Running News Daily

Alexi Pappas is a busy woman. She’s equally glamorous and raw. She’s perfectly grounded and living in a fantasy. As an Olympian, filmmaker, writer, and speaker, she’s rarely in one place for very long. And the Leadville Trail 100 race was very much not on her radar even two months ago. But then she got an email.

“My manager sent me a message in June saying, ‘Just got word that Coros has an entry for Leadville,’” she recalls. “‘Let’s discuss this week and if it makes sense to run. I think it would be fun and epic, but let’s do whatever feels best and right to you.’”

For the 32-year-old Pappas, it feels like there are two kinds of goals to shoot for—the ones you set for yourself that feel like they were born with you. And then the ones that take you completely by surprise. Leadville is the latter.

In the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Pappas set a national record in the 10,000 meters, representing Greece. After being an All-American collegiate runner for Dartmouth and Oregon, her long-time Olympic dream came true, and it opened all kinds of doors for her. It also allowed her to have the freedom to explore those unexpected opportunities.

“I feel like there’s a period of time in your life as an athlete where you chase goals that you have for yourself. Maybe you have an Olympic dream. Maybe you want to run a fast mile. Then there’s a time when you can begin to embrace things that the universe brings to you, and not the ones you necessarily had in mind for yourself.”

She’s Still Immersed in Running

Pappas is a legit runner, having run that Olympic 10K at 5:05 mile pace and also clocking a 2:34 marathon in 2020. Although she’s backed away from competitive track and road racing, she’s still immersed in the sport in numerous ways. She ran the 2022 New York City Marathon in a custom bedazzled costume and paced Diplo, aka renowned DJ and music producer Thomas Wesley Pentz, through the 2023 Los Angeles Marathon in March.

Although she’s recently made a foray into trail running, Pappas, who lives near sea level in Alameda, California, admits that she’s less than perfectly prepared going into the Leadville 100. The out-and-back race, which begins at 4 A.M. on August 19 and has a 30-hour cutoff time, is situated between 9,200 and 12,500 feet above sea level.

“It’s a big honor [to be given entry into the race]. And it’s one I take seriously, but also I’m not in peak condition for this race. So I’ve been thinking a lot about it as a kind of mysterious unknown. What might happen? What might be possible? I do believe in myself.”

Pappas’ longest race to date is the Hoka Bandera Endurance Trail 100K, which she did in January. “For that event I entered the day before,” she admits. “So I didn’t have a crew. I didn’t even have a headlamp. I used my cell phone light.” Although she fared pretty well (finishing 12th in 12:08), Pappas learned that ultra events are more about solo adventure, with lots of other people solo-adventuring at the same time. Different from running in the pack on a track, where the whole point is to stay with the group.

And this time around Pappas will have a pacer, Michael Mitchell, and a crew to help her through aid stations and with motivation. “I feel like Michael is the right balance of personality and experience,” she says. “And my best friend since we were two-years-old will be there to crew, so I’ll have lots to look forward to. I figure we’ll make an event of it.”

Mitchell, accomplished On Running trail athlete and TikTok personality, is stoked to be part of Pappas’ race. “I am very excited to help Alexi attempt this incredible feat,” he says. “The Leadville 100 holds a special place in my heart as it was the first ultramarathon I ran.”

Mitchell’s experience in the race in 2021 solidified his love for the ultramarathon atmosphere and community. “I’m a fan of Alexi and all that she represents,” he adds. “Not only do I think she will be able to finish the race, but I know it will inspire her to continue her successes in the running world and beyond.”

Jumping at New Opportunities

Even though Pappas doesn’t feel perfectly prepared for what she’s about to embark on, that’s part of the fun. “I just don’t think this opportunity will happen for me again,” she says. “There are some opportunities that feel like you’ll be able to have them a million times. But this isn’t one of those. This is more like the Olympics. I have friends who said that about the Olympics—that they’d do it next time—and then their sport was taken out of the Olympics.”

Sometimes you have to jump at the chance, even when the thing you’re jumping at is 100 miles in the high alpine of Colorado.

Pappas lost her mother when she was just 4-years-old, and has a friend who has also lost a parent. “My friend told me that our parents would do anything to be in nature for one more day, and he suggested I think about that when [the race] feels long. To have gratitude for simply being alive in the beautiful outdoors, moving about nature, moving from one loving friend and food stop to the next, with plenty of trees in between.”

As soon as Pappas finishes Leadville, she’ll be onto the next thing, but she’s going to enjoy the journey as much as possible.

“I have a new book coming out two days after race day,” she says. “So I’ll come home and not be able to walk and just do the book release as well as I can.”

The book, Bravey, is an updated version of her 2021 New York Times best-selling memoir that’s been adapted  especially toward young readers. She talks about unique experiences, like making her Olympic debut as a distance runner, but also common stresses like learning about compassion, forgiveness, and loss.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden delivered a sensational performance in Budapest, storming to victory in the women’s 100m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in a breathtaking 10.62 seconds.

