Running News Daily

A major Canadian company is making a mark in The Big Apple. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has become the new title sponsor of the NYRR Brooklyn Half, the largest half marathon in the U.S., which has hosted 27,000 from around the world every May on the streets of Brooklyn. The race has been run virtually in the past two years because of the pandemic.

This deal was announced earlier this week by NYRR and RBC. The sponsorship also includes the launch of a new race, RBC Race for the Kids, designed to support kids and youth-focused causes in the city. The event will be added to the NYRR race calendar each spring as a four-mile run and 1.4-mile walk for families. 

This year’s RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon takes runners on a journey through the diverse neighbourhoods of Brooklyn, with the race starting at the Brooklyn Museum, passing the Grand Army Plaza, running through Prospect Park and along Ocean Parkway to the finish line on Coney Island’s boardwalk.

RBC has been strongly committed to giving back to communities through sport since 2002. RBC is also the title sponsor of Training Ground in Canada, a talent identification and athlete funding program designed to find young athletes with Olympic potential. Then giving them the tools and resources to excel in the sport. They also sponsor many Canadian athletes like Aaron Brown, Ben Preisner and Madeleine Kelly through the RBC Olympians program that provides elite athletes with an opportunity to gain valuable career experience alongside a flexible work schedule, to allow the time necessary to train and compete on the world stage.

The NYRR plans to host the Brooklyn Half at its traditional time on May 14, at a full capacity of 27,000 runners.

The spotlight will once again shine on two of the most remarkable distance runners of this generation as Faith Kipyegon and Agnes Jebet Ngetich prepare to headline the women's 3000 metres at the Monaco Diamond League.

Renowned for delivering some of the fastest races in athletics, Monaco provides the perfect setting for another captivating chapter in middle and long-distance running. With the world's finest competitors assembling on one of the sport's quickest tracks, anticipation is building for what promises to be a race of exceptional quality.

Kipyegon arrives as the reigning Olympic champion and the world record holder whose relentless pursuit of greatness continues to redefine the limits of human performance. Her remarkable consistency, tactical brilliance, and devastating finishing speed have established her as one of the greatest athletes the sport has ever witnessed.

Standing alongside her is Agnes Jebet Ngetich, the trailblazing road-running sensation who rewrote history with her world record over 10 kilometres. Having rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting endurance talents on the global stage, Ngetich possesses the strength and fearless racing style capable of challenging the very best.

Their meeting in Monaco is far more than a clash of elite competitors—it is a celebration of excellence. It brings together two athletes who have inspired millions through extraordinary achievements and an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of distance running.

With Monaco's reputation for producing unforgettable performances, expectations are understandably high. Every lap will carry the promise of history, every stride a reminder of the extraordinary standards these athletes continue to set.

As the countdown to the Diamond League meeting gathers pace, athletics fans around the world will be watching closely, eager to witness whether another memorable performance—or perhaps even another historic moment—will unfold on one of the sport's grandest stages.

Every elite athlete faces moments that test both their talent and their character. For Britain's Ben Pattison, the disappointments of 2024 have become the foundation for a smarter, more measured comeback as he builds towards what could be the most significant season of his career.

Rather than allowing frustration to dictate his preparation, the 24-year-old has embraced a new philosophy—prioritising long-term health over chasing peak fitness too early. Reflecting on the lessons learned, Pattison admitted that the frustrations of last season influenced some of his decisions, but this winter has been about exercising patience, staying composed, and ensuring he reaches the summer healthy enough to perform at his absolute best.

That change in mindset is already producing encouraging results. Pattison delivered an impressive performance at the UK Athletics Championships, where he pushed Jake Wightman all the way in a fiercely contested 800 metres, proving he is once again among Britain's leading middle-distance runners.

He backed up that performance on the Diamond League stage in Paris, clocking 1:43.71—the third-fastest 800m of his career. The time not only reaffirmed his return to top form but also demonstrated that his revised approach is beginning to pay dividends against world-class opposition.

With the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the European Championships firmly in his sights, Pattison appears to be building at exactly the right pace. Instead of rushing the process, he is laying the foundations for sustained success, determined to arrive at the major championships stronger, healthier and mentally sharper than ever before.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs are born from the hardest lessons. If Pattison's upward trajectory continues, his difficult 2024 season may ultimately be remembered not as a setback, but as the turning point that reignited one of Britain's brightest 800-metre talents.

Forty years ago today, distance running witnessed one of its most astonishing moments when Ingrid Kristiansen delivered a breathtaking performance at the Bislett Games in Oslo. The Norwegian star shattered her own women's 10,000-meter world record, clocking an incredible 30:13.74—an astonishing 45-second improvement on the previous global mark. It remains one of the most remarkable world record breakthroughs in the history of track and field.

What made the performance even more extraordinary was Kristiansen's race execution. She later revealed that she reached the halfway point in 15:15, meaning she produced a devastating negative split by covering the final 5,000 meters in approximately 14:58. Finishing faster than she started over such a demanding distance showcased not only exceptional endurance but also remarkable tactical discipline and finishing strength.

