Running News Daily

A Los Angeles run club is rethinking the annual turkey trot and celebrating the resiliency of South Central.

On Saturday night, the streets of South Central Los Angeles were run by participants of the second annual F*** White Supremacy 5K. The race, formed as an “anti-turkey trot” by the South Central Run Club, hosted close to 100 people. The goal? Start critical conversations while celebrating the resilience of a community that until recently, didn’t offer outlets for runners. 

On November 19, the 5K made a statement not only in name but also for those who participated, with some locals running in their own neighborhood for the first time ever. After the race, which took runners to the University of Southern California and back, participants enjoyed an afterparty that included a DJ, food vendors, and a local artists showcase.

For South Central Run Club co-captains Zaakiyah Brisker and Jazmin Garcia, the event marked another major step forward in efforts to heal their community through running. “A lot of times, you can get discouraged and believe that people don't care,” Brisker told Runner’s World. “I really am so grateful for everybody who was courageous enough to say, ‘let's do it,’ because we all deserve to feel good.”

Forming a running community where it’s needed

When Brisker started running, the South Central resident frequented groups that met on the west side of Los Angeles. Soon Brisker realized she was far from the only person who had to travel outside of her South Central neighborhood to participate in LA-area run groups. In 2018, when she started running in her South Central neighborhood more often, she received a surprising reception. She said people rooted for her as she passed by, unlike on the west side, where running is more popular as a form of exercise. At that moment, she wondered why a run club didn’t exist in South Central, where she knew it could thrive. 

As a first step, Brisker tried to create an Instagram account under the name South Central Run Club, but the title was already taken. So, she reached out and met the group founder, Garcia, who had the same idea earlier on.

Garcia's running journey began in 2018 when she started attending group runs with her sister and friends. But again, those groups always met outside of her South Central community, and she wanted to change that. Garcia, who also grew up in the area, created the account and invited her neighbors of all ages and abilities to join for weekly runs. Brisker joined too.

In 2020, the pandemic paused the group's efforts. But another chance meeting between Brisker and Garcia kicked things off once again. After the duo reunited while working for a local nonprofit, they decided to combine their visions for the run club. 

“South Central has a lot of amazing history of resistance. Sometimes you can walk by something, and you don't know the historical importance of a place,” Garcia told Runner’s World. “We really wanted to highlight those things and have a space where people feel comfortable to come together, run and stretch, and learn a little bit more about our own community.” 

Creating space for healing

In early 2021, they brought the run club back with in-person group meetings. On every run, the captains lead the group in discussions based on a different location that holds historical significance. With each gathering, they hope to expand on the mainstream narrative that's been told about South Central. As Brisker explained, most people's perception of the area is based on hip hop influences and films like Menace II Society and Boyz n the Hood, but there are many more stories to be told. “People have created this narrative about South Central that it's impoverished, there's a lot of gang violence and all this other stuff,” she said. “But there are real people from South Central thriving and existing.”

The club focuses on promoting health and wellness in the South Central community by offering initiatives that introduce the sport and make it accessible for all. They host a walk-to-run program and family days, where members are encouraged to bring family members young and old so they can learn to enjoy running and encourage each other to keep it up. 

One of the family days is held at the South Los Angeles Wetlands Park, which used to be where metro buses were repaired. Like everything they do, picking the park as a meeting spot was done with intention. “It was a place that caused pollution in our community. It's been a few years now, but they cleaned up the space and transformed it into this beautiful park,” Garcia said. “Every time we start there, we like to say that we see this as a metaphor for the work that we're doing, that the transformation for wellness comes from us.”

Rooted in social impact initiatives, the run club highlights the diversity of the neighborhood by drawing attention to local landmarks, including schools, businesses, and places where critical conversations can be had, Brisker said, “We can expose areas that need to be healed so we can come together better as a community.”

For example, the group often meets for runs in front of public schools that were attended by members of the club. Before the run starts, former students are invited to speak on their experience in the American education system, which often neglects the histories of people in underrepresented groups. “You walk out [of these institutions] feeling super alienated because you can't see yourself in history," Brisker said. “We speak to that. We say those things out loud and validate the experience for a lot of people who run with us.”

