Running News Daily

Angry cows, lost kittens, exotic fish, oh my!While on a trip outside, getting the miles in, runners usually focus on the task at hand, perhaps hoping to find a new personal best. Sometimes, however, what they see in the middle of a run can range from bizarre to downright absurd, and in 2023, those findings delivered. From extinct fish and ancient teeth to many cows and other livestock, these are the strangest things runners came across in 2023.

A runner in Australia—running along Primrose Sands Beach in Tasmania—stumbled upon a fish many scientists thought was locally extinct. The fish, known as a spotted handfish, was dead when found by runner Kerri Yare, who was struck by the odd look of the sea-dweller. The handfish is characterized by orange fins resembling webbed duck feet, measuring about 3-4 inches.

“If you’ve never seen a handfish before, imagine dipping a toad in some brightly colored paint, telling it a sad story, and forcing it to wear gloves two sizes too big,” the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation said about the discovery. The CSIRO says that the spotted handfish once had a thriving population along Tasmania’s east coast. Still, over the last three decades, their numbers have shrunk due to dredge fisheries and the invasive North Pacific seastar, which prey on the fish’s eggs and the sea tulips they use to spawn. The CSIRO also said that spotted handfish are “rare and elusive,” since their size and solitary lifestyles make them tricky to spot—perhaps even more challenging when running past them at a decent pace.

Not to be outdone by merely finding an extinct animal, one runner made a downright prehistoric discovery while on the run.

Jim Smith of Santa Cruz, California, was on a run when he discovered a mastodon tooth on the beach dating from the Ice Age. Scientists believe the prehistoric elephants roamed North and Central America before going extinct 2,000 years ago. Despite being a couple of millennia old, this was the second sighting of the tooth in a week. A tourist had seen the mastodon molar a week before, with images of the tooth circulating on social media. However, when workers from the Santa Cruz County Museum of Natural History went to look for it, they found no trace. Luckily, Smith found it while out on his run and turned it into the museum to study.

Of course, not all animals found while counting morning miles are extinct or petrified; some just got stuck and needed assistance. That’s what happened when Brian Glover of San Francisco heard a bark while running along Ocean Beach. “I turned around immediately to make sure I wasn’t about to get jumped by a dog,” Glover told Runner’s World. However, nothing was behind him. “I continued running, and I just kept thinking back to the way the dog’s bark sounded.”

After 10 minutes of peering between crevices and calling out, Glover finally saw a pair of eyes staring back at him from a small hole beneath the rocks. He reached down to help, but the anxious animal growled in fear. Luckily, it was still low tide, but the canine only had a few more hours until the ocean crept towards the rocks. Glover rushed home and called San Francisco Animal Care & Control to help. Soon after, animal control called Glover to inform him they rescued the dog, Gwen, and delivered her back to her owners unharmed.

Not just dogs needed rescuing from runners this year, as one stray kitten in Chicago can tell you.

While running in the Chicago Marathon, Sarah Bohan, a mere 5 miles from the finish, discovered a stray cat that had been separated from its mother. “I saw this fluffy thing scurrying under a bridge and recognized it as a dirty, scared cat that was obviously a stray separated from its mother.” Setting aside her need for a PR, Bohan, who says she was running the race for Team PAWS Chicago, one of the country's largest No Kill animal welfare organizations, knew she had to act. Upon discovering the kitten, she and another runner, Gia Nigro walked for about a mile, asking spectators along the way if they could care for the cat. Eventually, they found a cat owner who promised she’d look after the kitten.

Once they knew the kitten was in good hands, Bohan and Nigro finished the race together.

Not all animals runners find along the run need assistance. Aggressive cows also dominated the headlines in 2023, as two separate incidences of aggressive cows were reported.

A 43-year-old woman was injured when a bull charged at her while preparing for a run on the Whistle Stop trail in Farmington, Maine.

According to police, the woman said she was “lifted off the ground by the animal’s horns but was able to escape into the nearby tree line.”

She required stitches from a laceration, according to the police report. Since the incident was reported on April 1, the police department let the public know this wasn’t an April Fool’s Day prank in their statement.

In another attack, a runner was hospitalized after being attacked by a small herd of cows on a Colorado trail. Another person called 911 after seeing the runner trying to protect themselves while on the ground surrounded by 15 to 20 cows, mostly mothers with their calves.

Rangers responded within 15 minutes, and the runner was taken to the hospital. The attack led to the trail's closure, while rangers advised runners to run away from any cows in the area. A sign at the start of the trail reads: “Give Cows Space. They Can Be Aggressive.” Words to live by.

