Running News Daily

 it’s time to ensure your expensive gear performs like newHave you ever bundled yourself up in the early winter, trudged outside to shovel your walk or clear off your car from the first storm of the season, and found yourself soaking wet? Your waterproof-breathable shells, sleeping bags, gloves, boots, insulation, and soft shells all need regular cleaning and maintenance to keep protecting you from cold, wet conditions. Retreating your gear may sound intimidating, but it’s actually really easy to do and will extend the life of your expensive equipment. Let me walk you through the process of maintaining your gear, item by item.How to Clean and Re-Waterproof Technical Shells

Think of your rain jacket or ski shell like a sandwich. The face fabric, or the outermost layer, is like the bread. It’s coated with a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment that helps bead water and stop it from penetrating the outer layer. The waterproof-breathable layer is the good stuff: the veggies, meats, and condiments in the middle.

The waterproof-breathable membrane features tiny pores that keep water out and let your sweat evaporate from within at the same time, keeping you dry. The DWR and membrane work together to form an effective barrier against the elements, so long as you don’t let them wear out. Dirt, oil, smoke, and other contaminants can clog the pores and prevent the material from breathing. Overtime, the DWR coatings on those face fabrics can wear off. When they do, precipitation and sweat will saturate the fabric.Soft shells—wind-and water-resistant garments that go without the aid of a membrane—rely entirely on that DWR to protect you from precipitation. Allowing it to wear off, or become compromised by dirt, smoke, sweat or other contaminants will eliminate a soft shell’s ability to shed weather.

You should be cleaning and reapplying DWR to your technical shells regularly.

“The best rule of thumb is, if your jacket or item looks dirty or is no longer repelling water, clean it,” explains Heidi Dale Allen, the vice president of marketing for Nikwax, which makes a variety of detergents and treatments for all varieties of outdoor gear. “If after cleaning, the item is still not repelling water, it is time to re-waterproof.”

Allen says you can also test your technical shells for function. Simply run them under a tap, and if the water soaks into the material rather than beading up and running off, then it’s time to clean and take care of them. You may also notice a lack of water beading while wearing your gear outdoors.The first step is to take note of any item’s unique care instructions. The care label sewn into any piece of clothing will tell you if it needs to be be hand or machine washed, what temperature water to use, and if you should hang or tumble dry it. Depending on the fabrics and technologies used in each garment, the instructions will vay—even for articles made by a single brand.

Should I Be Afraid of Damaging My Garments in the Laundry?

“If you follow the care instructions from the brand and use the proper types of cleaners and waterproofers, then you absolutely will not ruin it,” reassures Allen.

But she does caution that you can only reapply DWR to clean shells, saying, “You wouldn’t wax a dirty car, so do not try to waterproof a dirty piece of gear.”

Once you’ve assessed each item’s care instructions, you can then wash them using a detergent designed specifically for technical apparel.Don’t use a regular household detergent. These can leave behind residues that attract moisture and clog porous membranes, ruining the item’s ability to keep you dry. Allen recommends Nikwax Tech Wash. I’ve been using this detergent for years; I can tell you it works. Tech Wash does not contain UV brighteners, so you can safely apply it to hunting gear without turning yourself into something animals will perceive as an illuminated billboard.

Once clean, you can choose to reapply a DWR coating. Allen says to do this if the item has lost the ability to bead water, or once every three to five wash cycles.

Nikwax uses a DWR that’s free from harmful PFAs. Because it’s water-based, it needs to be applied while the garment is wet. If machine washing, simply add a treatment like Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In to the detergent dispenser, and start a new cycle. If you’re hand washing, hang up or spread out the still-wet item, and evenly coat it in a spray-on waterproof treatment like Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On. Then hang or machine dry according to the care instructions. Unlike older treatments that use PFAs, these detergents don’t require heat to activateHow To Clean And Re-Waterproof Down Insulation And Sleeping Bags

The reason so many outdoorspeople love down is for its ability to create a ton of heat-trapping loft while being light and efficient to pack. Sweat, body oils, smoke, and dirt can cling to down clusters, reducing that loft. Today, most down insulation is treated with a DWR to enable it to dry faster. DWR increases the insulation’s reliability and safety in extreme conditions, because wet down won’t loft. But DWR can wear off down just like it does on a shell fabric.“We like to say that cleaning and waterproofing at least once a season is a best practice,” says Allen.

Caring for down insulation is similar to maintaining a technical shell, but you need to use a detergent that won’t strip away down’s natural oils. I use Nikwax Down Wash Direct for an initial wash cycle. Then, I’ll reapply DWR to both the down and its shell fabric using Down Proof. Just add Down Proof to the detergent dispenser for the second cycle.

Note that you shouldn’t wash down items in a top-loading machine fitted with an agitator. The central column can tear the fragile face fabrics used on ultralight down items and can even break apart the down clusters themselves. If you have one, consult its instructions to see if the agitator can be removed, or plan on visiting a laundromat.

The tricky thing with down isn’t washing or treating it, it’s drying. Down clumps when soaked, becoming time consuming to fully dry (which you absolutely must do before storing it). Any clumps need be fully broken up to evenly distribute the down.

Consult the care label before proceeding, but most down garments and bags can be tumble driedHow to Clean and Re-Waterproof Gloves and Boots

Gloves and boots are often made from a mix of materials, including various types of natural and synthetic leathers, shell fabrics, and waterproof-breathable membranes. They’re a challenge to clean and care for, which can be frustrating, because gloves and boots are often exposed to mud, snot, salt, and other contaminants much more frequently than other items.Allen recommends to start by keeping gloves and boots clean. Caked on mud and dirt can draw moisture out of leather and abrade fabrics. Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel can help; it preserves DWR coatings and won’t harm leather or synthetic fabrics. Nikwax also makes a product called Fabric and Leather Proof, which applies a DWR to both types of material with an easy spray-on application.

For all or mostly-leather items, Allen recommends applying a leather conditioner if the material looks dry, then a waterproofing wax as is necessary.

For suede or rough-out leather footwear, I also swear by Nikwax’s Suede Proof spray. Now I tromp through puddles and snow without worrying about your my suede shoes’ appearance and texture. To apply that, I just start by brushing boots clean, then saturating them with the spray. The suede boots I’ve protected with Suede Proof are many years old and have experienced the worst of winter weather in big cities, but still look like new.

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.