If your New Year's resolution is to keep fit, this might be a good start to your fitness regime.
The North East has some fabulous annual running events to suit all ages, fitness levels and abilities.
The region is also, of course, home to the Great North Run - the world's most famous half-marathon.
Here we've put together a guide of some of the events taking place in 2020 that you can sign up for.
There's everything from the Race for Life to 5k and 10k runs to help people achieve their goal of getting fit.
Kielder Winter 10m Trail Run
This is always a popular one to really blast those post-festive cobwebs. Described as a "challenging winter race in the heart of Kielder Forest", it kicks off the year's events early in January.
The 2020 event's date is January 4 and the run, which is for all abilities and incorporates a blend of terrain, coincides with a weekend of action which includes the Kielder Dark Skies 10k Night Trail Race on the Saturday evening and the Kielder Off Road Duathlon the following day.
You can sign up here.
10k Endurance Life Coastal Trail
This takes place in February at Bamburgh Castle.
What: This run takes runners past such stunning Northumberland coastline that it's said to 'nourish your soul like nowhere else on earth'.
Length: 10k
Date: February 22, 2020
Event details: See here.
10k Mad March Mare obstacle course
What: It's called Mad March Mare, but this time it is scheduled to take place at the end of February at Hexham Racecourse. It's billed as a challenge, not a race. Prepare to get muddy.
Length: 10k
Date: February 29, 2020
Event details: See here
Parkrun
What: This is a series of runs held in areas of open space around the North East and the wider UK.
Length: 5k
Date: Every Saturday morning
Cost: It’s free, but you need to register first.
Where: Albert, Blackhill, Blyth, Darlington, Druridge Bay, Durham, Gateshead, Gibside, Hackworth, Hartlepool, Town Moor, Newcastle, Redcar, Riverside, Sedgefield, South Shields, Stewart, Sunderland, Tees Barrage, Whitley Bay.
Details: You simply set your own pace.
A spokesman has said of the runs: "They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.
"We encourage people of every ability to take part."
Website details: See here. There are also runs for those aged between four and 14 - see junior parkrun events.
Great Run Local
What: A free weekly, friendly running initiative run by volunteers.
Length: 2k/5K
Cost: Free, but you must register to get your wristband first.
Where: Newcastle Quayside, Gibside, Sunderland Mowbray Park, Souter Lighthouse
Details: Great Run Local provides a social and enjoyable experience while getting fit.
A spokesman has said: "Our runs are 2km and 5km in distances, to encourage participation, ideal for beginner runners and families as well as regular runners."
Website details: See here.
Druridge Bay
Length: marathon and half-marathon
Date: April 26, 2020
Where: Druridge Bay Country Park, Morpeth
Details: This is a four (marathon) or two (half marathon) lap route around the Druridge Bay Country Park. The route includes a run on the beautiful beach and sand dunes, passing the large freshwater lakes and surrounding meadows, plus a section through the woodland.
Website details: For further information see here.
Sunderland City Runs
Length: 5k, 10k, half marathon
Date: The 5k will take place on May 9, 2020, and the 10K and half marathon will be on May 10.
Website details: See here for more details about the routes and how to sign up.
Greggs Children’s Cancer Run
Date: May 17, 2020
Length: 5 miles
Where: Newcastle Racecourse, High Gosforth Park
Details: The Children’s Cancer Run is a 5-mile cross country family fun run set up to raise money for the North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund (NECCR), and is sponsored by Greggs.
They always have a great day come rain or shine, with lots of entertainment, as well as medals, a free t-shirt and Greggs picnics for all participants.
Website details: See here.
Run Northumberland - Bamburgh 10k
Length: 10k
Date: June 14, 2020
Where: Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7DF
Details: This race takes runners through picturesque Northumberland scenery.
Website details: See here.
Race for Life (Gateshead)
Length: 5k
Date: June 7, 2020
Where: Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Details: Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of 5k or 10k women-only fundraising events, which raise money for research so that they will beat all 200 types of cancer sooner.
Website details: See here.
The Blaydon Race
Length: Around 5.4 miles
Date: June 9, 2020
Where: Newcastle city centre
Details: The Blaydon Race is steeped in local tradition. The actual race was the inspiration for Dr James Dewar of Blaydon Harriers, who organised the first 24 races starting in 1981. The race always starts off with the singing of ‘The Blaydon Races’, as the words are used as the basis for the whole race.
Website details: See here.
Simplyhealth Great North Family Run
Length: One mile
Date: June 28, 2020
Where: Gateshead International Stadium
Details: This family run is open to everyone aged three years and above who can experience that unique finish line moment and wear a medal. It's recommended that those aged up to eight years take part with an adult and that means that everyone will need to buy an entry slot.
Website details: See here.
Great North 10K
Length: 10k
Date: June 28, 2020.
Where: Gateshead
Details: The 10k course starts behind Gateshead International Stadium and makes its way to the beautiful Gateshead Quayside, passing iconic North East landmarks such as Sage Gateshead, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.
Website details: See here.
Big Fun Run Gateshead
Length: 5k
Date: August 8, 2020
Where: Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Details: All ages are invited to "run for fitness, run for charity, run for fun...just run!" The event, part of a series of series of un-timed 5k runs throughout the UK, promises no pressure, just lots of laughs.
Website details: See here.
Great North 5k
Length: 5k
Date: September 12, 2020
Where: Newcastle Quayside
Details: Part of a great weekend of running in the North East, this picturesque course takes in the iconic NewcastleGateshead Quayside with on-course entertainment to keep you motivated every step of the way.
Website details: See here.
Simplyhealth Great North Run
This is the big one. The 2019 event was spectacular and the next one promises to be as great as ever.
Length: Half-marathon
Date: September 13, 2020
Where: The 13.1 mile journey begins in Newcastle city centre and ends at the coast in South Shields.
Entry: The ballot will open in early January but you can sign up for a reminder service.
Event details: See here.
Kielder 10k
Length: 10k
Date: October 3, 2020
Where: Leaplish Waterside Park, Kielder, NE48 1BT
Details: Come and Beat the Bull! Run the Kielder 10K around the stunning Bull Crag Peninsula of Kielder Water. You can enjoy the stunning scenery as you head up and over the Bull Crag Peninsula before rejoining the Lakeside Way and heading along the shoreline of this stunning lake back to Leaplish.
Website details: See here.
