Running News Daily

If you have a dog, you probably take him or her running from time to time, and although you might not think about it too much, your furry little friend can be a pretty big help when it comes to training. Dogs are always there for you, they keep you active and they might even stop you from going too hard on easy days. The pros of running with a dog certainly outweigh the cons, so here are five benefits of bringing your four-legged training partner along for runs.

You always have a running buddy

Regardless of the time of day, the weather or any other factors that might prevent your human training partner from joining you for a run, your dog will always be ready for an outing. Dogs are never not happy to go outside and be active, and because of that, you always have a running buddy if you have a dog.

You can blame them for the bad runs

As one Twitter user pointed out, you can blame your dog if you have a bad run. Before you get upset thinking about runners pointing the finger at anyone other than themselves after bad days, think about it: a dog wouldn’t care even if he knew that’s what his owner was doing. We don’t recommend making excuses on Strava, but if you’re set on coming up with one, saying that your dog was lollygagging and slowing you down is pretty believable.

They keep you accountable

Human training partners are great for keeping you accountable, because if you make plans to meet up for a run, you will be letting other people down when you don’t show up. If you think about it, dogs can keep you accountable, too. They grow accustomed to their daily schedule, and if you slack and skip a few runs, it’ll get to them. They’ll be energetic and restless, and the only way to solve that problem is by taking them for a run.

You can’t overdo it

You probably aren’t going to take your dog out on your hard sessions, so they’re reserved for easier runs. While some dogs can hammer out a quick 10K, many of them are more comfortable running at a slower pace. If you run alone, you might push too hard on easy days, but with a pup by your side, you’ll be more conscious of your pace.

The silent training partner

It’s great having running buddies, but sometimes you just want to run in silence. That’s why dogs are ideal training partners, as they keep you company without talking your ear off.

The countdown to the 2026 Paris Diamond League is almost over, and one of the most anticipated events on the programme is the men's 5000m. Scheduled for Sunday, June 28, the race has assembled an impressive international field featuring established champions, emerging talents, and national record holders, setting the stage for what could become one of the fastest 5000m races of the season.

France's Jimmy Gressier will carry the hopes of the home crowd as he headlines the event. Renowned for his fearless front-running style and relentless pace, Gressier will be eager to produce another memorable performance on home soil against one of the deepest fields assembled this year.

The race also features Sweden's Andreas Almgren, whose remarkable rise over the longer distances has made him one of Europe's strongest contenders. Eritrea's Saymon Amanuel, Ethiopia's Getnet Wale, Kuma Girma, Lamecha Girma, Khairi Bejiga, and Addisu Yihune further strengthen an already formidable lineup, bringing world-class credentials and proven championship experience.

Kenya enters the contest with a talented quartet comprising Cornelius Kemboi, Frankline Kibet, Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang, and Jacob Krop. With Kenya's rich tradition in distance running, the four athletes will be looking to assert themselves against a field packed with elite competitors and continue the country's dominance on the global stage.

The international flavour of the race extends even further with competitors from the United States, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Burundi, Uruguay, Bahrain, and the Netherlands, highlighting the Diamond League's status as the premier meeting point for the world's finest track athletes.

With so many athletes capable of producing sub-13-minute performances, fans can expect an aggressive pace from the opening laps. Whether the race develops into a tactical championship-style battle or an all-out assault on the clock, every indication points to a thrilling spectacle under the Paris lights.

As the Diamond League season gathers momentum, Sunday's men's 5000m promises more than just valuable points—it offers athletes a golden opportunity to test themselves against world-class opposition, build confidence ahead of major championships, and perhaps deliver one of the standout performances of the year.

The stage is set. The field is loaded. Paris is ready for another unforgettable moment of distance running.

Kenyan distance running has been dealt another painful setback after former half-marathon world record holder Kibiwott Kandie was handed a seven-year suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), bringing a dramatic halt to the career of one of the finest road runners of his generation.

