The world’s largest nighttime marathon will be right here in Las Vegas on the world-famous Strip, and Zappos invites you to join this momentous event. Today marks the official start of registration for the Zappos.com Rock n’ Roll Marathon. The race will benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.

There will also be a marathon expo on December 2-3 at the Sands Convention Center featuring hundreds of performance brands to get you geared up for the big race.

Register now to be a part of this incredible nighttime running event! Experience the energy and bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip as you run with your friends for a great cause.

To find the best running shoes and clothing for your marathon training, check out Zappos Running Central!

CEP, a leader in compression sportswear, has set the standard in compression technology in the few years they've been in the market. Designing compression socks and clothing for athletes of all levels, CEP is now a go-to name for the best in sports compression goods.

Here, Michael from CEP shows you the correct way to put on your compression socks.

Make sure to check out Zappos Running Central for more running clothing, shoes and accessories. To stay in the know about all things running, you can also check out our Zappos Running Facebook page.

Runners of all levels have been using compression clothing and socks in order to boost blood flow and increase performance. Fit is paramount when it comes to compression garments, and it's always important to wear the right size.

In the video above, Brad from CEP talks about how compression socks and clothing should fit on the body. Make sure to check out Zappos Running Central for more running clothing, shoes and accessories. To stay in the know about all things running, you can also check out our Zappos Running Facebook page.

Left to Right: Nike Legend S/S Tee, ASICS Emma Singlet, Brooks EZ T Polka Dot Top 

Many of us here at Zappos HQ are starting to train for the Zappos.com Rock N’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon in December. It’s exciting to see both experienced and beginner runners alike collectively embrace running as part of their weekly routine.

If you’re getting into running like many of us here, check out these simple and basic stretching exercises to make sure your muscles are flexible and ready for a good run. Hold each of these stretches for 20-30 seconds. Some runners prefer to do the majority of their stretching after their run to loosen up the muscles.  

1.  Calf stretch: Place both hands on a wall with one leg bent and knee closer to the wall. Keeping your lower back flat, straighten your back leg so that your heel is firmly on the ground. Hold then repeat on the other leg.  

2.  Groin stretch: Sit on the floor and touch the soles of both feet together, knees pointing in opposite directions. Wrap your hands around your feet and press against the inner thighs toward the floor.  

3.  Quad stretch: Stand on one foot with one hand on the wall for balance. Keeping your spine straight, take your right foot with your right hand behind you and gently pull the heel towards your backside. Hold then repeat on the other leg.

4.  Hamstring stretch: Sit on the floor and extend one leg out to the side and bend your other leg, touching your feet to the inside thigh of the extended leg. Grasp as far down your extended leg as you can and bend your upper body toward the floor. Switch legs and repeat.

For the best selection in running shoes and clothing, check out Zappos Running Central!

2XU engineers athletic performance apparel for serious athletes. Whether it’s triathlons, cycling, running, fitness or swimming, 2XU apparel provides athletes with technologically-advanced garments to give their performance the competitive edge it needs.

Check out the 2XU line on Zappos.com!

This summer, free yourself from the daily treadmill and concrete grind and take those daily runs on the trail. Trail running lets you push yourself harder by taking on rough and rugged terrain. It also requires the right gear in order to protect your feet from injury.

First off, make sure you have the right socks for the job. Look for socks with extra cushioning to protect your feet from blisters and impact. The Thorlos Coolmax Trail Running Quarter sock is a good choice for both cushioning and breathability.

Trail runners have trail-specific outsoles that offer more varied traction in rough terrain. Here are some excellent choices for both men and women:

Women:

ASICS GEL-Kahana® 4: These offer the same performance you’d expect from ASICS, but with a durable, trail-specific outsole that can handle all types of terrain.

Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove: For the minimalist shoe fan, the Pace Glove gives more freedom of movement and keeps you more connected to the trail.

Men:

Ahnu Woodacre: This versatile shoe is perfect for trail hiking and running.

New Balance MT915: The unique debris-free construction keeps all unwanted elements out of your shoe. It also has a moisture-wicking liner to keep your feet dry on warm-weather runs.

Take advantage of the warmer weather by taking your running sessions outdoors. Start off with the perfect pair of running shoes like the ever-popular ASICS. Taking the time to pick the correct type of running shoes for your pronation type is key to avoiding injuries on those long runs on concrete and asphalt.

When running outside in heat and humidity, it’s essential that you pick lightweight clothing with moisture-wicking properties. For women, try the sleek Fizz Tank II from Sugoi and the Adidas Stella McCartney Running Performance Short. For men, pick a comfy muscle tank, like the Adidas Response Tee, to keep cool on your run. A pair of lightweight shorts like the Nike Four-Inch Woven Short is a good basic.

Running outside also calls for some extra safety precautions. Here are 5 tips to make your runs safer and more comfortable:

1. When listening to music, keep the volume low enough so you are able to hear cars and cyclists. Never assume that a car can see you.

2. Run facing the traffic.

3. Be careful not to run on paths where you are consistently on a slant. This is very hard on your hips and knees.

4. When running in low light conditions, wear reflective materials.

5. Wear sunscreen when running in the daytime. SPF 30 or above is best.

To get the latest and greaest in running shoes, clothing and accessories, check out Zappos Running Central.

A couple of weekends ago, a few Zapponians represented in the Corporate Challenge 5K race, taking home first place in the Group A division. A handful others are also running 5Ks and 10Ks as part of their personal Fitness Challenge. With all this enthusiasm for fitness and running going around at Zappos HQ, we thought it would be cool to talk to one of our Corporate Challenge 5K runners, Jay, to find out a little about how he started getting into running and how he prepped for Corporate Challenge.

H: What made you decide to run a 5K?

J: For fun!  My wife (Rowena) and I have been training for awhile for this and thought it’d be nice to run it together for fun.  We had a little change of plans when I found out I made it on the scoring team (first 5 in any age bracket scores points) and had to run a competitive time.  I actually had to run hard to try and score a point for us.  Plus, Rowena never got to run since they (the officials) didn’t let anyone else on the course, only the competitors.

H: How long have you been a runner?

J:  On and off since high school…so about 17 years. I’ve never been a long distance runner.  This body’s not very aerodynamic and not built for long distances, but I like to run regularly for cardio purposes.

H: What was your time in the Corporate Challenge 5K?

J: A paltry 00:26:54.  Again, I'm not built for the long haul!  But I am aiming for under 24 mins next time.

H: What was your main motivation during training?

J: Getting my daily cardio and doing something athletically challenging with my wife.

H: What were some of your favorite running gear to use during training?

J: I like the Nike Pro Core Long Compression Shorts and my Zappos Corporate Challenge t-shirt of course! I also liked the K-Swiss Tubes Run 100.

H: How did you prepare the day before the race?

J:  I ran a brisk mile and a half, went to sleep early, and had a light breakfast (cereal bar) I also drank Gatorade throughout the day to stay hydrated. 

H: Are you planning on running more 5Ks?

J: Sure! A lot of people here in the office are doing various 5Ks and 10Ks, so it’ll be easy to stay motivated.

H: Any advice to people who are considering running their first 5K?

J:   Train right, train regularly, eat right and always stretch before each run.  And don’t get caught up in the competitiveness of it all, run your own race and have fun!

Want to keep up on all things running at Zappos? Click the LIKE button below to be a fan of the Zappos Running Facebook page!