Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2017 i Trail Running

RECENTLY I was lucky enough to be in Manchester, and found myself running along in what can only be described as an urban environment. Dodging buses and avoiding shoppers was getting a little tedious, so I swung right, headed over a stone bridge and suddenly found myself alone, running alongside a wonderful canal. Fabulous. In less than five seconds I had left the city and entered the countryside. To my left a tram trundled by, heading to the city centre, while in front, on the horizon, I could see the foothills of the moors. It was as if a secret world had been unlocked simply by turning right. Hence our surprising secrets of your city feature on page 44. It’s nothing new of course. When I was in school my…

BOOST YOUR BRAIN Increase your ability to run happy for longer by following a Mediterranean-style diet, say experts. In a Temple University study, scientists discovered that olive oil drastically improved working memory, spatial memory, and learning abilities, to enhance the positive power of the brain. LIVE LONG Adopt an optimistic approach to life and studies show you’ll enjoy more years on the trails than those who have a negative attitude. In Yale School of Public Health research, it was proven that a positive viewpoint can enhance belief in a person’s abilities, increase healthy behaviours and reduce stress-related inflammation linked to heart disease. ENJOY THE MOMENT New research has turned the tables on traditional advice on why we should exercise. Rather than pushing ourselves to the limits to lose or maintain…

Running multiple marathons does not leave runners at a greater risk of atherosclerosis – a build-up of fatty material inside the arteries – Technical University of Munich researchers assert. German scientists tracked heart functions of runners who had recently finished 11 running events, including half marathons, full marathons, and ultras. Their average weekly and annual training distances were 59km and 1639km, but the study found no association between exercise capacity, marathon finishing time, number of completed races, or weekly and annual training distances with arterial stiffness.…

Sarah recently won individual silver at the European Mountain Running Championships – and bronze at the World Mountain Running Championships. Many congratulations on your recent performances! Thank you! It’s been a great few weeks. It’s ten years since I first qualified for a senior vest, and the landmark made me feel quite old, so I was determined to make it a successful year! How was your preparation? Training and racing have gone really well since April and I’ve progressed steadily. Usually there’s more time in between the two championships, but this year the turnaround was only three weeks. So after the elation of the Europeans (uphill only) I tried to recover, do a couple of up-and-down specific sessions, then taper. I thought it’d be tough to repeat a podium performance,…

Team Mountain Fuel made fell-running history, recording six records, at the first head-to-head Billy Bland Challenge race, on the famous Bob Graham (BG) Round. Rupert Bonington and Kirsty Hall completed Leg 1 in 2hr 40 min, the fastest time for a mixed pair. Ben Mounsey and Calum Tinnion finished Leg 2 in a new record of 2hr 20min. James Appleton and Mark Lamb claimed a Leg 3 record of 3hr 2min. On Leg 4, Jacob Snochowski and Nichola Jackson set a new men’s record of 2hr 36min. While Sally Fawcett and Julie Briscoe created a new fastest ladies time of 1hr 30min for Leg 5. Collectively, they’d set a new mixed-team record for the Billy Bland Challenge of 12hr 51min.…

Spain’s Iker Karrera has set a new Nolan’s 14 record of 47hr 40min. The challenge is 14 summits over 14,000ft in Colorado’s Sawatch Range, USA, with a distance of 80-plus miles and vertical gain of at least 40,000ft. “Armed with only the kit on [our] backs, the stiffest of upper lips and rudimentary navigation skills,” Kris King and Adam Kimble have run 1053 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End, while also knocking off the national three peaks. After criticism on social media, including from GB athlete and Western States-winner Ellie Greenwood, the Glen Coe Skyline has decided to give equal prize money to male and female winners as of 2017.…

