Running News Daily

Seven years after producing one of the most extraordinary performances the marathon has ever witnessed, Brigid Kosgei is heading back to the streets where she etched her name into athletics history. The Kenyan distance-running icon will return to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 11, 2026, rekindling memories of her breathtaking triumph in 2019 that transformed the sport forever.

Chicago was the stage where Kosgei delivered a performance for the ages, crossing the finish line in an astonishing 2:14:04 to erase Paula Radcliffe's 16-year-old women's marathon world record. That unforgettable run remains one of the greatest achievements in long-distance running and cemented her place among the finest marathoners in history.

Her return comes at the perfect moment. Kosgei arrives in exceptional form after capturing victory at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, where she stormed to a course-record 2:14:29, proving she is once again among the world's most dangerous marathon competitors. With renewed confidence and outstanding fitness, she will be aiming to conquer Chicago for another memorable chapter in her remarkable career.

However, victory will be anything but straightforward. The 2026 women's race features one of the deepest and strongest marathon fields ever assembled, setting the stage for a spectacular battle between some of the sport's biggest names.

Defending champion Hawi Feysa returns determined to protect her Chicago crown after establishing herself among the world's elite. Ethiopia's Sutume Kebede and Megertu Alemu add further strength to an already formidable lineup, while Kenya's Brillian Kipkoech, Loice Chemnung, Joan Kilimo, Magdalyne Masai, and Mary Ngugi Cooper ensure the East African rivalry will be as fierce as ever.

Another athlete attracting enormous attention is Boston Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi, who will make her highly anticipated Chicago Marathon debut. Having already proven herself on the biggest stages, Lokedi adds another exciting dimension to a race packed with championship pedigree and world-class talent.

The international field is equally impressive, with Ethiopia's Degitu Azimeraw and Fantu Worku joining Japan's Yuka Ando, Australia's Isobel Batt-Doyle, and American standouts Sara Hall, Susanna Sullivan, Des Linden, and Natosha Rogers in pursuit of marathon glory.

With a former world-record holder returning to her most historic venue, a defending champion eager to retain her title, and several major marathon winners chasing one of the sport's most prestigious crowns, the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon promises to deliver a thrilling contest from start to finish. Every indication suggests this could become one of the most memorable women's marathon races in recent history.

As the countdown to October 11 continues, anticipation is rapidly building. Can Brigid Kosgei recreate the magic that changed marathon history, or will a new champion rise on the streets of Chicago? One thing is certain—the world will be watching as an exceptional field battles for one of road running's most coveted titles.

Australia celebrated a landmark moment in distance running as Rose Davies produced a brilliant performance to win the women's 10,000m title at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming the first Australian athlete ever to capture Commonwealth gold in the event. Clocking 31:39.32, Davies also recorded a season's best (SB) to crown a remarkable evening and write her name into Australian athletics history.

Davies delivered a composed and confident race from start to finish, demonstrating exceptional patience before unleashing a decisive surge in the closing stages to secure a historic victory. Her remarkable triumph not only earned Australia a long-awaited gold medal but also etched her name into the Commonwealth Games record books, adding one of the finest achievements in Australian distance-running history.

Kenya's Diana Wanza produced a courageous and determined performance to secure the silver medal in 31:50.13, further strengthening the nation's proud legacy in long-distance running. Remaining among the front-runners throughout the race, Wanza matched every challenge with grit and composure before crossing the finish line with a well-deserved runner-up finish against an outstanding field.

Rwanda's Florence Niyonkuru completed the podium with a superb run to capture the bronze medal in 31:55.47. Her impressive display underlined Rwanda's continued rise in international distance running and rewarded months of hard work with one of the biggest achievements of her career.

The race was fiercely contested from the opening laps, with the leading pack refusing to give an inch as the pace intensified. As the tension built inside the stadium, every lap brought fresh excitement and anticipation from the Glasgow crowd. Davies found another gear when it mattered most, Wanza responded with tremendous determination in pursuit of gold, while Niyonkuru held her composure to secure bronze in a thrilling finish. Behind the medalists, Uganda's Esther Chebet narrowly missed the podium by just 0.23 seconds, finishing fourth in a personal best of 31:55.70, highlighting just how competitive the championship final proved to be.

The depth of the field was reflected throughout the results, with several athletes producing season's bests and personal bests in one of the highest-quality women's 10,000m finals of the Games. Australia's Lauren Ryan finished fifth with a season's best, Uganda's Joy Cheptoyek placed sixth with another season's best, while Scotland's Megan Keith delighted the home crowd with a season's best ninth-place finish. The race showcased the exceptional standard of women's distance running across the Commonwealth.

