We can buildyo u...
We pick six gadgets to help you ace the whole 26.2-mile distance
Want to run a marathon? Want to get fit? Or you just like the idea of wearing lycra and sweating profusely? Then check out this essential gear guide for people who like to leg it.
the reader
Callum Lewis
Inspired by the 2017 London Marathon, T3 reader Callum is looking to make the jump from 5K-completer to marathon runner. He’s looking for the best health and fitness tech to help him.
the expert
Damian Hall Outdoor and fitness journalist Damian has represented Great Britain at ultramarathon running and has a marathon PB of 2:40. His new book, A Year On The Run, is out now.
1 Salomon Fast Wing HZ SS Tee
A t-shirt may not seem like the most crucial piece of kit, but sweating too much could lead to chafes and possibly cramps, so it pays to pick wisely. Salomon’s high-tech Fast Wing Tee is a cracking combination of breathability, comfort and style. 4Way Stretch Aero soft-knit fabric makes the material super-comfy and it moves with, rather than against, your body. £50, salomon.com
2 Stryd
This waterproof, seven-gram, carbon-fibre power pod attaches to shoelaces and acts like a race timer. It measures performance, technique, muscle strength and condition, plus the external environment – the end-game being greater running efficiency. The package includes programmes based on training zones and are determined via a series of running tests, so there’s no need for a lactic threshold test. £165, stryd.com
3 Compresss port Run Compress ion Shorts
This relatively small amount of cloth utilises 11 types of technology. The shorts have been designed to micromassage your legs with muscletargeted compression, act as shock absorbers, activate blood-flow, align your posture, pull thermoregulation duty, and, of course, deliver some much under-rated “exceptional groin support”. £78, compressport.com
4 Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition headphones
As well as zoning out to some Hanson while you munch up the miles, these earphones are the first to be able to measure your VO2 max. Your body’s ability to utilise oxygen as you run is crucial data, as that pretty much determines what marathon PB you’re capable of. £129.99, jabra.co.uk
5 Garmin Fenix 5
As well as the usual superb GPS capabilities, the Fenix now boasts a wrist-based heart rate monitor. The VO2 max estimator is also useful and, coupled with the Garmin’s Race Predictor feature, can estimate your finish time for that debut marathon. Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and Lactate Threshold will also aid your training programme, while Advanced Metrics compare your current condition to your average fitness level, running cadence and stride length. £499.99, buy.garmin.com
6 Inov- 8 Roadtalon 240
Popular British brand Inov-8 is famed for its off-road running shoes with incomparable grip, but it makes brilliant road shoes, too. The Roadtalon 240 are deliciously light, making you feel nimble and fast on race day. They’re also thrillingly flexible and responsive, adapting to your natural movement. £100, inov-8.com