Running News Daily

Here’s what experts say about the causes of that uncomfortable, tingling sensation and how to cope with it.

As a runner, you try to prepare for everything: You have a waterproof jacket for that 60 percent chance of rain, anti-blister socks, and a supply of gel packs for Saturday long runs. However, something that you may be less prepared for is relentless itching and tingling.

Known as “runner’s itch,” this sensation makes hitting the road uncomfortable for many runners, especially those just starting out or getting back into a running routine. 

“Runner’s itch wasn’t something that was particularly researched and documented before the 1950s, but it’s been consistently described in literature in some way since about the 70s,” says Braden Romer, Ph.D., an associate professor of exercise science at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. “We’ve seen the prevalence go up as there are more individuals taking part in physical activity. I run into it quite often when dealing with athletes.” 

If you want to run more but can’t stand the urge to stop and scratch, here’s what to know about runner’s itch and how to soothe it.

What causes runner’s itch?

The causes of runner’s itch may range from minor inconveniences to more serious health conditions. Although more research is needed to fully understand what triggers this sensation, here are five potential causes. 

1. Dry or Irritated Skin

Both humidity and dryness in the air can lead to runner’s itch. 

“If you sweat a lot or if it’s very humid or raining, and your clothes get wet, you run the risk of skin irritation or itchiness,” says Melissa Kendter, C.P.T., a Philadelphia-based United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA) running coach. 

Meanwhile, another common cause is dry air and dry skin. Friction from running can exacerbate this and cause unpleasant itching.

“Some research has suggested hydration is a factor as well,” says Romer. “If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin gets dry and itches. When you begin to workout, especially with workout clothes, that may trigger an effect as well.”

Running can also exacerbate eczema, a group of inflammatory skin conditions that lead to issues like itchiness and dry skin. 

“If you’re prone to eczema, exercise might make it worse,” says Minneapolis-based William Roberts, M.D. chief medical officer of the American College of Sports Medicine and former director of the sports medicine program at the University of Minnesota Medical School. “If you notice a skin rash, talk to your doctor.”

2. Histamine Release

A predominant theory behind runner’s itch is a histamine release at the onset of exercise, says Romer. Aerobic or endurance exercise can generate a localized anaphylactic reaction within the exercised muscle tissue, which causes histamine release, per a 2017 study in Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 

“There’s some research to suggest that the itching may be related to histamine release at the onset of exercise, particularly in high-intensity exercise,” Romer explains. “If somebody hasn’t been working out or running, or they haven’t warmed up and jump right into a high-intensity workout, that may be triggering a greater histamine release from within the muscle cells.”

This histamine release, in turn, could cause that uncomfortable and itchy feeling. 

2. Blood Vessel Expansion

When you run, blood flow increases to your tissues, causing vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels). One theory is that the increased size of your capillaries causes an itching sensation.

“The capillaries start to expand, which may send a triggering response to some of the nerve fibers around that area,” says Romer. You may be more prone to this if you haven’t run for a while or are just starting out.

“This typically can happen for newer runners or ones getting back into the routine of running, because their bodies aren’t adept at this process,” says Kendter. “If your fitness routine has been put on the back burner for some time, you have a higher risk.”

However, this theory does have its skeptics. Romer adds that there are multiple pathways that have been proposed for runner’s itch and the symptom is not well understood. This was evident even in the differing opinions among the experts we spoke to—Roberts, for instance, has doubts that vasodilation could cause itching.

The bottom line: Though runner’s itch could potentially be related to blood flow, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this process.

4. Exercise-Induced Urticaria

In more rare cases, allergic responses to exercise can cause severe symptoms. Exercise-induced urticaria is a rare clinical condition that causes flushing, itchiness, and hives after a workout, per a March 2022 single case study in Cureus. A minority of patients can even develop anaphylaxis, which is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. 

“Exercise-induced anaphylaxis can cause a fast heart rate and potentially the swelling of the throat and blocking of the airways,” says Roberts.

About 30 to 50 percent of exercise-induced anaphylaxis is food dependent, meaning it only occurs with the combination of a specific food and exercise, per another single case study, published in 2017 in Canadian Family Physician. 

Many different types of food have been found to have a triggering effect, including wheat, shellfish, nuts, tomatoes, peanuts, fish, pork, beef, mushrooms, hazelnuts, eggs, peaches, apples, milk, and alcohol.

