Running News Daily

Kenyan twin sisters Caroline and Purity Gitonga are preparing to take on a formidable international field at the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich in Spain on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as they look to make their mark on one of the world's premier road-running stages.

The sisters will carry Kenya's hopes into a highly competitive women's race featuring Ethiopian stars Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Tsigie Gebreselama, setting the stage for an exciting showdown over the 21.0975-kilometre distance.

Caroline heads to Valencia in impressive form following a breakthrough season that has elevated her profile on the international road-running circuit. She claimed silver in the women's 5km at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen before continuing her strong campaign with a commanding victory in the 10km race in Castellón, Spain, clocking 29:34.

Her performances have underlined her speed, consistency and growing confidence on the roads. The Valencia Half Marathon, however, presents a different challenge, requiring greater endurance and tactical discipline against some of the world's most accomplished distance runners.

Caroline will be particularly keen to translate her success over shorter distances into a strong performance over the half-marathon distance. With a personal best of 1:06:16, she has already demonstrated considerable ability over 21.1 kilometres and will be looking to build on that foundation against a world-class field.

Purity will join her twin sister on the starting line, adding an intriguing family dimension to Kenya's challenge in Spain. The two athletes have demonstrated their quality on the roads, and their participation in such a competitive race offers another opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage.

Purity also brings valuable experience to the contest, having recorded a half-marathon personal best of 1:06:50. Her presence alongside Caroline gives the Kenyan contingent two capable competitors, each with the potential to produce an impressive performance against the elite opposition.

Standing in their way will be a formidable Ethiopian challenge led by Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Tsigie Gebreselama. Both athletes bring considerable international pedigree, making them important names to watch as the race unfolds. Their presence raises the competitive stakes and ensures the Kenyan sisters will need to deliver their best performances to contend for the leading positions.

The Valencia Half Marathon has established itself as one of the most prestigious races on the international road-running calendar, attracting elite athletes seeking fast times and strong competition. Its reputation makes it an ideal stage for runners looking to test their fitness, challenge their personal bests and measure themselves against the world's leading distance-running talent.

For Caroline, Sunday's race represents an opportunity to build on the momentum generated by her world championship silver medal and impressive Castellón victory. A strong performance would further strengthen her standing among Kenya's emerging road-running stars while demonstrating her potential over the longer distance.

For Purity, the challenge offers an equally important opportunity to make her mark in a race packed with international quality. Competing alongside her twin sister may add a special dimension to the occasion, but both athletes will ultimately be focused on executing their individual race strategies and producing their strongest possible performances.

With Kenya and Ethiopia set to feature prominently in the women's contest, the Valencia Half Marathon promises a compelling battle of speed, endurance and tactical judgment. The quality of the field means that every kilometre could prove decisive as the contenders position themselves for a strong finish.

Kenyan athletics fans will be watching closely to see whether Caroline can carry her outstanding shorter-distance form into the half marathon and how Purity fares against the experienced international opposition. Their participation adds another exciting storyline to a race renowned for its fast pace and elite competition.

As the countdown to Sunday continues, the Gitonga twins will be aiming to turn their preparations into memorable performances on Spanish soil. With Caroline arriving on the back of major international success and Purity bringing her own credentials to the challenge, the sisters will have a valuable opportunity to showcase Kenyan distance-running talent against some of the strongest athletes in the world.

 

The Valencia Half Marathon 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated women’s road races of the season, with a deep international field set to assemble in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday, October 25.

Leading the announced line-up are Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, Tsigie Gebreselama and Kenya’s Caroline Gitonga, with a strong group of athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Germany and Spain adding considerable depth to the race.

Yehualaw arrives with a listed personal best of 1:03:51, placing her among the fastest athletes in the field. The Ethiopian has considerable experience in Valencia, having finished second in the 2021 edition in 1:03:51 when compatriot Letesenbet Gidey set the then-world record of 1:02:52.

Gebreselama is also listed at 1:04:21, while Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zerai enters with 1:05:12. Their presence gives Ethiopia a formidable challenge at the front of the women’s race and sets the stage for a potentially fast contest from the opening kilometres.

Kenya will be strongly represented as well. Daisilah Jerono has a listed best of 1:05:21, followed by Veronica Loleo at 1:05:35 and Caroline Gitonga at 1:06:16. Loleo is particularly familiar with Valencia, having finished third in the 2025 race in 1:05:46.

Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen, listed at 1:05:41, adds another major international name to the field. Meanwhile, Spain’s hopes will be carried by Carla Gallardo, Laura Luengo and Irene Sánchez-Escribano, who are listed at 1:08:30, 1:08:50 and 1:09:10 respectively.

Valencia Half Marathon 2026 — Women’s Elite Field

1. Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia) — 1:03:51

2. Tsigie Gebreselama (Ethiopia) — 1:04:21

3. Ftaw Zerai (Ethiopia) — 1:05:12

4. Daisilah Jerono (Kenya) — 1:05:21

5. Veronica Loleo (Kenya) — 1:05:35

6. Mizam Alem (Ethiopia) — 1:05:38

7. Konstanze Klosterhalfen (Germany) — 1:05:41

8. Caroline Gitonga (Kenya) — 1:06:16

9. Carla Gallardo (Spain) — 1:08:30

10. Laura Luengo (Spain) — 1:08:50

11. Irene Sánchez-Escribano (Spain) — 1:09:10

The quality of the field is particularly significant given Valencia’s reputation as one of the fastest half-marathon venues in the world. The race has produced both the women’s and men’s world records, with Gidey running 1:02:52 in 2021 and Yomif Kejelcha clocking 57:30 in 2024.

With several athletes already possessing credentials around or below the 1:06 mark, the women’s race could develop into a high-quality battle over the 21.0975-kilometre distance. The depth behind the leading trio also means the outcome could depend on pacing, positioning and how the contenders respond when the race reaches its decisive stages.

For the Spanish athletes, racing on home roads provides an opportunity to challenge a powerful African contingent, while the Kenyan and Ethiopian runners will arrive with ambitions of competing for the leading positions.

The Valencia Half Marathon 2026 will take place on October 25, bringing together an international elite field alongside thousands of mass-participation runners on the fast streets of Valencia.

Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw produced another outstanding performance on the global stage on Saturday, September 19, 2026, winning the women’s 5km title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Amebaw stormed to gold in 14:41, adding another global title to her remarkable season just six days after winning the women’s 5000m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

The Ethiopian distance star once again demonstrated her ability to deliver when it matters most, producing a commanding performance over the fast Copenhagen course to claim the world 5km road title.

Kenya’s Caroline Makandi Gitonga delivered a brilliant performance to secure the silver medal in 14:48, giving Kenya a place on the global podium. Gitonga stayed firmly in contention throughout the race before crossing the finish line just seven seconds behind the newly crowned champion.

Australia’s Rose Davies completed the podium in 14:50, taking bronze and setting an Australian area record in an impressive display of front-running and determination.

The result also saw several athletes produce notable performances behind the leading trio, with Marta Garcia recording 14:59, Georgia Griffith running 15:01, Samiya Hassan Nour finishing in 15:04, Hannah Gapes clocking 15:06 and Hannah Nuttall stopping the clock at 15:08, while Mirriam Cherop followed in 15:09 and Allie Ostrander in 15:10.

With two global titles secured within just six days, Likina Amebaw has turned an extraordinary week into a defining chapter of her 2026 season.

Women’s 5km Top 10 Results — Copenhagen 2026

1. Likina Amebaw — Ethiopia — 14:41

2. Caroline Makandi Gitonga — Kenya — 14:48

3. Rose Davies — Australia — 14:50 — Area Record

4. Marta Garcia — Spain — 14:59 — PB

5. Georgia Griffith — Australia — 15:01 — PB

6. Samiya Hassan Nour — Djibouti — 15:04

7. Hannah Gapes — Australia — 15:06 — PB

8. Hannah Nuttall — Great Britain — 15:08 — PB

9. Mirriam Cherop — Kenya — 15:09 — PB

10. Allie Ostrander — USA — 15:10 — PB

The Copenhagen race was fiercely contested, with the leading athletes pushing the pace over the flat and fast 5km course. Amebaw, however, had the strength to separate herself from her rivals and hold on for another major championship victory.

What makes her achievement even more remarkable is the short turnaround between her two titles. Winning a world 5000m championship in Budapest and returning only six days later to triumph over 5km on the roads of Copenhagen is a remarkable demonstration of endurance, recovery and championship racing ability.

For Ethiopia, Amebaw’s victory adds another major international success to a season already filled with impressive performances. For Kenya, Gitonga’s silver medal provides another strong result on the world stage and confirms her ability to compete among the best road runners in the world.

With two global titles secured within just six days, Likina Amebaw has turned an extraordinary week into a defining chapter of her 2026 season.

Pure goosebumps in Chamonix.

Blandine L’Hirondel has conquered the 2026 UTMB Mont-Blanc in extraordinary fashion, completing one of the rarest achievements in trail running while becoming the first woman ever to break the 22-hour barrier on the iconic 100-mile course.

The French star stopped the clock at a sensational 21:54:49, smashing the previous women’s course record and etching her name into the history of the sport.

The scale of her performance becomes even clearer when placed alongside the recent record progression. L’Hirondel’s 21:54:49 eclipsed Katie Schide’s 22:09:31 from 2024, Ruth Croft’s 22:56:23 from 2025, Courtney Dauwalter’s 23:29:14 from 2023, and Schide’s 23:15:12 from 2022.

Most significantly, L’Hirondel became the first woman to run under 22 hours at UTMB.

But this was about far more than a number on the clock.

L’Hirondel’s victory was forged through a monumental battle of endurance, pain and determination. In the final kilometres, with exhaustion taking hold, the Frenchwoman suffered several heavy falls. Each time, she picked herself up and continued her relentless charge toward Chamonix.

Nothing was going to take the finish line away from her.

As she finally entered the streets of Chamonix, the home crowd erupted. Surrounded by roaring support, L’Hirondel fought back the emotion, raised her arms and crossed the finish line in 21:54:49, completing an unforgettable victory.

Falling down. Getting back up. Winning. That is trail running.

The achievement becomes even more remarkable because L’Hirondel has now completed a rare UTMB Mont-Blanc triple crown, winning all three of the event’s iconic races: the OCC, CCC and UTMB.

She first triumphed at the OCC in 2021, followed by victory in the CCC in 2022, before finally claiming the ultimate prize at UTMB.

With this achievement, L’Hirondel becomes only the third athlete in history — and the second woman — to complete the OCC, CCC and UTMB sweep.

It is a feat that demands extraordinary versatility, consistency and resilience across different distances and challenges. L’Hirondel has now conquered all three.

Her road to this moment had not been straightforward.

She finished third on her first UTMB appearance in 2023 and returned in 2024 to place fifth. But she kept coming back, determined to go one step further.

In 2026, everything came together.

With patience early in the race, resilience through the toughest sections and an extraordinary fighting spirit when her body was crying out for rest, L’Hirondel produced the performance of her life.

And she did it on home soil.

Ten years after Caroline Chaverot became the last French woman to win UTMB, L’Hirondel has brought the title back to France — and done so by breaking a barrier no woman had ever breached before.

From OCC to CCC to UTMB, Blandine L’Hirondel has completed a journey that very few athletes can even dream of making.

The triple crown is complete.

The 22-hour barrier is broken.

The women’s course record is hers.

And beneath the towering peaks of Mont-Blanc, in front of a roaring Chamonix crowd, L’Hirondel has written another unforgettable chapter in the history of trail running. 21:54:49, a historic triple crown and a record that now belongs to her — a truly remarkable moment for France and a breathtaking triumph on the world’s biggest trail-running stage. 

Kenya has unveiled a formidable squad for the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships, with some of the country’s leading distance-running talents selected to represent the nation in Copenhagen, Denmark, on September 19–20.

The team features a blend of established international performers and emerging stars, underlining Kenya’s ambition to make a strong impact across the half marathon, 5km and one-mile races.

Leading the women’s half marathon team is Agnes Jebet Ngetich, one of the most accomplished young distance runners in the world. She will be joined by Daisilah Jerono, Veronica Loleo and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk as Kenya looks to challenge for the women’s team and individual honours.

The men’s half marathon squad is equally impressive, headlined by Daniel Simiu Ebenyo. The experienced Kenyan will line up alongside Michael Kiplagat Temoi, Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli and Gideon Kipkertich Rono, giving Kenya a powerful quartet capable of competing at the front of a championship field.

Kenya will also field two athletes in each of the 5km races. Charles Kiboino and Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang have been selected for the men’s event, while Caroline Makandi Gitonga and Caroline Nyaguthii Nyaga will carry Kenya’s hopes in the women’s race.

The one-mile races will provide another opportunity for Kenyan athletes to showcase the country’s renowned middle- and long-distance strength. Brian Komen and Daniel Kyumbe Munguti will represent Kenya in the men’s race, with Miriam Cherop and Naomi Korir selected for the women’s event.

With representation across all six individual races, Kenya heads to Copenhagen with a well-balanced squad and plenty of international experience. The championships will bring together the world’s leading road runners for two days of high-level competition, with Kenya once again expected to be among the nations fighting for medals.

For a country with such a rich tradition in distance running, the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships present another major stage for Kenyan athletes to demonstrate their speed, strength and championship racing ability on the streets of Copenhagen.

Team Kenya

Half Marathon – Men: Michael Kiplagat Temoi, Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli, Gideon Kipkertich Rono, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo

Half Marathon – Women: Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Daisilah Jerono, Veronica Loleo, Lilian Kasait Rengeruk

5km – Men: Charles Kiboino, Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang

5km – Women: Caroline Makandi Gitonga, Caroline Nyaguthii Nyaga

One Mile – Men: Brian Komen, Daniel Kyumbe Munguti

One Mile – Women: Miriam Cherop, Naomi Korir

Kenya’s road-running stars now have their sights firmly set on Copenhagen, where they will look to turn the strength of the squad into medals and memorable performances on the world championship stage.

Australia produced one of the most memorable distance-running performances of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Thursday night, claiming a remarkable one-two finish in the women's 5,000 metres as Rose Davies sprinted to her second gold medal of the championships.

Just days after conquering the 10,000m, Davies completed a sensational distance double by clocking a season's best 14:44.53 to edge fellow Australian Jessica Hull, who crossed the line just 0.48 seconds later in 14:45.01. The historic finish marked a dominant night for Australian athletics, with the nation's two leading distance stars proving untouchable when the race reached its decisive stages.

The women's 5,000m unfolded as a tactical contest for much of the race before exploding into life with 1,200 metres remaining. Davies, Hull and Scotland's Megan Keith launched a sustained surge that immediately stretched the field and shattered the hopes of the chasing pack. Their relentless acceleration proved too much for the African contenders, who were unable to respond as the medals slipped away.

Davies remained composed over the closing lap despite fierce pressure from Hull, holding her form all the way to the finish to secure another Commonwealth crown and cement her place among the standout performers of the Games. Her victory completed a rare golden double in the 5,000m and 10,000m, underlining her exceptional endurance and championship racing instincts.

Hull's silver medal completed Australia's historic one-two finish, rewarding another world-class performance from one of the sport's premier middle- and long-distance runners. Meanwhile, the home crowd erupted as Scotland's Megan Keith produced a season's best 14:49.10 to claim bronze, giving the hosts a memorable podium finish in front of a packed Glasgow stadium.

Uganda's Esther Chebet battled bravely to finish fourth in a personal best 14:50.70 after leading the pursuit of the front trio, while England's Hannah Nuttall placed fifth in a season's best 14:51.34. Kenya's Caroline Nyaga crossed the line sixth in 14:54.00, with Australia's Linden Hall adding further depth to her country's outstanding evening by finishing seventh.

The race also featured several outstanding individual performances further down the field. South Africa's Tayla Kavanagh recorded a personal best, Rwanda's Emeline Imanizabayo celebrated a new national record with ninth place, while Uganda's Joy Cheptoyek, England's Innes Fitzgerald, Canada's Gabriela Debues-Stafford and several others produced season or lifetime bests in one of the deepest women's 5,000m finals of the Games.

Women's 5,000m Top 10 Final Results

1. Rose Davies (Australia) – 14:44.53 (Season Best)

2. Jessica Hull (Australia) – 14:45.01 (Season Best)

3. Megan Keith (Scotland) – 14:49.10 (Season Best)

4. Esther Chebet (Uganda) – 14:50.70 (Personal Best)

5. Hannah Nuttall (England) – 14:51.34 (Season Best)

6. Caroline Nyaga (Kenya) – 14:54.00

7. Linden Hall (Australia) – 14:55.28

8. Tayla Kavanagh (South Africa) – 14:58.49 (Personal Best)

9. Emeline Imanizabayo (Rwanda) – 14:59.92 (National Record)

10. Joy Cheptoyek (Uganda) – 15:00.97 (Season Best)

With two gold medals around her neck and Australia's first-ever Commonwealth Games one-two finish in the women's 5,000m, Rose Davies leaves Glasgow having delivered one of the defining performances of the championships. Her unforgettable triumph, backed by Jessica Hull's silver medal, showcased Australia's growing strength in global distance running and ensured the event will be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Romania's Madalina Florea delivered a commanding performance at the Québec Mega Trail 30K on Sunday, conquering one of the most demanding courses on the Golden Trail World Series calendar to claim victory and move to the top of the overall standings.

The reigning Golden Trail World Series champion crossed the finish line in 2:27:12, producing another masterclass in mountain racing on a brutal 28.7-kilometre course featuring 1,397 metres of elevation gain, two punishing ascents of Mont-Sainte-Anne, and highly technical descents across steep ski slopes.

The race began at a relentless pace as Caroline Kimutai surged to the front, continuing the aggressive strategy that has defined her season. Florea, however, remained composed, keeping the Kenyan well within reach during the opening climb before launching her decisive move on the first descent.

From that moment, the Romanian steadily tightened her grip on the race. She extended her advantage on the second ascent and never looked back, controlling the remainder of the contest with remarkable strength and technical precision.

France's Marie Nivet secured second place, finishing more than seven minutes behind the winner, while Kimutai faded after her fast start to complete the podium in third.

The victory propels Florea to the summit of the Golden Trail World Series rankings with 442 points, overtaking Kimutai, who now sits second on 408 points. Nivet's runner-up finish also lifts her into third place in the overall standings, setting up an intriguing battle for the remainder of the season.

With the Québec triumph, Florea has once again underlined why she is the defending series champion. Her ability to combine patience, tactical awareness and exceptional climbing and descending skills proved decisive on one of the circuit's toughest tests.

The Golden Trail World Series now pauses before returning on August 1 in Austria, followed by the iconic Sierre-Zinal race in Switzerland a week later. As the championship enters its decisive phase, Florea has firmly established herself as the athlete everyone else will be chasing.

Olympic and world champion Winfred Yavi will step out of her renowned steeplechase comfort zone on Thursday evening as she takes on a strong women's 5000m field at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, the fourth stop of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League in Rome.

The Bahraini star arrives in the Italian capital carrying impressive credentials over the distance. Yavi owns a personal best of 14:41.99 and currently holds Bahrain's national record in the women's 5000m, underlining her versatility beyond the barriers that have brought her global fame.

Rome holds special memories for Yavi. The Stadio Olimpico was the scene of one of the finest performances of her career in 2024 when she produced the second-fastest women's 3000m steeplechase time in history, narrowly missing the world record. Now she returns to the Eternal City with a different challenge ahead as she looks to make her mark in one of the deepest distance races of the evening.

The 27-year-old will face a quality field featuring rising Kenyan talent Caroline Nyaga, Margaret Akidor, Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw and Hirut Meshesha, as well as fellow Kenyan Purity Chepkurui. With several proven performers on the start line, the race promises to be a fierce battle from the opening laps.

Adding further intrigue is the standard set by the event itself. The current world record of 13:58.06 belongs to Kenyan superstar Beatrice Chebet, who became the first woman in history to break the 14-minute barrier for 5000m.

Although Yavi's primary focus remains the steeplechase, her growing strength on the track has made her a genuine threat in longer flat races. Every appearance outside her signature event offers another glimpse into the remarkable range that has transformed her into one of the world's most complete distance runners.

As the lights shine on Rome tonight, all eyes will be on Yavi to see whether she can translate her championship pedigree into another memorable performance. A victory would further cement her reputation as one of the most versatile stars in global athletics and provide a major statement as the Diamond League season gathers momentum.

Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon reminded the world exactly why she remains one of the greatest distance runners of her generation after storming to a sensational 14:24.14 victory in the women’s 5000m at the Shanghai Diamond League.

Making her long-awaited season debut, the Kenyan superstar produced a commanding performance to register the fastest women’s 5000m time in the world this year, immediately sending a strong message to her rivals ahead of the major championships season. The mark also stands as Kipyegon’s quickest 5000m performance since her unforgettable 2023 campaign, underlining her remarkable consistency at the highest level of global athletics.

In a race loaded with depth and relentless pace, Kipyegon showed her trademark composure and devastating finishing strength when it mattered most. Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw pushed hard all the way to the line and finished just fractions behind in 14:24.21, while Senayet Getachew followed closely in 14:24.71 as the race turned into one of the fastest women’s 5000m contests of the season so far.

The race itself developed into a historic showcase of elite women’s distance running, with athlete after athlete producing world-class times under the lights in Shanghai. Eight runners dipped under 14:36, while Kenya and Ethiopia once again demonstrated their dominance in global long-distance competition. The incredibly fast overall field added even greater weight to Kipyegon’s victory, as she emerged on top against one of the strongest 5000m line-ups assembled this season.

Despite the fierce challenge from the Ethiopian contingent, Kipyegon looked in control throughout the decisive stages, effortlessly covering every surge before unleashing another clinical finish that left the crowd in Shanghai in awe. Her ability to combine tactical intelligence with world-class speed continues to separate her from the rest of the field.

The performance is yet another statement from the Kenyan icon, whose dominance across the 1500m and 5000m has redefined modern distance running. After opening her season with a world-leading mark, anticipation is already growing over what could come next as Kipyegon builds toward another potentially historic year on the track.

With the world lead now firmly in her possession, Faith Kipyegon has once again positioned herself at the centre of the global conversation in women’s distance running. Her emphatic season opener in Shanghai not only reaffirmed her class, but also signaled that the Kenyan star could be preparing for another dominant campaign on the international stage. As the Diamond League season gathers momentum, all eyes will now be on Kipyegon to see just how fast — and how far — she can go in 2026.

Women’s 5000m Results – Shanghai Diamond League 2026

1. Kenya — Faith Kipyegon — 14:24.14 WL

2. Ethiopia — Likina Amebaw — 14:24.21

3. Ethiopia — Senayet Getachew — 14:24.71

4. Ethiopia — Medina Eisa — 14:24.76

5. Ethiopia — Asayech Ayichew — 14:26.41

6. Ethiopia — Mizan Alem — 14:29.97

7. Ethiopia — Marta Alemayo — 14:32.84

8. Ethiopia — Hawi Abera — 14:35.96

9. Kenya — Caroline Nyaga — 14:36.55

10. Ethiopia — Mastewal Mehabaw — 14:38.66

11. Kenya — Maurine Chebor — 14:39.31

The spotlight will shine brightly on Shanghai this Saturday as some of the world’s finest distance runners prepare for a captivating women’s 5000m showdown at the Diamond League meeting in China.

All eyes will be on Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon, who returns to the track leading a powerful international field packed with proven championship performers and rising talents eager to challenge the Olympic legend.

Scheduled for May 16, 2026, the race promises high drama, relentless pace and a fierce battle from the opening laps. Kipyegon, celebrated globally for rewriting the limits of women’s middle-distance running, now steps into another major test against a deep Ethiopian contingent and several dangerous challengers from across the world.

Ethiopia arrives heavily armed with athletes capable of turning the race into a tactical masterpiece or a blistering fast contest. Names such as Hawi Abera, Marta Alemayo, Medina Eisa, Hirut Meshesha and Alemnesh Tilaye add serious depth to the field, underlining the nation’s continued dominance in long-distance running.

Kenya will also look to make a strong statement through Margaret Akidor, Maurine Jepkoech Chebor and Caroline Nyaga, while Uganda’s Charity Cherop carries East African hopes into what is expected to be one of the most competitive women’s 5000m races of the season.

The global flavor of the event is further strengthened by the presence of Britain’s Melissa Courtney-Bryant and Australian duo Rose Davies and Maudie Skyring, athletes known for thriving in fast-paced championship environments.

With Shanghai’s electric atmosphere expected to fuel the occasion, fans could witness a tactical chess match evolve into a breathtaking late-race sprint. Every lap is likely to matter as the athletes position themselves for supremacy in one of the Diamond League calendar’s most anticipated distance races.

For Kipyegon, the race represents another opportunity to reaffirm her dominance on the world stage. For her rivals, it is a chance to challenge one of athletics’ greatest modern icons under the bright lights of Shanghai.

One thing is certain — Saturday’s women’s 5000m promises speed, intensity and world-class drama from start to finish.

The Vienna City Marathon returns on April 19 with a deep elite field and the promise of fast racing on one of Europe’s most scenic courses. Now in its 43rd edition, the race continues to grow in stature, drawing top international talent alongside strong national contenders.

Organizers have recorded a record 49,000 entries, with 13,000 runners set to tackle the classic marathon distance—further cementing Vienna’s place as a major destination on the global running calendar.

Women’s Race: Record in Sight

The women’s race could be historic. If conditions cooperate, the field may challenge both the course record and potentially break 2:20:00 for the first time on Austrian soil.

Four years ago, Kenya’s Vibian Chepkirui set the current course record of 2:20:59. This year, a trio of standout contenders could push the pace even further.

Ethiopia’s Haftamnesh Tesfaye leads the field with a personal best of 2:20:13. She is joined by compatriot Tigist Gezahagn (2:21:14), making Ethiopia a strong force at the front. Tesfaye also brings added intrigue as the sister of rising star Fotyen Tesfay.

Defending champion Betty Chepkemoi returns after a gritty win last year in difficult conditions, where she clocked a personal best of 2:24:14. Should the weather turn cold again, it could once more play to her strengths.

American Lindsay Flanagan adds further depth to the field. With a personal best of 2:23:31, she begins her comeback following injury and will be one to watch.

Men’s Race: Depth and Local Ambition

The men’s race features exceptional depth, with four athletes holding personal bests under 2:08:00.

Eritrea’s Oqbe Kibrom leads the field with a standout best of 2:05:37 and enters as the clear favorite. He will face strong competition from Ethiopia’s Tafese Delegen (2:06:11), along with Kenya’s Stanley Kurgat (2:07:05) and Albert Kangogo (2:07:26).

Beyond the front group, the race includes several sub-2:10 performers, ensuring a competitive and tactical contest.

A major storyline for the host nation centers on Austrian record holder Aaron Gruen. He surprised many last year by setting a national record of 2:09:53 and will now compete in Vienna for the first time, aiming to improve further on home soil.

Elite Fields – Personal Bests

MEN

Oqbe Kibrom (ERI) – 2:05:37

Tafese Delegen (ETH) – 2:06:11

Stanley Kurgat (KEN) – 2:07:05

Albert Kangogo (KEN) – 2:07:26

Charles Mneria (KEN) – 2:08:54

Mica Cheserek (KEN) – 2:09:26

Samwel Kiptoo (KEN) – 2:09:45

Aaron Gruen (AUT) – 2:09:53

Paul Tiongik (KEN) – 2:10:25

Abel Sikowo (UGA) – 2:10:33

Mogos Tuemay (ETH) – 2:10:33

Fanny Kiprotich (KEN) – 2:11:21

Andreas Vojta (AUT) – 2:13:43

WOMEN

Haftamnesh Tesfaye (ETH) – 2:20:13

Tigist Gezahagn (ETH) – 2:21:14

Lindsay Flanagan (USA) – 2:23:31

Betty Chepkemoi (KEN) – 2:24:14

Mary Granja (ECU) – 2:26:34

Faith Chepkoech (KEN) – 2:26:22

Hellen Chepkorir (KEN) – 2:27:17

Tegest Ymer (ETH) – 2:29:11

Caroline Korir (KEN) – 2:29:46

Abigail Jepkemboi (KEN) – 2:29:56

Eva Wutti (AUT) – 2:30:43

Aiwa Sakaguchi (JPN) – 2:31:50

Hanne Maridal (NOR) – 2:32:14

Vaida Zusinaite (LTU) – 2:32:50

Susanna Saapunki (FIN) – Debut

The streets of Prague are once again poised to host a spectacular display of endurance and speed as the highly anticipated Prague Half Marathon returns on March 29. With an elite field featuring some of the world’s most exciting distance runners, this year’s edition promises a fierce battle against both the clock and one another.

Leading the men’s lineup is Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera, a rising force in road racing who arrives with an impressive personal best of 58:38. Known for his relentless pace and tactical sharpness, Kwizera will be aiming to stamp his authority on the race against a competitive field. Close on his heels is Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku, whose 58:47 personal best underlines his pedigree. Worku’s strength over the half marathon distance sets up a compelling duel at the front, with both athletes capable of pushing the pace into record territory.

In the women’s race, Kenya’s depth and dominance will be on full display. Jesca Chelangat enters with a strong personal best of 1:06:13, bringing consistency and experience to the fore. She will be joined by compatriot Caroline Makandi Gitonga, whose closely matched best of 1:06:26 signals a tightly contested race. With both athletes known for their finishing strength, the women’s contest could unfold into a dramatic late surge through Prague’s historic avenues.

Beyond these headline names, the race will also feature a deep lineup of other world-class athletes from across the globe, ensuring a high-quality field packed with experience, emerging talent, and potential surprise contenders. This depth adds another layer of unpredictability, where breakaways, tactical surges, and late-race drama could redefine the outcome.

Renowned for its flat and fast course, the Prague Half Marathon has built a reputation as a stage for record-breaking performances and breakthrough moments. The combination of elite competition, scenic surroundings, and passionate crowds creates an electric atmosphere that often inspires athletes to exceed expectations.

As race day approaches, anticipation continues to build for what could be one of the most memorable editions in recent years. With emerging talents eager to make their mark, established names seeking victory, and a strong supporting cast of global elites, Prague is set to deliver another captivating chapter in the world of road racing.

The 21st Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions yet, with defending champions Alex Matata and Miriam Chebet set to return on April 19.

Matata, who leads the men’s field with a personal best of 59:20, has emerged as one of the most consistent half marathoners in the world. Over the past two years, the 28-year-old Kenyan has raced 12 half marathons—and won 10 of them. His victories in Ras Al Khaimah, Istanbul, and New Delhi in 2025 all came under 60 minutes, confirming his status as a major force at the distance. Adding an interesting twist, his twin brother Charles Matata—who owns a 60:05 best—is entered as a pacemaker but could also choose to finish.

The men’s race also features experienced Kenyan Solomon Yego, who ran 59:29 in Barcelona and famously clocked 58:44 in Rome-Ostia in 2016 (on a non-record-eligible course). Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, the 2020 London Marathon champion, brings strong credentials as well, having recently run 2:03:59 to win the Seville Marathon. His half marathon best stands at 59:47, though he has run faster on non-certified courses.

On the women’s side, defending champion Miriam Chebet returns after breaking through in Istanbul last year with a 66:07 personal best. The 23-year-old Kenyan followed that up with a win in Cardiff and has already shown strong early-season form in 2026, including a 30:08 10K in Valencia.

She will face a deep and dangerous field led by Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray, currently the fastest entrant with a 65:12 personal best set while winning the Paris Half Marathon. Zeray has been remarkably consistent, running under 68 minutes nine times in the past two years. Fellow Ethiopian Asmarech Anley also enters as a major contender after winning her debut half marathon in Ras Al Khaimah in 67:22 without pacemakers.

Kenya’s Evaline Chirchir (66:01 PB) adds further depth, while twin sisters Caroline and Purity Gitonga bring a unique storyline to the race. With personal bests of 66:26 and 67:31 respectively, they are among the fastest siblings in the sport and could challenge near the front.

Race organizers expect around 20,000 participants across all events, including a parallel 10K, making it Turkey’s largest and most prestigious road race. The Istanbul Half Marathon continues to hold World Athletics Gold Label status and remains one of the fastest and most scenic courses in Europe.

With elite depth on both sides and intriguing storylines—from defending champions to twin rivalries—Istanbul is once again set to deliver a high-level showdown on April 19.

Prudence Sekgodiso continued her steady rise this indoor season with a season-best performance at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting on Wednesday night, clocking 2:03.76 to finish fourth in a world-class women’s 800m showdown.

In only her second race of the campaign, the South African middle-distance star lined up in a stacked World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold field and embraced the fast tempo from the outset. Running with composure and determination, Sekgodiso crossed the line with her quickest time of the year so far — a clear indication that her form is building at the right time.

The race, however, belonged to Switzerland’s Audrey Werro, who delivered a historic performance. The 20-year-old stormed to victory in a world-leading 1:57.27, breaking her own Swiss indoor record. In doing so, Werro also surged to eighth on the all-time indoor 800m list, cementing her place among the fastest women ever over the distance indoors.

Behind her, Austria’s Caroline Bredlinger secured second place in 2:01.80, while Portugal’s Patrícia Silva completed the podium in 2:02.80 after a strong finishing effort. Sekgodiso followed closely in fourth, rounding off a fiercely competitive race that showcased the depth of talent on display in Belgrade.

Though narrowly outside the podium places, Sekgodiso’s performance marked a positive step forward. With her season-best now established against elite opposition, she leaves Belgrade with confidence and momentum as the indoor season gathers pace.

Women’s 800m Results – Belgrade Indoor Meeting

Audrey Werro (SUI) – 1:57.27 (WL, Swiss Indoor Record)

Caroline Bredlinger (AUT) – 2:01.80

Patrícia Silva (POR) – 2:02.80

Prudence Sekgodiso (RSA) – 2:03.76

Belgrade proved to be a night of both progress and history — Werro rewriting record books, and Sekgodiso steadily shaping her campaign with encouraging signs for the races ahead.

Ethiopia’s Bizuneh Balachew and Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete Habte claimed top honors at the 30th Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, delivering decisive performances on one of Asia’s most demanding urban courses along Victoria Harbour.

From the opening kilometers, the men’s race unfolded as a tactical chess match. A tightly packed lead group — including Kenyans Silas Too, Francis Kipkorir, and Douglass Kimeli — matched Balachew stride for stride through the first 25 kilometers. The pivotal moment came just past 30 km, when Balachew surged decisively, opening a small but crucial gap.

Despite an aggressive chase from the Kenyan trio, Balachew held his form and composure to cross the line in 2:09:39, finishing 17 seconds ahead of Too and 20 seconds clear of Kipkorir. The victory marked a significant international win for Balachew, who owns a personal best of 2:06 from Berlin in 2024.

The depth of the men’s field was evident throughout the top ten, with Kimeli (2:10:17), Edwin Koech (2:10:24), and Han Ii Ryong (2:10:39) all finishing within a minute of the winner.

