Rome Marathon, March [Getty Images] From the thrill of running on the Formula One track at Monza to the more visceral delights of some of the world’s greatest cities, Italian races boast both ancient and modern pleasures for the visiting runner

in ultra-running for the last few years, so he’s more comfortable than ever at marathon distance. In 2004, he's leading the 10-minute miling group home at the London Marathon. Rob Spedding Runner’s World Deputy Editor certainly talks a good marathon

an ultra-marathon?(Duncan Sadler)No! A marathon's far enough. It's the perfect distance for me, I wouldn't go further. Mind you, I said that before I moved up to marathons...Paula and friends limber up in Regent's ParkWhat cross training do you do

to Town Ultra 45Totnes 10K Tough Guy Tough Ten Challenge Trionium New Year Box Hill Knacker Cracker 10K Tunbridge Wells Half-Marathon Two Castles Run 10K UUrbanathlon 10K VVictoria Park Open 5 Victory 5 Village Bakery Half-Marathon Votwo

This week's questioner loves his running and loves his beer. But do they mix?"How much harm will a skinful of ale a week before a marathon do me? I'm running my first full marathon of the year on Sunday 29 April, six days after St George's Day. St

), as well as six ultra-marathons. Clearly having caught the running bug, what is it that Ramsay likes about it so much? "For me, running is one of the best ways to unwind. It’s a cliché but it really does clear your head. Sunday mornings are usually the best

, but it certainly looks like a rewarding challenge.Ultra Race Highlights:Boddington 50K (Glos, August 13)Salisbury Trail Marathon (Wilts, August 13)Marathon of Britain (Worcs to Notts, Sept 3)Humber Bridge Half-Marathon (East Riding of Yorkshire, June 25) Hull

categories from an individual ultra to entering a team of 32 runners for the four-day relay.Race website: www.st-olavsloppet.no Ecco Östersund Marathon (July)2009 Date: July 25The organisers of the Ostersund Marathon reckon it’s one of the world’s most

, then pasta for lunch and a meat and two veg-like meal in the evening, then just snacks in between. I think this is the best fuel really, no sports products or protein shakes. If I’m doing an ultra race I’ll take sports gels but on something like this you don

to the trails.Ultra RunningA short and snappy guide packed with everything you need to know to go long.Stretching Run safe, strong and injury-free - wise up to the whats, whys and whens of stretching.Carb-LoadingForget ploughing through plates of pasta - get