AW – Athletics Weekly Magazine

The latest issue of AW looks forward to the major spring marathons and back over a brilliant edition of the World Indoor Championships.

Both the Boston and London Marathons have become renowned for superb racing and this year will be no different. Olympian and commentator Tim Hutchings argues that we are in the midst of a golden age when it comes to marathon racing and analyses the athletes who will be in the thick of the action.

This will be the 130th staging of Boston, the oldest annual marathon in the world. We delve into its rich history and speak to some of the people who know it best to discover what makes it so special.

Charles Hicks will be tackling the famous course for the first time and discusses his move to the marathon, as well as his switch of allegiance from Great Britain to the USA.

British athlete Calli Hauger-Thackery, sixth in Boston last year, will be having a very different experience this time around as she navigates her way through pregnancy. She shares her experiences of it thus far.

London will see a reunion of two British friends and rivals – Emile Cairess and Patrick Dever – and the latter chats about his next challenge over 26.2 miles, as well as his ambitions in the event. Meanwhile, it will be a full circle moment for Julia Paternain, who won world marathon bronze for Uruguay last summer but is returning to the country in which she grew up and learned to become an athlete.

Our review of the World Indoors sees columnist Katharine Merry reflecting on what was one of the best editions of the championships, while we also speak to Jenny Meadows about how coaching has rekindled her love for the sport and long jump silver medallist Larissa Iapichino about carving her own path.

There’s also an in-depth look at the demise of Grand Slam Track, we hear how athletes who are caught up conflict manage to cope, while Peter Eriksson gives his coaching advice and Paul Freary tests the best road running shoes for race day.