I’ve been reading Trail Running since the first issue and find it quite refreshing compared to the competition, particularly now, as I’m in training for a 33k trail run in Salisbury, as well as the New Forest Marathon. If I was to be slightly critical of Trail Running, however, it would be over the arguable bias towards trail running in the north of England, particularly Keswick and the Lake District. Did the former editor come from that area of the UK? Perhaps in the future you could focus a bit more on the south please? The New Forest Marathon would be a good place to start! Tony Hodge, Salisbury Ed (from Kent): The New Forest is definitely on our radar and we’re looking to do more features on events from…

Maverick Race is the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to get into trail running. With three different distances of trail per event, there is bound to be something to suit you. This, coupled with a friendly welcoming atmosphere, the chance to test some Inov-8 shoes around the course, a fantastic medal, and a Maverick Beer at the finish line – what’s not to like? With races all over the country – a quick glance says there’s one in Kent (30 September), Powys (7 October) and Oxfordshire (21 October), there is bound to be a race near to you, and in a place you have likely not explored. So join the Maverick Race movement, and enjoy the buzz of a trail race in stunning scenery, running on fun, exciting trails.…

For a gear geek like me, the complexities of autumn running are a challenge not a chore. Being safe and self sufficient on the hills brings a feeling of satisfaction; spare jacket, trousers, gloves and ruff snug in my pack. On short morning runs a merino base layer and windproof become the standard choice, with a waterproof for wetter days. But it’s the frosty runs that are really magical. The crunch of frozen dewy grass underfoot and the cold air makes running feel faster, gone are the sweaty sluggish runs, and I can stretch my ‘no-water’ runs to a couple of hours. On still mornings, a quick dash up hill and the visual effects are hard to beat – cloud-filled valleys are a special sight. The leaves of autumn are…

Wigan In Wigan, we have fantastic connections via the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. I love the runs along there – especially the wildlife spotting. I’m planning a Liverpool-Wigan self-sustained run this year. Paul Turner Derby The Nomad public footpath in and around Derby holds many beautiful, hidden trails. People think Derby is all road running, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Victoria Yeomans Telford There’s a great 7-mile route in Telford known as the Granville Heritage Trail. It connects several industrial archeological sites. Look at the map and there’s nothing but housing estates but, in fact, they are well hidden for most of the route. David Pritchard Plymouth Try Plym Valley trail – 13 miles following the old railway route to Dartmoor. Or take the lower paths and…

OUR EXPERTS We use in-house and independent experts with sports and exercise science backgrounds and many years of trail-kit testing under their belts so you can trust our kit reviews. JEN AND SIM BENSON Authors of Wild Running, married couple Jen and Sim put 10+-litre packs to the test out on the trails, p80. TOM STAGGS When it comes to cool kit, nothing gets past gear guru Tom. Read his round-up of top trail running buys, p77. JACK HART Training editor Jack seeks out head-to-toe support, with softshell jackets, p86, and compression leggings, p88. DAVE TAYLOR Mountain leader and fell-running coach Dave goes the distance in long-distance trail shoes, p84. MUSIC TO YOUR EARS Monster iSport Victory In-ear Wireless Headphones £99.95 Monster’s third incarnation of the iSport Victory headphones are…

LOWE ALPINE TENSOR 10 350g One size  www.lowealpine.com £40 The Tensor 10 is a simple yet tough multi-activity bag. The back and strap padding will cope with whatever you can fit in it – great if you need to carry books or tools. It carries well, with a simple webbing waist belt and chest strap that minimises – but doesn’t eliminate – bounce. It’s reservoir compatible, with an internal zip pocket and external stash pocket. VERDICT A tough multi-activity bag. Good, but not running specific. 7/10 GREGORY MIWOK 12 590g One size  www.gregorypacks.com £60 The Miwok is a tough and padded bag, capable of carrying weight comfortably. It’s smart looking, compatible with a reservoir and well featured, with multiple zipped pockets and a front stash pocket. It’s quite heavy and…

