How to become a runaway success

4 January 2007

Want to get fit? January is the month when many of us don running shoes, shorts and tights and start pounding the streets in a bid to improve our fitness after the holiday break.

Serious runners will already be thinking about the approach of the spring marathon season and setting a training regime in place. But many new runners, bitten by the training bug, will be taking steps to raise their fitness level in order to participate in events such as the Flora London marathon.

If you're buoyed up by the thought of taking on a big challenge and want to set a goal of entering for a major race, Shelter still has places available for some of the country's - and the world's - top events.

Maybe a full marathon is beyond your reach right now. Many contemplating running in the London marathon in April use the Nationwide Bath half marathon on 25 March to prepare for the race.

The Flora London marathon will be held on 22 April. The world's largest half marathon, the BUPA Great North Run, is an autumn fixture, so there's plenty of time to build up fitness before it takes place. The other big high spot of the racing calendar, the ING New York marathon, will happen in November.

If you're interested, get advice for entrants by calling the Shelter running team on 0844 515 1190, visit our running section.