Running News Daily

Just three weeks after placing an impressive fifth in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Finland’s Alisa Vainio has once again made headlines—this time rewriting the national record books.

Competing at the Finnish Championships in Vantaa on Saturday (Oct 4), Vainio claimed the national marathon title in 2:23:06, breaking the previous Finnish record by 92 seconds. The old mark of 2:24:38 was set by Camilla Richardsson at the 2023 Valencia Marathon.

In contrast to Tokyo’s hot and humid conditions, Vantaa offered cool but blustery weather, which suited Vainio’s strong and efficient running style. She finished second overall, just 33 seconds behind men’s winner Kari Heikura, who clocked 2:22:33.

“I felt pretty good, pretty strong the whole time. The stride felt good and I was able to tighten my stride uphill and then relax downhill. Sometimes I got some help from the guys,” said Vainio.

“I wanted to run hard. In Tokyo, I couldn’t run hard in the heat and that was annoying. After Tokyo, the recovery went incredibly well and I wanted to be brave today.”

Remarkably, Vainio took just one week off following Tokyo before resuming training, showing her trademark resilience and determination. Her 2:23:06 performance now places her third on the 2025 European list, trailing only Olympic champion and European record-holder Sifan Hassan (2:19:00) and Germany’s Fabienne Königstein (2:22:17), who placed sixth at last month’s Berlin Marathon.

Despite having raced two marathons in three weeks, Vainio hasn’t ruled out another major test this year.

“I possibly have a place in Valencia. It’s not completely confirmed yet. There should be good conditions to run hard, but everything has to go well until then,” she said.

The NCAA Track and Field Championships delivered a moment few could have predicted as Ja’Kobe Tharp produced one of the most astonishing performances in the history of sprint hurdling, rewriting the record books in spectacular fashion.

Competing in the opening round of the men’s 110-meter hurdles, the Auburn star stunned the athletics world by clocking an incredible 12.75 seconds, becoming the first athlete ever to break the 12.80-second barrier. In doing so, he eclipsed the long-standing world record of 12.80 set by Aries Merritt in 2012, a mark that had stood as one of the sport’s most revered achievements for more than a decade.

What makes Tharp’s breakthrough even more remarkable is the scale of his improvement. Entering the championships, the defending NCAA and U.S. champion had recorded a season-best of 13.05 seconds. Yet under the brightest spotlight, he unleashed a performance that exceeded every expectation, slicing an extraordinary 0.26 seconds from his personal best in a race that instantly became one of the greatest ever run.

The achievement sent shockwaves throughout the track and field community. While Tharp arrived in Eugene as one of the leading contenders for the NCAA title, few envisioned a performance capable of redefining the limits of the event. Instead, the American hurdler delivered a race for the ages, combining flawless technique, explosive speed, and impeccable rhythm from the first hurdle to the finish line.

The historic run not only secured his place in athletics history but also transformed the outlook of the championship. With the world record now in his possession, Tharp advances to the final as the overwhelming favorite, carrying momentum that could make an already unforgettable weekend even more extraordinary.

For years, the 12.80 barrier appeared untouchable. On a stunning day at the NCAA Championships, Ja’Kobe Tharp proved otherwise, producing the kind of performance that reminds fans why sport remains so unpredictable. In a matter of seconds, he turned a routine qualifying round into a landmark moment that will be remembered for generations.

The world record no one saw coming is now a reality—and Ja’Kobe Tharp is the man who changed history.

A new chapter in middle-distance running may have begun in Oslo after American teenager Cooper Lutkenhaus produced one of the most remarkable performances of the season, narrowly defeating reigning Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in a thrilling men's 800m contest at the Diamond League meeting.

The 17-year-old sensation shocked a world-class field by crossing the finish line first in a race that came down to the smallest of margins. After an intense battle over the final metres, Lutkenhaus held off Wanyonyi by just one hundredth of a second, producing a dramatic finish that left the packed stadium in disbelief.

From the opening lap, the pace was relentless as the leading contenders positioned themselves for a fierce showdown. As the athletes entered the home straight, Wanyonyi appeared poised to unleash his trademark finishing kick. However, Lutkenhaus refused to be intimidated, matching the Olympic champion stride for stride before producing a perfectly timed lean at the line to secure a historic victory.

The result marks a breakthrough moment for the young American, who continues to establish himself as one of the brightest talents in global athletics. Defeating an Olympic champion at a Diamond League event is a feat many athletes spend entire careers pursuing, yet Lutkenhaus achieved it before reaching adulthood.

For Wanyonyi, the narrow defeat does little to diminish his status as one of the world's premier 800m runners. The Kenyan once again demonstrated his exceptional class and competitiveness, pushing the race to a world-class standard and forcing his young rival to deliver the performance of a lifetime.

Beyond the result itself, the race offered a glimpse into what could become one of the sport's most exciting rivalries in the years ahead. With established stars and emerging talents now pushing each other to new heights, the men's 800m continues to evolve into one of athletics' most captivating events.

On a memorable night in Oslo, the spotlight belonged to Cooper Lutkenhaus. At just 17 years old, he stood toe-to-toe with an Olympic champion and emerged victorious, announcing himself to the athletics world in spectacular fashion. 