It was several autumns ago when I first discovered my love of trail running. A slave to the stopwatch on the track and roads, I found myself in the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race. It brought about a transformation – suddenly, it was more vital to look at where I was putting my feet, and more breathtaking to glance at the views, than be glued to my watch. After all, when the marathon stage takes you two hours longer than your personal best, you’re counting the twists and turns and hill crests of the course more than minutes per mile. Our race section in this issue includes further examples of extreme challenges, including the Badwater 135, known as the ‘toughest footrace on the planet’. But trail running is not all…

Clambering over rocks high above Wasdale valley, with sweeping views across to the grassy, rocky flanks of Scafell Pike, so enthralled was I with the show-stopping vista that I nearly climbed into the backside of the lady in front of me! I styled it out as a slight stumble and I think I got away with it – unless they read this, of course. Jogging along at the back of this epic 36k Skyrace, filming as I went, I had joined forces with three hardy, fit Scottish lasses who made the lung-bustlingly vertical 2800m of ascent simply fly by with their chat. One of them, mum of two and teacher from Aberdeenshire Jeni Rees-Jenkins, had done the Lakes Sky Ultra the day before and was still the first of us…

Blind summits are the worst. They offer up false hope of respite, only for the realisation to slowly dawn that no, this is not the summit – the gradual nature of that understanding makes it all the more crushing. You don’t think this at the time, though. It goes something more like ‘ow, ow, ow, bugger, ow’. The non-summit in question was en route to the actual summit of Mam Tor, Peak District. We’d been running for some six miles, the majority of which had snaked ever upwards through the fields of sheep and bracken dominating this beautiful National Park. From Mam Tor, we would circumnavigate the peaks dotted around Edale, traversing open fields, rocky trails, boggy moorland and sharp climbs on our round route back to Hope. No real…

JOHN BREWER Who better than Prof Brewer to tell us autumn is perfect for running, p34? CLAIRE MAXTED Addicted to hills, we sent the wild one on a more urban adventure, p44 DAN ZEROSKI Trail marathons are second nature to this expert mountain biker, p69 SARAH ROWELL Ultra endurance legend, Sarah highlights some UTMB essentials, p24 JEN & SIM BENSON The authors of Wild Running reveal their top 10 trail routes this issue, p91 JACK HART Fitness guru Jack highlights the perfect week when it comes to cross-training, p68 /trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag /trailrunningmag tr@bauermedia.co.uk…

What? The term parkour derives from the French word ‘parcours’, meaning ‘route’, and is a style of non-competitive free running traversing over, and through, any terrain. Why? This sport develops the fundamental attributes required for free running, including functional strength and fitness, balance, spatial awareness, agility, coordination, precision, control and creative vision. Where? Now officially recognised by Sport England, there are increasing numbers of places to participate both inside and outside. Visit www.parkour. uk for more information. 10 pm An evening run has been found to improve your sleep. One study found people who exercise at night are able to fall asleep 30 minutes after their run, possibly due to reduced blood pressure.…

Get your pacing strategy right and you’ll be more successful at endurance running, a new study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology claims. While it may sound obvious, the results obtained from the experiment, which looked at the oxygenation effects in elite Kenyan athletes’ brains when pushed to exhaustion – in their case, running eight 1km intervals at 2:48 pace and 30sec recovery – relate to all runners. When pushing the body hard, oxygen levels drop to the brain, resulting in reduced performance capacity. EAT ‘N’ RUN Lean 4oz turkey burger in a roll with salad and tomato sauce 460 kcal 1 corn on the cob with butter 230 kcal 57 minutes trail running based on a 160lb person averaging 10min/mile pace…

A recent Ohio State University study has claimed that compression gear offers no performance boost at all. Researchers claim that although compression tights reduce muscle vibration, they don’t reduce muscle fatigue when compared to running without. Study participants completed several 30min treadmill session at 80% of their maximum speed, both with and without the tights, and found the gear didn’t help runners go further or faster. That said, when it comes to post-training recovery you’ll reap the benefits of compression gear.…

