Question 1

What is The Sapphire Running Zone?

Accepted Answer

The Sapphire Running Zone is an independent running advice and support website for runners of all abilities. We provide practical information on training, running shoes and kit, technology, nutrition, injuries, events and charity fundraising, alongside podcasts featuring runners, experts and people working across the running and charity sectors.

Question 2

Who is The Sapphire Running Zone for?

Accepted Answer

The Sapphire Running Zone is for everyone, from people starting to run or preparing for their first 5K through to experienced marathon runners. We also provide extensive support for those running for charity, whether you have secured a charity place in an event or are using your own entry to raise money for a cause that matters to you.

Question 3

Is The Sapphire Running Zone free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The majority of The Sapphire Running Zone is free to use, including our running articles, training advice, training plans, event guides, fundraising resources and many of our podcasts. Some additional services and premium support may be available separately.

Question 4

Who is behind The Sapphire Running Zone?

Accepted Answer

The Sapphire Running Zone was created by Tim Rogers, founder of The Sapphire Running Company. Tim has more than 25 years of experience working across charity fundraising and mass participation events, including 20 years working with the London Marathon, as well as working with major running events and charities in the UK and internationally. Tim is also an experienced runner who has completed more than 70 marathons and 200 half marathons. He broke the world record for completing an official marathon on all seven continents, achieving the feat in 99 days, and is the author of three books about marathon running.Find out more about Tim Rogers and his running experience.

Question 5

Does The Sapphire Running Zone have running podcasts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Sapphire Running Zone produces podcasts covering training, fundraising, running experiences and major events. Guests include runners, coaches, experts, charity fundraising professionals and people with interesting experiences and stories from across the running community.Listen to our running podcasts for more stories, advice and expert insight.

Question 6

Does The Sapphire Running Zone have free training plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Sapphire Running Zone provides free running training plans alongside practical advice to help you prepare for different distances and events. You can also find guidance on pacing, heart rate training, long runs, recovery, tapering, race preparation, nutrition and other important parts of your training.You can explore our free running training plans to find a plan for your next challenge.

Question 7

What running advice can I find on The Sapphire Running Zone?

Accepted Answer

Our running advice covers training, running shoes and kit, sports watches and running apps, nutrition, common running injuries, race preparation and running events around the world. Our articles are designed to provide practical information that runners can actually use, whatever their experience or preferred running distance.

Question 8

How can The Sapphire Running Zone help me raise more money for charity?

Accepted Answer

We provide practical fundraising advice specifically for runners, including how to create a better fundraising page, use social media effectively, approach friends, family and colleagues, organise fundraising activities, explore workplace match giving and keep donations coming throughout your campaign. Our aim is not simply to help you reach a fundraising target, but to help you raise as much as possible for your chosen charity.Visit our charity fundraising advice section for more ideas to help you raise more.

Question 9

Can The Sapphire Running Zone help me find a charity place in a running event?

Accepted Answer

We provide information about charity running opportunities and explain how charity entries work at many major running events. Our event guides also cover charity entry options where they are available, including the difference between securing a charity place and raising money for charity using your own event entry.

Question 10

Does The Sapphire Running Zone review running shoes, watches and apps?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We publish independent guides and articles covering running shoes, running brands, sports watches, running apps and other running technology. We explain features, differences and developments to help runners make more informed choices about the kit and technology they use.Explore our running shoe guides for more advice on choosing the right shoes.

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