Runner's World is an inspirational and motivational magazine for runners of all ages and abilities. In every issue of Runner’s World we inform, advise, educate, and motivate runners of all ages and abilities. We help every runner achieve their personal health, fitness and performance goals. Runner’s World shows you the best ways to get the maximum amount of benefits from running in the minimum amount of time. Big promise? Definitely. But you don’t have to take our word for it – we’d like to prove it to you!

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PORTH NANVEN, CORNWALL

Runner's World

Which runner has most inspired you?

EDITOR’S LETTER

CONTRIBUTORS

ROAD TO NOWHERE • If you’re heading in the wrong direction with your running, the new year is the perfect time to turn around

LEVEL PEGGING • Why all runners should strive for symmetry

BUILDING BLOCKS • Children who get lots of exercise have healthier bones in adulthood

FOOD FIRST, COFFEE SECOND • Drink coffee after breakfast, not before, says study

WHY WE RUN • What attracts people to endurance running? Freedom, achievement and competition

HUMANO RACE • NEWS, VIEWS, TRENDS and ORDINARY RUNNERS doing EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

THE RUNNING GEOGRAPHER • Simon Cook studies the relationship between runners and places

HOPE IS NOT THE THING WITH FEATHERS – IT’S A HAPPY DOG

VARIETY PERFORMANCE

#MUCKING AROUND • Show us your muddiest running pic

WHAT’S YOUR RUNNING GOAL FOR 2021?

ALISON WALKER • 32, LONDON (VIA MALAYSIA), COMPLETED THE SMOG GRAHAM ROUND

TAKE TWO REHAB EXERCISES AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING

FOCUS ON PLAN A, IGNORE PLAN B AND NEVER USE THE C WORD

RACING THE WIND • From child soldier to ultrarunning superstar and women’s rights activist: Mira Rai ran away from a life that was to be her destiny, then set about conquering the world and changing it for those following in her footsteps

NEW TRAILS • The work of the Mira Rai Initiative

TAKING THE HIGH ROAD • The rise of Mira Rai

RAISING THE ROOF • Experience Nepal’s trail-running scene

A NUMBERS GAME • Staying healthy and running well is a numbers game, but with the news cycle constantly churning out new figures, it can be easy to lose count. Use our expert guide to focus on the health, fitness and running digits that really count

MAGIC AND MADNESS • To understand the secrets behind the success of Ethiopia’s runners, anthropologist and 2:20 marathoner Professor Michael Crawley spent 15 months immersed in the country’s running culture. His insights – which he distilled into his book, Out of Thin Air – can’t all be measured in the lab, but they could transform your running forever

IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS • You can’t run at 2,500m above sea level, but many of Crawley’s insights into Ethiopian running can help runners anywhere

Ready To Change Your Life? • inspirational runners who have defied age, overcome obstacles, survived tragedy and changed their lives

Northern Sole • As Ron Hill’s groundbreaking apparel company turns 50, we celebrate a supremely determined man who never stopped chasing his dreams and remains one of Britain’s most decorated and respected athletes

Top of the Hill • Ron’s roll call of honour

The carb-depletion diet • A sample of Ron’s range of meals in the week before a big race, switching from ultra-low early on to maximal carbs just before race day

COACH • REACH your PERSONAL BEST

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE • Staying motivated is not just a matter of goal races. Time to try something new

ENJOY A...