before finishing with a three-quarter lap of Epcot and the magic of getting a Mickey-Mouse-shaped medal, a definite keeper. This year’s marathon was the 15th staging so a one-off medal added to the uniqueness of the event.Traditional Disney characters

or the New Forest. And, unlike the Great North Run, it’s not on telly.But this marathon, in a sleepy market town just outside Oxford, is hugely popular. Race day isn't until October 22, but the event's 1,000 places have long been snapped up – 107 of them

--> Read what our FLM finishers have been up to over the last three months in our "Where are they now?" reader updates. Relive the highs and lows of the 2007 Flora London Marathon with this awe-inspiring collection of reader stories. The agony

, March 30)Hastings Half-Marathon, March 16Hastings Half-Marathon (East Sussex, March 16) Those on the lookout for a pre-FLM event that closely mimics race-day conditions in the capital could hardly do better than this popular seaside half. Its 5

to pull off a sprint finish in front of supporters, while the early race start (9am) leaves plenty of time to catch the televised FLM coverage in the pub after.More 10K highlights... Frimley Park 10K (Surrey, April 6) Dorney Lake, Windsor 10K (Berkshire

's 'big hill'.This UK Athletics bronze-graded event comes with supervised bag storage, tidy changing facilities and T-shirts for all entrants, as well as refreshments, which might well include a repeat of last year's coveted bacon sandwiches

The Abingdon gang assemble before the startThe 2003 Abingdon marathon was a great forum event, due mainly to Ashley Smith who went to great lengths to organise the social side of things and to Abingdon Amblers AC who made us so welcome despite

from the effort of picking up the rejection mailshot from the floor.But many look elsewhere for a marathon. Some go abroad and race in a big city event elsewhere. Others look to one of the smaller British spring marathons instead - there are at least

line, you’re rewarded with masses of chocolate.12 Flora London MarathonWhen? April 22 Why? The 2007 FLM was the biggest ever in its 27-year history, with a field of 36,396. Nothing can top it for atmosphere and support, and this flat, big-city event

event that promised and delivered a wonderful carnival crowd. ‘The really special thing … was the crowd in town, don't know whether it was the beer or the fact it was carnival or because my name was on my vest but it was like the FLM crowd - what more