Let's Do This Team's Top 2025 Event Picks

Believe it or not, running and training for an ultramarathon can be fun if you do it properly.  For runners that are used to speed work and PBs, it’ll be time for some mental adjustment: ultra running is all about being slow and steady and conquering the infamous wall - multiple times.  Follow these 7 tips and you’ll find yourself loving the freedom you get from long-distance running.

Find your next Ultra Marathon

1. Time > Distance

Instead of planning your training around distances, plan it around time.  Preparing for an ultramarathon is all about getting used to spending many hours on your feet.  Scratch out the 25k run from your Sunday schedule, and put in a 3-hour session instead. You can hike or walk part of it if you need to, but make sure you keep moving for the full time.

2. Cross train

Spending so many hours on your legs each week will increase your risk of injury. Reduce this risk by adding some cross-training sessions into your calendar. This can be a morning swim or a bike ride - anything that keeps your heart rate going without pounding your legs. It’ll strengthen other muscles and allow your running muscles to recover while maintaining your cardio training.  One yoga session per week will also work wonders.

3. Train on trails

Most ultramarathons are not on flat ground, so make sure you train accordingly.  Running on trails will use muscles in your legs you didn’t even know existed, and you’ll find yourself with aches on the sides of your calves and your inner thighs. If you don’t live near trails, spend one of your training sessions each week in the gym doing some targeted leg exercises or climbing on the stair machine.  

4. Rest & Recover

Increasing your mileage will take its toll on your body, so make sure you’re adjusting your sleep schedule and nutritional intake accordingly. Sleep is critical for injury prevention and muscle recovery, so rather than cutting your sleep time by two hours to get a running session in before work, make sure you are going to bed two hours earlier. Within 40 minutes of the end of your long runs, eat or drink some protein to aid with muscle recovery. 

5. Become friends with the wall

Running for 6+ hours at a time means hitting the infamous wall will be inevitable. In fact, you’ll probably hit it multiple times. Become friends with it. It’s very important during an ultra run that you stay positive - it’s impossible to go that long without feeling tired and ready to stop, but knowing that it will get better (which it always does) can be a very powerful motivator.  Once you’re through the dark patch, life will feel great again. Anton Krupicka, Leadville 100 winner and all-round epic ultramarathon runner, says: “If you're NOT having fun that doesn't mean that you're failing. You're just building character.”

6. Water and food and water and food

During long runs, it’s critical to keep eating and drinking. It doesn’t matter what you eat; everybody’s body reacts differently - find a food that doesn’t make you feel sick when you’re running. For some people, that is gels, and, for others, it’s a full-on BLT sandwich. Slow-release carbs and salty foods to replenish salt lost in sweat will be especially useful. 

7. Slow is king

Start as slow as possible, and then go even slower. You’ll have plenty of time to speed up 50km into the run if you’re feeling good. Remember that you’re in it for the long-haul, so lace up, take it easy and enjoy the ride. Finding a running companion can transform your enjoyment of a long run.

We can go without food for weeks, without water for days, but without oxygen, only minutes. For athletes, it’s often breathing and exhaustion of the respiratory system which causes them to gas out first and fall out of medal contention. 

Running economy refers to the amount of energy or oxygen consumed while running at a speed that is less than maximum pace. When it comes to distance running, scientists and performance coaches suggest that running economy is a stronger predictor of performance than VO2 max (maximum rate of oxygen consumption during exercise).

So how can runners improve their running economy and running time? 

1. Understand the difference between oxygen volume and oxygen delivery

Between rest and moderate levels of exercise, the cause of breathlessness is not a lack of oxygen, but rising levels of CO2 in the blood. Correct breathing will always be that which is appropriate and efficient to the current levels of metabolic demand (and it is metabolic activity which is producing the CO2). But for most people at a low level of exercise, taking larger and larger breaths through the mouth will do little to increase oxygen in the blood. Normal levels of oxygen saturation in the blood are between 95-99%, and increasing this to 100% will have little benefit. The key is to increase oxygen release (from the blood into the muscle, organs, and tissues), and what determines levels of oxygen release is actually the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood (known as the Bohr effect). 

2. Do not overbreathe

Many people overbreathe during distance running events, especially at the start of the race when they experience a spike in adrenaline. By overbreathing these runners are removing Co2 from the blood and inhibiting oxygen release to the organs and tissues, which in turn drives heavier breathing and respiratory exhaustion. 

3. Use nasal breathing effectively

In contrast to overbreathing during running, nose breathing will cause Co2 levels to rise and oxygen release to improve. It will also help to keep the athlete in a calm, parasympathetic state which will conserve energy over long distances. When push comes to shove and CO2 levels rise beyond the athlete’s tolerance, it will of course become necessary to adapt breathing and go back to the mouth for faster blood-gas rebalancing. However, employing nasal breathing during training and sleep will increase the runner's ability to take in oxygen, retain a higher level of oxygen in the body and tolerate higher levels of CO2 over time. All of this will stave off respiratory exhaustion and improve running economy. 

