The New York Marathon should be on everybody's list of "things to do before I die".

But unlike Pheidippides in Ancient Greece, there is no need for it to be the last thing you do before you die.

Nowadays running a marathon is much more than completing a 26.2 mile course before collapsing in a monstrous heap.

Most people do their bit for charity, raising hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, on the way.

Training for a marathon takes over your life. Weekends are no longer for family, leisure or resting.

Saturdays are for races and Sundays are for the dreaded "long run" (anything between 10 and 23 miles).

But the months of training - the blood, sweat and tears come rain or shine - have their rewards.

And the New York Marathon is the ultimate prize for the amateur long distance runner.

Iconic is a word that is often used too liberally, but in the Big Apple's most famous race the term is justified.

At mile 21, as your body wilts with tiredness, your legs buckle with a mind of their own and you can no longer recall why you decided to do the damn run in the first place, the Empire State Building comes into view.

The haze of exhaustion clears as you remember that you are close to finishing one of the world's greatest races.

You stride down Fifth Avenue, roared on by a crowd so vocal that you'd be forgiven for thinking they had a sizeable bet on you.

Marcus Garvey Park, at the heart of Harlem, comes and goes in a blink of an eye.

And then you know you are close.

Central Park, the home straight, is just a few paces away.

You enter to a great cheer as crowds five or six deep jostle for a view of the brave men and women battling to drag themselves through the last three miles.

It's tough, each step is a monumental effort and the temptation to stop is almost overwhelming.

And then the signs tell you that you are 200 metres from the finish.

The crowds stand, you check your time, the emotion hits you - this is what it's all been for.

The elation of finishing is indescribable.

A foil blanket is wrapped round your shoulders, a huge gold medal is placed round your neck and runners of all nationalities congratulate each other on their epic achievement.

On your 42 kilometre journey you have taken in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

You have crossed the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, Willis Avenue Bridge and Madison Avenue Bridge.

The Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building are just three of the landmarks you notice on your way.

And then there are the New Yorkers themselves.

Lining the streets from start to finish, there is no let up when it comes to support.

For those who had the forethought to write their names on their running vests the reward is priceless.

New Yorkers don't just call your name - they bellow it at the top of their voices.

If you read their placards, of which there are thousands, you'll get a personal cheer.

And if you run along the barrier (like I did for as long as possible and much to the irritation of the NYPD cops) you will get hundreds of high fives.

Suddenly you feel like you are leading the race and you forget that you are in a pack of 15,000.

You can only imagine what it must have been like for the frontrunners, of which the first three this year smashed the course record which had stood for more than a decade.

Such a huge event, with more than 47,000 runners, can be intimidating.

The logistics of travel, food, money, baggage, security and welfare can be difficult.

But New York Road Runners, together with British sports holiday experts Sports Tours International, had thought of everything.

There was no queue at all when we picked up our race number and bib the day before the race in Downtown Manhattan.

Getting to the start line was easy. After being escorted by a Sport Tours International agent on a short walk to the official bus stop, a convoy of buses picked up runners to take us to the start line 16 miles away in Staten Island.

At the official start area we were corralled into three villages where there was free tea, coffee, water, bagels and other assorted nutrition bars.

There were ample toilets and baggage was transported to the finish line for collection.

Most runners left their unwanted layers at the start line, where charity shops picked them up for resale the next day.

At the finish there was a huge medical staff on hand.

I was unlucky enough to suffer a dizzy spell and cramp and I was taken to the medical tent for treatment.

I was treated by two doctors, two masseurs, and three medical students.

After half an hour on a bed and after a welcome massage and cup of soup, I was well enough to head back to my hotel.

All this at no extra charge.

Sightseeing in the following days was slow and stiff.

But the knowledge of the achievement, and the memory of the race, helped the pain ease away.

And, unlike the unfortunate Pheidippides, you had the sweet satisfaction of telling your tale to all who knew you.

For more photos of the New York Marathon go to www2.brightroom.com/82760

*Paul Bradleyspent five nights in New York at the four star Belvedere Hotel in Times Square on room only basis.
The hotel, flights, transfers, race fee and organisation was provided by Sports Tours International (www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk).
The total cost for two people (including 2 entrance fees of £300) was £3,300.
Sports Tours International provide sports holiday packages for events around the world including the Paris Marathon, Tokyo Marathon and Etape du Your and the Tour de France.

On Sunday I will be running my first ever marathon.

And it's not just any old marathon - it's the iconic New York Marathon.

I've been training since January and so far I have run more than 700 miles - mainly around the streets of South Birmingham.

