Running News Daily

A group of top ultra runners will gather in Chandler, Ariz., with hopes of breaking the World Athletics records for 100 kilometers on the road. The event, called Project Carbon X 2 and staged by Hoka One One for the benefit of their athletes, will start and finish at the Wild Horse Pass Motor Sports Park and will use some of the same roads as The Marathon Project which was held with great success last month.

“I’m incredibly excited,” said Hoke One One president Wendy Yang on a video conference today with reporters. “Also feel super fortunate that the team was able to bring this event together.”

The pandemic has meant dramatically fewer competitive opportunities for road running athletes, especially ultra runners who specialize in distances longer than the standard marathon distance of 42.195 km, or 26.2 miles. However, since most ultra runners train alone or in very small groups, the pandemic has given them a chance to put in long blocks of uninterrupted, COVID-safe training and improve their strength and fitness. Tomorrow’s race will offer them a chance to show off their work.

We wanted to give our athletes the chance to compete,” Yang continued. “We felt like our athletes really needed this chance.”

The top targets for tomorrow’s race are the ratified World Athletics 100-K records of 6:33:11 for women, set by Japan’s Tomoe Abe in 2000, and 6:09:14 for men, set by Japan’s Nao Kazami in 2018. Both records were set at the same event, the Lake Saroma 100-K in Hokkaido, Japan. The women’s record works out to a pace of 3:56 per kilometer, which means running two 2:46 marathons back-to-back plus another 15.6 kilometers at the same pace. The men’s record pace of 3:42 per kilometer translates to running back-to-back 2:36 marathons plus the extra distance.

“You never know what can happen in an ultramarathon,” said Hayden Hawks one of the top contenders in the men’s division. Hawks smashed the course record at the venerable JFK 50 Mile (80.5 km) in Maryland last November, clocking 5:18:40. His pace at that event, which included rugged trails and some steep climbs and descents, worked out to 3:58 per kilometer. He said he’s been practicing on flat, loop courses to simulate the conditions in Arizona, and that with his strength and mental toughness he has a chance at the record.

“My greatest strength is probably just my stubbornness,” Hawks said. He added: “I feel like I have this mental strength to push through a lot of pain.”

Hawks’s main rival tomorrow will be ultra star Jim Walmsley, the man whose record he broke at the JFK race. Walmsley is best known as a trail runner, and is the course record holder for the impossibly difficult Western States 100-Miler in Auburn, Calif., where he ran 14:09:28 in 2019 (he also won in 2018). Walmsley already holds the world best for 50 miles on the road of 4:50:08. Using the popular Riegel Formula, that’s equivalent to 6:05:51 for 100-K, comfortably under the 100-K world record by more than three minutes.

Note: Walmsley was on the LetsRun.com Track Talk Podcast this week where he talked about his 100-k world record attempt, his big plans for 2021 and his cancelled 2020. Highlights here.

“I’m really looking forward to improving on my past performances in the 100-K,” Walmsley said today, admitting that he hasn’t yet perfected his approach to that distance yet. He continued: “I think I’m bringing a more mature approach of being more patient.”

If they don’t eclipse the world record, both men could surpass Max King’s USA record of 6:27:44 set in 2014.

On the women’s side, Camille Herron is the top entrant, and she rated her fitness at “80 to 85 percent.” Like Hawks, the holder of the world best for 24 hours on both the road and the track recently won the JFK 50-Miler. She played down the possibility of getting the world record, but said she was in about the same shape as when she won the famed Comrades Marathon in South Africa in 2017 over a distance of 86.73 kilometers. She allowed that a personal best (sub-7:08:35) was possible, despite only doing a six-week build-up.

“I’m definitely confident in my fitness,” said Herron who recently switched sponsors from Nike to Hoka One One and who will be doing her first race in Hoka shoes. She added: “I’m getting fitter every week. I have a pretty good idea of what I’m capable of.”

Also competing in the women’s division is Irish Olympic marathoner Caitriona Jennings, 40, who will be making her 100-K debut. Jennings will be taking a cautious approach to the race because she is 12 weeks pregnant. She said that there will be plenty of ice and fluids available on the course so that she can keep her core temperature in check.

“It wasn’t a decision I took lightly,” she said emphasizing that she had consulted with her doctor before agreeing to compete. She added: “I think (the water and ice on the course) will help with hydration and keep my temperature down.”

The athletes will start and finish on the race track, and will run about nine laps of an 11-kilometer circuit (Walmsley estimated that each full lap would take him about 41 minutes). The course was measured by two World Athletics “A” measurers, Joe Galope and Jay Wright (an “A” measurer must be used in order for a course to be eligible for a World Athletics record). The event will have in-competition drug testing done by the USA Anti-Doping Agency, also a requirement for setting a world record.

All of the competitors will be wearing the new Hoka One One Carbon X 2 shoe. Colin Ingram, Hoka’s director of product, called the new shoe “one of our sharpest tools in the box.” He explained that the shoe had been improved over its predecessor by incorporating “swallow tail construction” to improve deceleration on the foot strike, and lowering the carbon plate to get it closer to the ground.

“It allows for a more natural gait,” Ingram said.

While Hoka One One has not disclosed the cost of the event, it is significant, especially making it as safe as possible from the coronavirus. Mike McManus, Hoka’s director of global marketing, said that every athlete had at least three antigen PCR tests in the last week, and that masks and social distancing were required at all times except when the athletes are on the course. An industry insider contacted by Race Results Weekly estimated the cost of COVID mitigation for the event was around $60,000.

“It’s been a huge challenge for us to make this event happen in a very safe way,” McManus said.

The race will be streamed live and free at hokaoneone.com beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

After nearly two years away from her signature event, Emma Coburn is finally preparing for a long-awaited return to the steeplechase, marking one of the most anticipated comeback stories of the 2026 athletics season.

The American distance star is expected to compete in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at Sound Running’s Track Fest, which would officially be her first steeplechase appearance since suffering a devastating ankle injury at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting in April 2024.

Coburn’s injury abruptly halted a career that has long been defined by consistency, resilience, and championship-level performances on the global stage. The former world champion and Olympic medalist endured a lengthy rehabilitation process after breaking her ankle in Shanghai, forcing her away from competition and raising uncertainty about when she would return to full fitness.

Now, signs point toward a fresh chapter.

Her entry into Track Fest has generated excitement across the athletics world, with fans eager to see one of the sport’s most recognizable steeplechasers back on the track. The race is also expected to mark Coburn’s first competition of any kind in over a year, having last appeared at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in 2025.

The timing could not be more symbolic. As the 2026 season continues to deliver remarkable comeback stories across athletics, Coburn’s return adds another emotional layer to a year already filled with redemption narratives.

Beyond the results, her comeback represents perseverance through one of the most difficult periods of her career. Injuries of that magnitude can end careers or permanently alter an athlete’s trajectory, yet Coburn has remained determined throughout her recovery journey.

Track Fest will not simply be about times or finishing positions. It will be about the return of a proven competitor whose presence has shaped women’s steeplechase for more than a decade.

If all goes according to plan, the starting line in Los Angeles will mark the beginning of Emma Coburn’s next chapter — one built on resilience, patience, and the hunger to compete once again at the highest level.

Fifteen years have passed since the tragic and mysterious death of Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, one of the most gifted long-distance runners of his generation. Wanjiru died at his home in Nyahururu on May 15, 2011, at just 24 years old, bringing a sudden end to a career that had already secured a place among Kenya’s greatest sporting achievements.

Despite his brief career, Wanjiru left an extraordinary mark on global athletics through his fearless racing style and historic performances on the marathon stage. He remains best remembered for his remarkable victory at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he delivered one of the finest marathon performances in Olympic history.

Competing in extremely hot and humid conditions, Wanjiru broke away from a world-class field with relentless pace and determination before entering the iconic Beijing National Stadium, widely known as the Bird’s Nest Stadium, to win the gold medal in an Olympic record time of 2:06:32. His performance shattered the previous Olympic record by nearly three minutes.

That victory carried historic significance for Kenya. Wanjiru became the country’s first-ever Olympic marathon champion, ending decades of waiting for an Olympic title in one of the nation’s strongest disciplines. At only 21 years old, he also became the youngest Olympic marathon champion in modern history.

Beyond his Olympic success, Wanjiru was admired for his aggressive and fearless approach to racing. He transformed marathon competition with his attacking style, often pushing the pace from the front and forcing rivals beyond their limits. His influence helped shape a new era of marathon running and inspired many of the athletes who followed him.

Although his life ended tragically and under circumstances that continue to attract discussion years later, Wanjiru’s achievements remain deeply respected within Kenyan and international athletics.

Fifteen years after his passing, Samuel Wanjiru continues to be remembered as one of the greatest talents ever produced in marathon running and a pioneer whose Olympic triumph remains one of Kenya’s defining moments in global sport.

