian Church and Wales Millennium Centre. A loop of Roath Park Lake is completed before the grandstand finish in Cardiff’s beautiful civic centre. The race has sold out for the eighth time, and this year in record time – within just 12 hours of entries going on sale, with 27,500 taking part in the Half Marathon. The Cardiff Half is part of the SuperHalfs – an international half marathon series including races in Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Valencia, Copenhagen and Cardiff. It challenges runners to complete the six-race circuit in order to earn a ‘SuperMedal’.
Barbra Barker completed the event in 2:02 (PB) and David Ledgerwood in 2:17.
5th October: Cross Country – Acklam
The Acklam Cross Country course offers a varied mix of grassy fields and wooded trails over gently undulating terrain, suitable for runners of all levels.
Senior and Veteran Women & Men 65+ run 6.3 km, two laps of the course.
Abbie Jones was first Quaker female finisher in 26:39, followed by Carys Samuel (27:07), Lou Trainor (27:47 and 3rd in age category, Katherine Hackett (28:36), Lisa Bowerbank (29:56), Amy Storey (30:55), Rachel Grayson (31:25), Dave Whittle (32:17), Lucy Coxon (32:29), Diane Lockhart (32:30), Carmelita Coco (34:14), Helen Clarke (34:49).
Senior Men run 10km, three laps of the course.
Marc Ellis was first Quaker male finisher in 39:18 and 1st in age category, followed by Marc Helias (40:29 and 1st in age category), Rob Dent (45:34), Martyn Farnsworth (48:27), Lee Coles (53:12), Paul Cockburn (57:19) and Chris Clark (57:22).
11th October: parkruns – Darlington South Park & Oakwell Hall
At Darlington South Park, Marc Ellis finished in 5th place overall in 18:01 and Marc Helias finished in 10th place overall in 19:14. Rachel Grayson achieved a new PB of 25:43, shaving 13 seconds off her previous PB in March of this year, and Sharon Ellis completed her 100th parkrun milestone in 32.39. Meanwhile, at Oakwell Hall, Rob Dent finished in 6th place overall in 21:33.
11th October: Des Plaines Trail Marathon, Illinois (50 miles and Half Marathon also available)
All of the races are an out and back along the Northern segment of the Des Plaines River Trail system with runners passing through lush forests and open wetlands on a flat, wide, crushed gravel trail, free of roots and rocks.
Sue Sparrow completed the event in 3:40.
11th October: Perth 10k (half Marathon, Marathon also available)
The Streamer 10k is a flat, fast and beautiful course around the Swan River, through the beautiful Burswood Park, and finishing at the stadium.
Gilly and Brian Cowton completed the event in 59:44 and 1:28 respectively.
12th October: Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon starts and finishes in Grant Park, sending runners on a 26.2 mile loop through 29 of the City’s neighbourhoods. The route weaves past iconic districts including Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park, Chinatown and Bronzeville, passing through both North and South Sides before returning downtown. The course is renowned for being flat and fast.
Rob Gillham completed the event, another Major (!) in 4:11.
12th October: Hadrian’s Wall – Hexham half marathon
The route begins at the World Heritage site of Housesteads Roman Fort on the Military Road. Following the iconic Hadrian’s Wall Trail Path for 6 miles, runners then descend to Newbrough and pass through woodland to reach the Tyne Riverside Trail Path. The final 5 miles are flat as the route heads into Hexham, finishing in Tyne Green Country Park.
Katherine Hackett and Shane Lester completed the event in 2:13 and 2:26 respectively.
12th October: Richmond Castle 10k (10k league)
Daniel McIntyre was first Quaker finisher in 42:20 (PB) followed by Dave Jones (44:39), James Stuart (48:42), Graham Looney (50:11), Neil Chalmers (50:20), Carys Samuel (50:49), Brian Martin (50:51), Ian Hart (50:54 and 1st in age category), Alex Looney (51:58), Stephen Ash (55:40), Barbra Barker (56:44), Simon Rek (58:09) Chris Clark (58:43), Paul Cockburn (58:53), Carmelita Coco (59:21), Ian Burgess (59:55), Helen Clark (1:01), Julie Bell (1:03), Julie Russell (1:03), Sarah Burrows (1:05), Mel Newton (1:08), Paige Robson (1:08), Darren Alderson (1:09)) and Lucy Bendle (1:13).