Friends, family and contacts have donated £300 for my chosen charity - Troop Aid.

Everyone who knows me knows how much time and effort I have invested into this single event.

It's unlikely I'll have the time, money and opportunity to do this ever again.

It's quite literally a once in a lifetime event for me.

So now, after nine months of training, numerous races and a variety of injuries, the big day is looming.

Pressure - what pressure?

The good thing is that all the logistics are taken care of. I'm travelling with sports package holiday specialists Sports Tours International.

They've taken care of my entry, flights, transfers and hotel. They are even escorting me to the start line on the big day.

That is all one huge relief.

But as much as I am looking forward to it I also have a number of doubts.

Here they are:

1. Do I have it in me to run 26.2 miles? I've never done it before. Have I done enough training?
2. Will I be able to get past the wall when I inevitably hit it?
3. What if I get injured? I can't let all my sponsors down.
4. What about the weather? It snowed in New York this weekend. Will it be freezing on race day? What should I wear? Will I even get to New York if flights are grounded?
5. Will I overcome jet lag?
6. Will I sleep through my alarm (the bus to the start goes at 6am)?
7. Will I sleep at all?
8. What shall I eat for breakfast?
9. Will I need the loo on the start line?
10. Will I get lost (there are three separate routes for the race depending on your bib colour)

I'm sure it will all be fine on the day.

Completing the New York Marathon will not only be a personal achievement for me - it will almost certainly be one of the most memorable days of my life.

Keeping me going during the tough miles will be the knowledge that I am raising money for Troop Aid.

If men and women the same age as me can risk life and limb every day in Afghanistan, then I can manage a measly 5 hour jog around the Big Apple.

Help give me the strength to run further than I have ever done before. Donate on my Troop Aid Just Giving page. Every extra pound will help injured soldiers at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

And every extra pound is an extra reason for me to grin and bear it as I put my body through its biggest test yet.

The Bupa Great Birmingham Run was a resounding success after new organisers took over from the people who ran the EDF Birmingham Half Marathon for three years.

15,000 runners turned up in near perfect conditions to take on the 13.1 mile route out-and-back to Bournville.

The star attraction was legendary Ethopian long distance runner Haile Gebrselassie who went on to win the race by a minute, in a time of 1 hour 1 minute 29 seconds.

Essa Rashed finished second in 1:02:28 with Abderrahime Bouramdane finishing third in 1:03:57

Britain's Gemma Steel was the first woman across the line in a huge PB of 1:12:21.

Read the full race report here and see the official results here.

While the hard serious running was being done by the world class athletes at the front of the field there was a particular focus on the organisation of the mass participation side of the event following in their footsteps.

Last year the EDF Birmingham Half Marathon came under fire for a poorly organised start forcing runners to walk at pinch points less than a mile into the course.

And the finish descended into a debacle as runners had to queue up to cross the finish line and record their official time.

But there were no such problems this year as the Great Run series stamped it's cool authority on the Birmingham event.

The start was smooth with runners funnelled through a bottleneck before the startline before being allowed to jog over the start with plenty of space for everyone.

The water points were well marshalled and there were very few bottlenecks.

Mile markers and 5km markers dotted the course and the all important finish line was clear for runners of all levels to cross without a hassle.

Indeed the finishing straight on Broadstreet saw spectators five deep cheering on their friends and family as they enjoyed the glorious downhill finish straight that made the previous 13 mile slog worthwhile.

But it would be unfair to say that support was only at the start/finish.

Runners were well supported throughout the course with special mentions going to Bournville, Cannon Hill Park and the killer hill in Edgbaston.

The half-mile high-five stretch on the Pershore Road was a nice touch as runners passed each other in opposite directions and gave each other support.

And many of the runners were lucky enough to see Gebrselassie running in the opposite direction as they approached Bournville.

In the Bupa Great Birmingham Run the city has something it can be proud of again.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and to everyone who raised money for charity.

PB Potential: The killer hill at mile 11 makes this tough territory for PB hunters
Would I run it again?: Certainly - the new organisers gave this race a new lease of life
First man: Haile Gebrselassie - 1:01:29
First woman: Gemma Steel - 1:12:21
Verdict: Five stars

The Bupa Great Birmingham Run is just round the corner. Here are a few of my top tips from my experience of running the race.

