Running News Daily

Here’s how even just a quick, casual jog can boost your mental and physical health.

As a runner, you might feel like you don’t have to add activity breaks throughout the day because you went for a run in the morning anyway, right? Well, the truth is a bit more granular. Studies suggest that taking 10-minute runs benefit everyone—no matter what pace you go—including those who are sedentary and those who are active. 

“Research shows that running even five to 10 minutes per day at slow speeds reduces all-cause mortality, as well as death from cardiovascular disease,” says Lindsay Ludlow, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist and runner based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

In fact, a number of studies, including the Copenhagen City Heart Study which followed more than 5,000 people, demonstrate that people who run at an easy to moderate pace between one and three hours every week live longer than both those who are sedentary and those who run faster and more frequently.

“If you’re training for a race and already running far more than 10 minutes on some days, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take those 10-minute easy run breaks,” Louise Valentine, M.P.H., C.S.C.S., author of The Art of Breaking Through tells Runner’s World. “We often see the ‘active couch potato’ complex, which means you work out regularly, but when you’re not working out, you have long periods of inactivity. You need those movement breaks for your health.”

Why All Runners Benefit from Jogging for 10 Minutes a Day

The benefits of activity throughout the day, especially after meals and while working at a sedentary job, stand out from say, training for a marathon. That’s because the goals of a training plan—to get faster or run a specific distance—are not the same as daily fitness and activity goals. These 10-minute runs offer similar advantages to brushing your teeth, getting enough rest, and eating well. They keep you healthy. 

One of the main reasons daily activity advances your overall wellbeing? It improves the health of your cells and fights off aging. We’re not talking about the superficial signs of aging, such as wrinkles or gray hair, but the more significant signs like disease-related symptoms. 

“There are 12 hallmarks of aging,” Andrew Ludlow, assistant professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, who studies cellular health and exercise, tells Runner’s World. “What’s good for your whole-body physiology is also good for your cells. While the primary hallmarks are out of our control, such as the passage of time and the genes you inherit, the secondary signs of aging are things over which we have control and include poor diet, poor sleep, and lack of physical activity.” 

Of course, researchers do not yet know whether there is a specific amount of exercise that is ideal for everyone. But when Ludlow and his team studied people over 50, they found that those with the healthiest cells were moderately to highly active. 

The bottom line is that, whatever your running habits, adding physical activity throughout your day, including easy to moderate 10-minute runs, will build up your antioxidant defense and promote an anti-inflammatory response, Ludlow adds. 

To figure out when to add these quick, easy runs to your schedule, here are the best times of day for added benefits. All you need to do is put on running shoes and get out the door, hop on your treadmill, or even run in place!

The Best Times To Do a 10-Minute Run

Soon After a Meal

According to a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis study published in Sports Medicine, women who did moderate or high-intensity exercise within 30 minutes after a meal had fewer spikes in their blood glucose levels. Similarly, a 2018 study published in Nutrients found that cycling at a light effort within 30 minutes of a meal reduced blood glucose levels. 

Those with type 2 diabetes may benefit more from high-intensity post-meal exercise than moderate exercise after eating, according to research. It may even reduce reliance on insulin, says Lindsay Ludlow. 

As Andrew Ludlow points out, intensity is often relative to the fitness level of an individual. A 10-minute walk is better than sitting, but runners might want to pick up the pace of their post-meal activity to reach that more moderate effort. 

When You’re Grumpy or Down

Both Valentine and Lindsay Ludlow recommend turning to short runs when you’re in a bad mood. “You’ll get an energy boost when you’re out in the sunshine and you will feel your mood elevate with a run,” says Valentine. 

Research bears this out. According to a 2022 PLoS One systematic review and meta-analysis, microbreaks—meaning scheduled times that interrupt extended sitting and focus—increase wellbeing, making people feel more attentive and energetic. Likewise, a 2021 Frontiers in Human Neuroscience article suggests that physical activity breaks reduce stress levels, while improving working memory in middle-aged adults. 

Why turn those breaks into runs? A 2021 scoping review published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that acute bouts of running between 10 to 60 minutes can improve mental health, and according to the researchers, it doesn’t matter whether you run on treadmills, a track, or outdoors. The runners involved in the studies included in the review were using the activity to ease symptoms related to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, and other mental health issues.

When You’re Ruminating Over a Problem

You’ve probably been there: Sitting at your laptop trying to figure out how to word an important email or struggling to add numbers. Guess what? That’s the perfect time for a run. 