Katie and Casper Kaars Sijpesteijn are becoming quite the double act. Earlier this year Katie ran the second-fastest ever women’s Bob Graham – accompanied all the way by husband Casper. After running for GB in the Trail World Championships, and placing 8th at Mont-Blanc 80k, in July she won the Lakeland 50 with a course record. With Casper doing exactly the same in the men’s race. “Six years ago, Casper and I ran our very first trail race and ultra, the Lakeland 50,” Katie told Trail Running. We wanted go back to where all these beautiful happy adventures began and had this crazy dream of a double course record!” Ultra mountain runner Rob Sinclair, from Aberdeen, has recorded an unprecedented Scottish ultra hat trick, scoring wins – as well as…

GO TO IT! The North Face Mountain Festival, at the foot of the Eiger, Switzerland, 14-17 September. Meet athletes, go running, and more, all in stunning scenery www.thenorthface.co.uk WATCH IT! Brilliant trail-running filmmaker Billy Yang’s behind the scenes video from Western States www.trailrunnermag.com/video/watch-scenes-2017-western-states.html GO TO IT! Achieve Expo, Bath, on 14-15 October, has 14 health and wellness speakers, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes and leading sports dietician Renee McGregor www.achieve.co.uk SORT IT! Get your technique analysed and improved, to run more naturally and efficiently, with Running Reborn www.runningreborncoaching.wordpress.com GO TO IT! Dates for Kendal Mountain Festival have been announced as 16-19 November. Keep an eye out for announcements on great speakers and adventure films www.mountainfest.co.uk…

A spur-of-the-moment decision to check out a great-looking waterfall almost cost ex Royal Marine and ultra runner Peter Dalby his life. He was on a run in Australia, took a wrong turn and, without a GPS, got lost... for 30 hours in the bush without food and water. He was rescued! Pavel Paloncý aborted his FKT attempt on the 268-mile Pennine Way. Going south to north, the Czech, two-time Spine Race winner, ended his effort 208 miles in, slowed by the heat and stomach issues. Hardrock 100 and Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, two of the world’s most prestigious 100-mile trail races, have had an unseemly spat, exchanging provocative press releases. Sort it out guys!…

Your hometown is hiding something from you. Not in an eerie, X-Files way – that’s a different magazine altogether. But it does take an almost alien shift in your thinking to see past the endless Tarmac, traffic, buildings and urban chaos that 83%* of us now inhabit, to find local trails. “A lot of our biggest cities have a hidden treasure trove of paths and tracks if you know how to find them,” says Manchester-based coach Steve Vernon from New Balance. “There could be one just outside your office, perfect for a lunchtime trail run. Many old industrial areas in particular have disused railway lines, canal networks and heritage paths. They’re a brilliant escape from urban life, and if you’re creative they can be just as pretty, hilly and adventurous…

GWR TOWPATH SERIES SUMMER 2018 Four 10k races and a final 5k on a mix of grass, Tarmac and cycle tracks, held between May and August, setting out from Ashton Park School, Bristol. www.greatwesternrunners.org.uk/index.php/towpath DIRT HALF CHALLENGE SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER Follows the canal path from Leighton Buzzard through beautiful countryside and Stockgrove Country Park. www.dirtrunning.org.uk BRECON TO CARDIFF ULTRA FEBRUARY 2018 A one-way 70k ultra along the stunning Taff Trail, the first half on easy canal paths and forest trails, the second on Tarmac trail, fully marked and ideal for beginner ultra runners. www.runwalkcrawl.co.uk…

Planning to run your first marathon, or looking to boost your 10k time? Then you need to run, right? Well, yes – and no. Clearly you need to get some miles under your belt if you stand any chance of getting over the finish line, but zealously committing to running day in, day out, will bolster your injury risk above anything else. Our chosen sport is high-impact and tough on particular muscle groups – without adequate rehab and strength training, you’ll quickly run into trouble. That’s why we’ve compiled the best cross-training disciplines to improve your endurance while relieving tired joints, boost recovery while relaxing your brain, and increase strength while learning new skills. It’s time to upgrade your training arsenal.…

