If ever there was a time when you needed motivation to run, it’s autumn when the rain is coming down and the mornings and evenings are darker. And what better motivation to keep fit than preparing for and taking part in a run.

We’ve found the best of south London, north Kent and north Surrey’s runs as the autumn looms.

5km

Every Saturday – Parkrun. If there’s a park near you, there’s a fair chance there is a ParkRun. It’s free and it’s timed but uncompetitive so it is perfect for new and experienced runners. Check Parkrun.org.uk

Thursday October 1/ November 5 at 7pm - Gravesend Floodlit 5k and 10k Series at Gravesend Cyclopark. Entry £12.70 or £57.40 for the six monthly races until April. Go to nice-work.org.uk

Saturday, October 3 - Run Richmond Park 5k and 10k. £17. Go to thefixevents.com

Sunday, October 4 – Sevenoaks Family 5k at Sevenoaks School. £10. Go to eventbrite.co.uk

Sunday, October 18 – Capital Runners Bushy Park 5k and 10k at Bushy Park, Hampton. £13 or £18. Go to nice-work.org.uk

Sunday, October 18 – Innovation Sports Vivobarefoot 2k, 5k, 10k and 15k at Clapham Common. £8.75 to £19.95. Go to innovationsports.co.uk

Friday, October 23 – People’s Run 2 Remember 5k at Battersea Park. £16. Go to peoplesrun2remember.com

Saturday, October 31 – Big Fun Run London Crystal Palace 5k. £11.99. Go to bigfunrun.com

10km

Thursday, October 1/ November 5 at 7pm - Gravesend Floodlit 5k and 10k Series at Gravesend Cyclopark. £12.70 or £57.40 for the six monthly races until April. Go to nice-work.org.uk

Saturday, October 3 - Self Transcendence 10k at Battersea Park. £10. Go to uk.srichinmoyraces.org

Saturday, October 3 - Run Richmond Park 5k and 10k at Richmond Park. £17. Go to thefixevents.com

Sunday, October 4 – Titsey Trail 10k at Limpsfield Common, Oxted. £15. Go to oxtedrunners.org.uk

Sunday, October 11 – Petts Wood 10k at Willet Recreation Ground, Petts Wood. Go to pettswoodrunners.org

Saturday, October 17 – Richmond Autumn Riverside 10k at Ham Street, Richmond. £20. Go to thefixevents.com

Sunday, October 18 – Capital Runners Bushy Park 5k and 10k at Bushy Park, Hampton. £13 or £18. Go to nice-work.org.uk

Sunday, October 18 – Lexus Croydon 10k at Lloyd Park Avenue, Croydon. £14. Go to nice-work.org.uk

Sunday, October 18 – Innovation Sports Vivobarefoot 2k, 5k, 10k and 15k at Clapham Common. £8.75 to £19.95. Go to innovationsports.co.uk

Saturday, October 24 – Self Transcendence 10k at Battersea Park. £10. Go to uk.srichinmoyraces.org

Sunday, October 25 – Capital Runners Richmond Park 10k. £18. Go to nice-work.org.uk

Saturday, October 31 – Halloween Oaks Park 10k at Oaks Park Tea Rooms in Banstead. £14. Go to hermesrunning.co.uk

Even longer

Sunday, October 4 - Royal Borough of Kingston 10 Miles at the Market Place. £23. Go to kingston10miles.com

Sunday, October 11 – Garmin Kingston Run Challenge – 8.2 miles, 16.2 miles or marathon. £19, £24 or £29. Go to humanrace.co.uk

Sunday, October 18 – Innovation Sports Vivobarefoot 2k, 5k, 10k and 15k at Clapham Common.  £8.75 to £19.95. Go to innovationsports.co.uk

Sunday, October 18 – Putney and Riverside Half Marathon at Barn Elms Sports Centre. £21. Go to energizedsports.com