Whether you’re taking on a marathon or running a 5k parkrun, your feet will make or break a run and a problem could put you off the activity for good. “Runners’ feet take a real battering, as you will know if you have recently run a marathon or even if you are new to running,” says GP Dr Gill Jenkins, an adviser to Excilor. “Feet bashing on hard ground, sweaty socks and shoes can all play havoc with your feet.” So, what problems could you face and how can you stop them hindering your progress? Blisters “Hot and sweaty feet usually mean blisters. As you start to run, your feet sweat, and the moisture in your shoes can cause friction, leading to blisters, says Joss Baldwin, Runners Need buyer. “Investing in a pair of running shoes made from breathable fabrics, with mesh vents on the uppers, boost airflow and allow any moisture to escape your shoes – reducing your risk of blisters,” “It’s also important to ensure your running shoes fit properly – shoes that are too tight or too loose increase the chance of rubbing and friction, only adding to the likelihood of blisters occurring.” Many trainer brands and sports shops such as Runners Need and ASICS offer gait analysis to help you choose the best-fitting shoes. “While breathable trainers are vital, wearing the appropriate socks will reduce your risk of soreness and rubbing. Invest in a good pair of technical run socks to keep your feet cool and wick the moisture away from your skin. Features to look out for are technical and sweat-wicking fabrics, mesh ventilation under the arch, as well as a snug fit,” says Baldwin. Athlete’s foot “Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that occurs between the toes but can spread to the top and bottom of the foot if not treated. It can be very itchy and sore if the skin breaks, plus it spreads quickly in damp environments including running shoes but also changing rooms,” says Jenkins. It should not be ignored, and there are plenty of quick and easy treatments available in pharmacies. Ankle pain “When you’re first getting into running, foot problems can be common, but the good news is they are mostly avoidable,” says Baldwin. “Sometimes it is simply a case of getting your body used to the new activity, but all the time we see new runners in shoes that aren’t right for them. Overpronation, where your foot rolls in excessively, poor fitting and worn-out cushioning can cause a myriad aches and pains in your body. All are really easy to correct by getting a proper shoe fit and gait analysis.” There are different shoes for different activities that can protect your ankles and feet. “Everyone’s feet are different and that means everyone’s running shoe requirements are unique. Choosing the right shoe for your run can help avoid ankle pain,” says Baldwin. “If most of your training is on pavements, then road shoes are for you. With more cushioning than trail or lightweight race shoes, these will provide shock absorption to minimise your risk of injury. If you’re running through soft, muddy trails, you’re better off in a pair of trail shoes with a deep tread that offers better grip and ankle support, vital for running on uneven terrain. On pavements, however, these shoes will be uncomfortable as the studs will press into the soles of your feet and will wear away quickly.” He adds: “If you’re doing a little of each, you should consider a hybrid running shoe. These shoes work well on both roads and mixed trail conditions with a balanced mix of grip and cushioning.” Toenail problems “Toenail problems are commonly caused by a fungal infection and research for Excilor showed 49% of sufferers not aware they had a fungal nail infection,” says Jenkins. “Infections are incredibly common, especially with runners, and are also highly contagious, thriving on damp feet. Symptoms include discoloured nails and itchy and painful feet. Treat nail infections immediately as they can worsen rapidly.” Similarly, running long distances may damage the toenail itself. “The longer we run the warmer our feet get,” says Baldwin. “As they get warmer, they actually start to swell and become bigger. It is really important to take this into account when selecting your shoes. Typically we need to size our running shoes bigger than our normal shoes to stop our toes hitting the end of the shoe, which can cause our toes – and toenails – to become sore or bruised.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Paparazzi driver says Harry and Meghan chase was ‘catastrophic experience’ Regular exercise may lower risk of women developing Parkinson’s disease – study Number of children trying vaping rises 50% in a year

Lewis Hamilton criticised Formula One’s stewards after he was penalised for colliding with Sergio Perez in Saturday’s rain-hit sprint race in Belgium. Max Verstappen overcame Oscar Piastri’s impressive challenge to land another win ahead of Sunday’s main event in Spa-Francorchamps. Piastri finished runner-up with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly a surprise third. Hamilton crossed the line in fourth, but was demoted to seventh after he was dealt a five-second penalty for making contact with Perez as they diced for position through Stavelot. Perez sustained race-ending damage in the accident – with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner accusing Hamilton of putting a big hole in the side of his driver’s machine. But Hamilton, drawing on a famous quote from his childhood hero Ayrton Senna, said: “As Ayrton said, if you no longer go for a gap that exists, then you are no longer a racing driver. “That is what I did. And when I watched it back it feels like a racing incident to me. “The conditions were tricky out there. We are doing our best and it wasn’t intentional. He was slow and I went up the inside and I was more than half-a-car length alongside. “I feel like we should not be deterred from racing. It would have been nice to finish fourth but I don’t really care about finishing fourth, I want to win.” The four FIA stewards here – including former British grand prix driver Derek Warwick – also punished Hamilton with two points on his licence. Surmising the lap-six flashpoint, the quartet