The American produced a superb display of acceleration and composure to claim the World Ultimate Championship title while recording the fastest women’s 100m time in the world this year. Her 10.62 mark underlined her exceptional form and placed her firmly at the top of the global sprinting hierarchy.

Jefferson-Wooden controlled the race through the decisive stages and maintained her form all the way to the finish to secure a statement victory against a field packed with championship pedigree. She crossed the line ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who clocked 10.74 seconds with a -0.2 m/s wind, while Sha’Carri Richardson took third in 10.76.

Women’s 100m Final

1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden — 10.62

2. Julien Alfred — 10.74 (-0.2 m/s)

3. Sha’Carri Richardson — 10.76

The victory was especially significant given the quality of the opposition. Jefferson-Wooden held her nerve against Alfred and Richardson, two of the most accomplished sprinters of the current generation, to produce the fastest performance in the world this year when it mattered most.

Alfred once again demonstrated her consistency at the highest level by taking silver, while Richardson completed an all-star podium in a race that brought together three of the biggest names in women’s sprinting.

But beyond the time, the title and the celebration, one of the most touching moments came after the race when Jefferson-Wooden embraced her father, Melvin, in an emotional celebration.

Their moment carried a deeply personal meaning. When Melissa was just 17 years old, she donated her stem cells to help her father undergo a bone marrow transplant after he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Years later, the two shared an unforgettable embrace in Budapest after she had become the World Ultimate Champion.

For Jefferson-Wooden, however, the evening was about far more than a medal. It was the culmination of an extraordinary journey, now highlighted by a world-leading 10.62 seconds on one of the biggest stages in athletics.

With the Ultimate Championship title secured and her father by her side, Jefferson-Wooden leaves Budapest with more than being an ultimate champion. She leaves with momentum, confidence and a powerful statement of intent — turning a high-profile showdown into one of the defining sprint performances of her season.

Audrey Werro has added another major title to her extraordinary season, storming to victory in the women’s 800m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

The Swiss star delivered a commanding performance, taking control from the opening gun and refusing to surrender the lead as she powered through an absorbing battle against two of the biggest names in the event.

Werro stopped the clock at 1:55.88 to become the Ultimate Championships 800m champion, producing another statement performance on one of the sport’s newest and most prestigious stages.

Behind her, Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson fought her way to second in 1:56.26, while the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders-Bol completed the podium in 1:56.74.

The result once again brought together the same formidable trio that featured on the podium at the European Championships, but Werro again proved to be the athlete who could rise above the challenge when it mattered most.

Her Budapest triumph is the latest chapter in a season that has already included records, a successful Diamond League Trophy defence and European Championship gold. Now, she can add the Ultimate Championships crown to a growing list of accomplishments.

Werro’s consistency has been particularly impressive in an 800m event packed with elite talent. Rather than simply relying on a fast finish, the Swiss athlete showed her authority by taking the initiative from the beginning and maintaining enough strength and composure to hold off Hodgkinson and Broeders-Bol all the way to the line.

The victory also underlined the remarkable depth of the women’s 800m, with three athletes separated by less than a second at the finish. Hodgkinson’s 1:56.26 and Broeders-Bol’s 1:56.74 showed just how fiercely contested the race was, but Werro’s decision to dictate the pace ultimately gave her the decisive advantage.

For Werro, this was more than another medal. It was another opportunity to demonstrate that her rise is no passing moment. On a stage featuring established champions and elite rivals, she once again produced the performance required to claim the biggest prize.

For Hodgkinson, the silver medal adds another major podium finish, while Broeders-Bol once again demonstrated her ability to compete with the very best over two laps.

But the spotlight in Budapest belonged unmistakably to Werro.

With another championship crown secured, the Swiss star has strengthened her claim as the athlete setting the standard in women’s 800m running. This is Audrey Werro’s era — and the rest of the field is chasing.

Busang Collen Kebinatshipi has delivered another sensational performance, storming to victory in the men’s 400m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The reigning world champion stopped the clock at an astonishing 43.39 seconds, smashing his own Botswana national record and moving to fifth on the world all-time list.

Kebinatshipi produced a commanding finish to pull away from his rivals and secure the Ultimate Championship title. American star Rai Benjamin finished second in 44.15, while Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago completed the podium in 44.23.

 Men’s 400m

1. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi — 43.39 NR

2. Rai Benjamin — 44.15

3. Jereem Richards — 44.23

The performance is even more remarkable considering that Kebinatshipi had already rewritten the Botswana record just one week ago in Brussels, where he ran 43.40. In Budapest, he lowered that mark by another 0.01 seconds to establish a new national record of 43.39.

That improvement has also propelled the 22-year-old into rare territory. His latest time now ranks him fifth fastest in history over 400m, placing him among an extraordinary group of athletes who have broken the 43.40 barrier.

Kebinatshipi's victory also caps an extraordinary season for the Botswana star. After establishing himself as a global champion, he has continued to demonstrate that he belongs among the very best one-lap runners in the world.

And there is a major reward for his historic night in Budapest: Kebinatshipi walks away as the Ultimate Champion and $150,000 richer.