The picturesque streets of Karlovy Vary are ready to welcome another thrilling chapter of the EuroHeroes series as a powerful field of European distance runners prepares for the 2026 Karlovy Vary Half Marathon. With established stars, rising talents, and national record contenders lining up, the Czech race promises a captivating blend of speed, tactics, and continental pride.

Leading the men’s field is Germany’s Jan Lukas Becker, whose personal best of 1:01:20 makes him one of the fastest athletes on the start list. Becker arrives with the credentials of a proven front-runner and will undoubtedly be targeting both victory and a strong time on the fast Karlovy Vary course.

Italy’s Nikolas Loss also enters the race carrying impressive momentum. With a personal best of 1:02:28, the Italian has steadily developed into one of Europe’s most reliable road racers and is expected to challenge aggressively from the early stages.

Home fans will place their hopes on Czech standout Damián Vích, whose 1:02:52 lifetime best positions him firmly among the contenders. Competing on familiar roads, Vích could draw extra energy from the local support as he seeks a memorable performance in front of the home crowd.

The women’s race appears equally compelling, headlined by Spain’s Meritxell Soler. Owning a personal best of 1:09:30, Soler enters as one of the favourites and brings valuable experience from major international competitions.

Fellow Spaniard Carolina Robles is expected to provide a serious challenge after clocking 1:09:38 in her career. Known for her strength and consistency, Robles has the tools to turn the women’s contest into a fiercely competitive duel.

Representing the host nation, veteran athlete Eva Vrabcová Nývltová adds further intrigue to the race. Her personal best of 1:11:01, combined with years of championship experience, makes her one of the key names to watch as the Czech fans rally behind one of their most accomplished distance runners.

Set against the elegant spa-town scenery of Karlovy Vary, the race continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Europe’s premier road running events. With elite European talent assembled across both fields, spectators can expect an afternoon filled with aggressive racing, tactical battles, and potentially outstanding times on Czech soil.

British teenage sensation Freddie Rowe is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting young talents in European middle-distance running after producing a stunning sequence of performances over the past few weeks.

The young star has enjoyed a breakthrough spell that has firmly placed him among the brightest prospects in the sport. His impressive run began with victory in the men’s under-18 race at the prestigious Mini London Marathon, where he showcased both composure and tactical maturity beyond his years.

Rowe then delivered another landmark moment at the celebrated Bannister Miles, storming to victory in the mile in a sensational 4:00.88. The performance not only secured the win but also shattered the UK under-18 mile record, underlining his growing reputation as one of Britain’s most gifted teenage athletes.

As if that were not enough, Rowe continued his extraordinary momentum at the University of Birmingham, where he produced a dominant display to win the 1500m in 3:45.78. The time was particularly significant, coming four seconds inside the qualifying standard for the upcoming European U18 Athletics Championships in Rieti.

What makes Rowe’s recent rise even more remarkable is the consistency and confidence with which he has delivered on every stage. Whether racing on the roads or the track, the young Briton has demonstrated a rare blend of speed, endurance, and racing intelligence that suggests even greater performances may still lie ahead.

With records falling, qualifying marks comfortably achieved, and major championships on the horizon, Freddie Rowe’s name is quickly becoming impossible to ignore in European athletics circles. If his current trajectory is anything to go by, this may only be the beginning of a very special journey.

The University of Virginia delivered one of the standout performances on Day One of the ACC Outdoor Championships as Justin Wachtel and Will Anthony powered the Cavaliers to an impressive 1-2 finish in the men’s 10,000m final.

In a race packed with tactical discipline and championship intensity, the field remained closely grouped for much of the contest before the Virginia teammates asserted control during the decisive closing stages. What began as a patient and calculated affair quickly transformed into a fierce battle for the title as the pace intensified late in the race.

When the moment arrived to make his move, Wachtel delivered a stunning finishing burst that left the rest of the field with no response. The UVA star closed his final lap in a remarkable 55.88 seconds, showcasing exceptional speed and composure after an already demanding 10,000 meters.

Anthony followed closely behind to complete a dominant Virginia sweep at the front, capping a memorable performance for the Cavaliers and reinforcing the program’s growing reputation in collegiate distance running.

The victory was not simply about endurance — it was a demonstration of tactical awareness, teamwork, and perfectly timed execution. Wachtel’s devastating finishing speed ultimately proved to be the defining weapon in a race that demanded patience before rewarding aggression.

With the ACC Championships now underway, Virginia has already announced itself as a major force, and the Cavaliers’ commanding display in the 10,000m will undoubtedly remain one of the defining performances of the meet