Celebrating the resilience of South Central

In the same vein, Brisker and Garcia got into an in-depth conversation ahead of Thanksgiving last year. They discussed the need for more awareness around the Indigenous experience surrounding the holiday, which is considered a day of mourning and protest for many Indigenous people. “There's a lot of pain for people who identify as Indigenous, and on top of that, if you're someone who is from an oppressed community, how can you not relate to feeling like no one is talking about your history or that everybody is celebrating around a time when your ancestors had to go through deep pain and traumatic experiences?” Brisker said.

With turkey trots being the most popular footrace in the country, Brisker and Garcia felt it was the perfect opportunity to address how white supremacy has affected their neighborhood. “Racist policies and white supremacy, like red lining, the amount of ICE presence, and the purposeful disinvestment for decades are directly affecting Black and Brown people in our communities," Garcia said. “We wanted to have that conversation, flip it with the F*** White Supremacy 5K, center the joy of our Black and Brown community, and celebrate our resiliency.”

At the inaugural event in 2021, race organizers brought the community together with local businesses and started a fundraiser aimed to support the wellness needs of 3-6 individuals. This year, the fundraiser continued with a higher goal for grant recipients. At Saturday night’s event, the amount of registrations doubled, and participants outside of South Central were encouraged to take part in a virtual run, so they too can start critical conversations and bring healing to their communities.

The prospect of seeing one of athletics' biggest stars back on the track is growing stronger, with Jakob Ingebrigtsen reportedly targeting a return to competition later this summer following his recovery from Achilles tendon surgery.

According to comments made by his agent, Daniel Wessfeldt, in an interview with Norwegian media, the double Olympic champion could make his long-awaited comeback at one of three major European meetings in July. The leading options under consideration are the Monaco Diamond League on July 10, the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix on July 14, and the London Diamond League on July 18.

For athletics fans, the possibility of Ingebrigtsen lining up in London would add another layer of excitement to an already highly anticipated Diamond League meeting. The Norwegian middle-distance sensation has become one of the sport's most dominant figures in recent years, collecting Olympic, world and European titles while consistently rewriting record books.

His 2026 campaign was put on hold after he underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon earlier this year, forcing him to focus on rehabilitation rather than competition. Since then, questions have surrounded when the 24-year-old would be ready to return to racing.

The latest update suggests that decision will largely depend on how his training progresses over the coming weeks. If recovery continues according to plan, July could mark the beginning of his return to elite competition ahead of the latter stages of the season.

A comeback at either Monaco, Budapest or London would immediately place Ingebrigtsen back among the sport's biggest storylines. Each meeting is renowned for producing world-class performances, and any appearance by the Norwegian would attract significant attention from fans eager to see how quickly he can regain top form after his injury setback.

While no final decision has been confirmed, the signs are increasingly positive. After months away from competition, Jakob Ingebrigtsen appears to be edging closer to a return, with London's Diamond League meeting emerging as one of the most intriguing possibilities on his road back to the track.

Should his recovery continue smoothly, athletics could soon welcome back one of its brightest and most influential stars.

What should have been the defining moment of Emad Bashir-Mohammed's young running career instead turned into one of the most talked-about controversies in American road racing this year.

The 23-year-old crossed the finish line first in the men's citizen's race at the prestigious Bolder Boulder 10K on Memorial Day in Colorado, stopping the clock at an impressive 29:50. His performance was not only a commanding victory but also one of the fastest winning times ever recorded in the event's long and celebrated history. Bashir-Mohammed finished eight seconds clear of his nearest challenger and appeared to have secured a breakthrough triumph.

For nearly two hours, he was the undisputed winner.

Then everything changed.

Race officials announced that Bashir-Mohammed had been disqualified after determining that he had started in the wrong wave. According to Bolder Boulder regulations, he had been assigned to the AA wave but lined up with the faster A wave, which began earlier. Event rules allow runners to move backward into a slower wave, but prohibit athletes from advancing into a faster one.

As a result, Bashir-Mohammed's victory was erased from the record books.

The citizen's title was subsequently awarded to Nickolas Scudder, who crossed the line second in 29:58. The promotion handed Scudder back-to-back citizen's race victories, while Bashir-Mohammed was left to grapple with the disappointment of losing a win he believed he had earned on the road.

The disqualification has since ignited widespread debate across the running community.

