Running News Daily

Something You Might Not Know about Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice of York is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Prior to the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015, Beatrice was the highest ranking female in the line of succession to the British throne.

She is currently 7th in line to the throne. She is also a runner and in fact in 2010 she ran the London Marathon and became the first British royalty to do so.

In December 2017 she ran the 5 mile Olympic Park Run. Earlier in the year the 28-year-old ran the Lady Garden 5K in London's Hyde Park.

(02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Runners

A decade in Kenya turned two teens from New Zealand Into World Class Runners

The plan had seemed so simple when it was hatched in their mom’s basement. But as the plane was landing in Nairobi, the scabby ground growing closer, 18-year-old Zane leaned over to his twin brother and said, “Jake, what are we going to do?”... On Jan. 14, 2018, Jake Robertson won the Houston Half Marathon with a time of one hour and one second, beating a super-deep, world-class field and earning $20,000 along the way. His twin brother Zane had posted a stellar 59:47 half marathon in 2015. They are the fastest New Zealanders ever at that distance, and near the top of the heap on a global scale. And none of that is easy—hitting 4:35 per mile for 13.1 miles? Earning a living as a runner? Becoming an Olympian? Those are laughably lofty goals...A decade of training in Kenya is paying off. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

This race is considered the Coldest Ultramarathon on the Planet

The Yukon Arctic Ultra conditions sound like that of a frozen tundra nightmare in what could be the Canadian equivalent of the Barkley Marathons. Race director Robert Pollhammer posted on Facebook on Thursday that South African Jethro De Decker was the lone runner to make it to the finish line of the 300-miler (483K). Temperatures were at or below -40 for almost the entire week that the race went on. “It was a tough year, Many of the participants of the 300-miler, were taken off course and treated for frostbite and/or hypothermia at the hospital," says Robert. For sure this is the Coldest Ultramarathon... (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

Half Marathon World Records were just missed by seconds at RAK

The RAK Half Marathon in UAE delivered. In the women's race Fancy Chemutai from Kenya just missed the world record by two seconds. She ran 1:04:53 just beating out Mary Keitany (1:04:55) and Caroline Kipkirui was third in 1:05:07. In the men's race Kenya's Bedan Karoki set a new course record in 58:42, just 19 seconds off the world record. In second running his first half was Jemal Yimer from Ethiopia (59:00) and third was Alex Kibet 59:06. Seven men broke one hour. RAK indeed delivered. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

RAK Organizers added a $100,000US bonus for anyone who breaks the world record

The RAK Half Marathon is under way. In a bid to spice up the race, the organizers have added a $100,000 US dollar bonus for anyone who breaks the world record in additional to the 50,000 dollar prize purse. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

A Real Pioneer in Long DIstance Racing Has passed Away

On Saturday Feb 3 Ken Young passed way at the age of 76. He invented the art and science of record keeping for the sport of long distance running. He first used a computer to produce race results in 1970, and produced computer based running performance rankings by 1974. In 1980, these rankings had developed into the National Running Data Center (NRDC) which pioneered and developed road records in the United States...On a personal note by the end of 2016 Ken had run more than 141,000 miles which included 4,500 miles during high school and college. He raced about 90 marathons. But more importantly he collected running results and created running stats. Our sport will miss Ken Young! R.I.P. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

From bombs to race bibs Belle was no stranger to conflict zones

Belle Toren is no stranger to conflict zones. The former police officer, legal counsel and corporate director for petroleum companies lived and worked in places considered dangerous. So when she saw the opportunity to run the Marathon of Afghanistan in 2017, she didn’t hesitate for a second. The opportunity came through the travel group Untamed Borders, which organizes unique travel experiences to inaccessible parts of the world. Her target was to run the Marathon. What was really exciting 150 females also ran the 15K and 11 who did the marathon. Belle not only finished the marathon, but also went on to run a desert half marathon in Israel a few weeks later. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Amazing Marathons

Former New Zealand Super Star Finds A Way To Compete

Peter Snell (79) is a competitive table tennis player including competing in the Texas state (top 4 in the 75+ age category) and US championship events and the 2017 World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Not a big deal? But Snell is The Big Deal in his native New Zealand. Snell won the gold in the 800-meter run at the 1960 Rome Olympics and followed it up four years later in Tokyo with gold medals at both 800 meters and 1,500 meters. He excelled in the 800, where he set a national record in Rome and an Olympic record in Tokyo. At the time, he was the first athlete in 40 years to pull off the 800-1,500 combo at the Olympics...Running now is not in the cards with osteoarthritis in a knee. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Olympians