12th October: Melbourne Marathon Festival
The 2025 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival brought together over 40,000 participants from around the world to the heart of Melbourne. With events ranging from the full marathon to a 3km family walk, the festival catered to runners of all levels and ages, with thousands of spectators lining the streets and cheering from inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where all races concluded. The route showcased Melbourne’s city skylines, parklands and coastal stretches, passing by Flinders Street Station, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, St Kilda Foreshore and Federation Square.
Ray Reed completed the marathon distance in 4:37.
12th October: Coxhoe Trail Run
This event takes runners over old railway lines and quarry paths, offering a mix of terrain that is both challenging and scenic. It starts at Coxhoe Hall and follows the signposted Limestone LinX path, which forms a loop, bringing runners back near the starting point.
Dan Rushton-Orton was first Quaker finisher in 52:13, followed by April Corbett (56:26), Anthony Corbett (1:00), Wendy Colling (1:00), Gill Colling (1:04), Julie Whinn (1:05) and Mark Colling (1:11).
12th October: Budapaest Festival
The SPAR Budapest Marathon weekend, held on October 11–12, 2025, transformed Hungary’s capital into a vibrant celebration of running, offering a plethora of distances to chose from including marathon, marathon relay, 30k, half marathon, 14k, 10k, 5k and 4 x 2k.
The 5k route began along the Danube River with views of Buda Castle and Gellért Hill, passing through tree-lined boulevards and historic bridges, before the turnaround point at Liberty Bridge, before heading back.
The 10k route hugged the Danube and showcased Budapest’s most iconic landmarks including the Parliament Building, Margaret Bridge and the Chain Bridge with sweeping views of the Buda Hills and the Fisherman’s Bastion.
Jeff Marriott completed the combo 10k and 5k in 1:31.
12th October: Peterborough Half Marathon (5k also available)
The 2025 AEPG Great Eastern Run, held on Sunday, October 12, brought over 5,500 runners to the streets of Peterborough for a day of fast racing and community celebration. With 4,706 finishers in the half marathon and 842 in the Anna’s Hope 5K Fun Run, the event continues to grow as one of the UK’s premier Autumn races. The race is a flat, one-lap loop on closed roads, starting and finishing on the embankment, next to the River Nene and winds through the City Centre and residential areas passing key landmarks including Cathedral Square and Central Park. The improved 2025 route offered better spectator access and smoother pacing opportunities.
Michael Oliver completed the event in 2:06.
12th October: Canicross at Wheelbirks Parlour
Following the Greener Miles Backyard Ultra loop entrants complete either one (4.2 miles) or two (8.4 miles) laps of hills and mud on the private estate.
Alex Mathers was 1st finisher overall in the 4.2 mile event in 27:14.
Special mentions
Commiserations and condolences to Claire Chapman who completed yet another Lyke Wake crossing on 3rd October – this was her 66th time, with an additional 6 miles to avoid closures on the route.
parkrun…
Congratulations and well done to Quakers who have achieved milestones and personal challenges over the last fortnight.
Well done to members that joined the parkrun tourism at Riverside at Chester-le-Street. The next parkrun tourism will be on 15th November at Jubilee (Spennymoor). Information below:
Jubilee Course Description
Start at the bottom of the park next to the Villiers Street entrance. Travelling in a clockwise direction, complete 3 full laps plus 1 part lap to finish at the top of the park next to the bowls green. The course is an undulating mixture of grass and paths. Trail shoes may be advisable in the winter. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed at this event.
Facilities
Toilets are available in the park. Other facilities include play areas, skate park, bowling greens, tennis courts, mini golf, sensory garden and disabled activity area.