With Christmas Day and New Year's Day both falling on a Sunday this winter, it's not only parkrun that is taking advantage of the opportunity for an additional run or race, depending on your taste, during this festive season.

If you feel the need for speed or just want to burn off some of those inevitable extra calories you will consume – various studies estimate more than 5,000 calories for Christmas dinner alone – then look no further than your comprehensive runABC South race listing for some inspiration.

On Christmas Day itself, your only option would seem to be the many parkruns that are open. You can find out about events near you in our recent news item: Christmas Compendium published by parkrun

It's a different story from Boxing Day (Monday 26th December) through to New Year's Day Bank Holiday (Monday 2nd January) with nearly 50 races listed at distances from 5K to ultramarathons on every possible surface. Here is our runABC South reporter's pick of a few of them.

Boxing Day: Runners v Riders

Why not continue a tradition that started in the 1930s and join an annual challenge event where runners race cyclists over a very muddy 3.5-mile course on a former military training ground in Friday Woods, Colchester, competing for the Markham Cup?

Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th, Friday 30th December: Phoenix Running

Twixmas is the time to visit the superb facilities of Xcel Sports Hub, Walton-on Thames for Phoenix Running's three-day series of endurance challenges based on an out-and-back course on the Thames path between Walton-on-Thames and Hampton Court. Wednesday's races are the Year End Marathon and Half Marathon; Thursday's event is dubbed Frozen Phoenix and has the full range from 5K to ultramarathon based on completing as many 3.28 mile laps as possible within six hours; Friday sees a repeat of Thursday's programme under the Zico-thon banner, with its one-off, bespoke medal.  

New Year's Day: Bewl Bubble Run

Finally, we have the traditional Lamberhust 5K and 10K with an extra boost of fizz! Bewl Water Reservoir is the setting for this Nice Work promotion that features four huge bubble machines at the start and a free glass of Prosecco at the finish to celebrate the New Year. Cheers!

Runners v Riders image courtesy Craig's Events on Facebook