79-year-old James Mersmann says running does create a runner's high if you run enough miles

James Mersmann has a resting heart rate of 38 and has run thousands of miles in his lifetime and he’ll gear up for the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL. His passion for running all started in 1973. “Running is exhilarating and it does create a runners high only if you run enough miles and it’s also addictive,” Mersmann said. From Huntsville to Rio De Janeiro, Mersmann has run several marathons around the world, and on Sunday for the Mercedes Marathon, he’ll be the oldest runner at age 79. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Senior Running

Eliud Kipchoge: Loves Running Because Running Is Life

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya is currently the undisputed world No.1 over the 26.2-mile distance. The 2-time Berlin and London Marathon winner explains why he runs. "I started running because my neighbor, Patrick Sang (1992 Olympic and 1991 and 1993 world steeplechase silver medallist), was an athlete and I wanted to be just like him. Patrick came from the same village as I do and my mother used to be his teacher. I was so inspired by his success. To me, running is life." Eliud is running this year's London Marathon. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Olympians

Airtel Delhi Half Marathon wins best organized event award

Mumbai’s biggest running community, the Mumbai Road Runners, organized the annual awards show, the Skechers Performance 8th MRR Awards Night, on Feb 3rd. More than 500 nominations from across Mumbai were received under various categories, including best male and female runners, best debut, most improved runner, as well as the best organized race of the year. The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon was selected as the winner. Running is growing at a fast rate in India. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Some races are getting smaller but not the St. Jude Memphis Marathon

While many races around the country were fretting over declining registration numbers, the St. Jude Memphis Marathon was in the enviable position of seeing gains. The Dec. 2 event saw 25,000 participants, 8,000 of whom raised funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. That fundraising brought in $10.3 million this year. And perhaps more importantly, 30 percent of runners returned after running the race the year before. The life-saving care is surely a factor of success (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Bill Anderson's secrets for Running Injury Free for Over 41 years

Bill Anderson (72) started his running streak on September 27, 1976 in Fort Worth Texas. He has run at least one mile everyday since then. He is currently number nine on the Official USA Active Running Streak List.

"My brother Bill has never been injured," says Bob Anderson. Asked why he has never been injured he says, "Shoes are the hidden secret to avoid injuries. I make sure they are always fresh," Bill says.

"Secondly I always run within my capacity. Thirdly, I make sure I enjoy every run. Fourth, I know myself well enough to anticipate a potential issue before it happens."

(02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics starts in 897 days

Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics say they're having no problems raising cash. International Olympic Committee member John Coates, head of the IOC, says local organizers have raised $2.9 billion in national sponsorship money. Coates called the money-raising effort "extraordinarily successful." He says Tokyo now has 47 local sponsors, and this excludes long-term IOC sponsors like Bridgestone, Panasonic and Toyota. The sponsorship money will help fund the $5.5 billion local operating budget. The total cost of preparing the Games is about $20 billion, with the rest of the money coming from the city of Tokyo and the national government. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

What makes the RAK the World’s Fastest Half Marathon?

The RAK Half Marathon (UAE) is the 'world's fastest half marathon' because if you take the top 10 fastest times recorded in RAK for men (and the same for women) and find the average (for each) and then do the same with the top ten fastest recorded times across all races (you can reference the IAAF for this), the faster average time for both men AND women will be in RAK; making it the world's FASTEST half marathon! This year’s race starts at 6:30am Friday morning or 6:30pm California time Thursday night. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Kipsang is focused on setting a new World Marathon Record in Tokyo Feb 25

Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang is excited, focused and ready to set a world record at the Tokyo Marathon on Feb 25. This will be Kipsang second attempt at the Japanese premier marathon competition. He has intensified his training in Kericho, Kenya, running at high altitude and is hopeful that hard work will bear fruits. He knows his rivals will be on a similar mission in April at the London Marathon. "I surprised everyone when I almost won the New York marathon in Nov. last year. Well, this year I will just go ahead and do it in Tokyo," Kipsang said on Tuesday from Kericho. Last year, Kipsang missed the world record (2:02:57) but still ran the fastest time ever on Japanese soil to win in 2:03:58. "I will run fast and let the rest fall in place," he added. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