Trail running and gyms are often used as antonyms, but there’s really no need – ask any professional runner and they’ll espouse the benefits they gain from strength training; benefits they couldn’t achieve success without. Olympic lifting, in particular, uses fast compound movements – i.e. those using multiple muscle groups – to train your body to move explosively, powering you along technical trails. The added bonus, as coach Brad Welch rightly points out, is that you look pretty cool doing it. POWER CLEAN Cleans are a great exercise to introduce if you’ve reached a plateau and are looking to improve. They are surprisingly easy to learn and master, yet work an amazingly varied set of muscles. Executed correctly you’ll work glutes, quads, back, shoulders and calf muscles – pretty much…

DEUTER SPEED LITE 10 340g One size w  ww.deutergb.co.uk £35 Designed as a fast and light multi-sport pack, the Speed Lite series ranges from 5-20l. Well designed, with a tapered shape to allow freedom of arm movement, helmet attachment points and easy-access mesh side pockets, there’s a wide-opening front compartment and small zipped top pocket too. Comfortable to wear, this would be great for the commute. VERDICT A well-designed and great-value running pack. 8/10 PATAGONIA FORE RUNNER VEST 10L 311g S  www.patagonia.com £100 A great-looking, lightweight pack available in two sizes. Simple but well featured, with zip, Velcro and stretch pockets on the front, plus an easy-access roll-closure main section, small inner zip pocket, and stretch outer stuff pocket. The harness has multiple adjustments, and two lower chest straps are…

Recovery is the name of the game when it comes to compression tights and, despite the sceptics, there’s plenty of research to confirm just how effective this piece of clothing is at making you feel fresher after a tough workout or long run. They may not make you run quicker, but they’ll help you train more effectively. WHAT TO LOOK FOR Don't just go for the colour – consider these factors… WAIST Women’ s tights come with a higher waistband for a more comfortable fit. It more easily allows the use of a drawstring. FIT Remember, to work well these need to be tight. Don’t be tempted to go up a size. Instead, make sure they’re figure hugging. BUILD Tights can offer a higher-pressure fabric to support key muscles and…

The amazing backdrop of the Lake District went some way towards making up for the difficulty of the challenge that lay ahead for the record field of runners in the 2017 events. A total of 1310 set out in both races for this, the tenth edition, held at the UNESCO World Heritage site. Running non-stop through the night and the next day, the circular ML100 route leads out of Coniston, heading south to take in the Dunnerdale fells, Eskdale, Wasdale and Buttermere, before arriving in Keswick. From here, runners turned towards Matterdale and then on over to Haweswater, heading back towards Coniston via Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater. Encompassing approximately 6300m of ascent, the equivalent of 71 times the height of (now silent) Big Ben, the terrain is technical and rough.…

‘People said to me,“Weren’t you worried about the animals?” I said to them,“No, I’m more worried about the humans.”’ One year on from cycling across Africa, Gaven Sinclair has swapped wheels for running shoes, and begun his solo #LongestTrailRun of more than 5000k around the south of the continent for charity. The extreme ultra runner started out from Cape Town earlier this month and is planning to travel through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique before finishing back in his home country. Aside from the obvious physical challenges of running unsupported for 5500k and climbing to heights of up to 1650m, the South African motivational speaker is ready to face areas of uncertain political stability. He is putting himself through it to promote the charity Missing Children South Africa, as well…

BOUNCE ENERGY BALL This energy ball is a mix of almonds, syrup and juice, whey proteins, sesame seeds and rice flour. At just under 200kcal, the ingredients provide easily absorbed carbohydrates to fuel muscles, and a decent 12g of protein for muscle recovery. TREK PROTEIN ENERGY CHUNKS These little chunks are based on dried fruit, with protein from small crunchy soya pieces and almonds. They have a crumbly texture and are quite sweet. Each packet has 200kcal and are higher in carbs, lower in fat and similar in protein (12g) to the Bounce Energy Ball. VERDICT Similar in calorie and protein content, the Trek chunks are small, so good for long runs. The lower fat content may also make them easier to digest.…

