Unlike your run-of-the-mill sprint, a marathon is a going to be a lot more challenging, physically draining and mentally exhausting. It will require a lot of time and effort on your end, and will also make you rely on a wider and diverse set of skills. 

As such, any help you get should be welcome - especially if we keep in mind just how difficult finishing a marathon can be. Well, we at MensXP understand that, and we've come up with a few tips that are going to be beneficial to all types of runners who might be prepping for their next (or first!) marathon.

So, whether you're a beginner or expert alike, here's your foolproof guide for running a marathon that'll not only help you finish it, but will also increase your chances of coming first.

1) Increase Your Stamina 

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Of all the skills you harbour, the amount of stamina you posses is going to be that one skill that'll be most tested when you'll be running a marathon. So needless to say, increasing your stamina should be pretty high on your priority, as that's basically the first step in ensuring that you finish (and possibly in the first place!) your marathon. Speaking of which...

2) Start Going On Quick Runs & Short Sprints

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While going on quick runs and short sprints won't necessarily prep you for a marathon (after all, a marathon is a different beast altogether), it will help you increase your stamina and as mentioned above, that is the one skill you need to be honing in order to prep yourself for running a marathon. Initially, you can go on just a couple of such runs in a week, but it's advisable to gradually scale up that number.  

3) Get The Right Pair Of Marathon Running Shoes

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You might believe that wearing any pair of marathon running shoes will do the trick, but that's actually a rookie mistake to make. 

In reality, the running shoes you invest in can actually end up being the kingmaker (if you choose them wisely!) or the deal breaker (if you go for a substandard option) vis-a-vis your chances of winning your marathon. 

Pro tip: While being a brand brat isn't exactly something that we recommend, when it comes to running shoes, opting for premium and reputable brands can actually become a matter of safety and avoiding potential injuries. 

4) Make Sure You Stay Hydrated

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You may not know if you're going to come first or last in your marathon, but the one thing you can absolutely be certain of is this - you'll be sweating buckets! So with all that water leaving your body, your chances of getting dehydrated shoot up. As such, you need to ensure that you stay hydrated. So stocking up on enough water bottles, energy drinks and hydration pouches is highly advisable.  

5) Get Your Body In Shape  

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No, you don't need to have six-pack abs or the biggest biceps in the gym, but you do need to get in shape. After all, the fitter you are (and the better your Body Mass Index is) the easier it will be for your body to sustain itself during the duration of an entire marathon, no matter how long or challenging the marathon may be.

6) Scout The Path You'll Be Running On

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This one should pretty much be a no-brainer. The path you'll be running on needs to be scouted and vetted by you before you run your marathon. For instance, you need to ask yourself the following questions? How long is the marathon going to be? What kind of terrain will it cover? Are there any potential safety risks that you might encounter? Conducting the proper research can, more often than not, make all the difference.