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Get A Head Start At The Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon With The Right Shoes

If you’re training for the Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon, it’s well worth investing in the right shoes.

Liam Dixon, manager of Run Swindon, in Godwin Court, OldTown, can recommend exactly which type of shoe is for you and set your feet on the right track. 

Liam, aged 36, says: “I used to be a personal trainer, so know just how important running shoes are. They give you support and also help you run more efficiently. When people run, you either roll in, which applies to the majority of us, roll out or are neutral. So the shoe needs to fit accordingly.”

To find out how his customers run, Liam gets them on a treadmill and videos the action. He even has a heat sensor, which measures the arch of their feet.

This information is used to recommend the most suitable shoe.

Liam says: “An assessment can take around half an hour but it is time well-spent because wearing the wrong pair of trainers can not only lead to discomfort or even injuries.”

Liam has also set up a women’s running club, which meets on Wednesday nights, and all 10 members are set to enter the Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon, on Sunday, 12 October.

He says: “I started the club a year ago. Initially members just wanted to tone up, but they have gone from strength to strength. They did the Lethbridge 10km earlier this year, so the half marathon is the next logical step. We’re building up the distance and will soon be up to the 10-mile mark.”

As an extra incentive, Run Swindon is offering all entrants 10 per cent off a pair of trainers which are specially suited to their particular running style. The same offer applies if you’re limbering up for the five-mile multi-terrain event.

The offer is valid until Saturday, October 11, and people must have registered for the event at least seven days before making their shoe purchase, so their entry can be verified.

Running is a Family Affair

Running is a family affair for the Rhodes household - with mum, dad, the kids and gran all signing up to be part of the Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon.

Mum-of-two Caroline Rhodes, 37, is more than used to running around after her three-year-old daughter Thea and 11-year-old son Harrison. But on October 12, she will be busy running 13 miles while her husband, Andy, and the children tackle the two-mile fun run.

Athletic gran Bridget, 62, is also getting in on the act and limbering up for the five-mile multi-terrain event.

Caroline, of Stratton, Swindon, said: "We've all got the running bug - I guess it runs in the family. For me it's all about setting yourself a challenge and having something to focus your training on.

"It's great to get the kids involved and my husband joins them on the fun run - they love it. It's a bit of a family affair."

As a gym and fitness instructor at the Link Centre, in West Swindon, Caroline has always been passionate about sport. She was so determined not to miss out on the first Swindon half marathon back in 2004, she even arranged her wedding around it.

"We got married on Friday, October 15, then ran together on the Sunday," she said. "The following day we set off to Scotland for our honeymoon. You could call it a runaway romance and we keep coming back for more!"

"It's great to get the kids involved and my husband joins them on the family run - they love it. It's a bit of a family affair"

With eight fitness classes to teach a week, Caroline is already pretty fit but she plans to step up her running schedule in coming weeks.

She said: "I do body attack, body pump, step and RPM, so I am in good condition. But I will be out pounding the streets more very soon for at least two hours a week."

Coun Justin Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Leisure Culture and Recreation, said: "It's brilliant that so many members of the Rhodes family are getting involved in the Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon. Well done to all of them for entering."