the lowdown on charity places.Think positive: "Two roads diverged... I took the one less travelled by" Robert Frost, poetThe Fear: Race-Day AnxietyThe Fix: Channel the FearCan I really handle my goal pace? What if that stitch hits at halfway? Pre-race anxiety

Street Party: 8,000 runners line up at the startSix hours, 42 kilometres, 23 glasses of wine. Not my normal race strategy, but then this was not a normal race. The festival of wine and running that is the Medoc Marathon used to be a well-kept secret by the French, but in recent...

’ll calculate the mile or kilometre splits you'll need to hit along the way. Print it out and pop it on your wrist for race-day; print out another and give it to your supporters so they’ll know when to spot you.The Big Day Bookmark these essential event guides

-marathon competition winners have risen to the challenge of training for the GNR.Predict your paceType in your target time, and we'll calculate the mile or kilometre splits you'll need to hit along the way. Print it out and pop it on your wrist on race-day; print out

good, tried-and-trusted breakfast... Here’s what to do next to ensure race-day bliss...1. Arrive earlyRacing is meant to be enjoyable. Tough, perhaps, but enjoyable. So don’t stress yourself by arriving late on the big day. Aim to turn up an hour before

Leading the field: Paula RadcliffeThe Athens Olympic Marathon in 2004 was meant to be Paula Radcliffe's race. Since her marathon debut in London in 2002 the British world record holder had never been defeated over the distance. Certainly the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Japanese prese...

Leading the field: Paula RadcliffeThe Athens Olympic Marathon in 2004 was meant to be Paula Radcliffe's race. Since her marathon debut in London in 2002 the British world record holder had never been defeated over the distance. Certainly the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Japanese prese...

, and arranged an emergency contact for you all to ring if the plan goes awry.Race-day kit list Vest or shirt with race number pinned to it Race-day shoes with ChampionChip properly taped to it; socks Shorts and/or tights to run in Optional light gloves, gilet

MindBefore you leaveGet up three to four hours before the start, especially if you’re normally an evening or night runner.Plan spare time into everything you have to do. That way you’ll leave ahead of schedule.At the startRemind yourself of your goal. If it’s a time target, focu...

Before The MarathonYou have no appetite at breakfast You need to take in 400-600 pre-race calories to replace what your body has burnt since you last ate. Because the marathon starts at 9.30am, some runners find they need to eat at 5.30am; others can wait until 7am with no indi...