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Refugee Dominic Lobalu has proven that he can beat the best runners in the world. But will that be enough to get him to the World Championships? 

In May 2019, a 20-year-old runner named Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu, from what is now South Sudan, won a 10K road race in Geneva, Switzerland. Lobalu, who was separated from his parents as a child during the second Sudanese civil war, was competing for the Athlete Refugee Team—a World Athletics-backed initiative that recruits talented individuals from refugee camps and helps get them into prestigious events around the world. A rising star in the ART ranks, Lobalu was living in Kenya at the time and training under the former marathon great Tegla Loroupe. As a teenager, he’d competed in the 1,500-meters at the 2017 World Championships. The 2020 Olympics seemed like an attainable goal. But after that race in Geneva, Lobalu made a decision that would radically alter the trajectory of his young athletic career: early the next morning, he absconded from his hotel with the intent of seeking asylum in Switzerland.

What happened next sounds like the stuff of sports fiction. A few months after he defected from the ART, a Swiss refugee center put Lobalu in touch with Markus Hagmann, a schoolteacher in Saint Gallen, who coached at a local track club called LC Brühl. Hagmann had been a competitive amateur in his day and still held the club’s record in the 3,000-meters—a formidable eight minutes and nine seconds. As soon as he saw Lobalu run, Hagmann recognized the young man’s stupendous talent and began entering him in local races to get a sense of just how fast he could run. It quickly became apparent that the Swiss national-level road racing circuit wasn’t going to cut it. Initially, Lobalu’s asylum-seeker status meant that he couldn’t leave the country. But in June 2022 he finally got a short-term residency permit, allowing him to travel. In his first international race, Lobalu outkicked Jacob Kiplimo, the reigning half marathon world record-holder from Uganda, to win the 3,000-meters in a world-leading 7:29:40 at a Diamond League meet in Stockholm.

“When we first met, it was not about getting a Diamond League win or creating a champion,” Hagmann says of his relationship to Lobalu. “It was just that there was a guy who had suffered and who needed help. And the thing that connected us was running.”

His breakthrough performance in Sweden last June has established Lobalu not only as a world-class athlete, but as someone capable of medaling at a global championship. Subsequent results have only affirmed his incredible potential. In the span of two weeks last September, Lobalu ran a 12:52 5K and a 59:12 half marathon; both among the fastest times in the world. According to Hagmann, Lobalu produced these results on a paltry 40 to 50 miles a week—less than half the training load of your typical world-class distance runner—as his body was still adjusting to the demands of high-volume training.

But the principal obstacle preventing Lobalu from having a shot at a glittering career on the international stage is perhaps more bureaucratic than physical. He currently has a short term, self-employed work permit in Switzerland and is in the process of applying for permanent residency, but acquiring full Swiss citizenship usually takes more than a decade. This means that Lobalu is technically ineligible to represent Switzerland at the Olympics or the World Championships. Meanwhile, since he chose to leave the ART to seek asylum in Switzerland, World Athletics says that he has forfeited the right to compete for the program. When I asked Lobalu if there was a way for him to represent South Sudan, he responded that that was “never an option.” As he put it to me:  “Could you run for a country that took everything in your life? A country you’ve had no connection with for the last 16 years. A country that has one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world?” What’s more, when he left the country as a nine-year-old, South Sudan, which only became a republic in 2011, didn’t yet exist.

Earlier this year, the Swiss athletics federation put in a request with World Athletics asking the sport’s global governing body if there was any way for Lobalu to get out of his legal limbo in time to compete at the World Championships in Budapest in August. In an email, World Athletics confirmed that the Swiss had put in a request for a “transfer of allegiance” and the application was currently going through the “appropriate review process.”

The resulting uncertainty is the subject of “The Right to Race,” a mini documentary that was released today. (You can watch it here.) The film was produced by the Swiss running shoe company On, which began sponsoring Lobalu after its co-founder Oliver Bernhard happened to witness him eviscerate the competition in a Swiss road race in December 2019. It’s rife with gorgeous footage of Lobalu striding through alpine landscapes (and buying milk from a Swiss farmer) but the film smooths over some of the rougher edges of Lobalu’s story—most notably his reasons for defecting from the ART and his extreme ambivalence towards his country of birth.