If you suspect you’re experiencing urticaria, it’s important to see your physician to start a treatment program. This could include taking antihistamines before you run and carrying an EpiPen with you. If you do experience allergic reactions, it’s best to run with a buddy who knows how to help if you have a reaction. 

People with severe cases of exercise-induced urticaria may need to avoid certain types of exercise and foods (or, rarely, exercise altogether). 

5. Cholinergic Urticaria

Another condition that could be the cause of itching is cholinergic urticaria, which is characterized by itching and/or a stinging pain, redness, and bumps. 

Think of this as a heat-triggered reaction: Symptoms develop after an increased body temperature has been stimulated repeatedly, such as through exercise, per a 2023 review in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.

“This is also pretty rare,” says Roberts. “It’s a response to the skin warming that occurs with running.” 

Cholinergic urticaria is often associated with serious symptoms like anaphylaxis and severe pain. This condition comes on very quickly and may also involve an antihistamine treatment plan. Your doctor may conduct testing to confirm that you’re experiencing cholinergic urticaria, which may involve raising the body temperature through exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. 

Who’s most prone to runner’s itch?

When it comes to everyday runner’s itch that’s not related to a more serious medical condition like exercise-induced urticaria or cholinergic urticaria, runners who are just starting out or who haven’t exercised in a while may be more likely to experience it. 

“I’ve seen this with athletes who have taken time off,” says Romer. “My wife also struggles with runner’s itch quite a bit. If she takes some time off from high-intensity runs for a bit, especially in the winter, it really gets after her for the first few workouts.” 

If the itching is due to dry skin, factors like age, climate (think desert-like climates with low humidity or cold climates with heavy wind), genetics, or health conditions like eczema or diabetes can play a role, per the Cleveland Clinic. You may also experience more dry, itchy skin during the winter or if you’re not drinking enough water. 

How can you sooth runner’s itch?

For many people, runner’s itch will fade away with regular exercise, unless it’s a symptom of a more serious condition. “It generally subsides relatively quickly after several workout sessions or modifying hydration intake,” says Romer. 

You can also aim to soothe runner’s itch by properly easing into your run.“Do a good warmup so your body has a gradual increase in temperature and the blood gets flowing to the muscles in advance, rather than a rapid increase,” says Kendter.

Try to keep running throughout the year: Although the first couple of weeks may feel uncomfortable, if you stay consistent and allow your body to adapt to your routine, you’re less likely to experience the itch. 

Staying properly hydrated and using a moisturizer to soothe dry skin can also help. Roberts recommends moisturizing creams like Vanicream, which is available over the counter. 

All of this said, talk to your doctor if runner’s itch continues for you or if symptoms are severe—say, it’s accompanied by rash or hives, is extremely painful, or continues/worsens over time.

“If it becomes a chronic response, where you’re not seeing a diminished response even if you’ve been able to regularly exercise, see a physician,” says Romer. 

Jakob Ingebrigtsen brought his remarkable 2026 season to a fitting close on home soil, winning the men’s street 1500m at the inaugural Runfest Norway in Sandnes on Friday.

Competing in front of an enthusiastic hometown crowd, the Olympic and world champion took control of the race from the early stages and maintained his authority through the finish, stopping the clock at 3:40.7.

Andreas Fjeld Halvorsen followed in second in 3:43.3, while Sigurd Tveit completed the podium in 3:47.8.

The unusual street race added another dimension to the occasion, with 273 runners taking part on the same road and sharing the course with one of Norway’s most accomplished distance runners. For the recreational participants, it offered a rare opportunity to compete alongside Ingebrigtsen in an event that brought elite athletics and mass participation together.

The victory also provided a fitting final chapter to a season that began with significant uncertainty for Ingebrigtsen. After undergoing major Achilles surgery in February, the Norwegian was forced to miss a substantial portion of the summer campaign as he worked his way back to full fitness.

His return, however, quickly developed into another championship-winning chapter. In Birmingham, Ingebrigtsen captured European 5,000m gold before adding another major title at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, where he won the 5,000m.

Those performances transformed what could have been a disrupted season into another year defined by championship success and a determined return to the highest level.

Now, with the Sandnes victory added to his 2026 record, Ingebrigtsen closes the year exactly where it began in spirit — overcoming adversity, rebuilding his form and once again competing at the front.

From Achilles surgery in February to major championship victories and finally a 1500m win before his hometown crowd, the Norwegian has given his 2026 season a memorable final scene.

Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell has announced her engagement to longtime partner Robert “Robbie” Springfield, adding a major personal milestone to the remarkable journey of one of America’s leading track and field stars.