1 SUP FOR SORENESS Spanish scientists have hit upon the ideal post-run drink – watermelon and pomegranate juice. The fruity concoction – enriched with naturally occurring amino acids that reduce the accumulation of lactic acid, a major cause of muscle fatigue, as well as boosting strength, recovery and muscle performance – helped to rid muscle soreness completely. 2 HYDRATE FOR HEALTH Ensuring adequate hydration is key to staying heart healthy and keeping training on track – or rather, on trail – University of Arkansas experts warn. They found shocking physical impairments resulting from just 2% dehydration – similar to that from smoking a cigarette. That percentage level is when people start to feel thirsty, so keep on top of your fluid intake to ensure your heart is in top condition…

Mammut and GB athlete Helen Bonsor has set a new women’s record for the Tranter’s Round of 12hr 25min. The round is 20 summits (19 munros), over 36 miles and 20,000ft ascent. “After two failed attempts in 2011, it was still firmly on the to-do list” Bonsor told Trail Running, and she found a 12-hour weather window in July. “The tops were in mist and waterproofs were on and off.” Cloud lifted for a spell. “But the forecast rain started as we approached the final climb onto Ben Nevis. “It was then I properly looked at my watch. It was a great feeling, and one of those rare moments, to run down the scree slopes towards the valley bottom knowing everything had come together.”…

‘Trail running closes off the rest of the world so you can just be . It’s good for the soul’ Running is booming. It’s one of the most popular sports in the UK, with more than two million people in England running at least once a week, according to Sport England. For many of these two million people, weight loss or fitness are why we hit the roads or trails – legitimate and worthy reasons – but, ultimately, it comes down to the enormous pleasure it brings. Running is great; it’s simple and cheap, you can do it when and where you want. All you need are a pair of daps and you’re away. This time of year brings a change in the weather and, therefore, an…

YOU’VE BEEN EMAILING Send your thoughts to tr@bauermedia.co.uk Out of office While catching up on work emails, as I normally do in the evenings, my husband unwraps his Trail Running magazine. My children and I always have a giggle at his expense, as he looks like a child on Christmas morning. However, tonight was a little different and I could hear him grumbling about the way your magazine is bursting with great ideas for runners who work in an office every day, but doesn’t cater for him. My husband runs a successful groundwork business, which he has built up over the last five years. He works an average of 60 hours a week and is a role model for our three children. He encourages them, and our labrador,…

MEET THE EXPERT John Brewer is Professor of Applied Sport Science, Head of School of Sport, Health & Applied Science, author and a runner. He also once lost his phone in Scotland on a trail run. As the year grows older, and the long summer nights fade into colder autumnal and winter days, it is all too easy to lose the incentive to head outdoors and enjoy all the benefits that running can bring. But the autumn can be a time that defines the running year, providing an opportunity to develop the strength and endurance that underpin training and racing for many months to come. Ask any serious or elite athlete, and they will almost certainly see these latter months of the year as the most important time of their…

Running coach Steve Vernon, New Balance elite performance and activation manager, has these three sessions for maximum performance: 1 EASY HILL SESSION Find a 10-30sec long hill and run up 10-20 times at a hard effort, 80% of your max HR, with a good rhythm. Focus on your technique and form. Recover with a jog back down. Remember to warm up for 10min first, then cool down for the same time afterwards. 2 STEP PLYOMETRICS Bound up steps two at a time, 4 x on each leg, 6-8 reps. Then hop up one step at a time x 10 steps, 6-8 reps again. Slowly walk back down to recover fully after each rep – these are about power and good technique with each bound or hop, not a high average…

