GREAT MALVERN TRIPLE RUN

WHAT: Great Malvern Triple Run.

WHERE: Three Counties Showground, Malvern.

WHEN: Sunday, July 1, at 10.30am.

WHY: To raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice, Worcester, which cares for life-limited children.

ABOUT: The second Great Malvern Triple Run is a unique format of three separate races for different disciplines: the Great Malvern Run - a half marathon; the Malvern Spring Run - a 5km cross-country run/walk; and the extra-special Chicken Run - a 1.1km course designed especially for children with special needs and for all abilities.

HOW TO ENTER: For an application form call 01386 554848, or e-mail triplerun@acorns.org.uk. Costs for the half marathon are £14 (affilliated) or £16 (unattached) and £5 for the other two races.

ROTARY DRAGON BOAT RACE

WHAT: Rotary Club Dragon Boat Race.

WHERE: River Severn, North Quay, Worcester.

WHEN: Sunday, July 8.

WHY: To raise thousands for local charities including Acorns Children's Hospice, St Richard's Hospice, Worcestershire Life Education, Worcestershire Association for the Blind, Maggs Day Centre, Rotary charities.

ABOUT: A team of 10 people paddle each 30-foot boat with a drummer at the front beating time and a helm at the tail steering a straight course. No previous experience is required. The festival is open to everyone and up to 36 crews are expected to battle it out over the 250m race course.

HOW TO ENTER: call 01905 351748 or visit www. wsrcdragonboat-festival.co.uk. Costs £250 per team.

BHF HEARTS FIRST BIKE RIDE

WHAT: BHF Hearts First Bike Ride.

WHERE: Worcester Racecourse.

WHEN: Sunday, June 3, at 10am.

WHY: To raise funds for the British Heart Foundation's £1.5m Have A Heart campaign.

ABOUT: The ride will take you through the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, passing through Droitwich, Bromsgrove and Wychavon, before returning to Worcester. The event is the largest bike ride in the region with nearly 300 participants in 2006. Starting and finishing at Worcester Racecourse, participants have a choice of three routes - eight miles, 28 miles and 45 miles.

HOW TO ENTER: Call 0800 1693672 or visit bhf.org.uk/worcester. Costs £10 for adults, £5 for 12 to 16-year-olds and £20 for a family.

RACE FOR LIFE

WHAT: Race For Life.

WHERE: Worcester Racecourse.

WHEN: Sunday, June 10, at 11am.

WHY: To raise money for Cancer Research.

ABOUT: Cancer Research wants the female participants to help smash its fund-raising target of £380,000 and have a great day out with family and friends too. The 5km course will take you round the racecourse and city centre and the surrounding areas. This year, the charity wants to see 5,500 women run, jog or walk the course to help more people survive cancer. The course is suitable for wheelchair users.

HOW TO ENTER: Visit www.raceforlife.org or call 08705 134314. Costs £10 to enter.

ST RICHARD'S MALVERN WALK

WHAT: St Richard's Malvern Walk.

WHERE: Malvern Hills.

WHEN: Saturday, May 19.

WHY: To help raise the £3.2m needed by St Richard's Hospice every year to help care for patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses at the new hospice in Worcester.

ABOUT: This annual event is now in its 23rd year. The walk is one of the highlights of the hospice calendar. Keen walkers can stride out on the five or 11-mile routes and there is also a two-mile stroll so that all ages and fitness levels are catered for.

HOW TO ENTER: Contact the fund-raising team on 01905 763963. Costs: free to enter but all sponsorship money (or an on the day donation) to go to St Richard's.

ABBERLEY HALL 10K FUN RUN

WHAT: Abberley Hall 10km and fun run.

WHERE: Abberley Hall School.

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, at 2.30pm.

WHY: All proceeds will go to Abberley Churches Restoration Fun.

ABOUT: A testing off-road course or a fun run for the whole family to enter. Prizes in all age categories and refreshments and attractions for non-runners include tours of Abberley Clock Tower HOW TO ENTER: Visit www.abberleyhall.co.uk to download an entry form. Costs £6 for the 10km, or £2.50 for the fun run (£6.50 for a family).