or intervals; and enough memory to store the 42 kilometre splits of a marathon – if you decide to run one. You'll certainly find plenty of other functions: multi-segment countdown timers (to time efforts on speed sessions) and multiple alarms are common

There are some pieces of running kit you simply wouldn’t dream of doing without. Shoes specifically designed for your particular foot type, technical T-shirts that keep you dry on even the hottest days, or a stopwatch that also tells you how hard

count down sequentially, so you can use them to warm up, train and warm down.Can display fat burning as a percentage of the energy that you’re using. Contact: 01454 853573; www.sportstronic.comTimex Marathon Digital £59.99 Digital FM technology

.nike.comGet The Bird… Golden Emu OilWe can’t offer any scientific evidence to back it up, but testers who’ve rubbed Golden Emu Oil – first made famous by Paula Radcliffe during the build up to the Flora London Marathon – have been impressed with its injury

.Contact www.nike.comNike Triax Swift – £80Simple and intuitive to use, the Triax Swift is perfect for marathons thanks to its 27-lap memory – a split for every mile – and the last 0.2. The Swift also has three countdown timers, which could be useful if you

is generally considered to be the best choice of GPS for runners and its top-end Forerunner 305 shows why. An SDM with HRM, the 305’s many useful features include a virtual training partner and mapping function; you can also download RW’s marathon schedules

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

of the pack belying its size. The pack is extremely rugged and contains numerous pockets and bungees. Our tester found the fit snug and secure and, while the shoulder straps were a bit tricky to adjust on the fly, it was a generally stress-free running

– is that they chafe, but this is usually down to poor fit, or the bra being worn out. Messem points out that many women will go through a whole marathon training schedule wearing the same bra, even though they’ll probably lose weight during that time, so the bra won

GETTY IMAGESIf you’re just getting started, don’t be befuddled by terms like wicking, pronation or GPS. Get everything you need - not what the shop assistant wants to sell you – with our guide to key kit essentials.If you’ve been running for a