recovering straight away. It'll start working just 10 minutes after application, and give you two hours of its blissful cooling effect. Good for: avoiding time on the bench Pledgetags, from £3.99 www.pledgetodoit.com Help the runner in your

Weight 352gEvaluation Shock! The Saucony Jazz 5000, which has been a budget mainstay of Saucony’s range for six years, has been dropped. The good news: the new budget mainstay is virtually indistinguishable. It has exactly the same soft, cushioned

Weight 350gEvaluation If you liked last year’s Wave Phoenix – and there’s every reason you would have done – you’ll enjoy the 2001 version. This protective, supportive budget shoe keeps the same thick, cushioned midsole, durable outsole, and fan

the midfoot – but you wouldn’t go out of your way to find it. And as Avia is currently a small company with limited distribution, you probably would have to go out of your way.In short The 257 is fine, but basic. Against other budget cushioned shoes, it

onto the medial side, it belies its ‘budget’ status. As you’d expect, the ride is simple and unfussy, and not as smooth or responsive as more expensive models. It’s certainly not a shoe for high-mileage runners, or anyone other than a neutral to mild

Weight 319gEvaluation Asics is a past master at producing sturdy, no-frills budget trail shoes. Models such as the Gel Guts and Trespass were perfect for runners who did a bit of trail running, but didn't want to spend a fortune. The Trail Attack

’s well-suited to slightly heavier neutral runners, or budget-conscious runners who want a durable shoe to take some abuse. If you like the sound of the Response but need added protection from overpronation, by the way, look out for a medially

-dominating 2000-series. Cost-conscious runners, or simply those who want a responsive, low to the ground feel with a moderate amount of added stability, have long appreciated it.Now the 1070 is the best the 1000-series has ever been. Partly that’s because

diplomatically referred to the Complete Peerless as a stout, robust shoe; a good starter model or a motion controller for overpronators on a budget.What did they mean? That you’re unlikely to be disappointed by the Complete Peerless, though it lacks some

7. Rotterdam MarathonRotterdam is not high on anyone’s list of must-visit European cities. But every spring, thousands of runners flock to this modern, industrial port and city to take part in its marathon. They are drawn by a pancake-flat course