for heavy impacts. The 384g International Triax is the men’s version; the Converge Triax is designed separately for women, on a wider-forefooted last than previous Nikes.

? Partly because of their fit. The last which Ryka shoes are built on creates a narrow, snug heel and a broad forefoot, which suits many female runners.Ryka shoes have always had good stability, another factor which is often even more important for women

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

get encouragement and training advice in the build-up to the race, a special vest to run in, support crews along the route, an invite to a post-race party, and an immense sense of satisfaction. Look in the pages of Runner's World magazine in the run up

runners. Over the past year the staff and correspondents of RUNNER’S WORLD have spent most of their weekends travelling to a huge number of these events. Those travels, together with informal surveys of competitors and other reader feedback, provide

) 829 3 Bristol 1/2M (7) 805 4 Flora Light Challenge For Women (8) 802 5 Victory 5 798 6 Hastings 1/2M (4) 794 7 Swansea Bay 10K (6) 791 8 Bath 1/2M (15) 779 9 Corporate Challenge (21) 778 10 Great South Run (10) 773 11 Great Scottish Run 1/2M (3) 771

Weight 437gEvaluation The Beast (and Ariel, the women’s model) is one of those enduring favourites that periodically gets a retouching. This update is a little more than that. Brooks has attempted to streamline this beefy monster without stripping

Weight 268g (equivalent to men’s 319g)Evaluation If you’re an occasional runner who doesn’t want an ordinary running shoe, the women-only Air Max Verona could work for you. It’s built on a proper running base, with rearfoot Max Air and forefoot Air

with technology – including rear- and forefoot cushioning pads and deep flex grooves.Stability is even more of an issue for women runners than it is for men, and along with a slender-heeled fit, that’s the key to the Perpetua. The shoe has a long medial post

The numbers in brackets are last year's position; the times are last year's men's and women's winning timesIf we've been given an event's details, you'll find it in the Race Diary.Best seriesThe Yateley 10K series, staged on the Hampshire