Are you looking for a challenge for the New Year? One where you can get really dirty, have loads of fun, race with (or against your mates) and get your season off to a flying start?

Well look no further.

The Merrell Offroad Series has two events remaining in the calendar and they both guarantee to offer a fantastically tough challenge, loads of mud and tons of fun.

Choose between the trail run or the mountain bike duathlon, or even race as a relay team with your mates. Open to both men and women and athletes of all abilities.. and don't hang about as only a few entries remain.

Merrell WildMan - Saturday 23rd January, Hankley Common, Surrey

6km, 10k or 16km Trail Run - Choose your distance, or
Mountain Bike Duathlon 12km run / 20km bike / 6km run

The run courses are set in an beautiful tree lined forest, but don't be fooled, the trails and tracks are tough, sandy and challenging.

The Duathlon kicks off with a sandy 12km run, taking in five gruelling hills and descents onto wet and boggy trails. The 20k bike course is technical and varied, with a number of slow hilly sections mixed in with fast, stony tracks. And the final 6km run will finish you off completely... if you're not brave enough for the whole thing, you can also tackle the duathlon as a relay team, taking a section each.

The WildMan is the most challenging event in this off road series, due to the hills and sandy conditions. It's a sapping, gruelling race and not for the fainthearted.

Merrell TuffMan - Saturday 6th February, Pippingford Park, Nutley, East Sussex

10km Trail Run or
Mountain Bike Duathlon - 10km run / 16km bike / 5km run

The fourth and final event in the series, takes place in the stunning Pippingford Park in East Sussex (not a million miles away from Gatwick) and is the jewel in the crown in the Merrell Offroad series. The private estate in the heart of Ashdown Forest consists of mostly woodland and heath with an abundance of natural wildlife including a herd of wild deer, making for a truly stunning venue.

The off road 10km run will start close to the spectacular manor house and takes you out into the depths of the Ashdown Forest. The course will undulate through a thick canopy of pine trees, before looping back over the hilly terrain and into the home straight.

The mountain bike duathlon takes in one of the most challenging and scenic rides in the area. Recently built by the guys from the southern XC races, this technical course will take you down flowing, sweeping single-track trails, incorporate beams, jumps and plenty of climbing.

The sights and scenery are stunning at Pippingford Park - so don't forget to look up and enjoy, regardless of how hard you're working!

Kick off your season in style with a great challenge and rope your mates in too.

Enter online at www.humanrace.co.uk. All entrants get a great Merrell goodie bag and t-shirt.