1. Eat, drink and be merry

Get the pasta down you! That's the conventional wisdom anyway. But also make sure you drink plenty of water - little and often. Being hydrated will make you feel fresher and improve your performance.
But don't fall into the trap of making huge changes to your diet in the days before a race.
There's no need to pile down litres of lucozade or stuff your face full of energy bars.
And I wouldn't even adapt your breakfast too much either.
If you've stuck to your training schedule and fueled up on water and a few carbs then you will be fine on the big day.
So eat and drink normally - and have fun on the run.

2. Bring warm clothes.

There's a good chance it's going to be cold on Sunday morning. Make sure you wrap up warm for as long as possible.
You will probably leave most of your warm layers with family/friends or at the baggage drop at the NIA.
You will be hanging around on the start line for around 30 minutes.
Bring an old warm t-shirt that you can throw away as you start. If you don't care about how you look then a binbag is good for insulation.
There are normally big bins around that you can throw them into once you have warmed up.

3. Start fast!

The usual advice for running a long distance race is don't start too fast.
But for the Birmingham half I'd say start hard and enjoy the first mile - it's the best bit of downhill you will get.
It's a great chance to build a cushion if you are going for a PB

4. Don't forget the big hill at mile 11

The killer part of the Birmingham half marathon is the 250 foot ascent from the Bristol Road to the Hagley Road. It lasts for a little more than a mile and is tough.
I'd advise to leave a little in the tank for it, factor it in to your race plan as one of your slower miles and then switch on mentally when you get to it.
Once at the top you are on a slight downhill road to the finish line - possibly the best bit of the race.

5. Smile for the cameras

The event is being photographed and filmed by the Birmingham Mail among many others. And it is also being televised live by Channel Five. Smile - you will be on camera!

The Leafy Bournville 10k once again proved a great warm up race for the BUPA Great Birmingham Run as a challenging course tested its 160 competitors.

The winner of the race was Orlando Corea, of Bournville Harriers, in 35:51 with the first female finisher being Robyn Matson of Havering Mayesbrook AC in 43:32.

Full results can be found here.

As you can see from the Garmin read-out, the course was slightly longer than 10k. Speaking to other runners after the race it seems that the average GPS read out was about 6.4miles.

Last year this event was made all the more interesting as the heavens opened and runners were left to tolerate torrential rain before, during and after the race.

This year, however, conditions were very good with only a slight breeze to contend with.

The course had changed slightly this year too as a lap of the running track was replaced with an extra lap of the field midway through the race.

But what about the course? As well as being a good warm up for the Great Birmingham Run it is not a bad pre cross country tester.

The race starts with a lap of the Rowheath playing field before the course makes its way downhill towards the Bristol Road.

Runners proceed through one of the village's housing estates before reaching the Bristol Road after about 2 miles.

A short but very muddy dash along a wooded trail and then past some Sunday league football makes up the next part of the course.

Then it's a steady climb of 80 feet, over a roughly mile, back to the start line where you repeat the 5k course a second time.

The additional lap of the sodden playing field midway through was a nice energy sapping treat to test tired legs after a tough incline.

Bournville Leafy 10k is always a very friendly event with very supportive marshalls directing runners along the way.

I'm still surprised that more of the 10,000 half marathoners do not use this as a warm up as it's great race practice in a relaxed environment.

The price was £11 EOD for non affiliated runners which was reasonable compared to many other races I have been to this season.

At the finishing line each runner was given a goody bag including a Dairy Milk, banana and a miniature golden running shoe paper weight instead of a medal.

PB potential - Unlikely for road runners
Would I run it again? - Yes, great half marathon prep but tough on the legs.
First man: Orlando Corea 35:31
First woman: Robyn Matson 43:32.
Last finisher: 1:23:32
Verdict: 3 stars

The 16th Lichfield 10k race and fun run saw nearly 800 competitors take on the lumpy Staffordshire course in near-ideal running conditions.

In one of the best 10k road races in the region (in my opinion) the race was won by Birchfield Harrier James Trollope in 31minutes 41 seconds.

Marton Whitehouse, of Notts AC, was second in 32:59 and Orlando Corea, of Bournville Harriers, was third in 34:48.

The first woman was Mandy Vernon, of Trentham AC, in 38:18.

Full results can be found here and a summary of category winners can be found here.

A minute's silence was held in memory of the 9/11 victims on the tenth anniversary of the tragedy before the race was started.

The first mile was gently downhill and gave the field a chance to spread out along the Tamworth Road before peeling off along the Whittington Common Road towards Whittington.

There was no chance of a bottleneck and there was plenty of room for runners to hit their stride.

The conditions on the day were close to perfect, with only an occasional strong breeze proving a hinderance.