4. Consider introducing breathe holds into your training

Many elite athletes employ altitude training to improve oxygen delivery, but a far more widely accessible method of boosting running economy is to practice breath hold techniques, which have been proven to improve respiratory muscle strength and endurance. In his book ‘The Oxygen Advantage’, Patrick McKeown describes the positive results obtained by introducing breath holds into his athletes’ interval training sessions. 

How to do this? During the last 50-100m of a 400m or 800m set for example, simply hold your breath on an exhale for as long as you can. The additional load on the body’s ability to retain and release oxygen will improve running economy overtime. 

On the face of it the equation for cycling performance can seem pretty straight forward, especially at the amateur gran fondo level when every man is out there for himself and there’s no team tactics or strategy to consider. It’s easy to fall into a trap of thinking it’s all just about power to weight and VO2 max. 

Whilst these factors are very important, the reality is a bit more complex when you’re out on the road in the middle of a stressful peloton with changing weather conditions. An ability to draft is a prerequisite to a good hard day’s racing, but here are a few other hints and tips which could help you stay at the front of the pack: 

1. Breathe right and relax

Perhaps with the exception of a sprint finish in the last 200m of a race, at no times should you be overbreathing or hyperventilating. Doing so will mean you are blowing out too much carbon dioxide, which the red blood cells need in order to release oxygen into the tissues, muscles and organs. During a descent or the middle miles when you’re ticking along in the group with moderate ease, you should try nasal breathing. This will not only help to optimise oxygen release through appropriate blood CO2 levels, it will also:

• Engage diaphragmatic breathing and associated states of calm and awareness which are important to help avoid crashing and unnecessary stress and fatigue on the nervous system.
• Produce nitric oxide which is a vasodilator (widens your blood vessels)
• Warm the air prior to it entering the lungs 

When you are going for full gas on a climb, maintain deep, controlled diaphragmatic breathing but keep your mouth open with a relaxed jaw to maximise the volume of gas exchange with every breath.

2. Cornering and descending 

Hold onto the drops to lower your centre of gravity (remembering to feather the brakes), straighten and push down on your outside leg, whilst bending your inside knee and pushing down on your inside hand. This will maximise the centrifugal force in the corner, helping you to stay upright whilst maximising speed. 

3. Cadence

Learn to ride in a slightly lower gear than perhaps feels natural, which will require a faster cadence (rate of pedaling). Riding in an easier gear requires less power, so you burn through your glycogen stores slower and instead use more fat to fuel your ride. This will leave you with those glycogen stores for the times in the race when you really need them. 

4. Power and pedal stroke

The number one rule is don’t overthink it. Just make sure your saddle height is right and focus on the factors above. In those critical moments of the race when you need a bit of extra power, focus on ‘larger’ pedal strokes whilst squeezing your glutes and using your core. When coming out of the saddle, make sure your leg is still pumping in a straight line down through the pedal like a piston. 

5. Nutrition and hydration 

Always take more than you think you need. And if you want that extra umph, down some concentrated beetroot juice. The nitrates in beet juice convert to nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation - widening of your blood vessels - and lowered blood pressure. One landmark study found that cyclists drinking high doses of concentrated beetroot juice used about 3 percent less oxygen during exercise tests than those drinking a placebo drink. In other words, the riders used less energy to pedal the same pace.

Step 1: The Sign Up

You have just signed up for your first official running event. Likelihood is you have done a small amount of running before, maybe it was the odd light jog around the park, perhaps it was a guilty run on the beach after a particularly indulgent holiday feast, or it could have been that one time in February you made the rather foolish decision to get up early for an ice-cold jog before work. However, none of these runs will compare with your first official event. 

When the confirmation email came through, you couldn’t help the feelings of excitement and anticipation. Something inspired you to sign up and you get the impression that this is going to be the start of the new you. Chances are, you’re right. 

Step 2: Training

At the same time as this excitement, you couldn’t help but notice a very slight feeling of apprehension as you realise what lies immediately ahead of you…training. 

It’s 10am on a cool, crisp sunday morning. Here you are, the new you. You’ve done all the prep: flash new trainers and running kit bought, banging running playlist created (with one or two guilty pleasures thrown in for good measure), fitness tracking app downloaded; you are ready to run. 

For the first 7 minutes or so, you feel great. What was there to worry about?

Then already feel the infamous stitch coming on. You think to yourself, ‘One foot in front of the other, that’s all it is.’ 15 minutes in and somehow you are still going but ‘My god this hurts.’

You think back to the online forums. Didn’t you read something about running releasing endorphins? Something about a runner’s high? That feels a long way off…

Eventually you find yourself back outside your front door. Red-faced, breathing heavily but ultimately satisfied. It was a tough challenge but you made it through. No surprise really, after all it is the new you. 

