From desert dashes to midnight marathons, these races will push you to your limits, while throwing in a holiday too.
Whether you’ve got fitness fever, or you’re still struggling to keep that new year’s resolution, it’s important to have a goal. The countdown of a clock and the adrenaline of race day might be just the push you need.
Luckily, there’s a bounty of marathons and races in the region for seasoned runners and newbies alike. So pull on your running shoes, and throw a holiday into the bargain too with one of these exciting races.
Singapore
Sundown Marathon (March 25)
Singapore’s Sundown marathon is a race through the city under cover of night so you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the midday heat. The event’s night festival, running from March 21, is a celebration of all things sport, and runs all through the race night (just like you). Registration is open until the end of February.
Hong Kong
Hard as Nayls (April 30)
In memory of Hong Kong police superintendent Andy Naylor, Hard as Nayls donates all profits from participants back into the local running community. With a mixture of roads and trails, it’s a challenging course, but totally worth it for the stunning Clear Water Bay views. A shorter 4km and 8km family race takes place the day before.
Malaysia
KL Marathon (May 21)
Organised by Standard Chartered, the KL marathon is so popular that all slots for 2017 were snapped up within 4 days of opening. Runners picked their favourite charity and got friends and family to sponsor them in their fitness antics. This urban race will take them past iconic landmarks like KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers -- plenty to spur them to the finish line.
China
Gobi March (June 18)
If you're drawn towards the extreme, then it doesn't get much more intense than this. This desert run is one of four races by 4 Deserts in some of the world’s most hostile environments. Covering a 250km distance over one week -- around 35km a day -- this challenge will push you to the limits.
Cambodia
Angkor Empire Marathon (August 6)
Take on a real-life temple run with a full or half marathon at the stunning UNESCO heritage site of Angkor Wat. The sunrise start should help you avoid most of the heat as you run against the stunning backdrop of Siem Reap's ancient temples.
Need a reason to start running? Let these 5 society men convince you with their passion for running.