July in Europe: Races, Fun Runs, and Charity Events

For those who decided to make a marathon their 2010 New Year's resolution, July is the time to do it. Culminate your six diligent months of training with a memorable race, and if you're looking for just the right one our suggestions below might help:

• SWITZERLAND: The Swiss Alpine Davos Trail Marathon is the ultimate mountain running experience for runners of all abilities. Choose to cruise courses like the 11.3 km jaunt around Davos lake or the 78.5 km ultra trail with over 2260m elevation change. The gun goes off on Sunday, July 31, so you've got plenty of time to get over there.

• FINLAND: Head for Suomi's ancient capital, Turku, for the Paavo Nurmi Marathon on July 3. This race will be particularly pleasurable for the afternoon runner - the marathon and half-marathon races don't start until 13.20. Marathon, half-marathon, 10K.
  

• ITALY: Take part in this new take on the evening passagiata - the Reschenseelauf is a 15.3 km run around an alpine lake between Italy and Switzerland. The run doesn't kick off till 17.00, which means you'll be done just in time for a happy hour beer or glass of wine, depending on which side of the border you end up on. Both, by the way, are performance-enhancing beverages. Kind of like Gatorade.