In a 2021 article in Time, Lobalu is quoted as saying that while he was at Loroupe’s training camp, he was deprived of prize money that he had earned and generally treated as a second-class citizen of nowhere. When I asked Lobalu about this on a recent phone call, however, he demurred and simply said that the situation in Kenya “wasn’t working for him.” (On has also had sponsorship arrangements with the Athlete Refugee Team.) While one can hardly blame Lobalu for not wanting to ruffle any more feathers, his disenchantment with the ART program seems like crucial context that is noticeably absent from “The Right to Race.”

To be fair, the film does a good job of portraying the conundrum for World Athletics.

“We can’t continue to persuade countries to give visas to refugees who may abscond and seek refugee status in their country,” World Athletics official Jackie Brock-Doyle says in the film. “From where we sit, he couldn’t continue to be part of the Athlete Refugee Team because, if so, the message to every other refugee is: Look, isn’t he a hero? Why don’t you do the same?”

Brock-Doyle reiterated this to me via email, but said that World Athletics was working to find a solution for Lobalu: “We would like to stress that there is a huge amount of sympathy for Mr Lobalu’s situation given his terrible experience as a child fleeing civil war in South Sudan. He is undoubtedly a talented athlete, and if we were able to find a way to include him in the ART programme without seriously compromising the programme—or possibly damaging it irreparably—we would have done so.”

For his part, Hagmann told me that while he understands the predicament for World Athletics, he feels that a runner’s refugee status ultimately shouldn’t be contingent on where he happens to be seeking asylum.

Of course, the amount of attention Lobalu is getting—and any prospective “hero” status—has been amplified by his success on the track. Hagmann is adamant that their relationship is first and foremost about friendship, but it’s hardly a stretch to suggest that his star athlete would be less likely to have the backing of a foreign athletics federation and a global corporation if he were just another semi-pro. “The Right to Race” includes an interview with one of Hagmann’s friends, who explicitly argues that finding a way for Lobalu to compete isn’t a matter of humanitarian goodwill, but of athletic integrity. “There must be a way for him to compete as a neutral person. Not because he is a nice guy, but because he is the best. The fastest person, or if he’s the second- or third-fastest, needs to have the possibility to start at the World Championships and the Olympic Games.”

I asked Lobalu whether this had been on his mind when he made the fateful decision, four years ago, to remain in Geneva.

“I think, in running, there is nothing that you are sure about—where you can say that, This is going to happen in this way. It was just my decision. I took it without knowing what would happen. So I just took a risk. I said: Let me try.”

British middle-distance star Keely Hodgkinson is proving that the impact of an Olympic champion extends far beyond the medals she wins, as her remarkable achievements continue to inspire young girls to believe in their own sporting dreams.

A heartwarming image of a young British girl recreating Hodgkinson’s iconic champion pose, dressed in a replica of her racing kit and proudly draped in the Union Jack, has captured the beautiful connection between sporting heroes and the next generation of athletes. It is a powerful reminder that what begins as admiration for a champion can eventually become the inspiration to follow in her footsteps.

Hodgkinson secured her place among Britain's greatest middle-distance runners at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she won the women's 800 metres gold medal in 1:56.72. The victory marked the culmination of years of determination and perseverance, bringing Olympic glory to a career that had already seen her claim silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2022 World Athletics Championships.

Her triumph in Paris was more than a personal milestone. It was a moment that allowed countless young athletes to see what was possible through dedication, confidence and a willingness to pursue ambitious goals.

For Hodgkinson, the power of inspiration is something she understands personally. As a nine-year-old girl, she watched Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill win heptathlon gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. That unforgettable performance helped spark her own interest in athletics, setting her on a journey that would eventually lead her to the top of the Olympic podium.

Now, more than a decade later, Hodgkinson has become the very kind of sporting role model who can ignite that same ambition in another young athlete.

The young fan's recreation of her Olympic hero is a touching reflection of how sporting success can influence children long before they take their first competitive steps on the track. Wearing a champion's colours, adopting her winning pose and celebrating her achievements may seem like simple gestures, but they represent something much bigger: the beginning of a dream.

Hodgkinson has also developed a distinctive identity beyond her performances, with her confident race-day style, Union Jack-inspired details and unapologetic personality making her a recognisable figure in British athletics. For many young fans, she represents a modern champion who combines world-class ability with individuality and self-belief.

Her story also highlights the importance of visibility in sport. When young girls see women achieving extraordinary things on the world's biggest stages, they are given tangible examples of what determination and ambition can accomplish. Champions such as Hodgkinson help make athletics more accessible and exciting, encouraging the next generation to lace up their trainers, join a club and discover their own potential.