From another national record to a place among the five fastest 400m runners ever, Kebinatshipi has turned an already remarkable season into something truly special.

Botswana has its latest sprinting superstar — and Kebinatshipi is showing that his ceiling may be even higher than anyone imagined. 

Marileidy Paulino once again proved why she is the undisputed queen of the one-lap event, powering to victory in the women’s 400m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The Dominican Republic superstar produced a sensational 49.07 seconds to claim gold, pulling decisively away in the final straight and holding off a fiercely competitive field to extend her remarkable unbeaten run.

Paulino delivered her trademark combination of controlled speed and devastating finishing strength. She remained firmly in contention through the opening stages before unleashing her decisive move down the home straight, where she quickly opened a gap on her closest challengers.

Norway’s Henriette Jæger mounted a strong challenge but could not match Paulino’s finishing speed, crossing the line second in an impressive 49.28. Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce completed the podium after clocking 49.56, ensuring that three of the world’s leading 400m talents occupied the medals.

The result once again underlined Paulino’s extraordinary consistency at the highest level. She entered Budapest as the world leader after running 48.48 in Paris in June, a performance that also set a Diamond League record. She subsequently remained unbeaten throughout her Diamond League campaign, closing the circuit with a meeting-record 48.64 in Brussels.

Budapest has also become a special venue in Paulino’s career. Three years ago, at the same National Athletics Centre, she captured her first individual world title, marking the beginning of another dominant chapter in her career. She later added Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, further establishing herself among the defining 400m athletes of her generation.

The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship has brought together the sport’s biggest stars in a new winner-takes-the-spotlight format, with Olympic and world champions, Diamond League winners and leading performers competing for ultimate honours.

For Paulino, the occasion once again ended with Ultimate Crown on her arms.

With 49.07 seconds, she did more than win another major 400m title. She delivered another statement of authority, powering through the final straight with the confidence and speed that have made her one of the most dominant figures in modern women’s athletics.

Marileidy Paulino remains unbeaten, remains relentless and, once again, remains the queen of the one lap.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen has made a major decision regarding the remainder of his World Athletics Ultimate Championship campaign, confirming that he will withdraw from the men’s 1500m in Budapest despite producing a sensational performance to win the 5,000m title.

The Norwegian superstar stormed to victory in the inaugural Ultimate Championship 5,000m on Friday night, clocking a season-best 12:59.24 and delivering a devastating finishing kick to defeat Olympic 5,000m champion Cole Hocker and American Parker Wolfe.

Ingebrigtsen’s final 100 metres was arguably the defining moment of the race. The Olympic champion produced a remarkable 12.60-second closing 100m, powering away from the field to secure the $150,000 winner’s prize and underline just how far his fitness has progressed since returning from Achilles surgery.

The victory was particularly significant after what has been an extremely difficult period for the 25-year-old. Earlier in the season, Ingebrigtsen faced serious uncertainty over whether he would even be able to compete at the highest level again. His return has gradually gathered momentum, and his performance in Budapest offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that the Norwegian is rediscovering his formidable racing ability.

But rather than risk pushing his recovering body further, Ingebrigtsen has now opted to step away from the 1500m.

The decision means the highly anticipated showdown with British rival Josh Kerr will not take place in Budapest after all. The two stars had been expected to renew one of the biggest rivalries in modern middle-distance running in the 1500m final.

Instead, Ingebrigtsen is looking beyond the immediate opportunity and towards the bigger picture.

“I’m thinking about 2027… Fitness cannot be faked,” the Norwegian said, signalling that protecting his long-term condition has become more important than chasing another major victory only days after his return to peak-level competition.

The decision comes just one week after an emotionally charged Diamond League Final in Brussels, where Ingebrigtsen finished fourth in the 1500m behind Australia’s Cameron Myers, Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech and American Ethan Strand.

After that race, Ingebrigtsen delivered a fiery assessment of his rivals and questioned the tactics surrounding the pacemaking, particularly involving Hocker. He later acknowledged that there had been “a little too much adrenaline and emotion” when microphones were placed in front of him immediately after the race.

Yet his latest decision shows that beneath the emotion and competitive intensity lies a longer-term strategy.

Ingebrigtsen has already demonstrated that he can compete at an elite level again. His 12:59.24 in Budapest was not simply a victory — it was a statement that the Norwegian remains capable of producing a world-class finish even after months of injury rehabilitation.

Now, however, he is choosing not to gamble with that progress.

For a runner who has spent much of the year fighting his way back from injury, another 1500m race could have offered enormous rewards but also carried unnecessary risk. By withdrawing, Ingebrigtsen is effectively prioritising longevity over one more opportunity for immediate glory.

His message is clear: the comeback is underway, but it will not be rushed.

The 5,000m victory has given Ingebrigtsen confidence, momentum and perhaps, most importantly, proof that his body can once again handle elite competition.

Now comes the harder part — knowing when to stop.

With 2027 already firmly in his sights, the Norwegian has chosen recovery over risk. And after everything he has endured, that could ultimately prove to be one of the most important decisions of his comeback.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is not walking away from the sport. He is protecting his future in it.