Women's 10,000m Final – Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026

1. Rose Davies (Australia) – 31:39.32 (SB)

2. Diana Wanza (Kenya) – 31:50.13

3. Florence Niyonkuru (Rwanda) – 31:55.47

4. Esther Chebet (Uganda) – 31:55.70 (PB)

5. Lauren Ryan (Australia) – 31:59.41 (SB)

6. Joy Cheptoyek (Uganda) – 32:01.92 (SB)

7. Miriam Chebet (Kenya) – 32:12.97

8. Rebecca Chelangat (Uganda) – 32:16.28 (SB)

9. Megan Keith (Scotland) – 32:22.11 (SB)

10. Rebecca Mwangi (Kenya) – 32:36.12

11. Izzy Fry (England) – 32:50.81

12. Poppy Tank (England) – 32:50.83

13. Florence Caron (Canada) – 32:59.51

The women's 10,000m final perfectly illustrated the depth of talent across the Commonwealth, with three exceptional athletes delivering performances worthy of the podium. While Rose Davies celebrated a groundbreaking victory for Australia, Diana Wanza once again demonstrated Kenya's enduring excellence in distance running, and Florence Niyonkuru's bronze medal highlighted Rwanda's growing presence among the world's elite. Together, they produced a championship race that will be remembered for its quality, intensity, and historic significance.

The first signs of Beatrice Chebet's return are here.

The Kenyan distance running superstar has delighted fans by sharing a photo from her early morning run, signaling the beginning of what promises to be an inspiring comeback. Captioning the image, the Olympic and world champion wrote: "Early mornings, beautiful skies and a little movement. Happy New Week," while tagging Nike and Nike Women.

The update may have seemed simple, but for athletics fans it carried a powerful message. After stepping away from competition to embrace motherhood and welcome her baby boy, Chebet is back on the roads, taking the first strides toward returning to elite racing.

Few athletes have built a résumé as remarkable as Chebet's. She is the world record holder in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and road 5km, and her career includes Olympic gold medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, world titles, and multiple global championships that have established her as one of the greatest distance runners of her generation.

Now, her journey enters a different but equally inspiring phase. As she balances motherhood with the demands of elite training, every run represents another step toward regaining race fitness and returning to the sport she has dominated for years.

While there is no official timeline for her return to competition, Chebet's latest post has already sparked excitement across the athletics community. Fans will be hoping that these early morning runs are the foundation of another extraordinary chapter—one that could see the Kenyan superstar back on the starting line, chasing records and titles once again.

For one of the sport's brightest stars, the comeback has begun—not with medals or finish-line celebrations, but with quiet early morning miles, beautiful skies, and the determination that has always defined a champion.

The stage is set for one of the most fascinating distance races of the 2026 Commonwealth Games after reigning women's 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan officially withdrew from the competition, ending her hopes of defending the title she won in memorable fashion four years ago.

McColgan's absence leaves the event without its defending champion and guarantees that a new name will be etched into Commonwealth Games history when the athletes line up for tonight's final in Glasgow. While her withdrawal is a significant setback for Scottish supporters hoping to celebrate another home victory, it has also created one of the most open and unpredictable championship races in recent memory.

Kenya's Miriam Chebet enters the final as the fastest athlete in the field with a personal best of 30:27.30 and will undoubtedly be one of the leading contenders for the gold medal. However, she faces formidable opposition from Australia's Rose Davies and Lauren Ryan, both of whom have consistently delivered world-class performances and possess the endurance to challenge for the top step of the podium.

With McColgan no longer in the race, Scotland's hopes now rest on Megan Keith. Competing before a passionate home crowd in Glasgow, Keith has the opportunity to produce the performance of her career and give the host nation another unforgettable distance running moment.

The race is also packed with outstanding talent from East Africa. Rwanda's Emeline Imanizabayo and Florence Niyonkuru arrive with valuable international experience, while Uganda's Joy Cheptoyek and Rebecca Chelangat have repeatedly shown they are capable of excelling in championship competition. Kenya's Diana Wanza and Rebecca Mwangi further strengthen an exceptionally deep field where every position is expected to be fiercely contested.

