Running News Daily

The 2014 Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono has described her father as a pivotal pillar in her athletics career since her junior heydays. 

Cherono said her father's frequent advice has helped her avoid pitfalls that many athletes experience in the course of their careers. 

"The first thing is to trust in God. The second is to have a strong relationship with parents. I have been very close with my father and he has been advising me, alongside my mother, ever since I was a junior runner. Up to now, I still consult him on various issues and that is why I have not had challenges with rogue coaches," Cherono said. 

The 2013 world 5,000m silver medalist subsequently advises athletes to love themselves first as well as to remain close to their old folks if they are to excel. 

"You need to respect yourself first and place a high value on what you do. You also need to trust in God, respect your parents as well as the coaches. If you do this, then you will be able to shield yourself from such unscrupulous individuals," she said. 

Cherono further advocated for gender equality in the athletics coaching sector to mitigate cases of sexual harassment of female athletes by male coaches. 

"If you look at the South Rift for example, majority of the coaches are male. We need to empower more ladies to become coaches. I believe they are better placed to mentor the young athletes and guide them on what to do right to avoid falling prey to rogue coaches," added the 2010 World Cross Country junior champion. 

Regarding upcoming competitions, Cherono has set sight on next year's major competitions and plans to compete in the ongoing national cross country series. 

"I feel it would be a good opportunity for me to get in shape in preparation for next year," she said. 

Cherono was among hundreds of athletics stakeholders who showed up in Kericho County for a consultative meeting with Athletics Kenya as part of face-to-face discussions on the issues ailing the sport. 

Speaking at the same event, athletes' representative in Kericho, Peter Cheruiyot, concurred with Cherono's sentiments, noting that male athletes are also undergoing harrowing times due to wrong relationships. 

"The ladies have decided to be more vocal about it but the men choose to remain silent. Many are struggling with the management of family affairs back home. It is a tough act balancing between career and family needs, which often collide," Cheruiyot said. 

He urged AK and other stakeholders to impart the importance of education onto young athletes at the grassroots rather than wait until their careers are so far gone. 

"Those who cannot afford fees should be assisted so they can balance between education and career. We have the Olympics 800m champion (Emmanuel Korir) who is in the US but is often available to compete in local races back home," he said. 

Some world records define an era. Others transcend generations. Jarmila Kratochvílová's astonishing 1:53.28 in the women's 800 meters belongs firmly in the latter category.

On July 26, 1983, in Munich, the Czech star delivered one of the most extraordinary performances the sport has ever witnessed, setting a world record that has now survived for an incredible 43 years. It remains the longest-standing individual track world record in athletics, a remarkable achievement in an era when advances in training, sports science, nutrition, and competition have seen countless other records disappear.

What makes Kratochvílová's feat even more extraordinary is that she was not primarily an 800-meter runner. She built her reputation as a dominant 400-meter specialist and only entered the two-lap race as a fitness test after recovering from leg cramps. What began as an experiment quickly turned into history.

After charging through an aggressive opening lap, Kratochvílová maintained her relentless pace all the way to the finish, crossing the line in an astonishing 1:53.28. It was a performance so far ahead of its time that generations of elite middle-distance runners have spent more than four decades trying—and failing—to erase it from the record books.

The longevity of the mark is no accident. Running 800 meters at world-record pace demands one of the rarest combinations in athletics: the explosive speed of a world-class 400-meter runner blended with the endurance, strength, and tactical intelligence of an elite middle-distance athlete. Few athletes in history have possessed that unique balance.

Even today, Kratochvílová sits comfortably atop one of the strongest all-time rankings in athletics history:

1. Jarmila Kratochvílová (Czech Republic) – 1:53.28 (July 26, 1983)

2. Nadezhda Olizarenko (Soviet Union) – 1:53.43 (July 27, 1980)

3. Audrey Werro (Switzerland) – 1:53.80 (June 28, 2026)

4. Pamela Jelimo (Kenya) – 1:54.01 (August 29, 2008)

5. Caster Semenya (South Africa) – 1:54.25 (June 30, 2018)

For many years, Kratochvílová's record was widely viewed as virtually untouchable. That perception, however, is beginning to change.