Of course, not every young admirer will become an Olympic medallist, but the influence of a sporting hero can extend well beyond competition. The confidence to try something new, the discipline to work towards a goal and the courage to keep going after disappointment are lessons that can shape a lifetime.

For Hodgkinson, her legacy will ultimately be measured by more than the gold medals she wins or the records she may break. It will also be reflected in the young athletes who find the courage to chase their ambitions because they watched her succeed.

Just as Ennis-Hill's triumph at London 2012 helped inspire a young Hodgkinson, the British 800m champion is now passing that inspiration forward, showing a new generation that today's dreams can become tomorrow's achievements.

Somewhere among the young fans proudly recreating her winning pose could be a future British champion, an Olympic medallist or even the next athlete to redefine the limits of the 800 metres.

Today, she may be a little girl looking up to her hero. Tomorrow, she could be the champion inspiring millions of others.

At 67, Canadian runner Pete Benson is preparing to take on one of the most extraordinary endurance challenges in marathon running: completing seven marathons across seven continents in just seven days while raising money for a cause that reaches far beyond the finish line.

Hailing from Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Benson is set to participate in the Great World Race, an ambitious event that combines the physical demands of marathon running with a demanding journey around the globe. The challenge will require him to complete seven full marathons, each covering 42.195 kilometres, while travelling between continents on a tightly scheduled itinerary.

The challenge is scheduled to begin on November 15, 2026, with pre-event activities expected to start around November 12. Benson's adventure will begin in Antarctica, where the icy terrain and harsh conditions will provide a formidable introduction to the week ahead.

The opening marathon is scheduled for Wolf's Fang in Antarctica, where Benson will face the unfamiliar and potentially unforgiving conditions of the frozen landscape. Reflecting on the prospect of running through the ice and snow, he admitted that the experience is intimidating.

"That's pretty, pretty scary in itself," he said. "Through the ice and snow."

From Antarctica, Benson will travel to Cape Town, South Africa, for his second marathon on November 16. The journey will then continue to Perth, Australia, on November 17, followed by Singapore on November 18. On November 19, he is scheduled to race in the Algarve, Portugal, before heading to Cartagena, Colombia, on November 20. The challenge will conclude in Miami, United States, on November 21.

The demanding itinerary will leave little time for conventional recovery. After each marathon, Benson will need to travel to the next destination, navigate changing time zones and prepare for another 42.195 kilometres. Managing fatigue, nutrition, hydration and sleep will be essential as he attempts to complete the seven races within a single week.

Benson described the unusual routine that awaits him, highlighting the relentless cycle of running and travelling that defines the challenge.

"We run the race, get back on the bus, back on the plane, head to the next one and away we go around the world," Benson said. "That plane becomes our hotel and restaurant for the week, pretty much."

Beyond the physical demands, Benson recognises that taking part in such an ambitious international adventure comes at a considerable financial cost. He describes running as a personal investment, one that has provided him with valuable experiences and opportunities to discover more about himself.

"It's certainly a want, not a need," he said. "Some people go on river cruises and other things that they spend their money on and I spend my money on running and I've learned a lot from it."

Despite the expense, Benson believes the experience is worth the investment.

"So I think the investment is worth it, but it is extravagant," he said.

However, his motivation extends beyond personal achievement. Benson is also using the challenge to raise money for a nonprofit organisation that funds clean-water projects in countries around the world. The fundraising initiative is voluntary and is not a requirement for participating in the event.

By connecting his running adventure to a cause with a tangible impact on communities, Benson hopes to give every kilometre a greater purpose. His effort demonstrates how an individual sporting challenge can also become an opportunity to support work that improves lives.

"I'm happy that there's a purpose behind every mile that I run," he said.

That purpose adds another dimension to Benson's ambitious undertaking. While the seven marathons will test his physical strength, mental resilience and ability to recover between races, his fundraising mission will allow him to contribute to efforts aimed at improving access to clean water around the world.

As November 15 approaches, Benson is preparing for a demanding week that will take him from the ice and snow of Antarctica to the streets of Miami, with five other destinations in between. Each marathon will bring a new test, requiring careful preparation, determination and the ability to keep moving forward despite accumulating fatigue.

At 67, Benson is setting out to complete an extraordinary endurance challenge while supporting a cause beyond himself. Seven marathons, seven continents and seven days will test his limits, but his journey will carry a purpose that extends far beyond the finish line.