Valentine says 10-minute runs are great for problem solving. And a 2021 study published in Nature found that a 10-minute single-bout of moderate-intensity running improves executive function, which relates to memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. In the study, researchers gave participants a series of tasks to measure reaction time and other skills. They concluded that running has stronger beneficial effects on mood and executive function than other physical activities, such as cycling, partly because it is a weight-bearing activity that requires coordination. 

When You Don’t Have Time to Train

A quick 10-minute run is far better for your training and health than simply not running at all, say the experts. 

To use a 10-minute run as a workout, Lindsay Ludlow suggests doing a three-minute warmup, four-minute hard effort, and three-minute cooldown. Another potential workout Lindsay Ludlow and Valentine recommend: a three-minute warmup, followed by three rounds of one minute hard and 30 seconds easy with a 2.5-minute cooldown. Valentine also suggests adding skipping and hip mobility moves to your 10-minute run.

Not all 10-minute runs have to be the same, Ludlow says. You can turn any 10-minute run into a training workout, whether you’re doing run-walk intervals or technique drills.

Some victories are measured by finish times. Others are defined by the obstacles overcome simply to reach the starting line.

For American Paralympic swimmer Ali Truwit, completing the New York City Marathon represented far more than covering 26.2 miles. It was the culmination of an extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and unwavering determination that began with a life-altering shark attack just two years earlier.

On a crisp November morning in 2025, Truwit crossed the iconic finish line wearing a carbon-fibre running blade, fulfilling a promise she had made while recovering in a hospital bed after losing her lower left leg. The emotional milestone marked another remarkable chapter in one of the most inspiring comeback stories in modern sport.

The road to that unforgettable finish began only days after Truwit celebrated a major personal achievement. In May 2023, she completed her first marathon in Copenhagen alongside her mother. Just ten days later, while enjoying a graduation trip to Turks and Caicos with former Yale swimming teammate Sophie Pilkinton, tragedy struck.

While the pair were snorkelling, a shark attacked Truwit, severely injuring her left leg. Displaying remarkable courage, the two swam approximately 55 metres back to their boat, where Pilkinton—then a medical student—quickly applied a tourniquet that stopped the bleeding and ultimately saved Truwit's life.

Doctors were forced to amputate her lower left leg on her 23rd birthday.

Even in the darkest moments of recovery, Truwit's determination never disappeared. Reflecting on having recently completed her first marathon, she joked with one of the first responders that at least she had managed to run a marathon before the attack. The responder's simple but powerful reply would remain with her throughout rehabilitation: "You'll run another one."

Those words became a source of hope during the long and demanding road back.

Only weeks after surgery, Truwit began learning to walk on a prosthetic limb before gradually returning to the swimming pool. The process was anything but straightforward. The water that had once been her sanctuary became a source of painful memories, yet she refused to allow fear to define her future.

Her relentless work ethic soon produced extraordinary results.

Less than 16 months after the attack, Truwit represented the United States at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, producing a sensational performance to claim both silver and bronze medals. Standing on the Paralympic podium was a powerful reminder of how far she had come in such a short period, and she dedicated those achievements to everyone who had helped save her life.

Still, another dream remained unfinished.

The New York City Marathon carried deep personal significance. It was not merely another endurance event but a symbolic return to the city where her life had changed forever. On November 2, 2025, she lined up in Staten Island accompanied by 13 family members and close friends, all proudly representing her nonprofit foundation, Stronger Than You Think. Among them was Pilkinton, the friend whose quick thinking had preserved her life on that unforgettable day in the Caribbean.

Together, they covered every mile of the marathon before celebrating an emotional finish that Truwit later described as being "over the moon."

Completing a marathon on a carbon-fibre running blade presents challenges far beyond those faced by able-bodied runners. The prosthetic demands greater strength from the hips, core, and remaining leg while requiring exceptional balance, coordination, and endurance. Truwit's preparation combined months of disciplined training, patience, and mental resilience as she effectively taught herself how to run again.

Her story extends well beyond medals and marathon finishes.

Inspired by her own recovery, Truwit founded Stronger Than You Think, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping individuals overcome physical and financial barriers following limb loss. Recognising that sports prosthetics can cost tens of thousands of dollars and are often not covered by insurance, the foundation provides financial assistance for prosthetic devices, supports water-safety education, and promotes opportunities within Paralympic sport.