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A landmark chapter in global distance running has been written, with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon officially securing its place among the world's most prestigious road races. Following a rigorous assessment process, the event has been awarded Abbott World Marathon Majors status, becoming the eighth race in the renowned series and the first ever on African soil.

The announcement marks a historic breakthrough not only for South Africa but for the entire African continent, which has long been recognized as the heartbeat of distance running. For decades, African athletes have dominated marathon racing around the world. Now, Africa finally has a Major of its own.

Beginning with the 2027 edition, scheduled for 22–23 May, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will join an elite group of races that includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. The achievement elevates Cape Town into one of the most celebrated destinations in global marathon running and cements Africa's place at the highest level of the sport.

The journey to Major status has been years in the making, driven by relentless commitment from race organizers, athletes, volunteers, sponsors, running clubs, and supporters who believed in the vision of bringing a World Marathon Major to Africa. Through continuous improvements in race organization, international standards, athlete experience, and community engagement, the event steadily built a reputation worthy of the sport's grandest stage.

For many within the running community, the moment represents far more than the success of a single race. It is a victory for an entire continent whose passion for athletics has inspired generations. From elite champions to recreational runners, countless individuals have contributed to turning what once seemed an ambitious dream into reality.

The elevation of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is expected to boost international participation, tourism, and investment while providing a powerful platform to showcase Africa's culture, landscapes, and sporting excellence to a global audience.

As the countdown begins to May 2027, celebrations are already underway across the running world. The message resonating from Cape Town to every corner of Africa is clear: history has been made.

Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major has arrived, and a new era for distance running has officially begun.

Ethiopian distance-running sensation Yomif Kejelcha is set to take his talents to South America after confirming his participation in the 2026 Buenos Aires Half Marathon, scheduled for August 23 in Argentina. The announcement has already generated excitement across the athletics world, with fans and analysts eager to see whether one of the sport's most accomplished road racers can mount an assault on the men's half marathon world record.

Kejelcha arrives in Buenos Aires carrying the reputation of a proven champion. Over the years, the Ethiopian star has built an impressive résumé on both the track and the roads, earning global recognition for his exceptional speed, endurance, and tactical brilliance. His move to compete in one of Latin America's premier road races adds another fascinating chapter to a career that has consistently delivered memorable performances.

The spotlight, however, will inevitably fall on the record books. The current men's half marathon world record belongs to Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, who stunned the athletics community with a historic performance several weeks ago, raising the bar to unprecedented heights. Since then, speculation has centered on which athlete possesses the talent and courage to challenge the new benchmark.

Kejelcha is undoubtedly among the leading candidates. Known for his aggressive racing style and ability to maintain relentless pace over long distances, the Ethiopian has repeatedly demonstrated that he thrives when chasing ambitious targets. Buenos Aires, with its traditionally fast course and competitive field, could provide the ideal setting for another landmark performance.

Yet breaking a world record is never guaranteed. Beyond physical preparation, such an achievement requires perfect weather conditions, flawless pacing, and an athlete capable of delivering the race of a lifetime. Even for a runner of Kejelcha's caliber, the challenge posed by Kiplimo's mark remains immense.

As the countdown to August begins, anticipation continues to build. Will Yomif Kejelcha simply add another major victory to his collection, or will he produce a performance that rewrites history? The answer awaits on the streets of Buenos Aires, where one of the world's finest distance runners will attempt to turn ambition into achievement and perhaps launch a serious attack on one of athletics' most coveted records.

Kenya’s middle-distance sensation Emmanuel Wanyonyi has revealed the heartwarming reason behind his absence from the Stockholm Diamond League, choosing family over competition as he welcomed his first child into the world.

The Olympic champion and one of the brightest stars in global athletics withdrew from the Stockholm meeting after returning home from Rabat to be by his wife's side for the birth of their firstborn. While fans were disappointed not to see him on the track in Sweden, Wanyonyi had a far more important moment awaiting him away from the spotlight.

“I can say I am so happy. I was supposed to run in the Stockholm Diamond League, then I went back home from Rabat. My wife delivered our first born. I was so happy,” Wanyonyi explained.

For an athlete whose recent years have been defined by record-breaking performances and major championship success, the arrival of his child marks a milestone that transcends sport. The 800m star now enters a new phase of life, balancing the demands of elite competition with the responsibilities and joys of fatherhood.

His return to action comes at the Oslo Diamond League, where he will step onto the track for the first time as a father. The highly anticipated race adds another layer of intrigue, with fans eager to see whether the emotional boost from this life-changing moment can inspire another memorable performance from the Kenyan.

Wanyonyi has established himself as one of the most dominant figures in the men's 800m, earning a reputation for his fearless racing style, devastating finishing kick, and remarkable consistency against the world's best. Yet even amid the pressures of international competition, he showed that some moments are simply bigger than athletics.

As the Oslo Diamond League unfolds, all eyes will be on the Kenyan star. But regardless of the result, Wanyonyi has already secured a victory that means more than any medal or record — becoming a father for the very first time.