Clubs are the lifeblood of running... They drive the competitive landscape and provide the organisers, officials and marshals that are essential to so many races. They offer an access point to newcomers, and guidance, encouragement

Clubs are the lifeblood of running. They offer guidance and encouragement to newcomers and improvers alike. They organise races and provide the officials and marshals that are essential to so many events. But perhaps most importantly they also

,000 expert tips on nutrition, motivation, training and more.Whether you're a complete beginner or already have your sights set on a PB, this 300-page book can help you train and run better. The Complete Guide to Running is divided into 10 key chapters

-Marathon, with 700 runners in November. The race has raised £20,000 for charity in the last four years. The club also helped organise two Stevenage Race For Life 5Ks last July, and helps out at the London Marathon each year. Chris Leigh says the club is proud

of which should put an end to ‘no sex’ complaints.Top tip Convince your partner to start running, too“IT’S RAINING OUTSIDE”Mass-participation events such as the Flora London Marathon, Race for Life and the Nike 10K lead to a seasonal upturn in the number

This New Year, resolve to change your running for the better. It can be anything you like, from trying a new race distance to buying new shoes. To make sure you have no excuse for not vowing to improve, here are 20 ready-made resolutions to inspire

to get to races is part of the fun - and it saves you petrolMake The Right Friends While being sociable is no doubt top of every runner's list, that probably stops short of drinking yards of warm lager out of dirty training shoes as part of Frat

so much support, friendship and awe-inspiring guts to the sport, motivating the thousands of runners they meet both at races and on the runnersworld.co.uk forums.The Fundraiser Eric Hardwick Eric Hardwick is not your average charity fundraiser

, helping her recover from disasters like losing her shoe at the 2007 European Cross-Country Trials. "During the race, someone stood on the back of my spike. I just had to carry on with one bare foot!" She won that 4.4K race in 15:13. And after she turns

motivated by choosing a race as a goal, but use whatever target works for you, whether that’s building up to your first 10-mile run, running five times a week, or logging 100 miles in a month. “A good goal keeps you excited,” says Hadfield.Go Off