Subsequent runs become easier and easier and you start to notice that your mood is lifted. Perhaps there is something in this running thing after all. 

Step 3: Pre-race

The moment has arrived. You have picked up your race pack from the registration desk (or you have received it in the post) and you have easily navigated attaching the time chip to your shoelaces. However, attaching your race number without stabbing yourself with safety pins is proving a different beast altogether. After one too many winces, one of your fellow runners comes over and offers to help. You rather sheepishly agree and begin to make some pleasant small talk about the race. You don’t realise it, but this camaraderie amongst competitors is one of the things you will come to love about running events. 

After one final nervous trip to the loo (watch out for queues of fellow nervous runners), you finally make your way to the start line. Once there, you feel slightly overawed by the number of people present. You have only ever run on your own, so you are not really sure what to expect. You mingle around for a bit, nodding to the odd person who catches your eye and you feel the anticipation and excitement start to build.

Step 4: The Starting Line

Everyone is ready. The countdown begins. Hundreds of people dressed in colourful clothes simultaneously turn on their tracking apps/watches and run under the starting arch. 

This is it. You are finally doing it, you are doing a race surrounded by hundreds of people all striving for the same goal. After side-stepping your way past the initial swarm, you find a group that matches your pace and settle into a rhythm. Spurred on by the sound of thousands of footsteps pounding the pavement and the crowd cheering you on, you begin to take it all in. What a rush!

Step 5: The Wall 

Half way through now and things are going well. You feel like a marathon runner on TV as you speed past the water station, seamlessly grabbing a water or energy drink. Running and drinking without spilling the whole lot is a special skill in itself. 

Then all of a sudden, you hit ‘The Wall’. You’ve heard about it in hushed tones in running folklore, but there’s never any warning. A sudden disconnect between your brain and body. Your perspective of time and distance becomes warped as the fatigue suddenly locks down your limbs. The prospect of running the next 100m seems like an entire marathon. The idea of finishing the race seems a complete impossibility.

Step 6: Second Wind

Out of nowhere, you feel a tap on the shoulder. Bent double, you look up and see another runner, a complete stranger, cheering you on. You give them a tired, approving nod and dig deep one more time. A cheer from the crowd urges you on, giving you yet another energy boost. That 90’s power ballad you guiltily added to your playlist comes on. You find another gear and power on. The wind is back in your sails. You can do this.  

Step 7: The Finish

Soon, without really knowing how, the end is in sight. You may choose to take it slow through the final section, soaking up the applause and adulation of the crowd like a golfer on the 18th at Augusta. Alternatively you may break into a sprint, showing your enduring fitness and reaching your target time. 

Whatever method you choose, there is simply no better feeling than crossing the finish line. It is joy, relief and pain all rolled into one. Weeks of self-doubt, sacrifice, and struggle have built up to this point, so you have earned the right to congratulate yourself. 

You make your way through the finish area, being congratulated by and congratulating everyone that has made it as well. A communal sense of achievement fills the air. Everyone has had their own experience, but you’ve come through the same battle. 

With your finisher’s medal draped around your neck, you set off to find your family and friends in the crowd. A well done and a quick hug (it is unlikely you smell your freshest) is followed by a well deserved trip out to lunch, where you continue to wear your medal, ensuring everyone knows what you have just achieved. 

Step 8: Later that Evening

Sitting on the sofa, riding the endorphin high and still wearing your medal, you reminisce about the day’s events. Despite the ache gently taking over your muscles (this will last for a couple of days, but it’ll get you sympathy in the office), you realise that you’ve actually quite enjoyed your experience. There’s a voice at the back of your head telling you that you want to do it all over again or maybe you want to find a new challenge. You open up your laptop, and start searching for your next event.

Find your next Running Event

At Let’s Do This, we are always on the lookout for the best ways to boost our performance and maximise our potential. It’s not always a case of putting in more and more hours. Instead, there are more efficient ways of improving training habits, so you get the most out of every minute spent and calorie burnt.

We are always keen to highlight the great work that other companies in the sports community are doing. Here, we’ve teamed up with Fiit, Runderwear, and TwicetheHealth to cover three essential pillars for your exercise plans: training, equipment, and nutrition.

FIIT: #1 RATED WORKOUT APP

Normal training plans require a lot of self-discipline to push yourself individually, or wasted hours travelling to and from gym classes. Fiit is a great way of solving this problem: on-demand classes on your TV or phone means you can take part in a gut-busting training session from the comfort of your home. A wide variety of classes from world-class instructors is a great respite from endless laps around the local park, and not having to travel to the gym frees up valuable time so you aren’t having to get in the way of your work, family, or social life.

The revolutionary Fiit device is a heart rate tracker, which adds scientific data to your sessions. It monitors your heart rate, and lets you track number of reps completed or calories burnt. That way you can know what type of exercise is most effective for you, how much you’re improving, and what you need to do to achieve your goals. It also converts your effort levels into Fiit Points so you can climb the leaderboard in Fiit Club and stay competitive with your friends online for added motivation.

