Running News Daily

When the University of Oregon announced in early February it will have a virtual commencement ceremony for the second year in a row, the university was met with frustration from some students — not because they wanted to shirk COVID-19 guidelines, but because they believed it was a double standard.

UO's virtual commencement ceremony is scheduled for June 12. A week later, the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field will be held at Hayward Field on UO's campus.

UO also announced this week it will host five collegiate track and field meets at Hayward, starting the weekend of April 2 and ending with the NCAA Championships June 9-12, the same week as graduation.

The university is not involved with the planning or organization of the Olympic trials. The trials are run by TrackTown USA, an outside party that contracts with UO for the use of Hayward Field.

Spectators are not welcome at the first NCAA meet, UO said.

While the university is unwavering on a virtual commencement, it is looking at adding some form of in-person activity for graduation.

For some students, though, it's not enough.

"I just want the (Olympic) trials and graduation to be held at the same standard — so either they both happen or they both don't," said Morgan Leone, a 22-year-old UO senior graduating in June. "And if they both don't, it's unfortunate they couldn't make it happen. (People) worked really hard for both of them, but I would love to see them both happen regardless."

Spring sports moving forward

The Olympic trials for track and field has been held at Hayward Field six times since 1972, though the first year only included men's events. The 2020 trials will be the seventh.

They are organized locally by TrackTown USA, a Eugene-based nonprofit organization that runs other large-scale track and field events. TrackTown has contracted with UO to rent space on campus for these events before, and this year is no exception.

The 2020 Olympics, which were postponed globally because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are scheduled to be held July 23 through Aug. 8 in Tokyo.

Although TrackTown consistently had to adjust plans for the trials, working with public health officials and the UO to adapt to changing policies, said CEO Michael Reilly, the organization still plans to host it in June.

"We are full-steam ahead in planning to host the Olympic trials in June," Reilly said. "We are remaining hopeful that the event is going to continue to be able to be held, and, the conditions here in Oregon and around the country continue to improve. But, if anything, we've learned over the last year we have to take things week by week."

UO sports such as softball, soccer and track and field are underway this spring. The NCAA has been regularly testing athletes for COVID-19 this year.

The Oregon track and field team will host five meets at the new Hayward Field this spring, which will "only be hosting guests of student-athletes and coaches as the meet schedule begins," and no spectators, Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens said.

More in-person activities will be allowed as guidelines change, potentially meaning spectators at events.

State guidelines vary standards

Lane County's risk level set by Oregon Health Authority has been dropping for several weeks. As the vaccination rate increased, the number of new cases has decreased significantly and as of Friday, the county was put in the "lower risk" category, which is the lowest category a county can be in.

"Even with Lane County moving into a lower risk category, the university’s educational and research activities are still restricted by the governor’s orders for higher education issued last June," UO spokesperson Molly Blancett told The Register-Guard in an email.

The governor's executive order notes that for research, residential and instructional activities, universities should follow what is directed from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. It also states other activities on campus, such as athletics, need to comply with other executive orders and OHA guidance specific to the risk level of the county.

In the lower risk category, indoor classroom instruction cannot exceed 50 people, and outdoor classroom instruction 300 people, the HECC states. Outdoor recreation, including college athletics events, are allowed a maximum of 50% occupancy, according to OHA guidelines.

"These restrictions (for UO) are independent from activities organized by outside parties that have contracted to use UO facilities," Blancett said.

TrackTown's operating plans not set yet

However, TrackTown always has to comply with the policies laid out by UO on the use of the space, Reilly said, as part of the contractual agreement.

UO also will be paid by TrackTown for space used, as part of that contract. The exact dollar amount is still unclear, Reilly said, but will likely be set in the coming weeks as they come to better understand the amount of space the organization will rent from UO.

Lane County Public Health also is involved in Olympic trials planning and has been for past trials, Reilly said. When the time comes, TrackTown will present its plan to OHA.

"We fully expect a good rigorous analysis from them. We'll try to do our best to answer their questions that may evolve at that point, a need for us to adapt and change the operating plans that we're proposing," Reilly said.