Russell shared the news with her followers, revealing that Springfield had proposed and that she had accepted. Reflecting on their relationship, the Olympic champion described him as her best friend and expressed her excitement about spending the rest of her life with him.

The couple’s relationship dates back to their college years at the University of Kentucky, where both were student-athletes and competed in track and field. Russell established herself as a standout hurdler, while Springfield competed in the long jump, giving them a shared understanding of the demands, sacrifices and pressures that come with pursuing success in athletics.

Springfield has since transitioned from competition into coaching. A former collegiate long jumper, he is now part of the coaching staff at Morehead State University, where he works with the programme’s sprinters and jumpers.

Their relationship has developed alongside Russell’s rise to the top of the sport. The defining moment of her career came at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she captured gold in the women’s 100m hurdles, securing her place among the sport’s Olympic champions.

Away from competition, Springfield has remained a familiar part of Russell’s journey, sharing in the demanding periods of training and competition that accompanied her pursuit of Olympic success. Their connection has consequently grown from a college athletics relationship into a long-term partnership.

The engagement now marks another significant chapter for Russell, this time away from the track. After reaching the pinnacle of her sporting career in Paris, the 100m hurdles champion is beginning a new phase of her personal life alongside a partner who has been part of her journey since their university days.

From competing on the same collegiate stage to building a future together, Russell and Springfield’s story has evolved alongside two careers shaped by track and field. The Olympic champion will now balance this new personal chapter with her continuing ambitions in athletics

The women’s race at the 2026 TCS Amsterdam Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years, with a deep international field set to take on the fast Dutch course on Sunday, October 18.

At the centre of the contest will be four Ethiopian athletes who have already broken the 2:20 barrier, creating the prospect of a fascinating battle for victory and a possible assault on the course record of 2:16:52.

Defending champion Aynalem Desta will return to Amsterdam looking to retain her title after producing the biggest performance of her career at last year’s 50th edition. Desta won in a personal best of 2:17:37, establishing herself among the leading marathoners in the field and setting the benchmark for this year’s contenders.

Standing in her way will be fellow Ethiopian Meseret Belete Tola, a former Amsterdam champion who knows exactly what it takes to succeed on the course. Belete Tola captured the 2023 edition in 2:18:21, and her return adds another layer of experience and proven quality to an already formidable lineup.

The field also includes Mestawut Fikir Truneh, who arrives with an impressive marathon pedigree. Truneh finished runner-up at the 2024 Berlin Marathon in 2:18:48, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level on one of the world's major marathon stages.

Completing the quartet of sub-2:20 Ethiopians is Buze Diriba, whose personal best of 2:19:34 places her firmly among the leading contenders. With four athletes possessing credentials below 2:20, the race is likely to develop into a tightly contested battle from the opening kilometres.

The depth extends well beyond the leading quartet. Desi Jisa Mokonin, representing Bahrain, Yeshi Kalayu Chekole of Ethiopia and Nazret Weldu Gebrehiwet of Eritrea have all established themselves as serious marathon competitors with performances approaching the 2:20 mark.

Another major name to watch is Abeba Aregawi, the former 1500m world champion representing Sweden. Aregawi has successfully transferred her talents to the marathon and made headlines earlier this year by setting a Swedish national record of 2:23:12 on her debut. Her presence adds another intriguing dimension to an already high-quality field.

Amsterdam’s marathon course has consistently provided an opportunity for elite athletes to produce fast times, and this year’s women’s lineup has the depth to turn the race into a genuine test of both championship racing and outright speed.

With four athletes already inside 2:20, two former Amsterdam champions returning to the start line and several other accomplished marathoners ready to challenge them, the battle is expected to remain open deep into the race.

The ultimate target will be the Amsterdam women’s course record of 2:16:52. Whether the leading contenders can threaten that mark remains to be seen, but the quality assembled for October 18 ensures that the record will be firmly in the spotlight when the race reaches its spectacular finish inside the Olympic Stadium.

The 2026 Valencia Half Marathon is shaping up to be a thrilling contest of speed, endurance and tactical brilliance, with some of the world’s finest road runners set to converge in Spain on October 25.

Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo and Alex Matata will be among the leading contenders, facing a formidable Ethiopian challenge spearheaded by Jemal Yimer and Tadese Worku. The field also features Rodrigue Kwizera, who boasts the fastest personal best among the leading entrants at 58:16.

