BE INSPIRED

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.

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.

Black toenails are one of the most common problems experienced by runners, particularly those training for half marathons, marathons and ultramarathons. While they can look alarming, they are usually more of a nuisance than a serious injury. Many experienced runners have lost one or more toenails over the years, but that doesn't mean it's something you should simply accept as inevitable.

Blisters are one of the most common problems runners experience, whether they're training for their first 5K or tackling an ultramarathon. Although they may seem like a minor inconvenience, a painful blister can quickly change the way you run, affect your performance and, in some cases, force you to stop altogether.

IT band syndrome, also known as iliotibial band syndrome or ITBS, is one of the most common running injuries, particularly among runners training for half marathons and marathons. If you've ever experienced a sharp pain on the outside of your knee that seems to appear a few miles into a run, there's a good chance the IT band is the cause.

Most runners start with a single pair of running shoes and use them for every training session until they eventually wear out. There is nothing wrong with this approach, particularly if you are new to running or only run a few times each week. However, as training becomes more varied, many runners begin to wonder whether owning more than one pair of running shoes offers any real advantages.

Few running injuries are as common or as frustrating as shin splints. They often appear just as your training starts to go well, turning what was an enjoyable run into an uncomfortable experience. Many runners try to ignore the pain and hope it will disappear, but that approach usually makes the problem worse and can even lead to more serious injuries.

Runner's knee is one of the most common injuries affecting runners of all abilities. It can develop whether you're training for your first Couch to 5K, preparing for a half marathon or chasing a marathon personal best. If ignored, what starts as a mild ache can gradually become an injury that prevents you from running altogether.

When people think of destination marathons in the United States, races such as New York, Boston and Chicago usually spring to mind first. Yet tucked away in the warmth of southern Florida is one of the country's most enjoyable marathon experiences. The Miami Marathon combines ocean views, palm-lined streets, world-famous beaches and a vibrant Latin American culture to create an event unlike any other.

Puma has become one of the fastest growing brands in the running shoe market over the past few years. Although the company has a long sporting heritage stretching back more than 75 years, it is only recently that Puma has established itself as a genuine competitor to the traditional running shoe giants. Thanks to innovative foam technology, lightweight racing shoes and a growing range of daily trainers, Puma now offers running shoes capable of competing with the very best fro

Obstacle races were one of the fastest-growing parts of the events industry during the early 2010s. New races appeared regularly, established brands expanded into new countries and thousands of people who had never considered entering a traditional running event were attracted by the promise of mud, teamwork and enormous obstacles.

Los Angeles is one of the most famous and fascinating cities on the planet, so you might expect its marathon to be at the top of every runner’s wish list. It passes through some of the best-known neighbourhoods in the world, starts at an iconic sporting venue and normally enjoys the kind of weather many runners can only dream about.

Running shoes are one of the most important pieces of equipment any runner will buy, yet they are also one of the easiest items to overlook. Many runners continue wearing the same pair long after they have stopped providing the support and cushioning they were designed to deliver, often without realising that their shoes have reached the end of their useful life.