Like this? Then try three more fantastic pre-london tune-ups

READING HALF MARATHON Over the last 34 years this half has almost quadrupled in size, and it was pretty big to start with. Five thousand runners toed the first start line in 1983 and this year the organisers are expecting entries to top out at 19,500. We strongly suggest you try to be among them: the course has been tweaked this year to make it even quicker so, the odd short undulation aside, it’s a very flat route that takes you through the beautiful grounds of Reading University, around the town centre (where crowds gather) and finishes in front of 15,000 people in the Madejski Stadium. Berkshire, March 19, readinghalfmarathon.com RUN FALMOUTH This half marathon is a niche event with a small-to-middling field ( just under 600 runners took part last year) but if you live in the southwest it’s well worth considering. The route is lovely, including as it does plenty of both coastal and countryside views. Starting near Pendennis Castle, the route also takes in vistas of Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth beaches, before heading inland and passing through the village of Mawnan Smith. The all-road course features a mix of long flat stretches, where you can push the pace, and sharp climbs to challenge your hamstrings. Cornwall, March 12, cornwallhospicecare.co.uk WILMSLOW HALF MARATHON If you’re after bands and giant foam fingers, a cheering throng and the general sound and fury of a mass-participation race, this is not for you. It sits confidently in the UK race scene’s middle ground – hitting that sweet spot of having the feel of a lovingly organised local race that attracts a large, buzzy field; in this case, 5,000 runners who know the lack of any kind of kerfuffle out on the Wilmslow course means they can get on with the serious business of putting on the afterburners and battering their legs on the flat country roads of rural Cheshire. Cheshire, March 19, wilmslowhalfmarathon.org.uk