Running News Daily

Kenya’s Sebastian Kimaru made his Internationa debut memorable when he ran the fastest time ever at the 27th edition of the EDP Sevilla Half Marathon that was held on Sunday (30) in Sevilla, Spain.

Kimaru was the surprise winner as he was tasked to pace the race but after the 10km mark he decided to forge ahead and fight for the title as he crashed the previous record of 1:00.44 that was set in 2020 by Eyob Faniel from Italy.

Kimaru cut the tape in a personal best of 59:02 which is the sixth fastest time in history at the flattest half marathon in Europe as he led 1-2 Kenyan podium finish. David Ngure came home in second place 1:00.22 with Gebrie Erkihuna from Ethiopia closing the first three podium finishes in 1:00.27.

All the first three runners ran under the previous course record.

LEADING RESULTS

21KM MEN

Sebastian Kimaru    (KEN) 59:02

David Ngure             (KEN) 1:00.22

Gebrie Erkihuna      (ETH)  1:00.27

Faith Cherotich delivered one of the greatest performances of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, producing a breathtaking run to capture the women's 3,000m steeplechase gold medal while rewriting the championship record books.

The Kenyan sensation powered away from the field with authority, crossing the finish line in a remarkable 9:01.76 to claim the Commonwealth title in unforgettable fashion. Her stunning performance erased the previous Commonwealth Games record of 9:15.68, set by fellow Kenyan Jackline Chepkoech at the Birmingham 2022 Games, underlining Kenya's continued dominance in one of its signature events.

From the opening laps, Cherotich looked composed and determined, confidently controlling the race before unleashing a devastating surge that none of her rivals could answer. Clearing every barrier with precision and maintaining a relentless rhythm, she transformed the closing stages into a celebration of world-class steeplechasing.

The battle for the medals was every bit as captivating. England's Elise Thorner produced a lifetime best of 9:05.45 to secure the silver medal, while Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda claimed bronze in 9:09.96 after another courageous performance. Australia's Cara Feain-Ryan finished fourth in 9:22.07, with India's Parul Chaudhary taking fifth in 9:26.75. Canada's Grace Fetherstonhaugh crossed the line sixth in a personal best 9:27.49, while Kenya's Celestine Jepkosgei Biwot added a strong seventh-place finish in 9:33.61.

Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

1. Faith Cherotich (Kenya) – 9:01.76 (Gold, Commonwealth Games Record)

2. Elise Thorner (England) – 9:05.45 (Silver, Personal Best)

3. Peruth Chemutai (Uganda) – 9:09.96 (Bronze)

4. Cara Feain-Ryan (Australia) – 9:22.07

5. Parul Chaudhary (India) – 9:26.75

6. Grace Fetherstonhaugh (Canada) – 9:27.49 (Personal Best)

7. Celestine Jepkosgei Biwot (Kenya) – 9:33.61

8. Cari Hughes (Wales) – 9:40.71 (National Record)

9. Katelyn Stewart-Barnett (Canada) – 9:46.98

10. Sarah Tait (Scotland) – 9:47.41

Cherotich's victory not only earned Kenya another gold medal but also reinforced the nation's remarkable legacy in the women's steeplechase. Breaking the Commonwealth Games record by nearly 14 seconds is a statement that echoes far beyond Glasgow, confirming the young Kenyan as one of the world's finest athletes in the event.

On a night filled with memorable performances, Faith Cherotich stood above them all. Draped in the Kenyan flag after her historic triumph, she celebrated a victory that will be remembered for years to come—a performance defined by courage, speed, and history-making brilliance.

The wait is finally over. After months of uncertainty, speculation, and relentless questions surrounding his fitness, Norwegian distance-running sensation Jakob Ingebrigtsen has officially confirmed when he will make his highly anticipated return to competition.

The two-time Olympic champion revealed that he will open his 2026 season at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, marking his first race since undergoing Achilles tendon surgery in February. His announcement instantly became one of the biggest stories in athletics, bringing an end to months of debate over when one of the sport's brightest stars would race again.