determined: “Hamilton was attempting to pass Perez on the inside at Turn 15. “While Perez was giving little room on the inside for Hamilton, Hamilton drove onto the kerb and subsequently understeered into Perez. The stewards consider that Hamilton was predominantly at fault for causing a collision.” However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff backed his superstar driver, adding: “It was absolutely a racing incident. This is a sprint race. We want to see them racing. “The argument about the damage isn’t valid because he (Perez) was going backwards before then. Massively backwards. And then when you look at that corner, they were side-by-side, and it takes two to tango. It’s a racing incident. For me that’s really clear.” The start to Saturday’s dash around Spa-Francorchamps was delayed just six minutes before it was due to begin after the heavens opened. A 30-minute postponement ensued. One formation lap behind the safety car became five in a bid to make the track safe enough to race with visibility caused by spray a major concern ahead of this weekend’s event. Only four weeks ago, Dutch 18-year-old Dilano Van ‘t Hoff lost his life after a crash during a rain-hit Formula Regional European Championship race. The approach from race director Niels Wittich resulted in Saturday’s round being reduced to just 11 laps. But Wolff added: “You can absolutely understand that everyone wants to play it safe. “We have had terrible accidents here – the last one under similar conditions in the race where drivers couldn’t see because of the spray. So the approach needed to be on the super-safe side and that was right thing to do.” By the time the safety car peeled in, the track was good enough for the intermediate tyres. And Piastri benefited from being among 10 of the 20-strong field to change from the full wets before a proper racing lap had even taken place. Verstappen switched to inters at the end of the first lap round allowing Piastri to lead an F1 race for the first time in his career. But on the sixth lap – following a safety-car period to deal with Fernando Alonso crashing out – Piastri’s defence lasted only a handful of corners. Verstappen tracked Piastri through the fearsome Eau Rouge-Raidillon section and then blasted by on the Kemmel Straight to claim another win and extend his championship lead from 110 points to 118. Asked if it was a mistake not to stop for inters at the very start of the race, Verstappen said: “No, it was just a safer call. “I could have come in first and be blocked by other cars in the pits. We lost one position but we knew we were quick and when we put the inter tyres on we were flying.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen beats Oscar Piastri to sprint race pole in Belgium How Max Verstappen and record-breaking Red Bull compare to Formula One greats I held my breath – Lewis Hamilton enjoys ‘extraordinary’ run to pole in Budapest

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Anne Hathaway’s on-screen portrayal of a fashion challenged assistant to an Anna Wintour-inspired magazine editor in The Devil Wears Prada led her to become the style muse for several major fashion houses, including Versace. Now, the 40-year-old Hollywood star has begun experimenting with new fashion trends, crafting mod looks, and stunting on every red carpet. While Hathaway’s induction into the fashion world can be traced back to her role in the 2006 film, the actor has revealed that she’s recently been taking style cues from Generation Z. In a conversation with Vogue published on 29 August, the Princess Diaries star opened up about her motivation to take fashion risks in recent years. “I know this sounds like I’m super-pandering, but I’m really switched on by Gen Z,” she confessed. “It’s a fun generation when it comes to fashion.” Hathaway went on to not only credit the group of individuals born between the late 1990s to the early 2000s for her style playfulness, but the artistic direction of standout designers. “I feel like designers are having a lot of fun,” she said. “I feel like people are enjoying it. Maybe it was always the case, and maybe I was the only person in the corner watching everybody else have fun,” Hathaway continued. “But just the ability to enjoy it feels like it’s more available to me now than it ever was before.” The Interstellar actor has been collaborating with stylist Erin Walsh on some of her most sought-after looks, such as her Karl Lagerfeld-inspired Versace number she wore to this year’s Met Gala honouring the late Chanel designer. On her partnership with the stylist, Hathaway said: “She inspires me. Her style has really rubbed off on me, and the way she wears things, whatever it is, she always wears it in the most effortless way possible.” Walsh expressed the same sentiment about Hathaway when speaking to E! News this past May. “What’s more stylish than a woman who is embodying her ultimate essence and dressing the part?” Walsh admitted. “Anne is beautiful inside and out. It’s very inspiring to see someone actually glowing.” Much like her character in The Devil Wears Prada, Hathaway used to feel trapped under one aesthetic when it came to her everyday fashion. She explained how she preferred to play it safe, and didn’t realise that she could assume some of the unique looks that she’d seen others in. “I thought that I could only have one,” the Academy Award-winner proclaimed. “I felt really lost because I didn’t know what that was until I realised I have so many styles. Once I realised that, then I felt like something clicked. But that’s just me. It’s different. Some people are like, ‘Nope, black turtleneck every day.’” Whether she’s sitting front row at a Louis Vuitton runway show wearing a collared mini dress and elevated updo, or donning an all-latex black ensemble with sheer tights for Versace, Hathaway’s style can no longer be categorised under just one uniform. Read More Fans defend Anne Hathaway after she appears to ‘ignore’ Priyanka Chopra at fashion event Vogue divides opinion with controversial job posting for Anna Wintour’s assistant ‘Unproblematic people don’t age’ reflects the stupidest kind of beauty standard