Running News Daily

Hartford Marathon and other Fall Races Go Virtual

This Saturday Jennifer Zayas along with two friends will lace up for the 27th annual Hartford Marathon.

Unlike past years, she won’t be starting at 8 a.m. and she won’t finish under the Arch in Bushnell Park, steps away from the State Capitol. She expects to see just one fan on the course.

Zayas will be heading out the door an hour early, running the entire 26.2 miles on the Farmington Canal Trail and relying on her husband for water, fuel and encouragement the entire way.

“Originally, I was signed up for the Chicago Marathon on the Autism Speaks team. In order to be on that team I had to raise money and I had so many people donate to me,” she said.

Because of COVID-19, Zayas’ race in Chicago was deferred until 2021, “but I felt overwhelmed by the support for the cause. I said I still have to run a marathon.”

Zayas is by no means the only athlete competing in the fall classic, even if she won’t see the more than 4,300 runners who are currently registered.

Adam Osmond, the co-founder of Run 169 Towns, will also be lacing up on Saturday.

“Every year I used to put together a relay team in the Hartford Marathon and I’m not stopping this year. Me and some of my coworkers are doing the virtual run and meeting in Hartford for it,” Osmond said. “We will keep our tradition alive.”

Planning races in the time of a pandemic

The Eversource Hartford Marathon is one of the largest races in the state, hosting more than 10,000 runners annually, second only to the Thanksgiving Day Manchester Road Race.

When it became clear that the pandemic was not going to allow for the usual spectacle, the nonprofit started brainstorming on how to keep the running community connected and motivated during this unusual season.

“Obviously being an event management company we have had to reassess everything. We started with our first virtual challenge – We Run CT event in April … but every event can’t just be a virtual event,” said Elizabeth Cowles, the Hartford Marathon Foundation Marketing Director. “Running for a cause that is important and relevant right now has been something that is imperative to race planning. It helps people feel good about what they’re doing and motivates them to sign up.”

All the proceeds from this year’s Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k will be donated to charity, including Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Connecticut Food Bank, Red Cross, Girls on the Run, Hospital for Special Care and others.

“With our Hartford Marathon being such a community event we couldn’t just let this year pass,” Cowles said. “We decided the best solution was movement with purpose, making every penny of registration fees a donation.”

Virtual racing, however, is just not the same.

“A lot of people miss their friends. They miss the fans,” Osmond said. “I used to run in a race every week, it’s like missing my family. Running is not just the actual race, it’s what happens before and after.”

Zayas, on the other hand, said she is excited for the intimate feel of a virtual race with just her two running buddies.

“It feels more intimate that I have my two running partners and I’ll be right there with them as they finish their first marathon,” she said.

Finances of Road Racing

Charity fundraising requires the continued support of sponsors – especially Eversource – during this year where the companies will not get nearly the same amount of publicity.

“It’s only because of our sponsors we are able to mail out medals, shirts and still donate all the money to charity,” Cowles said.

Other races, however, have not been as lucky.

According to Dani Kennedy, a member of the Manchester Road Race executive committee, the historic race will need to have at least 4,000 registrants for this year’s virtual event in order to break even.

“If you love the Manchester Road Race sign up and pay your $20, we need it,” she said. “Anyone who says they love a race needs to support their race.”

Although the Manchester Road Race is more than likely to make it through this challenging year, Kennedy said she is very concerned about other races not coming back.

“I’m concerned about a lot of other races. A lot of sponsors may not have the money they may have had previously to support events,” she said. “Even if COVID is over, it doesn’t mean financially everyone is back to normal.”

Keeping the momentum going

The Manchester Road Race attracts between 12,000 and 15,000 runners every Thanksgiving Day, so to connect them together the race’s executive committee developed a novel way for competitors in a virtual race to experience the course.

Instead of receiving a shirt and bib in the mail and encouraging participants to send in their self-recorded times like many other races – including the Hartford – are doing, Manchester Road Race has developed an app that will allow racers to track their mileage on the typical course.

“When you press start Jim Balcome will say ‘This is Thanksgiving in Manchester,’ just like usual. As you run, the app will show you moving along the traditional course with sounds bites at key locations of what you would usually be hearing,” Kennedy said. “It will give you splits and tell you when you are done. Then it will upload your time automatically.”

Racers will have from the Friday to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to complete the race to avoid any large crowds gathering on Thanksgiving morning.

“We are trying to help the town to not have hordes of people showing up,” Kennedy said. “If we allowed racing on Thanksgiving day we could easily have 5,000 people show up.”

Although some runners will certainly be gathering in Hartford this weekend to toe the line on Capitol Avenue, Cowles said the race is trying to strike the right balance of maintaining the community feel without the crowds.

“We have a mobile medal that has moved around the region so individuals can take photos,” Cowles said. It will start off in Bushnell Park on Saturday morning, but will be moved to Simsbury for the afternoon after spending Thursday at Fleet Feet Running Store and Friday in Glastonbury Center.

“We will definitely see people running the course, especially the half marathon course, but we aren’t encouraging it,” she said. “We want people to understand there is a reason we can’t.”

Opening of smaller races

Although many runners have continued running and competing during the pandemic, Osmond said the move to almost all virtual races has been especially challenging for his organization.

Virtual races do not count toward gaining entry according to Run 169 Towns rules.

“Each race to count has to be an officially timed, in-person race,” he said. “It was a little tough for people who have been close to finishing.”

This summer several smaller races have been held in person, including a Riverfront Scramble by the Hartford Marathon Foundation.

“We had one person finish the 169 towns since the start of the pandemic,” Osmond said.

Cowles said the Hartford Marathon Foundation is planning to hold at least a couple of in-person, holiday races later this fall which will include a staggered start in order to maintain social distancing at the events.

For those who are struggling to stay motivated to train or compete in a virtual race this fall, Zayas had one simple piece of advice.

“Remember why you signed up in the first place,” she said. “The work and effort you put into it, whether or not it’s in a large crowd or solo, it still takes the same amount of energy.”

Chicago Marathon runners are determined to complete 26.2 miles — even if this year’s race is virtual: ‘Chicago is a bunch of doers.’

Gloria Rojas had been looking forward to the 2020 Chicago Marathon after missing last year’s race while recovering from being hit by a taxi as she crossed the street downtown after work.

When this year’s marathon was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns, she was disappointed but determined.

“I think I was with everyone: I was hoping the marathon was going to happen,” Rojas said. “But Chicago is a bunch of doers. We’re doing to do, whether it’s (in a group) or trying to prove it to yourself.”

Rojas, 26, is one of hundreds of runners competing in the Chicago Marathon virtually this year.

Registered runners could defer to next year’s race or were offered a chance to sign up to receive a medallion and T-shirt by competing as part of an online community this weekend in self-designed courses throughout Chicago. The virtual marathon was designed to help replace what would have been the 43rd running of the annual event that takes over the city’s streets and brings more than 40,000 participants from around the globe.

Running groups such as Chicago Area Runners Association and Black Chicago Runners will space hydration stations along the Lakefront Trail. CARA will also provide stations in five suburban locations.

CARA, which usually has about 2,000 runners in the marathon, will have about 700 members participating in the virtual event.

Some groups will hand out oranges, vaseline, running gel — and perhaps most important — support.

“A lot of our runners have been excited for the opportunity to accomplish this goal,” said Greg Hipp, CARA executive director. “A lot of them are taking pride running 26.2 (miles): ‘No matter what, we’ve found a way to accomplish this goal.’ ”

While runners head to the lake, forest preserves or neighborhood streets this weekend to fulfill their missions, they still will be longing for the sights and sounds along the traditional Chicago Marathon course.

The colorful parties in Lakeview East. The lively dancing dragons in Chinatown. The bridges crossing the Chicago River.

“I’m going to miss downtown, running over that red carpet on Wacker Drive,” said Mel Handy, 67, who has run the last 21 Chicago Marathons and is registered to run virtually. “I’m going to miss going through the neighborhoods with different good food being handed out. Someone always has a banana or orange slices.”

Cheering spectators who line the sidewalks, often with hilarious encouraging homemade signs, will be missed by some runners when they toil alone this weekend. Being one of thousands with the same goal was a meaningful experience to others.

“There’s nothing like the experience of being in Grant Park with 45,000 other runners,” said Gabriela Perez, who ran the Chicago Marathon 24 times and will run on Sunday. “It’s one of the most profound experiences, one of the reasons that brought me back every year. It’s that camaraderie.”

Rojas will miss the emotional component of the marathon, especially running through Pilsen.

“My favorite is Mile 18,” said Rojas, who has Selena songs on her playlist. “It’s bittersweet for me. I’m a first generation Mexican American. I want my parents to come watch (the Chicago Marathon in previous years). It can be a lot to ask. But the music is so loud, it reminds me of the music I listen to with my family. It feels like they’re next to me. Mile 18 is where you’re hitting that wall. You’re looking for anything to give you support.”

Downtown will look starkly different this weekend. Absent are the spectators jumping on the “L” to encourage friends along the course. Restaurants will be void of carb-loading runners on marathon eve. Hotels won’t reach capacity because of out-of-towners pouring into the city.

“We will miss the business that the marathon brings to Chicago tremendously,” said Liz Lombardo Stark, director of marketing and public relations for the Gibsons Restaurant Group. “Historically, the marathon brings in thousands and thousands of people to downtown Chicago. Runners and their families would come to Quartino the Saturday before the marathon to carb-load. Since we opened this has been Quartino’s single busiest night of the year.”

Last year, Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar served close to 2,000 pasta dinners and 360 pizzas on the night before the marathon, Stark said.

The group also offered a next-day “Marathon Monday brunch” every year at Luxbar. Doing so this year “doesn’t make sense for us,” Stark said, “but that had always been a huge success for us. Several out-of-town runners would stay at the Thompson and surrounding hotels, and visit for one last celebratory meal before heading home.”

This weekend, Quartino hopes to attract runners with its pasta offerings, pizzas for $5 from 10 p.m. to midnight nightly (dine-in only) and selected drinks that will be sold at 26.2% off on Sunday.

“Most restaurants have their busiest day on Mother’s Day or New Year’s Eve,” said Quartino managing partner Bob Kanzler. “For Q, Marathon Eve has always been the busiest. Over the three-day weekend (last year) we did over 5,000 covers. Even more than the Restaurant Show weekend.”

Some are driven by a worthy cause.

Lisa Niehaus, 60, a nurse from Kentucky, will run several half-mile loops on a trail in Cincinnati as part of her virtual experience. She plans to carry a red bandana with names of people who have donated to the charity she is raising money for — the American Heart Association.

“There’s a long history of heart disease in my family,” she said. “It was never an option to not do it for the people who are not here because of (heart disease).”

Niehaus said her father died of a heart attack at 64. She hopes her 94-year-old mother, who has survived multiple heart attacks, will make it to see her finish.

“I’ll be carrying this bandana,” Niehaus said. “It’s emotional. It will be great. It’s for everyone.”

Rojas will participate with GumboFit’s running series Road Less Traveled, which also featured 5-kilometer, half-marathon and marathon races and is a fundraiser for generating $10,000 in grants to five Black running and fitness organizations in Chicago.

The Chicago Marathon joined with GumboFit to allow 50 runners to earn a second medal with them during the Road Less Traveled socially distanced group run at Sauk Trail in Chicago Heights.

“Mentally, it will be hard,” Rojas said. “It’s not going to be around city. It’s eight loops of the same thing. I’m looking at the positives. It will be really nice to have nutrition every 3.4 miles. I’ll see my friends in the same spot.”

Randy Burt, 72, is one of four who have finished every Chicago Marathon since 1977.

He ran his virtual race earlier this week, starting at his Antioch home at 2:15 a.m. and running a 2-mile loop a little more than 13 times. He left power gels and water bottles in his mailbox to refuel.

It was his second slowest marathon time, he said, but that didn’t matter much this year. He talked to Chicago Marathon director Carey Pinkowski over the phone when he finished, complimenting the executives for offering the virtual option.

“When they said there was not going to be a marathon, at first I thought, OK, I’ll let myself heal,” he said. “Then I said, ‘Nope, I’ve been running 43 years. I’m running the marathon.’ Eventually they came out with the virtual marathon and I said that’s perfect. You miss all the excitement, the other runners and the spectators. Was I disappointed a little? Yes. But we have to settle for what we’ve got.”

Burt planned to drink a glass of wine and sit on his deck to celebrate before an early bedtime.

For first-timers, the cancellation brought another type of disappointment.

Ryan Hieronymus, 44, helps run the Rogers Park Running Group. He already ran a virtual marathon for the Champaign race that was canceled in the spring, so he feels prepared to do it again for Chicago.

He has run for more than 300 consecutive days and is eager to keep his streak alive, running his virtual marathon in Skokie. He’ll be running to raise money for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.

“Chicago is so massive there are a lot of risks with that many people,” Hieronymus said. “I knew it was kind of a foregone conclusion. I think in my mind I already realized it. By the time Chicago was canceled, I had run one by myself already. I was going to do it whether it was a virtual event or just to keep up my training.”

Training for the virtual marathon during the pandemic has been a morale boost for many runners.

LaShaun Hobbs, 55, from Calumet City, has run several virtual races the last several months — from local 5Ks to the Boston Marathon. She’ll be running the Chicago Marathon virtually with a group of runners along the Lakefront Trail on Saturday.

In some ways, finishing a virtual race proves another type of mettle.

“It’s a different sense of accomplishment,” said Hobbs, who ran the Chicago Marathon in 2000 and 2018. “It’s a little bit harder. You really have to, toward the end, focus on your thoughts and really have to fight those negative thoughts of wanting to stop. You don’t have that support. You really are relying on your training and mental state of mind.

“It’s definitely been a great experience training during COVID and running different races. It definitely challenges your mental toughness.”

Hobbs plans to compete in the official running of the Chicago Marathon next year.

“I think I’ll be happy when everything goes back to normal,” she said, “and we can race in groups again.”

Tribune reporter Phil Vettel contributed.

What Experts Say About Running After a COVID-19 Diagnosis

Even after you've quarantined and are no longer infected, doctors recommend you run with caution.