Swiss sensation Audrey Werro has reignited the conversation after producing a breathtaking 1:53.80 in Paris, moving into third place on the all-time list. Her performance was not only one of the fastest ever recorded but also the closest anyone has come to the world record in decades. At just the beginning of what promises to be a long career, Werro has demonstrated that the impossible may finally be within reach.

Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson also remains one of the most compelling candidates. Already an Olympic champion and one of the most consistent performers of her generation, Hodgkinson reinforced her credentials by setting the world indoor short-track record of 1:54.87. Her combination of speed, racing intelligence, and consistency suggests that an outdoor assault on the world record cannot be ruled out.

Kenya's Lilian Odira has also emerged as a genuine threat. The reigning world champion owns a personal best of 1:54.62, ranking her among the fastest women in history. She has already eclipsed Kratochvílová's long-standing championship record and continues to showcase an exceptional finishing kick that makes her dangerous in any race. If the pace is right, few athletes possess a stronger blend of championship experience and raw talent.

For 43 years, the athletics world has watched wave after wave of exceptional runners attempt to chase down one of sport's most iconic performances. Olympic champions, world champions, and record holders have all fallen short.

Yet the landscape feels different today. A new generation led by Audrey Werro, Keely Hodgkinson, and Lilian Odira is pushing the women's 800 meters to unprecedented depths. Their performances suggest that one of athletics' oldest and most celebrated records is no longer beyond imagination.

Whether Kratochvílová's 1:53.28 survives another season or another decade remains one of the sport's most fascinating questions. What is certain is that a record once considered untouchable is finally facing its most serious challenge in more than four decades.

The countdown may have already begun.

Portuguese sprint star Tatjana Pinto has once again rewritten the national record books, producing a sensational performance to claim victory in the women's 100 meters at the Portuguese Athletics Championships in Lisbon.

Pinto stormed across the finish line in a blistering 11.02 seconds, aided by a legal +1.8 m/s tailwind, lowering the Portuguese national record she had established just a month earlier. The remarkable run confirms her outstanding form and cements her status as the fastest woman in Portuguese history.

The race was never in doubt as Pinto powered away from the field with an explosive start and flawless execution, leaving her rivals chasing from the opening strides. Arialis Martinez finished second in 11.29, while Beatriz Castelhano secured third place in 11.34, but neither could match Pinto's exceptional pace.

Breaking a national record is a rare achievement; improving one only weeks after setting it is even more extraordinary. Pinto's latest milestone highlights her rapid progression and growing consistency at the highest level of Portuguese sprinting.

The performance also reinforces Portugal's growing presence in European sprinting, with Pinto emerging as one of the continent's most exciting athletes. Running so close to the coveted 11-second barrier is a testament to her dedication, technical refinement, and the confidence she has built throughout the season. If her current trajectory continues, even faster times could be within reach.

Beyond the stopwatch, Pinto's latest record serves as an inspiration for the next generation of Portuguese athletes. Her relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrates that national milestones are only stepping stones toward greater international success. With major championships on the horizon, she has positioned herself as an athlete capable of challenging the very best, and the athletics world will be watching closely to see what she accomplishes next.

With every race, the Portuguese speedster continues to raise the standard of women's sprinting in her country. Her record-breaking display in Lisbon not only delivered another national title but also sent a powerful message ahead of the international championships, where she will be aiming to carry this outstanding form onto an even bigger stage.

Home favorite Eilish McColgan will not compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, bringing an end to hopes of defending the women's 10,000m title she captured in Birmingham four years ago.

The Scottish distance-running star has made the difficult decision to withdraw as she continues her recovery from a lingering foot injury that disrupted her season. McColgan's last competitive appearance came at the London Marathon, where she initially battled through what appeared to be a minor toe problem. Further medical examinations later revealed the injury was, in fact, an undetected stress fracture.

The diagnosis forced the multiple-time Commonwealth medalist to spend 10 weeks away from running, delaying her preparations for the biggest championship on home soil. Although she has now resumed training, McColgan believes she has not had sufficient time to rebuild the fitness required to compete at her highest level.

