Running News Daily

“We didn’t want to simply educate and represent only ourselves, we want to do this for people who don’t have a voice.”

There’s a new elite running team, and it’s working toward bridging the diversity gap in the sport.

Angel City Elite is a Los Angeles-based team of five women who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). The group—Sabrina De La Cruz, Andrea Guerra, Valerie Sanchez, Grace Gonzales, and Grace Graham-Zamudio—is determined to not only perform well, but be a voice in the running industry and community.

The team of women, all of whom are marathoners, is sponsored by Brooks Running, and each athlete will receive Brooks team gear and shoes, and have incentive bonuses in their contracts along with a travel budget. De La Cruz, Guerra, and Gonzales are coached by De La Cruz’s husband, Andres; while Sanchez and Graham-Zamudio will continue to work with their current coaches. All will continue to work full-time jobs on top of competing at an elite level.

“I’ve had this idea for years but was scared because I didn’t know how to start it,” De La Cruz, 31, a 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier with a PR of 2:41:16, told Runner’s World. “Right after college, I did see the lack of representation in the sport whenever I would travel to races. About two years I go, I did feel stereotyped when I went to other states. So that’s when I knew, I need to create this team.”

This was especially apparent to De La Cruz at the Olympic Marathon Trials where only handful of runners were BIPOC, and it inspired her to reach out to the other four women, all of whom are marathoners living in the Los Angeles area. Guerra (who has a marathon PR of 2:42:15), Sanchez (2:42:38), and Gonzales (2:41:52) also qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials.

Each runner brings a different story to the team. Sanchez, 30, is Mexican-American and a friend of De La Cruz’s from the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA). Gonzales, 31, is part Chicana and part indigenous Mexican, who mentors the team and teaches them about her culture. Guerra, 30, moved to the U.S. from Mexico when she was six years old. Graham-Zamudio, 27, is the youngest in the group and already a leader. 

In the spring and summer of 2020, the women created a plan for their team, including mission statements and a clear vision. They didn’t want to just simply exist as a team that only runs and competes. They also wanted to be proactive in bridging the diversity gap in the sport.

“We didn’t want to simply educate and represent only ourselves, we want to do this for people who don’t have a voice,” De La Cruz said. “That’s really huge for us. Not only empowering each other, but empowering others by doing the work on our end to make running more inclusive.”

This part of their mission, in addition to the talent of each team member, caught Brooks’s attention. Julie Culley, a 2012 Olympian who started as the sports marketing manager for Brooks last August, said this was one of the first projects she worked on with Brooks.

“What made this so significant was these were five women who were already connected by location, they already do some training together, but beyond trying to get the most out of themselves was their unification on trying to change the landscape of the sport,” Culley told Runner’s World. “The callout that’s happened in the last year to focus on elevating voices and inviting more people in. They want to get the most out of themselves, but they want to do more than that. You just can’t not fall in love with that.” 

The logistics starting a team—becoming an LLC, setting up a bank account, receiving nonprofit status—has taken several months. Brooks is paying for incorporation fees, logo creation, web hosting (you can find the team website here), and other requirements for creating and supporting the team.

When asked about team goals, De La Cruz’s passion for community comes flying out and running almost takes a backseat. She shares idea after idea of actions she wants to take, such as using social media channels and a podcast to amplify voices and tell others’ stories. Additionally, she wants to connect with local run clubs, shops, and crews like Blacklist LA, creating a L.A.-based group run for all races, genders, and ages, and even going to local high schools, when the pandemic ends, to help kids apply for college and federal student aid (FAFSA).

“When I was growing up, I was lucky to have my mom,” De La Cruz said. “She was the first one out of her whole family to attend college. She helped me, but I also had friends who had no idea how to apply for school or FAFSA. My mom helped all of the kids in my high school because many parents didn’t know how to apply for college. This is the education and resource we want to bring to and be in the community.” 

The team’s race schedule is still up in the air because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the women are looking forward to doing races ranging in distances from the 10K to the marathon all over the country to share their message and mission. 

“I actually started to cry last week,” De La Cruz said. “I feel so supported and happy Brooks is helping us. It’s something we needed. Some of us with our backgrounds, we don’t have much money. It’s nice to have this help, and we want to keep building on this and help the next generation. I don’t want this team to be here for three years. It’s here for years to come we can help generation after generation.”

The move comes as a few teams have popped up in recent months. Back in August, the On Athletics Club debuted in Boulder, Colorado, and just this week, a Puma group was announced in North Carolina.

For now, there’s a lot of work still to be done, and Angel City Elite has the boundless vision and potential to make a vast change in the sport and the Los Angeles community for years to come. 

Australian sprinting may have found its next great quarter-mile star.

At the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, Aidan Murphy delivered the performance of his life, producing a breathtaking 44.44-second run to lead an Australian clean sweep in the men’s 400m and catapult himself into the history books.

The long-awaited breakthrough was nothing short of spectacular. Murphy exploded down the home straight with supreme confidence and composure, crossing the line just fractions outside Darren Clark’s long-standing Australian record of 44.38. In doing so, the rising star climbed to second on Australia’s all-time rankings, confirming his arrival among the nation’s sprinting elite.