Check Them Out

RUNDERWEAR: HOW TO STAY CHAFE-FREE AND COMFORTABLE OVER ANY RUNNING DISTANCE

Even if you’re committed to a new training plan, you need to make sure you’ve got the right running gear. Most people focus on a good pair of trainers and flash outerwear, but often don’t pay enough attention to a running essential: underwear. Any experienced runner will know what a nightmare chafing can be, and it can seriously disrupt your training and raceday performance if you’re uncomfortable or in pain.

Runderwear has addressed this issue, creating comfortable and stylish running underwear, including socks, briefs, and sports bras, so that you never need to worry about chafing in private areas! The clothing stays effective over all distances, and is worn by Parkrun regulars up to 100-mile ultramarathon enthusiasts. This means there’s one less thing to worry about during your training, so you can focus solely on improving speed and distance.

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TWICE THE HEALTH: HAPPY AND HEALTHY NUTRITION PLANS TOWARDS YOUR NEXT EPIC EVENT

Twice the Health is run by best friends Emily and Hannah, combining a love of running with a love of food. They have come up with a whole range of recipes and nutrition tips, so you know exactly how to fuel your training regime without having to sacrifice delicious foods. Rather than starving yourself or eating the same thing every day, they make sure that your diet is healthy, balanced and has room for a few of the sweeter things in life. Eating properly during your training can have a massive impact on your performance, recovery, sleep, and general health.

TTH have also set up several runclubs across the UK, otherwise known as We are Runners. With over 2,500 members and an epic team of pacers on side, they are always on hand to encourage all involved with running to keep themselves healthy and happy. Be sure to keep up to date with their inspiration and advice on their Instagram, or tag them with #wearerunners

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Now you’ve got the perfect tools for your next training plan, why not find and book your next epic event through Let’s Do This?

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If you're new to trail running, but you're wanting some beginner training tips before giving it a try, we've got Simon James, the founder of Run the Wild, to answer all the key questions. Simon is an experienced trail runner, having completed some of the world's most prestigious multi-day ultra marathon events, including the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc and the Marathon des Sables. Beyond Run the Wild, he also organises charity projects in the UK and Tanzania. 

Discover Trail Running Events

Why do trail running?

Trail running is probably one of the most liberating sports out there. The total freedom of stepping off the pavement and onto countryside footpaths is an experience that everyone should try at least once. I grew up running trails as a child. Living in the remote areas of South Wales with no public transport or even street lights in our village, running on trails was part of my everyday life, just a quick way to catch up with my friends at the beach or getting home in time for dinner.

Roads and pavements in towns are getting busier as more people live and work in urban areas, particularly London. This, combined with the increased popularity of running and cycling to and from work as well as at lunch times, makes for busy pavements. If you are tired of running the same old route or losing your mojo to pound the streets, perhaps it’s time to have a look at trail running to escape the crowds and get back to the true freedom running provides.

Where to try trail running?

The route options are limitless and all within just a few hours from London; from the wild areas around London, like the Chilterns and South Downs to the Alps in France. The key thing is to have an adventure and really enjoy your running.  Don’t forget that over 80% of the UK is considered to be ‘rural’, so you may be surprised at how near you are to finding some trails. Even if it requires some effort to get there, it is certainly worth your time.

Is trail running good for you?

There are many health benefits to trail running: improved plyometrics (speed-strength) and proprioception (sense of body position), stronger core, and less impact on joints. It’s also a very easy way of burning calories whilst having fun! But preparation for trail running is just as important as heading off on the roads or track. Building up core strength as well as overall strength conditioning is key to remaining injury free and getting the most out of your runs.

Getting into trail running is easier than you may think and a countryside path, or trail around a city park is a good place to start. These changeable surfaces can build up strength and refine your technique, avoiding the more repetitive actions of road running.

Trail running can also be a stimulating, 3-dimensional experience. Watching out for the different surfaces, steep ups and downs, the scenery, the peace and quiet, all add to an experience that is both mentally and physically challenging.

What are the challenges of trail running?

Within the world of trail running, it’s not always about speed or distance -sometimes the terrain itself or height gained is challenge enough. But it really does offer something for everyone, whether you’ve never even walked a footpath or you are aspiring to run a mountainous 100 miler.

Having been fortunate enough to race as well as take on some personal challenges in many of the mountainous areas of the globe, or indeed climbing I find that many of the highlights of my life have been found right there. There are many races, from club cross-country runs, fell runs, ultra runs and everything in between. Each of them provide their own challenges, but are equally rewarding in their own way. 

Nutrition: What to eat on a trail run

Eating right is such a big focus in society whether you are involved in sport or not. Nutrition is a key element in remaining strong and focused for the trail ahead as well as helping your body recover post run. Hydration and salt replenishment is particularly key on longer runs.