When Jordan D. Metzl, MD, and his colleagues at the HSS Sports Medicine Institute published their guidelines to returning to activity after recovering from COVID-19 in August, he never imagined the response he’d get from patients. 

“I’ve been surprised at how many people have reached out to me,” says Dr. Metzl. He calls these individuals long haulers, people who are still having mild to moderate symptoms three to five months later. “Maybe they just didn’t know where to go, people weren’t talking about it. There are more people out there with these issues than I even realized.” 

After working with athletes in their own practices, the HSS team knew it was important to create a framework for recreational athletes who had mild to moderate coronavirus, to understand how to best return to activity safely. This was especially important after realizing how recovery looked vastly different for different individuals, with some recovering quickly and others taking months even if they only had mild symptoms. Similarly, the American College of Cardiology Sports and Exercise released their return to play guidelines back in May, directed at competitive athletes and highly active recreational athletes. Because of the unpredictable nature of the virus, both sets of guidelines take a cautious stance. 

What You Need to Know

According to the CDC, scientists have learned “that many organs besides the lungs are affected by COVID-19 and there are many ways the infection can affect someone’s health.” In particular, they are watching how the virus interacts and causes damage to the heart. The inflammation and damage they are worried about is called myocarditis. 

“We’re still not entirely sure about the underlying mechanisms as it relates to all the cardiac injury that we’re seeing in hospitalized patients,” says Jonathan Kim, MD, a sports cardiologist and co-author of the ACC return to play guidelines. 

To avoid putting stress on the heart before it’s ready, runners shouldn’t plan to pick up where they left off in their training. In the guidelines for competitive and highly active recreational athletes from the ACC, two weeks of full recovery is recommended with slow return to activity and evaluation by a medical professional. They also state that if you test positive for the virus, but are asymptomatic, it’s also best to follow these guidelines after quarantining per CDC standardsThe guidelines for recreational athletes vary slightly based on the types of symptoms the individual may have had (pulmonary, cardiac, musculoskeletal, etc.), but in general, they recommend returning to running after COVID-19 using the 50/30/20/10 rule. In your first week back, reduce your normal training load by 50 percent. If that is comfortable and you’re not experiencing new symptoms, the next week reduce by only 30 percent, followed by 20 percent, and 10 percent in the fourth week. By the fifth week, you can resume your regular training. “If you have a body system that’s been infected, it’s important to gradually tax that system to see where you are,” says Dr. Metzl. “If you try to run too hard too soon, you are only doing yourself a disservice,” says Emily Stoneman, MD, a physician and infectious disease expert at the University of Michigan.

“Giving your body time to heal will offer much more benefit in the long term than trying to push yourself when you are not fully recovered.”

Both these groups that set out guidelines for returning to activity recognize that, with the current uncertainty, their recommendations will likely change in the future. “I think we all submit that these recommendations will change,” says Dr. Kim. “As it relates to the conservative nature, time will tell.”Lessons Beyond CoronavirusSome of this advice can also be used to take us into flu season.

“Even before COVID I was always giving the advice that when you’re under the weather, that’s the time when you shouldn’t be going out and pushing yourself to the limits and very hard. There’s a whole new introduced variable with COVID-19, but it emphasizes the point that you always need to let your body recover if you have a viral infection,” says Dr. Kim. Dr. Metzl points out that it can be tough convincing runners, who are used to pushing through illness, bad weather, and stress, to take a break.

“We’re just programmed to run through everything,” he says. “Which honestly, in life in general, is probably a great attribute. We get stuff done. We don’t let stuff stand in our way.” But he emphasizes that now is not the time to just do what runners do. It’s important to be methodical in your approach to running after COVID-19. “As a sports doctor who’s seen patients that have all different issues as well as some of these post-COVID issues, I think this is a time where you need to really temper that runner mindset and put it in context with the fact that that’s not necessarily the best thing for runners right now. You want to be mindful, you want to be careful. You want to be more careful than you’ve been before.” 

Runners can take this as an opportunity to tune into what their body is telling them, to practice being aware. “I think the most important advice is to listen to your body and back off if necessary,” says Dr. Stoneman.

But if you genuinely feel good and have no reason to believe you are sick, there should be nothing that stops you from getting out and enjoying a socially distanced run. “Keep on running,” Dr. Stoneman urges. “Even though most of the races are canceled, we are all training for life and our own sanity during these challenging times.”

The guidelines for recreational athletes vary slightly based on the types of symptoms the individual may have had (pulmonary, cardiac, musculoskeletal, etc.), but in general, they recommend returning to running after COVID-19 using the 50/30/20/10 rule.

In your first week back, reduce your normal training load by 50 percent. If that is comfortable and you’re not experiencing new symptoms, the next week reduce by only 30 percent, followed by 20 percent, and 10 percent in the fourth week. By the fifth week, you can resume your regular training. 

“If you have a body system that’s been infected, it’s important to gradually tax that system to see where you are,” says Dr. Metzl. 

“If you try to run too hard too soon, you are only doing yourself a disservice,” says Emily Stoneman, MD, a physician and infectious disease expert at the University of Michigan. “Giving your body time to heal will offer much more benefit in the long term than trying to push yourself when you are not fully recovered.”

Both these groups that set out guidelines for returning to activity recognize that, with the current uncertainty, their recommendations will likely change in the future. “I think we all submit that these recommendations will change,” says Dr. Kim. “As it relates to the conservative nature, time will tell.”

Lessons Beyond Coronavirus

Some of this advice can also be used to take us into flu season. “Even before COVID I was always giving the advice that when you’re under the weather, that’s the time when you shouldn’t be going out and pushing yourself to the limits and very hard. There’s a whole new introduced variable with COVID-19, but it emphasizes the point that you always need to let your body recover if you have a viral infection,” says Dr. Kim. 

Elite-only field to compete in The Marathon Project in December

The Marathon Project will feature 50 men and 50 women racing on a flat and fast course in Arizona

NAZ Elite coach Ben Rosario of Flagstaff, Ariz. recently announced plans for a new elite-only race called The Marathon Project, an invitational event that will take place on December 20 in Chandler, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix. The Marathon Project will feature 100 of the best U.S. and international runners. With 50 men and 50 women on the start line and a course that is “as flat and fast as you could possibly imagine,” the race is bound to be exciting theatre for running fans across the globe. 

The reason behind the race

The purpose is simple enough: it’s a chance for some of the world’s best marathoners to get into a race, which is something many have missed out on in 2020 due to COVID-19. “To keep this sport going, we needed to find a way to give our professional marathoners a chance to race and compete, and that was really the impetus for this whole thing,” Rosario said in a recent interview with Fox 10 Phoenix.

In order to follow local COVID-19 restrictions, the race course — which will be on a 6.9K loop — will be closed to spectators, and organizers have said they will “adhere to all USATF, World Athletics and State of Arizona” coronavirus testing guidelines for the athletes and everyone else involved. While the race won’t be open to the public, Rosario said they do plan on broadcasting the event live online (although they have yet to iron out those details). 

Who gets to race? 

Rosario and his team, which includes U.S. Marathon Trials champion Aliphine Tuliamuk, as well as top runners like Scott Fauble, Steph Bruce and Kellyn Taylor, want to see fast results at this race, and they’re hoping for sub-2:10 results from the men and sub-2:24 runs from the women. On the race website, it’s noted that “the top athletes are the priority,” and the fastest runners will be given pacers to help them through the early stages of the marathon. 

There are several criteria for a guaranteed spot in The Marathon Project’s limited field. First, any runner who finished in the top 25 at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon gets automatic entry. The same goes for U.S. citizens who have run sub-2:28 (for women) or sub-2:13 (for men) marathons anytime since January 1, 2017. U.S. citizens who finished in the top 15 at a World Marathon Major in 2018 or 2019 will also be given automatic entry into the event. Finally, any former winners of World Marathon Majors (regardless of nationality) who are interested in racing will be guaranteed a spot on the start line. After athletes who meet this criteria are all accounted for and entered in the race, the remaining spots will be doled out to other athletes. 

To be considered for (but not guaranteed) a spot in the race, athletes must have met at least one of the following times or results in recent years.

Competed in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon and finished in the top 50.

U.S. citizens who have run under 2:40:00 (for women) or under 2:20:00 (for men) since January 1, 2017 or later.

U.S. citizens who have run a half-marathon under 1:12:00 (for women) or under 1:04:00 (for men) since January 1, 2018 or later.

U.S. citizens who have run under 32:30.00 (for women) or under 28:30.00 (for men) for 10,000m on the track since January 1, 2018 or later.

U.S. citizens who have run under 15:45.00 (for women) or under 13:45.00 (for men) for 5,000m on the track since January 1, 2018 or later.

Finished in the top 5 at a USA Running Circuit/USATF Road Championship (5K to marathon only) in 2018 or 2019.

Recent NCAA graduates (U.S. or international) who finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2018 or 2019.

International athletes who have run under 2:35:00 (for women) or under 2:15:00 (for men) in the marathon, or under 1:10:00 (for women) or 1:03:00 (for men) in the half-marathon since January 1, 2018 or later.

The full fields have yet to be announced, but with such high standards to even be considered for a spot on the start list, The Marathon Project is bound to be a stacked and fast race. 

Allie Kieffer has a new coach and renewed love for running

In 2017, Allie Kieffer took the running world by surprise when she finished fifth overall and second American woman across the finish line at the TCS New York City Marathon. From there, she would go on to run several strong marathons, including her 2:28:12 at the 2018 NYC Marathon.

But, Kieffer had a difficult year in 2019, dropping out of several races, as well as the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February 2020. On October 2, she ran a 5K personal best at a low-key meet in New Jersey. She’s got a new coach and a new outlook, and she’s ready to return to the world of elite running. 

DyeStat.com reports that Keiffer ran a 15:41.4 5,000m this week in her first race since March. She wrote on Instagram post-race, “I left the track feeling both disappointed for not running what I think I’m capable of and simultaneously grateful for where I’ve gotten myself to. After a tough year and a half, I’ve learned to celebrate each step of progress and use disappointment as motivation.”

Overcoming burnout 

Keiffer told reporters that by the Olympic trials, she was physically in shape but mentally struggling. Since then, she’s joined forces with Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Liz McColgan as her coach and resumed chasing her Olympic dream.

She posted to Instagram this week, “I’m still here running my way into another Olympic Trials because of the people that helped pick me up. I’ve been lucky to have had far more good coaches than bad ones – thank you!”

While she can’t qualify for the Olympics in the marathon (that team was decided at Trials), she may qualify on the track. Her next race is a 10K on October 23. 

2020 Vienna City Marathon will celebrate the anniversary of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge and Eliud Kipchoge’s historic marathon in Vienna on Monday

The Vienna City Marathon will celebrate the first anniversary of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge and Eliud Kipchoge's historic marathon in Vienna during this weekend and on Monday. The Kenyan became the first athlete to break the two hour marathon barrier a year ago in Vienna. He clocked 1:59:40.2 on the Prater Hauptallee on 12th October 2019. His race still inspires and excites people throughout the world today.

The Vienna City Marathon (VCM) will organize the "VCM Tribute to Eliud Race" on Monday, 12 October. The challenge is to cover as much distance as possible during a set time of 1:59:40.2. There will be two separate races during the afternoon and in early evening in the Prater Park, the venue of Kipchoge’s unique race. While these races are almost sold out runners all over the world have the opportunity to participate in a virtual event which runs from Saturday until Monday.

You can run or walk for 1:59:40.2 with family, friends or alone wherever you are. Whether it is a half marathon or an even longer distance, you can track your activity and upload your distance with a GPS sports watch or a running app. The challenge ends on Monday at 8.30 pm (Central European Time). At this time you will need to have entered the distance you have covered. Please follow your local Covid-19 rules when you choose the location of your race.

By taking part in the "VCM Tribute to Eliud Race" runners will support a VCM charity project. The organizers support the running and health initiative "The Daily Mile Austria", which is active in primary schools and kindergardens. Runners who enter the virtual race will receive an individual start number with their name and the signature of Eliud Kipchoge to download and print. They will also receive a certificate with a signature of Eliud Kipchoge to download and print. While they will be included in the results list of the "Tribute to Eliud - Global Race" they also become part of the "Tribute to Eliud" community.

Next year’s Vienna City Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, will take place on 12 September.

Callum Hawkins, Charlotte Purdue and Stephanie Davis withdraw from World half Marathon Championships

Ahead of next week’s World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland, British Athletics can confirm that Callum Hawkins (coach: Robert Hawkins; club: Kilbarchan), Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau; Aldershot, Farnham & District) and Stephanie Davis (Phillip Kissi; Clapham Chasers) have all been forced to withdraw from the British team.

Hawkins, the European half marathon leader, was due to make his first appearance at the Championships since the 2016 World Half in Cardiff, where he claimed an individual 15th position, and earlier in the week, clocked 14:05 over 5k in the Fast 5K at Aston-in-Makerfield.

He will be replaced in the team by fellow Scotsman Adam Craig (Steve Vernon; Inverclyde), who will make his British debut on the roads next week. In his maiden half marathon in Antrim last month, the 25-year-old clocked 63:24 to move 13th on the British half marathon list for 2020.

Fellow European half marathon leader Purdue, who led the British team in Valencia’s World Half in 2018, has been forced to withdraw through injury. She clocked a season’s best of 68:23 in Marugame, Japan, back in February and was in line for a third consecutive appearance at the Championship.

Davis, who was due to make her debut at the Championships after a personal best 71:15 at the Big Half in London back in February, has also been forced to withdraw through injury. Neither athlete will be replaced in the team at this late stage.

The British team selected for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships on October 17:

Men:

Mohamud Aadan (Paul Oppe; Thames Valley), Adam Craig (Steve Vernon; Inverclyde), Tom Evans (Andrew Hobdell; Belgrave), Kristian Jones (Dundee Hawkhill), Jake Smith (James Thie; Cardiff). 

Women:

Becky Briggs (Mick Woods; City of Hull), Clara Evans (Chris Jones; Cardiff), Samantha Harrison (Vince Wilson; Notts).