Jakob chose to deliver the news in his own unmistakable style, sharing a short video montage on Instagram accompanied by the playful caption, "I've heard Birmingham is nice this time of year…". The brief message was enough to ignite excitement across the athletics community, with fans eagerly anticipating the return of one of the world's most dominant distance runners.

The confirmation comes only days after the Norwegian star urged supporters to disregard the growing wave of speculation about his comeback. Addressing the countless rumours circulating online, he reminded fans that social media can quickly become a source of misinformation and stressed that the only trustworthy updates regarding his recovery and racing schedule would come directly from him.

His message was simple but powerful: "Don't believe the rumours—listen to me." With that statement, Jakob made it clear that he wanted to control the narrative surrounding his rehabilitation, choosing transparency over speculation as he worked his way back to full fitness.

Now, that journey reaches its next chapter. Birmingham will provide the stage for one of the most eagerly awaited comebacks of the season as Jakob returns to championship racing after several months away from competition. Expectations will naturally be high, but his presence alone adds enormous prestige to the European Championships and promises to be one of the defining moments of the event.

For athletics fans around the world, the countdown has officially begun. All eyes will now turn to Birmingham, where the Norwegian superstar will take his first competitive steps back onto the track, hoping to remind the world why he remains one of the greatest talents of his generation.

One of the most eagerly anticipated distance races of the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take center stage tonight in Glasgow as the women's 3,000m steeplechase final brings together two of the world's finest barrier specialists in a captivating battle for Commonwealth gold.

All eyes will be on Kenya's Faith Cherotich and Uganda's Peruth Chemutai, whose remarkable form this season has set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown. With both athletes arriving in Glasgow separated by less than half a second on the season's rankings, the margin for error could hardly be smaller.

Chemutai, the Olympic champion from Uganda, enters the final with the fastest season's best in the field at 8:51.06, while Kenya's rising star Cherotich has clocked an equally impressive 8:51.48. Even more remarkably, both women own personal bests under 8:49, highlighting the exceptional quality expected in the final.

The race is expected to be a fascinating clash of styles. Chemutai's experience and relentless rhythm over the barriers will be tested by Cherotich's fearless racing instincts and devastating finishing speed. If the pace remains honest throughout, the outcome may not be decided until the final water jump or the last sprint down the home straight.

Although the spotlight naturally falls on the East African rivals, the battle for the medals extends well beyond them. England's Elise Thorner, boasting a personal best of 9:07.39, arrives as a genuine podium contender, while India's Parul Chaudhary has consistently demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest international level. Scotland's Sarah Tait will also enjoy passionate home support as she attempts to challenge the established favorites.

Kenya's Celestine Jepkosgei Biwot adds further depth to a competitive field that also includes Canada's Grace Fetherstonhaugh and Katelyn Stewart-Barnett, Australia's Cara Feain-Ryan, and Wales' Cari Hughes, ensuring the race will feature talent from across the Commonwealth.

Women's 3,000m Steeplechase Final – Start List

1. Grace Fetherstonhaugh (Canada) – PB: 9:28.42 | SB: 9:31.98

2. Faith Cherotich (Kenya) – PB: 8:48.71 | SB: 8:51.48

3. Peruth Chemutai (Uganda) – PB: 8:48.03 | SB: 8:51.06

4. Sarah Tait (Scotland) – PB: 9:18.66 | SB: 9:40.92

5. Parul Chaudhary (India) – PB: 9:12.46 | SB: 9:12.84

6. Katelyn Stewart-Barnett (Canada) – PB: 9:33.21 | SB: 9:36.69

7. Elise Thorner (England) – PB: 9:07.39 | SB: 9:07.39

8. Celestine Jepkosgei Biwot (Kenya) – PB: 9:17.06 | SB: 9:26.12

9. Cara Feain-Ryan (Australia) – PB: 9:21.35 | SB: 9:21.35

10. Cari Hughes (Wales) – PB: 9:41.66 | SB: 9:59.89

With two world-class athletes at the peak of their powers, national pride on the line, and a Commonwealth title at stake, Glasgow is set for a spectacular night of steeplechasing. Whether it is Chemutai's championship experience or Cherotich's youthful brilliance that prevails, fans can expect an electrifying contest that could become one of the defining races of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The stage is set, the athletes are ready, and tonight promises to deliver a thrilling battle all the way to the finish line.

