Short and snappy, 5K races are the perfect distance for beginners targeting a first race – but an equally satisfying summer target for a speed-demon with more racing experience. This is the destination for all things 5K – all the schedules, guides

for the rest of the running year, whether you’re a battle-hardened racer or pinning on your first ever race number. The summer track season kicks off around now, and marathon runners will be sweeping the cobwebs from their running shoes and easing back

of Europe’s finest cities. If you want to run a big-city marathon in the spring or early summer around Europe, you’re spoilt for choice. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a new PB or you just want a long weekend away that centres around a run

the Black Country's famous canals.City of Manchester 10K (July 5) Popular city road race through Manchester’s suburbs with an uplifting City of Manchester Stadium start and finish. Reigate Priory Summer 10K (Surrey, July 8) This serene midsummer fixture

: Saturday, May 18Halstead Marathon, Essex: Sunday, May 19 SummerLake Vyrnwy Marathon, Powys: Sunday June 2 Afford Rent-a-Car Potteries Marathon: Sunday, June 16 Blackpool Marathon: Sunday, June 23Isle of Man Marathon: Sunday, August 11 Longford BMW Cars

Q I’m not running the Flora London Marathon this year, opting for a summer marathon instead. I have run under 3:30, am pretty sure that I can manage a sub-3:10, but would really love a crack at sub-3:00. How do I know what to aim for, and am I

time for going out with friends, pottering in the garden and entertaining her young nephew and niece over the summer – she’s not letting it take over her life. Several of her work colleagues at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham have been inspired

of anyone in the competition (20:16) and winning the event overall.Aside from these running achievements, Armstrong has enjoyed unparalleled success in the Tour de France. Last summer he won it for the seventh time, before announcing his retirement. While I

of this stylish, up-to-the-minute model.Best Shoe: ASICS GEL-1150The Editor's Choice and Best Update from our spring/summer shoe guide, this is a well-cushioned and flexible shoe. Innovations over its predecessor include a new decoupled structure in the fore

(the same one actual proper triathlete Helen Jenkins wears, no less. It's got gold neoprene and fin bits on the arms and everything).Now all I can do is put in the lengths in the pool. Since we decided to race at Hyde Park this summer, I've been back