Tokyo marathon 2021 has been postponed until after Olympics

Next year's Tokyo marathon has been postponed until after the delayed 2020 Olympics, organizers said Friday (Oct 9), as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact sporting events across the world.

The race was originally set to take place on Mar 7 and include around 38,000 runners, including top athletes.

But with restricted entry into the country and rules around big events, it is now being pushed back to Oct 17 "due to various restrictions related to the new coronavirus", a spokesman for the Tokyo Marathon Foundation told AFP.

Marathons worldwide were cancelled or severely scaled back this year as the deadly new disease spread.

The 2020 Tokyo marathon was held in March with a reduced field of around 200 elite runners.

The spokesman said holding the marathon later in 2021 could allow a larger race to take place, but added that the number of entrants was yet to be decided.

The news comes as questions swirl about how and whether the Olympics, also forced back a year by the COVID-19 crisis, will go forward.

RÄ«ga marathon is taking place this weekend

On October 10 and 11, the Rimi RÄ«ga marathon events are taking place, while taking into account various precautionary measures, organizers said Wednesday.

Although approximately 15,000 participants will participate in the RÄ«ga marathon weekend, the distance start times are staggered so that no more than 2,500 runners come together.

The organizers invite all participants to come to the start by the Freedom Monument in face masks. All participants are also invited to download the “Stop COVID” app and assess their health on marathon day.

All activities along the route and at the finish will be aimed at ensuring that the participants are dispersed and not crowded together. Hand disinfectants will also be available everywhere.

The RÄ«ga marathon will take place this year without extensive participation of elite runners typical of the international Athletics Gold Label marathons, and without the participation of foreign runners who will participate elsewhere using an online platform. 

The Rimi RÄ«ga marathon was originally scheduled for May 16 and 17, but it was moved to October 10 and 11 due to the pandemic.

On marathon days, traffic on 11. novembra krastmala will be suspended from Akmens bridge to Muitas street. Parking will be prohibited on Doma square, so motorists and other road users are advised to use alternative routes.

London Marathon Silver medalist Vincent Kipchumba could be the next road king?

Vincent Kipchumba, who finished second at the 40th London Marathon, on Sunday has come a long way.

While a young boy at Chepkatet village, near Eldoret International Airport, Kipchumba could see aircraft take off and land at the airport. He harboured a lofty dream: that one day he would board a plane and enjoy the feel of air travel. It came to pass.

On Sunday, the athletics world had placed their bets on world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge but Kipchumba surprised everyone as he settled for second spot at the London Marathon behind Ethiopia’s Chura Kitata.

Everyone was expecting Kipchoge to easily win the race, but after his loss, many Kenyans are of the idea that Kipchumba could be the next big thing.

Yesterday at Chepkatet village, Kipchumba was still revelling on his achievement.

At his home which is located about 700m off the Eldoret-Kapsabet road, his relatives and neighbours gathered to welcome him back and wish him well in future races in the hope that he can be the next Kipchoge.

Kipchumba revealed an arduous athletics journey that almost propelled him to a win in his debut at the World Marathon Majors. What he did in London was not shocking to those who know him well.

It is a journey that started in 2011, when he was 21.

“After several years of yearning to run a marathon, I decided to bite the bullet. It has never been easy. I ran my debut at the Family Bank Half Marathon in Eldoret in 2013 and finished 12th. I continued with my training despite the poor performance,” said Kipchumba.

Kipchumba, a father of two – a daughter and a son – ran his first international in Dresden (Germany) in 2015 where he was second in 2:15:22.

He later returned to the German town in 2016 and improved his time by four minutes, from 2:15:22 to 02:10:32.

As he started off his career, Kipchumba trained in Kaptagat where his mentor 2010 world half marathon champion Wilson Kiprop also trained.

He currently trains in Kapsabet under coach Claudio Berardelli.

The 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience offers multiple distances to choose from for free

This year you can virtually cheer on your favorite runner during the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience.

While in-person running was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is being held virtually and offers a range of distances for runners to participate for free, including the mile, 5K, 8K and the half marathon.

Those distances still call for a celebration, the marathon says.

"While we can’t be together in person this year," race organizers write online, "we still want runners to feel the energy fueled by the cheers of 1.7 million spectators and the helping hands of more than 12,000 volunteers. The support from the sidelines creates an atmosphere that has led to countless marathon debuts, personal bests and five world records."

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience started on Monday, Oct. 5, and ends on Sunday, Oct. 11, the date that would have been the 43rd running of this year's race.

Thinking about running? Here's how to sign up: Click on this link to view a menu of distances to choose from, then pick your race and enter your information.

Chicago Marathon race week kicked off Monday with the Abbott Health & Fitness Virtual Expo, featuring the latest in running tech and gear. An annual highlight of Chicago's marathon, the health and fitness expo has been transformed into a virtual experience that lets visitors interact with event sponsors through video chat and ask question.

The Abbott Health & Fitness Virtual Expo is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday, Oct. 5, to Sunday, Oct. 11.

Sebastian Coe has repeated his support for the right of athletes at next year's Tokyo Olympics to “take the knee” on the medal podium

Sebastian Coe stood at the edge of the track at Tokyo s new National Stadium on Thursday. Dressed in a blue suit and speaking in a light drizzle, he repeated his support for the right of athletes to advocate for social or racial justice at next year's postponed Tokyo Olympics.

“I’ve been very clear that if an athlete chooses to take the knee on a podium then I’m supportive of that,” Coe said, giving a boost to Black Lives Matter protests and other social- and racial-justice movements that are determined to use Tokyo as a stage.

Coe is speaking out in direct opposition to Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter that says "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”

Coe is not just any voice. He's an International Olympic Committee member, a two-time Olympic gold-medal winner, and the head of the world governing body of track and field known as World Athletics.

He also headed the 2012 London Olympics.

“Athletes are a part of the world and they want to reflect the world they live in,” Coe said. "For me, that part is perfectly acceptable as long as it is done with respect -- complete respect -- for other competitors, which I think most athletes properly understand.”

The Tokyo Games had to be postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coe is in the Japanese capital on a courtesy visit to Tokyo Olympics organizers. He met with its president Yoshiro Mori and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.

Tokyo is also the headquarters for the giant advertising company Dentsu Inc., which has been a major backer of World Athletics.

Coe pitched Tokyo as a possible venue for a future World Athletics world championship. Tokyo held the worlds in 1991, and Osaka was the host city in 2007.

“We don’t know what will happen in the next few months,” Coe said. "We are absolutely committed to work with the organizing committee for the delivery of a fantastic games. There may have to be some adaptations. There may need to be some differences. But I’m absolutely convinced that even under those circumstances they will still be fantastic games.”

Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei smashed the men's 10,000m world record as Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey broke that of the women's 5,000m in Valencia

Cheptegei, 24, clocked 26 minutes 11.00 seconds to beat Kenenisa Bekele's 15-year-old time by more than six seconds.

Gidey, 22, clocked 14 minutes 6.62 seconds to better the 14mins 11.15secs set by Tirunesh Dibaba in 2008.

They achieved the feats at the NN Valencia World Record Day, a one-off event taking place in the Spanish city.

"I'm happy," said Gidey, who won 10,000m silver at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. "This has been a long-time dream. It is very big for me."

Bekele's previous world record time of 26mins 17.53secs had been the longest standing men's 10,000m world record in history.

Cheptegei's success marks his fourth world record in 10 months, having broken the 10km road best in December and the 5km road record in February.

At the Monaco Diamond League in August, he broke another of Bekele's world records, beating his 16-year-old mark in the 5,000m by two seconds.

The World Record Day, in which both Cheptegei and Gidey had pacemakers, took place at Valencia's Turia stadium with 400 people present.

The International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM), is partnering with World Athletics to present an online seminar discussing the coronavirus pandemic and its implications for race directors

The International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM) is partnering with World Athletics to present an online seminar discussing the coronavirus pandemic and its implications for race directors.

The conference entitled “Endurance Medicine & COVID-19: The Way Ahead” takes place November 6-7 2020.

This educational activity is intended for physicians, PAs, chiropractors, nurses, physical therapists, PTAs, EMTs, athletic trainers, and allied health professionals who have an interest in learning how to facilitate appropriate care for endurance athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also intended for race directors and others associated with races who are seeking information on how to safely return to activity.

International endurance medicine experts will discuss the science and medical knowledge surrounding COVID-19 on day one.

On day two you can learn about race-day emergency medicine by following the medical track or join the race management track to learn about contact tracing, insurance considerations, mitigation strategies and more.

THE SCIENCE OF COVID-19 November 6, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm US EST

TRACK 1: GETTING BACK TO ENDURANCE MEDICINE BASICS IN THE COVID-19 ERA November 7, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm US ET

TRACK 2: RACE MANAGEMENT IN THE COVID-19 ERA November 7, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm US ET

The three most important muscles in running and how to training them while you are running

Running involves the coordination of hundreds of muscles, but some are more critical than others. Read more to learn which three muscles Coach Adam Hodges believes are the most important running muscles.

Running, like any physical activity, involves coordination among a group of muscles to propel you forward. So singling out one of those muscles as the “most important” risks oversimplifying the process. Yet certain muscles do play a more important role than others in running. And they may not be the ones that first pop into your mind.

In this article, I put forth three candidates for the most important running muscle designation. Although other muscles are also important, these three muscles deserve special attention partly because runners and triathletes living a modern lifestyle often fail to adequately strengthen and use them. This means they tend to be underutilized in relation to their importance. So here are the muscles along with some exercises to increase strength and mobility.

Glutes:

Running engages a group of muscles known as the posterior chain. The prime driver of the posterior chain is the gluteus maximus, or your butt muscle. This muscle initiates hip extension, which is the essence of running. In addition to the gluteus maximus, the gluteus minimus and medius also get into the action with the medius playing an important role in stabilizing the hips during running.

Many runners and triathletes suffer from weak or inactive glutes due, in part, from the modern lifestyle that involves substantial amounts of sitting. All that time sitting at a desk or in a car puts your glutes to sleep. This “sleepy glute” syndrome negatively impacts your running and cycling because the prime muscles that drive the posterior chain go missing in action.

Use the Donkey Kicks exercise to strengthen and activate your glutes. Get on your hands and knees. Keep your back straight, flat and still. Squeeze the glute to move one leg back and slightly to the side (like a donkey kicking). Note: the movement should be initiated from the glute (butt), not the lower back. If you feel the lower back working instead, start with smaller movements until you can increase the range of extension. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions.

Deep Abdominals:

Effective running requires excellent posture, and a prime muscle responsible for maintaining good posture is the transversus abdominus (TVA), or your deep abdominals. This muscle wraps around and stabilizes your core much like a corset or girdle. Note that it lies below the more famous abdominal muscle, the rectus abdominus, responsible for the “six pack” look. The deep abdominals provide stability so that the posterior chain muscles can work more effectively, preventing the forces generated by the posterior chain from reverberating through your joints and spine. As with the glutes, if you sit a lot, the deep abdominals can be weak and underutilized.

Use the plank pose to strengthen and activate your deep abdominals. Lie in a prone position (face down) with your elbows under your shoulders. Squeeze the quads and then squeeze the glutes to raise your body into a plank. Keep the back flat, and do not let the butt rise or sink. Hold for 30 seconds or up to three minutes.

Big Toe:

Although far removed from your core, your big toe nevertheless plays an important role in running. The flexor hallucis brevis, or big toe muscle, bends the big toe and works to stabilize your foot during each foot plant. Modern running shoes are notorious for design features that prevent your big toe from working the way it should while running. Shoes with a narrow and elevated toe box place the big toe in a hyperextended position and prevent the toes from spreading while running, a recipe for a series of imbalances that can lead to common running injuries from shin splints to plantar fasciosis.

Choose shoes that fit your feet (rather than trying to cram your feet into narrow shoes) and allow your toes to splay naturally while running. Toe spacers such as Correct Toes, a product designed by Portland podiatrist and runner Ray McClanahan, work well to align and strengthen your toes. In addition, work to increase the flexibility, coordination and strength of your big toe by doing what physical therapist Jay Dicharry terms “toe yoga.” While barefoot (either standing or sitting), keep your feet flat on the ground. Raise your big toe while keeping the other four toes on the ground. Return your big toe to the ground; then raise your other four toes. Repeat this several times throughout the day to put your big toe back into the action.

From Your Core to Your Toes:

Although to single out any one muscle as the most important running muscle risks overlooking the intricate coordination involved in the activity, there are certainly some candidates that deserve special attention. To run efficiently and injury free, be sure to focus on improving the strength and mobility of the muscles discussed here. Even a little bit of supplemental work goes a long way and pays valuable dividends, so there’s no excuse not to fit these or similar exercises into your busy schedule.

how to prevent intestinal distress

While some runners have cast iron stomachs and few concerns about what and when they eat before they exercise, others live in fear of pre-exercise fuel contributing to undesired pit stops during their workouts. Be it stomach rumbling, a need to urinate or defecate, reflux, nausea, heartburn, or side stitch, how to prevent intestinal distress is a topic of interest to athletes with finnicky guts. Here are tips to help you fuel well before and during runs, races and workouts while reducing the risk of gastro-intestinal (GI) distress.

• Stay calm. Being anxious about intestinal issues can exacerbate the problem. Think positive. Trust that your gut is adaptable and trainable. Record what, when, and how much you eat, as well as the duration and intensity of your runs, and use that data to help you figure out what foods and fluids settle best. Building body trust can reduce anxiety—and that can help reduce GI issues. That said, pre-competition nerves can affect any runner, regardless of GI hardiness!

• Runners are more likely to suffer GI issues than bicyclists or skiers. With running comes intestinal jostling; the longer the intestines are jostled, the higher the risk of upset. Ultra-runners know this too well…

• If you experience gut issues every day—even when you are not exercising, you want to talk with a GI doctor. Celiac disease, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and blood in your stool need to get checked out now! They are serious issues and differ from exercise-induced GI problems. 

• The higher the intensity of your runs, the higher the risk of intestinal distress. Add heat and anxiety to a hard workout, and many runners experience transit trouble. During hard runs, blood flow diverts away from the gut to transport oxygen and glucose to the working muscles and carry away carbon dioxide and waste products.

