The time has come to start thinking about this year's Marcothon, back for its 16th year the popular running streak will once again see runners around the world embark on an epic winter mission - to run a minimum of three miles or 25 minutes every day in December - which ever comes first.

For those not already in the know, the rules of Marcothon are simple: those committing to the challenge must run every day in December, including Christmas Day itself - no mean feat! There’s no playing catch-up, either; if runners miss a day, they’re out. Only running – not walking, cycling or any other activity – counts, but pace is not important.

Marcothon began in the winter of 2009, when Glasgow-based ultrarunner Marco Consani designed a challenge to keep him running over the darkest days of winter. He settled on running at least three miles every day in November, and achieved his goal. After seeing her husband’s fitness and motivation improve as he worked through his challenge, Consani’s ultrarunner wife Debbie decided to do the same the following month – naming the challenge the ‘Marcothon’ in his honour.

Word of the challenge soon spread around the world and the Marcothon community quickly grew. In 2010, the challenge joined Facebook, where it now has more than 9K supportive friends in a private group where participants can post their runs and share in their agonies (and ecstasies).

This year you can look the part as you get the miles in as there is some fantastic looking merch on offer with t-shirts, buffs and hoodies to choose from, you can check it out here. 

If you'd like to be a part of the Facebook group, you can do so here.

Image: Marcothon Facebook