"I imagine it's going to be an ongoing back-and-forth discussion with them in the coming weeks to try to arrive at a set of operating plans that they feel comfortable about," he said. "That will enable us to not only conduct a safe event for the participants there, but also do a good job of protecting the broader community."

UO entertaining in-person grad activities

The Olympic trials being contracted out to a third party doesn't change students' call for UO to seek alternatives for graduation.

"That really frustrated me in the sense that they're kind of hiding behind TrackTown," Leone said about UO. "I feel like they've been using that as an excuse.

"In a way like I feel like we signed a contract with the school, and we all paid our way through the university whether we liked it or not," she said.

"And it's frustrating to see that (UO) will be getting a paycheck out (from) TrackTown, and it seems very correlated to why they also want to keep pushing it to go on. I feel like the university tends to forget that we are also paying students and paid a lot of money to go here."

Leone is one of 1,600-plus people who have signed an online petition for UO to reconsider the decision to hold a virtual commencement and include more student input on alternatives.

The petition points out changes such as increased access to vaccines in Lane County, along with the track and field plans as reasons to reconsider.

UO announced there may be some opportunity for in-person activities at commencement, though the actual commencement ceremony will still be virtual. However, it's still unclear what these activities could be.

In a typical year, each school and college at UO (the business school, college of arts and sciences, etc.) has its own smaller commencement ceremony. This is where students actually have their names read and walk across stage to receive their degrees. Then there is a separate, university-wide commencement ceremony with speeches from UO President Michael Schill and other guests.

When asked whether these smaller school-specific ceremonies still were being considered, Blancett said UO is "actively exploring how it might add an in-person activity to complement planned virtual commencement ceremonies," but had nothing more to share at this time.

Students suggest safe alternatives

Leone set up a template email that students could fill out and send to UO leaders suggesting a way of doing in-person commencements. The program she uses shows about 200 people have used the template.

"It's basically suggesting doing many different ceremonies throughout the day at many different locations, without families, so Hayward, also at Autzen field, the EMU lawn," she said. "Everything I wrote followed the extreme risk guidelines, so it'd be 25 people outside all socially distanced ... it would be very strict, but at least families could tune in and watch."

With about 30 minutes per ceremony, following the most stringent guidelines the state has set, Leone said she calculated it would take a couple of days to get through everyone including the 2021 graduates, but it would be possible.

"I don't want anyone to think I'm disregarding COVID or trying to push for unsafe COVID activities," Leone said. "I just figured there are other universities working really hard to try and make something else safe. (UO) can absolutely do that for the seniors."

In the statement, UO's Blancett said UO is "eager to recognize students’ successes and achievements in meaningful ways."

"The health and safety of our community is a top priority, as is the ability to remain flexible while adhering to a rapidly changing guideline that may become more or less stringent over time," she said. "The safety of our campus community remains a top priority and a guiding principle as we navigate moving operations in and out of different risk levels."

Three years after rewriting marathon history on the streets of Berlin, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa is returning to the German capital with one goal firmly in sight — the world record.

The former world record holder has been confirmed for the 2026 Berlin Marathon, scheduled for September 27, and has already made her intentions clear. Assefa wants to produce another historic performance on the course where she delivered one of the greatest marathon runs ever seen.

"It is a great pleasure for me to return to the streets of Berlin three years after setting my world record here in 2023. I am excited to once again try to break the world record," Assefa said after her participation was announced.

Berlin has long been regarded as the world's fastest marathon course, and few athletes understand that better than Assefa. It was there in 2023 that she stunned the athletics world by clocking a then-world record, cementing her place among the greatest marathon runners of her generation.

Now, the Ethiopian star is preparing for another assault on history.

Armed with a remarkable personal best of 2:11:53, Assefa will attempt to lower the current women's world record of 2:09:56, set by Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich. Achieving such a feat would require one of the fastest marathon performances ever produced, but Assefa has already shown she possesses the talent, courage and speed to challenge seemingly impossible barriers.

Her quest, however, will be far from straightforward.