The sanction, which is backdated to 14 March 2025, follows Kandie's admission to two serious anti-doping rule violations: refusing to submit to sample collection and tampering with the doping control process. The ban will keep him out of competition until 13 March 2032. Kandie had initially faced an eight-year suspension, but the penalty was reduced by one year after he admitted the violations and accepted the sanction.

For athletics fans, the news marks a remarkable reversal of fortune.

In December 2020, Kandie captivated the running world with a breathtaking performance at the Valencia Half Marathon, clocking 57:32 to become the first athlete in history to break the 58-minute barrier over the distance. That unforgettable run erased the previous world record by 29 seconds and cemented his place among the greatest half-marathon runners the sport had ever witnessed. His résumé also includes a silver medal at the World Half Marathon Championships and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal, achievements that elevated him into the elite ranks of global distance running.

Today, however, those extraordinary accomplishments are overshadowed by one of the most significant disciplinary sanctions handed to a high-profile Kenyan athlete in recent years.

According to the AIU, investigators uncovered evidence that extended beyond a refusal to provide a sample. Their investigation included forensic analysis of phone records and financial transactions, while documents submitted in support of Kandie's explanation were found to be fraudulent, leading to the additional charge of tampering with the doping control process.

The decision once again shines a spotlight on the challenges facing Kenyan athletics. A nation celebrated for producing world-class distance runners has increasingly found itself battling a growing number of anti-doping cases, raising difficult questions about athlete education, accountability, support systems and the long-term protection of the country's proud sporting legacy.

For clean athletes who continue to compete with integrity, every doping case represents more than an individual failure—it threatens public confidence in the sport and unfairly casts doubt on genuine performances.

Kibiwott Kandie's rise inspired millions. His downfall serves as another powerful reminder that talent alone is never enough. In modern athletics, greatness is measured not only by records and medals, but also by integrity, honesty and respect for the rules that protect fair competition.

The road that once made Kandie a global icon has now become a long journey away from the sport—a sobering chapter in one of Kenyan athletics' most remarkable stories.

The women's 3000m steeplechase at the upcoming Prefontaine Classic is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated distance races of the season, with a world-class field led by Kenya's rising sensation Faith Cherotich, Uganda's Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai, and Bahrain's formidable record-holder Winfred Yavi.

Scheduled for July 3–4 in Eugene, Oregon, the race promises a fascinating clash of generations, styles, and ambitions as some of the sport's biggest names battle for supremacy on one of athletics' most iconic stages.

All eyes will undoubtedly be on Cherotich, whose meteoric rise has established her as one of the brightest stars in global steeplechasing. The Kenyan youngster has consistently demonstrated remarkable composure against elite opposition, combining fearless front-running with a devastating finishing kick. Facing another stacked international field, she will be eager to reaffirm her status among the discipline's elite.

Standing in her path is Chemutai, the Ugandan trailblazer whose championship pedigree and tactical brilliance have made her one of the most respected athletes in the event. Known for her ability to deliver under pressure, Chemutai arrives in Eugene with the experience and confidence required to challenge for victory against the world's best.

Adding further intrigue is Yavi, whose relentless pace and exceptional barrier technique have transformed her into one of the most dominant steeplechasers of recent years. Whenever Yavi steps onto the track, records and winning times immediately come into the conversation, making her a serious contender for top honours once again.

The depth of the field extends far beyond the headline trio. Kenya's emerging talent Doris Lemngole and experienced campaigner Norah Jeruto add further firepower, while a strong American contingent featuring Lexy Halladay, Gracie Hyde, Olivia Markezich, Gabrielle Jennings, Courtney Wayment and Angelina Napoleon will be eager to impress before a home crowd.

The international challenge is further strengthened by Morocco's Marwa Bouzayani and Germany's accomplished duo of Gesa Felicitas Krause and Lea Meyer, ensuring that every lap will be fiercely contested.

