midsole that requires less force to compress and is soft underfoot. A shoe with a low score generally has a firm midsole that takes more force to compress. However, it can offer the same impact reduction to a heavier runner as a softer sole does to a

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

You have to pity race organisers. They go to great pains to have someone ride round their course measuring it with a Jones-Oerth counter, then 200 runners turn up wearing wrist-mounted GPS computers and claim the route is 300 metres too long. Speed

, material, and high cups to prevent vertical movement – which it did, without being restrictive. Wide, padded straps prevent shoulder pain, and it won particular praise for having a small wrap of material to cover the clasp and prevent rubbing. "All I

to provide you with lots of grip on rough paths when hauling up hill, but thick enough to stop large stones and tree roots hurting your feet. Excellent all-round performance considering this is a more general off-road shoe. Lots of heel grip for descents