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If you've not heard of cupping therapy, don't worry you're not alone. More talked about in health circles now than it has been for years, it's very much an ancient treatment, dating back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. It's a treatment in which there are special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. It helps to treat pain, blood flow and inflammation, and is great for relaxation and well-being, as well as being a type of deep-tissue

Running through all four areas of Belfast; North, South, East and West, the Belfast Marathon starts at Stormont Estate and finishes in the City's Ormeau Park. There's also a team relay and walk that means every opportunity to get involved and leads to even bigger crowds. Held in May every year there is also a half marathon in September. In 2022 the Marathon celebrated its 40 year anniversary!

If you've never acupuncture before it is well worth investigating. Obviously not just anyone can start sticking needles all over your head and body so you'll need to visit a regulated healthcare professional. Many more physios now practise acupuncture than in previous years and rightly so. Research has shown it may be helpful for several pain conditions, including back, neck and knee pain and that it can increase energy levels.

There are a lot of new 'disruptor' brands in the running shoe markets at the moment and some that have been around for a very long time. One of the oldest is New Balance, which began operations in 1906. Founded in the Boston area it was initially focused on arch supports, but by 1934, under the name the New Balance Athletic Shoe Company, it was firmly established as a specialist sports shoe company.

Another of the original band of running shoe manufacturers, Mizuno was formed in 1906 in Osaka, Japan. It started out as a baseball retailer and then as a manufacturer of baseball gear, before moving into golf. Running became a bigger part of its portfolio in 1961 when a US office was opened in LA.

One of the oldest running brands is Saucony. Founded in 1898 in the US state of Pennsylvania and known originally as the Saucony Shoe Manufacturing Company, it was acquired in 1968 by Hyde. In 2012 it became part of Wolverine World Wide. As well as shoes it's a big manufacturer of apparel, hats, backpacks for leisure and sporting use. Its running shoes have a loyal following and are well established in most markets globally.

Ten years ago these were expanding rapidly around the world. Then in 2020 it all changed. Covid, so devastating for events globally, took aim at all sorts of running events, including obstacle races and suddenly it all looked very different. The sector is rebuilding but it's very different than it was. Obstacle races are great fun, especially for teams and if you've not done one before, read on...

The Antarctica Marathon is a spectacular occasion. Unique in so many ways it challenges runners with gradients, terrain and climatic conditions that will test the best of us. Where else do you have penguins waddling across your marathon course or get cheered on by research scientists from multiple countries. It is a once in a lifetime experience. Read the third instalment of this amazing adventure.

Unless you live in a tropical climate you're going to have to deal with running in cold conditions. Temperate climates mean two different running 'wardrobes'. You need to make sure you're prepared as getting it wrong can make a serious impact on enjoyment levels and potentially lead to injury challenges. We'll outline the best approach right here.

Before you part with your hard earned cash make sure you carry out plenty of research into your next running event.

If you've been running for a while there's a very good chance that you've already visited a physiotherapist, probably on more than one occasion. If you're new to the sport then be prepared. It's not necessarily a negative. Most of us will have an injury challenge and the vast majority of them can be overcome quickly. Maybe you should visit one before you get injured to help with prevention?

There are fewer more dangerous sea crossings anywhere in the world than the infamous Drake Passage. It is the two days of this crossing that you have to experience before tackling one of the toughest marathons around, the Antarctica Marathon. This is a time in your life that you'll never forget.

Is this the best running adventure on the planet? An extraordinary trip, culminating in one of the most memorable (and tough) running experiences imaginable. Nothing prepares you for what you'll experience in this once in a lifetime journey into the unknown. Expensive, yes, but worth every single cent. This four part series goes into the details.

Running is of course one of the best ways of getting and staying fit, but it can be tough on your body, especially your joints. One way to offset this is by taking up yoga. Not only can it counteract some of the stresses from running but it can also increase your flexibility and your posture. Here we'll explore how to get the most from yoga, the best type of yoga and how it can improve your recovery from your runs.

Without clearly defined goals, it becomes really difficult to maintain any sort of fitness programme over an extended period, whether the en

From where the world of marathon running all started, this is one of the ‘must run’ marathons. Starting from the town of Marathon to the history rich Panathenaic Stadium, the venue of the Olympics, the Athens Marathon is one you must not miss. When you're done you can make your way to one of the Greek islands and make it a life changing trip.

Whatever level your running is at cross training is really important. You need look at options like cycling and swimming to build fitness and reduce stress on certain muscles, especially those in your legs. Much overlooked but arguably the best compliment to running is the indoor rower. Read this post to find out why.

Where do you fit a distance race training plan into your busy schedule. It's difficult and sometimes you fit it in by extending your day and getting less sleep as a result. This isn't a great idea. Your body needs the right amount of sleep and when you're pushing it further it may well need more.