Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill are going for gold in Rio this summer, but they don't have to be the only ones bringing home medals by achieving a running feat.
Sign up for a race and you too can experience the joy of competing, from the exhilaration of running past crowds cheering your name, to the elation of crossing the finish line and getting your race bling.
If you are looking for a fun event with a fantastic atmosphere then try one of the races in the Great Run Series, which range in distance from 5km to a half marathon (13.1 miles). Duracell, whose batteries are famed for keeping devices running for longer, is the Official Partner of the Great Run Series and they want to help keep runners going for longer too.
The Duracell Bunny pacers will be at each event to motivate and support participants around the course and help them achieve a Personal Best time.
If you want to join them on the start line but aren't confident you'll be fit enough, follow our clever tips on how to be a better runner and you'll soon be to raring to go...
1 STAY MOTIVATED
Entering a race is a great way to get motivated to get fit and stick to a training regime.
Popstar Ellie Goulding, who has run a number of 10km and half marathons, recommends signing up with a friend so you can train together and encourage one another along the way.
2 GIVE YOUR RACE SOME FUEL POWER
Just like electronic products need a battery for a power, your body needs food for fuel in order to run well.
Many runners suffer from what is known as 'hitting the wall' in races because their body has become depleted and doesn't have the energy it needs to keep going. Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy, which is why it is important for marathon runners to 'carb load' before a 26.2 mile race.
3 EVENLY PACE YOUR RACE
A classic mistake many novice runners make is to go off too fast at the start when they feel fresh and the adrenaline is pumping. This can lead to 'blowing up' as your body can't sustain the fast pace for the entire race and fatigues more quickly due to the effort needed to go that quick. As a result, you will then get slower and struggle to finish.
4 DO INTERVAL TRAINING
Victoria's Secret models including Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio and Heidi Klum are big fans of doing High Intensity Interval Training (known as HIIT) to improve their fitness as well as their figures.
5 PUMP IRON
Model Nell McAndrew, who has an impressive marathon PB of 2 hours 54 minutes, recommends weight lifting to improve strength, posture and stamina.
In her Bloomsbury published Guide To Running, she said doing this type of exercise has improved her athletic performance in races.
6 GET INTO THE GROOVE
Many runners find listening to music can help them stay motivated and in a good running rhythm.
Hunger Games actress Natalie said this is another of her tricks for ensuring longevity in a training run and race.
7 MIND OVER MATTER
Running well isn't just about being physically strong, you need to be mentally tough too. Amy Whitehead, an elite marathon runner who ran for England in the Commonwealth Games, advises having a positive mantra you can repeat in your head as you run to spur you on, such as 'I can, I am'.
8 CUT YOUR TOE NAILS
If training has gone well you should be feeling super fit and ready to race by the big day so don't let minor discomforts derail your PB.
This is something Made In Chelsea star Ashley James has learnt after completing a number of races from 10ks to a marathon. She said: 'Running for a long time is tough on your body, but for me the biggest pain I’ve suffered is from my toe nails rubbing into the sides of my toes.
9 CREATE YOUR OWN FAN CLUB
When the going gets tough in a race, having people cheer you on can really lift your spirits and help you make it to the finish.
Encourage friends and family to come and support you on the day and find out in advance which points they intend to be watching at. Knowing they are at a certain mile marker will push you to reach that point to see them.
10 THE FINISH LINE HIGH
There's no feeling quite like crossing the finish line of a race as you'll experience pride, relief and triumph. Knowing you have completed a challenge you set yourself will give you the famous 'runner's high' and make any pain experienced while running disappear.
So if you are struggling to keep going in a race, keep visualising the finish and the elation you will feel when you cross the line.
You could also plan in advance a post race treat to have after you've finished to keep you motivated to keep going – such as a glass of wine or a slice of chocolate cake. For Ellie Goulding, it's going out and having one of her favourite meals – a curry.
Whatever your plans to celebrate, don't forget to take along your race medal and show it off with pride to anyone and everyone, you earned it!
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