Every runner has a first run. It's often a few minutes around the block, with plenty of walking in between. If you are thinking about trying Couch to 5K, you do not need to know how far running might take you. You just need a way to begin. Your First 5K is the Sapphire Running Zone’s eight week programme for new runners. You can follow the free training plan at your own pace or join a supported group for podcasts, online sessions and encouragement as you work towards compl

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.

The Berlin Marathon is one of the most sought after races in the world. Its flat course has produced extraordinary performances, but the appeal goes well beyond fast times. Runners travel to Germany’s capital for the atmosphere, the journey through the city and the final stretch through the Brandenburg Gate.

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!

The Athens Marathon begins in the town that gave the distance its name and ends inside the Panathenaic Stadium, the venue of the first modern Olympic Games. Few races can offer a start and finish with such a strong connection to the history of marathon running.

Feeling tired after a demanding run is normal. Feeling persistently drained, getting injured repeatedly or watching your performance decline despite consistent training deserves a closer look. Sometimes the issue is that the body is not getting enough energy to support both running and normal health.

Marathon training can change how much food your body needs, sometimes before you notice a big change in appetite. Your long run may be the most obvious demand, but shorter runs, strength work and recovery also need energy. Eating well for a marathon means supporting the whole training week, not just getting breakfast and gels right on long run day.

Karhu may not have the same visibility as some of the largest running shoe companies, but it has one of the longest and most interesting histories in the sport. The Finnish brand was founded in 1916, and its shoes were worn by some of the country’s celebrated distance runners during the early decades of international athletics.

The Antwerp 10 Miles is Belgium’s biggest running event, bringing tens of thousands of runners onto the streets of Antwerp for a race that feels more like a citywide celebration. Its unusual course includes two road tunnels, famous city landmarks and enormous crowd support. The headline race covers 10 miles, equivalent to approximately 16.1 kilometres. It begins and finishes on Antwerp’s Left Bank, known locally as Linkeroever, while taking runners beneath the River Scheldt a

Planning to run the Sydney Marathon 2027? Discover how to enter, what to expect from the course and everything you need to know about race weekend.

The right words can change how a difficult moment in a race feels. A familiar voice arriving when a runner is tired, doubting themselves or beginning the final push may provide something that a generic playlist cannot: a personal reminder of who is behind them and why the challenge matters. Recorded messages for runners can be as simple as voice notes saved on a phone.

WhatsApp fundraising can be one of the most effective ways to ask for donations because it puts your message directly in front of people who already know you. Instead of hoping that friends notice a social media post, you can explain what you are doing, why the charity matters and how they can help in a personal conversation.

LinkedIn may not be the first social media platform you think of when raising money for a charity run, but it can help you reach supporters who may never see your appeals on Facebook or Instagram. Your network could include current and former colleagues, clients, suppliers, business owners and senior decision makers, giving you opportunities to secure individual donations, workplace support and corporate sponsorship.

The Honolulu Marathon 2026 takes place on 13 December. Discover the course through Waikiki and around Diamond Head, entry fees, race weekend events and what makes this Hawaiian marathon so distinctive.

Facebook can be one of the most effective places to promote a charity fundraising page, particularly when you are taking on a running event. It gives you access to friends, relatives, colleagues, former classmates, neighbours and community groups who may already know you and want to support your challenge.

Choosing where to stay for the Great North Run requires more planning than it does for most half marathons. The race starts in Newcastle and finishes 13.1 miles away in South Shields, so your accommodation cannot be equally convenient at both ends of the course. The Great North Run brings tens of thousands of runners and spectators to the North East every September.

Skechers is one of the world’s most recognisable footwear companies, but it is still more commonly associated with comfortable walking shoes and everyday trainers than specialist running footwear. Behind that mainstream image, however, Skechers has spent years developing dedicated performance shoes for daily training, faster sessions and racing.

The Valencia Half Marathon has become one of the most sought after half marathons in Europe. Famous for its exceptionally fast course, the race attracts world class athletes chasing records alongside thousands of recreational runners hoping Valencia will deliver their next personal best.

The Copenhagen Half Marathon, usually known as CPH Half, has developed into one of Europe's leading half marathons. It combines a famously fast course with huge crowds, elite racing and a route through Copenhagen and neighbouring Frederiksberg. The race is also part of the SuperHalfs series, attracting runners from around the world who are attempting to complete some of Europe's best known half marathons.

Planning to run the Great North Run 2027? Discover everything you need to know about the course, entry, race day, charity places and the journey from Newcastle to South Shields.

Social media has transformed the way charities and individuals raise money, and Instagram is now one of the most effective platforms for reaching potential supporters. With billions of users worldwide and a strong focus on visual content, Instagram provides fundraisers with a unique opportunity to tell compelling stories, build communities, and inspire people to take action. Whatever event you're doing Instagram can help you connect with donors and keep them engaged throughou

When did you last receive a personal letter from a friend asking you to support something that really mattered to them? In a world of fundraising pages, WhatsApp messages, emails and social media posts, writing a fundraising letter can feel decidedly old fashioned. That may be exactly why it deserves another look.

Fundraising for a charity event takes dedication, planning, and effective communication. While social media often receives the most attention, email remains one of the most powerful and reliable tools available to fundraisers. With billions of people worldwide using email every day, it provides a direct and personal way to connect with potential supporters, share your fundraising story, and encourage donations.

For some runners, committing to a marathon, half marathon or another challenge for charity is the easy part. The uncomfortable bit comes afterwards, when fundraising advice starts telling you to ask everyone you know for money, promote yourself on social media, approach strangers and organise events.

Looking for a fast European half marathon with world class racing, spectacular architecture and a course through one of the continent's great cities? The Prague Half Marathon should certainly be on your list. It has developed into one of Europe's most prestigious half marathons, combining an international mass participation field with elite racing at the highest level.

Hamstring pain can be particularly frustrating for runners. It may begin as a feeling of tightness at the back of the thigh, or it can appear suddenly during a faster run with a sharp pain that immediately forces you to slow down or stop.

If you belong to a running club and you're taking on a race or challenge for charity, you already have a community around you that understands what you're trying to achieve. Your club mates know what marathon training involves, appreciate the significance of those long runs and will probably be among the people most interested in following your progress.

Running watches have become increasingly sophisticated, but Whoop takes a rather different approach to tracking your training. There is no watch face, no traditional display and no attempt to give you all the information you might expect to see on your wrist during a run. Instead, Whoop concentrates heavily on what is happening to your body between workouts as well as during them.