The London Marathon may be over for another year, but there is still plenty to look forward to on the racing calendar in the British capital - starting with the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday October 9.
The event will celebrate its 15 year anniversary, and allows runners to take in many of the city's major landmarks over 13.1 miles, such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and the Royal Albert Hall to name but a few.
Here, Mirror Sport will take a look at five essential purchases ahead of the big day to help those taking part have the most successful (and comfortable) experience possible...
1) Theragun mini (£155)
Therabody are global leaders in percussive massage therapy, and their handheld, smart self-massaging devices work wonders on any of your aches and pains.
After one of the longer training runs, or after the big day itself, the Theragun will help soothe any issues or muscular niggles you may be experiencing, and it is certainly worth the investment if you struggle with any strains.
2) KYMIRA socks (£35)
KYMIRA’s compression socks have infrared technology which has been developed to boost both performance and speed recovery, helping you perform harder for a longer period of time.
The socks are designed with your comfort in mind, and genuinely help you glide along as you pound the road in the pursuit of a personal best. Highly recommended.
3) Freetrain shorts (£30)
Freetrain's Emergence Energy Speed Shorts are loose-fitting, lightweight and extremely comfortable for a big run.
As an extra bonus, they contain a key pocket in the front waist and a back zip pocket for your phone and any treats or energy gels you may need along the way.
We are yet to experience any better shorts on the market, and for a price of just £30, these are well worth the money.
4) Freetrain shirt (£30)
Coming from the same company, the Freetrain Emergence Performance T-Shirt is a perfect accompaniment to the shorts.
Its sweat-wicking properties allow you to deal with even the most extreme perspiration, and there should be no danger of experiencing the dreaded nipple chafe that can ruin so many races.
The slim-fit style is flattering on anyone, and the soft material will allow for a flying run.
5) Skinny Food Co protein bars (£24 for 12)
Skinny High Protein Low Calorie bars make for a delicious boost before, during or after the big race, and are packed with over 12g of protein.
They come in a wide variety of flavours, from the more traditional Toffee Crunch and Salted Caramel to the less conventional Birthday Cake.
Best of all, each bar is less than 100 calories, meaning you can indulge and enjoy without feeling any guilt. They are also vegetarian and vegan friendly.
