WITH festive excess kicking in and New Year's Resolutions on the horizon, many thoughts will be turning to challenges to tackle in the year ahead.

Whether you are a hardened marathon runner or a first timer just looking for a chance to get more active, Yorkshire has plenty of events to help you get off the sofa and raise money for good causes.

Some of the sporting challenges available in 2018 are:

1. R U Taking the P - the men only 5km fun run and walk takes place on Fathers' Day, and last year raised £15,000 for prostate cancer research and York Against Cancer. Find out more at www.facebook.com/RUTAKINGP/

2. Race for Life and Pretty Muddy. The popular women's 5k and 10k races are back on the Knavesmire on Sunday, September 16; with the inflatable assault course in place for Pretty Muddy the day before. This year, the Race for Life team are also launching half marathon at Temple Newsam, Leeds on Sunday, June 3. Early bird discounts are already available, and more information is at raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org.

3. If you want to join in more regularly, try the free 5k Park Run, every Saturday a 9am. York's original event, on the racecourse, regularly attracts hundreds of runners, and now three more locations are getting in on the act with new runs planned at Heslington, New Earswick and Selby [CHECK LOCATIONS]. Check details and register at www.parkrun.org.uk.

4. If you're looking for something a bit longer than 5k, try the York 10k on Sunday, August 5. The route starts and finishes on Knavesmire, but takes runners on a sightseeing trip right through the centre of the city. It's organised by Run For All, part of the legacy of the inspirational fundraiser Jane Tomlinson CBE, and raises thousands for charity.

5. For a longer challenge still, Run for All are also behind the Yorkshire Marathon and the Yorkshire 10 Miler, both starting at the University of York on Sunday, October 14. This year, 2018, will be the sixth time the marathon comes to York, but the 26.2 mile route and its shorter cousin the 10 Miler have already become firm favourites. Find out more at www.runforall.com/events.

6. The North York Moors Coastal Marathon offers another way for runners to get the 26.2 miles under their belt - this time taking in some stunning coastal scenery around Ravenscar. It's on Saturday, September 29 and details are at www.endurancelife.com/northyorkmoors.

7. Keeping the coastal theme, but moving slightly further south, there's the Humber Bridge Half Marathon on Sunday, June 24; or the Hull Marathon on Sunday, September 23. Details at www.humber-half.org.uk and www.thehullmarathon.co.uk.

8. For those who want a bigger challenge, the Hardmoors race series based around the North York Moors and coast offers everything from 10k races and marathons to a 160 mile "The Ring Of Steele" on May 25 to 27 and even a 200 mile ultramarathon in 2019. Details at www.hardmoors110.org.uk.

9. For those who prefer to tackle their challenges on two wheels, the Heart of York Bike Ride will be back in September. Its two different routes take cyclists from the centre of York out into the countryside of North Yorkshire, raising funds for the British Heart Foundation as they go. Visit www.bhf.org.uk/heartofyork for information or to register.

10. Around the same time, the Yorkshire Cancer Research organised Selby Three Swans Sportive will be back with three different routes for cyclists of all abilities. Check yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk for a confirmed date and more details.

11. Alternatively, see the countryside in its spring glory on the Heart of Wolds Sportive, which takes place on Sunday, April 22. Four routes give cyclists a choice of everything from 23 miles to 100 miles, all setting off from Driffield and heading out onto the roads and hills of the East Riding. See www.wolds-events.co.uk.

12. The Great Yorkshire Bike Ride will be back on Saturday, June 16. The Wetherby to Filey ride has been running since 1984, and has raised more than £2.5 million for charity so far. Entries open in January, check www.gybr.co.uk.

13. Finally, if running or cycling alone isn't a big enough challenge, try doing one after the other (and a swim!) at the Castle Howard Triathlon. This year the events take place on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22, in beautiful Howardian Hills. Over the weekend there are open water swims and a half marathon to chose from, as well as the triathlon. Visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk.