Running News Daily

For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily routines dramatically. Instead of heading into the office, we’re working from home. Rather than running with friends, we’re logging all our miles solo. Without gyms to go to, we’re trying to work out in our houses and apartments. These lifestyle changes are starting to show up in our bodies, and physiotherapists are beginning to see these changes reflected in the types of injuries showing up in their clinics. We spoke with Lindsay Scott, runner and physiotherapist at the Runner’s Academy in Toronto, to find out what types of COVID-related injuries runners are experiencing, and what they should do to avoid them.

Scott explains that many of us are spending hours huddling over computers, working from couches or beds and losing the small amounts of daily movement that come with leaving the house. Coupled with a sudden change in access to gym facilities, these lifestyle changes initially caused things like headaches, neck and jaw pain and lower back pain.

She says they’re now seeing two trends: beginner runners or those who have increased their mileage significantly, and runners who are just simply burnt out. Runners in the first group have increased the demand on their bodies faster than they can adapt, and this is leading to an increase in complaints like shin splints and patella-femoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee)

For runners in the second group, burnout can translate into all kinds of injuries, including bone stress injuries, pain in the SI joint area, plantar fasciitis, Achilles issues and the return of previous injuries. Scott says one reason for this is because stress of all kinds can increase our risk for injury.

“Any stress, whether it’s physical, mental or emotional, will play into our resilience on therun,” she says. 

Additionally, she says that without any races on the calendar this past year, many runners didn’t take any downtime or plan to have a recovery season the way they would after a race. It is not possible to be at peak fitness all year, and it isn’t sustainable to continue to train without taking a period of intentional rest. The issue, of course, is that many of us use running as a way to relieve stress, and so taking time off during such a difficult time doesn’t seem all that appealing.

"As we use running as a coping strategy, an anchor in our daily routine, and a reason to leave the house for some fresh air, we’re seeing the effects of insufficient recovery in the form of more injuries,” Scott says

Scott uses the visual of a hurricane to explain the factors that contribute to injury: at any given time, you have a number of factors swirling around that are contributing to your health (like good technique, good coping mechanisms and a supportive environment) and factors swirling around that are detracting from it (like poor mobility, stress, fatigue or unhealthy ideas about training). Every day, the pull of a given factor may be more or less than the previous day.

“In the event that the factors that drive you towards injury begin to outweigh the healthy factors, you move closer and closer to a tipping point, at which point, you begin to experience symptoms,” she explains. “So while it may seem as though something as simple as neglecting your post-run routine after that last workout created symptoms, the reality is that you had likely been building towards that tipping point and that one change was simply the final straw.

If you’re experiencing pain that lasts more than a few runs, or that seems to be getting worse, Scott recommends seeking out a physiotherapist or other healthcare professional, particularly one who has experience with runners. Even during the lockdown, many healthcare practitioners have been deemed essential and remain open to support runners. She adds that virtual care is also an excellent option for those who can’t or don’t feel comfortable with an in-person appointment, and can still produce similar results as face-to-face care

Scott’s guidelines for running during COVID-19

First, Scott advises runners to adjust their expectations around running based on the positive and negative factors that contribute to their ability to tolerate the demands of running. If your stress levels are rising and you feel the need to head out for a run, first check to make sure that it is the right thing for your body. Second, she reminds runners to give their bodies plenty of time to recover and to build up mileage and intensity gradually.

Scott also advises runners to think about what it looks and feels like when they’re running through fatigue, and to be aware of those signs of overtraining and burnout. You should also keep up with a regular mobility practice and strength training program to keep your body moving well. She says this is also useful as an early indicator if something isn’t moving well long before symptoms develop.

Finally, if you’re someone who tends to get competitive with others or yourself, Scott suggests muting or turning off tools like Strava or the ‘productivity’ feature on your Garmin

“Clinically, I see many runners who ignore warning signs from their body in order to keep up with these often arbitrary indicators of success on the run. Both of those tools can have immense value to runners in certain circumstances, but they can also push you to enter dangerous territory if you lose sight of the need to listen to your body.”

During already stressful times, the last thing you want is to add an additional stressor into your life in the form of an injury. Listening to your body, backing off the volume or intensity when necessary and taking a few days off if you need them will ensure that running can continue to add something positive into your daily life

Kenya’s next great road-running sensation may have officially arrived.

At just 24 years old, Dennis Kipkogei delivered a breathtaking performance at the Gutenberg Mainz Half Marathon on Sunday May 10th 2026, storming to victory in a sensational course-record time of 59:14. In doing so, the emerging Kenyan star not only shattered the previous mark but also elevated the status of the German event onto the global stage of elite half marathon racing.

His remarkable run now ranks Mainz among the fastest half marathons in Germany, with only Berlin producing quicker winning times in recent years. But beyond the statistics, it was the authority, composure, and dominance of Kipkogei’s performance that captured attention.

The Kenyan crossed the finish line more than a minute ahead of the chasing pack, underlining the gulf in class between himself and the rest of the field. Fellow Kenyans Kelvin Kipruto and Jamal Kiprono completed a clean sweep of the podium, clocking 60:25 and 60:29 respectively, but the day unquestionably belonged to Kipkogei.

What makes the performance even more impressive is how rapidly the young runner is adapting to the international stage. Mainz marked only Kipkogei’s second race outside Kenya following his breakthrough appearance at the Berlin Half Marathon in March, where he finished runner-up after spending much of the race assisting with pacing duties. That performance hinted at enormous potential. His display in Mainz confirmed it.

This time there were no questions, no supporting role, and no shared spotlight. Kipkogei took command of the race with maturity far beyond his years, producing a fearless front-running display that signaled the arrival of a serious contender in global distance running.

His 59:14 performance now places him among the fastest half marathon runners in the world this season and strengthens Kenya’s already rich legacy in long-distance road racing. More importantly, it suggests that Dennis Kipkogei possesses the rare combination of speed, endurance, and tactical intelligence required to become one of the sport’s future headline names.

For German road racing, it was a historic morning. For Dennis Kipkogei, it may prove to be the moment the world truly took notice.

Under the dazzling lights of Shanghai, Shericka Jackson reminded the athletics world exactly why she remains one of the most feared women in sprinting. In a fiercely competitive women’s 200 metres packed with elite talent, the Jamaican superstar stormed to victory in a commanding 22.07 seconds, delivering one of the strongest statements of the early season.

With a legal +0.3 wind behind the field, Jackson looked sharp, composed, and devastatingly efficient through every phase of the race. From the moment she attacked the curve, her trademark blend of power and relaxation separated her from the field, before she surged away in the final metres to secure an emphatic win. More than just another Diamond League success, the performance served as a clear reminder that Jackson is already building serious momentum ahead of the championship season.

The race carried additional intrigue with the long-awaited return of Shaunae Miller-Uibo to the Diamond League circuit. Competing in her first appearance at this level in three years, the Bahamian star produced an impressive run of 22.26 seconds to finish second, showing encouraging signs as she continues her comeback journey. Her presence added extra quality to an already stacked contest and elevated the atmosphere inside the stadium.

Yet the night ultimately belonged to Jackson. The double world champion did not simply win — she controlled the race with the authority of an athlete fully aware of her dominance. At this stage of the season, such a performance carries enormous significance. While many athletes are still searching for rhythm and race sharpness, Jackson already appears locked in, confident, and dangerously close to peak form.

What makes the victory even more compelling is the manner in which it was achieved. There was no visible strain, no desperate lean at the finish, only the calm assurance of a sprinter operating several levels above the field. It was the kind of performance that sends a message across the global sprinting landscape: Shericka Jackson is not easing into the season — she is attacking it.

As the road toward the major championships continues, Shanghai may well be remembered as the night Jackson officially announced her intentions to the world. If this performance is an indication of what is to come, the women’s sprint scene could be heading toward another season dominated by Jamaican brilliance.

Just four days after celebrating his 28th birthday, South African sprint star Gift Leotlela handed himself the perfect present — a sensational victory in the men’s 100 metres at the Shanghai Diamond League.

Leotlela stormed to victory in a blistering 9.97 seconds, edging one of the strongest sprint fields of the season in a race that was decided by the narrowest of margins. Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala crossed the line in 9.98, matching the time of American sprint sensation Kenny Bednarek, who settled for third after a dramatic finish.

The race delivered elite-level drama from start to finish, with American star Trayvon Bromell and Australia’s Lachie Kennedy both clocking 10.01 to finish fourth and fifth respectively in one of the fastest and most competitive 100m contests of the year.

For Leotlela, however, the night belonged entirely to him.

The South African has quietly been building momentum throughout the season, and Shanghai now feels like confirmation that he is ready to challenge the very best consistently on the global stage. His latest triumph comes after opening his 2026 campaign with victory at the South African Championships last month, a performance that hinted at what was to come.