Canadian's Elite Team selected for IAAF World Half Championships

Athletics Canada announced Wednesday the eight athletes who will compete at the 2018 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain. Four men and four women were named to the largest Canadian world half team since Edmonton hosted the championships in 2005. The 2018 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships, held every two years, are set for March 24. No member of the team has raced at a past IAAF World Half-Marathon Championship. Men's Team: Evan Esselink, Cam Levins, Sami Jibril and Geoff Martinson. Women's Team: Sasha Gollish, Emily Setlack, Kinsey Middleton and Victoria Coates. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Canada Running

Katelyn Tuohy is First underclassman to win Gatorade's title

After an unstoppable cross country season that produced countless records and nonstop recognition, North Rockland (NY) High sophomore 15-year-old Katelyn Tuohy became the first underclassman to win Gatorade's National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year in its 10-year history of recognizing cross country athletes. "It's evident that Katelyn is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school girls cross country runner based on her numbers this season," Gatorade Senior Vice President Brett O'Brien said on Wednesday. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Mtetwa A Domestic Worker’s NYC Marathon Dream Becomes A Reality

It was New Year’s Eve when ultra-marathon runner Veronica Mtetwa received a phone call relaying the devastating news that her mother, Smomo Nxumalo, had been hit by a stray bullet in her hometown of Pongola. While it’s a miracle she survived, she is blind. Mtetwa, a domestic worker, had been saving a portion of her wages to pay for a trip to America to run the New York Marathon but of course she now needed to take care of her mother. But Cameron did not want to give up. She launched a crowd-funding campaign on Facebook called ‘Dreaming of New York’ and within two months, managed to raise the funds Mtetwa needed to travel to the US and participate in the NYC marathon. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

You need to know how your race pace feels before your race

TRAINING ADVICE: One way to fine-tune your pace is to include training at race pace. Whether your pace is 6:00 miles (2:37 marathon) or 12:00 miles (5:15 finish), you need to know how it feels to achieve that pace. Testing your pace during "race pace" workouts is the best way to accomplish this. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
by Hal Higdon
Training

Geoff Smith, Two Time Boston Marathon Winner Attending Running USA 2018

British Olympian Geoff Smith, who won the Boston Marathon in 1984 and 1985, will be among the conference attendees at Running USA in Austin next week. He'll be representing exhibitor Stride Awards. In 1983 his race at the New York City Marathon will never be forgotten. He started at a torrid pace and built a lead of more than a half-mile over 1972 Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist Rod Dixon of New Zealand. But Smith faltered and Dixon slowly reeled him in, catching and passing the exhausted Brit a mere 400 meters from the finish line. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Word Class Runners

Dave McGillivray Triumphant in World Marathon Challenge

Renowned Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray conquered the World Marathon Challenge Monday night in Miami, completing 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. McGillivray, 63, a Medford, Mass., native who now lives in North Andover, Mass., was the second oldest competitor in the challenge. He arrived back in Boston yesterday. He said, “It’s important for me to set a goal, achieve it – getting it done and feeling good about myself. Some people, like myself, need to be challenged.” (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Race Directors

Can you improve performance by rinsing your mouth with carbs?

More studies are finding that ‘carb-rinsing’ – using a sugary mouthwash and then spitting it out – can help improve athletes’ achievement. Could sloshing sugar water around in your mouth and then spitting it out provide a crucial advantage for athletes? In recent years, sports scientists have found convincing evidence that a “carbohydrate mouth rinse” AKA “carb-rinsing” can help athletes perform better. Athletes lift more weight, run faster and farther, jump higher and are more focused. The possible reason for this: the brain gets fooled into thinking that the body has just been given more energy. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Run Faster

Mayor Dusch and his wife have run a marathon in all 50 states

From the Great Wall of China to the Golden Gate Bridge, from the icy banks of Antarctica to the steep sloping trails of Turkey Mountain, Debbie and Bill Dusch have run it all.

On a marathon adventure—literally—the Concord couple has raced in all 50 states plus two continents, totaling 150 events between them.

The Dusches crossed the last state off their list in Hawaii in the middle of January. But the accomplishment has been decades in the making, and they’ve managed to have a good bit of fun along the way. Bill is the Mayor of Concord, NC picked as the best city in NC by Money magazine.

(02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Fruit Juice can be nearly as bad for you as soda, what?

