Weight 333gEvaluation Avia built its reputation in the USA on reasonably-priced stability shoes, but its cushioning shoes have been good as well. The 2069 is the latest. It follows the standard cushioning formula (blown-rubber forefoot, single

Weight 375gEvaluation Ryka is a name you won’t have heard of unless you’ve been shoe-shopping in the USA.It’s a brand that makes shoes exclusively for women, and its products have received consistently good reviews over the last few years. Why

3= New York City MarathonIf any marathon could honestly claim to be the world’s favourite, it is New York City. No other event attracts such a high proportion of international runners from so wide a range of countries. They are drawn by the unique

has re-established its world-class credentials with a supremely fast course, excellent race management and a concern for the ordinary runner that other events would do well to mirror. The international running community has yet to really discover its

5. Boston MarathonBoston is the world’s oldest marathon, steeped in tradition and history, with fabulous crowd support, a top-class elite field and a surprisingly quick point-to-point course. Sadly it’s also a marathon that the majority of runners

for that 5am start.Watch out for: The heat and humidity. Despite the early start, most runners still complain about it.Contact: Honolulu Marathon Office, 3435 Waialae Avenue, Suite 208, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816, USA; 001 808 734 7200Size: 30,000 Month: December

, with particular stability in the rearfoot. In short Saucony has been bold here and, judging by initial reports from the USA, it’s paid off. If you’re after a stable ride without a multi-density midsole, the GRID Vision is well worth a look.

five women’s World records at the London Marathon, culminating in Paula Radcliffe’s mixed-race 2:15:25 in 2003. Radcliffe also owns the women’s-only record of 2:18:56 from 2002. Khalid Khannouchi USA set a men’s World record of 2:05:38 in 2002

champion Evans Rutto (KEN) 2004, Gezahegne Abera (ETH) 2003, Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 2002, Abdelkader El Mouaziz (MAR) 2001 and Antonio Pinto (POR) 2000 lead the celebrations."There could not be a better way to mark this historic day," said Race Director

stretching off into the distance." (Dave Jelley on the French Trans'Aq). Outrageously flat courses, Himalayan courses, courses down mineshafts... they're all here. We've divided your reports into three pages:European RacesNorth American RacesRest-of-World