The Flora London Marathon kicks off on Sunday, with more than 40,000 people expected to take part. Wow - there are definitely plenty of people keen on a mild sado-masachism! Just kidding, we at ThinkLike... commend your dedication and courage to run 26.2 miles... Yes, 26.2 miles!

Now in the spirit of the marathon we’ve compiled a little test of three of the big names in running footwear and apparel. Our experts have pounded the streets to give you an insight into what gear would be right for you. You may not be running the Flora London Marathon, but get started with your training now with some of the gear below.

ASICS
These guys are considered the best in the market from running fans. We wanted to find out if they were right - here’s the outcome.

For Him
ASICS GEL-Kayano 14, RRP £115
He says: "Fantastic running shoes, arguably the best I’ve ever run in. Good support and cushioning for my mild overpronation. When your heel hits the ground you really feel the shock atenuation, taking the potential pain out of your lower legs. Obviously it’s slightly heavier than a racing shoe, but for long distances and hard training, this would be my choice." ThinkLike rating: 5 out of 5

For Her
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer, RRP £90
She says: "Excellent, lightweight shoes. If you’re a runner looking to run a quick time at the marathon, train in high mileage shoes then break these in around four weeks before the race. You’ll see your times improve and still have a good level of support and comfort."
ThinkLIke rating: 4 out of 5


Clothing
For the men, try the Zeus Singlet (£30) and women can slip on the Hera Kneetights (£40).

Stockists at: www.asics.co.uk

ADIDAS
The popular German brand is upping the ante with its running shoes, and the two examples we tried out were mightily impressive.

For Him
adidas adizero, RRP £80
He says: "Fantastic looking shoes with a decent level of support and cushioning. There’s one word that sums up these shoes: propulsion. The lift-off from your foot strike is incredible, an amazing bouncy feel while in use. Only slight problem is at the midfoot, where you can feel a slight dip in cushioning. But for more serious runners, this is a great choice."
ThinkLike rating: 4.5 out of 5

For Her
adidas adiStar Control, RRP £100
She says: "A lovely running shoe. It’s got great aesthetics and gives a good, balanced ride. The structure in the shoe isn’t overbearing, meaning even if you don’t need support, it won’t impact on your running style. These were my favourite from the testing period."
ThinkLike rating: 4.5 out of 5

Clothing
adidas are the official footwear and clothing sponsors of the Flora London Marathon. They’ve got a massive selection of marathon-specific gear - here are a couple; the men’s long tight (£40) and women’s sleeveless shimmel (£28) .

Stockists: www.adidas.co.uk or www.london-marathon.co.uk for clothing

PUMA
Not regularly seen as running shoe experts (they tend to be more about fashion), Puma are giving it a good go with their latest range.

For Him
Complete Infinitus, RRP £64.99
He says: "A pleasant surprise. These shoes are lightweight and genuinely comfortable. On first glance they look cumbersome and bulky, but looks are obviously deceiving. They are definitely made for neutral runners with minimal structured support. They wouldn’t be my first choice, but if you are just getting started in running, they’re good value."
ThinkLike rating: 3 out of 5

For Her
Complete Magnetist, RRP £84.99
She says: "This shoe provides a nice, stable ride. It’s not the most dynamic shoe in terms of performance; it feels a bit sluggish at toe-off, but in general it’s pretty good. I wonder how it would last over a prolonged period of training and racing, but for mild running enthusiasts, it is a satisfactory choice."
ThinkLike rating: 3.5 out of 5

Clothing
Puma’s range of running wear is fashionably miles ahead of its competitors. The whole range looks great, but check out the men’s half-zipped long sleeved top or women’s bra top for simply stylish running.

Stockists at: www.pumarunning.com