Photograph: mrlerone via Flickr

This coming Sunday many of us will be sat at home, or maybe lining the streets, watching the thousands of people pounding the streets of London for the London Marathon. We wish each and every person taking part the best of luck as they tackle the challenge – and raise money for great causes.

Unfortunately, any advice on preparing for a marathon will be a little late coming for those doing the London Marathon, but if you’ve signed up for any long distance runs later in the year, or want to sign up next year, follow our tips.

1. Get the right kit – this is essential, particularly when it comes to your trainers. Visit your local running shop where specialists can assess your running style to advise on which type of trainers are right for you.

2. Start gradually and build yourself up. The Virgin London Marathon 2012 pages have advice and training plans for novice runners, where you can build up over the course of a year. If you’d like company, team up with a friend or colleague, or consider joining a local running club, they do cater for all capabilities. They’ll also give you help and advice on building a training plan.

3. Plan a series of routes to add some variety – our OS getamap application is a great tool for route planning. From it you can also find routes that others have recommended in your local area.

4. Last, but not least – good luck!

If you’ve been training for a marathon – what advice would you give to those just starting their training? Let us know on the blog.