• Low intensity runs are less problematic. The GI tract gets adequate blood flow, can function relatively normally and digests, absorbs, and metabolizes pre-run fuel. Runners tend to have fewer GI issues on easy training days that offer better blood flow to the intestines, as well as lower body temperature and less anxiety.

• Carbohydrate is the fuel that is easiest-to-digest before and during long runs. Carbohydrate gets broken down into simple sugars in the stomach, then absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. Specific transporters carry each sugar molecule (such as glucose or fructose) across the intestinal wall. Hence, consuming a variety of carb-based fuels helps minimize a “backlog” if all the transporters for, let’s say, fructose get called into action.

• With training, the body creates more transporters to alleviate any backlog. That’s one reason why you want to practice pre-run fueling during training sessions. Your body gets the chance to activate specific transporters. The foods and fluids you consume before and during training should be the same ones you’ll use for the race. Some popular carb-based snacks for before and during long runs include fruits (banana, applesauce), vegetables (boiled potato, roasted carrots), and grains (sticky rice balls, pretzels, pita)—as well as commercial sports foods (sport drinks, gels, chomps).

• Runners who experience gas and bloat want to familiarize themselves with FODMAPs —Fermentable (i.e., gas-producing) Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols. These are sugars and fibers that some people have trouble digesting. Commonly eaten sport foods high in FODMAPs include milk (apart from lactose-free milk), bread, pasta, onions, garlic, beans, lentils, hummus, apples, and honey.

     By choosing a low FODMAP menu for a few days before race day, a runner might be able to reduce, if not avoid, digestive issues. (Of course, you want to first experiment during training to be sure the low FODMAP pre-race foods settle well.) Low FODMAP foods include bananas, grapes, cantaloupe, potato, rice, quinoa, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and maple syrup.  Some low FODMAP commercial sport fuels include (but are not limited to) Skratch Labs Hydration mix, peanut butter and orange Hammer Gels, Gatorade thirst quencher, Gu Chews, strawberry lemonade Infinit Essential Hydration, and Tailwinds Endurance Fuel. For more information on FODMAPS, refer to www.KateScarlata.com.

• Fatty foods (butter, cheese, nuts) tend to slowly leave the stomach and are metabolized slower than carb-rich foods. If you will be running for less than two hours, think twice before reaching for a handful of nuts or a chunk of cheese for a quick fix as you dash out the door. A banana or slice of toast will digest quicker and be more available for fuel.

      Eating fatty foods on a regular basis can speed-up gastric emptying a bit, but you won’t burn much pre-run dietary fat during your workout unless you are a marathoner or ultra-runner who will be exercising for more than 3 hours. In that case, a bagel with nut butter or cheese will offer long-lasting fuel.

• Some runners chronically under-eat. This includes those trying to lose weight and others with anorexia. Under-eating can impair GI function; the gut slows down with inadequate fuel. Delayed gastric emptying means food stays longer in the stomach and can feel “heavy” during runs (as well as is less available for fuel). Slowed intestinal motility easily leads to constipation, a common problem among under-eaters.

• Given each runner has a unique GI tract, be sure to experiment during training to learn what works best for you and your gut. Eat wisely and enjoy miles of smiles.

Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei is setting his sights on the 10,000m mark at a special event in Valencia on Wednesday

Less than two months after breaking the 5,000 metres world record, Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei is setting his sights on the 10,000m mark at a special event in Valencia on Wednesday.

Gold medallist in the 10,000 at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Doha, Cheptegei is hoping to beat the 26 minutes, 17.53 set by Kenenisa Bekele in 2005.

Cheptegei, 23, took Ethiopian Bekele’s 5,000m record at the Diamond League in Monaco in August, wiping 1.99 seconds off the 16-year-old mark when he crossed the line in 12:35.36.

His Dutch-based NN Running Team has organised the World Record Day and he will count on pacers who include former Dutch champion Roy Hoornweg as well as Australian Matt Ramsden and Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir, both world championship finalists in 2019.

Although there will be little support from the largely empty stands, Cheptegei will be helped by Wavelight technology, which flashes lights on the inside of the track to indicate a specific pace.

Cheptegei has already made history over the distance in Valencia, smashing a 10-year 10km world record last December by six seconds, wearing the Nike Zoom Vaporfly shoes which have caused a huge debate in athletics.

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to target the 10,000m world record,” Cheptegei said last month. “As my performance in Monaco showed, I am in outstanding form, so I would like to make the most of my current shape.

“Kenenisa’s 10,000m world record is one of the toughest in the books, but my training continues to go well and this gives me real confidence I can set another world record.”

Sifan Hassan, Faith Kipyegon and Yomif Kejelcha are among the stars signed up for a middle and long distance meeting set for 10 October at FBK Stadium in the Dutch city of Hengelo

Organized by Global Sports Communication (GSC), the meeting will provide a select group of world class athletes with an opportunity to compete once more at the end of a season that was heavily restricted by the global Covid-19 pandemic. The programme will feature three events: 1000m and 10,000m races for women and a 5000m race for men.

Hasan, the reigning world 1500m and 10,000m champion, will contest the longer the distance, taking on Ethiopian rising star Tsehay Gemechu. Hassan, who broke the world record for the one-hour run in Brussels in August, is looking for one last track outing before her attempt to add another world title to her collection at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020 on 17 October.

The women’s 1000m features Olympic 1500m Champion Faith Kipyegon who will mount another assault on world record which barely eluded her in Monaco earlier this summer.

The Kenyan’s sparkling 2:29.15 run at the Stade Louis II in Monaco put her second on the all-time list, just 0.17 seconds shy Svetlana Masterkova’s world record which has stood for 24 years.

In the men's 5000m the focus will fall on Ethiopia’s world 10,000m silver medalist Yomif Kejelcha who'll face in-form Australian Stewart McSweyn.

"Our athletes were not done with the season yet," said GSC event manager Ellen van Langen. "They were super motivated for running another race. That’s why we had the idea to organize a race ourselves. Where else than Hengelo?” 

Hans Kloosterman, meeting director for the FBK Games, added: “Next year we celebrate the 40th edition of the FBK Games. We expect Covid-19 will still play a role by then. It is great to have the opportunity to organize a professional race within Covid-19 restrictions."

The Wavelight electronic pace-setter will be used to help guide the athletes. Current pandemic restrictions will prohibit spectators, but a broadcast of the meeting will be available via livestream. The link will be announced in the lead-in to the race.

Chevron Houston Marathon goes virtual in 2021

In response to the ongoing public health concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) announced today that the 49th annual Chevron Houston Marathon and 20th annual Aramco Houston Half Marathon will be held as part of the 2021 Virtual Houston Marathon Running Events.

“The decision to cancel the 2021 Chevron Houston Marathon is incredibly disappointing for everyone, but it is the right course to follow because of the pandemic,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I know thousands of people from all over the world have trained for this race all year, and they were looking forward to qualifying for other races or beating their personal bests. They can still do that virtually. While the experience may not be the same, know that Houston will be cheering for the participants’ every mile. We are a resilient city, and we are proud of the Houston Marathon.”

The Houston Marathon Committee has been working closely with city and state officials over the past months to align preparations with current guidelines and any foreseeable future framework that may be in place at the time of the event. After thorough review and discussion, HMC in conjunction with these partners have determined to make the difficult decision to transition the traditional in-person events to virtual at this time.

“At this time, we recognize that there are many unknowns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, but the safety and well-being of our runners, volunteers, partners, spectators and local Houston community will always be our top priority,” said Wade Morehead, Executive Director of the Houston Marathon Committee. “While we are unable to celebrate the 2021 event together in the heart of Downtown Houston, we will be cheering for our runners around the world as they participate in a unique virtual race experience, embracing the incredible spirit of our RunHOU community.”

All participants who are currently registered for the 2021 event will be able to opt for the unique 2021 virtual race experience which includes a discounted registration for the Chevron Houston Marathon 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2022; defer their entry to one of the following two years (2022 or 2023); or donate their entry to the 501 c(4) non-profit organization, the Houston Marathon Committee. Participants currently registered for the 2021 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon or the We Are Houston 5K presented by Aramco and Chevron will receive detailed email instructions on how to complete their registration selection.

The 2021 virtual event experience will take place over the span of ten days, where runners will have the option to complete their race distance anywhere and anytime between Jan. 8 – 17, 2021. All virtual participants will receive a participant box pre-race filled with sponsor gifts and messages to help them cross the finish line. Finisher items will be mailed post-race within two weeks of Jan. 17, to participants who submit their completed race distance timing information via their participant account.

Registration for the 2021 Virtual Houston Marathon Running Events is currently open.

American Ultrarunner Marisa Lizak runs 391K in 48 hours, sets new American record

American ultrarunner Marisa Lizak spent the weekend running the Three Days at the Fair, a multi-day ultra event that features many races, including 24-, 48- and 144-hour runs.

The Marina Del Rey, Calif., resident took the overall win in the 48-hour race, beating fellow Californian Bob Hearn, who took the top spot for the men and also set an American record for the M50-54 age group (a record that he already owned). In total, Lizak covered 391.87K, bettering the previous record of 390K. Hearn added another 13 kilometers to his age group record, posting a final distance of 386.72K.  

An unexpected record

Coming into the Three Days at the Fair, all eyes were on Camille Herron, who was looking to run farther than any American — man or woman — ever had before over 48-hours. The overall U.S. 48-hour record is 421.9K, a mark that was set by Olivier LeBlond in 2017. Had Herron achieved her goal and beaten this distance, she would have also surpassed Polish runner Patrycja Bereznowska‘s world record of 401K. Unfortunately, Herron had to pull out of the race due to injury after 177K. 

Thanks to Lizak, those present at the Three Days at the Fair still got to witness an American record. This is Lizak’s first outright women’s record, regardless of age, but she does have an age group record to her name. In December 2019, she set the 24-hour U.S. F40-44 record after running 238.32K at the Desert Solstice 24-Hour and 100 Mile Track Invitational in Arizona. She took third overall in the Desert Solstice 100-miler en route to the win in the 24-hour race that day, and she has posted many other big race results in her career. 

earn’s big year 

Hearn has six national records in the M50-54 category. In addition to his newly-lengthened record over 48 hours, he has the road and track records over both 24 hours and 200K, as well as the 100-mile road record. The result at the Three Days at the Fair is Hearn’s third podium finish of 2020. He also won a 100-miler in South Carolina pre-pandemic and he finished in second place at Laz Lake‘s Vol State 500K in July. Hearn and Lizak are both signed up to race the Desert Solstice, which is set to be run in December. 

RunCzech keeps spreading health. This time at Mattoni Liberec Nature Run

Sunday, the 4th of October, was the last day before the start of the new stricter measures adopted by the Czech Government against the coronavirus, which is about to limit the organization of mass participation events in the near future.

Fortunately for RunCzech, it was a last minute occasion to deliver 23km and 12km Mattoni Liberec Nature Run. Accompanied by a 2,5km dm Family Run, as usual.

2067 runners in total enjoyed a sunny day in the beautiful city of Liberec in the north of the country. Soon after the start on the main square, the runners found themselves in a natural park, running up to a steep first half of the race, and rushing back to a downhill finish. 

The event was organized according to the actual health regulations. On top, the organizers implemented additional preventive actions for extra comfort and security for the runners. Participants had their masks on just before the start and immediately after the finish.

Everyone’s body temperature was checked. Corridors were limited to 50 people at a time. Disinfection stations were placed everywhere around. And some of the services such as massages or showers were abandoned in order to preserve social distancing. 

"It’s pleasing to see how runners quickly adapted to this new reality and they are careful and disciplined to follow our advices. The same way, we are very satisfied with everyone that took part in the organization of this event. The city, the region, and many others. It’s far from easy to stage a race for thousands in this period. There are many uncertainties and few last minute decisions.

Nevertheless, it is important to show capacity and willingness and demonstrate that sport events are spreading health and positive messages”, says Igor Murko, the project manager.Sportswise, the race was dominated by some of the finest Czech athletes.

Vit Pavlišta won the 23km race in a time of 1:23:47 and Zuzana Kocumová was the fastest woman with 1:43:47. The shorter 12km distance was fastest conquered by Jáchym KováÅ™ in a new course record time of 0:43:23.

Tereza Hrochová won the women’s category, same as the year before, in 0:48:47.“If all went according to our schedule for this Autumn, I would’ve been inviting you to Olomouc, Karlovy Vary, and Ceske Budejovice now.

Events that were supposed to take place in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, hereby I have to conclude our RunCzech season 2020 with hopes and with promise that we will come back soon with an interesting program for the next season. It’s our job.

"It’s our civic duty to try to spread health, to spread joy”, concludes Igor Murko. 

World half marathon record holder, Peres Jepchirchir will lead strong Kenyan field in Valencia

World Half Marathon record holder, Peres Jepchirchir, is among the Kenyan runners listed for Valencia 21km race set for December 6.

She will be up against fellow Kenyans including the former world half marathon record-holder, Joyciline Jepkosgei, Joan Chelimo and Fancy Chemutai.

World 10,000m silver medalist Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia will make her half marathon debut and will take on Sheila Chepkirui, the second-fastest woman in history over 10km (29:46), and 2015 world 5000m silver medalist Senbere Teferi, who won in Valencia last year in 1:05:32.

In recent years, Valencia has built a reputation as a city that produces fast times. Two world records have been set in the men’s 10km in the Spanish city, along with two women’s world records for the half marathon.

The course records of 58:18 and 1:04:51— which are just shy of the world records (58:01 and 1:04:31)— are expected to come under threat.

In the men’s half marathon, world 10,000m bronze medalist Rhonex Kipruto, who set a world 10km record of 26:24 in Valencia earlier this year, will return to the Spanish city to make his half marathon debut. World cross-country silver medalist Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda is also among the athletes entered.

Ten other runners with sub-60-minute PBs are in the field, including 2019 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon champion Stephen Kiprop, 2016 world half marathon silver medalist Bedan Karoki, 2019 Valencia Half runner-up Bernard Ngeno, European record-holder Julien Wanders and African cross-country champion Alfred Barkach.