Bashir-Mohammed maintains that he did not intentionally violate the rules. He claims that after collecting his AA bib, he spoke with race personnel and was permitted to start with the A wave after presenting evidence of his recent performances. In a statement shared after the race, he expressed frustration over the decision, arguing that his goal was simply to compete against the strongest field available and produce the fastest time possible.

Race organizers, however, stood firmly behind their ruling. Officials stated that wave-assignment regulations are clearly communicated in pre-race information and reiterated during packet collection. They also noted that hundreds of participants are disqualified each year for moving into faster start groups, emphasizing that consistent enforcement is necessary to maintain fairness for all competitors.

The incident has divided opinion among runners and fans alike. Some believe the rules must be applied equally regardless of an athlete's finishing position, arguing that wave assignments are a fundamental part of race organization. Others feel the punishment is harsh, particularly if Bashir-Mohammed genuinely received approval to move up before the start.

What remains undisputed is the quality of his performance. On the roads of Boulder, Bashir-Mohammed demonstrated the fitness and speed required to outrun the field by a significant margin. Yet in road racing, crossing the finish line first is only part of the equation. Compliance with race regulations carries equal weight.

For Bashir-Mohammed, the day will be remembered as a painful lesson in the fine margins that can define elite competition. A remarkable run delivered a memorable victory, but a dispute over wave placement ultimately overshadowed the achievement, leaving behind a controversy that continues to fuel discussion throughout the running world.

A fast race, a costly administrative error, and a debate that may linger long after the finish-line tape has been packed away.

The men's 100 metres at the 2026 Rome Diamond League is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sprint races of the season, with an exceptional field featuring some of the fastest men in the world.

Scheduled for Thursday, June 4, at the iconic Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the race will bring together reigning stars, established champions and emerging talents in a contest that promises fireworks from the moment the gun goes off.

Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala headlines a world-class lineup that includes American sprint sensation Noah Lyles, Botswana's Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, Jamaica's explosive Ackeem Blake, South Africa's ever-consistent Akani Simbine and Italy's hometown hero Lamont Marcell Jacobs. With personal bests ranging from 9.77 to 9.97 seconds, the field is packed with athletes capable of producing something special on the Diamond League stage.

Omanyala, the African record holder with a blistering personal best of 9.77 seconds, arrives in Rome eager to continue his strong early-season form and prove he can challenge the very best on the global circuit. The Kenyan star has built a reputation as one of the fastest starters in world sprinting and will be looking to make a statement against an elite field.

Standing in his way is world champion Noah Lyles, whose personal best of 9.79 seconds places him among the fastest athletes in history. The American remains one of the sport's biggest attractions and will be determined to add another Diamond League victory to his impressive résumé.

The race also marks a major test for Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo. The Botswanan star has rapidly become one of athletics' most exciting talents, while Ackeem Blake continues to establish himself as a serious contender on the international sprint scene.

Adding further intrigue is the presence of Italy's Lamont Marcell Jacobs. Competing on home soil, the Tokyo Olympic champion will enjoy passionate local support as he seeks to deliver a memorable performance in front of the Roman crowd.

South Africa's Akani Simbine, Cameroon's Emmanuel Eseme, Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu and rising American talent Jordan Anthony complete a field that boasts remarkable depth and quality.

Men's 100m Entry List – Rome Diamond League 2026

Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya) – PB: 9.77

Noah Lyles (USA) – PB: 9.79

Lamont Marcell Jacobs (Italy) – PB: 9.80

Akani Simbine (South Africa) – PB: 9.82

Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) – PB: 9.86

Ackeem Blake (Jamaica) – PB: 9.88

Jordan Anthony (USA) – PB: 9.91

Emmanuel Eseme (Cameroon) – PB: 9.96

Jeremiah Azu (Great Britain) – PB: 9.97

With multiple national record holders, global champions and Olympic medal contenders sharing the same start line, the Rome Diamond League men's 100m could deliver one of the fastest races of the year. For sprint fans around the world, all eyes will be on Rome as a stellar cast battles for supremacy over athletics' blue-riband distance.

Audrey Werro announced her arrival as one of the early stars of the 2026 outdoor season with a commanding victory in the women’s 800 metres at the Rabat Diamond League, producing a performance that exceeded even her own expectations.

