Running News Daily

Having a brain block at work? Going out for a mid-day run may have more effects on your brain than just a psychological break in the day. 

While the immediate benefit of running, the release of dopamine and other endorphins, is oh-so-good for a stressed-out brain, recent studies have shown running causes more profound, long-lasting changes to brain function. Curious researchers are working hard to uncover how and why aerobic exercise stimulates the brain. 

Running to Remember

Two studies this year, published only a week apart, showed that aerobic exercise improved memory.

One of the studies, from the American Academy of Neurology, looked at 206 adults before and after a six-month exercise program. By the end of the program, the participants saw blood flow to the brain increase by 2.3 percent on average, which is what the researchers believe led to a 5.7 percent improvement on executive function tests and 2.4 percent improvement on verbal fluency. 

“Our study showed that six months’ worth of vigorous exercise may pump blood to regions of the brain that specifically improve your verbal skills as well as memory and mental sharpness,” said study author Marc Poulin in a press release.

Other study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, also looked at blood flow to the brain, but over a year’s worth of aerobic exercise. The exercise group saw a remarkable 47 percent improvement in their memory scores. However, these were among individuals who had memory issues to begin with, which could account for the more staggering results. 

Osteocalcin, a hormone, is another reason memory can be improved by running, among many other incredible functions it helps with.

Brain Health and Brain Function is Boosted

One study that came out of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology found an association between cardiorespiratory fitness and the brain’s ability to produce N-acetyl aspartic acid (NAA). According to Tartar, NAA is a marker of exactly how active the brain is. 

“A central question raised by this work is whether we can modify NAA through physical activity and fitness interventions, providing an effective method to enhance cognitive performance and brain health across the lifespan,” said researcher Ryan Larsen in a press release. 

At the Kavli Institute for the Brain and Mind in California, they’re looking at how running improves motor skills, starting with mice. One of their studies, published in Nature Communications, examined how mice running on a wheel over the course of a week performed better on several tests for motor skills, including walking quickly along a balance beam or staying on a rotating rod. The researchers believe that the type of plasticity they saw in mice brains can easily be translated to humans. By incorporating running, athletes may see performance enhancement in other areas that require fine motor skills.  

There are many other ways that scientists know that exercise can improve brain function. But they still don’t know why. “We can look at the after effect and see if somebody exercises for a few months, we can start to see changes in their cognitive functioning,” says Dr. Tartar. “They have better attention, better executive function, but we really want to see how.”

There are several chemical reactions that are set off by running and exercise that prove that brain health is better off, but the ‘why’ is still yet to be determined. Dr. Tartar would like to find the mechanisms behind things like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Irisin. 

She calls BDNF, a protein released during muscle activity, food for the brain. It supports neuron survival and health, while promoting overall neural health and cognition. Irisin is a hormone secreted from muscles during exercise that also promotes neural health and cognition. But exactly how these proteins and hormones work needs further study to be truly understood. 

Remember that hormone, osteocalcin? It also plays a role in emotion, by increasing serotonin and dopamine, and it’s been shown to decrease anxiety and depression.

Anecdotally, psychologists have known for years that exercise boosts mood by having study participants self-report their feelings. But with the combined efforts of exercise scientists and neuroscientists, there is data from the brain that corroborates that. 

Just one week after rewriting history with a sensational world-record performance over 150 metres, Noah Lyles is set to return to Paris, the city where some of his most memorable career moments were forged. The American sprint superstar will headline a blockbuster men's 100m field at the Paris Diamond League on June 28, promising one of the most captivating races of the season.

Paris has earned a reputation as one of the fastest tracks in world athletics, and Lyles will be hoping the magic returns once again as he steps back onto the same stage that witnessed his Olympic triumphs. Carrying the momentum of his recent world-record achievement, the reigning global sprint king arrives as the man everyone will be chasing.

Yet victory will be far from guaranteed.

The men's 100m field is loaded with world-class talent, bringing together Olympic champions, Diamond League winners, continental record holders and emerging stars in what promises to be a battle from the gun to the finish line.

Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa's fastest man, will be eager to use his trademark explosive start to challenge the favourite. South Africa's Akani Simbine, one of the most consistent performers on the international circuit, arrives in exceptional form and remains a serious contender for victory. Italy's Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs adds further championship pedigree, while American speedsters Trayvon Bromell and rising star Jordan Anthony strengthen an already formidable field.

Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu and Cameroon's Emmanuel Eseme complete a lineup capable of producing fireworks on one of athletics' quickest stages.

Official Men's 100m Start List – Paris Diamond League

1. Noah Lyles (United States)

2. Jordan Anthony (United States)

3. Emmanuel Eseme (Cameroon)

4. Trayvon Bromell (United States)

5. Akani Simbine (South Africa)

6. Lamont Marcell Jacobs (Italy)

7. Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya)

8. Jeremiah Azu (Great Britain)

With the World Championships drawing closer, every race carries added significance. Paris offers athletes a chance not only to collect valuable Diamond League points but also to send a statement to their rivals ahead of the season's biggest tests.

For fans, the ingredients could hardly be better: a world-record holder at the peak of his powers, a lightning-fast track, and a field packed with elite sprinters capable of producing something special. The result is a race that has all the makings of one of the standout moments of the Diamond League campaign.

On June 28, the spotlight will once again shine on Noah Lyles. But against a field this strong, the road to victory will demand nothing less than brilliance.

Swiss middle-distance sensation Audrey Werro continues to redefine the limits of European athletics after producing a breathtaking performance in front of her home supporters, setting a new European best of 1:22.85 in the women's 600m.

Competing on home soil in Switzerland, Werro delivered a run of exceptional quality and composure, eclipsing the previous European best of 1:23.41 that had been established by Keely Hodgkinson in 2023. The performance further underlined the extraordinary form that has transformed the Swiss star into one of the most exciting athletes in world athletics this season.

The new mark is another milestone in what is rapidly becoming a breakthrough year for the 22-year-old. Werro has consistently demonstrated her ability to blend speed, strength and tactical intelligence, qualities that have elevated her from a promising talent to a genuine global contender.

Her latest achievement arrives just days after she stunned the athletics world in Stockholm, where she defeated Hodgkinson in a sensational women's 800m race. On that occasion, Werro crossed the line in a remarkable 1:53.98, a performance that elevated her to third on the all-time women's 800m list and firmly established her among the greatest one-lap-and-a-half runners in history.

The 600m is often regarded as a demanding test of both sprint speed and middle-distance endurance, making Werro's record-breaking effort all the more impressive. From the opening stages, she controlled the pace with confidence before powering through the final stretch to stop the clock at a historic time that rewrote the European record books.

For Swiss athletics, the moment was especially significant. Roared on by a passionate home crowd, Werro delivered a performance that showcased not only her immense talent but also the growing strength of Switzerland on the international athletics stage.

With every race, Werro appears to be pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Her victory in Stockholm and now a European-best performance over 600m suggest that the Swiss star is entering the prime of her career, carrying momentum that could make her one of the defining figures of the current athletics era.

As the season gathers pace, the athletics world will be watching closely. If recent performances are any indication, Audrey Werro's remarkable rise is far from over—and more records may soon be within reach.

A landmark chapter was written in ultrarunning history on Friday as Bo Shelby delivered a performance for the ages at the renowned Bighorn Trail Run in Dayton, Wyoming.

For 25 years, the demanding 100-mile mountain race had resisted every attempt to be conquered in under 18 hours. The rugged trails, relentless climbs, punishing descents, and unpredictable mountain conditions had combined to make the barrier seem almost untouchable. Shelby changed that narrative in emphatic fashion.

Producing one of the finest performances ever seen on the course, Shelby stormed to victory in an astonishing 17:58:03, becoming the first athlete in race history to break the coveted 18-hour mark. In doing so, he not only secured the title but also established a new course record, setting a benchmark that many once believed was beyond reach.

The achievement carries added significance given the reputation of the Bighorn 100, one of North America's most respected ultramarathons. Winding through the breathtaking yet unforgiving Bighorn Mountains, the race features significant elevation changes across its 100-mile route and allows runners a generous 35-hour cutoff simply to reach the finish line. For most participants, earning a finisher's buckle is considered a triumph. Shelby, however, elevated the standard entirely.

What made the race even more remarkable was the depth of competition at the front. Ben Quatromoni also delivered a historic run, crossing the line in 18:10:31. His performance eclipsed the previous course record as well, making it the second-fastest time ever recorded at Bighorn despite finishing second on the day.