Kenyan twins Caroline and Purity Gitonga delivered outstanding performances at the 2026 Valencia Half Marathon in Spain, with both athletes setting new personal bests in a memorable display of endurance, determination, and sibling excellence.

Caroline led the way, clocking an impressive 1:04:59 to finish sixth in the women's race. The performance marked a significant breakthrough for the talented Kenyan, who improved her previous personal best of 1:06:26 by 1 minute and 27 seconds, underlining her continued progress among the world's leading half-marathon runners.

Her twin sister, Purity, was equally impressive, crossing the finish line in 1:05:56 to secure 11th place. She shaved 1 minute and 35 seconds off her previous personal best of 1:07:31, completing a remarkable day for the sisters as they both reached new milestones in their athletic careers.

Their performances highlighted the strength of Kenya's distance-running tradition while showcasing the individual talent and shared determination that have made the Gitonga twins athletes to watch. Competing on one of the world's fastest half-marathon courses, Caroline and Purity demonstrated their ability to translate hard training into significant improvements on the international stage.

Having a twin sister who understands the demands of elite athletics can provide a unique source of motivation. From the discipline required during training to the challenges of competing against the world's best, the sisters share a journey that extends beyond the finish line. Their latest achievements in Valencia offer another inspiring example of how ambition, perseverance, and mutual encouragement can drive athletes toward new heights.

For Caroline, finishing sixth in 1:04:59 represents another important step in her development, while Purity's 1:05:56 performance confirms her own impressive progress. Although they finished several places apart, their achievements tell the same powerful story: two athletes pushing their limits and continuing to improve against a highly competitive international field.

Valencia once again provided a stage for exceptional distance-running performances, and the Gitonga twins made the most of the opportunity. Their personal bests are not only a testament to their hard work but also an encouraging sign of what they could accomplish as they continue to gain experience and pursue even greater ambitions.

Two sisters, two personal bests, and one unforgettable day on the roads of Valencia. Caroline and Purity Gitonga have given Kenyan athletics another reason to celebrate, and their latest performances will undoubtedly strengthen interest in what the talented twins can achieve in the seasons ahead.

Australian endurance athlete Mick Marshall has achieved an extraordinary milestone at the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., setting a world record for the fastest marathon completed on crutches after crossing the finish line in an incredible 5:35:50.

Representing Altra as an elite athlete, Marshall demonstrated remarkable determination and perseverance throughout the 26.2-mile (42.195-kilometre) race, turning one of the world's most celebrated marathon events into a stage for an inspiring display of human resilience.

Completing a marathon is a demanding physical challenge for any athlete, requiring months of preparation, mental strength and the ability to push through fatigue. Covering the same distance on crutches presents a different set of challenges, placing considerable demands on the upper body, coordination and endurance. Marshall's achievement highlights the dedication required to overcome obstacles and pursue goals that many might consider beyond reach.

The Marine Corps Marathon, renowned for its patriotic atmosphere, enthusiastic spectators and scenic course through the nation's capital, provided a memorable setting for the record-breaking performance. As thousands of runners pursued their own finish-line goals, Marshall carved out a special place in the event's history with his remarkable effort.

Beyond the record itself, Marshall's achievement carries a message that resonates far beyond the running community. Every movement toward the finish line required determination, patience and an unwavering commitment to the challenge before him. His performance is a reminder that greatness is not measured solely by how quickly someone reaches a destination, but also by the courage it takes to pursue a goal despite the difficulties along the way. For aspiring athletes and anyone facing personal challenges, his accomplishment offers a powerful lesson in perseverance, self-belief and the importance of refusing to give up when the journey becomes difficult.

His performance also serves as a reminder that marathon running is about far more than finishing times and podium positions. It is a test of courage, commitment and the willingness to redefine personal limits. Marshall's accomplishment demonstrates that the spirit of distance running extends beyond conventional expectations, inspiring athletes and spectators alike to reconsider what is possible through determination and hard work.

Marshall's remarkable run also reinforces the inclusive spirit of distance running, where the finish line belongs to everyone willing to take on the challenge. Whether competing for a championship, chasing a personal best or simply striving to complete the distance, every runner has a story worth celebrating. By setting a world record on crutches at one of America's prominent marathon events, Marshall has added an unforgettable chapter to that story, encouraging others to look beyond perceived limitations and pursue their ambitions with renewed confidence.

