50 GREATEST THINGS IN ATHLETICS

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WE are fortunate that our sport is brimming with innovation, expertise and creativity, that we are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing between old classics and cutting edge technology in the world of clothing and gadgets geared to make us move faster.

But how to choose? That’s where we come in. Here at AW HQ, we have pooled our decades of experience, our insider knowledge and unbiased opinion to come up with the ultimate list of everything you will ever need in athletics. Find out what’s on it over the next 10 pages...

Asics Gel DS Trainer 21 (£115.00 asics.com)

ONE of our all-time favourite running shoes. They strike the perfect balance of being lightweight but with enough support and have a great fit. Perfect for speed sessions and taking vital minutes off your marathon time.

From Last to First: A long-distance runner’s journey from failure to success by Charlie Spedding (£8.99 amazon.co.uk)

WE’RE of the opinion you can never have too many running books and this should be included in any collection. It outlines a simple, logical and effective way to improve your running and get the best out of yourself. What more could you ask for?

Xempo Running T-shirt (£23.00 xempo.co.uk)

DESIGNED by runners, for runners, this clothing range has all the technical qualities you’d expect from a specialist brand — the top is lightweight, comfortable and feels brilliant to run in —but comes in ranges that are colour-coded to show off your PB.

Hilly TwinSkin socks (£11.00 hillysocks.com)

YOU can’t beat the feeling of a new pair of running socks and these from Hilly (founded by the legendary Dr Ron Hill) are the ones we go back to time and again. They are moisture-wicking and feature the ultimate anti-blister double layer that absorbs friction.

Nathan Training Log Plus (£9.00 runandbecome.com)

YES, we know there are apps and online training diaries available at the click of a mouse, but athletes love to write things down for prosperity. Filling this out is a ritual in the same way as buying a new set of spikes for the first race of the season also is.

TomTom Runner Watch (from £119.99 tomtom.com)

FOR a device that is so smart, its real beauty lies in its simplicity. Some GPS watches are tricky to operate but the TomTom Runner is idiot-proof. With the simple flick of a solitary, large button, it charts your speed and distance with more recent versions adding a heart-rate monitor (minus a chest strap) and music player that stores 500 songs.

Nike Pegasus (£100.00 nike.com)

THIS classic shoe was first released in 1983 and is now on version No.33 – and for a good reason. The evolution of running footwear has seen a variety of trends as brands have tweaked their products, but the Pegasus, which is named after the winged horse from Greek mythology, has stood the test of time due to its ideal mix of comfort, cushioning, support, affordability, durability and weight.

Pack of 15mm spikes (£1.95 startfitness.co.uk)

WHERE would cross-country runners be on mid-winter cross-country courses that are caked in thick mud without these? For years, athletes have reverted to their faithful 15mm needles to handle treacherous underfoot conditions. They aren’t expensive or fancy but they are invaluable.