Running News Daily

I am a numbers’ guy. I’ve always been a numbers’ guy. I always want to see what the numbers tell me before I opine from an emotional standpoint. 

Accordingly, I did a deep dive into the last five women to hold the marathon world record going back to Kenyan Catherine “The Great” Ndereba, in 2001. What I found was a changing world order.

Catherine Ndereba was the last of the old school road racers who then progressed to the marathon. Catherine came to compete on the U.S. road tour beginning in 1995, but really began winning convincingly in 1996 at age 24, winning four times in New York City; Spokane, Washington; Utica, NY; Flint, Michigan; and Philadelphia, Pa. 

In 1999, she made her marathon debut in Boston, running to eighth place in 2:28:26. Later that fall, she finished second in New York City in 2:27:34. But she also had eight wins on the road circuit when you could still make money there and the marathon wasn’t yet as lucrative as it is today. 

The following year, 2000, Catherine won her first Boston and Chicago Marathons, with another eight wins on the road circuit. She won Boston again in 2001 in 2:22:53, then set her world record in Chicago in the fall in her sixth career marathon, running 2:18:47, with another eight wins on the roads. Catherine was 29 when she ran her record and set her personal best by 2:46 seconds. 

In all, she ran 23 marathons, finished 23, won 8. 

Great Britain’s Paul Radcliffe broke Catherine‘s world record one year later in Chicago 2002 (2:17:18) then smashed her own record one year later in London (2:15:25), a record that would last 16 years, by far the longest standing women’s marathon world record in history. Before that, Paula had run her debut in the spring of 2002 in London, at age 28, winnng in 2:18:56, a debut record.

In all, Paula started 13 marathons, finished 12, won 8. She, like Catherine, was age 29 when she set her final record at 2:15:25. 

But Paula had a long, distinguished career in cross country and track going all the way back to 1992 when won the IAAF World Cross Country U20 championship in snowy Boston before finishing fourth in the World Junior Championships in the 3000m, a circumstance that would repeat itself over the years until she moved up in distance. 

Paula ran fifth at the 1996 Olympic 5000m final in Atlanta. Then fourth in the 1997 World Championships 5000 in Athens; second in the WC 10,000m in Seville; and fourth again in the 2000 Olympic 10,000 in Sydney. She just couldn’t finish the last 200-300m with the East Africans like Derartu Tulu and Gete Wami to nab gold. 

She entered her first marathon in London 2002 after showing her ability at the half marathon, winning at the Great North Run and the World Half Marathon Championships in Vera Cruz in 2000, and again in Bristol in 2001 – though she still ran on the track at 3k, 5k and 10k. From there, it was clear sailing, as the world came to expect Paula’s 2:15:25 to last for a long, long time.

It wasn’t until Brigid Kosgei came along in Chicago 2019, running 2:14:04, that Paula’s mighty record fell. But that was a bit of a stunner, as people didn’t see it coming. That gave even more gravity to the super-shoe era, because Brigid was 25 years old running the ninth of her 17 career marathons when she set her record. It was a personal best by 4:16, very similar to what we saw with Ruth Chepngetich last Sunday in Chicago. Both were deep into their marathon careers before producing their other worldly record performances. 

Between Brigid and Ruth came Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa. She ran her world record of 2:11:53 at age 26 in Berlin in the third of only five career marathons. And that WR was a personal best by 3:44 at age 26. 

And now, of course, we have Ruth Chepngetich, whose 2:09:56 in Chicago last Sunday has had heads spinning faster than Linda Blair in the Exorcist. 

Ruth has run 15 marathons, finished 13, won 9, while running her world record in her 15th marathon, seven years into her career, setting a PB by 4:22. That last stat is the one people have trouble getting their heads around. You don’t improve that much so late in your career; they say.

But Brigid Kosgei ran her world record in the ninth of 17 career marathons with a personal best by 4:16. So what Ruth did was not unprecedented, though taken from a tiny sample. 

The ages when they produced their world records:

Catherine, age 29; Paula, age 28 and 29;Brigid, age 25; Tigst, age 26; Ruth, age 30.

The world is constantly spinning, changing. Catherine Ndereba and Paula Radcliffe came from an old world, not just pre-super shoes, but pre-only focusing on marathons and half marathons. 

And with the super shoes and super nutrition and super coaching and super God knows what else, there has been a great stir in the running community. Some refuse to even consider the possibility of these record times. Others say “wait and see if any positive testing follows down the line”, as we have seen many times before. And very few say, “everything‘s on the up and up. There’s nothing here to see other than a great performance.”

That doesn’t leave the sport in a very good place. But guess what? We are kidding ourselves if we think 2:09:56 is going to last very long. Look at Chicago’s women’s splits: 15:00 at 5K = 2:06:46 pace; 45:32 at 15k = 2:08:16 pace; and 64:16 at halfway = 2:08:32 pace. You even out that effort just a little, and you’re looking at sub-2:09! It’s coming. You can count on it. Plus, once one-person shows what’s possible, it inspires many more to try.

Remember, we are still in the first two generations of world-class women’s distance running. We have no idea what their limits may be, notwithstanding all nefariousness that attends the sport these days.

And so the debate continues, even as the sport searches for leadership, which seems to be missing in action. It’s one hell of a Wild West show, isn’t it?

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.