When you think of fruit juice, you think vitamin C and other micronutrients.. The truth is, fruit juice can be nearly as bad as soda. Sure, juice offers more nutrients than soda, but it is the high levels of fructose that you need to be concerned with. Although our bodies utilize glucose, fructose in processed in the liver where it is then converted into fat. "Something to think about," says lifetime runner Bob Anderson "But if we run enough miles I don't think we have anything to worry about." (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Strava COULD be used to identify the whereabouts of military personnel

Strava Update: The Pentagon and White House are chewing over what to do about fitness tracking apps, in wake of the news last week that a global heat map posted online by Strava could be used to identify the whereabouts and activities of military personnel, including those in conflict zones and other sensitive areas. Officials acknowledge a serious potential threat is unlikely. This is another example of the military being blindsided by the capabilities of an existing application. “We take these matters seriously, and we are reviewing the situation," says Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Robert Manning. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Want to Run In the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships? .

How many sports do you know where you can run in the World Championships without having the talent to run at near world record pace? Running the IAAF/Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia 2018 is not only for the elite but for all runners. And the entry fee for this unique event on March 24, 2018 in Valencia Spain is only €35 ($40US). The medal for the mass race that will take place after the elite athletes’ race is pictured. The medal’s shape represents the IAAF label that is awarded to the highest level road races. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Paul Pollock is eager to get his racing shoes back on

Pollock has his first road race of 2018 next weekend at the Barcelona Half Marathon before looking ahead to the World Half Marathon Championships on 24th March in Valencia. “I can’t wait to get out on the road again after this good block of training,” says the 62:09 half marathoner. “Looking at the start list there is quite a few Irish and British athletes taking part in Barcelona, so it should be a good race. Once next weekend’s out of the way, my eyes will be firmly fixed on the World Half. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Boulder’s Tyler McCandless Joins RabbitPRO Team

Fresh off of a breakthrough performance at the 2017 California International Marathon—where he ran 2:12:28 to snag second place in the race and the USATF Marathon Championships—Tyler McCandless has signed on as the newest member of the rabbitPRO team. For McCandless, an NCAA Division I All American in the 10,000 meters during his time at Penn State University, this exciting new chapter in his career is possible because he has achieved a unique balance between his life as a runner and his career. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Sichel’s Returning to Run world’s longest certified footrace

Legendary ultra veteran William Sichel has accepted an invitation to return to New York this June 17th for the 22nd staging of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 mile, officially recognised as the world’s longest certified footrace. Described by the New York Times as the 'Mount Everest of ultramarathons', competitors must average 60 miles a day, every day in order to complete the distance inside the strict 52-day time limit. Sichel became the oldest ever finisher of the event in 2014 when completing the distance in just over 50 days 15 hours, an average of over 427 miles a week for the duration. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

Infeld Earned Her First National Title at Cross-Country

Emily Infeld has many accolades to her name: world championships bronze medalist and Olympian, for starters. But she was oddly missing “national champion” on her list of honors, until Saturday, when she won the USA Track & Field cross country championships in Tallahassee, Florida. By halfway through the women’s 10K race, the leaders had dwindled to 4 contenders. Infeld was joined by her Bowerman Track Club teammate Courtney Frerichs. After the 6K mark, Frerichs dropped back as Infeld and Seidel took the lead with Bruce on the duo’s heels. With less than 800 meters to go, Infeld had one more gear that put her over the top, breaking the tape in 33:18.7 (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP
Olympian

America's Becca Pizzi is the Women's World Marathon Challenge Champion

Becca Pizzi (USA) wins women’s race in Miami and overall women's title in the World Marathon Challenge. It’s her second time winning! Her time today in Miami was 3:51:21. Becca says on her blog, "Running is in my DNA. My Dad is a runner and inspired me to start running when I was a six years old. I ran my first race when I was seven. I have never stopped, competing through college and running 45 marathons, including 15 Boston Marathons, and in 25 USA states." She is the only runner in the world who has won this event two times. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

Kenya getting ready for African XC Championship in Algeria in March

A total of 30 athletes will be selected this Saturday at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya for the upcoming 5th edition of the African cross-country championships set for Chlef, Algeria on March 17th. New York Marathon and two time world cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor will not be among the 30. Kamworor has ruled himself out of the competition with reports indicating he will only focus on running at the World Half Marathon in Valencia, Spain, on March 24. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Records smashed at The North Face 100 Thailand 2018

A cool weather front over Thailand's Northeast provided perfect conditions for The North Face 100 Thailand 2018 in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district over the weekend when 2,700 athletes from 50 countries competed across five distances – 15km, 25km, 50km, 75km and 100km – on a challenging and hilly course in the Khao Yai National Park. The caliber of runners this year was higher than ever with increased international participation. David Emch (USA) set a blistering pace after 36K won the 100K race in 9:46:37. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Strava reviewing features to ensure they cannot be compromised