Ebenyo arrives with a personal best of 59:04, placing him firmly among the athletes capable of sustaining a demanding pace over the 21.1-kilometre distance. Matata, who owns a 59:11 best, adds further Kenyan strength, while Andrea Kiptoo brings another sub-60-minute credential to the race.

Yimer has already established himself as one of the fastest athletes in the field with a 58:33 personal best, while Worku has clocked 58:35. Kenya’s Owen Korir, with a best of 58:58, further underlines the remarkable depth of the men's lineup.

Valencia Half Marathon 2026 Entries

1. Rodrigue Kwizera (Spain) — 58:16

2. Jemal Yimer (Ethiopia) — 58:33

3. Tadese Worku (Ethiopia) — 58:35

4. Owen Korir (Kenya) — 58:58

5. Daniel Ebenyo (Kenya) — 59:04

6. Alex Matata (Kenya) — 59:11

7. Andrea Kiptoo (Kenya) — 59:11

8. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Spain) — 59:42

9. Said Mechaal (Spain) — 1:00:24

10. Adel Mechaal (Spain) — 1:02:30

Kwizera, who finished second in Valencia last year, leads the field on paper and will be seeking another standout performance on the famously fast Valencia course. With several athletes carrying sub-60-minute credentials, the race has the ingredients for an aggressive battle from the opening kilometres.

Beyond the headline names, the men’s field is deep and highly competitive, bringing together a strong collection of experienced international athletes with proven ability over the half-marathon distance. With so much quality packed into the lineup, the race promises an intriguing battle in which tactics, endurance, positioning and finishing speed could all play a crucial role in determining the eventual champion.

Yet personal bests will count for little once the gun goes off. The title could ultimately be decided by patience, positioning and the ability to respond when the pace begins to rise in the closing stages. Every surge, every tactical move and every second saved could prove decisive on the road to the finish.

With Kenya, Ethiopia and Spain represented by athletes of exceptional quality, Valencia promises a high-octane men's showdown in which the leaders are likely to be separated by only a handful of seconds. The final kilometres could provide the defining moments of a race packed with speed, ambition and anticipation.

On October 25, the question will be simple: who has the strength to command the streets of Valencia and claim the coveted half-marathon crown?

 

April 19, 1982. The Boston Marathon unfolded under unusually warm, sunny conditions, and by the closing stages, the race had become a private battle between two very different American runners: Alberto Salazar, already one of the biggest names in distance running, and Dick Beardsley, the Minnesota runner who had emerged as a serious marathon contender.

For roughly nine miles, from the Newton Hills toward the finish, Beardsley did much of the leading, with Salazar tucked close behind. Neither man could shake the other. They ran deep into Boston locked together, trading surges and refusing to surrender an inch as the crowds along the course grew louder.

Salazar finally made his decisive move with less than a mile remaining. He opened a small gap, but Beardsley refused to disappear. The Minnesota runner chased him through the final streets, closing again as they approached the finish.

Then came the final sprint.

Salazar held his form and reached the finish first in 2:08:52, with Beardsley only two seconds behind in 2:08:54. It was an extraordinary result: both men broke 2:09 in the same Boston Marathon, and both shattered the previous course record.

The race became known as the “Duel in the Sun,” and it remains one of the most celebrated head-to-head battles in Boston Marathon history. Beardsley had not won, but his performance established him as one of America's elite marathoners.

For Salazar, however, victory came at an enormous physical cost. Immediately after crossing the finish line, he collapsed and required emergency treatment, including several litres of intravenous saline. The combination of heat, dehydration and an all-out effort had pushed his body to the limit.

Salazar's marathon career would never again produce quite the same kind of performance. His celebrated 1981 New York City Marathon victory had produced what was initially considered a world record, although the course was later found to be short. His Boston triumph therefore became one of the defining victories of his career.

Beardsley's story would take an even more difficult turn. Injuries disrupted his career, and after returning to the highest level, he suffered a devastating farm accident in 1989. Further accidents, surgeries and severe physical pain followed, eventually leading to a long battle with painkiller addiction.

He eventually overcame that struggle and transformed the darkest chapters of his life into a story of recovery, resilience and redemption.

That is what makes the 1982 Boston Marathon more than a two-second victory.

For one extraordinary afternoon, Salazar and Beardsley produced a marathon duel in which neither man was willing to give way. One crossed the finish line first. The other finished only two seconds behind him.

Two seconds separated them at Boston. Decades later, their legendary duel remains one of the greatest chapters in marathon history.