At 2.5 miles and 3.5 miles there were climbs of around 70 feet over a 500m distance that kept everyone interested in the mentally challenging middle parts of the race.

Once again, there was plenty of support out on the course and the marshalling was excellent.

But runners who were taking on the course for the first time may have been in for a bit of a shock as the final mile was a steady uphill run.

Winding up the pace for a fast finish was not one for the faint hearted.

The support, on the final 100m stretch was fantastic as runners were welcomed across the line by an announcer on a loud speaker plus friends and other runners who had stayed behind to cheer on the fellow competitors.

At the finish line there was bottled water and bananas plus a box of marmite nutritional bars.

The goody bag seemed lighter this year but there it did contain an energy and an energy bar.

And of course there was the wick-away running t-shirt for every competitor.

The Lichfield 10k continues to thrive and attract hundreds of runners.
Much of this is down to the excellent organisation before, during and after the race.
Chips on the running numbers which were pinned to each persons top was a new feature this year.

Results were online within 24 hours.

The price (£15 on race day, a few quid cheaper if you paid in advance and were a member of club) was reasonable and good value for money.

Verdict: 4 stars
Would I run it again: Yes, without a doubt
First man: James Trollope 31:41
First woman: Mandy Vernon 38:18
Last finisher: 1:22:23

The inaugural Maidenhead Half Marathon saw more than 1,600 runners tolerate an unexpected torrential summer downpour on a flat and fast course.

As the crowds amassed in the town centre it was clear that the majority of runners belonged to clubs or at least took their running seriously.

However, there was the odd person in fancy dress.

The first man to cross the finish line was Charles Coleman from Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow Athletics Club. He posted a time of 1:12.02.

The first woman was Samantha Amend (who finished in 16th overall) from Belgrave Harriers, in a time of 1:19.39.

The last finisher crossed the line in 3:17.27.

Full results can be viewed here

I recorded a time of 1:40.36 - a new PB by 7 mins and an encouraging time ahead of the New York Marathon.

So what was the race like? Let's start with the positives.

Access to the race was easy with ample parking and the train station only a 2 minute walk away.

The start area was clearly sign posted and the race village had food and drink and just about enough portable toilets.

The race started right in the town centre with hundreds of people lining the street.

The race was very well marshalled with volunteers making sure there was no way you could take a wrong turn.

Equally, the support on the streets, especially in the difficult middle miles, was simply fantastic.

There seemed to be a great deal of pride in the locals as they clapped the runners past their houses in the first event of its kind in the locality.

The race was largely on A and B roads with a little bit of running through parks and the odd track.

I particularly enjoyed running along the Thames at about 9 miles.

Something that will continue to make the race popular is the fact that it is so flat. The only notable hill came as we crossed the motorway - and that was more of a slope up to a bridge. Any respectable runner would not class it as a hill.

The water stations were frequent and well organised and the mile markers were generally easy to spot. Obstacles were mostly easy to see thanks to red and white tape around them.

The last mile saw an increase in crowds as the town centre loomed large. One final half mile lap of the town centre and it was over.

The finish line was fluid with plenty of volunteers to remove time chips and to hand out water and bananas.

But now for a few negatives. I hate this part but if events want to be popular they need to improve and compete with the other races in the packed calendar. I hope this is fair.

The first mile of the race included a lap of the town centre that meant runners had to cross the start line for a second time.

Although this was a nice idea the laps weren't quite long enough and the faster runners caught the slower runners causing a bit of a bottleneck.

It also caused a bit of confusion as there did not seem to be any mention of this format in the pre-race brief.

As I've already said the race was well marshalled. However, taking runners down steps and through underpasses is a risky strategy.

For the first runners it means a real adjustment in pace and stride - and fear of injury.

For the slower runners it is asking for a bottleneck.

Also, where there were steps there were not enough signs warning of them (well, I didn't see any anyway).

The finish line was largely well organised. However, this is where I have my main gripe.

The entry fee was more than £20 - but there was no goody bag at the end (unless I just missed it). All runners got was a cup of water, a banana and a medal.

Big races like these need to justify the entrance fee - especially when times are tough.

A bottle of sports drink, a chocolate bar, some sweets and a few freebies are the least we expect. A souvenir T-shirt is always nice too.

The last criticism, which is only a small one, is that there was a large queue to collect bags at the end. This can be solved quite easily though and most people were patient - despite the rain.

When I left I heard people wondering if the race will be held again next year. I hope so because it has the hallmarks of becoming very popular. I certainly felt welcome the whole time I was there.