If you want to get more out of your run then take some healthy snacks, such as flapjacks, nuts, and salty snacks such as crisps and salted peanuts for the route. These will help you keep focused as well as maximise the quality of your run.

Flapjacks and trail mix (a mix between sweet and savoury snacks) include complex and simple carbs, fats, and protein, which are great for providing and storing energy as well as repairing muscles. You can make these at home to suit your own needs, save money, and avoid using excessive packaging. If you can't make your own, then consider buying local and fresh where possible.

After your run, the current school of thought recommends refuelling within 20 minutes, which can often speed up recovery by a few days!

What extra kit is needed for trail running?

Key bits of kit for running trails in the UK are: trail shoes, waterproof jacket, lightweight running pack or vest (to pop in some food and water) and a head torch for dark evenings!

Some of the well-worn footpaths in the English countryside can be run simply with road trainers but as soon as the terrain becomes wet or rough, then trail shoes are definitely worth investing in, even arguably essential. There are many options, each with their own advantages.

Kit for trail running has become a very large market as endeavours become more challenging and those at the sharp end seek out more challenging environments. The wealth of experience at Run the Wild can help give you some guidance on what to buy from navigational tools to head torches.

How do you prepare for a trail run?

By stepping off the asphalt and onto the trails you will need to prepare a bit more for the run ahead. What’s the weather going to be like? When will it get dark? How technical is the route and how long will you be out for? Consequently, preparation is key.

You will need to learn new skills, like navigation, and also spend a little bit of time doing your homework on what the route ahead will entail. Then you'll need to decide the amount of food to pack and weather to bring a warm layer and head torch. But this is one of the many reasons which make trail running much more exciting than road running, as it’s by its very nature an adventure!

Trail running is running in its truest and most natural sense, the adventure and the outdoors bring together so many aspects that make this sport so rewarding and it’s much easier to get involved than you may have at first thought. So, take a step on the wild side, you might like it!

What is Run the Wild?

There are plenty of trail running events across the UK and indeed the world. But there is another option too, why not head to the trails without racing? Run the Wild is the UK and Europe’s premier running holiday company. Set apart from races, it’s purely about running adventures. It takes a less pressured approach, helping people to rediscover the spirit of adventure within in a team, running wild places and along the way learning about trail running techniques and the environment. (“Exploring places… not running races.”) 

Find a Run the Wild Adventure

Our pick of the 12 best, most interesting and top reviewed races in the world. These are the kudos magnets, the bucket list items and the epic experiences. Our list includes all distances from 5ks to 7.46 mile routes, marathons and ultramarathons. 

1. Bay to Breakers

Where? San Francisco, California USA

Run it for: the party, the atmosphere, the costumes.

Known in California as more of a costume party parade than a timed race, Bay to Breakers is an absolute staple in the US running calendar. An event like no other, it was the world’s largest footrace with over 110,000 participants, some registered, some just along for the ride. Now, this title has been taken by City2Surf in Australia (see below). Runners start at the Embarcadero by the bay and go west across the city to the Pacific Ocean. The distance is a cool 7.46 miles in total. The whole city turns out for this race, so expect house parties and bands along the route. Bring a costume, get your friends together and enjoy the full weekend of frivolity.

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2. Safaricom Marathon

Where? Lewa National Park, Kenya

Run it for: the views, the wildlife, the trip of a lifetime.

Run through the magnificent Lewa, one of Africa’s most breathtaking wildlife conservancies. The race is organised by Tusk, a charity doing amazing work in conservation and championed by the Duke of Cambridge. The marathon and half marathon distance races are widely recognised as some of the toughest in the world, so you won’t be short on kudos from friends at home. Expect to meet likeminded people from all over the world, and experience a once in a lifetime trip.

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3. Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc

Where? Chamonix, France

Run it for: the kudos, the pain-cave, the achievement.

No list of the best events in the world would be complete without the spectacular UTMB. Some say it’s the pinnacle of ultra running, some say it’s the toughest footrace in the world, other’s just say it’s the craziest thing they’ve ever heard. Runners take on 32,940 ft of elevation over 106 miles. It’s all completed in a single stage, with runners having to qualify in other ultramarathons around the world to be able to take part. It’s a hugely popular race, not least because the scenery in the stunning French, Swiss and Italian Alps is second to none. The UTMB is the gold standard in long-distance ultra running.

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4. London Marathon

Where? London, UK

Run it for: the charities, the atmosphere, the crowd support.

The London Marathon seems to be breaking records every year for the amount of money raised for charity. Runners of all abilities fundraise for incredible causes, and the atmosphere on the day is one of unbridled joy at the incredible accomplishment. Known for its crowd support, every part of the route is lined with cheering spectators about 10 -20 people deep. Runners take in all the historic sights of London including Tower Bridge and an unforgettable finish down the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. Expect live bands, drumming troupes, dancers and more. The stops are all out at this iconic event.

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5. The Dipsea Race

Where? Stinson Beach, California USA

Run it for: the scenery, the challenge, the friendly folk.

