an entry form in, you have effectively entered the lottery. There are roughly 20,000 places available for the general public after taking into account GFA [good for age], charity and club places. In most years about 100,000 entries are received, so chances

or the New Forest. And, unlike the Great North Run, it’s not on telly.But this marathon, in a sleepy market town just outside Oxford, is hugely popular. Race day isn't until October 22, but the event's 1,000 places have long been snapped up – 107 of them

in that sense. But will the organisers please, please, please have a sub 1:30/1:40 category just after the elite runners for people who can prove their ability with a previous qualifying time and satisfy the more able club runners who want to race the course

and targets, and enter events? How do you help a 12-year-old through the low times and disappointment?"– Raymond McMillan (by email)Your best answersMake it an enjoyable family activityMy two daughters aged 11 and 14 have come running with me – just light

racing and training. At the start line you should be sweating and your heart rate elevated (60-65% of max). However there are two reasons why this rarely happens: at the start of big races you need to get into position and are probably waiting 10-15 mins

of ultras and mountain races in the past 15 years, including half tour of Mont Blanc in August this year. My advice would be not to overdo the mileage. You can never really train for a 50-mile race by doing a 50-mile training run, as you would just get

medallist Brendan Foster, who got the idea after running in New Zealand's Round the Bays race in 1979.When the GNR made its debut in 1981, it took place in June and boasted a line-up of 12,000 runners – many of whom will be back this year, no doubt relieved

it will transform your running and racing. I now do one day of speedwork, one fast-paced 7-miler, one 10-20 miler and one other run. I felt I haven't been doing enough, but my running is getting better and better all the time. It might be useful to get someone to do

dotted by right royal horse manure, this was an event designed to make any passing tourist weep with joy.The 6,000 runners who turned up for Sunday's unseasonably hot 1pm start seemed pretty impressed, too. It was hard not to be. There's something oddly

(er) runs now it's not so warm. Increase the race distances, so perhaps a December-Feb 10-mile race, and maybe one of the spring half marathons in March. Forty to 50 miles per week is fine – the body is an amazing thing and will adapt quickly to the workload