Now, with a sub-10 second victory against a stacked international field, Leotlela appears to be picking up exactly where he left off after his impressive fifth-place finish at last year’s World Championships.

What made the performance even more remarkable was the composure he displayed under immense pressure. Against proven championship medal contenders and some of the quickest starters in the world, Leotlela stayed relaxed, executed brilliantly through the drive phase, and unleashed a powerful finish to snatch the win in the closing metres.

The result further strengthens South Africa’s growing reputation as a sprinting powerhouse and signals that Leotlela could be a major force as the season progresses toward the world’s biggest championships.

In Shanghai, the timing could not have been more poetic. Four days after turning 28, Gift Leotlela did not just celebrate a birthday — he announced himself as one of the most dangerous sprinters in the world.

The 2026 Rimi Riga Marathon produced a thrilling showcase of endurance, dominance, and elite distance running as Ethiopia’s Ayantu Kumela and Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptoo Kororia emerged victorious with commanding performances in the Latvian capital.

Kumela successfully defended her women’s crown in breathtaking fashion, delivering an even stronger display than last year to cement her growing legacy in Riga. The Ethiopian star crossed the finish line in an impressive 2:26:40, nearly two minutes faster than her previous winning performance, underlining both her consistency and remarkable progression on the marathon stage.

Running with confidence and control from the opening kilometers, Kumela gradually distanced herself from the chasing pack before powering home to a memorable back-to-back triumph. Her composed race execution and devastating late surge once again proved too strong for the elite field assembled in Riga.

Fellow Ethiopian Obse Abdeta Deme secured second place in 2:27:50, while Sadura Adawork Aberta completed an all-Ethiopian podium after clocking 2:29:05 for third.

In the men’s race, Kelvin Kiptoo Kororia produced a stunning performance of his own, delivering a masterclass that left no doubt about his superiority on the day. The Kenyan runner stormed to victory in 2:08:58, finishing with authority after an electrifying run through the streets of Riga.

Kororia looked in complete command throughout the race, maintaining a relentless rhythm before unleashing a powerful finishing stretch that thrilled spectators at the finish line. His victory was not only decisive but also symbolic of a runner operating at the peak of confidence and strength.

Ethiopia’s Getachew Kene Tufa claimed second place in 2:11:29, while Kenya’s Stephen Kipkemoi Kibor completed the podium in third after clocking 2:12:27.

With both races delivering fast times and unforgettable moments, the 2026 Rimi Riga Marathon once again lived up to its growing reputation as one of Europe’s premier road racing events. Yet above all, the spotlight belonged to Kumela and Kororia — two champions whose dominant performances transformed Riga into a stage of marathon excellence.

Kenya’s rising middle-distance sensation Emmaculate Jemutai produced one of the most remarkable performances of the Big 12 Championships, storming to two gold medals within the space of just one hour and twenty minutes in a breathtaking display of endurance, tactical brilliance, and raw determination.

Representing Kansas, Jemutai first conquered a fiercely competitive women’s 1500m field, timing her race to perfection before unleashing a devastating finishing kick to cross the line in 4:09.66. Against a stacked lineup packed with elite collegiate talent, the Kenyan star remained composed throughout the tactical contest before separating herself when it mattered most.

Her victory in the 1500m alone would have been enough to headline the day, but Jemutai was far from finished.

Barely eighty minutes later, she returned to the track for the women’s 800m final and once again delivered under pressure. Despite the physical demands of the earlier race, Jemutai showed extraordinary resilience and championship mentality, surging to another impressive triumph in 2:05.90 to complete a sensational double that left the crowd in awe.

Winning two middle-distance titles in such a short span is an exceptionally rare achievement at championship level, requiring not only elite fitness but also tactical intelligence, recovery ability, and mental toughness. Jemutai displayed all of those qualities in abundance.

The manner in which she controlled both races underlined her growing reputation as one of the most versatile and dangerous middle-distance athletes in collegiate athletics. Her ability to seamlessly transition from the tactical demands of the 1500m to the speed and intensity of the 800m showcased a runner operating at an elite level.

For Kansas Track and Field, Jemutai’s heroics marked one of the standout moments of the championships, while for Kenyan athletics, her dominant performances continue to signal the emergence of another exciting talent on the global stage.

From patience and poise in the 1500m to courage and strength in the 800m, Emmaculate Jemutai delivered a championship performance that will be remembered for a long time in Big 12 history.