The Dipsea Race has been going for a staggering 110 years, and takes in some of the most beautiful trails on the NorCal coast line. Runners come from all over the world to race the 7.4 mile redwood hill trail. The race is steeped in history and you can count on a friendly atmosphere from start to finish. Numbers are capped at 1,500 people, so if you can get a place in this incredible event, you’re one of the lucky ones.

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6. Cupid Undie Run

Where? Everywhere! But mostly Australia.

Run it for: the pants, the party, the great cause.

This 5k series is a great way to celebrate the summer in your pants. Yup, it’s a 5k in your underwear (or costume, for those feeling modest) to raise much needed funds for the Children’s Tumour Foundation. Held on the beach, on the coast or just in your local town, these events are great fun and the atmosphere is always second to none. Expect free Calvin Klein undies, some innovative costumes and a really good time.

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7. New York Marathon

Where? New York, USA

Run it for: the kudos, the atmosphere, the sights.

One of the 6 World Marathon Majors, New York is not to be missed. If you can get a place in the lottery, this is one the most iconic marathons in the world. Run through the 5 boroughs taking in all the sights: Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Pulaski Bridge, Central Park and many more. Expect live bands along the route and incredible organisation by New York Road Runners. Previous runners include P. Diddy, Alicia Keys, Pamela Anderson, Katie Holmes, Ryan Reynolds and Victoria’s Secret Angel Karlie Kloss.

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8. Two Oceans Marathon

Where? Cape Town, South Africa

Run it for: the scenery, the camaraderie, the photo finish.

Africa’s biggest running event with 15,000 people annually, this race is a great excuse for a holiday and a serious achievement. There’s an ultramarathon distance at 34.7 miles and a hugely popular half marathon distance too. Runners make their way along the stunning Cape Peninsular, taking in the sea views and breathtaking coast line. Spectators line the finish at the University of Cape Town, and there’s always time for a brai and a beer after the race.

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9. Inca Trail Marathon to Machu Picchu

Where? Machu Picchu, Peru

Run it for: the history, the bragging rights, the elevation.

2020 will be the last year this iconic marathon occurs on the inca trail to Machu Picchu. It’s a huge challenge: runners can expect 10,400 ft of elevation over 26.2 miles. The total elevation gain and loss is like running up and down the Empire State Building 10 times, at an altitude of 13,800 ft. It’s safe to say, you need to be seriously into your climbs to get this done. But luckily, walkers are also encouraged. There’s also an 18 mile route, for those not feeling up to the full marathon. The trip is fully supported with aid stations and crews, and is certainly a once in a lifetime run. The scenery and the history are second to none, prepare to meet likeminded people from all over the world, and have an unforgettable trip.

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10. City2Surf Sydney

Where? Sydney, Australia

Run it for: costumes, good vibes, the beach finish.

City2Surf is an absolute must in the world running calendar. First of all, it’s the largest foot race at the moment in the world with over 80,000 participants. Run from the Central Business District on to Bondi Beach on a 8.7 mile route. The emphasis is on fun; expect costumes, a great vibe and live bands along the route. People can walk or run the distance, and at the end a finish line party on Bondi Beach awaits. This is an absolute bucket list event and the whole city shows up to support.

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11. Marathon du Médoc

Where? Pauillac, France

Run it for: the wine, of course.

The marathon route winds it’s way through 59 vineyards in the beautiful and hallowed villages of the Médoc region of France. Here you’ll find the Rothschild vineyards, the Pichon Lonqueville and Beychevelle and many more. Come prepared and be sure to have breakfast, unlike any other marathon in the world you’ll be asked at the aid stations if you prefer red or white. The bespoke medal is in fact a cup and runners can indulge in 23 glasses of wine en route and try the local delicacies of waffles and cheese. Costumes are an absolute must. Expect live music, a great atmosphere and lots of camaraderie along the route, and only a little bit of vomit. Thankfully, walking is encouraged.

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12. Boston Marathon

Where? Boston, Massachusetts USA

Run it for: the prestige, the atmosphere, the kudos.

Held annually on Patriot’s Day, the Boston Marathon is the gold standard of Marathon events. Probably the most famous marathon in the world and certainly the hardest to get into. Hopeful runners need to qualify or otherwise win a place in the very over-subscribed ballot. The qualifying standards tighten every year, with Men aged 40-44 now expected to run a sub 3 hour 10 min marathon. Women of the same age need to achieve 3 hours 40 mins. This race is televised around the world, and the atmosphere on race day is electric. This is certainly a lifetime achievement running race where the bragging rights are endless.

