, as the locals turn out in force to cheer some 1,100 runners round the undulating, two-lap traffic-free course. Well established on the north-east racing agenda, this year marks the event’s 20th anniversary, and a concurrent 3K race for 11-16s and a beginners

Distance sessions:4 to 12 miles @ marathon pace* / 16 to 24 miles @ a steady race * Beginner and intermediate runners: alternate between these two sessions every other week. Advanced runners: do both of these sessions every week. Session KeyHill sprints: Find a 100

and protecting your legs from the repetitive pounding of training. If you are looking for a non-weight-based programme to build leg strength, head for the hills. Hill intervals are also an effective way to build efficient and powerful leg muscles. Find a hill

Ron Hill doesn't have to think about running today. It's a given; he's going to do it. After 38 years of running every day without a break (which through to the beginning of December 2002 amounted to 13,880 consecutive days) he's not about

). This turns on its head the accepted system of starting a marathon build-up from a low mileage base and building up the long runs and total miles between Christmas and the race – usually about 12 to 16 weeks. This is fine for relative beginners

on comfortable time on your feet. That’s particularly true if you’re a beginner, in which case you should build up your long runs by no more than 10 minutes a week, and not be afraid to take one-minute walk breaks every mile or so. Ideally, run on trails, grass

hundred runners each year, who take on a figure-of-eight course that quite literally leads the field up hill and down dale. Although not one for the faint-hearted, first-timers needn’t be discouraged: RW readers frequently praise the camaraderie

’s striking chalk hillside. At around 3,000 years old and 374 feet long, the Bronze Age spectacle - Britain’s oldest and most famous hill figure - is an epic backdrop to this beautiful race."Great little race - nothing flash or fancy. You get a road (flat

into British Army training. Just watch those hills - ouch!" Tutu Much10010011 ratings2 Endurancelife Classic Quarter 44, CornwallWhen? June 28Why? Run between Lizard Point and Land's End, the course takes in 44 miles of the South West Coastal Path. Tackle

Standfirst: Author: Bruce TullohPics:Issue date: racing secrets bookletKeywords:uan99-->This band covers beginners and those who have been over the distance once before, in around two hours, and would now like to try for something a little faster