With Olympic and world medalists sharing the track alongside emerging stars hungry for a breakthrough, the stage is set for a thrilling contest that could produce one of the fastest women's steeplechase races of the year. As the athletics world turns its attention to Eugene, fans can expect a captivating battle over barriers and water jumps, where every stride could make the difference between victory and defeat.

The countdown has begun, and if the entry list is anything to go by, the Prefontaine Classic is poised to deliver another unforgettable chapter in the rich history of women's steeplechase racing.

Ethiopian distance-running sensation Fotyen Tesfay is preparing to make her long-awaited return to competition as she targets the Buenos Aires Half Marathon on August 23, 2026.

Widely regarded as one of the finest endurance athletes of her generation, Tesfay enters the race carrying the distinction of being the second-fastest woman in marathon history. Her appearance in the Argentine capital will mark only her second outing of the season, adding further intrigue to an event that is expected to attract some of the world's strongest road-running talent.

The Ethiopian star confirmed her participation through a brief announcement, revealing that Buenos Aires will be the stage for her next competitive test after a relatively quiet first half of the year. While her racing schedule has been limited, anticipation remains high whenever Tesfay steps onto the start line, given her proven ability to deliver world-class performances over long distances.

Known for her relentless pace, exceptional endurance, and tactical brilliance, Tesfay has established herself among the elite names in global road running. Every race she enters carries significant expectations, and the Buenos Aires Half Marathon will be no exception as fans eagerly await a glimpse of her current form.

The race presents an important opportunity for the Ethiopian ace to sharpen her competitive edge and build momentum for the remainder of the season. With her remarkable pedigree and unmatched determination, she will undoubtedly be one of the athletes to watch when the streets of Buenos Aires come alive with world-class racing action.

As the countdown to August continues, all eyes will be fixed on Tesfay's return. For an athlete whose career has been defined by chasing excellence and pushing the limits of human performance, another chapter awaits on the roads of Buenos Aires.

When greatness is the destination, every road becomes a pathway to history.

In a landmark decision that could redefine athlete welfare worldwide, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a historic funding programme that will provide direct financial support to every Olympic athlete for the first time in the Games' history.

Under the newly launched "Fit for the Future Olympian Grant" initiative, every athlete competing at the Olympic Games will be eligible for a USD 10,000 grant. The programme will officially begin with athletes who competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, marking a significant shift in how the Olympic Movement supports competitors beyond the field of play.

The IOC has committed USD 140 million every four years to fund the initiative, underscoring its long-term commitment to athlete development and welfare. Unlike performance-based rewards, the grant is not considered prize money. Instead, it is designed to help athletes either continue pursuing their sporting ambitions or successfully transition into life after retirement from competitive sport.

For decades, Olympic athletes have dedicated years of training, sacrifice, and commitment in pursuit of sporting excellence, often while balancing education, employment, and personal responsibilities. The new grant programme seeks to provide meaningful support during and after those journeys, offering athletes greater financial stability as they navigate the demands of elite competition and future career opportunities.

The announcement comes amid growing global discussions surrounding athlete compensation and support systems within the Olympic Movement. While the IOC has maintained its position against introducing universal Olympic prize money, the grant programme represents one of the most substantial athlete-focused investments in the organization's history.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry described the initiative as the result of years of discussion and planning, highlighting athlete welfare as a central pillar of the Olympic Movement's future. The programme reflects an evolving approach that places greater emphasis on supporting athletes beyond their performances on the podium.

With the programme now officially in place, the IOC has taken a historic step toward strengthening athlete welfare. Although the grants are not classified as prize money, the initiative reflects a growing commitment to supporting Olympians beyond competition, acknowledging the immense sacrifices athletes make in pursuit of Olympic dreams.

The initiative is already being celebrated as a transformative moment for global sport. By guaranteeing financial assistance to every Olympian, the IOC has opened a new chapter in athlete support—one that recognizes not only sporting achievement but also the personal dedication required to reach the world's biggest sporting stage.