A week after the fitness app Strava came under fire for exposing sensitive military locations through heat maps, some Strava users are complaining that one of the app’s popular features has been temporarily disabled. The app’s Segments feature, a popular tool that lets runners create public segments of their workouts that others can search for and compete against, appears to be working intermittently. One user said they submitted a ticket to Strava, and was told that the company was reviewing certain features to “ensure they cannot be compromised by people with bad intent." (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Ireland's Gary Thornton is not new to Extreme Racing

Ireland's Gary Thornton wins in Miami and takes the outright World Marathon Challenge title! He won all seven marathons. Gary is not new to extreme running events. In 2016 he won the Antarctic Ice Marathon and in 2014 he battled the altitude and blistering heat to win the Volcano Marathon just to name two. Gary is a teacher and a 2:17 marathoner, He has won the Irish 10,000m track championships on two occasions. His best 10k on the track is 29:00 and he has broken 14 minutes for 5k. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

Boston is just 10 Weeks Out and 100 are running for a little eight year-old boy

The 122nd Annual Boston Marathon is just 10 weeks from today. In the pack will be Jimmy Guy of Salem who will be raising money for the Martin Richard Foundation. Guy has run two New York City Marathons for this charity and this will be his first Boston. “My goal is to raise eight thousand dollars for MRF (there is a team of 100). It means so much to run for this cause. It adds more purpose to my running,” says Guy. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic event that occurred in 2013, taking the life of an innocent little boy as he stood with his family eating ice cream near the finish line. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Doping can damage the credibility of our sport

The organisers of the IAAF/Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia 2018 are working to ensure that the March 24 world championships will be the best ever. Athletes who do not respect the sport's values are not welcome. Knowing that doping can damage the credibility of the sport, the local organizing committee wants to play an active role in combatting cheating in the world of athletics. The local organizer is contributing $50,000US to strengthen the event’s anti-doping program. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Becca Pizzi got lost during the sixth marathon in Colombia but still finished second

Becca Pizzi finished strongly last night at the 6th marathon in a time of 4:21.21. Apparently, there were some marking problems in the route and Becca ended up getting lost for a while. But she was able to get back on track and still managed to finish in second place. Meghan Newcomer (USA) finished first. Gary Thornton who had won the first five this time finished together with Jason Cousins from England. The last marathon of the World Marathon Challenge is today in Miami. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

The 111th NYRR Millrose Games were more exciting than Ever

Indoor track and field at the 111th NYRR Millrose Games on Saturday at the Armory had amazingly close races. Like in the NYRR Women's Wanamaker Mile the top three were within a second. Colleen Quigley 4:30.05 and Kate Grace 4:30.08. The men’s were just as close. In the Women's 3000m (pictured) Aisha Praught-Leer (Jam) was first in 8:41.1, Emma Coburn (USA) second 8:41.16, Dominique Scott (RSA) third in 8:41.18. and Karissa Schweizer (USA) 8:41.6 in fourth. It was a weekend of close finishes. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Ultra-Marathoner Tom Green's Keeps Going after Life-Threatening Head Trauma

Head trauma can be life-threatening, particularly to older people. In 2015, Tom Green, then 65, faced such a threat as he clung to life in a Baltimore hospital after a freak accident. As he regained consciousness he began relearning simple movements. In 1986, Green cemented his spot in running history. He ran all four of the nation's 100 mile races in one season. Green's determination led to a long, gradual return to running. "It was very awkward, and it took more energy than it did before," he admitted. "But the accident took so much, and I didn't want to give up running - it defined me for so many years." (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Shalane Flanagan in Super Bowl Ad Spot Lip Syncing While she ran with 100 extras

Shalane Flanagan is featured in a 2018 Super Bowl commercial for Michelob Ultra beer. The ad copy says: “Don't Compromise Your Active Lifestyle. Learn More About Michelob ULTRA® Here! The Perfect Fit. Live Fit. Live Fun. Superior Light Beer. 2.6 Carbs. 95 Cals. Go The Extra Mile.” Shalane was the first American woman winner in the 2017 New York City Marathon in 40 years. Shalane told Women’s Health Magazine, "We were kind of lip syncing the entire song as we were running down the road. There were about 100 extras—and Chris Pratt and me." (02/04/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyans Double at Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon today

