Get Inspired: How to get into mass participation running events

Don't be intimidated - mass participation runs are designed for people of all abilities. Think of them as less of a race and more of an event where hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people come together to create an electric atmosphere.

Participation offers a chance to run, walk or even dance your way to the finish line as well as a feeling of camaraderie with the people sharing the experience with you.

Once you reach the end there is a feeling of accomplishment that energises you, whether you've walked a mile or run a marathon.

And thankfully, mass participation events come in all shapes and sizes so you will find one that is for you. Our guide below sets out the most popular options to help you decide.

Fun runs

The clue is in the title. These events are all about having fun. Fancy-dress costumes are likely to feature in all of them, but some events go one step further and make it a fun-fest.

The Color Run is a 5km, non-timed run where participants are covered in different coloured powder every time they reach a kilometre marker. Santa Runs are also a festive favourite, but don't forget your Father Christmas outfit!

5km (3 miles) and less

These could be anything from the weekly free parkrun to a one-mile event like the Sport Relief Mile or the Westminster Mile that can either be run or walked.

Get the buzz of running in a large group on an organised course but do it at your own pace for a shorter distance.

If you are new to running or haven't jogged in a while, try the Couch to 5K Challenge, which will have you running for 30 minutes three times a week in nine weeks.

This will give you the idea...

10km (6 miles)

If you fancy testing yourself a little more, a 10K could be the event for you. It will take a bit longer to complete but it's still an achievable distance.

Events like The Great Manchester Run and Great Scottish Run take place through the year across the country and can be a great stepping stone to a longer-distance challenge. Soak up the atmosphere and complete the course in your own time and in your own way.

The Great Manchester Run's beginners' training plan starts with 15-minute runs. It will have you running 10 kilometres in 10 weeks.

Half marathon (13.1 miles, 21km)

These events are often used as a building block towards a full marathon but also a major mass participation event in its own right with the Great North Run, the world's biggest half marathon, having its millionth finisher in 2014.

Half marathons can also be an amazing way to see a city, like the Cardiff Half Marathon or the Belfast Half Marathon that both take you to the finish line via a tour of the city.

Bupa's half-marathon training plan for beginners starts with 30-minute runs and has you running 13.1 miles in 12 weeks.

Marathon (26.2 miles, 42km)

Viewed as the ultimate mass participation event, a marathon is definitely a test of endurance but that doesn't mean it can't be fun.

Whether you are using the event as a way to test yourself or you intend to be the first over the finish line, there is a place for everybody in a marathon. Marathons are the biggest of all mass running events so the roads are often shut down and people will line the streets to cheer on participants.

For some of the big city events, like the London Marathon, you will be asked to run for a charity although there are usually limited places for non-charity runners. Some will ask you to raise a set amount of money for your chosen charity.

The London Marathon's own beginners' training plan has 30-minute runs in the first week and suggests that you start the plan having had at least a month of steady running beforehand. The schedule has you running a marathon in four months.

Kids and family runs

These days, a number of mass participation events also include runs for children, for example the Great North Run has a Junior And Mini event.

They are shorter in distance and encourage fun for the whole family. They can be a great way to involve everyone in your mass participation challenge.

Volunteering

Mass participation races can cover a lot of ground. Whether it is in a park, stretch of road or throughout a city, they need a number of willing volunteers to help them take place. Being a volunteer is a chance to be involved without doing the running but still feeling a real sense of reward for helping others.

Not only do volunteers help keep everyone on track, they provide water, safety and moral support to runners every step of the way. It's often the volunteers who can get the spectators cheering and clapping, providing atmosphere for the crowd as well as for the participants.

The website Join In is a good starting point to find volunteering opportunities for high-profile mass participation events. Many of the events themselves also have online forms for anyone interested in volunteering.

For volunteering opportunities in your region, visit Volunteer Scotland, Sport Wales, and Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland.

Here are a few things to consider before choosing your first race:

What's next?

1. Go to our club finder page to get into running near you.

2. Share your story and inspire others.

Are you inspired to try a mass participation event? Or maybe you are a keen enthusiast already... Get in touch and tell us your experience by tweeting us on @bbcgetinspired, visiting us on Facebook or email us on [e-mail].

See our full list of activity guides for more inspiration on activities to try.