The 2007 Personal Best Awards marked a new venture for Runner’s World but one that was long overdue – an annual celebration of all the best things in running. Our aim when founding the Awards was to recognise and reward the products and services

for super-efficient runners – and the mark XIII version is no different. The fit is snug around the heel and slightly broader around the toes, and the breathable mesh upper adds to the general feel of light, airy comfort. The midsole is well cushioned

Some runners are suspicious of tights. Not only do they show off your womanly curves (or manly bulges), but they are perceived to keep you a bit too warm, so that heat exhaustion becomes more of a threat than at the height of summer

Friday May 18The North Face trail apparel Carmel Proctor, Southport Craig Roberts, Loughborough Monday May 21Nike Air Vomero or Zoom Elite running shoes Steve Childerley, St. Neots Sarah Hawthorne, Cannock Tuesday May 22Merrell Moab Ventilator shoes

over 100g, could be a category-killing product.Contact 00800 0000 0041; www.patagonia.comRaidlight R-Light MP+ - £129Weight 124gThis jacket is made by a small French company, which is owned by an elite trail runner. It shows. The MP+ is not quite

-rounder that accommodates a lot of kit, but streamlined enough to run easily with. How It Rated Comfort 9 Stability 10 Weight 8 Capacity 9 Extra Pockets 7 TOTAL 43 Rocket Bag, £135 Capacity 38 litres Contact www.triathlon-elite.net This bag is a bottomless pit

Training with a heart-rate monitor may no longer be the preserve of the elite, but choosing a model perfectly suited to your needs and budget can still be a minefield of technical jargon and seductive (read expensive) features if you’re uncertain

Now that your unused bottles of sun cream have been packed away for another year, it’s time to start kitting yourself out for the winter running season. As with other types of kit, jackets have become increasingly high tech in recent years