Fast times will be the target once again the full marathon as 2019 Tokyo Marathon champion Ruti Aga, the fastest woman in the field  with a PB of 2:18:34,  is pitted against fellow Ethiopian Birhane Dibaba, whose PB is just one second slower at 2:18:35.

Mare Dibaba, the 2015 world champion, is also in the field, along with Ethiopian compatriots Zeineba Yimer and Tigist Girma—all of whom have sub-2:20 PBs. USA’s Jordan Hasay completes the field.

In the men’s marathon, Kinde Atanaw, who set a course record of 2:03:51 last year, will defend his title when he lines up against fellow Ethiopian Birhanu Legese, whose 2:02:48 PB makes him the third-fastest man in history.

Others in the field include world champion Lelisa Desisa, Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono, European record-holder Kaan Kigen Özbilen and Ethiopian half marathon record-holder Jemal Yimer, who will be making his marathon debut.

The organizers will create a health bubble around the race and take stringent safety measures to ensure the event carries minimal health risk.

Tokyo Marathon to be Held in Fall of 2021

On Oct. 4 it was learned from an involved source that the 2021 Tokyo Marathon, currently scheduled for Mar. 7, has made a final decision to move to the fall next year with a full field size of 38,000 rather than as an elite-only race.

The postponement is a result of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, but the organizers do not plan to reduce the event's size. The decision has been approved by the board of directors of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation and a formal announcement is expected to be made on Oct. 9.The move puts the 2021 Tokyo Marathon in the aftermath of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. According to the source, the original Mar. 7 was viewed as simply not feasible given the current status of the coronavirus crisis.

The move will allow the race to be held without a reduction in the number of participants, roughly 38,000 people in normal years. The Foundation was keen to avoid a reduction in the number of participants for a second-straight year after this year's mass participation field was cut shortly before the race. One consequence of the coronavirus crisis has been a reduction in the event's income from sponsors.This year's Tokyo Marathon in March was held as an elite-only competition, with Suguru Osako (29, Nike) setting a new national record of 2:05:29. The cancelation of the mass-participation race came two weeks beforehand, with entrants given the option of shifting their entries to either 2021 or 2022.

Since then, marathons and road races all across the country have canceled, announced one-year postponements, or scaled down their event sizes. As the largest marathon in Japan, an announcement that Tokyo plans to go ahead with a full field may help to slow down this domino effect.The Foundation originally planned to make a final decision about next year's race by August of this year. That decision was delayed in order to make it possible to make a decision informed by the latest government policies regarding public events. Government policies currently call for events to reduce the maximum number of people present by 50% through the end of November, with the subsequent level still under study.

Based upon that timeline and its impact on preparations the Tokyo Marathon organizers decided the planned spring date was not feasible.

Foundation spokespeople had previously said that they were examining all options but did not plan to hold another elite-only race.

Stephen Scullion sets new Irish Marathon record in London Marathon

An Irish record for Stephen Scullion, an unexpected defeat for pre-race favorite Eliud Kipchoge and business as usual for Brigid Kosgei were just some of the talking points from yesterday’s very unusual London Marathon.

Run over 19 and a bit laps of St James Park, an autumn date and no spectators all marked out the 40th edition of the event as very different to the norm.

One aspect not to change was the unpredictable nature of marathon racing.

Things have been going swimmingly for Scullion over the past 12 months, apart from the occasional retirement.

A runner-up spot and Irish title at last year’s Dublin Marathon were followed by a fifth place in the Houston Marathon last January.

That qualified him for the Olympics because it was a gold standard marathon, although his time was outside the 2:11:30 qualifying standard.

As much affected by the lockdown as everyone else, the 31-year-old Belfast man set the athletics world talking with a Northern Ireland half-marathon record in Larne last month.

But surely only a few expected him to become arguably the fastest Irishman of all time with a 2:09:49 clocking for 11th in yesterday’s race.

Scullion put down a marker from early on, moving away from a group, consisting largely of British runners chasing the Olympic qualifying time and paced by Sir Mo Farah.

Instead, he ran in a small group of three, equidistant between the lead pack and Mo’s gang, for most of the way.

Whilst many faded in the rainy conditions, the Clonliffe Harrier stayed strong to complete his best-ever performance over the 26.2 mile distance.

Whilst Scullion’s time clearly displaces Kevin Seaward (2:10:09) as NI record-holder, it also eclipses John Treacy’s 2:09:56, set when winning the silver medal at the LA Olympics, as the national record.

Kitata conquers Kipchoge while Kosgei retains title at London Marathon and US Sara Hall finishes second

The man is fallible after all. Eliud Kipchoge’s reign of invincibility came to a crushing end with an eighth-place finish at the Virgin Money London Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label race, as Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata won a dramatic, last-gasp sprint to take the honours in the men’s race.

Kipchoge, the Olympic champion and world record-holder and unbeaten in 10 previous marathons, had been widely expected to claim an unprecedented fifth London title in his first race since making history by breaking the two-hour barrier in Vienna.

His principal challenger, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekeke, had been forced to withdraw with a calf injury just two days before the race, while Kipchoge had cut a confident figure in the build-up as he discussed how well his preparations had gone.

Moments before he went to the start-line, fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei had raced to a runaway victory to retain her London crown, and few predicted anything but a Kipchoge triumph to complete a Kenyan double.

But this time, the race did not follow the usual script. Looking comfortable among a lead group of nine runners for much of the race, Kipchoge appeared to be biding his time before launching a characteristic surge of pace to break up the field.

On this occasion, though, the attack failed to materialise. Instead, the tables were turned on the mighty Kenyan as his rivals launched a breakaway with three miles of the race remaining.

With Kipchoge unable to respond, a lead group of five soon turned into a three-way battle between Kitata, fellow Ethiopian Sisay Lemma and the towering Kenyan, Vincent Kipchumba. Kipchoge, meanwhile, was disappearing into the distance.

In one of the most exciting finishes in London Marathon memory, Kipchumba was the first to strike for home, only to be overtaken on the line by the diminutive Kitata. Just a single second separated the two men as Kitata clocked a winning time of 2:05:41.

“I prepared very well for this race,” Kitata, 24, said afterwards. "Kenenisa Bekele helped me. I am very happy to win the race.”

Lemma was third in 2:04:45 while Kipchoge crossed the line in eighth in 2:06:42 – his slowest ever time in a city marathon. It was his first defeat since 2013.

“I am really disappointed,” Kipchoge said afterwards. “I don't know what happened.

“The last 15km, I felt my right ear was blocked and I had cramp in my hip and leg.

“It just happened in the race. I started well. It's really cold but I don't blame the conditions.”

It was a remarkable outcome to an extraordinary race, which was staged for the first time over 19 laps of a closed-loop course around St James’s Park in central London after the original race scheduled for April had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The course was also off limits to spectators to maintain a ‘biosecure’ bubble for the athletes and support staff. It was just a shame that no one was there to witness in person one of the most dramatic men’s races in the event’s 40-year history.

By contrast, the women’s race followed a more predictable path.

Kosgei, the overwhelming pre-race favourite after obliterating Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year-old world record when she won in Chicago last October in a stunning 2:14:04, delivered another imperious performance to retain her London crown.

Her time of 2:18:58 may have been 38 seconds slower than her victory a year ago, but her winning margin of more than three minutes spoke volumes for her dominance. At the age of just 26, she is already taking the marathon into uncharted territory.

“I just tried my best,” she said afterwards. “The weather affected us today. There was some wind and rain all the way, which made our muscles colder. No one could warm up so it was difficult to even finish.”

Earlier in the race, Kosgei’s main challenge came from fellow Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich, the world champion and London debutant, as the pair set a hot pace to break away just before the 10-mile mark.

The halfway split of 1:08:15 put the duo on track to lower Mary Keitany’s women’s only world record of 2:17:01, though the soggy conditions and tight corners on the looped course were never going to be conducive to record-breaking times.

Chepngetich made a brave attempt to surge away from Kosgei after the midway point, though the attack was swiftly countered and the pair settled into a more sedate pace for several miles, ending all thoughts of breaking records.

It was after the 19-mile mark that Kosgei made the decisive attack and this time Chepngetich had no answer, dropping back quickly and looking suddenly fatigued as she evidently paid the price for going with the early pace.

As Kosgei’s race turned in a one-woman exhibition over the closing miles, the real contest was taking place further back in the field as veteran Sara Hall of the US overhauled Ethiopia’s Ashete Bekere to move into third place before training her sights on the tiring Chepngetich.

In an exciting sprint finish that presaged the men’s race a couple of hours later, Hall, 37, found the energy to burst past the Kenyan with just 80 metres remaining, crossing the line in second place in a lifetime best of 2:22:01 for her first ever top-three finish in a major city marathon. Chepngetich finished four seconds behind her.

It was also the first time an able-bodied US athlete had made it on to the London Marathon podium since Deena Kastor’s victory in 2006 – an achievement that will help atone for Hall’s disappointment in failing to gain selection for the Tokyo Olympics at last year’s US Olympic trials.

World record holder Eliud Kipchoge loses to retain 2020 London Marathon title.

World record holder Eliud Kipchoge loses the 40th London Marathon  after finishing at 8th position in time of 2:08:42.Shura Kitata from Ethiopia won with a time of 2:05:42 which was a close finish with Vincent Kipchumba 2:05:45.Lemma Sisay came third 2:05:45  after leading from 25km to almost 41.8km where the high pace set by Kitata edge him out of the lead and settled at third position

The men race which was full of surprises saw Eliud Kipchoge who has won four London marathons and never lost for seven years over the distance dropped at 22-mile mark  due to stomach issues,hip problem and right ear blockage.

The men had 3 pace makers who helped them crossed 5km in 14:48,10km 29:45 and all through 15km in 44:31. At 25km , Lemma Sisay hicked the pace higher making the group goes in a single lane.Vincent Kipchumba picked a paced through 30km at 1:29:00.Mo farah on the chasing pack  was pacing for European athletes who wanted to beat personal best and also Olympics qualifyers time.

In the women category ,world record holder Brigid kosgei swept a win in 2:18:58 followed a distance away by Hall Sara of USA 2:22:01 while Ruth Chepngetich settle at 2:22:05.Sara Hall set her pb after outshining Chepngetich(KE) in the last 300m who had harmstring problem.

The women race had pacemakers than included Vivian Kiplagat that did a nice job despite harsh weather conditions with incessant rain with alot of humidity and low temperatures of about 9 degrees celsius.The 19.7 laps race around St. James Park rather than normal  traditional route was tough for the majority of the athletes that saw the likes of Vivian Cheruiyot dropped in the middle of the race.The 2020 London marathon route was change to loop running due to covid-19 pandemic that has affected all sports facilities in the entire world.

Hard work behind scenes ensures Island Marathon on today

Having jumped through a variety of health and safety hoops to make it happen, organisers of the Isle of Wight Marathon are delighted it will be going ahead as planned this morning (Sunday).

After putting in much spadework to prove they can meet the Covid-19 guidelines set out by UK Athletics and Run Britain, Ryde Harriers this year’s event will go ahead from the Isle of Wight Community Club, Cowes, at 11am.

Event co-organiser, Chris Lewis, said: "Many thanks to the Isle of Wight Council's safety advisory group and Public Health England for helping us to set this up this year.

"To limit the time on the course, there will be an 11am start for slower runners, with the main group starting as normal at 11.30am — expected to catch the slower ones at the four-mile stage, where overtaking can be done safely and socially distanced."

This year, the Isle of Wight Marathon will see some returning winners, with the likes of Gary Marshall (Ryde Harriers) and Sarah Hill (Farnham Runners), who also holds the women’s record for the Cowes course.

Other runners to look out for are Ross Skelton and Ryde Harriers Joe Wade and Charlie Metcalfe.

Due to Covid-19 mitigations there is no entry on the day with 220 runners pre-entered.

The history

First run in 1957, the Isle of Wight Marathon is the oldest continuously run marathon in the UK and 25th in the world list of oldest marathons.

In its early years, it was seen as an elite event, with the best marathon runners in the UK turning up to compete — officially men-only until 1976.

With its 1,505ft of ascent, the old ‘classic’ course was reckoned to be one of the toughest road marathons in the UK.

  The modern route

The present course, run from Cowes, over the much 'quieter' — in terms of traffic — West Wight roads.

It is still no mean undertaking, with 785ft of ascent and a particularly long hill at 24 miles — a huge physical and mental challenge for any marathon runner.

"We are asking runners to turn up as late as possible, to limit their use of the venue and to leave straight after finishing, to limit contact between people," added Chris. 

From the start, the course heads from Cowes to Shalfleet, via Gurnard and Porchfield, before taking the main road to Yarmouth.

After a brief section along the cycleway, runners return via Thorley, Wellow and Shalfleet, before heading to Porchfield again and returning to Cowes via Pallance Road, the notorious hill at 24 miles.

This year we have some returning winners in Gary Marshall (Ryde Harriers) and Sarah Hill (Farnham Runners) who also holds the women’s record for the Cowes course.

Other runners to look out for are Ross Skelton, Joe Wade and Charlie Metcalfe (last two Ryde Harriers).

How music tempo can affect your running pace and recovery

The tempo of your running tunes can make all the difference, according to a small study.

If you always run with a pumped up soundtrack, you may be onto something – research has found that listening to fast tempo music while running can help you increase your speed without perceiving it as more intense.

The study, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, saw 12 runners undertake a session of a 10-minute rest, a 20-minute self-paced treadmill run and a 20-minute recovery period lying down. They carried out the session listening to either static noise, fast tempo music or slow tempo music, and had their heart rate and rate of perceived exhaustion measured at regular intervals throughout.

Runners who were given fast tempo music chose faster speed settings on the treadmill and had a higher peak heart rate, but didn’t report a change in perceived exhaustion. Additionally, the runners who listening to slow tempo music in the recovery period showed faster heart rate recovery and lower blood lactate at the end of the session.

It’s only a small sample, but if you already hit the roads to something speedy and warm down to Adele then you may be onto something.

According to Spotify, this is the most popular song on running playlists

Spotify has revealed that Eye of the Tiger, the theme song from Rocky III, is the most popular song included on running playlists in the UK.

