RUNNING MAY OFFER the purest path to a healthier life you can find. All you need is a pair of sneakers and a T-shirt and shorts – though, as Dan Churchill demonstrates on his run through NYC above, if you’ve got the rig, a T-shirt is optional. After that, it’s just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. Do that often enough and you’ll find your health and fitness begin to transform.

This year has seen an explosion in the popularity of running, as more and more of us join running clubs or sign up for fun runs, half-marathons and the longer distances, the marathon and the granddaddy of them all, the ultramarathon. 

In putting together this special running-themed digital edition, we’re seeking to celebrate this pivotal pastime, while offering you insights and practical tips that will help you get even more out of it. There’s inspiring stories from those who’ve made running an integral part of their lives and a deep dive on Australia’s top running coach, Matty Abel. We’ve got expert advice on marathon prep from Australian record holder Brett Robinson, plus a tonne of training tips and gear recommendations that’ll help you get to the starting line looking and feeling the part – from there, it’s up to you! Finally, we have our 2024 Sneaker Awards, in which we showcase the year’s best running shoes for race day, training and trail.

Whatever type of runner you are, you’ll find something in this digital issue that could help you take the next step on your running journey. Now, let’s blast out of the blocks with some training tips from the world’s fastest man, Noah Lyles.