If you’ve been inspired by the London Marathon, why not sign up for a running challenge of your own this summer, right here on your doorstep?

This year’s Medway Festival of Sport programme features a host of running opportunities, whatever your fitness level.

New for 2014 is the Medway Sporting Legacy 5km Summer Series. Over five months from May to September, Medway Sport, Run Britain and Nice Work are staging five summer evening races across Medway.

The runs, which all take place on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, are ideal for runners of all standards, including beginners and those new to racing.

The first Medway Sporting Legacy 5km takes place on 21 May on the Great Lines Heritage Park. This will be followed by a race at Riverside Country Park on 18 June. Other venues include Deangate Athletics Track, Capstone Farm Country Park and Medway Park Athletics Track.

Points from runners’ best four results will count towards an overall series prize, with trophies being awarded across various age groups, along with a special prize for the highest points scorer completing five races.

Entry fees range from £8 per race for runners affiliated to clubs (£10 non-affiliated) to £30 for the five-race series for affiliated runners (£40 for non-affiliated).

The Medway 10km also returns for its second year as part of the Festival of Sport. This year’s event takes place onSunday, 8 June at 9.30am, with the run starting and finishing on the Medway Park track.

Medals and goodies will be given to all finishers, as well as awards for leading runners in all age categories and team prizes. The event will also include fun children’s runs on the Medway Park track.

Entry is £13 for affiliated runners and £15.00 for non—affiliated. On the day entry is £20, and for the fun runs is £3.

For more details and to enter either the 5km Series or the Medway 10km visit www.nice-work.org.uk or call 01797 230009.

The Medway Festival of Sport programme features an action packed 80 days of sporting action, ranging from schools competitions and taster days to community and club competitions.

They include the Cancer Research UK Race for Life on Sunday, 18 May in Rochester Castle Gardens and a series of open meetings organised by Medway and Maidstone Athletics Club. The climax to the Festival summer will be the eighth annual Medway Mile on Friday, 25 July. The weekly parkrun on the Great Lines Heritage Park on Saturday mornings at 9am also continue throughout the summer.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, said: “Running is one of the best ways to get fit and there’s something for everyone in Medway this summer.”

For more information about the Festival of Sport programme and how you can get involved visit www.medway.gov.uk/fos. For more information about regular running groups in Medway, visit www.medway.gov.uk/onyourmarks