England's Izzy Fry and Poppy Tank will also be aiming to make their mark, with Tank continuing to inspire many through her remarkable journey to the Games despite competing without the financial backing enjoyed by many of her rivals. Canada's Florence Caron, Lesotho's Nthabiseng Letokoto, and the Isle of Man's Christa Cain complete a line-up that promises an exciting and highly competitive contest.

Unlike races with an overwhelming favourite, this championship appears wide open. The outcome could depend as much on race tactics as outright speed, with every athlete aware that a rare opportunity now lies before them. Whether the pace is aggressive from the opening laps or develops into a tactical battle decided over the closing stages, the fight for gold is expected to captivate athletics fans from start to finish.

Tonight, all eyes will be on Glasgow as the Commonwealth Games crown a new women's 10,000m champion. With an outstanding field assembled and the defending champion no longer on the start line, the race has all the ingredients to become one of the defining moments of the athletics programme, as a new queen of the Commonwealth emerges.

Brazilian 400m hurdles star Alison Dos Santos has delivered a powerful statement ahead of the major championships, producing a sensational world-leading 46.48 seconds to win at the XLV Troféu Brasil in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

The breathtaking performance marked Dos Santos' fastest race since his unforgettable triumph at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, where he claimed global gold in dominant fashion. After battling injuries and setbacks over the past few seasons, the Brazilian has once again reminded the athletics world why he remains one of the event's greatest talents.

Clocking 46.48, Dos Santos surged to the top of the 2026 world rankings with a display of speed, rhythm, and flawless hurdling that left no doubt about his return to peak form. Every stride reflected the confidence and explosiveness that made him a world champion, sending a clear warning to his rivals that he is ready to challenge for more international titles.

The performance is more than just a fast time—it is a powerful comeback story. Returning to his very best after years of determination and resilience, Dos Santos has reignited excitement in one of track and field's most competitive events. His run not only thrilled the home fans but also reshaped the global picture in the men's 400m hurdles.

With the championship season gathering momentum, Alison Dos Santos has placed himself firmly back among the favourites. If this remarkable run is any indication, the Brazilian superstar is once again ready to chase gold on the world's biggest stages, proving that champions always find a way back to the top.

The streets of Colombia's capital witnessed a truly unforgettable performance on Sunday as Kenya's Erick Sang produced a breathtaking run to win the 2026 Bogotá Half Marathon, rewriting the event's history in spectacular fashion. Delivering a masterclass of strength, composure, and relentless pace, Sang stormed across the finish line in an official gun time of 1:01:59, becoming the new course record holder and etching his name into the race's history.

From the opening kilometers, Sang looked determined to produce something extraordinary. Running with remarkable confidence and rhythm despite Bogotá's demanding high-altitude conditions, he gradually pulled away from his closest challengers before unleashing a powerful finishing surge. With every stride, he moved closer to history, eventually shattering the previous course record in emphatic fashion. His landmark performance was a perfect blend of endurance, tactical intelligence, and unwavering determination, transforming an already prestigious race into a historic occasion.

Ethiopia's Bereket Nega finished second in 1:03:42, delivering a strong performance to secure the runner-up spot, while Kenya's Philemon Kiplimo completed the podium in 1:03:53 after an impressive and consistent race. Kenya's dominance continued with Gideon Kiprop finishing fourth in 1:04:23, just one second ahead of Ecuador's Luis Masabanda, who delighted the home-region supporters by claiming fifth place in 1:04:24.

Men's Elite Top Five Results

1. Erick Sang (Kenya) – 1:01:59

2. Bereket Nega (Ethiopia) – 1:03:42

3. Philemon Kiplimo (Kenya) – 1:03:53

4. Gideon Kiprop (Kenya) – 1:04:23

5. Luis Masabanda (Ecuador) – 1:04:24

The 2026 Bogotá Half Marathon once again reinforced its reputation as one of South America's premier road racing events, attracting a world-class field eager to conquer its challenging high-altitude course. Amid fierce international competition, Erick Sang rose to the occasion with a performance of exceptional quality, combining patience, precision, and explosive finishing strength. His record-breaking victory not only secured the biggest title of the day but also raised the standard of the event, inspiring future generations of athletes to chase greatness on the historic streets of Bogotá.

Sang's magnificent triumph was far more than a race victory—it was a defining moment in the history of the Bogotá Half Marathon. By dismantling the course record with such authority, he delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. His electrifying finish, fearless pursuit of excellence, and unforgettable display of resilience captivated spectators from start to finish, proving that true champions are those who dare to push beyond limits and leave a lasting legacy.