Running News Daily

History has officially been confirmed.

World Athletics has ratified Tigst Assefa's sensational 2:15:41 performance at the London Marathon as the new women-only marathon world record, cementing the Ethiopian star's place among the greatest marathon runners of all time.

The record-breaking run, produced on the streets of London, improves the previous women-only world record that Assefa herself established on the same course just one year earlier. With another remarkable display of endurance, precision and speed, she once again rewrote the history books, proving that her dominance in the marathon continues to reach new heights.

Unlike mixed-gender marathons, where male pacemakers are permitted, the women-only category is contested exclusively by female athletes from start to finish. It is regarded as one of the purest tests of marathon racing, making Assefa's achievement even more significant.

Her ratified mark of 2:15:41 stands as one of the fastest performances ever produced by a woman under women-only race conditions, highlighting her extraordinary consistency at the highest level of the sport.

The official ratification by World Athletics removes any remaining formality, transforming a breathtaking race-day performance into a permanent chapter in athletics history. It is another milestone in a glittering career that has seen Assefa repeatedly redefine what is possible over the 42.195-kilometre distance.

For Ethiopia, the record adds another proud moment to the nation's rich tradition of producing world-class distance runners. For the global athletics community, it is further evidence that the women's marathon continues to evolve, with barriers once considered untouchable now being shattered.

Tigst Assefa's name is now permanently etched into the record books once again—not only as an Olympic and world-class marathon champion, but as the officially ratified women-only marathon world record holder, a distinction earned through an unforgettable performance on one of the sport's biggest stages in London.

South African distance-running star Adrian Wildschutt has officially announced that he will make his highly anticipated marathon debut at the 2026 Chicago Marathon, taking on the iconic 26.2-mile distance for the first time on October 11.

The announcement, shared on his social media channels, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of the world's most accomplished track and road racers. After building an impressive career over distances ranging from 3,000 metres to the half marathon, Wildschutt has decided the time is right to test himself in one of the sport's ultimate challenges.

The move has been eagerly anticipated by fans and athletics followers, who have watched the South African steadily develop into one of the strongest endurance athletes on the international circuit. His combination of speed, strength and racing intelligence has long suggested that the marathon could become another stage on which he excels.

Wildschutt expressed both excitement and gratitude as he revealed the news, emphasizing that preparations are already well underway. His focus is now fully fixed on Chicago, where he hopes to translate years of experience over shorter distances into a successful marathon debut against one of the strongest fields in the world.

The Chicago Marathon has earned a reputation as one of the fastest marathon courses on the planet, producing numerous world records and unforgettable performances. It provides an ideal setting for elite athletes looking to make an immediate impact over the classic distance, making it a fitting choice for Wildschutt's first attempt.

Although marathon debuts are always unpredictable, Wildschutt arrives with an outstanding résumé that includes world-class performances on the track and road. His proven endurance, tactical racing ability and impressive half marathon credentials have already sparked excitement about what he might achieve over 42.195 kilometres.

With months of preparation still ahead, anticipation will continue to build as Wildschutt embarks on his journey toward one of the biggest milestones of his career. On October 11, all eyes will be on the streets of Chicago as the South African takes his first steps into marathon racing, aiming to announce himself on the global stage in spectacular fashion.

The wait is over. The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games officially begin today, marking the start of one of the biggest celebrations of sport across the Commonwealth—and with it comes the return of one of athletics' most iconic events.

For the first time in 60 years, the mile will once again be contested at the Commonwealth Games, with both the men's and women's races featuring on the programme. Its return revives a historic distance that has produced some of the sport's most unforgettable moments.

The mile last appeared at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, where Kenya's legendary Kip Keino delivered a performance for the ages. He stormed to gold in a Games record of 3:55.34, leading one of the greatest mile races in Commonwealth history as the top six finishers all broke the prestigious four-minute barrier.

England's Alan Simpson claimed the silver medal in 3:57.27, while New Zealand's Ian Studd completed the podium with 3:58.61, highlighting the extraordinary quality of the competition.

As Glasgow 2026 gets underway today, a new generation of middle-distance stars will have the opportunity to add their names to that rich legacy. The return of the mile not only celebrates the event's remarkable history but also introduces the classic distance to a new era of Commonwealth competition.

For Kenya, the revival carries special meaning. Kip Keino's victory remains one of the nation's defining moments on the Commonwealth stage, and the return of the mile offers another chance for Kenyan athletes to chase glory in an event that has long symbolized excellence in middle-distance running.

Sixty years after it last graced the Commonwealth Games, the mile is back—and as Glasgow 2026 begins today, another chapter in its storied history is about to be written.

Marathon running is a sport built on endurance, discipline, and the ability to overcome adversity. At the 2024 Hengshui Lake Marathon in China, Li Meizhen delivered a powerful reminder of those qualities when she refused to let an unexpected challenge derail her race.

The 25-year-old runner from Fujian was already 34 kilometres into the marathon when her period suddenly started. With roughly eight kilometres still remaining, Li could see blood running down her legs. For many athletes, the situation would have been distressing enough to consider stopping. Li chose a different path.