ASK THE EXPERTS Email your questions to tr@bauermedia.co.uk or send a message over social media to get your training queries answered by the pros. MATT PARKER Director of gear retailer Advance Performance www.advance performance.co.uk MATT BUCK Running coach and founder of Running Adventures www.runningadventures.co.uk RENEE MCGREGOR Top nutritionist and author of Training Food www.renee mcgregor.com BEN READ Adventure and action sports photographer www.benread photography.com PAUL HORBROUGH Founder of Physio & Therapy UK and physio to running stars www.physioandtherapy.co.uk Q I’m not a fan of recovery bars or drinks. Any quick recipe ideas for refuelling? Ella Saunders, Caerphilly A It’s important to consume recovery food within half-hour of your run if you are planning on training again within 12 hours, or your next meal is more than two hours away. Renee McGregor…

For unequalled endurance capacity, dive into a new challenge. Swimming works every muscle group in your body while increasing your aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and it does all that without any impact on your trail-tired knees and ankles. Plus, the emphasis on improving your breathing technique makes it perfect for improving your recovery time when you return to running off-road. Trail Running caught up with former champion triathlete and Speedo ambassador Annie Emmerson to find out more. Use the 12-week training plan on page 75 to build up to swimming 1k in your best 5k running time – by the time you finish, you’ll be a far stronger runner. MEET THE EXPERT Annie Emmerson is a former champion triathlete, winning the European Triathlon Cup seven times, among other accomplishments. She now…

SALEWA ULTRA TRAIN 560g UK 6.5  www.salewa.com £120 The Ultra Train is designed as a mountain-running shoe. The outsole has a moderate amount of flex and the Michelin rubber, with medium-sized lugs, gives grip in a range of conditions – although we felt it performed best on dry ground. The midsole is designed with Motion Guidance technology, to support the foot on uneven terrain, and a sturdy toe bumper offers additional protection. Stitched mesh uppers give good ventilation, and the lacing system is similar to Salomon’s; no need to tie, just slide the toggle. The fit felt snug. It has an 8mm drop and a good amount of cushioning, so is suited to long trails. VERDICT A sturdy design that’s best suited to long, slow days out on the trails.…

As the sunshine fades and temperatures begin to drop, it’s the perfect time to head out on some great running adventures. With a summer of training and our key races behind us, we like to look for new and exciting challenges at this time of year; exploring the forests as they burst into golden colour, or taking to the mountains while the trails are still dry underfoot. We’re also reaching the final months of #Run1000Miles now, so longer runs out are a great way to add some extra mileage to your total. If you’re after some seasonal inspiration, then read on. We have some fantastic routes that celebrate the great British landscape at this most splendid time of year, from leafy woodland trails in Surrey’s North Downs, to an epic…

Enter the newest and scariest edition of the Brutal Run series before it sells out. Starting at 6pm, the race is a 3.3k, 6.6k or 10k loop packed with horrible hills and scary thrills! This event is suitable for the whole family, offering kids’ places for just £5. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged. Brutal Run finisher Barbara said: “Last year’s event was so good that I am doing it again. There is nothing nicer than running through the forest, and the course is first-class. I’d encourage anyone of any age or ability to come and join in the fun.” The Brutal Run series was voted as one of the UK’s best off-road runs on RaceCheck. Each event features a different and unique series of natural obstacles, such as hills, mud…

8pm Monday 10 July, humidity rising to 25%, flash flood warnings, lightning in the distance. When they say it’s hot in Death Valley, they’re not joking; even the toilets flush with hot water (don’t ask). It was like running into a huge fan blasting furnace-temperature heat at you with nowhere to escape. Boiling hot, a sloshy stomach that kicked in from mile 13 and some sleep deprivation the first night, the sections to Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells were bearable. Pacers (behind) joined from here and a run-walk strategy was employed on the first climb up to Towne Pass, which looked deceptively flat until you looked backwards. Hitting the top, I couldn’t resist running the downhill fast, so much so I hit speeds momentarily that I don’t even do in…