The organisation has already helped provide more than 11 prosthetic limbs, delivered nearly $200,000 in direct support, and funded over 4,000 hours of water-safety lessons benefiting more than 700 young people.

Throughout her journey, Truwit has remained refreshingly honest about the emotional challenges that continue to accompany recovery. She has openly acknowledged that healing is an ongoing process and that grief can still come in waves. Rather than portraying an effortless comeback, she has demonstrated that resilience is built through persistence, even on the hardest days.

Her remarkable transformation resonates far beyond elite sport. While few people will ever experience the trauma she endured, countless runners and athletes understand the frustration of injury, disappointment, or rebuilding after adversity. Truwit's journey serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is rarely linear and that courage is often measured by the willingness to keep moving forward despite uncertainty.

Now looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, Truwit continues to redefine what is possible. She is no longer known simply as the swimmer who survived a shark attack. She has become a Paralympic medallist, marathon finisher, advocate, and symbol of resilience whose story continues to inspire athletes around the world.

Her journey proves that while life can change in an instant, so too can the strength of the human spirit. Sometimes the greatest triumph is not returning to the person you once were, but discovering someone even stronger than you ever imagined possible.

Sprint and hurdles superstar Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has entered an exciting new chapter in her remarkable life, welcoming her first child with husband Andre Levrone. The four-time Olympic champion and women's 400m hurdles world record holder announced the birth of their daughter, Savannah Michelle Levrone, who was born on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

The couple shared the joyful news with an emotional message celebrating the arrival of their daughter and expressing gratitude to everyone who supported them throughout the pregnancy. Sydney described Savannah as "our blessing and our joy," while expressing excitement and faith for the future that lies ahead for their growing family.

The announcement marks a deeply personal milestone for one of the most accomplished athletes of her generation. Renowned for redefining the women's 400m hurdles through a succession of record-breaking performances, McLaughlin-Levrone now embraces a new role beyond the track as a mother.

The timing of the announcement adds another layer of significance. Just days earlier, Sydney reflected on the 10th anniversary of qualifying for her first Olympic Games at only 16 years old—a breakthrough that launched one of the most decorated careers in modern athletics. Ten years later, her journey has come full circle with another life-changing milestone, underscoring that her greatest moments continue to extend beyond sporting success.

The arrival of Savannah Michelle Levrone has been met with an outpouring of congratulations from athletes, fans, and the wider sporting community, who have celebrated the couple as they begin this new chapter together. As Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone steps into motherhood, the athletics world will undoubtedly continue to follow her inspiring journey—both on and off the track.

Ethiopia's Tsige Gebreselama produced one of the standout road running performances of the season on Sunday, storming to victory at the prestigious Boilermaker Road Race 15K in Utica, New York, with a sensational course record of 47:29.

From the opening kilometers, Gebreselama controlled the race with remarkable composure and precision, maintaining a relentless pace that ultimately erased the previous course record and secured one of the fastest performances ever recorded on the historic course. Her commanding display further reinforced her reputation as one of the world's leading road and distance runners.

The Ethiopian celebration continued as Melknat Wudu crossed the finish line in second place in 47:44, completing a dominant one-two finish for her country. Kenya's Priscah Cherono claimed third in 48:14 after a determined effort, rounding out a world-class podium in a race featuring some of the finest distance runners on the international circuit.

The battle behind the podium remained fiercely competitive. Kenya's Everlyn Kemboi finished fourth in 48:28, narrowly ahead of compatriot Selah Busienei, who clocked 48:31 for fifth. Ethiopia's Netsanet Desta and Alem Nigus Tsadik followed in sixth and seventh respectively, while Kenya's Mercy Cherono secured eighth place.

American athletes also delivered encouraging performances on home roads. Veteran Stephanie Bruce finished ninth in 50:40, with Jackie Gaughan completing the top ten in 51:02 to cap a strong showing for the host nation.

Boilermaker Road Race 15K – Women's Top 10 Results

1. Tsige Gebreselama (Ethiopia) – 47:29 (Course Record)

2. Melknat Wudu (Ethiopia) – 47:44

3. Priscah Cherono (Kenya) – 48:14

4. Everlyn Kemboi (Kenya) – 48:28

5. Selah Busienei (Kenya) – 48:31

6. Netsanet Desta (Ethiopia) – 48:46

7. Alem Nigus Tsadik (Ethiopia) – 48:48

8. Mercy Cherono (Kenya) – 50:23

9. Stephanie Bruce (United States) – 50:40

10. Jackie Gaughan (United States) – 51:02

The women's race combined exceptional depth with remarkable speed, as several athletes broke the 49-minute barrier in a contest that showcased the global strength of elite road running. Gebreselama's record-breaking run now stands as a new benchmark in the rich history of the Boilermaker 15K, adding another memorable chapter to one of the United States' most celebrated road races.