The massive 1982 hit will feature on Spotify's UK Running playlist, to which the streaming service has added five hours of tracks for this weekend's virtual London Marathon. The UK's most popular running playlist is now eight hours long, ideal for 'back of the pack' runners needing a boost. More than 45,000 runners will take part in the event this Sunday.

Spotify has also announced it has had more than 25,000 streams of London Marathon-inspired playlists in the past month among UK listeners, almost all of whom, it has to be assumed, were preparing for Sunday’s event. The streaming platform reported a 36 per cent rise in streams on April 26, when the 40th race was originally set to take place.

If you’re planning to put together your own playlist on Sunday, the five most popular songs included in running playlists in the UK on Spotify are:

“Survivor” by Eye of the Tiger

“Titanium” by David Guetta featuring Sia

“Can't Hold Us” by Macklemore featuring Ryan Lewis

“Lose Yourself” by Eminem

“Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Five most popular artists included in running playlists in the UK on Spotify:

Calvin Harris

David Guetta

Kanye West

Eminem

Avicii

5 High-Energy Exercises That’ll Make Every Run Feel Easier

Add a little extra pep in your step with these power-boosting moves designed to help you run more effortlessly.

There’s a reason why elite runners are often compared to gazelles—the speedy, long-distance runners of the animal world. They bound so effortlessly, it’s like they have springs under their feet.

That bounce is key to being a faster, more efficient runner. “When I think of springiness, I think of muscle tension or the ability to produce power,” says Danny Mackey, head coach of the Brooks Beasts, one of America’s premier middle-distance track teams.

Your muscles and tendons are elastic, meaning they lengthen and shorten like a rubber band. When they stretch (when your foot hits the ground during a run), they store energy; when they recoil (when you push off the ground), they release that energy.

The more energy those muscles and tendons can store, the less work they have to do to generate explosive power and acceleration. Fortunately, the amount of energy your muscles and tendons can store isn’t predetermined, and it’s easy to build and improve that capacity, according to Mackey.

Plyometrics (exercises where you quickly and repeatedly stretch and contract muscles by jumping and rebounding) and other explosive motions can help increase that capacity, research shows. These types of exercises train your reactive strength, or your muscles’ ability to deliver the max amount of force in the least amount of time. “Not only will that make each stride more powerful, it keeps you at a lower risk for injury,” says Mackey. “It also keeps training fun.”

How to use this list

Perform each move below as directed. Mackey recommends incorporating all five into your training every other day. “Our bodies are awesome at adapting, and you’ll see the results pretty quickly, even in your easy runs,” he says.

ou can do these moves as part of your warmup (just make sure you’re at least a little warmed up before doing Pogos and Single-leg Stride Hops), or your cooldown.

Want to get even more bang for your buck? “Do an 8-second uphill strider immediately after each move,” says Mackey. “That will really help parlay the mechanics of these moves into your run.”

For an added boost, lace up a pair of the Brooks Levitate 4. It features an updated outsole geometry and is loaded with Brooks’ best energy return cushioning, yet it’s 20 percent lighter than previous models. Simply put, that means even more springy bounce to your step, with a faster heel-to-toe transition for a more efficient stride overall.

1. Single-Leg Explosive Hip Thrust

How to do it: Lie face-up on the ground with knees bent, feet flat on floor, arms resting at sides. Extend your right leg either toward the ceiling or straight out (depending on your strength and flexibility). Lift left toes so you’re on your heel. As you quickly drive your hips toward the ceiling, roll from your left heel to your toes. Slowly lower back down. Repeat 10 times then switch legs.

Why it works: Running is a series of single-leg movements, so unilateral exercises are key for building strength. This variation of a hip thrust targets your glutes, hamstrings, and calves in the same way toeing off in the gait cycle does, says Mackey. “Your brain likes to have these cues, and the more you reinforce this motion, the easier it will be to tap into it when you’re running.”

2. Snap-Down

How to do it: Begin by standing with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. Lift up onto your toes, reaching your arms toward the ceiling. As quickly as you can, drop your arms down to your sides while simultaneously dropping your heels toward the ground and sending hips back into a high squat position. (This motion is similar to using a ski erg). Hold that position for a few seconds, then return to start and repeat 10 times.

Why it works: “I use this a lot as a prep-type drill before any sort of Olympic lifts or sprints,” says Mackey. “I like it for explosive work because you’re taking your body weight and essentially catching it before you fall. Runners don’t do a lot of that eccentric work, but it’s a really good way to build power.”

3. Pogo

How to do it: Stand with feet together. Jump rapidly up and down in place, keeping feet in a dorsiflexed (toes up) position. Land on your mid-foot to the ball of your foot and aim for a snappy reaction to the ground, which will drive you into your next hop. Repeat 20 times. (You can also perform these on one leg at a time.)

Why it works: This move really zeroes in on building up that tension and power in your lower legs, says Mackey. The spring should come from your calves, so don’t bend your knees too much. And “don’t worry so much about how high each hop is,” says Mackey. “Focus more on the frequency of your hops”—that’s what’s going to give you more springiness over time.

4. Forearm Plank Bird Dog With Knee-to-Elbow Crunch

How to do it: Start in a forearm plank position, elbows directly underneath shoulders, feet hip-width apart, and back flat. Extend left arm and right leg out straight, then, as quickly as you can, curl in to bring your left elbow to touch right knee. Hold for a second, then explosively drive your arm and leg back out. Repeat 10 times, then repeat on the opposite sides.

Why it works: Your legs get most of the credit in running, but your core is your real powerhouse. This plank variation adds an extra balance challenge to an already classic exercise, while also tapping into your posterior chain on the extension part of the move, says Mackey.

5. Single-Leg Stride Hop

How to do it: Stand to the right of a bench or box and place your right foot on top of the bench or box. Drive your left knee up, pushing off the bench so your whole body is in the air (your arms should mimic the form of an arm swing while sprinting). Catch yourself slowly as you come back down. Repeat 10 times on each leg.

Why it works: This move hits a couple major power-building elements: “It’s unilateral; it isolates your quads; you’re really working your hip flexion, which is important when it comes to speed; and you’ve got to move your whole bodyweight, which is tough,” says Mackey.

Running enthusiasts filled the streets of Helsinki with the Helsinki City Running Day half marathon

The organizers recommended wearing a mask at the start. Shortly after leaving, there were trash cans on offer to get rid of the mask.

Olympic Stadium the surrounding areas were teeming with runners on Saturday morning. Due to the coronavirus situation, the Helsinki City Running Day was only allowed to run in the autumn, and the runners and their support teams gathered to wait for the start of their own series.

If the cancellation of races is remembered for the coronavirus, precautions will certainly be remembered in this case as well. In the first group of the half marathon, which started at 11 o’clock, the recommendation to use a face mask at the start was followed quite well. have fallen on, Paavo Nurmi statue kuuluukset told that the half-mile run there are garbage cans considerations, which a surgeon can not leave.

At that point, the queues were already starting to stretch and the safety gaps were forming longer than the starting area. The worst congestion was also eased by the fact that the runners set off for the half marathon in groups. The starters were divided into five groups, the last of which did not leave until 40 minutes after the first.

The Helsinki City Running Day half marathon started on Saturday at 11 am. The organizers recommended wearing a face mask at the beginning of the run.­

Helsinki During City Running Day, we will run in six series and the expectations were to get 7,000 participants on the streets of Helsinki. There are as many goal-oriented athletes as there are those who take part in the event from the sheer joy of running.

Outi Alastalo awaited the start of the half marathon for those in his support forces Elisa Puustinen and Sini Honkasen with. The detached house was going on the route for the second time, the first participation was in 2017.

The fastest the half marathons reached the finish line on Saturday in about an hour and ten minutes. The men’s series won Aki Nummela on time 1.09.51. Second place Jussi Utriainen lost to him for 21 seconds.

“This was the first race of more than 10 kilometers for me since December last year,” Nummela said in a press release from the Finnish Sports Confederation.

Nummela plans to run his first marathon of the season next Saturday in Vantaa, where the Finnish Championship medals will be awarded.

“This was a good preparatory exercise.”

The number one in the women’s series was Maria Söderström in time 1.19.48. His victory came by a fair margin, for second place Oona Hilkamo three minutes and 23 seconds left.

The start of the marathons in Helsinki was at 2 p.m.

High school cross-country will have a different look this fall

High school’s cross-country season picks up the pace in earnest this week, and as expected during these pandemic times, with a much different and abbreviated look.

Masks and social distancing of course are required of the athletes and coaches, and the protocols for practices established by the MIAA Rules Modifications and Guidelines are strictly enforced.

The season of competition is limited to a handful of dual meets for each school. Gone in 2020 are the invitational meets during the early and midseason that provided valuable tuneups for the district and All-State meets, which also are out for this year.

“Coach (Michael) O’Malley and I have spent last 6-8 months nearly losing out minds about how we’re going to accomplish any kind of significance to the season in this kind of environment,” longtime Wachusett Regional boys’ cross-country coach Brian Wallace said, while referring to his collaboration with the Mountaineers’ girls coach. “My kids have been good — I think they’re probably doing better than I am. I’m in the wrong age group.”

Wallace, who retired from teaching at Wachusett 10 years ago, is very much physically active and in fine health, but he turns 70 this month, and older citizens have always been a chief concern during these times. “It’s an issue,” he admits.

Nonetheless, Wallace’s enthusiasm for the season hasn’t waned. Wachusett remains on remote learning for now, so athletes are not using locker room facilities for practice. Coaches are responsible for ensuring social distancing is maintained between runners as much as possible. When runners hit the roads, in “pods” of athletes of no more than the same 5-10, the masks remain on.

Runners use their own water bottles and cannot share. Water fountains are used as refill stations only.

The Mountaineers’ four-race season starts Wednesday at Westboro, with their other dual-meet opponents including Algonquin, Leominster and Shrewsbury. There has been discussion of a possible meet of the five-team, geographically based pod at season’s end, but that’s like what this season is — wait and see.

And with the limits of only 10 runners embarking at a time, dual meets will now feature two heats at each. While many meets feature 10 varsity runners for each team, the event will be split into heats of five-and-five, starting a minimum of 3 minutes apart. For proper social distancing, the starting line accommodates 6 feet between runners and teams 14 feet apart. Cones leading up to the finish separate teams to run on their own side of the finish line.

Courses for visiting teams can only be previewed virtually and cannot be sampled during the minutes before a meet.

Pack running, forever an effective approach for team success, is challenged by the following MIAA guideline — “Runners should maintain social distancing throughout the race and not cluster on the course.” (We know teams will find a way).

The masks must be on at the start of the race but can be dropped down from nose and mouth when socially distancing, but athletes must be prepared to restore the mask to proper position at the conclusion of the race.

An added challenge to team scoring is the elimination of numbered tongue depressors handed to finishers to help in tabulation. Many local teams are still figuring out identification logistics such as numbers on uniforms, with possibilities of video at the finish being used to help.

“Something for the kids is better than nothing,” Wallace said. “They’re making the best of it, and I’m pleased with their approach to it. Their attitude about it has been a highlight for me this season.”

“They are so happy to be back together,” coach Nicole Fossas said of her Shepherd Hill girls’ cross-country squad. “They care deeply, they just want to be back together again.”

The Rams, defending CMass Division 1 champions and fifth-place finishers at All-States, are making the most of the 90-minute limit to practices. Like at Wachusett, Shepherd Hill’s school days are being conducted remotely.

“They could be here for three hours,” Fossas said. “They come with their masks on, I squirt all their hands with hand sanitizer. We have some dynamic warmups, go over what we’re doing for the day, and then send them out. There could also be non-running supplemental work, we just fit in what we can. Whatever we don’t finish, they do at home.”

Longer distance runs are reserved for the weekends on their own. Shepherd Hill begins its season Tuesday, and pod dual-meet opponents include Leicester, Tantasqua, Southbridge, Bay Path and North Brookfield.

Fossas and boys’ coach Len Harmon have been developing a 2.5-mile course that covers the fields surrounding Shepherd Hill and Dudley Middle School, as opposed to 2019 3.1-mile route that traveled on area roads.

“We’re troubleshooting as we go along,” Fossas said.

St. John’s High coach Mark Murray is also impressed with the attitude of his runners.

“In many ways, we’re going day by day,” he said. “I’m impressed with how our kids are respectful, they’re following the rules, and they understand that if there’s an outbreak, it can all be over. They’ve been pretty good about that.”

While the vast majority of St. John’s students attending in-house classes (only about 8% remote, according to Murray), the coach must supervise locker room protocols before each practice. There’s an X taped onto each socially distanced locker to be used for changing, and runners are ushered in no more than 16 at a time, the 50% capacity mandated by the MIAA. This year, St. John’s cross-country has 50 runners between varsity and JV, and another 21 are in the middle school program.

Runners must bring their belongings to the outdoor workout, before Murray can lock them up in his car upon the beginning of practice. Students are closely monitored to make sure masks are on, even after practice while walking about the St. John’s campus. Protocols have athletes washing their running gear each night.

“For the most part, the kids have been really, really good,” said Murray, whose team opens Tuesday against defending state champion St. John’s Prep of Danvers. The Pioneers’ pod is that of their new affiliation, the Catholic Conference, and the five-meet schedule is filled out by BC High, Catholic Memorial, Malden Catholic and Xaverian.

Only three years ago, St. John’s of Shrewsbury captured the Division 1 All-State crown, so the season starts with a duel of true cross-country powers. “I’m so pumped,” Murray said. “How great it is going against the state champs.”

Road meets also pose participation challenges. Bus capacities are limited to 25, so schools may have to keep home competitors from sub-varsity heats.

“We’ll figure it out. Everyone’s been very positive,” Murray said. “I’m so excited to have a season, giving the kids a chance. They’re grateful they have a season, and they’re enthusiastic about taking on the Catholic Conference.”

More Miles for Myles

Though it will be run virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Miles for Myles 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run is definitely on, taking place from Oct. 11-18.

