. There are triathletes from all round the world. I think the town of Kona is pretty sleepy the rest of the year too so that contrast over race weekend is exciting. The chaos created by the race is good fun. Everyone checks each other out in training.On race day

of two PR reps, his agent, a camera crew, a photographer and two huge minders, an official answer is dutifully trotted out about getting to travel the world, meeting his lovely fans, and seeing first-hand how he inspires others. But when I remind him

way to a photo shoot. Such is the immense pressure on the time of GB's top hope for a 2012 athletics gold these days, that I've been allotted a 40-minute slot with her in a taxi - neatly squeezed into the time it takes to travel between venues

Runner's World. But this is Negril, on Jamaica's west coast, home to the Reggae Marathon and Half-Marathon – and the famous seven-mile white sand beach that I'm lounging, sorry, tapering, on. Launched in 2000 to celebrate the fifth anniversary

and is on her way to a photo shoot. Such is the immense pressure on the time of GB's top hope for a 2012 athletics gold these days, that I've been allotted a 40-minute slot with her in a taxi - neatly squeezed into the time it takes to travel between venues

Bored with the usual merry-go-round of local 10Ks and half-marathons? Looking to combine a new racing experience with a break away from home while exploring new territory? Don’t want to fly halfway around the world to do it?France could

, or it can be a couple of long weekends at home, if planned properly.I write this during my fourth training camp of the year, 7000ft up in the Pyrenees at Font Romeu. This is high level training in every sense of the world, as most of the group are preparing

disarming charm. There is little difference between his public persona and the private man, which is a major source of his appeal. The Penguin has travelled the same hard road as his fans, struggling with bad habits and suspect genes, running countless grey

ahead of Ajdjiti M’bmti, reigning world champion, then collapsing into the enfolding bosom of Shania Twain.Insane optimism is just as dangerous as leaden-footed self-flagellation. I’m sure that really great runners don’t have OMOs. They’re just them

, before a steep climb towards the finish. But the 900 feet of ascent will be rewarding, with breathtaking cliff-top views over Alum Bay and Tennyson Down. If you're traveling from the mainland it's a great chance to get away for the weekend and run some