Running News Daily

AS RUNNING BOOMS and participation rates rise at races everywhere, people are looking to expand beyond their local fun runs for next-level experiences. International marathons in major cities—especially the six “World Majors” of Boston, Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—have attained bucket list status on par with the most exotic vacation destinations, and more competitors are trying to join in than ever. More than 840,000 people submitted entries to the 2025 London race (for only about 50,0000 bibs), and the recent 2024 Berlin Marathon broke the record for the largest field ever with 54,280 finishers. I was lucky enough to be one of them, thanks to a comped bib from event sponsor Adidas. The atmosphere on the course was electric, and as I legged my way through the streets of the German capital, I couldn’t help thinking that it might be the best way to experience a foreign city. 

But gaining entry into one of these races is just the start of a complicated process—and I’m not only talking about the months-long training program (most start at about 16 weeks out) athletes need to prepare for a marathon. The average holiday trip doesn’t involveWhen I set out to run Berlin I had finished three other marathons, but had never raced outside the US. I knew I’d have to take some extra effort, since factors like the time change, language barriers, and even the lack of familiar foods in local stores could throw off my routine right before the big day. But I wasn’t exactly sure about the best way to go about building an itinerary, so I turned to some experts so that my bucket-list race wouldn’t end in disaster. How to Plan for an International Marathon

NO MATTER HOW well-prepared you think you are to run a marathon fitness-wise, traveling to another country to compete will be a challenge, says Jessie Zapotechne a NYC-based performance coach and US community leader of Adidas Runners. She has run the Berlin Half and Marathon multiple times since 2012, and says she uses her experience from all those races to counsel runners for their own jetset trips. “To be quite honest, I think about these tips because of all the mistakes I've made over the years,” Zapotechne says. “That helps me to be a better coach from learning the hard way.”

Tommie Runz is a content creator and runner from Detroit. While there are events in his local area, almost all of his races have required travel. “I've done 14 marathons, and only one of them was in my state,” he says. Since we spoke, he added another to that list (Chicago), and he’ll finish out the season with New York City, hitting all six Majors in 2024. He’s also vegan—so he understands the challenges that come while traveling for anyone who has dietary restrictions.

These experts have consideredHaving those extra days will be important to allow you to recover from the flight, adjust to time and climate differences, and set yourself up for a good night’s sleep ahead of the big day. Less practically, an earlier arrival will give you a chance to take part in as much of the marathon experience as you can.Zapotechne also advises that you make one other early booking to avoid last-minute scrambling and high costs: dinner the night before the race. Aim for carb-heavy meals that won't upset your stomach, so resist the urge to try a new type of cuisine, even though you're in a foreign city. “Find a place that's nearby or accessible [to your hotel] so that you're going to have an early dinner and get back to your hotel, get off your feet, and have all your stuff ready,” she says. Aim for a sit-down meal two or three hours before you plan to go to sleep. "You don't want to have a late night dinner before your race," Zapotechne cautions. "You [might still be] digesting it in the morning, or [maybe] you can't go to the bathroom in the morning because you ate too late. And that's never fun." 

Race Gear Gets Packing Priority

One of the most common marathon truisms is “nothing new on race day.” You’ll put that to the test if you show up to your destination and your checked bags containing your race day kit don’t. Limit the chances of gear emergencies by making sure yourOnce you’re on the ground at your destination, don’t ditch your bottle so quickly, either. “Definitely carry your water bottle around with you when you are out and about in that city—not every country drinks a lot of water,” Zapotechne notes. 

In Berlin, for instance, I was surprised to find that normal still water isn't always easy to find. I constantly found myself making extra requests in restaurants or sorting through bottles of sparkling water to stay hydrated. International races often offer fewer aid stations on the course than American events—every three miles, rather than every mile, according to Zapotechne—so if you’re the type of runner who needs a drink before the three-mile marker, she advises starting the race carrying a bottle, too. Sleep Smart—and Be Ready for the Time Change

Sleep might not be your main concern when you’re trying to enjoy every bit of your time in another country, but you’ll need plenty of it for the long run. Similar to hydration, you should aim to start off your trip on the right foot even before you’ve left. “If you know you're not a great sleeper during travel, try to sleep a lot the week before, so that you're already getting your body ready for wonky travel sleep,” Zapotechne advises. There's no magic number for everyone, but try getting two or three extra hours in the days leading up to the flight if you can. 

Along these lines, you’ll have to adjust to a different time zone, which can be jarring especially if you don’t travel often. “You have to almost start being aware of the time change before you even leave,” Runz says. Try going to bed and waking up to match that time zone for a day or two before the trip to acclimate. Then if your flight lines up with night time at your destination, he recommends you use the trip to get extra rest. “Take advantageThe actual number will depend on the person, but she says that range will still allow you to take plenty of time on your feet for stuff you need to do, like visiting the expo to pick up your bib and even for a short shakeout run, since you will need to loosen up after the flight and get acclimated ahead of the race. Just don’t go overboard, and avoid extraneous steps by taking a cab instead of legging it or standing in long lines at tourist traps. “Danger Zone for sure is when you're getting close to 20,000. That's too many steps,” she says. 

I was able to go to a Saturday shakeout run within this structure, but skipped out on walking to the Brandenburg Gate before the race when my steps creeped up near the 10K mark. When I wanted to meet a friend for coffee, I rode a bike the mile to the café instead of hoofing it on foot. 

If you’re at an impasse and struggling to fit everything you want to do before your race, that might be a sign to plan time for sightseeing after you run. “If you are going to plug inAlongside real-time translation, some apps like Google Translate have features that can use the camera to translate text, so you’ll be able to decipher what exactly is on a nutrition label. You’ll have an easier time getting last-minute fuel without something you can’t eat if you’ve taken the step to download the app (and download your destination’s label for offline use, too) ahead of time. Read the Forecast, But Plan for Anything

Weather can be a challenge anywhere, but you’ll especially need to be mindful of the conditions ahead of your race. “Make sure to check the weather in the city you are traveling to a few days in advance—and prepare that weather can change when you arrive, so pack clothing for all types of weather,” she says. You can get a decent idea what the conditions will be at three or four days out, but even a rough 10-day forecast will be useful if your itinerary is on the longer side. “Also make sure to put a warm or comfortable change of clothes and slides in your checked back for after the race, as you'll want something comfortable to change into after running 26.2,” Zapotechne advises. 

Don’t get too distracted by high temps, either. You’ll need to also keep an eye on what the lows are slated to be, especially considering that you’ll probably need to leave for the corral early in the morning when the full heat of the day will still be hours in the future. You’ll likely spend more time outside when it’s colder—while trying to conserve yourThis was especially important in Berlin, and I almost missed my wave because I didn't heed this advice. The race organizers had worked to make it the biggest marathon of all time—and in doing so, the staging area was a madhouse. People were packed in small areas, and signage wasn’t always clear. I arrived at the crush of people 15 minutes ahead of the gun, and found myself pushing through the crowd and climbing over barriers to get to my proper pace group. That took up a lot more energy and effort than I wanted before I was slated to run for three-plus hours. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you to get to the starting line. Runz knows there are no hacks once you near zero hour and everyone is raring to go, especially as running has grown so much over the last few years. “Every race is going to be like this—until the streets get bigger,” he says. 

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.