The main thing that’s put me off buying a pair of trail-specific trainers, until now, is the thought that they’re much bigger than road trainers. I deliberately run in the lightest shoes possible; my marathon trainers weigh barely anything, so there’s no tug on my tendons or ankles. Most trail shoes, with their firm soles and extra cushioning, look like they’d weigh a ton.

That’s a common misconception, Harding says. “Some might feel a little different and a bit more rigid but that’s to keep your foot secure, but there are other styles that are much more flimsy because some runners like what they call ‘the responsiveness’, ie being able to feel what’s going on underfoot. I don’t like rocks and stones on the bottom of my feet, so my pairs tend to be a bit more chunky.”

In other words, you’ve just got to try a few brands and styles on to see what suits. Decide on what kind of trail you’re most likely to run on (eg if you’re mainly doing canals tow and forest paths or proper mountain hikes) and go from there.

How to choose the best trail running shoes if you’re new to trail running