BE INSPIRED

Whether you're running your first 10K, tackling a half marathon or taking on a marathon, having friends and family supporting you along the course can make a huge difference. Distance running is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one, and seeing familiar faces at key moments often provides exactly the boost a runner needs to keep going.

New Balance is one of the oldest names in running, yet it continues to compete with some of the newest and fastest-growing brands in the industry. Founded in Boston in 1906, the company has spent more than a century developing footwear for runners of every ability, from complete beginners taking their first steps to elite athletes chasing world records.

The London Marathon is one of the most famous races in the world, attracting more than 50,000 runners and hundreds of thousands of spectators every year. From its unique start in Greenwich to its unforgettable finish on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, the route takes runners past some of London's most iconic landmarks while providing an atmosphere that few sporting events can match.

ASICS has been one of the world's leading running shoe manufacturers for decades. While newer brands have entered the market with bold designs and innovative foams, ASICS has quietly built its reputation by producing comfortable, reliable and highly technical running shoes that appeal to everyone from beginners to elite marathon runners.

The Paris Marathon may not be part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, but it has firmly established itself as one of the world's great city marathons. Every spring, tens of thousands of runners take to the streets of the French capital, passing many of the city's most famous landmarks before finishing beneath the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe.

Many runners use both treadmills and outdoor roads as part of their training, but there is an ongoing debate about which is kinder to the body. Some people believe the softer surface of a treadmill reduces the risk of injury, while others argue that running outdoors strengthens muscles and prepares you better for real-world conditions.

Raising money for charity is about much more than reaching a fundraising target. Every donation represents someone choosing to support both your challenge and a cause that matters to you. Taking the time to thank your sponsors, or donors as they sometimes known, properly is one of the most important parts of your fundraising journey, yet it is something many runners overlook once the event is over.

Crossing the finish line is a huge achievement, but it does not have to mark the end of your fundraising journey. Many runners assume that once the race is over, the opportunity to raise money has passed. In reality, some of the most valuable fundraising opportunities come in the days and weeks after your event.

Mizuno is one of the oldest names in sport and has been producing sporting equipment for well over a century. Although it may not enjoy the same level of recognition among runners as brands such as Nike, Adidas or ASICS, it has built an outstanding reputation for producing reliable, durable and technically impressive running shoes. For many runners, buying Mizuno is less about following the latest trend and more about choosing a shoe that consistently performs mile after mi

Whether you are creating a fundraising page, posting on social media or writing an email to friends and family, your story is one of the most powerful fundraising tools you have. It explains why you have chosen to take on a running challenge, why the charity matters to you and why people should care about your journey. A well-written story can encourage people to donate, while a rushed or generic message may simply be overlooked.

Every runner has their own unique running style, often referred to as their running form. Some naturally take long, powerful strides, while others prefer shorter, quicker steps. Some land on their heels, while others land on their midfoot or forefoot. Despite what you may see on social media, there isn't one perfect way to run that works for everyone.

Organising a charity auction can be one of the most rewarding ways to raise money for your marathon challenge. Not only can it generate a significant amount for your chosen charity, but it also gives friends, family, colleagues and local businesses the opportunity to come together and support your fundraising in a fun and memorable way. Unlike simply asking people to donate, an auction allows supporters to bid for prizes while knowing that every pound they spend is helping a

Almost every charity runner experiences it at some point. You launch your fundraising page, donations start arriving quickly and messages of support flood in. Then, almost without warning, everything goes quiet. Days or even weeks pass without another donation and it's easy to wonder whether you'll ever reach your fundraising target.

Brooks is one of the few major footwear companies that focuses almost entirely on running. While many sports brands divide their attention between football, fashion trainers and lifestyle clothing, Brooks has built its reputation by designing shoes specifically for runners. That specialist approach has helped it develop one of the most loyal followings in the running world.

Every runner experiences aches and pains from time to time. Whether you've completed your first 5K, tackled a demanding hill session or finished a marathon, it's perfectly normal for your muscles to feel tired and sore afterwards. The challenge is knowing when those aches are simply part of training and when they're a sign that something isn't right.

When you're training for a race, it can be tempting to believe that more running automatically leads to better results. Every missed run can feel like a step backwards, particularly if you're preparing for a marathon or chasing a new personal best. However, one of the biggest mistakes runners make is overlooking the importance of recovery.

After months of marathon training, it's understandable to want everything to go perfectly during the final week before race day. While the hard work has already been done on the roads and trails, your nutrition during race week still plays an important role in helping you arrive at the start line feeling energised, well hydrated and ready to run.

For many runners, music and podcasts are an important part of training. They can make easy runs more enjoyable, help pass the time during long sessions and provide extra motivation when fatigue starts to creep in. It's no surprise, then, that many runners want to wear headphones on race day as well.

One of the biggest concerns for anyone running for charity is whether they'll manage to raise enough money. Training for a marathon or half marathon is a significant challenge in itself, but having a fundraising target to reach can sometimes feel even more daunting. It's perfectly understandable to worry about what might happen if donations slow down or you realise you're unlikely to hit the figure you agreed to raise.

Running a marathon for charity is a fantastic way to support a cause you care about while taking on one of the biggest challenges in distance running. Every year, thousands of runners secure charity places in events such as the London Marathon because they are committed to raising money for organisations that rely heavily on fundraising.

HOKA has gone from being a niche brand favoured by trail runners to one of the biggest names in running footwear. Known for its distinctive oversized midsoles and plush ride, the brand now produces shoes for every type of runner, from beginners buying their first pair to elite athletes chasing personal bests.