major study carried out on marathon runners discovered that after 12 weeks of twice-weekly hill sessions, the athletes’ running economy had improved by three per cent. Although the subjects were trained runners, that improvement would still have helped

, plenty of long hard hills to stretch even the toughest hard-nuts. Last year the event attracted nearly 150 runners, but expect that number to be higher this time around.What the organisers say: Not surprisingly... "The sense of achievement you get once

At the start | Before the Cutty Sark | Before the Cutty Sark #2 | Supporters at Mile 17/ Canary Wharf | Tower Hill | Tower Hill #2 | Embankment | Birdcage Walk | At the finish             Many thanks to Danny O

It’s no coincidence that sporting events staged near Box Hill, Surrey, come with intimidating titles (think the Knacker Cracker 10K or the Surrey Legs of Steel Challenge). As one of the best-known summits of the North Downs, it poses a

.Best for Wet off-road days.Contact 0161 366 8207; www.hillyclothing.co.ukLewisKit Merino Wool Padley £10 Fibre content: 42% merino wool, 42% acrylic, 14% nylon, 2% elastaneThey say This loop-piled thermal winter sock provides cushioning and shock absorption

Forumite Kevski has a Chariots of Fire moment (© www.richk.co.uk photos)On Sunday December 14, 1,178 finishers crossed the line of the first Hastings Marathon to be staged in a century. Held at the home of the celebrated Hastings Half, race

) in length.Medium (M) Between six and 12 miles (19.3K) in length.Long (L) More than 12 miles in length.Thus, a race listed as "AM" will be steep but of medium length. Most fixtures will also include a reference to their total distance and elevation –3m/400

Heart rate - resting HR and HR training…Heart rate monitor zones seem wrong pt1Heart rate monitor zones seem wrong pt2Heart rate monitor zones seem wrong pt3Heart rate monitors - only for experienced runners?Hills - how to cope with them??Pace - what speed

At the last count, 132,000 runners had posted 1.6 million messages between them on the Runner's World forum. That's a ton of useful tips!Our readers already helped us pick out some of the best threads (or 'conversations'). Now we've gone a step

Tresco Marathon, Isles of Scilly: Sunday, April 23WHY RUN IT?The complete anthesis to flat and crowded London. There are three hills on the lap (one big and two small), but unfortunately the size of the island requires eight laps, so with 24 hills