Post-Christmas preparations start here, with a series of races from Boxing Day through to the New Year. Weather permitting, naturally.

Boxing Day sees the Chevin Chase from Guiseley, with Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee expected to battle to retain the silverware within the family.

The popular race, organised by Airecentre Pacers, is again full but makes for great watching, with various Santas and decorated Christmas trees joining the run (for vantage points, see www.guiseley.co.uk/ airecentre-pacers/Chevin_ Chase_Route.pdf).

On December 27, the road runners will head to Todmorden WM Club, by the station, for the Hot Toddy 5.8mile run at 11am. There is a long climb to Lumbutts after a flat opening mile, before a sharp descent back to the Halifax Road. At 10.30am, a one-mile family fun-run option is available.

The speedsters will head that day to the Roefield Leisure Centre in Clitheroe for the Ribble Valley 10k, one of the fastest courses on the circuit.

On Tuesday, December 28, the Jolly Holly Jog 10k starts at 11.15am from a new venue at Ripon Rugby Club. A 1.5mile family off-road fun-run will help rid any excess pounds, starting at 10.30am.

Closer to home, on Wednesday, December 29 from Shelf Village Hall, the Coley Canter seven-mile off-road run takes place. Entries are on the day, in the hall, starting at 10am, for an 11am start. It only costs 50p but runners must carry a full waterproof body cover, map, compass, whistle and emergency food in a bum-bag.

The New Year’s Eve traditional event is the Auld Lang Syne fell-race, started by a bagpiper on top of Penistone Hill Park. The race is full but offers onlookers a spectacular course towards Bronte Bridge and Haworth Moor. The 400 runners head off at 11.30am on their six-mile run up 900ft of ascent.

On New Year’s Day, the Giant’s Tooth fell-race from Ogden Water is a “joker race”, scoring double points for runners in the Airedale Athletics winter off-road challenge. It is an ideal introduction to fell-running, over a scenic three-mile course.