AT this time of year runners will be planning their Christmas timetables, and there are many tempting races on offer. Here are six of the best.

The Whinberry Naze Dash on Boxing Day starts the season off on a suitably light hearted note. Fancy dress is de rigueur - one year there was even a chinese dragon manned by a dozen Todmorden Harriers! Starting at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall at 11:30am, it is 4.5 miles long.

At the top of the 750' climb you will most likely be greeted by Father Christmas dishing out Smarties.

Fancy dress is optional at the Red Rose 10K on Boxing Day, but there will be a prize for the best.

Runners in the multi-lap 10 milers and half marathons which use Worden Park will be familiar with this course. Mercifully this one is just a lap and a half. Registration is at the Crofters Arms, Leyland Lane, Leyland and the circuit is flat and fast. There is also a two mile fun run which starts five minutes after the main event.

The Ribble Valley 10K is a Blackburn Harriers promotion in conjunction with Forbes Solicitors. Taking place on Sunday 30th December from Edisford Bridge, Clitheroe it is over a quick but slightly rolling course through scenic countryside.

For the road racer who wants more of a challenge, the Hot Toddy might be for you. The course is a testing one of 5.8 miles over an established town and country route. A free Hot Toddy awaits every finisher over 18. Race HQ is the White Hart Hotel across the road from Todmorden Town Hall at the A6033/A646 junction. Like the Ribble Valley race it is on December 30th at 11am. A one mile fun run is at 10:30am.

See the year out with the Auld Lang Syne. A fell run of that name is on New Year's Eve. All finishers receive a bottle of acclaimed Auld Lang Syne beer courtesy of sponsors Briscoe's Brewery. The 6M/900' race is at Penistone Hill Country Park near Haworth in West Yorkshire. Start time is 11:30am.

The first race of the New Year is the Joe Salt Littleborough Centre 5K.The Royal Oak Inn in Littleborough Village Centre is the base, and the race starts at 11:30am.