Running News Daily

Jamaican sprint icon Usain Bolt has joined the sporting world in celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo's extraordinary international career, delivering a heartfelt message to the Portuguese superstar following his announcement of retirement from international football.

Bolt, widely regarded as the greatest sprinter in history, took to social media to congratulate Ronaldo, sharing a throwback photograph accompanied by a touching message that reflected the football legend's enormous influence beyond the boundaries of his sport.

"Congrats on your retirement from international football @cristiano ⚽️ You made us all a fan," Bolt wrote.

The message from the eight-time Olympic champion was a special recognition of a career that has captivated millions of supporters across the globe. Although Bolt made his name dominating the athletics track, his admiration for Ronaldo highlights the universal appeal of sporting greatness and the ability of exceptional athletes to inspire people across different disciplines.

Ronaldo, 41, announced his decision on November 5, 2026, bringing an end to an extraordinary international journey that began in August 2003. After 23 years representing Portugal, he walks away as the most prolific goalscorer and the most-capped male international footballer in history, having registered an astonishing 146 goals in 234 appearances.

His remarkable journey included captaining Portugal to its historic UEFA European Championship triumph in 2016, followed by UEFA Nations League victories in 2019 and 2025. He also made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first player to score at six different editions of the tournament.

From a promising young talent making his international debut to becoming one of football's most celebrated figures, Ronaldo's contribution to Portugal's footballing history has been extraordinary. His consistency, ambition, professionalism and relentless pursuit of excellence have established standards that will inspire generations of aspiring footballers.

Importantly, his international retirement does not signal the end of his playing career. Ronaldo will continue his professional journey with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he remains active at club level.

For Bolt, whose extraordinary achievements include eight Olympic gold medals and world records in the 100m and 200m, the opportunity to acknowledge another sporting great carries special significance.

Two global icons, two different sporting arenas, but a shared understanding of what it takes to reach the summit of world sport. While Bolt conquered the track with his breathtaking speed, Ronaldo ruled the football pitch with his remarkable goalscoring ability and longevity.

As Ronaldo closes one of the most remarkable chapters in international football, tributes such as Bolt's serve as a reminder that true sporting greatness goes far beyond medals, trophies and records. It is ultimately measured by the millions of people inspired along the way.

Legends recognise legends!

The 2027 athletics season has not even begun, but the mind games among the world's biggest sprinting stars are already underway!

Botswana's Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has reignited his rivalry with American sprint sensations Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek after sending a bold warning to his two biggest competitors, only for Lyles to respond with a cheeky but pointed remark that has added another chapter to their growing rivalry.

Taking to social media platform X on Thursday, November 5, Tebogo addressed both American stars, beginning with a show of respect before making it clear that he intends to be the man they will have to catch when the 2027 season gets underway.

"The 2027 season is coming, and the battle is already on. Always respect to @kenny_bednarek, @LylesNoah, but you better be ready to chase."

Lyles wasted little time responding, delivering a playful but direct message aimed at the Botswana star.

"Oh, did you decide you want to stop playing opossum and actually run through the line…. That would be nice."

The comment was a pointed reference to Tebogo's occasional tendency to ease off before reaching the finish line, particularly when he believes he has lost the opportunity to win or secured his position in a race.

One notable example came at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, where Bednarek produced a stunning performance to win the 200m in a then world-leading 19.62 seconds. Tebogo, who had been fighting for a podium position, appeared to ease off towards the finish and eventually dropped to fourth in 20.01 seconds.

Lyles' response has therefore brought an interesting competitive dimension to the exchange, suggesting that the American wants to see Tebogo maintain his intensity all the way to the finish whenever they meet again.

The upcoming rivalry becomes even more intriguing when the performances of the three athletes during the 2026 campaign are considered. Bednarek enjoyed an outstanding season, establishing himself as one of the leading figures in world sprinting. The American was arguably the standout performer of the year, collecting double gold at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and further strengthening his reputation as a formidable 200m competitor.

Lyles also demonstrated his exceptional speed, recording the fastest men's 100m performance of the year with 9.79 seconds at the USATF Championships. However, his campaign was disrupted after he pulled up during the 200m final, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.

For Tebogo, the 2026 campaign was comparatively quieter by his exceptionally high standards. The Botswana star managed two Diamond League victories, although neither came in a direct contest against Lyles or Bednarek. Another interesting detail is that Tebogo only returned to training on October 16, meaning his preparations for the upcoming campaign are already underway as he looks to regain his strongest competitive form.

Despite their different journeys throughout 2026, all three athletes have something important to prove when the new season arrives. Tebogo wants to reinforce his status as the Olympic 200m champion and demonstrate that he remains the man to beat. Lyles will be determined to reassert his authority over the distance and remind his rivals of his championship pedigree, while Bednarek will be looking to build on his remarkable achievements and establish himself as the dominant force in the men's 200m.

With Olympic glory, world titles, personal ambitions and bragging rights all part of the equation, the rivalry between these three exceptional sprinters promises to deliver plenty of excitement.

The first major showdown between them in 2027 is still months away, but the psychological battle has already begun. Tebogo has fired the opening warning, Lyles has responded, and Bednarek has every reason to feel confident after his impressive season.

The question now is simple: Who will rule the men's 200m in 2027 — Letsile Tebogo, Noah Lyles or Kenny Bednarek? 

Few marathon stories capture the true meaning of courage, resilience and determination quite like that of Gareth Hopkins, a 43-year-old paramedic from Hoddesdon, England, who has finally crossed the London Marathon finish line after surviving a life-threatening medical emergency during his debut attempt six months earlier.

In April, Hopkins lined up for his first-ever marathon alongside his brother, Chris, with the brothers running to raise funds for Age UK in memory of their beloved grandmother. However, what was supposed to be a memorable sporting achievement turned into a terrifying fight for survival just over a mile from the finish.

Having reached approximately mile 25, Hopkins suddenly collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest. The medical emergency was caused by severe rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue, which in his case was brought on by overheating.

His brother Chris had already completed the race when the family, who had been tracking Gareth's progress, realised that his movement had stopped. They immediately went searching for him, only to discover that emergency responders from St John Ambulance were already working desperately to save his life.

Hopkins was subsequently rushed to St Thomas' Hospital, where he received intensive medical care. His recovery journey was long and extremely challenging, requiring him to relearn some of the most basic everyday activities, including walking, talking and eating.

After months of rehabilitation and determination, he was finally discharged and returned home in September, marking another significant milestone in his remarkable recovery.

Now, six months after the frightening incident, Hopkins has returned to the London Marathon route to accomplish what he was unable to finish in April.

This time, however, there was no competitive pressure, no timing chip and no race clock to chase. Instead, approximately 200 family members, friends and supporters joined him for an emotional walk through central London, passing Buckingham Palace before making their way down The Mall towards the iconic marathon finish line.

In an extraordinary gesture of kindness, an anonymous donor also ensured that Hopkins received an official London Marathon finisher's medal, making his long-awaited moment even more special.

Reflecting on the experience, he described it simply: "It was the longest marathon ever."

Despite completing this deeply personal journey, Hopkins says he has been advised not to run again and has accepted that he will not attempt another marathon.

For most marathon runners, reaching The Mall represents the final few minutes of an exhausting 26.2-mile challenge. For Gareth Hopkins, it took six months of recovery, extraordinary determination and the unwavering support of the people closest to him.

His journey is a powerful reminder that success in sport is not always measured by finishing times, personal bests or podium positions. Sometimes, the greatest victory is simply being given another opportunity to reach the finish line.

Gareth Hopkins may have taken six months to complete his London Marathon journey, but his achievement is one that will remain far beyond the finish line.

A truly remarkable story of survival, courage, gratitude and the strength of the human spirit.

Running a marathon in under 2:50 is an impressive achievement for any athlete. Doing it while dressed as a giant hot dog takes the accomplishment to an entirely different level.

Sarah Pezzino captured attention at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon after completing the demanding 26.2-mile course in an outstanding 2:49:15, all while wearing a full hot dog costume.

Complete with a bun, sausage and a distinctive line of ketchup, Pezzino carried her unusual outfit through all five boroughs of New York City without allowing the costume to stand in the way of an exceptional performance.

Her finishing time translates to an average pace of approximately 6 minutes and 27 seconds per mile (4:00 per kilometre), placing her 59th among more than 28,000 female finishers and fourth in her age group.

What initially began as a joke among friends eventually developed into a serious record-breaking ambition. After discovering the Guinness World Records benchmark for completing a marathon in a food-themed costume, Pezzino decided to see just how fast she could go.

The existing mark stood at 3:11:34, meaning her remarkable 2:49:15 performance was more than 22 minutes faster. However, Guinness World Records must still review and officially verify her performance before she can be recognised as the record holder.

Interestingly, the hot dog costume already has a place in marathon record history.

Back in 2015, Runner's World editor Meghan Kita approached Guinness World Records about establishing a marathon record specifically for runners dressed as hot dogs. The organisation considered the category too narrow and instead introduced a broader fast-food costume category.

Kita subsequently completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 3:57:49, stopping at every mile marker to collect photographic evidence of her costume throughout the race.

More than a decade later, Pezzino has taken the challenge to another level, producing a performance that would be impressive even without the added difficulty of running in a full-body costume.

Her achievement is a wonderful reminder of the creativity, humour and extraordinary determination that make marathon running such a special sport.

While thousands of runners take on New York chasing personal bests, qualifying standards and competitive positions, Pezzino managed to combine entertainment with genuine athletic excellence.

She did not simply bring a smile to the streets of New York. She delivered a sub-2:50 marathon performance that could also earn her a place in the Guinness World Records.

A hot dog costume, 26.2 miles and a remarkable 2:49:15. Sarah Pezzino certainly proved that you can have fun and run fast at the same time!

South Korean singer and SHINee member Choi Min-ho has made headlines beyond the entertainment world after voluntarily relinquishing his finishing result from the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon, following controversy surrounding footage that appeared to show him receiving physical assistance during the race.

The 34-year-old K-pop star took on his first-ever full marathon on November 1, 2026, completing the gruelling 42.195-kilometre distance in an impressive 3:00:18. His performance attracted considerable attention, particularly because he narrowly missed the highly coveted sub-three-hour milestone by just 18 seconds.

However, what initially appeared to be a remarkable debut soon became the centre of a heated debate within running communities and on social media.

Footage circulating online showed another runner, believed to be his pacemaker, running close behind Min-ho and appearing to place a hand against his lower back and waist, seemingly pushing him forward. The images sparked questions about whether the physical contact constituted unauthorised assistance and whether it compromised the fairness of his performance.

The controversy quickly gained momentum, with athletics enthusiasts questioning the circumstances surrounding the assistance and calling for greater respect for the principles governing fair competition.

Faced with the growing criticism, Min-ho addressed the situation on November 3 through a heartfelt public apology. He expressed deep regret for disappointing people who had followed his marathon journey, acknowledging that the incident had occurred because of his own shortcomings.

He also emphasised his love and respect for sport, admitting that he felt deeply ashamed of the situation. In a further demonstration of accountability, he announced that he would not accept his finishing result, adding that he would carry the lessons from the experience into the future.

His decision was subsequently accepted by Runable, the organisers of the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon. On November 4, they confirmed that his request to relinquish the result had been accepted and that his finishing time would not be issued as an official race record.

Importantly, the withdrawal should not be confused with an official disqualification for a confirmed rules violation. The organisers did not establish a definitive finding that Min-ho had breached competition regulations, leaving the incident to be viewed primarily through his voluntary decision to surrender the result.

Beyond the controversy, the incident has reignited an important conversation about integrity, fairness and accountability in distance running. Whether competing at elite level or participating in mass-participation events, every runner shares responsibility for respecting the principles that make athletics a fair and credible sport.

For Min-ho, a performance that initially promised to be a memorable milestone in his sporting journey has instead become a valuable lesson about the responsibilities that accompany competition.

His 3:00:18 performance may no longer appear as an official result, but the wider discussion it has generated serves as a reminder that sporting achievements are measured by more than finishing times.

In marathon running, every second matters, but so do honesty, fairness and respect for every athlete who earns their place at the finish line. 

Spanish marathon legend Martín Fiz has brought an extraordinary chapter of his athletics career to a close, completing his final marathon at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on November 1, at the age of 63.

The 1995 World Marathon Champion crossed the finish line in 3:01:13, bringing an emotional end to a remarkable journey spanning three decades and 42 marathon appearances. His final outing was made even more special by sharing the experience with his son, Álex Fiz, who was making his marathon debut. The father-and-son duo crossed the finish line together, turning the occasion into an unforgettable family moment.

Born on March 3, 1963, Fiz has enjoyed one of the most remarkable careers in Spanish distance-running history. His decision to retire from the marathon distance marks the end of a competitive journey that took him from international championship glory to extraordinary achievements in masters athletics.

New York was a particularly fitting destination for his farewell. It was in the same city that Fiz competed in his first major commercial marathon in 1996. Thirty years later, he returned to the streets of the Big Apple for marathon number 42, this time alongside his son.

The two had initially hoped to break the three-hour barrier, but several stops to greet relatives and take photographs along the course meant they finished just over the target. Nevertheless, the stopwatch was never the priority. Their greatest achievement was completing the 42.195-kilometre challenge together and sharing the finish-line moment hand in hand.

"I've been married to the marathon for 30 years. But now the time has come to make way for the youngsters," Fiz was quoted as saying in Spanish media, reflecting on his decision to step away from the distance.

Fiz's name is permanently etched in athletics history. He first reached the continental summit by winning the European Marathon Championship in Helsinki in 1994 before producing an even greater achievement the following year.

At the 1995 World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, he captured the men's marathon gold medal, becoming one of the most celebrated distance runners of his generation. He subsequently added a silver medal at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, further establishing his reputation among the world's finest marathoners.

His achievements also extended to the Olympic stage. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Fiz narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in the marathon. He later represented Spain at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, where he finished sixth.

During his elite career, he recorded an impressive personal best of 2:08:05 at the 1997 Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan, a performance that underlined his exceptional ability during the golden era of Spanish distance running.

However, Fiz's remarkable story did not end when he stepped away from elite professional competition in 2001. Instead, he continued competing in masters athletics, demonstrating that age did not have to become a barrier to ambition, achievement or sporting excellence.

One of his most extraordinary accomplishments came in the over-50 category, where he became the first athlete to win all six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

That remarkable achievement placed him in a unique position in marathon history and inspired countless veteran runners around the world to continue pursuing ambitious goals regardless of age.

His final appearance in New York was therefore about much more than another finish time. It represented the celebration of a lifetime dedicated to athletics, the memories created along the way and the opportunity to pass his passion for running to the next generation.

Although Fiz has officially said goodbye to the marathon distance, he has made it clear that he has no intention of abandoning competitive running altogether. The Spanish legend is already looking towards possible new challenges over the half-marathon and 10-kilometre distances.

From European Championship gold to World Championship glory, Olympic appearances and historic masters achievements, Martín Fiz has built a legacy that extends far beyond medals, records and finishing times.

His final marathon was not about chasing another victory or breaking another barrier. It was about celebrating an extraordinary journey that began three decades ago and ending it in the most meaningful way possible: alongside his son.

At 63, Fiz has reminded the running world that greatness is not measured only by speed or age, but also by longevity, passion, consistency and the courage to keep challenging oneself.

A world champion once, an inspiration forever.

¡Gracias, Martín Fiz!