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The list of best running events in the world:

1. Bay to Breakers
2. Safaricom Marathon
3. Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
4. London Marathon
5. The Dipsea Race
6. Cupid Undie Run
7. New York Marathon
8. Two Oceans Marathon
9. Inca Trail Marathon to Machu Picchu
10. City2Surf Sydney
11. Marathon du Médoc
12. Boston Marathon

Completing the 26.2 miles (or 42.2km) of a Marathon race is no mean feat. It requires physical and mental endurance, dedicated training and plenty of personal sacrifices. If you’re going to put in months of training for a race, the reward has to equal the effort. So why not reward yourself by taking part in one of these epic events and create lifelong memories along the way? Here's our pick of the 12 best marathons from around the globe, so that signing up for a marathon will be the best decision you ever made. 

1. Paris Marathon

One of the great international races, running since 1976, the Paris Marathon sees around 50,000 runners take to the streets each year. The support and atmosphere is unrivalled, concentrated around the start and finish lines which are only a few hundred meters apart.  The course takes you through the heart of the city, starting at the Champs Elysées, and passing the Louvre, Place de la Bastille, and the Eiffel Tower before finishing at the famous Avenue Foch with the Arc de Triomphe in the background. What better way to tick off your sightseeing agenda in the space of a few hours?

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2. London Marathon

The crown jewel of endurance sports events in the UK, the London Marathon lives up to the hype. It draws huge, cheering crowds from start to finish and passes many of the great sights of the city before rounding off at The Mall after passing Buckingham Palace. If you’re a seasoned marathoner, it’s also a perfect course for a PB with a very flat route (Paula Radcliff set the women’s world record there in 2005, which still stands). Unsurprisingly, it’s a hugely popular event, but don’t worry if you miss out on the ballot, there are plenty of charity places available. In 2007, 78% of runners raised money for their chosen charity. It has the Guinness World Record for the largest annual fundraising event in the world with £63.7 million raised in 2018, and has now broken the billion-pound mark for charity fundraising since its inception in 1981.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ci-umUMPLE8

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3. Loch Ness Marathon

If you’re looking for a change of scene from the hustle and bustle of a big city marathon then the Loch Ness Marathon is a stunning option. Starting near Fort Augustus up in the hills, you’ll be treated to spectacular Highland views before you climb down and begin following the banks of Loch Ness. You’ll also have the chance to spot its most famous and elusive inhabitant; the Loch Ness Monster. Aside from the beautiful scenery, runners come from all over for the informal atmosphere, super friendly competitors and lots of local support. 

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4. Rome Marathon (Maratona di Roma)

Rome is one of the most architecturally interesting cities in the world - an ancient monument hides around every corner. It’s best explored on foot at the best of times, but the Rome Marathon does its best to take in as many sights as possible on a whistlestop tour. Starting in front of the Colosseum, you’ll work your way past St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Spanish Steps among others. This event is a tourist runner’s dream, however it’s not the best event if you’re gunning for a PB: cobbled streets and tight sections mean that there's a chance you’ll be held up at points, but you can take that as an opportunity to catch your breath and then have your breath taken away again by your surroundings. 

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5. NYC Marathon

With crowd support and a city route to rival the London Marathon, the New York Marathon easily makes this list as one of the biggest and best marathons in the world. What’s more, New York can claim to be the original of the two, being founded in 1970. Participants come from all corners of the globe to take part in this famous race and enjoy the tour of New York through its various neighborhoods; Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. No other event attracts such an international crowd. As with most events on this list, there is a heavily oversubscribed ballot, but if you’re keen to guarantee yourself a place you can apply for a charity place or run a qualifying time in advance at an approved event. 

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6. Great Wall Marathon

This marathon is a tough one. Along the way participants will conquer 5,164 steps as they trace their way along the Great Wall of China. Thankfully, although one of the tougher events on this list (it will take the average participant twice as long to complete as a normal marathon) it is easily one of the most breathtaking. It has a small field of around 650 participants and so carries an exclusive feeling making it all the more special to participate in. Towards the finish, at Yin and Yang Square in the Huangyaguan fortress, you’ll encounter the local crowds cheering you on to the end.

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7. Honolulu Marathon

If you ever needed an excuse to visit Hawaii other than the tropical climate and beautiful sandy beaches with volcanic views then this is it. It’s one of the biggest races in the USA with over 30,000 participants and promises a big welcoming atmosphere. You’ll start in the darkness at 5am and watch the sun rise, revealing the stunning views as you progress through the race. It’s also a great event for beginners and there’s no time limit so you can take all the time you need to enjoy your surroundings. 

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8. Berlin Marathon

The Berlin Marathon has established itself as a contender for having the fastest course in the world. Eliud Kipchoge smashed the world record there in 2018 with a time of 2 h 01 min 39 sec. Expect the usual German efficiency when it comes to organisation but also great crowd support and historic sights. The start and finish areas are near the famous Brandenburg Gate which makes for some epic finishers’ photos. And as a side, if running isn’t as much your thing, you can rollerskate the course on the Saturday before the runners!

