Running News Daily

Have you ever finished a run and felt like you could take on the world? Or returned from a jog in a better mood or with greater mental clarity than when you set out? Then you’ve likely experienced the ‘runner’s high’ and will understand why, during times of stress or needing to calm a busy mind, running seems the perfect remedy.

“It begins with this peace of mind and then a greater ease of movement, a sense of power and confidence, optimism and hope, and you will often hear runners describe feeling loving and connected to everyone and everything,” explains Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist, educator and author of The Joy of Movement. “So, what could possibly be going on in the body and the brain that would make you feel powerful, hopeful, faster, more confident and more loving?”

Speaking during this week's World Athletics 'Run Anywhere' Webinar in collaboration with Mass Participation World, McGonigal answered that question, plus many more.

“It turns out that it’s caused by a really reliable change in brain chemistry that kicks in once you have been in continuous motion for about 20 minutes and it’s not only the endorphin rush that so many people have heard about,” McGonigal explains, as she delves into the science behind the runner’s high.

“The runner’s high is primarily driven by endocannabinoids, which are the brain chemicals that cannabis mimics, but when you are running and endocannabinoid levels naturally increase, that is what produces this powerful sense of an inner peace, empowerment and connection to others.”

Run to become a better you

“The thing that I find so fascinating about the runner’s high is it is like the perfect neurobiological change to make you a better version of yourself,” McGonigal tells Chris Robb, CEO and founder of Mass Participation World, during the webinar. “I think that is why so many people go for a run and then they feel like they can take on the world.

“And it lasts for hours. So even though you might only feel that peak high during a run or just after the run, we know that those brain changes last and they create this upward spiral, so people often report feeling less stressed, getting more things done and having better interactions with other people, for hours after a run.”

Hunting that high

“There are a few things you can do if you want to get the high a little bit faster,” McGonigal says. “For example, listening to music early in a run can actually kick start the process – release more endorphins and dopamine and adrenalin – so that you can start to feel some of that high sooner.

“The more you run or exercise, your brain actually learns how to more reliably produce that high. Part of that is because exercise, and running in particular, has this interesting effect on your brain where it strengthens your reward system and that includes endocannabinoids and endorphins. All the brain chemicals that make you feel good and that help you be motivated – exercise actually strengthens that system so that it kicks in sooner, you can sustain it longer and you get a bigger jolt of joy, hope or pride, from anything that would naturally trigger that system, and part of that includes the runner’s high.

“It seems to take about six weeks of regular training for people to see these structural changes in the brain that make it easier not only to get the runner’s high, but to experience more joy, pleasure, hope and motivation in everyday life. This is one of the reasons that running is such a powerful antidepressant and so good for our mental health, because it changes the brain in this way.”

Moving forward together

One of the many challenges posed by the pandemic has been the restriction on in-person interactions, with virtual and solo events having replaced mass participation races. As we edge closer to the return of more traditional event forms, that could further impact our enjoyment of the activity, McGonigal adds.

“Humans have always needed to move together to survive and to thrive. A race or an event is basically a way to rehearse our fundamental human interdependence,” she says. “We know that when you move with other people, you feel like you are part of a pack and you are all headed in the same direction, even if there’s an element of competition in there – your brain interprets that as being a part of something bigger than yourself.

“There are all sorts of words that people use to describe it – there’s ‘muscular bonding’, ‘we-agency’ and ‘collective joy’ – but we know that we are wired to experience a massive endorphin rush when we move with other people. A sense of being connected and a sense of collective strength. What could be a better way to experience that than moving forward together?

“So many people experience that when they are part of a race but also what I have heard from so many people who engage in races is also that powerful ability to support other runners and to receive help from other runners, whether it is getting water at an aid station or encouraging someone who has slowed down a little bit and telling them that they can do it. There is something about a race that allows you to really lean into what it means to be a part of a collective effort where sometimes you are the one who needs that extra help and encouragement and sometimes you are the one that has something to offer.