The women’s race proved equally compelling. Eshete Habte ran patiently through the early stages, keeping Ethiopia’s Tesfay Haftu and Kenya’s Linet Masai within reach. In the final kilometers, Eshete injected a well-timed surge, creating just enough separation to secure victory in 2:29:03 — 10 seconds ahead of Haftu and 20 seconds in front of Masai.

The women’s top ten reflected the event’s international depth, featuring athletes from Bahrain, Ethiopia, Kenya, and North Korea, underscoring the global competitiveness of the Hong Kong Marathon.

Course conditions played a defining role throughout the day. The 42.195 km route — beginning on Nathan Road, winding through tunnels, crossing the Stonecutters and Ting Kau Bridges, and finishing in Victoria Park — tested athletes with rolling terrain, tight turns, and coastal winds. While not conducive to fast personal bests, the course rewarded tactical intelligence, resilience, and patience — qualities exemplified by both champions.

Local runners also delivered standout performances, with Hong Kong residents Wong Yin-chun and Law Ying-ting impressing in the marathon divisions. Across the half marathon and 10 km races, tens of thousands of recreational runners filled the streets, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.

The 30th edition of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon once again confirmed its reputation as a World Athletics Gold Label event — seamlessly blending elite competition, international representation, and mass participation into one of Asia’s most celebrated road races.

Elite Top 10 – Men

1. Bizuneh Balachew – 2:09:39

2. Silas Too  – 2:09:56

3. Francis Kipkorir – 2:09:59

4. Douglass Kimeli – 2:10:17

5. Edwin Koech – 2:10:24

6. Han Ii Ryong  – 2:10:39

7. Kiprono Kipkemoi  – 2:10:53

8. Irena Gemechu – 2:10:54

9. Gebre Ayenew – 2:11:07

10. Anderson Seroi – 2:11:46

Elite Top 10 – Women

1. Shitaye Eshete Habte  – 2:29:03

2. Tesfay Haftu  – 2:29:13

3. Linet Masai  – 2:29:23

4. Adilo Kesir  – 2:30:00

5. Caroline Kilel – 2:30:44

6. Geremew Workenesh – 2:31:08

7. Emily Chebet – 2:32:29

8. Jon Su Gyong  – 2:32:30

9. Pak Sol Gyong  – 2:35:33

10. Vivian Kosgei – 2:35:37 

For young runners in Kenya, the dream has always extended far beyond the finish line. It is about opportunity, education, and building a future through running. On November 22, sixty alumni of Townhall Athletics will stand on the starting line at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Missouri—not only as competitors, but as student-athletes whose journeys blend world-class talent with academic ambition.

Their road to the NCAA National Cross Country Championships was forged through nine regional qualifiers, where Townhall athletes earned advancement both individually and through team berths. Each qualifier represents a story that began on rugged high-altitude trails in Kenya and continued in American classrooms—balancing mileage with lectures, workouts with research projects.

A Pipeline for Talent and Learning

Many of these athletes grew up with limited access to formal training facilities—sometimes even without proper running shoes. Through Townhall Athletics, runners such as Brian Musau, Dennis Kipngetich, and Laban Kipkemboi at Oklahoma State University received structured coaching and the mentorship needed to secure life-changing scholarships.

In Florida, Kelvin Cheruiyot, Desma Chepkoech, and Judy Chepkoech have combined tactical racing with strong academic records, while Debora Cherono at Texas A&M has emerged as a respected leader both on campus and on the track.

In the Mountain West Conference, New Mexico’s Evans Kiplagat and Vincent Chirchir continue to show how academic and athletic development go hand in hand. At Iowa State, Joash Rutto and Mercylin Kirwa have built reputations for consistency and endurance, exemplifying the discipline long associated with Kenyan distance running.

Other Townhall standouts, including Meshack Kuiyo at Boise State and Gilbert Rono at Tulane, carry the hopes of their programs while pursuing degrees and competing at the top level of collegiate sport.

Gans Creek: Where Experience Meets Ambition

Gans Creek is known for its rolling hills, long grass straights, and technical curves—terrain that demands smart pacing and a strong finish. For Kenyan athletes who grew up training at altitude, the course offers a blend of familiarity and challenge, providing a perfect stage to showcase endurance, resilience, and race intelligence.

Lining up against top collegiate athletes from across the United States and around the world, Townhall runners bring not only speed but also the mental fortitude and tactical awareness refined through years of structured training back home.

Voices of Support

Kenyan sports leaders continue to stress that athletic success must be paired with education to secure a long-term future.

Barnaba Korir, AK Youth Development Director and NOC-K First Vice President, emphasizes:

“These scholarships are more than athletic opportunities—they are life-changing. Education ensures our youth can thrive long after the final lap.”

Ibrahim Hussein Kipkemboi, Director of the Africa Athletics Development Centre, adds:

“Blending study with sport protects athletes from early burnout and equips them for the future.”

Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei reinforces the message:

“The goal is not just fast runners, but well-rounded individuals. Education and athletics go hand in hand for global success.”

Impact Beyond the Course

These sixty qualifiers demonstrate how structured development and academic pathways can open doors for rural youth across Kenya. Their progress validates youth programs, inspires younger athletes, and shows how scholarships allow talent to flourish both on the track and in the classroom.

The Journey and the Finish Line

On race day, athletes such as Rosemary Longisa and Caroline Jepkorir of Washington State University, Evans Tanui of Arizona, and Diana Cherotich of Oregon will carry far more than personal ambition. They will carry the dreams of families, coaches, and communities who believed in them from the start.

Every stride over Missouri’s rolling terrain reflects years of discipline, sacrifice, and the pursuit of excellence—both academic and athletic.

When the final lap is run, results will matter. But so will the journey that brought them here. From dusty Kenyan tracks to the championship stage at Gans Creek, Townhall athletes have shown that with vision, support, and resilience, success in running and life can grow together.

As they race for NCAA glory, they continue to inspire a generation to see that the finish line is not an end—it is, in fact, the beginning.

This Sunday, the streets of Denmark’s capital will be filled with more than 21,000 runners as the 2025 Copenhagen Marathon officially becomes the largest marathon ever held on Danish soil. All bib numbers have sold out, and with ideal racing conditions—cool temperatures of 8–9°C (46–48°F) and little wind—course records could be at serious risk.

And once again, it’s East African athletes who are expected to lead the charge.

Men’s Elite Field: Takele, Kipkemei, and Tesfaye Among Favorites

The men’s race features an exceptionally deep international field, led by Ethiopia’s Adugna Takele, who holds the fastest personal best in the race at 2:05:52, set in Seville. He returns to familiar territory in Copenhagen, where he placed ninth at the 2014 World Half Marathon Championships.

Also representing Ethiopia is Aychew Bantie, a consistent performer with a best of 2:06:23, and Mengistie Tadesse, who has run 2:08:04. Other Ethiopian contenders include Abebaw Muniye(2:08:38) and Yismaw Atinafu (2:09:32).

Kenya’s Boaz Kipkemei enters the race with momentum after a course record victory in Chongqing this March, where he ran 2:07:18. He’ll be challenged by Andrew Rotich Kwemoi, also from Kenya, who won the 2023 Milano Marathon in 2:07:52.

Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfaye (2:07:31), fresh off a win at the 2025 Mumbai Marathon, adds even more firepower. Martin Musau (2:08:42) from Uganda rounds out a world-class lineup.

With nine men entered with personal bests under 2:10, the current course record of 2:08:23, set by Eritrea’s Berhane Tsegay in 2022, is well within reach.

Women’s Elite Field: Ethiopia Stacks the Front Line

The women’s field is also loaded with talent—particularly from Ethiopia. Leading the charge is Tigist Getnet, who ran 2:23:17 in Dubai in 2023. Close behind is Sofia Assefa, the Olympic silver medalist in the steeplechase, now focusing on the marathon. She clocked 2:23:33 last year in Amsterdam.

Tigist Gashaw, now competing for Bahrain, recently won the Chongqing Marathon in 2:24:39 and looks poised for another strong showing. Other top Ethiopians include Abebech Afework (2:30:44) and Tinbit Gidey (2:30:09).

Kenya is well represented by Caroline Jepchirchir (2:29:00), Gladys Jemaiyo (1:08:18 for the half marathon), and Charon Kiptugen (1:09:00 for the half).

To challenge the women’s course record of 2:23:14, set by Rodah Chepkorir Tanui of Kenya in 2023, the front-runners will need to go out with intent—but the weather and course could make that goal very realistic.

Ready for a Historic Day

The 2025 Copenhagen Marathon is not just the biggest ever in Denmark—it’s shaping up to be one of the fastest as well. With nearly perfect conditions and some of the world’s top endurance athletes toeing the line, Copenhagen is set to host a race that could deliver breakthrough performances, new course records, and personal bests for thousands.

Whether you’re watching from the lead vehicle or tracking from home, Sunday’s race will be one to remember.

The Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, remains one of the most influential training groups in American distance running. Founded in 1999 by brothers Kevin and Keith Hanson (4th photo), the team has earned a reputation for turning talented post-collegiate runners into national and international contenders.

Now in its 25th year, the program continues to thrive under its trademark philosophy of “cumulative fatigue,” a system that emphasizes consistent high-mileage weeks, frequent workouts, and long-term development. Unlike many elite training groups based at altitude or supported by large corporate budgets, Hansons-Brooks maintains a grassroots, team-oriented environment that has produced national champions and Olympians.

The latest athlete to join the roster is Jaci Smith, a former standout with the U.S. Air Force World Class Athlete Program and one of America’s rising stars at the marathon distance. Smith confirmed her new team affiliation in April 2025, noting her excitement to train with one of the most respected groups in the country.

Current Women’s Roster

• Anne-Marie Blaney

• Jessie Cardin

• Amy Davis-Green

• Sarah Disanza

• Maggie Donahue

• Caroline Garrett

• Melissa Johnson-White

• Dot McMahan

• Megan O’Neil

• Olivia Pratt

• Madison Offstein

• Stephanie Sherman

• Jaci Smith

Current Men’s Roster

• Shuaib Aljabaly

• JP Flavin

• Ethan Gregg

• Ben Kendell

• Zach Panning

• CarLee Stimpfel

These athletes compete across a wide range of distances, from the 5K to the marathon, and regularly appear in major events like the Boston Marathon, U.S. Championships, and World Marathon Majors. In May 2025, many Hansons-Brooks runners are scheduled to appear at the PMC Health Plan Half Marathon and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.

From Olympic Trials qualifiers to marathon winners, the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project continues to elevate American distance running through discipline, teamwork, and an unwavering belief in the power of the long run.

Gladys Chemutai credited her triumph at the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday to inspiration from Chicago Marathon third-place finisher Irene Cheptai.

Chemutai powered through the women’s 42km in 2:31:52 ahead of Caroline Koech ( 2:35:00 ) and Joy Kemuma ( 2:36:06 ).

The 28-year old Iten-based runner praised her training partner, Cheptai, for instilling in her the mindset of a champion.

“Cheptai gave me the morale to keep fighting. Following in the footsteps of a champion like her gave me the courage to push for victory,” Chemutai said of the 2017 World Cross Country champion.

Cheptai had finished third at the Chicago Marathon on October 3, posting 2:17:51 behind world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich ( 2:09:56 ) and Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede ( 2:17:32 ).

Chemutai dedicated her win to Cheptai and her family.

“This victory is for my mentor, Cheptai, and also for my husband and four-year-old son. They couldn’t be here, but I had promised them a good result,” she said.

The turning point came around the 17km mark on Sunday.

“I wasn’t expecting the win, but when I saw others starting to drop off, I knew I had to go for it,” Chemutai revealed.

Over the moon after securing her first marathon win, Chemutai acknowledged last year’s StanChart and the 2024 Riyadh Marathon as building blocks for her performance.

“Earlier this year, I finished fifth at the Riyadh Marathon. I featured in last year’s race where I finished fifth. I am greatful those races I have competed in have given me the much-needed experience,” she said.

On February 10, Chemutai clocked 2:29:53 for fifth in Riyadh. Ethiopians took the top four places.

Chemutai clocked 2:30:52 for fifth place last year, a race won by Evaline Chirchir ( 2:24:31 ) followed by Aurelia Jerotich ( 2:26:49 ) and Sheila Chepkech ( 2:27:16 ).

Chemutai yearns to represent the country at next year’s World Championships in Tokyo.

“I pray for the opportunity to wear the Kenyan jersey,” she said. Ronald Kimeli won the men’s race in 2:13:05 to edge out Dominic Kipkirui ( 2:13:13 ) and Peter Kwemoi ( 2:13:14 ).

The 38-year old, who has participated in the event since 2012, was thrilled to finally secure the top spot.

“I have been competing in the StanChart Marathon since 2012 but I have never won. Last year, I failed to finish, unfortunately. So coming here today and winning is such a good feeling for me,” he noted.

The 38-year-old attributed his success to moving his training from Iten to Eldoret.

“Switching training grounds made a big difference. It’s great to see it pay off,” he added.

The win earned him Sh2 million, which he plans to invest in an apartment in Eldoret. “I will use the money to build an apartment in Eldoret,” he added.

Debutant Gladys Koech won the women’s half marathon in 1:12:10 ahead of Esther Chemutai ( 1:12:12 ) and Mercy Jerotich ( 1:13:59 ).

“The race was tough, but I pushed myself. I didn’t expect to win, especially with this being my first StanChart Marathon,” she said.

She credited her win to a strong showing at the Lukenya Half Marathon earlier this year.

“I competed at the Lukenya Half Marathon where I finished second. That gave me the morale and motivation I needed for today,” she said.

At the Lukenya Half Marathon, Keoch clocked 1:10:58 to trail Martha Akeno ( 1:10:26 ) with Lilian Lelei ( 1:11:03 ) taking the bronze medal.

Koech will pocket Sh300,000.

“I am happy and thank God I was able to win this cash prize. I have not yet planned for it,” Koech revealed.

Vincent Mutai took top honours in the men’s 21km race in 1:03:27, followed by Keyborn Oboto ( 1:03:34 ) and Silas Chepkwony ( 1:03:51 ).

The 28-year-old, training under Bernard Ouma at the Rongai Athletics Club, noted that while the win was unexpected, his consistent preparation paved the way for success.

“The weather was perfect and my training gave me the confidence to push for the win,” he said.

“I did not expect to win today but owing to the amount of practice I had put into my training, I decided to go for it,” he added.

Looking forward, Mutai aims to make his mark in the 10,000m at the 2025 World Championships.

“If all goes well in training, I hope to represent Kenya on the global stage,” he shared.

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon (TWM) returns on Sunday, doubling as the Canadian Marathon Championships. For our Canadian elite athletes, Sunday’s race provides a chance to qualify for the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, to be held in Tokyo. Canadian record holder Natasha Wodak will toe the line in Toronto for the first time in 11 years, setting her sights on her first-ever Canadian marathon title.

Wodak made her marathon debut here in 2013. The 42-year-old from Vancouver has been on a golden streak this year, winning the Vancouver Half Marathon in June and Vancouver’s Eastside 10K in September. But earlier this year, she fell short of her goal to qualify for Canadian Olympic team after completing four marathon builds and taking three attempts at the race in the span of 18 months.

“The marathon is a beast”

“Nothing is guaranteed,” Wodak says. “Never in a million years would I have thought that after running 2:23:00, I wouldn’t be able to come within four minutes of that, four different times in 18 months.” Wodak completed the 42.2K event at the 2023 Budapest World Championships, 2024 Houston and Hamburg marathon events, falling short of the Olympic standard each time, and had scratched from the 2023 London Marathon after coming down with a stomach bug. “The marathon is a beast; you’ve got to have the right day, the right fitness, the right weather–everything has to click on the right day.”

The two-time Olympian holds a personal best of 2:23:12, which has stood as the Canadian record since the 2022 Berlin Marathon. “The A goal is to win the Canadian marathon championships,” she says, hoping to add that title to her already impressive resume. “Everyone wants to be a national champion.”

After steering away from her original plan to race at the Valencia Marathon, Wodak is taking a different approach at Toronto’s big-city race; she can finally enjoy racing in Canada in front of family and friends without the pressure of hitting the Olympic standard. She adds that the generous prize purse offered by TWM was an incentive. She revealed she plans on starting out conservatively, with the hope of having a fast second half. “I’ll go out at 2:25 to 2:26 pace, and hope to catch a few of the women who go out too hard,” she says. “It would be really nice to place in the top three. If all goes well, maybe I can surprise myself and others by having a really fast last 10K.”

After her attempts to qualify for Paris 2024, Wodak says she has learned not to take anything for granted. She says she began to jump into workouts with friends, running because she wanted to and doing what felt good. “I did enjoy the process over time, so I have no regrets,” she says. “It’s a privilege to do this.”

Erin Mawhinney to make marathon debut

Defending TWM half-marathon champion Erin Mawhinney will be doubling her usual distance to make her first-ever attempt at 42.2K. The 28-year-old, a two-time winner of the Under Armour Toronto 10K, has been slowly building up her mileage while training for the past three years with coach and two-time Olympian Reid Coolsaet; at the peak of her build, she reached 190 km in one week–quite a contrast to the maximum of 43 km she used to run weekly  in university. The increase in mileage means increased time dedicated to training, adding to her already-busy schedule; the Hamilton native works full-time as a nurse, with the occasional night shift. “My apartment is a mess all the time, and I’m always out of groceries, since I’m eating more to support that mileage,” she says.

“You go in a little bit blind,” Mawhinney says. “You can sort of predict from the half-marathon what might happen, but it’s also a completely different event.” Her half-marathon best stands at 1:11:50, which she ran in March. “Somewhere in the low 2:30s would be a great day, but I’m mostly just excited to try out a marathon.”

