In Kolkata, a city rich in history, culture and custom, the third Sunday in December is a date that is eagerly anticipated. The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K (TSK 25K) has become synonymous with running in eastern India since it began in 2014.

India’s first AIMS-certified race in the unique 25 km distance, the TSK 25K went global in its fourth year and is the only World Athletics Elite Label Road Race over the distance.

Offering a step up for those looking to graduate from the popular half marathon to the classic distance, the Procam International-promoted running festival has the city’s favourite son, Sourav Ganguly, as the Face of the Event.

The TSK 25K changed the paradigm of road running in the region, sparking a revolution that saw a remarkable increase in the number of running clubs and timed events in eastern India.

The race is also the single largest sports platform for philanthropy in the region. The TSK 25K provides an opportunity for people to come together as one, forging a bond with civil society. In other words, a sports event with a social conscience.

If like many other runners from the north of Europe you are searching for a great winter escape and a race set in a beautiful location then Maratón Málaga may be what you are looking for. This annual road running event is held in December in the city of Málaga, Spain, the capital of Costa del Sol.

Malaga marathon and half-marathon are both run on Sunday. The Zurich Maratón Málaga is an IAAF Bronze Label race.

The relatively flat course of Malaga marathon will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the city. You will run near the Alcazaba Moorish fortress from the Islamic era, the Roman Theatre or Castillo de Gibralfaro. All those places and many others, like the amazing and lively city market - Ataranzas Market - are worth visiting before or after you run the marathon in Malaga. The city of Pablo Picasso has something for everyone.

You can expect mild weather with temperatures around 18ºC (64ºF) and mostly sunny. December, despite being one of the rainy months, usually sees no more than 5-7 days of rain. This promises ideal conditions for your Maratón Málagaand the whole trip, in case you decide to spend some more time in the city or the region.

Let's not forget about the beach! After running the marathon in Malaga you can relax on the beautiful beaches of Costa del Sol. What can be better than this, especially in the middle of winter?

Make sure you get your tickets before they sell out! You also have an opportunity to purchase the official event footwear (HEALTH) and eyewear (SOON) during checkout and collect them at the Race Expo.

The Mersin Marathon is an annual road running event over the marathon distance, which is held in December in Mersin in Mersin Province Turkey. The event also features a 15-kilometer race.

Mersin Marathon was established in 2015 and it is hosted by the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality.

The BMW Dallas Marathon is the result of the efforts of a pioneering group of brave Dallas runners, who had the foresight to establish an annual 26.2-mile race more than 40 years ago. In 1971, Tal Morrison – the official founding father of the marathon – placed a $25 ad in Runner’s World beckoning runners from around the country to come to Dallas.

On March 6, 1971, 82 runners from across Texas, and as far away as South Dakota, New York and California, took their marks for the race’s first running, which was held at Dallas’ White Rock Lake. Sixty-one runners crossed the finish line that day in the aptly named Dallas White Rock Marathon.

In the years that followed, the Dallas White Rock Marathon would gain a reputation as a memorable race “for runners, by runners.” Participation grew tremendously, drawing hundreds and then thousands of participants from every corner of the nation to running a marathon in Dallas. As aid stations, a pre-race expo, a post-race awards banquet and corporate partners were introduced, the race weekend grew into a more entertaining event for participants and spectators.

Marathon history includes the addition of marathon relays and a half marathon course, and as support increased, the board of directors decided it would donate a portion of race proceeds to charitable causes each year beginning in 1997. With this initiative in mind, the marathon named Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children its primary beneficiary, and to-date has donated more than $3.8 million directly to the hospital.

A renewed partnership with the City of Dallas, along with a re-branding campaign, introduced the Dallas Marathon brand in 2012. The race’s start and finish lines to the heart of downtown Dallas, which itself is under going a multi-billion dollar renaissance of development.

Today, the organization continues to operate as a nonprofit organization with a focus of promoting health and physical fitness through running events. Now in its 46th running, the BMW Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon and Behringer Relay attracts thousands of participants and spectators to Texas’ oldest running marathon and Dallas’ largest single-day sporting event. Participating in the BMW Dallas Marathon race day delivers a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved from runners to volunteers to spectators.