She kept running.

Determined to reach the finish line, Li maintained her focus through the final stages of the race, pushing through both the physical demands of the marathon and an unforeseen personal challenge. When she finally crossed the line, the clock showed 2 hours, 35 minutes, a performance that placed her among the fastest women in a race featuring more than 20,000 runners from 26 countries and regions.

What happened during those closing kilometres quickly became a talking point across China. Videos of Li's finish spread rapidly on social media, drawing widespread admiration from runners and sports fans alike. Rather than focusing on the blood visible on her legs, many celebrated her determination and the message her performance sent about women's health in sport.

After the race, Li explained her decision in simple terms. She was chasing a qualifying standard for two upcoming championship marathons. Stopping would have meant abandoning months of preparation and starting the qualification process all over again at another race.

So she finished the one she was in.

The reaction online was overwhelmingly positive. Many women praised her for treating menstruation as what it is—a normal part of life rather than something that should prevent an athlete from competing, training, or pursuing ambitious goals.

For Li, resilience has been a defining characteristic throughout her running journey. She has been competing for approximately a decade, ever since she was recruited from a fifth-grade sports interest group after winning the 800 metres at her first county-level competition. Since then, she has steadily developed into a high-level distance runner capable of competing among the best.

Her experience at Hengshui Lake has resonated far beyond the marathon community because it highlights an often-overlooked reality of women's sport. Athletes frequently face challenges that are visible to everyone, such as injuries, weather conditions, or fatigue. Others are far more personal and rarely discussed publicly.

On this occasion, Li Meizhen confronted both.

Some obstacles in running can be anticipated and managed through preparation. Others arrive without warning. Faced with one of those unexpected moments deep into a marathon, Li chose perseverance over surrender.

Her 2:35 finish will be remembered not only as a qualifying performance, but as a powerful demonstration of courage, professionalism, and the unbreakable determination that lies at the heart of distance running.

The KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium, delivered another unforgettable evening of distance running as José Carlos Pinto, Duncan Waweru, and Laban Kiptoo Kosgei all produced career-best performances in a thrilling men's 5,000m showdown.

Portugal's José Carlos Pinto stole the spotlight, storming to victory in 12:59.75 to become the only athlete in the field to dip under the coveted 13-minute barrier. The outstanding performance marked a significant milestone in his career, earning him both the race win and a new personal best.

Kenya's Duncan Waweru continued his impressive rise on the international circuit, finishing second in a lifetime best of 13:03.48. Waweru remained in contention throughout the race before producing a strong finish to slash his previous best and underline his growing potential among the world's elite distance runners.

Another Kenyan talent, Laban Kiptoo Kosgei, also celebrated a breakthrough performance. The 19-year-old clocked 13:05.22 to secure third place, setting a new personal best in what was one of the finest races of his young career. His composed and confident display further highlighted his promise as one of Kenya's emerging stars over 5,000 metres.

Behind the leading trio, Norway's Narve Gilje Nordås finished fourth in 13:13.84, while Ethiopia's Fasika Ayele rounded out the top five with 13:14.25 in a race contested at an uncompromising pace from the opening laps.

With all three podium finishers leaving Belgium with new lifetime bests, the men's 5,000m was undoubtedly one of the standout events of the meeting. Pinto's historic sub-13 performance, combined with the breakthrough runs from Waweru and Kosgei, added another memorable chapter to the reputation of the KBC Night of Athletics as one of Europe's premier stages for fast distance running.

As the championship season gathers momentum, these performances send a strong message that all three athletes are reaching peak form at exactly the right time, with even faster times likely to come in the weeks ahead.

The countdown is on for the 2026 São Paulo Marathon, where an elite international field is set to battle for one of South America's most prestigious road racing titles on Sunday, July 26, in Brazil.

Ethiopia's Tulu Wami arrives carrying the fastest personal best in the field, having clocked an outstanding 2:05:19, making him the man every rival will be watching when the race gets underway. On paper, Wami stands as the favorite, but championship marathons are rarely decided by statistics alone.

Kenya will mount a formidable challenge through Denis Kipkosgei and Isaack Lelei, two accomplished marathoners eager to upset the pre-race predictions. Kipkosgei brings a personal best of 2:08:36, while Lelei has demonstrated his own consistency with a lifetime best of 2:09:32. Both possess the experience and tactical awareness to capitalize if the race turns into a battle of endurance rather than pure speed.

With three proven distance runners leading a deep and competitive field, the stage is set for an intriguing contest over the 42.195-kilometre distance. Whether the pace is aggressive from the gun or develops into a strategic duel in the closing kilometres, every move will carry significant weight.

Brazilian fans can expect an exciting spectacle as East Africa's marathon powerhouses renew one of the sport's greatest rivalries on Brazilian roads. Wami may hold the quickest credentials, but Kipkosgei and Lelei will be determined to write a different ending and take the title back to Kenya.

As anticipation builds ahead of Sunday's race, one question remains:

Will Tulu Wami justify his status as the fastest man in the field, or will Denis Kipkosgei or Isaack Lelei produce a memorable upset to claim the São Paulo Marathon crown?