Other livestock also chased after runners, although less aggressively. A group of goats in Ontario, Canada, caused runners to hoof it in the opposite direction as they gave chase. The Ontario Provincial Police posted on X about the runner’s run-in with the goats, which occurred near the Grenville Park Camping and RV Park in the township of Johnstown, near Ottawa. Besides throwing in goat-related puns about the animals, police didn’t share detailed information about the encounter.

The future of American distance running may have just announced itself.

Luke Surface, an 8th-grade student-athlete from North Raleigh Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, delivered a performance that stunned the track and field community after taking on some of the nation’s best high school runners at Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Competing at the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon — one of the most iconic venues in American distance running — Surface lined up in the boys championship 5,000 meters against a field dominated by high school seniors, including several athletes preparing to compete at the NCAA Division I level.

Despite being one of the youngest runners in the race, the 14-year-old held his own against the elite competition, finishing eighth in an incredible 14:25.88. The performance set a new national middle school record, averaging approximately 4:39 per mile for more than three miles.

That kind of time is fast enough to win many high school state championships across the United States and meets qualifying standards for several major NCAA Division I conference competitions — a remarkable achievement for a runner who has not yet entered high school.

But Surface’s historic 5,000m performance was only the latest chapter in a season filled with record-breaking moments.

Earlier in May, he clocked 8:52.03 for 3,200 meters at the NCISAA Division I State Championships in North Carolina, breaking another national middle school record. His converted two-mile time of 8:55.12 surpassed the previous world-best mark for a 14-year-old age group, previously held by Vincent Recupero.

During the previous cross-country season, Surface also made headlines when he ran 15:12 at the adidas XC Challenge, finishing second while competing against runners who were several years older.

Across cross country, two miles, and the 5,000 meters, Surface has continued to prove that his talent is far beyond his age group. While he still has four years of high school competition ahead before reaching the college level, his performances have already placed him among the most exciting young distance runners to watch.

The American high school 5,000-meter record currently stands at 13:32, set by Lex Young in 2023 — a mark Surface is not yet close to challenging. However, his remarkable progression at such a young age has caught the attention of the running world, with many eager to follow how far his extraordinary journey can go.

For now, Luke Surface remains an eighth grader rewriting the record books — and his story is only beginning.

DOHA, Qatar – Ethiopian distance running is once again making a powerful statement on the global stage. Following the Doha Diamond League meeting, Ethiopia has achieved a remarkable clean sweep of the women's 3000m/5000m standings, occupying all eight leading positions in one of the most competitive disciplines in world athletics.

Leading the charge is Likina Amebaw, who sits comfortably at the top of the rankings with 22 points. Close behind is fellow Ethiopian star Freweyni Hailu on 14 points, while Medina Eisa occupies third place with 12 points. The dominance continues through the rest of the leaderboard, with Senayet Getachew, Hawi Abera, Aleshign Baweke, Marta Alemayo, and Bernesh Dessie completing an extraordinary Ethiopian monopoly of the standings.

The achievement highlights Ethiopia's exceptional depth in women's distance running, where a new generation of athletes continues to emerge and challenge for global honours. Rather than relying on a single standout performer, Ethiopia has assembled a formidable squad capable of controlling races and collecting points across multiple Diamond League meetings.

While the current standings paint a picture of complete Ethiopian supremacy, the battle for the Diamond League title is far from over. Several meetings remain on the road to the season finale, leaving plenty of opportunities for rivals to close the gap and for positions within the Ethiopian contingent to shift dramatically.

For now, however, the spotlight belongs firmly to Ethiopia. The East African powerhouse has transformed the women's 3000m/5000m standings into an all-Ethiopian affair, sending a clear message to the rest of the world that the race for Diamond League glory will likely run through Addis Ababa.

The question now is whether Likina Amebaw can maintain her advantage and finish the season as the overall leader, whether Freweyni Hailu or Medina Eisa can mount a successful challenge, or whether another athlete will produce a late-season surge to rewrite the script.

One thing is certain: the road to the Diamond League Final promises a fascinating battle among some of the finest distance runners on the planet.

Kenyan athletics superstar and world champion Beatrice Chebet has officially entered a beautiful new chapter in her life after welcoming a baby boy.

The 26-year-old track sensation, born on 5 March 2000, has built a remarkable legacy as one of the greatest distance runners of her generation. Chebet is a world record holder in the 5000m, 10,000m and road 5km, with a career decorated by historic victories on the biggest stages.