“I wouldn’t underestimate the role that the aspect of events play in why people feel this tremendous sense of togetherness. That is what we need to do for all sorts of crises and challenges in life – we need to learn how to be open to the support that is available to us and also tap into our inner strength to keep going and look for how we might be able to reach out and help others.”

Green exercise

While all movement can lead to experiencing the ‘runner’s high’, McGonigal highlights the additional benefits of getting outside. “People who exercise outdoors report some really profound experiences – a tremendous sense of relief of anxiety, a feeling of being at peace or at one with the universe,” she explains.

“There is something going on when people run outdoors, it’s almost like people are having a switch flipped in their brains that puts them into this transcendence state. As it turns out, we now know from studies that when people are active outdoors it actually creates a kind of focus, mindfulness and mind quieting that looks a lot like what happens if you train in meditation for decades and spend tens of thousands of hours learning to focus the mind and calm the mind – people experience this spontaneously when they run in nature. That is part of what makes ‘green exercise’ so special. It can be a really spiritual experience for a lot of people.

“People report really feeling connected to life itself. When we are out in nature, we shift into a state of having to be aware of our environment and that really is part of what it means to be human – to figure out how to navigate the world and how to be a part of the natural world.

“When you’re talking about trail running or really challenging races, you are getting literal physical feedback from your body that says who you are is tough, who you are is capable, who you are is someone who can adapt and push through and persevere and figure things out and put one foot forward even when every cell in your body is screaming to stop. Once you have that embodied knowledge of your own strength, when other challenges come up in life, it kicks in. It is a physical memory that you are someone who can overcome obstacles, that you can do things that other people can’t or other people won’t, that when part of you wants to give up, you already know there is a part of you that will choose to keep going when it matters and that you can trust that part of yourself.”

Did you know?

“There is bacteria in dirt that actually acts as an antidepressant when you inhale it, like when you kick up dirt on the running trail,” McGonigal smiles. “It’s like in order for us to be at peace, we actually need to literally breathe in the natural world.

“It doesn’t have to be ideal running weather – it can be in the rain, it can be in the cold. Research shows that being in different types of weather and environments can bring out different benefits of green exercise. Even in the cold and rain, don’t be afraid of the outdoors. Often when you give in to allowing yourself to be a part of it, you can reap the benefits even if it’s not the ‘perfect’ run day that you imagined.”

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.

Just four days after celebrating his 28th birthday, South African sprint star Gift Leotlela handed himself the perfect present — a sensational victory in the men’s 100 metres at the Shanghai Diamond League.

Leotlela stormed to victory in a blistering 9.97 seconds, edging one of the strongest sprint fields of the season in a race that was decided by the narrowest of margins. Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala crossed the line in 9.98, matching the time of American sprint sensation Kenny Bednarek, who settled for third after a dramatic finish.

The race delivered elite-level drama from start to finish, with American star Trayvon Bromell and Australia’s Lachie Kennedy both clocking 10.01 to finish fourth and fifth respectively in one of the fastest and most competitive 100m contests of the year.

For Leotlela, however, the night belonged entirely to him.

The South African has quietly been building momentum throughout the season, and Shanghai now feels like confirmation that he is ready to challenge the very best consistently on the global stage. His latest triumph comes after opening his 2026 campaign with victory at the South African Championships last month, a performance that hinted at what was to come.

Now, with a sub-10 second victory against a stacked international field, Leotlela appears to be picking up exactly where he left off after his impressive fifth-place finish at last year’s World Championships.

What made the performance even more remarkable was the composure he displayed under immense pressure. Against proven championship medal contenders and some of the quickest starters in the world, Leotlela stayed relaxed, executed brilliantly through the drive phase, and unleashed a powerful finish to snatch the win in the closing metres.

The result further strengthens South Africa’s growing reputation as a sprinting powerhouse and signals that Leotlela could be a major force as the season progresses toward the world’s biggest championships.

