present the shoes currently "in line" that we think top the bill.Best For Big SoftiesAdidas Supernova Cushion – £70Why it's the best If you think that wearing a running shoe should feel like walking barefoot across a sheepskin rug, then you

or bottle. Sadly, Sarah the hand-reared giraffe (who in 2003 wandered around the course and helped herself to oranges from at least two water stations) was not present this year.Those with aching legs who yearned for a nice, flat section were not in luck

Running is such a simple sport, we are always told. It's just a case of putting one foot in front of the other. That's true to an extent, but beneath the serene surface we present to the outside world, we all know there's a seething ocean of worry

and all toenails present and accounted for. – Pengwin RockI too have a black scary toenail, and some exciting blood blisters on the end of said toe (but I popped them and they haven't come back). I thought I was unique. Hrumph. – veganrunnerI had recurrent

, Ethiopians and Japanese presented an outside threat, but Radcliffe was the bookies' favourite going into the race. It was a different story for America's top runner Deena Kastor. She didn't even figure in the predicted top five, but she should have. Both

and clifftops, but relentless natural obstacles – tidal pools, sand dunes, and rocky terrain for starters – present entrants with a completely different type of challenge. Though the distance and terrain vary year on year – the 2007 tides mean the course

Avon, and every finisher bags a medal.The adult route covers a mixture of grass, gravel and paved surfaces with one third on a quiet ­- but not traffic free - road. At the end of the race, there'll be plenty of supporters (and free t-shirts) present

mince pies and a warming mug of tea at race HQ. Enter online now.5th Inverclyde Santa Dash (Inverclyde, December 19)Soak up traditional Christmas cheer with a sing-song and a pipe band before the festive race even begins. Celeb spot STV presenter and Pop

: two phrases I won't be using to describe my experience of the Meon Valley Plod.This 20.3(ish)-mile event was established by the Portsmouth Joggers Club in 1997 as a masochistic 21st birthday present to themselves and has been tweaked almost yearly

. Although next time I go I'll be packing my galoshes as well as my sun cream - just in case.Run It: For details of the 2012 LA Marathon, presented by K-Swiss, please go to lamarathon.com. For official LA Marathon-branded apparel and shoes go to k-swiss.com.