Anne-Marie Comeau to seek redemption

Anne-Marie Comeau of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., is the reigning Canadian Marathon Championships silver medallist; the 2018 winter Olympian in cross-country skiing led for 42.1 kilometres of last year’s race before being passed by Quebec City’s Caroline Pomerleau, who nabbed the title. Comeau, who is 28, struggled over the last 10 km, and aims to pack her pockets with gels this year to avoid fading in the final stretch. “I had a rough year,” she says. “I’ve done a lot of marathon builds without actually racing.” Comeau was set to race the Houston Marathon and the Boston Marathon, but had to scratch from both, first due to Covid, and then to a shoulder dislocation while skiing.

Finally getting the chance to race, Comeau has set big foals for herself. “I want to get a personal best,” she says. “My marathon PB (2:34:51) is from last year on this course. I’m going to start a bit slower, at 2:31 to 2:32 pace, and see if I’m able to push harder toward the end.”

International field

Waganesh Mekasha of Ethiopia has her eyes set on the course record this year. The 32-year-old holds a personal best of 2:22:45 from the 2019 Dubai Marathon and took second in Toronto last fall, with a time of 2:23:12. “I enjoyed the race last year,” she says. “The course was great. The pacer dropped early and it affected us.” Her best time sits just off the course record of 2:22:16. The 2023 Ottawa Marathon champion feels as though she has prepared even better than last year. “If the pace goes out well and the weather is good, the course record is possible,” she says.

Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje comes into the race with the fastest personal best in the women’s field (2:18:30), and will also be fighting to take down the five-year-old course record. “I’m ready and prepared to challenge the course record,” she says. Dereje, 27, finished fourth in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and became a mother in 2023. This is her first time visiting Canada.

For the first time in the race weekend’s history, the 5K race, traditionally held on the same day as the marathon and half-marathon, has been moved to Saturday; the race has already raised more than $3,000,000 for the TCS Charity Program.

How to watch

The 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Canadian Marathon Championships can be streamed on Sunday, Oct. 20, on World Athletics Inside Track, CBC Sports, or the CBC Gem app. The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is one of the first North American marathons to be featured on the WA Inside Track worldwide feed. This year, 30,000 participants from 70 countries will take part in Toronto’s race weekend (a record). All runners can be tracked using the official TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon app, available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

Patrick Mosin and Miriam Chebet were the winners of the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday in race Kenyans swept all the top three positions in both men and women.

Kenyan athletes were dominant at the Cardiff Half Marathon as Patrick Mosin and Miriam Chebet claimed top honours in the Welsh capital on Sunday.

It was an all-Kenyan affair in the women’s race where Chebet won in a time of 1:06:42, setting a new personal best, to improve on her previous best time of 1:07:14.

Chebet was followed by Kenyan compatriots Grace Nawowuna (1:07:15) and Caroline Nyaga (1:07:16) who came home in second and third positions respectively.

In the men’s category, Mosin claimed the win after coming come in 1:00:01, finishing 31 seconds off compatriot Leonard Langat's record of 59:30 set in 2019.

More than 29,000 runners signed up for the event, with organisers describing this year's edition as the "biggest year ever".

"This is our biggest year ever with over 29,000 people registered to take part across the weekend," said Matt Newman, chief executive of Run4Wales.

Mosin (59:31) came into the race as the second fastest, having won the 2023 Lille Half Marathon, but more notably third at the Prague Half Marathon that was won by the current World Half Marathon Champion Sebastian Sawe in April.

Meanwhile, the women’s race had two-time European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala McCormack (69:32) who was making her Cardiff debut and Nelly Jepchumba (67:00) the fastest entrant, who won at the Rio De Janeiro Half Marathon in August.

However, the victory went elsewhere on Sunday and Chebet ran a tactical race to claim the win which will be a big confidence booster ahead of her next races.

A string of established Kenyan athletes will be chasing fast times somewhere underneath the course record of 59:30 in the men’s race. Meanwhile, a strong field that includes two-time European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala McCormack is set to contest the women’s race.

Cardiff is the penultimate venue in the 2024 Superhalfs Series. It holds a prestigious World Athletics Elite Road Race Label and hosts the Welsh Half Marathon Championships annually.

Elite Men

Benard Ngeno (59:07) is the fastest athlete on paper owing to an impressive lifetime best set at the Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Half Marathon in 2019, finishing second at the world’s top race over the distance. Cosmas Boi (59:29) comes to the City following a solid block of training that indicates a new P.B. could be possible. Perhaps his greatest accolade to date was a victory at the 2023 Stramilano Half Marathon.

Patrick Mosin (59:31) is the next fastest and was the winner of the 2023 Lille Half Marathon but more notably third at the Prague Half Marathon that was won by the current World Half Marathon Champion Sebastian Sawe in April.

Bravin Kiptoo (59:37) is the 2019 African U20 Champion over 10,000m showing winning pedigree and then finishing as the third placer at the Birrell Grand Prix later that year and is joined by Antony Kimtai (59:45), the winner at Stramilano for 2024 and the runner-up at Napoli Half Marathon setting his P.B. a month earlier.

Vincent Kigen (59:48) was second at the Seville Half Marathon in January and again at the Malaga Half Marathon in March and Vincent Mutai (60:20) will make a third trip to the City as last year’s surprise winner and with a second place at the Cardiff Cross Challenge from November to his name.

Kento Nishi (61:09) of Japan, Ethiopian Man Enyew Nigat (61:17) and Tanzania’s Josephat Gisemo (64:27) will add further International flavour to a mainly Kenyan front of the field. Nishi is a 2:08:11 Marathon man, Nigat was seventh at the Yangzhou Half Marathon earlier this year and Gisemo was the runner up at the 2024 Generali Geneva Marathon.

Ben Connor (60:55) is the fastest British man and tackles the Cardiff course for the first time. Connor is the sixth fastest Briton in history and has shown recent fitness with an impressive second place at the re-scheduled English National Cross Country Championships in September.

Jonathan Collier (64:37) and William Bryan (64:58) are the remaining British Athletes who have dipped under 65 minutes in the past. Ciaran Lewis (65:17) is the fastest Welshman in action but is likely to face stiff opposition to the National title from Dan Hamilton (65:57) and Dan Nash (66:16).

Elite Women

Twice European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala McCormack (69:32) will make her Cardiff debut on Sunday. McCormack claimed her titles at Valenje, Slovenia in 2011 and at Budapest in 2012. Since then the Wicklow woman has become the second fastest Irish athlete in history over half marathon and over the full marathon distance. She became the first female Irish athlete in history to compete at five Olympic Games’ in Paris this summer.

Nelly Jepchumba (67:00) is the fastest entrant and was the winner at the Rio De Janeiro Half Marathon in August and the winner at the prestigious 2021 Madrid Half Marathon. Miriam Chebet (67:14) was the runner up at the Istanbul Half Marathon and notably the winner at the Ibiza 10k in 30:40.

Ethiopian Anchinalu Dessie (67:30) is another winner of the Stramilano Half Marathon in action here and was fourth at the Valencia Ibercaja 10k in 2022 with 31:01, an event that has recently been acknowledged as the World’s top annual road race.

Caroline Nyaga (67:36) is an exciting late edition to the race and will be chasing a huge new lifetime best. Nyaga is the 2022 African Champion over 10,000m and has a best over 5,000m of 14:30 set finishing fifth at the Diamond League final in Brussels last month. Daisy Kimeli (68:34) was the winner at the 2019 Trabzon Half Marathon and Adane Anmaw (69:47) was third at the Yanzhou Half Marathon.

Perhaps the most exciting prospect in  women’s race however is Grace Nawowuna (debut) who will make her debut here but was fourth at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst in 2023 and has a 29:47 best for 10,000m. Nawowuna is likely to chase the early pace with Nyaga.

Polish Athlete Sabina Jarzabek (72:42) will be making the trip to Cardiff. She is a former Polish champion over 5km and 10km.

Olivia Tsim (73:38) claimed Bronze medals at the Welsh Half Marathon Championships here in 2022 and 2023. The Pontypridd Roadent will be in racing action after giving birth this summer. Alaw Evans (75:00) was the winner of the Cardiff 10k last year and is likely to be contesting for the Welsh title this time.

Australia’s Isabelle Pickett (75:36), Charlotte Taylor (75:46) and Ellen Feringa (75:54) of Philadelphia Runners Track Club are next fastest.

The trio of Cosmas Birech, Dominic Nyairo and William Kibor are set to extend Kenya’s dominance at the Munich Marathon as they line up in the German city on October 13.

Kenya has ruled the men’s event for the past two years, with Philemon Kipchumba clinching victory in 2022 in 2:07:28, ahead of Ethiopia’s Mengistu Gezahagn (2:07:56) and Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfay (2:08:10).

