The gradual return of attended races has seen a steady move away from virtual challenges but there are still plenty of opportunities for excitement in the virtual world with the right format.

Experienced race promoters Results Base have designed a brilliant concept for those lucky enough to live and run in the beautiful Dorset coastal areas of Bournemouth and Poole – or those who are visitors.

The Sixpack Challenge is a collection of six bespoke routes of varying distances that together comprise the full marathon distance of 42.2kms. The race is underway now and you can join anytime before 31 December 2021. You can complete any or all of the selected routes for a single entry fee (currently £20 for the first 250 entrants) but the specially struck Sixpack Marathon medal only goes to those who complete all six challenging courses.

Each entry receives access to route mapping technology via the RunGo App, with turn-by-turn navigation of all the Bournemouth and Poole Sixpack Marathon Challenge courses, including a voice-guided tour and an encouraging halfway reminder.

The bespoke courses, which can be run in any order, are:

• King of the Castle 6K, Highcliffe Castle
• Head over Huts 8K, Henistbury Head
• Sea to Summit 10K, Bournemouth 
• Canford Heath Round 8K, Poole
• Park Life 5K, Upton Country Park, Poole
• Heathland Discovery Trail 5K, Avon Heath Country Park, Ringwood

Why not book a holiday in this lovely part of England now the hotels are open again (from 17 May) and make the Sixpack Marathon Challenge your personal boot camp programme? It's a great way to get back into shape for a future half or full marathon for real later this year.

The early adopters on top of the Sixpack Marathon Challenge leaderboard are W50 Jo Robinson (New Forest Runners, 4:12:55) and M50 Mark Galpin (Veteran Runners UK, 4:54:02). 

Event and entry details at the Results Base Sixpack Marathon Challenge website

Image: Results Base Sixpack Marathon Challenge spectators on the course!