For Marshall, the 5:35:50 finish represents more than a time on the clock. It marks an extraordinary personal achievement and a moment that celebrates perseverance, resilience and the determination to keep moving forward. His performance has brought renewed attention to the remarkable possibilities within endurance sport and the many different ways athletes can challenge expectations.

Marshall's achievement at the Marine Corps Marathon stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit, demonstrating that success is not always about having the easiest path, but about finding the strength to keep going. His 5:35:50 performance is a reminder that the finish line can represent much more than the completion of a race: it can symbolise courage, possibility and the extraordinary things people can accomplish when they refuse to give up.

The 23rd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon delivered a spectacular celebration of endurance, determination and competitive excellence on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as Abraham Kiptum and Mercy Kandie Rotich claimed the men's and women's 42km titles in a memorable showcase of Kenyan road-running talent.

With thousands of runners taking to Nairobi's Southern Bypass, the full marathon provided a compelling test of physical strength, tactical discipline and mental resilience. For the elite athletes at the front, every kilometre presented an opportunity to gain an advantage, while the demanding distance required unwavering concentration from the starting gun to the finish line at Uhuru Gardens.

In the men's race, Kiptum produced an impressive performance to secure victory in 2:10:35, narrowly missing the course record by just 23 seconds. The 37-year-old Kenyan demonstrated his experience and endurance throughout the contest, ultimately establishing himself as the strongest performer over the 42.195-kilometre distance.

Kiptum's victory was particularly significant given his recent return to competitive marathon running. The athlete from Kapsabet had continued rebuilding his career and arrived in Nairobi following victory at the CRDB International Marathon in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in August. His latest triumph provided another encouraging chapter in his return to the forefront of distance running.

The men's contest produced an exceptionally close battle for the remaining podium positions. Fellow Kenyan Amos Kipkemoi Cheruiyot finished second in 2:10:37, just two seconds behind the champion, while Mark Kibiwott secured third place in 2:11:05.

Dismas Kiplimo finished fourth in 2:11:15, followed by Henry Kiprono Togom, who completed the top five in 2:11:55. The depth of the leading performances underlined the quality of competition on a morning when the front-runners pushed each other towards impressive finishing times.

Kiptum's performance also highlighted the importance of consistency and preparation in marathon running. Having invested months in training, the experienced Kenyan delivered when it mattered most, navigating the course with the composure required to emerge victorious against a competitive field.

The women's 42km race was equally captivating, with Mercy Kandie Rotich claiming the championship in 2:31:25 after a determined performance over the challenging distance.

Rotich demonstrated resilience and composure as the race unfolded, maintaining her challenge through the later stages before securing the victory. Her performance earned her a place among the latest champions of one of Kenya's prominent annual road-running events.

The battle for the women's title was decided by the narrowest of margins. Peris Jerono finished second in 2:31:27, only two seconds behind Rotich, while Ruth Wakabu completed the podium in 2:31:36. The three leading women finished within just 11 seconds of one another, providing a dramatic conclusion to the contest.

Shyline Jepkorir placed fourth in 2:34:55, while Dorothy Kipkilach finished fifth in 2:36:38, rounding out the leading performers in the women's division.

The narrow margins between the leading athletes reflected the unpredictable nature of marathon racing, where pacing, endurance and the ability to respond under pressure can determine the outcome after more than 42 kilometres of competition.

Beyond the podium battles, the full marathon represented a celebration of the determination that defines long-distance running. Every athlete who took on the distance faced the challenge of managing energy, overcoming fatigue and maintaining the mental strength necessary to reach the finish line.

The Southern Bypass provided the setting for these performances, with the runners navigating the Nairobi course before completing their challenge at Uhuru Gardens. The event brought together elite competitors and recreational athletes, united by the ambition to test their limits over the classic marathon distance.

The 2026 edition once again demonstrated the enduring appeal of road racing in Kenya, a country internationally recognised for producing exceptional distance runners. It also offered a platform for athletes to pursue personal ambitions, compete for prestigious honours and showcase the depth of talent within Kenyan athletics.

For Kiptum and Rotich, however, the day belonged to the pursuit of victory. Their respective performances secured them the coveted men's and women's marathon crowns, while the fiercely contested podium finishes ensured that the 42km races delivered the drama and excitement expected of a major road-running championship.

As the 23rd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon concluded, the achievements of the two champions stood out as the defining moments of the full-marathon competition, celebrating not only speed and endurance but also the preparation, perseverance and competitive spirit required to conquer 42.195 kilometres.