Kingston Running Festival Marathon, Surrey Sunday, October 13WHY RUN IT?Speed, river, post-race shoppingA flat, autumn, Thames-side event, which passes Hampton Court Palace. The marathon is held with 16- and eight-milers.FEESLast year £12, payable

Lake Vyrnwy Marathon, Powys Sunday June 2WHY RUN IT?Speed, scenery, You're Welsh or a Veteran. A fairly new marathon (2 laps over a proven half-marathon course around the lake) that hosts both the British Veterans and the Welsh Champs. FEES£9

Lochaber Team Strides Marathon, Inverness-shire, Scotland Sunday, April 28WHY RUN IT?Speed, scenery, ScotlandRun in the shadow of Britain’s biggest mountain (Ben Nevis), this is surprisingly one of the UK’s fastest courses.FEES£13 (SAF affiliated

Manchester Marathon: Sunday, October 13WHY RUN IT?Speed, ManchesterTraditionally one of Britain’s top autumn marathons. This year it reverts to its tried and tested Heaton Park to Wythenshawe course, rather than the Commonwealth Games course

Experian Robin Hood Marathon, Nottingham: Sunday, September 15WHY RUN IT?Speed, atmosphere, sights, lace panel mementoThe 22nd running of this reasonably quick two-lap route from the Victoria Embankment (with a different, flatter second lap

Shakespeare Marathon: Sunday, April 28WHY RUN IT?Scenery, speed, value for money This is the Midlands’ alternative to London, and is held on the weekend nearest to Shakespeare’s birthday, in Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a pleasant,reasonably fast

Q. Whenever I race, I find that I feel sluggish during the first few miles. Can you give me some tips to speed me up during the all-important opening section of a race? A. The first thing you need to look at is your pre-race warm-up. If you

the easiest or hardest thing you do all week. It’s a Swedish term meaning ‘speed play’, and it basically consists of fast, medium and slow running over a variety of distances.Here’s how a typical fartlek session would work. After a steady warm-up, simply pick

not as much as Reebok’s last racer, the 3D Speed. Reebok has also moved away from the outsole-free technology of its last few performance shoes, opting instead for a more traditional mixture of blown- and carbon-rubber tread.

locations at speed. Pick the event that's right for you - and train smart on your holiday - with our guide.