The Berlin field is shaping up to be one of the strongest women's marathon line-ups of the year. Joining Assefa on the start line will be fellow Ethiopian and training partner Amane Beriso, a world-class performer capable of matching any pace on her day. Also in the race will be Kenya's Rosemary Wanjiru, the defending champion, who returns determined to protect her crown after a commanding victory in Berlin last year.

With three of the world's elite marathoners set to clash, the race promises a fascinating battle between championship experience, tactical intelligence and raw speed.

For Assefa, though, the challenge extends beyond defeating her rivals. The bigger target is the clock.

The Ethiopian has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to thrive on Berlin's flat and fast roads, and her return instantly raises expectations of another historic performance. Marathon fans around the world will be watching closely to see whether she can once again produce a run for the ages.

As the world's best distance runners converge on Berlin this September, the stage is set for another potentially historic afternoon. With a proven record on the course, unmatched ambition, and a world record firmly in her sights, Tigst Assefa arrives not merely to compete, but to challenge the limits of what is possible in women's marathon running. Whether history falls once again remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Berlin when the gun goes off on September 27.

The stage is set for one of the greatest women's marathon races ever assembled.

When the BMW Berlin Marathon returns on September 27, 2026, the streets of the German capital will welcome an extraordinary cast of distance-running royalty led by Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa, Kenya's Rosemary Wanjiru and fellow Ethiopian star Amane Beriso. With three of the fastest women in marathon history confirmed for the race, anticipation is already building around what could become another landmark chapter in Berlin's rich marathon legacy.

Adding even greater intrigue to the occasion is the return of Tigst Assefa, who will be chasing a remarkable hat-trick of victories in Berlin. Having already established herself as one of the course's most dominant champions, the Ethiopian star returns to a venue where she has repeatedly showcased her extraordinary talent. Few athletes in the modern era have forged such a powerful connection with the Berlin Marathon, and another victory would further cement her place among the event's all-time greats.

Standing in her path is defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru, the Kenyan star who captured the Berlin crown with a display of strength, patience and tactical brilliance. Wanjiru has consistently proven she belongs among the world's elite marathoners, and her return as defending champion adds another compelling storyline to what is already shaping up to be an unforgettable contest.

Completing the star-studded trio is Amane Beriso, one of the most accomplished marathon runners of her generation. With a personal best of 2:14:58 and a reputation for thriving under pressure, Beriso possesses all the credentials required to challenge for victory on one of the sport's biggest stages.

The numbers alone highlight the quality of the field. Assefa's astonishing personal best of 2:11:53 remains one of the fastest performances ever recorded by a woman, while Wanjiru's 2:16:14 and Beriso's 2:14:58 underline the exceptional depth assembled for this year's race.

Yet this race is about more than personal bests. It is about the collision of champions, the pursuit of greatness and the possibility of witnessing history unfold on Berlin's famously fast roads. The German capital has become synonymous with marathon excellence, producing countless record-breaking performances over the years. Whenever the world's finest athletes gather there, expectations naturally rise.

With Assefa seeking a third consecutive Berlin title, Wanjiru defending her crown and Beriso determined to add another major triumph to her résumé, the ingredients are in place for a spectacular battle from the opening kilometres to the finish line.

The marathon world has already begun counting down the days. Fans, analysts and athletes alike recognize that opportunities to witness a field of this calibre are rare. Three champions, three distinct stories and one iconic course create the perfect formula for a race that could redefine what is possible in women's marathon running.

On September 27, all roads will lead to Berlin. And if these three superstars push one another to their limits, the clock may once again become the biggest casualty of all.

The 2026 Comrades Marathon produced many remarkable performances, but few were as inspiring as the breakthrough run of Zimbabwe’s Nobukhosi Tshuma, who delivered the race of her life to claim a stunning second-place finish in one of the most prestigious ultra-marathons on the planet.

On the unforgiving 85.77-kilometre Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, Tshuma crossed the finish line in an outstanding 5:53:36, finishing behind only South African legend Gerda Steyn and ahead of a world-class field packed with proven marathon and ultra-distance talent.

For Zimbabwean distance running, it was a landmark moment.

