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The Chicago Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and has earned a reputation as one of the fastest marathons in the world. While it may not boast quite as many internationally recognised landmarks as London or New York, it more than makes up for it with exceptional organisation, enthusiastic crowds and a remarkably flat course.

For many runners, the race expo is where an event truly begins. Long before you cross the start line, you'll collect your race bib, explore the exhibition, browse the latest running gear and meet thousands of other participants. It is one of the most exciting parts of race weekend and helps build anticipation before the event itself.

Every year, tens of thousands of people complete the London Marathon, but no two runners experience it in exactly the same way. Some chase personal bests, others simply hope to reach the finish line, while many run in memory of someone special or to raise money for a charity close to their heart. Whatever their motivation, almost everyone who crosses the finish line agrees on one thing. The London Marathon is about far more than simply running 26.2 miles.

Training for a marathon involves far more than simply running long distances. One of the most important concepts every marathon runner should understand is marathon pace. Whether your goal is to finish your first marathon or achieve a personal best, knowing your target pace and learning how to run comfortably at that speed can make the difference between a strong finish and struggling through the final miles.

Training for a race does not mean you have to give up alcohol completely. Whether you're preparing for your first 10k, a half marathon or a marathon, enjoying the occasional beer, glass of wine or gin and tonic is unlikely to undo months of hard work. What matters is moderation. Regular heavy drinking, particularly during demanding training blocks or in the final days before an event, can affect hydration, recovery, sleep and overall performance.

The Cape Town Marathon has entered a new era after becoming the eighth event in the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Joining Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York, it is the first marathon in Africa to achieve Major status and has quickly become one of the most desirable races in world marathon running.

Hip pain is a common complaint among runners of all abilities. It can affect beginners who have recently increased their mileage, experienced runners training for a marathon, or anyone returning to running after a break. Although the discomfort may start as a minor ache, ignoring it can lead to a longer period away from running and make recovery more difficult.

Walk into any sports shop or supermarket and you'll find shelves full of brightly coloured sports drinks promising better hydration, improved endurance and faster recovery. Many runners automatically reach for one before, during or after every run because they believe they are an essential part of good running nutrition. The marketing is certainly convincing, but do most runners actually need them?

One of the world's most talked about marathons, the New York City Marathon is one that you have to do at some point in your running career. Getting in through the lottery can be a challenge, but there are also tour operator and charity entries. Once you're in you need to have a read on our tips for a great New York City Marathon experience!

Your first fundraising event often attracts tremendous support because it represents something completely new. Your supporters can see that you are taking on a significant personal challenge, whether that is your first 5K or your first marathon, and they want to help you achieve your goal.

The London Marathon is the world's biggest annual one day fundraising event, with participants raising tens of millions of pounds for charities every year. For many runners, completing the 26.2 miles is only part of the challenge because they also commit to raising significant amounts of sponsorship. If you have a charity entry and your target is £2,000 or £5,000, reaching it takes planning, creativity and consistency.

Choosing a new pair of running shoes has never been more difficult. There are now dozens of well-known brands, each offering shoes designed for different types of runners. Some focus on maximum cushioning, others prioritise speed, while several have built their reputation around support and stability.

Achilles tendonitis is one of the most common injuries experienced by runners, affecting beginners and experienced athletes alike. The Achilles tendon is the thick band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone, and every stride places significant force through it. During running, particularly at faster speeds, the tendon acts like a spring by storing and releasing energy, making it essential for efficient movement.

Every runner has heard nutrition advice that sounds convincing but turns out to be misleading. Some myths have been around for decades, while others spread rapidly through social media and online forums. The problem is that following poor advice can leave you under fuelled, over fuelled or simply wasting money on products you do not need.

If you're taking on a marathon, half marathon or another charity challenge, your child's school could become one of your biggest fundraising supporters. Schools are often keen to help families raising money for good causes and, when handled well, everyone benefits. Your chosen charity receives extra donations, the school strengthens its links with the local community and children gain valuable learning experiences that support their education.

Training for a marathon is about much more than building your fitness. While most runners carefully plan their long runs, speed sessions and recovery days, many overlook another important part of race preparation, training their gut. If you plan to use energy gels, sports drinks or other fuel during a marathon, your digestive system needs to be prepared just as much as your legs.

Long runs are one of the most important parts of any half marathon or marathon training plan. They build endurance, improve your body's ability to use fat as fuel and prepare you mentally for spending extended periods on your feet. However, the benefits of a long run do not come from the run itself. They come from how well your body recovers afterwards.

The Royal Parks Half Marathon in the heart of London takes in some of the capital's world-famous landmarks, on closed roads and within four of London's eight Royal Parks - Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens. It was set up by The Royal Parks charity as an annual fundraising initiative to help conserve and enhance London’s eight Royal Parks and at the same time it encourages runners to raise what they can for their favourite charities.

A 5K may be the shortest of the most popular road running distances, but that does not necessarily make it any less valuable as a fundraising challenge. Successful charity fundraising is about much more than the number of miles you run. It is about the story behind your challenge, why it matters to you and why people should support your chosen cause.

The Berlin Marathon is one of the most sought-after races in the world and for good reason. As one of the World Marathon Majors, it attracts tens of thousands of runners every September and has become famous as the world's fastest marathon course. More marathon world records have been broken in Berlin than anywhere else, making it the race every runner dreams of when chasing a personal best.