1 Engadin Ski Marathon

Held annually since 1969, the largest ski race in the world is open to everyone. More than 13,000 skiers cover the 26 miles from Maloja to St Moritz through spectacular mountain scenery and frozen lakes. A great challenge and great fun.

Women's race March 5, men's race March 12; registration at engadin-skimarathon.ch.

2 Tour de France

Regarded by many as the greatest sporting event on the planet, with a collective roadside audience of more than 15 million it is certainly the largest. Every year one stage is opened to amateur riders for L'Etape du Tour and, just like the real thing, the roads are closed and you get a police escort with 8,5000 other riders. This year's L'Etape, on July 10, is the classic 187km Alpine stage from Gap, which climbs the Col d'Izoard and Col du Lauteret en route to the 21 hairpinned ascent to the famous ski station of Alpe d'Huez. If that sounds a bit too energetic, for spectating the Pyrenees stages (July 12-14) are hard to beat for atmosphere, as the cycling- (and drinking-) mad Basques turn the route into a carnival.

July 1-23, information and registration for L'Etape at letour.fr.

3 New York Marathon

You've still got 10 months to get in shape for what is the oldest and still the daddy of open-to-everyone long-distance races. Some 35,000 runners from over 100 countries pound through the New York streets and as well as being more glam than the London Marathon, the chances of your application being accepted are higher, too - about 50/50.

November 5, applications by May 1, ingnycmarathon.org.

4 World Pro Surfing, Hossegor

Hossegor is the centre of the French surf scene year round, but for complete immersion in surfie culture why not go when the Quiksilver Pro World Championship hits town at the end of the summer? The pros will be competing for a pot of US$260,000, but only a section of the beach is cordoned off, so you can also try some of the heavy beach breaks for which the region is famous. Hossegor is the tournament HQ but the competition moves to where the swell is best.

September 22-October 1, aspworldtour.com.

5 Berlin Inline Skating Marathon

Over 9,000 rollerbladers will hurtle through the streets of Berlin in September for the world's largest inline skating (rollerblading) race. The record for the 26-mile course is just 1.01 hours - twice as fast as the running marathon which takes place the following day. Despite the speed and sheer volume of riders, there has never been a serious accident. Around 200,000 spectators line the streets to cheer on the riders.

September 23, registration info 0049 3030 128810, berlin-marathon.com.