The Comrades Marathon is not a race that rewards luck or circumstance. It is a relentless examination of endurance, patience, strength, and mental resilience. Every athlete who reaches the podium must conquer thousands of metres of climbing, punishing gradients, and nearly six hours of sustained effort. Tshuma did exactly that, producing one of the finest performances ever recorded by a Zimbabwean woman at the iconic race.

While Steyn once again demonstrated why she remains the undisputed queen of Comrades, much of the attention turned to the athlete who chased her home. Tshuma ran with confidence, composure, and remarkable determination, refusing to be intimidated by a field that included some of the strongest ultra-runners in South Africa and beyond.

Perhaps most impressive was her ability to withstand the pressure from behind. South Africa’s Irvette van Zyl, a multiple-time Olympian and one of the country's most accomplished road runners, was among the athletes battling for the podium. Yet Tshuma never surrendered her position, matching experience with courage as the kilometres ticked away.

The Up Run is widely regarded as one of the toughest challenges in road running. It demands intelligent pacing and extraordinary physical preparation. Countless athletes have seen their ambitions unravel on its steep ascents. Tshuma, however, appeared to grow stronger as the race progressed, managing the course with maturity beyond her years and proving she belonged among the elite.

Her runner-up finish is more than just a personal achievement. It represents a significant moment for Zimbabwean athletics, showcasing the country's growing presence in ultra-distance running and demonstrating that its athletes can compete with the very best on the biggest stages.

In a race defined by suffering and perseverance, Tshuma delivered a performance that combined both. She earned every kilometre, every minute, and every accolade that came with standing on the Comrades podium.

The result firmly establishes her as one of Africa’s rising ultra-distance stars and places her name on the global endurance running map. For many fans, 2026 may be remembered as the year Gerda Steyn won another Comrades title. But it may also be remembered as the day Nobukhosi Tshuma announced herself to the world.

Zimbabwe has a new running heroine, and the future suddenly looks very exciting.

There are wounds that hunger leaves behind which food alone can never heal.

Not the hunger of missing a meal, but the kind that comes from being overlooked, unwanted, and treated as though your existence carries little value. For many children growing up in poverty, the greatest pain is not an empty stomach—it is the loneliness that comes when society turns away.

For Kenyan distance running sensation Agnes Ngetich, that loneliness was once a daily reality.

Today, she is celebrated across the globe as one of the finest long-distance runners of her generation, a world-record holder whose name commands respect on the biggest stages in athletics. Yet long before the medals, headlines, and international recognition, she was simply a young girl from a struggling family fighting battles few people ever saw.

As the second-born in a family of eight children, Ngetich grew up in circumstances defined by hardship. Following the loss of her father, life became even more difficult for her widowed mother and siblings. Resources were scarce, meals were uncertain, and support from those around them was often absent.

Instead of receiving compassion, the family frequently faced rejection.

People who should have offered encouragement kept their distance. Relationships faded. Doors quietly closed.

The message was clear: poverty had made them invisible.

But while others saw a poor village girl, Agnes carried something they could not see—a determination that refused to surrender.

That determination would reveal itself on a life-changing day in 2018.

With no proper meal to sustain her and little more than hope to guide her, Agnes and her older sister set out on foot for Kamwosor, covering approximately 14 kilometres to attend a school athletics competition. They walked the entire distance.

By the time her 5,000-metre race arrived later in the day, she had still eaten almost nothing.

Most athletes would have withdrawn.

Agnes stepped onto the track.

What followed stunned everyone.

Despite her exhaustion and hunger, she surged to the front of the field. The young girl whom few people noticed was leading the race, outrunning competitors who were far better prepared.

Then her body reached its limit.

Overcome by hunger and fatigue, she collapsed before completing the race.

For many athletes, that moment would have represented heartbreak and defeat.

But what happened next revealed the character that would later make her a champion.

When she regained consciousness, her first concern was not her health, the embarrassment, or the disappointment of collapsing. Instead, she wanted to know where she stood in the race.

She wanted her number.

She wanted to be first.

Even while lying on the ground, defeated by circumstances beyond her control, her competitive spirit remained intact.

It was at that critical moment that fate introduced Agnes to someone who would change her life forever.

Among the spectators was Ruth Bundotich, a teacher and athletics coach who saw something extraordinary in the young runner. While others moved on, Ruth stayed.