Completing an outstanding men's podium was John Dragon, who secured third place in 19:48:48 after a strong and resilient effort across the challenging mountain course.

In the women's race, Leah Handelman produced a commanding display to capture victory in 24:23:35, successfully navigating the demanding terrain to claim top honors.

As the Bighorn 100 celebrates a quarter-century of racing, the 2026 edition will be remembered as a defining moment in its history. A course that had stood unconquered beneath the 18-hour threshold for 25 years finally yielded, and in spectacular fashion. Shelby's record-breaking run did more than earn a victory—it redefined what athletes can dream of achieving on one of ultrarunning's most formidable stages.

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated middle-distance clashes in British athletics history as three generations of 800m talent prepare to meet for the very first time in a single race at the London Diamond League on July 18.

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, national record contender Georgia Hunter Bell, and teenage sensation Phoebe Gill will all line up together over two laps of the track in what promises to be a captivating contest before a home crowd at the London Stadium.

The race brings together three athletes at different stages of their careers, each carrying impressive credentials into one of the season's biggest meetings. Hodgkinson arrives as Britain's fastest-ever female 800m runner, boasting a remarkable personal best of 1:54.33, a mark that places her at the summit of the UK all-time rankings. Close behind her is Hunter Bell, whose outstanding 1:54.90 ranks second on the British all-time list and confirms her status among the world's elite middle-distance performers.

Adding another intriguing dimension to the contest is rising star Phoebe Gill. The young Briton has already established herself as one of Europe's brightest prospects, holding the European Under-18 800m record with a stunning 1:57.86. Despite her age, Gill has consistently demonstrated maturity, composure, and tactical intelligence beyond her years, making her a genuine threat against more experienced opposition.

While Hodgkinson and Hunter Bell have already cemented their places among Britain's greatest 800m athletes, Gill represents the future of the event. Their meeting in London will therefore be more than just a race—it will be a rare collision of established excellence and emerging talent on one of athletics' biggest stages.

The prospect of seeing Britain's top two all-time performers take on the nation's most exciting teenage middle-distance star has already generated considerable excitement among athletics fans. With Diamond League points, national pride, and momentum ahead of the major championships all on the line, the race is expected to deliver both fast times and fierce competition.

As the countdown to London continues, anticipation is building for what could become one of the defining moments of the 2026 Diamond League season. For the first time ever, Hodgkinson, Hunter Bell, and Gill will share the same start line—and British athletics may be about to witness a truly memorable chapter in its rich 800m history.

The future of American distance running may have just announced itself.

Luke Surface, an 8th-grade student-athlete from North Raleigh Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, delivered a performance that stunned the track and field community after taking on some of the nation’s best high school runners at Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Competing at the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon — one of the most iconic venues in American distance running — Surface lined up in the boys championship 5,000 meters against a field dominated by high school seniors, including several athletes preparing to compete at the NCAA Division I level.

Despite being one of the youngest runners in the race, the 14-year-old held his own against the elite competition, finishing eighth in an incredible 14:25.88. The performance set a new national middle school record, averaging approximately 4:39 per mile for more than three miles.

That kind of time is fast enough to win many high school state championships across the United States and meets qualifying standards for several major NCAA Division I conference competitions — a remarkable achievement for a runner who has not yet entered high school.

But Surface’s historic 5,000m performance was only the latest chapter in a season filled with record-breaking moments.

Earlier in May, he clocked 8:52.03 for 3,200 meters at the NCISAA Division I State Championships in North Carolina, breaking another national middle school record. His converted two-mile time of 8:55.12 surpassed the previous world-best mark for a 14-year-old age group, previously held by Vincent Recupero.

During the previous cross-country season, Surface also made headlines when he ran 15:12 at the adidas XC Challenge, finishing second while competing against runners who were several years older.

Across cross country, two miles, and the 5,000 meters, Surface has continued to prove that his talent is far beyond his age group. While he still has four years of high school competition ahead before reaching the college level, his performances have already placed him among the most exciting young distance runners to watch.

The American high school 5,000-meter record currently stands at 13:32, set by Lex Young in 2023 — a mark Surface is not yet close to challenging. However, his remarkable progression at such a young age has caught the attention of the running world, with many eager to follow how far his extraordinary journey can go.

For now, Luke Surface remains an eighth grader rewriting the record books — and his story is only beginning.