Kenya’s Edward Waweru and Betsy Saina took top honors at the Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon, winning the IAAF Silver Label road race in PBs of 1:00:31 and 1:09:17 respectively on Sunday. Waweru, who lives in Japan and runs for NTN Track and Field Club, took 97 seconds off his previous best. The former track specialist had contested just one half marathon before today, clocking 1:02:08 at the 2014 Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon. Shitara was second in 1:01:13, falling nearly one minute short of his national record. “I am happy to be the first Japanese finisher, but I really wanted to win the race,” said Shitara, who will be targeting the Japanese record at the Tokyo Marathon in three weeks. (02/04/2018) ⚡AMP
Japan Running

Previous Record Trounced at Napoli City Half Marathon

Kenyan’s Eliud Mwangi and Philip Kibungei ran well below the course record at the Napoli City Half Marathon today. The two crossed the tenth kilometer in an unofficial time of 28:35, a pace that, if they maintained, would bring them in under 61 minutes, but the climbs and a light wind slowed them in the second half of the race. The two fought to the last meter with a thrilling sprint to the finish, ending with both men having the same time of 1:01:21. Philip Kibungei was the winner in what was his debut in Europe at this distance. (02/04/2018) ⚡AMP

The Millrose Games High School Girls Mile went way off Script

No recent race, at least on the high school level, went off script as much as Saturday’s Millrose Games girls high school mile. Katelyn Tuohy, the country’s top female high school runner and a decided race favorite, led early on, expanded her lead, but started yielding yardage with two laps to go before being passed by three runners. Tuohy, 15-year-old North Rockland sophomore, finished fourth in 4:47.10. Gabrielle Wilkinson of Wynnewood, PA, who exploded during the last lap, won in a personal-best 4:42.94 before a stunned crowd of 5,500 at the Armory. Tuohy entered the race having run the fastest indoor girls mile this year - 4:43.62. (02/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Five marathons completed in Five Days...Two to go!

Becca Pizzi (USA) and Gary Thornton (IRL) continue to dominate the World Marathon Challenge on day five in Lisbon. Both winning by big margins. Becca’s winning time was 3:59:28 and Gary’s 3:19:28. Next stop South America. Boston Marathon director Dave McGillivary finished 12th in 4:42:52. (02/03/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

Korir Outsprinted Rupp to win USATF XC Championships

At the USATF Cross Country Championships meet today in Tallahassee, Florida. Leonard Korir out kicked Galen Rupp to win by 1.2 seconds to become the champion for the second year in a row. Korir posted 29:16.6 over the 10k course and Rupp 29:17.8. Rupp had only run one cross country race (in 2011) since winning an NCAA title in 2008. Stanley Kebenel was third in 29:31.4 and Evan Jager fourth in 29:31.5. For the women Emily Infield won in 33:18.7 with Molly Seidel right behind in 33:22.1. Stgephanie Bruce was third 33:34.2. (02/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Shitara could be the first Japanese winner at Kagawa Marugame Half since 2006

National record-holder Yuta Shitara is in excellent form. 8 days after clocking a Japanese half marathon record of 1:00:17 in Usti Nad Labem in September, he set a PB of 2:09:03 at the Berlin Marathon. 8 days was the same gap between his 10,000m PB of 27:41.97 in November at his victory over 10 miles in Kosa. His success has continued and he could improve his national record, or even challenge for victory, which would make him the first Japanese man to win in Marugame since 2006. (02/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Tony Completes his 100th parkrun at Basingstoke

Tony Nicholls is not one for letting his disability slow him down. The visually impaired runner last week completed his 100th parkrun at Basingstoke. He was cheered and encouraged by all around the Basingstoke parkrun course, including other runners, spectators and volunteers in War Memorial Park when he took on his 100th run. Tony began taking part in parkrun back in October 2015. Many of Basingstoke Guide Running group, who have shared in guiding Tony and our other visually impaired runners. (02/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Should You Follow a Pacer in a race?

Most pacers will finish very close to their goal time. So, why would it be a bad idea to follow one? 1.Starting Out Too Fast: Unfortunately, this an all-too-common experience for runners who follow a pacer. Because of the adrenaline of the race and having to weave through thick crowds, it’s possible for a pacer to start out far too fast. 2.Crowding And Pace Fluctuations: Runners who use a pace group need to be cognizant of their own personal strengths and weaknesses during a race. (02/03/2018) ⚡AMP