Ultrarunning witnessed one of its greatest days on Tuesday as Max Jolliffe delivered a breathtaking performance to win the 2026 Badwater 135, rewriting the history books with a phenomenal 20:53:46 finish. In doing so, he became the first athlete ever to complete the legendary race in under 21 hours, setting a remarkable new benchmark in one of the most demanding endurance events on the planet.

Jolliffe's extraordinary run erased the long-standing course record of 21:33:01, established by Yoshihiko Ishikawa in 2019. His new mark slashed nearly 40 minutes from a record many believed would stand for years, highlighting just how exceptional his performance was.

The Badwater 135 is widely regarded as the world's toughest foot race. Covering 135 miles (217 kilometers), the brutal course begins in the scorching depths of Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth, before climbing thousands of feet through relentless desert terrain toward Mount Whitney. Competitors battle blistering temperatures, unforgiving elevation changes, physical exhaustion, and mental fatigue in a race where simply reaching the finish line is considered a remarkable achievement.

Against those punishing conditions, Jolliffe produced a run that will be remembered as one of the finest displays in ultramarathon history. Maintaining an astonishing pace from start to finish, he conquered the extreme heat and relentless course with remarkable strength and consistency, ultimately achieving what no runner had ever done before.

The historic day was made even more memorable in the women's race, where Carmen Maria Perez also etched her name into the record books. After battling relentlessly throughout the grueling 135-mile journey, Perez crossed the finish line in 21:05:32, setting a new Badwater 135 women's course record. Her remarkable performance showcased extraordinary resilience and determination, making it a landmark achievement in the history of the race.

With both the men's and women's course records falling on the same day, the 2026 Badwater 135 will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary editions ever staged. Witnessing two record-breaking performances on one of the world's most unforgiving endurance courses is a rare feat, underscoring just how exceptional this year's competition proved to be.

The 2026 edition will now be remembered not only for producing champions, but for redefining the limits of human endurance. Max Jolliffe and Carmen Maria Perez have each secured their place in Badwater history, delivering unforgettable performances that will inspire the ultrarunning community for years to come.

Australian sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy produced one of the standout performances of the season, rewriting Oceanian athletics history with a breathtaking run in the men's 100m final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Kennedy stormed to the silver medal in an astonishing 9.85 seconds with a legal +1.3 m/s tailwind, delivering one of the fastest times recorded anywhere in the world this year. His electrifying performance not only earned him a place on the podium but also erased one of the region's longest-standing records.

The 9.85 clocking shattered the previous Oceanian record of 9.93, set by fellow Australian Patrick Johnson in 2003. Johnson's mark had stood untouched for 23 years, surviving generations of talented sprinters before Kennedy finally broke through with a run for the history books.

Kennedy's achievement marks a defining moment for Australian sprinting. Breaking below the 9.90 barrier places him among the world's elite and signals the arrival of a genuine global medal contender ahead of the sport's biggest championships. His acceleration, composure under pressure, and powerful finish combined to produce a race that will be remembered as one of the finest 100m performances ever by an Oceanian athlete.

Beyond the record itself, the race showcased the growing strength of men's sprinting on the international stage. With world-class competition pushing athletes to extraordinary performances, Kennedy seized the moment and delivered when it mattered most, announcing himself as one of the fastest men on the planet.

For Australian athletics, Kennedy's record-breaking sprint represents far more than a silver medal. It is the beginning of a new era—one in which a 23-year-old benchmark has fallen, and a new standard has been established for future generations to chase.