1 . An expert on the effects of music on exercise, Dr Costas Karageorghis, claims that listening to music while running can boost performance by up to 15%. To put this theory to the test, I took part in a special Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon, which had groups of musicians playing at various points along the route.

As I lined up at the start with almost 4,000 other runners, a singer sang an inspiring song for us. It may explain why I got off to a good start. I only came eighth in the end, though, even though I’d just spent six months training hard.     1     However, it turns out that all the training may have affected my response to the music; according to the research, the benefits of listening to music decrease with the level of intensity of the running.

“Elite athletes,” says Karageorghis, “tend to focus inwardly when they are running.” According to him, most other runners look for stimulus and distractions from what is going on around them. “Judging by your time,” he says, “you are one of the former.” It is true. Apart from the song at the start, when I was standing still, I can barely remember the music played along the course. The first act I passed, a folk group, made me smile, and at one point I found myself running in time to the beat of some hard rock.     2     I can’t say they help my performance very much. But what did other runners make of the music?

Adam Bull usually runs marathons with no music and little crowd support. “    3    With the upbeat bands, you find yourself running to the beat, which helps. It brings out people to cheer you on.” Rosie Bradford was also a convert. “As we ran past one band and they started playing These Boots Were Made for Walking, everybody suddenly went faster.”

The only person I found who was less than happy with the music was Lois Lloyd. “There wasn’t enough of it, and I found it wasn’t loud enough, so I ran with an MP3 player,” she said. “    4    ” Karageorghis is not surprised when I tell him. “There are many advantages to using your own player, rather than relying on the music on the course,” he says. “It gives you a constant stimulus, rather than just an occasional one, and you can tailor the playlist to your taste.”

One runner told me there was a direct correlation between the quality of the music on the course and how much it helped. But quality, of course, is subjective. I remember feeling annoyed as I ran past one band playing Keeping On Running.     5    Of course, the music was not only there to help runners break their personal bests (although sadly it was unable to help me beat time), but to provide a sense of occasion, draw out the crowds and create a carnival atmosphere.     6     As I left, people were beginning to relax after the run, listening to an excellent rock band. It was a fitting way to end the day.