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9. Boston Marathon

Founded in 1897, it’s the oldest annual marathon event in the world and also one of the most sought after. It’s full of tradition and history with great crowds - over half a million come to watch and support for the duration of the race. It’s also a pretty quick course, but to participate you’ll also have to be a pretty quick runner - due to high demand the organisers have put in place some pretty strict qualifying conditions. It’s a net downhill course and takes in many of the historic sights that Boston has to offer with a big city finish to cap off one of the most memorable runs you could ever participate in.

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10. The Great Ocean Road Marathon

This event makes the list because it has easily one of the most stunning routes any marathon has to offer. Winding along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road with views of rugged coastline and Australia's Southern Ocean. The views will certainly help to take the pain away as you work your way along the course. To add to the allure of this event, after you’re done, there’s loads to take in around Victoria, including Apollo Bay and breathtaking mountain scenery. 

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11. Tokyo Marathon

This event will take you on a journey from the old to the new in one of the most visually stunning cities in the world. As you progress along the route you will pass the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Station seeing how the old, traditional side of Japan has been interwoven with it’s new hypermodern architecture and culture. With the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo you can only imagine the hype surrounding this event locally will grow rapidly. 

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12. Big Sur International Marathon

Up for a challenge? The Big Sur International Marathon follows the undulating California coastline. You’ll battle through hills and headwind but will be justly rewarded by the scenery on offer. You’ll pass through redwood forests with glimpses of the Pacific Ocean beyond. And despite the race taking place largely away from the big cities, there’s plenty of entertainment on offer throughout the race. If you are one of the lucky few who find themselves holding tickets to the Boston Marathon then you can take on the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge, which includes tackling the two marathons (which are 3,000 miles apart) in six days.

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The list of best road marathons in the world:

1. Paris Marathon
2. London Marathon
3. Loch Ness Marathon
4. Rome Marathon (Maratona di Roma)
5. NYC Marathon
6. Great Wall Marathon
7. Honolulu Marathon
8. Berlin Marathon
9. Boston Marathon
10. The Great Ocean Road Marathon
11. Tokyo Marathon
12. Big Sur International Marathon

Getting into running can feel daunting, and people often let themselves get discouraged before giving their body the chance to settle in and begin loving it. 

Follow these top tips and you’ll be craving the endorphins in no-time. 

1. Take it easy

When you’re just starting up, don’t start sprinting down the street as soon as you’re out the door.  Holding a conversation while running is a good way of making sure you’re training aerobically (with enough oxygen), which will allow you to enjoy your entire session.  The general rule is if you’re breathing every 4-5 words, you’re running aerobically; anything close to 2 or 3 words means you’re probably running anaerobically, and the lactic acid building up in your legs won’t feel nice when you turn the corner at the end of the block. 

Don’t be afraid of the Run/Walk method.  Set yourself targets before you start, for example, warm up for 5 minutes, then run for 3 minutes, walk for 2 minutes, and repeat this for the duration of your session.  Next time, try running for 4 minutes and walking for 2, etc. You’ll be running throughout your session before you know it. 

2. Think about Technique

Running technique isn’t just for the pros, and it can save you from injury if you get it right early-on.  

When you’re running, make sure you’re standing up straight, and focus on pushing your hips forward.  Try landing your feet underneath your hips rather than too far in front of you, and make sure you’re pumping your arms as you run, focussing on driving your elbows back and up as they’re moving. 

3. Invest in good socks

No one likes blisters, and they can quickly stop you from wanting to put your trainers on when your alarm goes off ahead of an early-morning running session. Make sure you’re wearing proper running shoes, not just the flat-soled trainers you wear to the gym, and get yourself a good pair of thick running socks; they’ll be a very good investment.

4. Think about your rest and recovery

Running several times a week will mean your body needs a bit more time and energy to recover, so make sure you’re adjusting your sleep schedule and nutritional intake accordingly.  Sleep is critical for injury prevention and muscle recovery, so rather than cutting your sleep time by an hour to get your new running session in before work, make sure you are going to bed an hour earlier.  Within 40 minutes of the end of your session, eat or drink some protein to aid with muscle recovery. 

5. Explore new places

Running will allow you to explore and discover new places - make the most of it and vary your runs to keep yourself excited and motivated.  Find a hill near you to run at sunrise or sunset, or explore a new neighbourhood.

6. Keep track of your progress

Keeping track of your progress will help keep you motivated throughout your training.  You can either use a logbook of your own, or use an app like Strava which will track your runs and automatically give you all the stats you can dream of (don’t worry, you can set your profile to be completely private if you want to keep all the information to yourself). 

7. Don’t let a bad run define you

Everyone has bad days.  Sometimes your legs will feel heavy and other times you’ll be out of breath much faster than usual.  Don’t let a bad run define you; it’s usually just a sign that your body is busy recovering or fighting off something else.  Listen to your body. It’s good mental work to push through a difficult run, but, if you’re really struggling, take it easy. Don’t get demoralized; you’ll be sure to feel better the next time you put your running shoes on.  

Want any training support?  Get in touch and we’ll help you every step of the way.