Her withdrawal is a significant setback for the Glasgow Games, where she was expected to be one of the headline attractions and a leading contender for another memorable performance in front of a home crowd.

While fans will undoubtedly be disappointed by her absence, McColgan's decision reflects a long-term approach to protecting her health and extending her career. Rather than rushing back for a major championship, the British distance-running star is prioritizing a complete recovery with the aim of returning stronger for future international competitions.

The Glasgow 2026 athletics program will move forward without one of Scotland's most celebrated athletes, but McColgan's focus now shifts to regaining full fitness and ensuring she is ready to compete again when the time is right.

Every elite athlete has someone who sparks their belief that greatness is possible. For Scotland's Megan Keith, that inspiration came in the form of Laura Muir, whose achievements helped shape the ambitions of a young runner with dreams of reaching the sport's biggest stages.

As Keith prepares for her Commonwealth Games debut, the journey feels especially meaningful. The athlete she once watched on television and admired from the sidelines will now stand beside her in Team Scotland colours—a remarkable full-circle moment in her rapidly rising career.

Keith recently shared how surreal it was to hear Muir reflect on competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. At that time, Keith was still in primary school, watching Scottish athletics stars from afar and imagining what it would be like to one day follow in their footsteps.

Those early memories extended beyond television screens. Seeing Laura Muir and fellow Scottish middle-distance star Jemma Reekie competing at Scottish cross-country events brought elite athletics closer to home, reinforcing Keith's determination to chase the same dream.

That ambition has translated into extraordinary success.

Despite switching from cross country to track and road racing only four years ago, the 24-year-old has already established herself on the global stage. She has represented her country at the Olympic Games and competed at two World Championships, marking one of the most impressive rises in Scottish distance running in recent years.

Now, another landmark chapter is about to begin. Keith will make her first Commonwealth Games appearance wearing the Team Scotland vest, sharing the stage with the very athlete who inspired her journey.

Her story is a powerful reminder that sporting legacies are built not only through medals and records, but also through the inspiration passed from one generation to the next. Megan Keith's rise from an aspiring young fan to Laura Muir's teammate is proof that dreams, backed by dedication and perseverance, can become reality.

Sha'Carri Richardson reminded the athletics world exactly why she remains one of the sport's biggest stars, producing a commanding performance to capture the women's 100-meter title at the 2026 USATF Outdoor Championships.

Exploding out of the blocks with trademark confidence and unmatched speed, Richardson surged clear of the field to cross the finish line in a sensational 10.77 seconds with a legal +0.9 m/s tailwind. The performance not only secured her third U.S. 100-meter crown in four years but also established a new facility record while standing as the second-fastest women's 100m time in the world this season.

The victory reinforces Richardson's remarkable dominance on the national stage. After claiming consecutive U.S. titles in 2023 and 2024, she has now completed an impressive championship hat-trick with another authoritative display in 2026.

Despite lining up against one of the strongest sprint fields in the country, Richardson left no doubt about who was in control. Her explosive acceleration and powerful finish created daylight between herself and the chasing pack, delivering a performance worthy of a reigning global sprint icon.

Kayla White produced an outstanding race to secure second place in 10.90, while Tamari Davis rounded out the podium after clocking 11.00. Anavia Battle finished fourth in 11.02, narrowly ahead of Jaslyn Gardner, who crossed in 11.03. Nayla Harris (11.06), Kaila Jackson (11.11), Jassani Carter (11.15), and Melicia Mouzzon (11.18) completed a highly competitive final.

Women's 100m Final Results

1. Sha'Carri Richardson – 10.77 (Facility Record)

2. Kayla White – 10.90

3. Tamari Davis – 11.00

4. Anavia Battle – 11.02

5. Jaslyn Gardner – 11.03

6. Nayla Harris – 11.06

7. Kaila Jackson – 11.11

8. Jassani Carter – 11.15

9. Melicia Mouzzon – 11.18

Richardson's emphatic victory sends a powerful statement ahead of the remainder of the international season. With championship form returning at exactly the right moment, the American sprint queen has once again placed herself firmly at the center of the global women's 100-meter conversation, proving that when the stakes are highest, she remains the athlete everyone else must chase.