It's been a long time coming but we can finally look forward to a major Bank Holiday with decent weather forecasts and no pandemic restrictions. As long as we can find (and afford) some fuel for the motor we can, at last, enjoy our favourite healthy pursuit – namely the pursuit of others in friendly competition.

runABC South race listing is full of opportunities to gorge on miles rather than chocolate this Easter weekend. There are more than 30 races listed from 5K to ultra marathon on all sorts of surfaces – a real pick 'n mix of events. Some organisers are making the most of the extended weekend with a series of linked events to make the weekend travel more worthwhile. 

One of the favourites of your runABC South news writer is the 1886-founded Ryde Harriers' Newport to Ryde 7 on Saturday (16 April) and West Wight 3 Hills on Easter Monday. The former is an undulating 7-mile road race and the latter is a multi-terrain and scenic 8 miles, with approximately 800 feet of ascent and fabulous views of The Needles. Any runners lucky enough to be on holiday on the Isle of Wight this weekend are in for a treat!

Also doubling up on events are the folks at Enigma Running with their Enigma Easter Series comprising a Good Friday 50K ultra, marathon, or half marathon and another 50K ultra or the marathon on Easter Monday. All the courses start and finish at Lakeside Grove, Milton Keynes where there is sustenance at the Caldecotte Arms. All routes follow the flat lakeside path around Caldecotte Lake for up to eight laps.

A few promoters are embracing the season with their event names at least. Examples include the traditional Maidenhead Easter 10 and St Albans Easter 10K on Good Friday; Active Fakenham Easter 5K & Fun Run on Easter Sunday plus the London Easter 10K at Regent's Park and Easter Bunny 10K at RNAS Yeovilton organised by Yeovil Town RRC on Easter Monday – with tasty course records of 30:02 (Ben Tickner) and 34:52 (Maddie Horton).

Of course, there are plenty more races in the region to help keep the waistline in check, and no doubt some Easter treats will appear in goody bags to make the effort worthwhile.

Check out the runABC South race listing here for more inspiration.

Image courtesy anncapictures on Pixabay