Running News Daily

Nearly 50 years ago I fell in love with running. I was far from a natural. When I was 8 years old, I was struck by an illness that left me with pneumonia in both lungs with one lung being collapsed. I survived that but was left with asthma that persists to this day. This was unfortunate as I loved sports. Asthma more or less disqualified me from participating in “running sports, " leaving me only with baseball as something I could do relatively comfortably.

In high school, I wanted to try wrestling. I figured that I could handle three 2-minute periods. However, I would soon learn that a lot of the training involved running and I struggled mightily to keep up with the other kids early in the season. The next season I hit upon the idea to ask our cross-country coach if I could train with that team, though not be part of the team. In this way, I could be conditioned before the start of wrestling season. And during wrestling season, I would show up two hours before the match to check my weight and run 2-4 miles before weigh-in. 

I graduated high school, but the running never stopped. I ran every weekend (4-10 miles each day) for decades. Running was so important to me that when setting up one of my company offices in Japan, I purposely chose a location in a place with a suitable place to run, near the Emperor’s Palace near Tokyo Station. The palace is surrounded by a circular (3km) moat that is a popular running destination. My ritual was that after a week of business, I would do four laps around the palace and then fly home to San Francisco.

Though I loved running I was never interested in racing until about age 50. In 2010, my new son-in-law invited me to join him in a 5K fun run in Lafayette. Passing all those 20-year-olds was all I needed to get the “bug.” I went on to run many dozens of races over the next years, mostly marathons, an ultra, and a triathlon. I was in the best shape of my life, rarely got sick, and was at the top of the world. That would change dramatically.

In 2013, I started noticing that on some days I would experience a strange fatigue that required me to take a walking break. I remember one day that I cut one of my runs short because I was disgusted with my performance. I kept my running clothes on and decided that I would try again later that day. That was the time I set a new PR for that training course. Something was not right, and these episodes of fatigue were increasing in frequency.

The last marathon I ran was in April 2016, a miserable affair clocking in a 4:53. By September, I couldn’t run a mile without a break. I complained to every doctor I met that “something was wrong”, but the standard response was that I was just getting older and I needed to lower my expectations. Even a cardiologist I had seen 10 years earlier told me that there was nothing wrong with me and even quipped “Guys like you are bad for business.” I wasn’t amused.

Finally, in 2019, my asthma doctor recommended a private practice cardiologist in Los Altos who might be willing to work with me. She spent two hours examining me, including an EKG and blood work. She found no problems but listened to my story about my newfound exercise intolerance. She said the only way to get to the bottom of it was to put me under a cardiac stress test.

I showed up at the hospital and they were ready for me. My doctor was there along with two technicians: one to operate the treadmill and monitor the EKG, and one with an echocardiogram scanner for a pre- and post-test scan of my heart. About 15 minutes into the test, about the same interval that I would experience fatigue during a run, the EKG technician exclaimed “Doctor!” and ran out of the room. The doctor told me to stop, asked me if I was OK, and asked me to lie down and have the other technician scan me.

The EKG technician quickly reappeared with defibrillating paddles and was stunned that I was calmly talking to the doctor. The cause of my fatigue was now clear– I was having a heart attack. A very deadly one at that, called Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) in which the top and bottom chambers beat at different rates causing your heart to stop pumping.

Now that the mystery was solved (I was not “fine”), we needed to identify the cause of this electrical misfiring. I was then directed to a cardiac electrophysiologist (EP) that specializes in this sort of disorder. He also took several hours to explain that there are nearly a dozen potential causes of this, and nearly all of them treatable. There was one (the least likely) however, that was not so easily treatable.

As it turns out, the least likely one Cardiac Sarcoidosis, was the one. This is a rare auto-immune disease that typically attacks the lungs but in even rarer cases can attack the heart. Lucky me. These “attacks” leave scar tissue on the heart that disrupts the normal electrical activity of the heart. My EP regretted telling me that this was out of his skill area and needed to refer me to Stanford where they have a cardiologist that specializes in this.

My experience at Stanford was great where a team of cardiologists took care of me. The first step was to see if the VT response to exercise was repeatable (it was). The second step was to confirm that sarcoidosis auto-immune cells were present in my body. The result of that test was positive. The cells were present, but the good news was that they were no longer in my heart and were “dormant.” But the damage was done. The final step was to install an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in my chest that has two wires screwed into the side of my heart. In case of a sustained VT episode, the ICD would automatically shock me back into rhythm.

My ICD was installed on February 12, 2020 shortly before the Covid lockdown. I cleared to begin running after about six weeks which I gleefully did after eight months of no running and four years of poor running. I am happy to report that I have had zero VT episodes, nor any other serious arrhythmias since the ICD was installed.

But my story is not quite over. Despite the lack of arrhythmias, my running performance has not returned to pre-sarcoidosis levels. I’ve worked with the Stanford cardiology team who have reiterated that my heart is working perfectly. With that ruled out, I asked for a referral to their pulmonary team to see whether there might be some lung function issues that are interfering with my return to normalcy. Like with my heart, I undertook a battery of tests looking for anything unusual.

The results of all these tests were that my lungs, despite a lifetime of asthma are working quite well. The penultimate step in this battery was a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) that is most commonly used to test professional athletes. Despite my running complaints, the tests showed that my body was responding fairly well to exercise as I posted a 12.2 MET (Metaboloic Equivalent of Task).

I studied the voluminous data from the CPET and was struck by one thing– max heart rate. No, not the calculated 220-<age> that most runners are familiar with, but rather seeing that my heart rate levels off at 149 bpm and can go no higher no matter the stress. This is Father Time making his presence known. The reason I can no longer run as fast as I used to is because my heart can’t pump fast enough to generate the required oxygen to propel my body at those speeds. It's basic physics, so simple. 

I decided to investigate this briefly and look at some representative races to see if I could see this in actual race data. I looked at the data from the California International Marathonfrom 2022 curious to see an age-related pattern. During my short racing career, I would typically place in the top 20% of my age bracket. I extracted data for Mens Masters into a chart to show Max HR vs. the top finisher and the top 20% finisher. This has given me some consolation that the slowdown is natural and will continue.

One more thing I’d like to share, especially with older runners. Since the ICD, I have found it hard to rebuild my aerobic base. I’ve concluded that the reason for this is that I was still trying to train like when I was a teenager back when my Max HR was 200! Somewhere in my memory banks, I recalled something about low heart rate training and quickly found the MAF methodby Dr. Phil Maffetone. In a nutshell, Maffetone advises training at ultra-low heart rates (180-<age>) to develop a core aerobic base. The process can take 3-6 months and involves running at an agonizingly slow pace (at first.) I am happy to report that this is the one thing that is working for me and for the first time in a long time I am again running with joy.

This has been a very personal story but one that I thought I should share with our running community. I feel that running may have saved my life. If I hadn’t challenged my doctors that I was not “fine” the worst could have happened. We runners know our bodies better than anyone and when something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not. Don’t be afraid to aggressively advocate for yourself. Your life might depend on it.

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.