For much of the past two decades, the Lunenburg PTO managed the highly successful event and had announced it would be stepping aside before the 2019 race. The Lunenburg Cross-Country and Track & Field Booster organization has stepped up to conduct the event, with Kate and Pete McCarron on board.

The event is dedicated to the son of Kate and Pete — Myles John McCarron, a Lunenburg High student-athlete who died at age 16 while a passenger in a speed-related accident. The Lunenburg Track and Field Association established the race in 2002, and the Lunenburg PTO later took over the event.

Miles for Myles has raised more than $200,000 toward what is now the Mulligan/McCarron Lunenburg Athletic Facility, as well as providing funds for school-wide programs and the No Need to Speed campaign.

Funds raised at this year’s event will support the Lunenburg Cross-Country and Track & Field Boosters, a scholarship for a Lunenburg student-athlete, the Lunenburg Food Pantry and Lunenburg Turkey Hill Family Lions Club.

lawyer of Caster Semenya is preparing to approach the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the ban

The lawyer of South Africa’s Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya, barred from certain races unless she takes hormone suppressants, has told AFP he is preparing to approach the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the ban.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Semenya has differences of sexual development (DSD), a condition that causes her body to produce elevated testosterone levels.

The World Athletics governing body in 2018 banned Semenya and other DSD athletes from races between 400 metres and a mile unless they take hormone-suppressing drugs.

Semenya, 29, unsuccessfully challenged those rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

She then turned to Switzerland’s Supreme Court, which dismissed the appeal last month.

“It didn’t come as a complete surprise,” Semenya’s lawyer Gregory Nott said in an interview on Wednesday, noting that Swiss federal court cases were “very difficult to win”.

“As usual in Caster’s being, she took it very strongly and very well,” he recalled. “She is also up for further fighting.”

Nott said a legal team was preparing the paperwork to take the case before the European court (ECHR) — a process that would take “a few more months”.

Semenya would then decide whether to proceed or not, he added.

“We are merely the horse and she is the jockey, so we listen to what Caster has to say,” said Nott. “She has a mind of her own.”

In its judgement, the Swiss court concluded that the CAS decision “cannot be challenged”.

“Fairness in sport is a legitimate concern,” the court said, adding that the ECHR also attached “particular importance to the aspect of fair competition”.

2020 London Marathon athletes to wear social-distancing tech

Staff and athletes in Sunday's London Marathon must wear social-distancing technology around their necks.

The Bump device, which makes an audible alert when the wearer is too close to others, will be worn by the 100 elite competitors and 500 event coordinators.

The race, 19 laps of a closed course in St James's Park, screened from public view, is the first major marathon since the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers say.

Non-elite runners can participate in a 24-hour virtual version of the event.

The device will not be worn during the race, however, with athletes taking them off just before the starting line.

The Bump uses radio-frequency technology, allowing organisers to track when athletes and staff are within a defined distance of one another.

And if one tests positive for coronavirus in the subsequent two weeks, those who have been in close proximity will be notified.

The device was designed by robotics company Tharsus, based in Blyth, Northumberland.

"This weekend's event is the culmination of months of planning around how to deliver a socially distanced 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon that is safe for all participants and stakeholders," director Hugh Brasher said.

"This technology has played an important role, giving our athletes and internal teams extra confidence to engage with the event safely."

Valencia Half Marathon announces the names of the first athletes taking part in its ambitious ‘Elite Edition’

The Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso EDP is organising an Elite Edition marathon and half marathon to be held on 6 December 2020 and it can now confirm the names of the first male and female athletes who will seek to achieve the most ambitious sporting goal possible by trying to set new race records.

in the Valencia Half Marathon Elite Edition, which will also be held on 6 December but without overlapping on the course with the marathon, will include a team of athletes who will seek, in the fast streets of Valencia Ciudad del Running, to approach the world record for both men (58:01) and women (1h04:21).

The Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto, who achieved the world record at 10K (26:24) in the Ibercaja Valencia 10K, is the big favourite to fight for a world-beating time at 21,097.5 metres, along with another runner who has not yet premiered in the half marathon, the Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo (26:41 at 10K). And up to ten more runners with times below 60 minutes augur well for a very fast race. Stephen Kiprop (58:42), Bedan Karoki (58:42), Bernard Ngeno (59:07), Alexander Mutiso (59:09), Julien Wanders (59:13 and European record), Philemon Kiplimo (59:28), Geoffrey Koech (59:36), Gabriel Geay (59:42), Alfred Barkach (59:46) and Kelvin Kiptum (59:53) will be running to beat their best times.

And in the women’s race, distance debutante Ethiopian Letensenbet Gidey, with the world’s best time over 15K (44:20) along with Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui, winner of the 10K in Valencia and Prague, will fight for the best women’s time in history alongside the experience of 2019 winner Senbere Teferi (1h05:32).

For Marc Roig, International Elite Coach for the Valencia Marathon and Half Marathon “we have worked hard in recent months to put together two lists that include the highest-level elite athletes, to break our own records and get as close as possible to the world records for the two distances. Along with these names, there are others to be confirmed that will, without a doubt, make Valencia the biggest race of 2020”.

The Valencia Marathon Elite Edition will also look forward to achieve this ambitious goals.

From landmarks to country lanes - 87-year-old prepares for unique 40th London Marathon

Ken Jones is gearing up to compete in his 40th London Marathon, however the 87-year-old will take to a start line with a difference.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the marathon is being run locally by competitors, so Jones will be running laps around the Strabane countryside near his home.

Jones, who has taken part in over 112 marathons, is the oldest man competing in the event and has been an ever-present since the first London Marathon in 1981.

Strava announces new feature: #statmaps

Stat maps allows runners to colour-code their routes based on eight different factors

Today Strava announces a new feature to their platform, which they call #statMaps. Stat maps brings coloured lines to the previously orange GPS file that traces your route. This will allow for runners to better visualize their training and activities. The colour of your map will change based on several factors: pace, speed, heart rate, elevation, power, time and temperature.

Runners get to choose the element of their workout that they want to be highlighted after it’s over. For example, if you did interval work, you could choose to highlight heart rate to contrast your rest versus your work. Stat maps will be available to subscribers, but all users will be able to see the custom treatments on their feeds. Maps are created by adding a hashtag to a title or description.

Customization options

Pace #PaceMap – Darker colors are faster paces

Speed #SpeedMap – Darker colors are faster speeds

Heart Rate #HeartrateMap – Darker colors are higher heart rates

Elevation (Absolute) #ElevationMap – Darker colors are higher elevation/altitudes

Elevation (Gradient) #GradientMap – Red is climbing, Green is descending

Power #PowerMap – Darker colors are higher power outputs

Time #TimeMap – Darker colors appear later in the activity

Temperature #TemperatureMap – Red is hotter

The one person who #statmaps might not work so well for, is the person who usually does and out-and-back as their GPS file will overlap. However, if you’re a loop king or queen, this feature is pretty cool.

World Athletics announces new Road World Championships

WA announces 5K to be included in 2023 world half-marathon championships, rebrands it Road Running World Championships

On Tuesday morning, World Athletics announced a new event coming in 2023 – the Road Running World Championships. This new championship will be part of the existing World Athletics Half-Marathon Championships, but will also feature the world 5K championships as a new event, and could potentially include others (like the road mile) in the future.

“Road running has become an increasingly significant part of our sport over the past 20 years and it deserves greater recognition within our World Athletics Series events,” World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon said in a press release.

The 2020 World Half-Marathon Championships are scheduled to run October 17 in Poland. While the U.S. and Japan have pulled out of the race, Canada named their team last week. Rachel Cliff is the lone Canadian representative on the women’s side, and on the men’s side, Canada is sending Trevor Hofbauer, Justin Kent, Ben Preisner, Thomas Toth and Phil Parrot-Migas.

Parrot-Migas was a late addition to the team, but last week he successfully appealed Athletics Canada’s initial decision to leave him off the team, meaning he will be running in Poland in three weeks’ time.

World cross-country to move to even years

WA also announced that as of 2024, their cross-country championship will move to even years to align with the Olympics. This is in anticipation of hopefully transitioning cross-country to an Olympic event once again.

Kenyan runner suffers broken ribs, hand after hippo attack

Edwin Mokua is in hospital after he was attacked by a hippopotamus on a training run near Nyahururu, Kenya

On Monday, Kenyan road runner Edwin Mokua was attacked by a hippopotamus while out for a training run near Nyahururu, a town between Eldoret and Nairobi. As unlucky as Mokua was, he was fortunate enough to have been running with a training partner, Denis Kipkoskei, who came to his rescue and scared off the group of hippos. According to a report from the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation, Mokua was set to race the Izmir Marathon in Turkey on Sunday, but he will be on a running hiatus for the next while as he recovers from broken ribs and a fractured hand. 

Mokua was running behind Kipkoskei along the River Ewaso when he was attacked. “I passed by the animals, but didn’t see [Mokua] when I looked back seconds later,” Kipkoskei told Daily Nation. “Then I saw him struggle to free himself from one of the hippos. I scared off the rest before turning my energies to the one that was attacking him.” Mokua is lucky to have gotten away with only a few broken bones, and he is currently staying at the hospital in Nyahururu. 

The Izmir Marathon would have been Mokua’s debut at the distance. He has run several half-marathons, and he boasts a PB of 1:02:50, which he ran in Japan in 2015. Earlier in 2020, before COVID-19 put a hold on racing worldwide, Mokua took the win at the Trabzon Half Marathon, also in Turkey, in 1:03:03. The half-marathon in Trabzon was his only competition of the year, and while he had plans to pick his season back up with Sunday’s race, his marathon debut will have to wait. 

Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele out of London Marathon due to a calf injury

Kenenisa Bekele withdrew from Sunday’s London Marathon, citing a calf injury two days before he was to duel world-record holder Eliud Kipchoge.

“I was in good shape but then I picked up a niggle in my left calf after two fast training sessions close together in the last weeks of preparation,” was posted on Bekele’s social media. “I have been having treatment every day since then and I truly believed I would be ready, but today it is worse and I now know I cannot race on it.”

Bekele did not mention the injury in a Wednesday press conference, sitting socially distanced from Kipchoge at a table.

The marathon, with more than 40 elite men entered, was headlined as a duel between the two fastest marathoners in history. It was postponed from its traditional April date and moved to a looped course in St. James’s Park due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Kenyan Kipchoge lowered the world record to 2:01:39 at the 2018 Berlin Marathon. Last year in Berlin, the Ethiopian Bekele won in 2:01:41 without Kipchoge in the field.

Kipchoge has won 11 of his 12 career marathons. Bekele, a more accomplished track runner who won Olympic gold medals and lowered world records at 5000m and 10,000m, has never beaten Kipchoge in a marathon.

“This race was so important to me,” Bekele posted. “My time in Berlin last year gave me great confidence and motivation and I was looking forward to show that again, I have worked so hard for it. I realise many people around the world have been looking forward to this race and I am sorry to disappoint my fans, the organisers and my fellow competitors. I will take time to recover and become fit again and I hope to be back in London next year.”

2020 Košice Peace Marathon slashes field to 200 runners

At the last moment, with only days to go, the Košice Peace Marathon (SVK) has restricted its marathon field to 200.

Organizers said in a statement: “We regret to say that, according to the current regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic, which entered into force on October 1, 2020, we have had to significantly reduce our marathon field. Only 200 domestic runners will take part.

“We apologize to everyone for the complications caused and thank you for your support so far. We are doing everything we can to ensure that the oldest marathon in Europe, in its 97th year, can at least take place in such a minimized form.”

Run with Paula Radcliffe in the fast 10k virtually

The World Athletics Half Marathon Championships are just a couple of weeks away, and race organizers in Gdynia, Poland, have provided one last challenge ahead of the free virtual mass participation race.

The Fast 10k with Paula Radcliffe is the final test of fitness for participants who plan to run the half-marathon, and they can do it (virtually) alongside one of the best marathoners in history, after whom the challenge is named. 

Radcliffe is an Olympian, a British and European record-holder many times over and the former women’s marathon world record-holder. Her marathon best was only recently beaten by Brigid Kosgei, who lowered Radcliffe’s longstanding record of 2:15:25 at the Chicago Marathon in 2019. In a promotional video for the Gdynia event and her virtual challenge, Radcliffe says the “World Half Marathon Championships have a very special place in my heart.

It was my first world title. I won three World Half Marathon Championships and all of them were extremely special to me.” She won the world half-marathon titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003, the same year she set her marathon world record. 

This is the last of the virtual “warmup events” that have been organized for competitors by the Gdynia 2020 team. There was also a one-mile run with World Athletics head Seb Coe and a 5K with British Olympian Eilish McColgan, among other events. It’s easy to participate. Simply head to the event website, download the Gdynia 2020 tracking app and head off on your 10K challenge in preparation for your virtual half-marathon. 

The mass participation race was cancelled and changed to a virtual format for 2020 due to COVID-19, but the elite race is still set to go ahead. The race has a number of big names ready to run, and it should be an exciting one to watch.

Newly-minted 5,000m world record-holder Joshua Cheptegei will be debuting at the distance in Gdynia, and he will be lining up alongside a strong Canadian team that’s made up of Trevor Hofbauer, Justin Kent, Phil Parrot-Migas, Benjamin Preisner and Thomas Toth. The lone woman heading to Poland to represent Canada is former national half and full marathon record-holder Rachel Cliff. 

For anyone interested in participating in either the The Fast 10k with Paula Radcliffe challenge or the virtual half-marathon, it’s not too late to sign up.

2020 Athens Authentic Marathon has been cancelled due to covid-19

The 2020 ‘Athens Marathon. The Authentic’ that was scheduled to take place on November 7-9, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Making the most of any minute of the last three months, the Top Management and Executives of our Federation made any possible effort during their discussions and cooperation with the relevant Greek Health Authorities, in order to make sure that every possibility for this annual Historic Race to go along, was studied. Even by following a very strict manual of rules and regulations, staging only the Marathon Race and not the shorter races, reducing the number of participants and having all participants to go through a COVID-19 test before the Race, at the expenses of our Federation, was not enough. It seems that even such measures would not secure the absolute safety of runners’ health, which is and will be the top priority in our minds. Taking under consideration all the above, we are extremely sorry to announce today that the 2020 Athens Marathon will not be held,” the announcement said.

