:51:26Point-to-point city marathon that took a dip in 2001 on new course 2002 date: October11 Snowdonia Marathon (14) 2:37:14/3:12:13A very tough course through mountainous North Wales 2002 date: October 2712 Blackpool Asics Marathon 2:37:38/3:16:52A very fast

held every year since 1924. Marathoning is fast becoming a national past-time: prime minister Mikulas Dzurinda is a regular marathon runner – he has a PB of 2:57, and even managed to find time to run the Flora London Marathon while on an official visit

rather than hot and the hoards of summer tourists have yet to arrive so you're guaranteed a memorable weekend in a wonderful city. Expected runners: 14,000 PB Potential: 7/10 Contact: Viale B, Bardanzellu 65, 00155 Roma, Italy; 0039 06 40 65 064; fax

from runner to runner. A seasoned marathon runner – or someone whose training plan included a high mileage base – can expect to bounce back quicker than a marathon novice for example.What you can do though, is make sure you know exactly what your body

Robin Hood 1/2M (16) 1:08:15/1:17:09An interesting race around the city of Nottingham 2002 date: September 159 Windsor Nike 1/2M (11) 1:07:51/1:18:37Tough and testing route through Windsor Great Park 2002 date: September 10 City of Norwich 1/2M (34) 1:05:10/1:18:35

-winter Marathon, Netherlands "I ran this in light snow and -2°C and absolutely loved it. The organisation is fantastic. The race through heath and woodland is magical. Most runners are on a shorter course and when they leave at 25K there is an almost eerie calm

mild overpronators. But with its fine level of cushioning – the rearfoot feels positively plush – it works well as a shoe for swift, efficient runners racing up to the half-marathon.

, the shoe favoured by former marathon world record holder Khallid Khannouchi, and that should give you an idea of the kind of runner who'll get the most out of them – the fast and efficient kind. That doesn't necessarily mean elite, though. The 250 uses New

This model may still be available on clearance. But we've reviewed a newer version since we published this.Light, fast and smooth, the 320g Precision is a quick everyday trainer for efficient runners, or a marathon racer for others, and it’s one

. The Aello is no marathon shoe, but is great for anything up to 10K.