With the blisters healing nicely after the Spring marathon season you may be feeling the need for speed again and there is an April shower of 5k, 5 mile and 10k races to get us all feeling racy. We start with the 10th Hurstbourne 5 on Saturday (27 April). The testing course is completely off-road through woods and farmland on the aptly named Test Way. This welcoming, low key event has raised more than £20,000 for local charities since 2009 and with King and Queen of the Mountain awards you should not expect a flat course!

Staying with 5 miles we have one for the ladies at Gravesend Cyclopark on Sunday (28 April). The Kent London Athletics Network are behind this new, traffic-free event on the smooth but undulating asphalt of the popular cycle racing circuit. The North Kent Ladies 5 Miler is only open to women, although men are welcome to carry the kit and be generally supportive! There's a bonus at the end of the five miles - a glass of prosecco!

Mixing it up with a 5k or 10k option is proving very popular and there are some fine examples of this genre on Sunday at Bushy Park and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London and at Goudhurst, Kent.

For a 5k with a difference why not try the Glow in the Park 5K at Detling Showground, Kent starting at 8:15pm on Saturday evening? Head torches, reflective clothing and a DJ will all make for an evening of 'light' entertainment under the tag line: “Shine brighter together”.

Traditional 10k races also abound with competitive opportunities at Leatherhead, Surrey; Marlow, Bucks and Flitwick, Beds to select just a few.

For all the essential details visit runABC South race listings here

Image courtesy Hurstbourne 5