Within the next days, the Athens Marathon Organizing Committee will contact each one of the registered runners via personalized email, informing him/her about the options they have, either deferring their registration into next year’s event (2021 Athens Marathon) or receiving full refund of the entry fee already paid.

“We are very optimistic that after this pandemic is over we will all run together in our races in 2021, a very important year for Greece since it coincides with the anniversary of the 200 years after the Greek revolution.”

They also announced the launch of a new, Special Edition Virtual Race. More details will be released within the next few days.

The Special Edition Virtual Race is going to be a race for all, full of surprises, that will allow participants to test themselves either running alone on the route of their choice, or being joined by a small number of friends and/or family members.

“We sincerely thank all parties that contributed so far to an excellent preparation for the event, and especially OPAP S.A., the Athens Marathon Grand Sponsor, as well as the Attica Region, the Cities of Athens and Marathon, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the rest of our Sponsors and Supporters. But most of all, we thank and applaud the protagonists of the Athens Marathon; the staff members, the thousands of volunteers and participants that all these years have shown such love and confidence to the Athens Marathon, turning it into a unique race of international status,” the statement concluded.

Brigid Kosgei and Ruth Chepngetich will use controversial shoes worn by Eliud Kipchoge in the London Marathon

Kenyan duo Brigid Kosgei and Ruth Chepngetich will use controversial shoes worn by Eliud Kipchoge in the London Marathon on Sunday.

Kenya's Kipchoge broke the two-hour barrier in an unofficial event in Vienna last October when he wore the platform Alphafly Next% shoes.

While the shoes allowed by World Athletics' regulations, they are estimated to improve running economy by up to eight per cent.

Kipchoge's record led to calls for the Nike shoes to be banned, but women's marathon world record holder Kosgei is adamant the runner makes the difference rather than the footwear.

Asked which shoes she would be wearing in the her London Marathon title defence, 2019 champion Kosgei said: "The ones Kipchoge will use.

"You know the shoes could not run. It is someone who can run, it's not the shoes, it does not depend on the shoes.

"If I use the training shoes and the body is not there, you cannot run good. So for me it's just the body which enables me to run good, it is not the shoes."

Kosgei's fellow Kenyan -- reigning world champion Chepngetich -- also confirmed she would wear the shoes.

Kosgei and Chepngetich said their training had been interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, with their training camps both closed temporarily, leaving the pair having to train alone.

At the Chicago Marathon in October last year, Kosgei set a world record with a time of 2 hours 14 minutes 4 seconds, but she will not be targeting a better time on Sunday.

"We did not get a group like last year, (when) we are in groups together we just had to push each other. So it's not like in Chicago but I will try," she said.

Valencia half marathon has attracted some of the world’s best distance runners

Along with its World Athletics Platinum Label marathon on December 6, the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso EDP will also stage an elite half marathon on the same day, and both races have attracted some of the world’s best distance runners.

In recent years Valencia has built a reputation as a city that produces fast times. Two world records have been set in the men’s 10km in the Spanish city, along with two women’s world records for the half marathon.

Fast times will be the target once again on 6 December. 2019 Tokyo Marathon champion Ruti Aga, who has a PB of 2:18:34, is the fastest woman in the field, but fellow Ethiopian Birhane Dibaba’s PB is just one second slower at 2:18:35.

Mare Dibaba, the 2015 world champion, is also in the field, along with Ethiopian compatriots Zeineba Yimer and Tigist Girma – all of whom have sub-2:20 PBs.

Peres Jepchirchir, who recently broke the world half marathon record, is also set to compete, as are fellow Kenyans Joyciline Jepkosgei, the former world half marathon record-holder, Joan Chelimo and Fancy Chemutai. USA’s Jordan Hasay completes the field.

Kinde Atanaw, who set a course record of 2:03:51 last year, will defend his title when he lines up against fellow Ethiopian Birhanu Legese, whose 2:02:48 PB makes him the third-fastest man in history.

Others in the field include world champion Lelisa Desisa, Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono, European record-holder Kaan Kigen Özbilen and Ethiopian half marathon record-holder Jemal Yimer, who will be making his marathon debut.

The half marathon will be held on the same day without overlapping with the marathon, but the end goal is the same: fast times. The course records of 58:18 and 1:04:51 – which are just shy of the world records (58:01 and 1:04:31) – are expected to come under threat.

World 10,000m bronze medalist Rhonex Kipruto, who set a world 10km record of 26:24 in Valencia earlier this year, will return to the Spanish city to make his half marathon debut. World cross-country silver medallist Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda is also among the athletes entered.

Ten other runners with sub-60-minute PBs are in the field, including 2019 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon champion Stephen Kiprop, 2016 world half marathon silver medalist Bedan Karoki, 2019 Valencia Half runner-up Bernard Ngeno, European record-holder Julien Wanders and African cross-country champion Alfred Barkach.

World 10,000m silver medallist Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia will make her half marathon debut and will take on Sheila Chepkirui, the second-fastest woman in history over 10km (29:46), and 2015 world 5000m silver medalist Senbere Teferi, who won in Valencia last year in 1:05:32.

The organizers will create a health bubble around the race and take stringent safety measures to ensure the event carries minimal health risk. The race will have its own medical app, which will be supported by an external consultant to collect all the data and ensure, if necessary, the traceability of the movements made by the athletes and other people involved in organizing the race.

Sifan Hassan is among the top names entered for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020

Based on the figures at the entry deadline, 157 men and 127 women from 62 teams have been entered for the championships.

Even with the expected slight drop in numbers ahead of the publication of the official start lists, the figures compare favorably to previous editions, most of which ranged between 150 and 250 athletes.

World 1500m and 10,000m champion Sifan Hassan, who also holds the world record for the mile, is one of several standout entries for the women’s race.

The Dutch runner will take on Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh and Kenya’s 2016 world half marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, who respectively hold the outright and women-only world records for the half marathon.

Ethiopia's Netsanet Gudeta, who won in Valencia two years ago in a women-only world record time, will defend her world half marathon title.

In one of the highest-quality fields ever for a half marathon, 15 of the men entered have sub-60-minute PBs and a further 14 have PBs inside 61 minutes. The 10 fastest women entered have PBs of 1:06:30 or faster, while 21 women in total have sub-69-minute PBs. Area record-holders for Africa, Europe and Asia are also entered.

Ethiopia`s Degitu Azimeraw withdraws from London Marathon after positive COVID-19 test

An Ethiopian runner had to pull out of the London Marathon after she and the coach of two other elite marathoners tested positive for the coronavirus, the race director said Tuesday.

Degitu Azimeraw, who won the 2019 Amsterdam Marathon, and coach Haji Adilo tested positive in Ethiopia.

"As a result (of the positive tests), they didn't get on the plane," London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher said in a conference call ahead of Sunday's race.

Adilo is the coach of Ethiopian runners Shura Kitata and Alemu Megertu, both of whom will remain in the race because there was no "face-to-face contact" with their coach in the past two weeks, Brasher said.

The London race has all the trappings of a 2020 sporting event: hotel bubble for athletes, competition modifications and no spectators. Athletes and their coaches are staying at a hotel reserved only for them outside London.

Protocols required virus testing before athletes left for London and on the day of their arrival. They'll also be tested on Friday.

Instead of snaking along the River Thames, the athletes will compete on a 26.2-mile (42.2 kilometer) closed-loop course consisting of 19.6 clockwise laps around St. James' Park, ending on the Mall. It should be a fast course for defending champions Eliud Kipchoge, Brigid Kosgei and their challengers, but potential wet weather could dampen hopes of world records.

"Heavy rain is not ideal conditions to do a world record in," Brasher said of current forecasts. "You want light winds, you want dry conditions.

"We, whatever the conditions, believe that there will be some incredible racing that will live long in people's memory, and it could be incredibly quick."

Only one other World Marathon Major -- Tokyo -- was held this year as Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York all canceled because of the pandemic. Like Tokyo, London's field was reduced to elites only.

Even with prize money slashed nearly in half, the event has drawn elite runners who have had few opportunities to compete during the pandemic.

Eliud Kipchoge has unveiled the shoes he will use for London Marathon this Sunday, inspired by Kenyan flag

Eliud Kipchoge, the world marathon record holder, will be cladding a Kenyan flag-inspired Nike “Alpha fly N% Kenya”, custom made for him for this race.

"The shoes for Sunday's competition. Inspired by colours of the Kenyan flag, representing (the) great people of this beautiful country and to celebrate one year anniversary of the achievement 1:59:40 in marathon distance by EK," Kipchoge posted in his official Facebook page.

It is an Alpha fly N% shoe, just like the one he used during the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna last year.

The personal details include a green-and-red colourway – a nod to the national flag of Kenya. The shoes also feature the runner’s initials and 1:59:40 – the time he ran in Vienna.

The Kenyan distance running legend became the first man to run the marathon in under two hours after clocking 1:59:40.2 in Vienna.

This Sunday, Kipchoge comes face-to-face with Ethiopia's distance running great Kenenisa Bekele, who is also the second fastest man in marathon.

There were some complaints after the Ineos 1:59 Challenge with ritics claiming that the shoe had multiple carbon plates and there were calls for it to be banned from competition.

However, Kipchoge and Nike have always insisted that it’s not about the shoes but the person using them.

“The shoes have not been banned hence I am looking forward to another great show on them as I seek my fourth victory on the course,” said Kipchoge during the launch of domestic tourism at the Serena Mara in the Maasai Mara, Narok County in August.

Defending women’s London Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei also used similar shoes when she set the women’s world marathon record in winning the Chicago Marathon in 2:14:04, just a day after Kipchoge’s exploits in Vienna.

Then Bekele would come close to breaking Kipchoge’s world marathon record of 2:01:39 set by Kipchoge in Berlin in 2018 by two seconds when he won in Berlin in 2:01:41 last year.

Nike's Vaporfly range was the talk around the world with the feeling that it gave undue advantage to other runners owing to its sole technology.

However, World Athletics — the global athletics governing body —  said it will not ban the shoes but would instead institute tighter regulations around high-tech running shoes.

Registrations is now open for the 2021 Eugene Marathon which will finish at the new Hayward Field Stadium

2921 registration is now open for the Eugene Marathon! Mark your calendars for April 23-25, 2021 and mark your finish line for Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. That’s right, in 2021 – if all goes as planned – you will get the opportunity to once again Run in the Footsteps of Legends and cross the finish line at the newly renovated and always iconic Hayward Field. 

 Since the moment we canceled the 2020 race due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have dedicated our time and effort to looking forward to 2021 and doing all that we can to make it the finest and safest Eugene Marathon yet. Our team is working with our partners – including Lane County Public Health, the City of Eugene, the University of Oregon and PeaceHealth – to develop plans for a safe, accessible and exciting event.

Additionally, taking into consideration the context of COVID-19, we are offering the option to sign up for a virtual race experience that will include top-notch virtual race technology, a live-streaming virtual expo, sponsor perks, and all the swag of a traditional Eugene Marathon sent in a custom race box straight to your front door. .

In the event that an in-person event cannot take place, all 2021 registrants will be transferred to the 2021 virtual event.

Canada’s Marco Arop sets sights on Tokyo

Canada tallied five medals at the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, so it was not surprising that Marco Arop’s excellent seventh-place finish in the 800m would be somewhat buried in the team’s performance review.

Just 21 years old at the time, the tall Sudan-born runner had earned the Pan American title two months earlier, running a then personal best of 1:44.25. But few expected him to survive the harsh preliminary rounds in Doha which required tactical nuance, stamina and most importantly experience at the highest level. Clearly the young man was up to the challenge and has immense potential.

Despite the uncertainty caused by a world pandemic, Arop has continued to make progress this year, setting a new personal best of 1:44.14 while finishing third at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Monaco last month. That extraordinary result was followed by two second-place finishes in Bydgoszcz and Stockholm. In the latter he led down the home straight but couldn’t hold off world champion Donavan Brazier. Still, he ran a very good 1:44.67.

But it was the Monaco result which stoked his confidence, particularly since it was three seconds faster than his season opener in Atlanta, a four-and-a-half hour drive from his apartment in Starkville, Mississippi.

“I ended up running 1:47 high in Atlanta and I could feel there was so much more left in the tank,” he remembers. “Coming into Monaco I wanted to run fast and I was just lucky enough to be able to travel there and have that calibre of competition there. It was the perfect set up, the perfect race for me.”

Shortly after his brief European excursion, he returned to his training base in Starkville where he voluntarily quarantined for 14 days. Although he has a year and a half of academic studies in business information systems to complete, he chose to forego his eligibility at Mississippi State University to accept a contract from Adidas. Now, with a positive frame of mind, he believes an Olympic podium finish is attainable.

“Definitely! That’s just the way I have to look at it if I want to succeed,” he says. “It’s a long way from (now until) Tokyo 2021 and I am just hoping that I will be ready come the day and I am doing whatever I can to stay healthy, stay fit and become stronger.

“My goal is to win the Olympics. I know there are some really great competitors out there and I respect them all. But, at the end of the day, I want to win just as much as anybody else.”

That might be construed as youthful naïveté especially since he only became serious about athletics in his senior year at Edmonton’s St Oscar Romero Catholic High School – barely three years ago. Nevertheless, under the tutelage of Voleo Athletics Club coach Ron Thompson, Arop has become a quick study in 800-metre running, latching on to heroes from the past whose physical size equals his own 1.93m height.

“I have met (1984 Olympic 800m champion) Joaquim Cruz and I have watched him race in a couple of YouTube videos,” Arop says. “Guys like him and David Rudisha are huge role models and inspiration for me and I try to race like them. Front running is my strength.

“Coach Ron would say I can’t run the same as some of the other guys because I am not the same size. If I am in the front, it helps me stay out of trouble and control the race. That’s one thing I like to do – take the pace and decide when and where I should kick.”

“You can’t really take anything for granted,” Arop now says. “You never know who is going to come out on top.

“That’s one thing I want to take into Tokyo: not leaving anything to chance. Prelims and the semifinals and then, in the final – it’s who is having a good day.”