She listened.

She asked questions.

She learned about the struggles Agnes faced at home and the hardships that had shaped her childhood.

Most importantly, she chose not to walk away.

In a world that had repeatedly turned its back on Agnes, Ruth offered something priceless: belief.

One act of kindness became a turning point.

One person decided that this young girl deserved a chance.

That decision altered the course of Kenyan athletics history.

Under guidance and support, Agnes began to develop her immense talent. The same girl who once ran on an empty stomach and collapsed from hunger gradually transformed into one of the most formidable athletes on the planet.

Years later, the world would come to know her name.

Records would fall.

Victories would follow.

Crowds would cheer.

The athlete who had once felt invisible would become impossible to ignore.

Yet behind every achievement lies a story that statistics can never tell.

Agnes Ngetich's journey is not merely about running. It is a story about resilience in the face of rejection, courage in the midst of poverty, and the extraordinary impact a single compassionate person can have on another human being's future.

The world celebrates Agnes for her speed.

But perhaps her greatest victory happened long before she crossed any finish line.

It happened the day she refused to let rejection define her.

And it happened because one woman, Ruth Bundotich, chose to stay when everyone else walked away.

Today, Agnes Ngetich stands as living proof that greatness can emerge from the most unlikely places, and that sometimes all it takes to change a life is one person willing to believe when nobody else does.

Remember both names: Agnes Ngetich and Ruth Bundotich. One became a champion. The other made sure the champion was seen. 

Some records are measured in minutes and seconds. Others are measured in courage, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that age should never define human potential.

At 84 years old, South Africa's Johannes Mosehla has once again achieved what many thought impossible, becoming the oldest finisher in the history of the Comrades Marathon for a third consecutive time. Crossing the finish line in an impressive 11:12:27, Mosehla completed the gruelling ultramarathon with nearly 50 minutes to spare before the official cutoff, proving that determination can outlast time itself.

The remarkable athlete from Polokwane, Limpopo, continues to redefine the limits of endurance. Having already set the age record at 81 in 2023 and extended it at 83 in 2025, he has now raised the bar once more at 84, adding another unforgettable chapter to one of the most inspiring stories in distance running.

Yet Mosehla's journey to Comrades greatness began long before his record-breaking finishes. He first discovered his passion for running in 1963 as a 21-year-old young man with big dreams. However, the social realities of the era denied him opportunities that many runners take for granted today. During the early 1980s, black athletes were not permitted to participate in the Comrades Marathon, forcing him to put his ambitions on hold.

Rather than allowing disappointment to defeat him, Mosehla remained patient. He continued running, joined the Polokwane Athletic Club, and quietly prepared for the day when his opportunity would finally come.

When that chance arrived, he embraced it wholeheartedly.

Since making his Comrades debut, Mosehla has become a symbol of consistency and resilience. Remarkably, he has completed every Comrades Marathon he has entered since 2016, a streak that reflects not only physical endurance but also extraordinary discipline and commitment.

His approach remains refreshingly simple. He trains three times a week to keep his body strong while allowing adequate recovery. Despite tackling one of the world's most demanding ultramarathons, he believes in working smart rather than chasing excessive mileage.

Asked about the race itself, Mosehla admits he prefers the famous Down Run, joking that he performs better because he is lighter. Even after decades of running, the notorious Polly Shorts climb remains his toughest challenge, a reminder that every athlete, regardless of age or experience, still faces obstacles to overcome.

What stands out most, however, is his attitude toward the future. While many people his age have long since retired from competitive sport, Mosehla has no intention of stepping away. When asked about retirement, his response was simple and powerful: he is not thinking about it.

That mindset may be the secret behind his enduring success.

In an era obsessed with youth, Johannes Mosehla offers a different perspective. His story is not merely about running marathons; it is about patience rewarded, barriers overcome, and the refusal to surrender dreams despite the passage of time.

At 84, he is still moving forward, still inspiring thousands, and still proving that greatness has no expiration date.

Johannes Mosehla is more than a Comrades finisher. He is a living reminder that the human spirit remains strongest when it refuses to give up.