In Shanghai, the timing could not have been more poetic. Four days after turning 28, Gift Leotlela did not just celebrate a birthday — he announced himself as one of the most dangerous sprinters in the world.

The 2026 Rimi Riga Marathon produced a thrilling showcase of endurance, dominance, and elite distance running as Ethiopia’s Ayantu Kumela and Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptoo Kororia emerged victorious with commanding performances in the Latvian capital.

Kumela successfully defended her women’s crown in breathtaking fashion, delivering an even stronger display than last year to cement her growing legacy in Riga. The Ethiopian star crossed the finish line in an impressive 2:26:40, nearly two minutes faster than her previous winning performance, underlining both her consistency and remarkable progression on the marathon stage.

Running with confidence and control from the opening kilometers, Kumela gradually distanced herself from the chasing pack before powering home to a memorable back-to-back triumph. Her composed race execution and devastating late surge once again proved too strong for the elite field assembled in Riga.

Fellow Ethiopian Obse Abdeta Deme secured second place in 2:27:50, while Sadura Adawork Aberta completed an all-Ethiopian podium after clocking 2:29:05 for third.

In the men’s race, Kelvin Kiptoo Kororia produced a stunning performance of his own, delivering a masterclass that left no doubt about his superiority on the day. The Kenyan runner stormed to victory in 2:08:58, finishing with authority after an electrifying run through the streets of Riga.

Kororia looked in complete command throughout the race, maintaining a relentless rhythm before unleashing a powerful finishing stretch that thrilled spectators at the finish line. His victory was not only decisive but also symbolic of a runner operating at the peak of confidence and strength.

Ethiopia’s Getachew Kene Tufa claimed second place in 2:11:29, while Kenya’s Stephen Kipkemoi Kibor completed the podium in third after clocking 2:12:27.

With both races delivering fast times and unforgettable moments, the 2026 Rimi Riga Marathon once again lived up to its growing reputation as one of Europe’s premier road racing events. Yet above all, the spotlight belonged to Kumela and Kororia — two champions whose dominant performances transformed Riga into a stage of marathon excellence.

Kenya’s rising middle-distance sensation Emmaculate Jemutai produced one of the most remarkable performances of the Big 12 Championships, storming to two gold medals within the space of just one hour and twenty minutes in a breathtaking display of endurance, tactical brilliance, and raw determination.

Representing Kansas, Jemutai first conquered a fiercely competitive women’s 1500m field, timing her race to perfection before unleashing a devastating finishing kick to cross the line in 4:09.66. Against a stacked lineup packed with elite collegiate talent, the Kenyan star remained composed throughout the tactical contest before separating herself when it mattered most.

Her victory in the 1500m alone would have been enough to headline the day, but Jemutai was far from finished.

Barely eighty minutes later, she returned to the track for the women’s 800m final and once again delivered under pressure. Despite the physical demands of the earlier race, Jemutai showed extraordinary resilience and championship mentality, surging to another impressive triumph in 2:05.90 to complete a sensational double that left the crowd in awe.

Winning two middle-distance titles in such a short span is an exceptionally rare achievement at championship level, requiring not only elite fitness but also tactical intelligence, recovery ability, and mental toughness. Jemutai displayed all of those qualities in abundance.

The manner in which she controlled both races underlined her growing reputation as one of the most versatile and dangerous middle-distance athletes in collegiate athletics. Her ability to seamlessly transition from the tactical demands of the 1500m to the speed and intensity of the 800m showcased a runner operating at an elite level.

For Kansas Track and Field, Jemutai’s heroics marked one of the standout moments of the championships, while for Kenyan athletics, her dominant performances continue to signal the emergence of another exciting talent on the global stage.

From patience and poise in the 1500m to courage and strength in the 800m, Emmaculate Jemutai delivered a championship performance that will be remembered for a long time in Big 12 history.