The Swiss middle-distance talent surged to victory in a brilliant 1:56.56, breaking the meeting record and delivering one of the fastest times recorded worldwide this season. In a race packed with quality, Werro displayed exceptional composure, confidence, and finishing strength to separate herself from the field and stamp her authority on the event.

What made the performance even more remarkable was the athlete's surprise at the level she had already reached so early in the campaign.

"I was not expecting such a strong start to the season," Werro admitted after the race.

The race unfolded at a relentless pace, but Werro remained perfectly positioned throughout. As the athletes approached the bell lap, she glanced at the clock and immediately sensed something special was within reach.

"When I saw the time at the bell, I felt really confident," she said. "I'm really happy with the Meeting Record and looking forward to the rest of the season."

Her confidence proved justified. Maintaining her rhythm over the final 400 metres, Werro powered down the home straight to secure the victory and rewrite the Rabat meeting record books in the process.

The performance sends an early warning to her rivals ahead of a season that promises major championships and high-profile Diamond League battles. Beyond the record-breaking time, Werro's display highlighted her growing maturity as a racer, combining tactical awareness with impressive speed and endurance.

With the outdoor season only beginning, the 1:56.56 clocking suggests that even faster times could be on the horizon. If Rabat is any indication, Audrey Werro may be poised for the biggest season of her career.

Her emphatic victory in Morocco was more than just another Diamond League win—it was a statement of intent from an athlete determined to challenge the world's best throughout 2026.

The city of Boston is set to welcome back one of its most celebrated champions as Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi headlines a world-class field for the 2026 B.A.A. 10K presented by Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute on June 21.

Fresh from another remarkable victory at the Boston Marathon in April, Lokedi returns to the streets of Boston and Cambridge carrying both momentum and confidence as she aims to defend the title she captured in dominant fashion last year.

The two-time Boston Marathon champion has developed a special connection with the historic race city. In 2025, she produced a course-record performance of 2:17:22 to win the Boston Marathon before returning this year to claim another victory in 2:18:51, the second-fastest winning time in the event’s storied history. Her success has cemented her status as one of the premier road runners in the world.

Lokedi will be making her first competitive appearance since her marathon triumph and arrives as the reigning B.A.A. 10K champion after clocking 31:39 over the challenging 6.2-mile course in 2025.

“Boston has become a very special place for me,” Lokedi said ahead of the race. “The atmosphere created by the fans and the community is unlike anywhere else. I’m excited to return and give everything I have to defend my title.”

The women’s race promises to be highly competitive. American Olympian Rachel Smith, who finished second at the Boston 5K in April, leads the domestic challenge. Kenya’s strong contingent includes African 10,000m champion Gladys Kwamboka, former B.A.A. 10K runner-up Stacy Ndiwa, and experienced road racer Viola Cheptoo. British Olympian Jessica Warner-Judd adds further international depth to a field packed with proven performers.

The men’s race is equally impressive, featuring elite athletes from 13 nations.

Ethiopia’s Dawit Seare enters as one of the leading contenders after capturing the 2025 Boston 5K title and bringing the fastest 10K personal best in the field at 27:21. Kenya will be represented by an accomplished group led by Alexander Mutiso, winner of the 2024 London Marathon and runner-up at last year’s New York City Marathon.

Patrick Kiprop also arrives in outstanding form after securing victory at the prestigious BolderBoulder 10K on Memorial Day, while Alex Masai returns looking to continue his strong record in Boston. Masai recently finished ninth at the Boston Marathon and has earned three top-ten finishes at the B.A.A. 10K.

Among the international stars making their mark is South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt, who makes his race debut after an impressive season highlighted by victory at the NYC Half Marathon in 59:30. Ethiopia’s Olympic bronze medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet adds further quality to the field, bringing a wealth of championship experience and previous success in Boston.

Canadian national 10K champion Andrew Alexander, two-time U.S. Olympian Hillary Bor, marathon standout Ryan Ford, and reigning USA 25K champion Andrew Colley complete a field stacked with talent and depth.

With defending champions, Olympic finalists, national champions and rising stars all converging on Boston, the 2026 B.A.A. 10K is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent memory. For Sharon Lokedi, however, the mission is simple: return to the city where she has repeatedly excelled and add another memorable chapter to her growing Boston legacy.