The magnitude of that closing split becomes even more impressive when viewed in the context of the era. At the time, the women's 5,000-meter world record stood at 14:48.07, held by Zola Budd. Kristiansen's ability to finish the second half of a world-record 10,000-meter race in just ten seconds slower than the standalone 5,000-meter world record highlighted a level of fitness and resilience rarely seen in elite competition.

As if rewriting the 10,000-meter record was not enough, Kristiansen returned later that same summer to make history once again. She lowered the women's 5,000-meter world record to 14:37.33, further cementing her reputation as the undisputed queen of long-distance running during the mid-1980s.

Four decades later, Kristiansen's unforgettable run at Bislett continues to be celebrated as a defining moment in athletics. Her fearless pace, relentless finishing kick, and record-breaking brilliance remain an enduring reminder that some performances transcend generations and continue to inspire long after the finish line has been crossed.

Defending a title at the Boston Marathon demands far more than exceptional fitness—it requires resilience, composure, and the ability to draw strength from the most unexpected places. For Kenya's Sharon Lokedi, her unforgettable victory on April 20, 2026, was powered not only by months of relentless preparation but also by a simple voice from the roadside that reminded her why the sport means so much.

As Lokedi surged toward a successful defense of her Boston Marathon crown, more than 800,000 spectators lined the iconic 26.2-mile course, creating one of the most electrifying atmospheres in world athletics. From the famous "Scream Tunnel" in Wellesley, where college students filled the air with deafening cheers, to the legendary Newton Hills, where generations of families returned to their traditional viewing spots, Boston once again delivered the unmatched energy that has made it one of the world's most celebrated marathons.

While the race demanded tactical brilliance and unwavering determination, it was not the roar of the massive crowd that remained etched in Lokedi's memory. Instead, one small but powerful moment stood above everything else.

"I heard this little girl yell out, 'You got this, ladies!' It was so cute—and that's what it's all about."

Those heartfelt words, spoken by an unknown young spectator, became an emotional highlight of Lokedi's race. Amid the physical exhaustion and relentless pace of elite marathon competition, a child's innocent encouragement cut through the noise and reminded the champion that running is about far more than medals, records, or prize money.

Elite marathoners often speak about how races eventually blur together, with every mile blending into the next under immense physical strain. Yet the moments they carry with them are often deeply personal—a handwritten sign, a smiling child, or a single voice offering encouragement at exactly the right time. For Lokedi, that brief interaction became one of the defining memories of her remarkable day in Boston.

Her reflection also captured the unique spirit of marathon racing. Unlike many sporting events, marathons bring athletes and spectators together in an intimate way, where complete strangers become part of an athlete's journey. On one of the biggest stages in distance running, the fastest woman on the streets of Boston found inspiration not from the clock or the competition, but from a young girl she may never meet.

That simple exchange perfectly illustrated why the Boston Marathon continues to hold such a special place in the hearts of runners around the world. Beyond the fierce competition and historic achievements, it is the shared human connection between athletes and fans that transforms the race into something unforgettable. Sharon Lokedi defended her title with the heart of a champion, but her most cherished memory came from a reminder that the greatest victories are often measured not only by crossing the finish line first, but by the lives touched along the way.

Kenya's Lilian Odira produced another outstanding performance to defeat reigning Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in a thrilling women's 800m race, continuing her impressive run against one of the sport's biggest stars. In a race that unfolded in unexpected fashion, Odira surged to victory in 1:56.19, while Britain's Hodgkinson crossed the finish line second in 1:56.73, adding another memorable chapter to their growing rivalry.

The race took a dramatic twist from the opening lap when pacemaker Paris Peoples set an unexpectedly blistering pace. Scheduled to guide the field through 400 metres in approximately 55.5 seconds, she instead reached the halfway mark in a remarkable 53.58 seconds—well ahead of the planned rhythm. The electronic wavelights had been programmed for a 1:53.50 finishing pace, but the aggressive early speed disrupted the race dynamics and forced the athletes to adapt much earlier than expected.

Odira responded brilliantly to the challenge, maintaining her composure despite the demanding tempo before unleashing a powerful finishing kick that secured another statement victory. Her tactical awareness, resilience, and closing speed proved decisive as she once again came out on top in a high-quality showdown against the Olympic champion.

Hodgkinson's runner-up finish was made even more remarkable considering the adversity she faced before the race. A fall during a cool-down session the previous week left her with badly cut knees and nearly forced her to withdraw from the Mutola 800m at the Prefontaine Classic. After receiving medical clearance from her team and having both knees heavily taped, the Olympic champion courageously took her place on the start line. Despite the discomfort, she battled all the way to the finish in 1:56.73, displaying the determination and resilience that have defined her career.

Although disappointed not to secure the victory, Hodgkinson remained optimistic after the race, expressing confidence that she will bounce back stronger in her next outing. Her courageous performance under difficult circumstances earned widespread admiration, even as Odira celebrated another major triumph.

For Odira, the victory further strengthens her growing reputation as one of the world's premier 800m runners. Defeating an Olympic champion for the second time is a significant statement, and with performances of this calibre, the Kenyan continues to establish herself as a leading force in global middle-distance running. As the season gathers momentum, her latest success sends a powerful message to the rest of the field—Lilian Odira is proving she belongs among the very best.