Road Runner Rating: Three stars

Would I run it again? Certainly

PB potential: Very high

My training for November's New York Marathon has been going well and over the last few weeks I have been focused on improving my speed.

And the weekly 5km Cannon Hill Park Run has helped enormously.

Every Saturday at 9am around 150 runners descend on the park for a time trial. The mostly flat course, which is all off road, is ideal for running quickly.

And despite it being a time trial there is a competitive edge to the run with mini battles forming across the course.

I can now run the course in just over 21 minutes - consistently running sub 7 minute miles.

It's a completely different focus to the rest of my training which ranges from 5 mile tempo runs to 17 mile long runs.

But it's got to be the most painful of runs too - there simply is no place to hide in a 5km race and it's all about running flat out and hanging on.

But like all runs it is the little things that make an organised event enjoyable.

The Park Run is particularly well organised. The pre race briefing is thorough and includes information about upcoming events. There is also a prize for the best runner of the month - usually a pair of running shoes.

Marshalls around the course are not just friendly but really encouraging and engaged in the race.

My favourite is the guy who stands at the bottom of the main hill passionately clapping every single runner on as if he had placed his mortgage on them posting a personal best time.

Each runner has a bar code and collects a timing barcode at the end of the race. These determine the results, times and finishing order.

Results are emailed to each runner on the afternoon of the run. As well as your time and finishing place you are given a points total and percentage - so you can compare yourself to other runners of different ages and sex.

The Cannon Hill Park Run is now part of my weekly schedule. It has helped me improve my pace and it's a nice change from training on your own.

The Cannon Hill Park Run is every Saturday at 9am. It is free to race. To enter go to www.parkrun.org.uk/cannon-hill/home and register by 6pm on the Friday before the run.

The New York Marathon is my first marathon. I am running for Troop Aid and you can sponsor me at www.Justgiving.com/NewYorkMarathonPaulBradley.

Guaranteed entry is still available for the New York Marathon until August 31. Find out more at www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk.

It's a Sunday, I'm well into my training schedule and I've cleared my diary for the day.

It's time for the "Long Run".

Whether you're training for a 10k, a half marathon or a full marathon the "Long Run" is an integral part of your training schedule.

But it doesn't mean you have to enjoy it - and I certainly don't.

The fast and flat Pitchcroft 10k attracted more than 200 runners with the unattached Richard Hunting winning the race in a time of 32min 42 sec.

Second was Mark Couldwell, of Charnwood AC in 33min 15 sec and third was Mike Wilesmith, of Guernsey, in 34min 23 sec.

The first female was Lynne Cox, of Tipton Harriers, in 37min 33sec, and the second female was Linda Howell, of Bournville Harriers, in 39min 10 seconds.

The last finisher, in a field of 230, completed the three lap race round Worcester Racecourse in 1 hour 7min 40sec.

The winner of the 2.5km fun run was Declan McManus in 9min 35sec.

For me, like many others, the attraction of this race was the potential for a personal best time.

The course was very flat and the overcast, cool, drizzley weather conditions on the day made for the perfect recipe for a fast time.

The only downside was a slight headwind on the back straight of the racecourse.

Three laps of the 2 mile perimeter path isn't the most exciting route you will ever race but with most people running against their watches the scenery was not important.

As ever, many personal battles developed over the 10km and a great atmosphere at the start/finish by the grandstand was a real boost.

But apart from the fast course I have to say I was disappointed by this event.

An £11 entry on the day fee is relatively expensive. Ok, it did have the all important UK Athletics permit.

But I found the organisation to be fairly poor.

I hate to criticise volunteers - after all they are volunteers and work hard to make the race as enjoyable as possible - but this race could have been better.

As people came down the finishing straight there was some confusion with the filtering system with one or two people confused which side of the tape to pass down.

There were no mile or kilometre markers.

There was no goody back at the end - just a medal.

None of my entrance fee was going to charity (as far as I was aware).

Although there was a grandstand for the hundreds of spectators there were no refreshments available at all.

The car park was not marshalled when I arrived (one hour before the start).

On the plus side the results were up on the web by 8pm on the same day as the race.
I don't think there were any official photographers for anyone who wanted a souvenir picture.

I may be being harsh but this is my honest opinion of the event.

Saying all this I would definitely do this race again and I would also recommend it to other runners.

Event rating: Two stars (four stars for the course though)

I race this event in training for the New York Marathon 2011. I am being sponsored by Sports Tours International who organise running holidays around the world (www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk)

This is my sponsorship page http://www.justgiving.com/NewYorkMarathonPaulBradley/