Sign up now for Marathon Development activities

England Athletics is pleased to announce details of this winter’s marathon development weekends and workshops which were successfully launched last year. These weekends and workshops will once again provide a tremendous opportunity for athletes and coaches looking to develop their performance level at the marathon.

The marathon Performance Weekends will once again take place in the Forest of Dean and are happening on Friday 30 November to Sunday 2 December and Friday 1 to Sunday 3 February. These events are open to athletes who are realistically aspiring to run a sub 2:28 for marathon or sub 68min for a half (men) or a sub 2:55 marathon or sub 80min for a half (women) and their coaches.

Marathon Programme lead Nick Anderson said, “Last year’s events were very well received with the athletes and coaches who attended giving very good feedback. As well as some very good training being done together by performance minded athletes, the athletes and coaches benefitted from having the likes of Prof Andy Jones talking about his work on the Breaking2 project and with Paula Radcliffe, London Marathon winner Mike Gratton giving his insights, Bud Baldaro sharing his expertise and Renee McGregor being very practical about the nutritional needs and challenges of athletes at this level.

“This year we will have some very good presenters once again and the atmosphere of the weekend means that people can talk with the presenters and other the subjects and how to practically apply them in their own situations.”

This year the weekends will look at performance physiology and recovery strategy, looking at best training practice and injury prevention.

Nick said, “We will be looking at how athletes and coaches can create the ideal performance package to progress to racing effectively at championships level. We are encouraging the coaches of eligible athletes to attend along with their athletes. I would also be interested in hearing from coaches who are likely to be working with athletes within the criteria for the weekend in the years ahead.”

In addition to the Marathon Performance Weekends there are three Regional workshops to be held in January covering training physiology and nutrition. Last year speakers included Malcolm Brown and Dr Charlie Pedlar. These events are suitable for those targeting the level of Championships or Good For Age entry at the London Marathon or equivalent.