It was a race packed with quality from start to finish, as Australia completely dominated the podium. Thomas Reynolds chased hard for silver in an outstanding personal performance of 44.69, while Luke van Ratingen secured bronze in 45.04 to complete a memorable Australian sweep.

But the day belonged to Murphy.

After years of promise and patient development, the young Australian finally produced the performance many believed was coming. His run combined raw speed, control, and remarkable strength over the final 100 metres — the hallmarks of a world-class 400m athlete. From the stagger unwind to the powerful finish, Murphy looked every bit like a man ready to challenge the very best on the global stage.

The significance of the performance extends far beyond a championship title. Running 44.44 places Murphy among the fastest athletes ever produced in Oceania and sends a clear warning ahead of the major international championships later this season.

For Australian athletics, the result signals a new era in the men’s 400m. Three athletes under 45.10 in the same final highlights the growing depth of the event, but Murphy’s sensational breakthrough elevated the evening into something historic.

Darwin witnessed more than just a gold medal performance — it witnessed the rise of a genuine sprint force.

And if 44.44 is only the beginning, Australia’s national record may not survive much longer.

The picturesque streets of Karlovy Vary witnessed a thrilling showcase of endurance and determination on Saturday as elite athletes delivered memorable performances at the Karlovy Vary Half Marathon. With strong international fields in both the men’s and women’s races, the event once again proved why it continues to grow in stature on the European road racing calendar.

Home favourite Damian Vích produced a commanding run to delight the local crowd, storming to victory in the men’s race with an impressive time of 1:03:30. The Czech star controlled the race brilliantly, combining patience and tactical awareness before pulling away decisively in the closing stages to secure one of the biggest wins of his career on home soil.

Germany’s Jan Lukas Becker fought hard throughout the contest and crossed the line in second place in 1:03:58 after maintaining relentless pressure on the leader. Spain’s Artur Bossy completed the podium with a solid performance of 1:05:00, rounding off a highly competitive men’s field.

The women’s race delivered equal excitement as Spain’s Karitina Caroca showcased her class with a powerful victory in 1:10:45. Running with confidence and composure from the early kilometres, Caroca gradually separated herself from the chasing pack before sealing an emphatic triumph in the historic Czech spa city.

Hungary’s Nóra Szabó claimed second place in 1:12:19 after a determined effort, while Britain’s Natasha Wilson secured third in 1:13:05 to complete the women’s podium.

Beyond the impressive times, the atmosphere in Karlovy Vary added a special dimension to the event, with enthusiastic spectators lining the scenic course and creating an electric backdrop for the athletes. The race blended elite competition with the charm of one of Europe’s most beautiful running destinations, making it another memorable edition of the celebrated half marathon.

As the road racing season continues to gather momentum across Europe, the performances in Karlovy Vary offered further proof of the remarkable depth emerging in international distance running, with established names and rising talents continuing to push the standard higher.

Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay Hailu has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting athletes in women’s distance running, combining world-class speed on the track with a marathon debut that instantly placed her among the greatest performers in history.

The 28-year-old Ethiopian captured global attention on March 15, 2026, at the Zurich Barcelona Marathon, where she ran 2:10:51 in her first attempt at the classic distance. The performance moved her to No. 2 on the all-time women’s marathon list and confirmed what many insiders had suspected for years — Tesfay possessed the perfect combination of speed, strength, and efficiency to become a major marathon star.

Before stepping up to the marathon, Tesfay had already established herself as one of the world’s elite distance runners. She owns personal bests of 14:28.53 for 5,000 meters, 29:47.71 for 10,000 meters, and an impressive 1:03:21 for the half marathon. Those performances placed her among the very best female distance runners in the world long before she made her marathon debut.

Tesfay first gained major international attention through her aggressive style on both the roads and track. Unlike some runners who rely heavily on tactical racing, she has consistently shown she is comfortable pushing the pace from the front. That fearless approach translated beautifully to the marathon in Barcelona. Rather than fading late, as many athletes do in a debut, she looked smooth and controlled deep into the race while maintaining one of the fastest paces ever recorded by a woman.

Her marathon breakthrough did not happen overnight. Ethiopia’s deep tradition in distance running has produced countless champions, but Tesfay’s development has stood out because of her versatility. She has demonstrated elite ability on the track, cross country, and roads, proving she can adapt to almost any racing situation.

Observers were particularly impressed by how relaxed she appeared while running at a pace few women in history have ever sustained for 26.2 miles. That has led many in the sport to believe her future performances could be even faster as she gains more experience at the marathon distance.

Tesfay’s emergence also comes during a remarkable era for women’s marathon running. Times once considered impossible are now becoming reality, and Tesfay appears positioned to play a major role in pushing the event to even higher levels.

With her combination of track speed, endurance, and calm racing style, Fotyen Tesfay Hailu now looks capable of becoming one of the defining marathon runners of her generation.

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.