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Starting in Greenwich and finishing on The Mall, metres from Buckingham Palace, the London Marathon gives its runners a truly unique tour of the capital. Running on closed roads cheered on by tens of thousands is an experience like no other. But where exactly does it take you and what are the highlights?

In the world of endurance running, there are plenty of inspiring stories, but every now and then, one comes along that genuinely redefines what’s possible. In this episode of the Sapphire Running Zone podcast, host Tim Rogers sat down with guide runner Alastair to discuss an extraordinary upcoming challenge at the Brighton Marathon. This isn’t just another race story. It’s about trust, technology, and the evolving role of human support in sport.

Two or three weeks before your big day and chances are your body will tell you it definitely doesn't want to slow down this far out from race day. But that's exactly what you need to do. It's now time to conserve energy and build up glycogen reserves ready for your run. You'll feel like a coiled spring, ready for action, but you must slow down. This is the taper, part of training for a running event,

In the latest Sapphire Running Zone podcast, Tim Rogers sits down with Kara Hopgood from the Southern Hospice Group to explore the powerful intersection of running, fundraising, and community support. From first-time races to managing large teams of charity runners, Kara offers a heartfelt look into what it really takes to support people taking on endurance challenges for a cause.

Ian Covey is a self-described “terrible runner”. In this podcast he talks about how running became a way to connect, stay healthy, and support charities. It led him to create One More Lap, a fun, team-based ultra event that makes fundraising accessible, social, and impactful, showing that running is about people, purpose, and community.

The Cross Bay Half Marathon begins on the beautiful coastline of Arnside, with the race starting at Arnside Promenade. From here, runners head out across the vast tidal flats of Morecambe Bay, navigating a route that combines firm sands, shallow channels and wide open views across one of Britain’s most spectacular coastal landscapes. The course winds its way across the bay before finishing at Cark Airfield, where runners will be welcomed into a lively Runner’s Village

The Bangkok Marathon gives runners a unique opportunity to run in Bangkok, traffic free, The weekend offers a 5km, 10km, half and full marathon and is held annually each November. The Bangkok Marathon begins at the Royal Grand Palace on Sanamchai Road and takes runners past many famous landmarks, including the religious sites of the City Pillar Shrine and the Emerald Buddha Temple, the royal landmarks of Vimanmek Mansion, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and the Chitralada Pal

Four events, from the Philadelphia Marathon Marathon to a Children's Run and four challenges, including The Liberty Bell, this is the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, held every November and one of the biggest in the US. Fast and scenic courses weave past historic landmarks, through urban neighborhoods, and along Philadelphia's picturesque waterfronts.

The Portland Marathon is a great way to get to know Oregon's 'Rose City'. With four epic bridge crossings, a downtown start and finish, and a tour through some of the most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods in town. Taking runners along a loop of Portland along the east and west sides of the city’s Willamette River, the Portland Marathon starts and finishes at Waterfront Park and showcases the best the area has to offer.

Head to Florida in mid January and take part in the Key West Half Marathon and Runfest, in one of the State's coolest regions. Key West is a special place and what better way to see it than on a run in the sun. The half goes up past the historic district, past the Southernmost Point and along beautiful Smathers Beach. The finish line is right by the Half Shell Raw Bar, a well known entertainment venue and very near the start!

Organising a mass-participation running event might look simple from the outside: close a few roads, welcome runners to the start line and hand out some medals at the finish, but behind every successful race is an enormous amount of planning, investment, and risk. In this episode of the Sapphire Running Zone podcast, host Tim Rogers spoke with Warwick Mac Nicol, founder of the iconic Burj2Burj half marathon in Dubai.

A weekend of multiple events, this is another one with a difference. The Twin Cities Marathon runs from one city to another, not something many can boast. It starts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a major city that forms the “Twin Cities” with the neighbouring state capital of St. Paul. The community-inclusive event also includes live art, course entertainment, the Summit Beer Garden, and welcomes non-participants to join the 300,000+ cheering spectators who line the race courses

Starting in the heart of Sydney and heading to the finish at Bondi Beach the 8.7 miles of the City2Surf 70,000 runner event are pretty special. Being involved in something of this scale is an experience in itself and with a course like this you are guaranteed a day you'll never forget, one way or another. There's also a 'Heartbreak Hill', not quite on the scale of Boston, but still pretty steep!

As soon as you step into a Disney park you know you're going to have a pretty special day. Add in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and it will be even better. It all happens early, but that's what makes it even better. Fireworks to get you going and parks free of visitors as you run from one to another. This is one of those bucket list events. The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a must do.

One of the most famous distance running events in the world, the Peachtree Road Race is held in Atlanta, Georgia every July. Up to 60,000 runners take on the 6.2 mile (10km) course from Buckhead to the corners of midtown, finishing in the city's Piedmont Park. It's a massive event, with an elite field and is part of a huge programme of races all organised by the Atlanta Track Club. You have to be part of this one, at least once!

Portugal is a great country for runners. It's often the location for winter running camps due to its great climate when much of the rest of Europe isn't so good. It also has some great events, including the Lisbon Half Marathon, one of the six SuperHalf events. So what's it like, worth the trip?

With more than 65,000 runners taking part in multiple distances, including the half and the full marathons and a course that weaves through the city's principal landmarks you can understand why the Mumbai Marathon is the biggest running festival on the continent. Check out the new route taking in Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Haji Ali Dargah, the Bandra-Worli Sea link and the Mumbai Coastal Road .

Brooklyn is home to some incredible running events. The Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon is operated by NYC RUNS and is one of the ten biggest halfs in the US. You'll get to start in Williamsburg, run past the three bridges, through some of the coolest parts of the Borough, Brooklyn Museum, the Grand Army Plaza Arch, and finish in Prospect Park.