She made history at the 2024 Summer Olympics by winning gold medals in both the 5000m and 10,000m, before achieving the same remarkable double at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Her medal collection also includes a 5000m silver medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and bronze at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Beyond the track, Chebet has also dominated cross country, becoming a three-time world champion after winning the junior title in 2019 and senior titles in 2023 and 2024. She has also claimed major 5000m victories at the 2018 World U20 Championships, 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 African Championships in Athletics.

Now, the Kenyan star is celebrating a different kind of milestone — becoming a mother.

Sharing the joyful news, Chebet introduced her newborn son with a heartfelt message filled with love and excitement:

“Tiny hands, tiny feet, and a love so big! A beautiful new chapter begins. Welcome to our world our sweet little baby boy!”

The arrival of her son marks a special moment away from competition, as the world champion embraces motherhood while carrying the pride of a nation that has watched her achieve greatness.

Messages of congratulations have poured in from fans and the athletics community, celebrating the new chapter for one of Kenya’s most successful athletes.

As Beatrice Chebet adds motherhood to her list of remarkable achievements, the champion now begins a new journey filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments with her baby boy. 

Jake Wightman delivered a masterclass in championship racing as he surged to the men's 800m title at the UK Athletics Championships, holding off a determined challenge from Ben Pattison in a thrilling finish.

In a race defined by patience, positioning, and precise execution, Wightman waited for the perfect moment to strike before unleashing his finishing kick down the home straight. The former world champion crossed the line in 1:45.40, just doing enough to edge Pattison and secure the national crown.

The contest lived up to expectations, bringing together two of Britain's finest middle-distance talents in a tactical battle where every move carried significance. With the pace controlled through the early stages, the field remained tightly packed, setting the stage for a dramatic final lap.

As the bell rang, the intensity immediately rose. Pattison looked poised to seize control and pushed hard in the closing metres, but Wightman's experience and race awareness proved decisive. Drawing on years of competing at the highest level, he maintained his composure under pressure and found the extra gear required to stay ahead when it mattered most.

The victory marks another significant chapter in Wightman's decorated career and serves as a timely statement of intent as the international season gathers momentum. More importantly, it showcased the qualities that have made him one of Britain's most respected middle-distance athletes — tactical intelligence, resilience, and an ability to deliver in the biggest moments.

For Pattison, the narrow defeat will provide encouragement rather than disappointment. His performance confirmed his growing status among Britain's elite 800m runners and highlighted the depth of talent currently thriving in the event.

But on this occasion, the spotlight belonged to Wightman. In a race where the margins were razor-thin, he executed his plan to perfection and walked away with the UK Athletics Championship title.

Remember the name Gout Gout.

At just 18 years old, the Australian sprint prodigy is already commanding global attention and fueling conversations about the future of track and field. In a sport constantly searching for its next superstar, Gout is rapidly emerging as one of the brightest talents the world has seen in years.

His latest statement came at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike meeting, where he stepped onto the track alongside some of sprinting's biggest names, including reigning world champion Noah Lyles. Far from being overwhelmed by the occasion, the teenager delivered a composed and confident performance, finishing third in the 150m in 14.96 seconds against two of the fastest athletes on the planet.

Yet impressive as that performance was, it is not the result that has the athletics community buzzing most.

Earlier this year, Gout stunned the sprinting world by clocking an astonishing 19.67 seconds for 200m, setting a new world Under-20 record. The performance instantly elevated him from promising prospect to genuine phenomenon.

What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the historical context. At the same age, Gout was faster than sprint legend Usain Bolt. Comparisons to the Jamaican icon are inevitable, not because records demand them, but because the raw numbers are impossible to ignore.

Of course, Gout's journey is only beginning. Like any young athlete, he still has room to grow, refine his craft, and gain valuable experience at the highest level. The road from teenage sensation to global champion is rarely straightforward.

But there is no denying the extraordinary potential that lies within him.

His speed, composure, and ability to perform under pressure have already marked him out as one of athletics' most exciting young stars. More importantly, he possesses the kind of talent that inspires belief that a new era of sprinting may be on the horizon.

The sport has always thrived on rivalries that capture the imagination of fans across the globe. With established champions such as Noah Lyles currently leading the way, the emergence of Gout Gout adds an intriguing new chapter to sprinting's future.

The next great rivalry may already be taking shape.

And one of its leading figures is still only a teenager.

For now, the message is simple: remember the name Gout Gout. The future is arriving faster than anyone expected.