FELL racing is slowly returning to the local calendar, and there is a choice of two events this week.

Tonight, at 7pm, there is the Hades Hill Fell Race. Five-miles long , with 1200ft of climb, it starts from Taylor St, Whitworth, near Rochdale.

Saturday's offering is the Mount Skip Fell Race which is 4.5-miles and 1000ft.

The start is at 3pm from the Gala Field, Burnley Road at Mytholmroyd near Hebden Bridge.

Orienteering is also restarting after the lengthy lay-off due to foot and mouth.

This Saturday at Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, the Pendle Forest Orienteers are organising an event in their Autumn Series.

Colour-coded according to difficulty, there are white, yellow, orange and a score course which means that it is suitable for newcomers or experienced competitors.

As it is an informal event everyone is welcome. Starts are from 10.30am to 11.30am.

A similar event will be held on Saturday, September 22, at Thompson Park, Burnley.

For further details call Tom Gray on 0161-766-5666 or e-mail mailto:thefifer@aol.com

The Lancaster Half Marathon sets off from Salt Ayre Sports Centre at 11am on Sunday.

Although it is the third race in the Lancaster and Morecambe Race Series, each event can be entered individually. There is also a fun run at 11.15am.

The 24th Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Half Marathon, organised by Swinton Running Club, is on Sunday.

Registration for the early 9.30am start is at Grosvenor Road School with parking at Barton Road in Swinton.

The race starts at Hospital Road and finishes at Victoria Park.

On Wednesday there is a race for Springhill Hospice in Rochdale in memory of Norman Ryan.

The 4.3-mile Road Race starts from the hospice on Broad Lane at 6:45pm.

Bolton Adult placement is organising a fun run and walk to raise awareness of the disabled by bringing the able bodied and the disabled together.

To be held on Saturday at the Athletics Stadium, Leverhulme Park, Bolton, it is a two mile event for runners joggers and walkers.

There will also be a shorter course for wheelchairs and the less mobile. Juniors and inexperienced runners would be most welcome and there will be a free buffet and spot prizes.

Registration is from 10:15am with the run starting at 11am.

For further details please call 01204-337515 during office hours.