Kenya's Alex Matata delivered a sensational performance to claim the men's title at the prestigious Boilermaker Road Race 15K in Utica, New York, producing a dominant run that underlined his growing reputation as one of the world's finest road racers.

Matata surged to victory in an outstanding time of 42:24, mastering the demanding course with a display of strength, speed, and tactical brilliance. His commanding performance secured a memorable triumph in one of the United States' most celebrated road races, adding another significant international victory to his career.

Kenya's success was further highlighted by Kiprono Sitonik, who produced an equally impressive run to finish second in 42:53, completing a remarkable one-two finish for the East African nation. South Africa's Adam Lipschitz rounded out the podium after clocking 43:14 to claim third place following a determined effort.

The race featured a highly competitive international field, with American athletes Reid Buchanan and Hillary Bor finishing fourth and fifth respectively, while another Kenyan, Victor Shitsama, added to his country's strong showing by taking sixth place.

Matata's victory once again showcased Kenya's enduring strength in global road racing, as its athletes continued to dominate major international competitions through exceptional endurance, tactical awareness, and relentless finishing speed. His performance in Utica not only thrilled the spectators lining the streets but also reinforced the depth of Kenyan distance running on the world stage.

Men's Top 10 Results – Boilermaker Road Race 15K

1. Alex Matata (Kenya) – 42:24

2. Kiprono Sitonik (Kenya) – 42:53

3. Adam Lipschitz (South Africa) – 43:14

4. Reid Buchanan (United States) – 43:38

5. Hillary Bor (United States) – 43:40

6. Victor Shitsama (Kenya) – 44:02

7. Futsum Zienasellassie (United States) – 44:32

8. Charlie Sweeney (United States) – 44:37

9. Sam Lawler (United States) – 44:54

10. Tyler Berg (United States) – 45:08

With another major road racing title added to his résumé, Alex Matata continued his impressive 2026 campaign while reinforcing his status as one of the leading names on the international road racing circuit. The Boilermaker 15K once again delivered a high-quality contest, with athletes from across the globe producing memorable performances in one of the United States' most prestigious road races.

Eliud Kipchoge's remarkable World Tour continued on Brazilian soil as the Kenyan marathon icon completed the New Balance 42K Porto Alegre Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:18:39 to place 12th overall during the second stop of his ambitious seven-continent global running tour.

Competing against a strong international field, the two-time Olympic marathon champion displayed the resilience and determination that have defined his legendary career. While the result was not among the victories that have made him one of the greatest marathon runners in history, Kipchoge once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment that continues to inspire athletes and fans across the globe.

Morocco's Zineddine Ouria claimed victory in a superb 2:08:49, with Kipchoge finishing 9 minutes and 50 seconds behind the race winner after navigating the demanding course in Porto Alegre.

Kipchoge began the race with controlled and confident pacing, reaching 5km in 15:34 before passing the halfway mark in 1:05:07. As the race entered its decisive stages, the pace gradually slowed, but the veteran marathoner pressed on with characteristic determination, completing the 42.195-kilometre challenge in 2:18:39.

For many, the story will be told through the finishing position. But for those who truly understand greatness, this journey is about far more than medals, records, or podium finishes. Kipchoge's World Tour is a celebration of the sport itself—an opportunity to connect with runners across every continent, inspire the next generation, and continue living by the philosophy that has become synonymous with his career: "No Human Is Limited."

The Brazilian appearance also carried added significance, coming shortly after Kipchoge was permanently honoured in Porto Alegre with his footprints unveiled at the entrance of Parque Harmonia—a lasting tribute to his extraordinary impact on distance running and his enduring legacy in the sport.

Once a champion. Forever an inspiration. Legends do not stop inspiring when the victories become fewer; they inspire because they never stop showing up. Through every stride, every finish line, and every challenge embraced, Kipchoge continues to prove that true greatness is measured not only by what an athlete wins, but by the lives they touch along the way.

With the second stop of his World Tour now complete, Kipchoge will turn his attention to the next chapter of his global adventure when he lines up at the Melbourne Marathon in Australia this October. Wherever he races, millions will once again follow the journey of a man whose legacy extends far beyond the stopwatch.