The Festive 500 is a great Christmas challenge for cyclists, and something we would always recommend. However cycling 500km in 8 days, through the Christmas period, is no mean feat. It requires planning, dedication and no small amount of luck to go your way. This is why the feeling of completion is so sweet on New Year's Eve. Yes, you have deserved that mad night out. Or bed by 10:30pm, totally up to you!

But what if you know you can't complete the challenge. Maybe you're away for Christmas or you know there's a load of unavoidable family time booked in. Cycling for 2-3 hours per day is a big ask, so why start a challenge you know you can't finish. And what other options are there out there that take less time?

Well, we've just created one! We're very happy to present the 'Dirty Festive 50', a Christmas challenge for runners, walkers or the chronically short on time. We challenge you to run, walk or crawl 50km in the 8 days between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. However you want to complete the challenge is fine by us, but it must be outside and on your own two feet.

Just click this link to log into the Members Forum to read all the details and to sign up to the challenge. As with the Festive 500, any members who complete the Dirty Festive 50 (according to Strava, of course) will also win a pair of club socks. Just sign up (above) and make sure you Strava your activities*

Good luck in the challenge and read on below for our top tips for how to complete the Dirty Festive 500

*Note - putting Strava on to walk around the house, or during the Boxing Day booze run around the supermarket, will NOT count. We see you!

1.Run with mates

They don't have to do the whole challenge, but if you've got company for half of the days, that's a pretty good start. Getting a mate, your dad or the next door neighbour out for a run or walk will help you and do them the world of good! You can also post your run schedule on the forum (above) and invite other members to join you.

2. Get your family involved

They might not all want to run, but a nice family walk on Boxing day will definitely count. However, Granny may not want to walk a full 6km, so why not walk a few km with them and then run the remaining distance? Keeping the family on side during a challenge like this is key. 

3. Plan a day off. 

Who wants to go for a run on Christmas Day? Plan for a day off (or two), and give yourself some proper Christmas time. A 6 day challenge is 8.3km per day, 7 days would be 7.14km per day. Why not go for a longer run when you've got a pretty free day? Plan your days and distances in advance.

4. Contingency plan & be flexible

That being said, if you do plan one or two days off, set aside some time on those days to get a run/walk in just in case plans change. Give yourself a break if something comes up and you can't do one day, but have a plan to make it work. Just adding distance on to the final days may leave you with a lot to do, and a very unpleasant NYE!

5. Keep it interesting

Plan out your routes and keep them interesting. Running 6km around the same park near your house isn't going to inspire you to get out if the weather isn't great. Vary your routes and chuck in some different terrain. A few days trail running will make all the difference, especially if the weather is bad. Getting really dirty is the most fun!

Sign up here for the challenge, and make sure you put it on Strava, or you won't win the club socks. Because if it's not on Strava, and all that!

We really hope you decide to take part this year, and thoroughly enjoy the challenge. Please tag us in your social media posts (@dirtywknd) so we can promote your activities.

Happy running/walking/rolling!