Last year, Kenyan athletes swept the podium, led by Bernard Muia, who won in a time of  2:09:17, with Benson Nzioka (2:09:21) and Mica Cheserek (2:09:26) completing the podium.

Cosmas Kiplimo (2:10:07), Amos Birgen (2:11:15) and Luke Kibet (2:11:41) finished fourth, sixth and seventh respectively.

Race organizers expect a fast-paced event in the men’s race with a target of a 2:08 finish.

“We have produced the fastest times in the history of our event in the past two years. I hope we will once again see results in the region of 2:08 to 2:09,” said Gernot Weigl.

Birech comes with an impressive resume, boasting wins at the 2018 Roma Marathon (2:08:03) and the Lugano Half Marathon (1:01:02). 

Nyairo, on the other hand, is the 2021 Hofu Marathon champion (2:09:34) as well as the runners-up from the Aveiro Marathon (2:09:57) in April.

Kibor hold victories from the 2014 Verona Half Marathon (1:00:51) and the 2016 Las Vegas Half Marathon (1:01:21).

In the women’s race, Shamilah Kipsiror, the 2023 Ghent Half Marathon champion, will be looking to defend Kenya’s title.

In 2023, Kenyans secured the top five positions in the women’s event led by Catherine Cherotich (2:31:34). Teclah Chebet (2:32:13), Flomena Ngurasia (2:33:17), Caroline Chepkwony (2:36:32) and Beatrice Cheburet (2:46:42) followed in that order. 

During the 2022 edition, Agnes Keino cruised to victory in 2:23:26 besting Ethiopia’s Dibaba Hurssa (2:24:12) and Morocco’s Souad Kanbouchia (2:27:35).

The target for the women’s event is 2:25; “In the women’s race, times between 2:25 and 2:27 should be possible,” added Weigl.

Kipsiror’s resume includes a third-place finish at the 2023 Bucharest Half Marathon (1:19:19), a fourth-place finish at the Roma Marathon (2:27:33) in March and a fifth-place finish at the Riyadh Half Marathon (1:14:09) in February.

It was a nightmare outing for all six Kenyan-born American runners at the US Olympics trials as none of them managed to secure a ticket to the Paris 2024 Games.

Kenyan-born runners who were seeking to represent the United States of America at the Paris 2024 Olympics all ended up empty-handed at the just-concluded trials.

At the weeklong trials that started on June 21 and ended on June 30, six Kenyan-born runners had signed up in a bid to represent their adopted country in various disciplines at the Paris Olympics.

However, none of them could finish among the first three to secure the coveted tickets.

Sam Chelanga and Paul Chelimo, Olympics bronze medallist in 5,000m, were the first to miss out on the first day of the trials when they finished seventh and 10th respectively in the men’s 10,000m race.

Grant Fisher, fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, clinched first place in the race, followed by Woody Kincaid with Nico Young claiming the final ticket.

The story was the same for three Kenyan-born athletes in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase. Anthony Rotich, who had already hit the Olympic qualifying standard, could only manage eigth place, followed by Bernard Keter in ninth, while Hillary Bor was 13th in the final.

Kenneth Rooks, Mathew Wilkinson and James Corrigan are the athletes who will be competing with Kenyan trio of Simon Koech, Amos Serem, and Abraham Kibiwott in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Olympics.

In the men’s 800m, Jonah Koech was the last man standing among the Kenyan-born contingent at the US trials heading into the final day on Sunday but he also met his waterloo.

Koech finished fifth in the final which was won by Bryce Hoppel, followed by Hobbs Kesler and Brandon Miller in second and third positions respectively.

It has been a horrible year for the Kenyan-born runners as only Leonard Korir managed to secure an Olympics slot after earning a late lifeline when qualification rules for the marathon were altered last month.

Korir had finished third at the marathon trials in February but had to wait for months to know his fate.

It was double disappointment for Chelimo who had also missed out on a place on the marathon team after dropping out of the race at the trials while Betsy Saina, Caroline Rotich and Elkanah Kibet also failed in their quest in February.

A number of them such as Saina, Koech and Chelimo has pitched camp in Kenya to train for the Olympics trials but it was still not enough.

The KATA (Kenyan Athletics Training Academy) June time trial was the best ever held today in Thika Kenya.   The turn out was good. A total of 52  athletes  registered for the two events.  

Athanas kiroko took the victory in the men 10km race in a time of 28:58.    Zachary kirika was the man of the day. He finished in 2nd place in a personal best time of 29:12 lowering his previous time by 27 seconds. Fredrick kiprotich finished in third place in a time of 31:11.

Kellen waithira took the crown in the women's 10km race in a time of 34:58. She was followed impressively by Jane wanja who finished in 2nd place in 35:45 lowering her personal best by over one minute. Karen chepkemoi placed third in 36:33 lowering her personal best by 14 seconds.

Job kamande finished first in men 5km race in 14:36. This was his first time in this distance. Charles ndirangu finished second in 15:24 lowering his personal best by 16 seconds. Amos chirchir finished third place in 15:49, lowering his previous time by 3 seconds. The improvement in women's 5km race was indeed astonishing. Lois wambui who finished in third place in 17:10 improved by 33 seconds. Jacinta kamau finished 4th in 17:14 improved by 35 seconds and Virginia wanjiru who finished in 5th position in 17:47 improved by 12 seconds.

The next KATA time trial is July 17. 

5k MEN

1 job kamande 24 430 14:36

2 Charles ndirangu 23 267 15:24

3 Amos chirchir 23 272 15:49

4 Raphael karita 24 392 15:52

5 Kelvin ragui 21 271 16:16

6 John makeri 27 227 16:26

7 Emmanuel rono 24 318 16:41

8 Collins maina 20 284 16:43

9 Brian njenga 20 390 16:44

10 Geoffrey ngama 50 384 17:26

11 Jeremiah obura 20 323 18:37

12 Anthony owino 28 382  19:10

13 Alex kamau 22 333 19:49

14 mavirine rotich 27 312 22:05

15 Kennedy mungai 25 375 22:10

5km WOMEN 

1 Monica wanjiku 22 265 16:28

2 Nympha kiteta 18 266 16:58

3 Lois wambui 23 277 17:10

4 Jacinta kamau 22 276 17:14

5 Virginia wanjiru 22 275 17:47

6 Anastasia muthoni 21 283 19:12

7 Susan njuu 36 380 20:50

8 Sheila makungu 21 385  21:26

9 Ann kipchumba 33 331 22:14

10 Emily wanjiru 17 278 23:43

11 pory ngatha 35 374 29:44

10km MEN

1 Athanas kioko 29 377 28:58

2 Zachary kirika 22 269 29:12

3 Fredrick kiprotich 23 264 31:11

4 Stephen ngigi 20 280 31:27

5 Henry Komen 33 2:81 31:32

6 Shadrack kiprotich 33 332 31:52

7 Paul kibet 26 287 31:54

8 lewis kuria 22 459 32:13

9 Gabriel kahura 41 270 32:23

10 Fred kamande 24 286 32:55

11 Ismael mburu 23 391 33:00

12 Chris kamande 39 314 33:09

13 Ramadan ambani 24 279 34:20

14 Charles ndirangu 64 389 37:51

15 Paul Njoroge 28 383 38:05

16 Kelvin waiganjo 28 387 39:39

10km WOMEN 

1 Kellen waithira 36 381 34:59

2 Jane wanja 34 273 35:45

3 Karen chepkemoi 22 274 36:33

4 Naomi wambui 39 388 36:51

5 Florence kiarie 33 379 37:07

6 Caroline kimoi 32 65 38:38

7 Lilian musenya 22 285 39:44

8 Lucy muritu 39 282 45:05

9 Ruth maina 21 386 46:14

The Boston Athletic Association announced Wednesday the professional fields for the 2024 Boston 10K, which will be held on Sunday, June 23.

American Olympic marathoners Emily Sisson and Clayton Young will race the new and enhanced course that features scenic views of the Charles River and finishes at Boston Common.

Making his American road racing debut is world-number one ranked road racer Sabastian Sawe, of Kenya, and returning is defending Boston Half champion Abel Kipchumba. 2024 Boston Marathon runner-up Sharon Lokedi and two-time Boston Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat headline the women’s field, while Para Athletics Division winners Marko Cheseto Lemtukei, Atsbha Gebremeskel and Kelly Bruno will compete two months after finishing April’s marathon.

“The Boston 10K presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital kicks off the summer running season,” said Jack Fleming, the president and CEO of the B.A.A. “We’re eager for participants to take on the new course, which will run along the Charles River, over two historic bridges, and across the Boston Marathon finish line before finishing at Boston Common. Leading the way are some of the fastest and most accomplished athletes to race 6.2 miles, some doing so as a tune-up for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Sisson and Young locked up their spots on Team USA’s Marathon roster in February, both finishing second in their respective women’s and men’s races. Sisson returns to the Boston 10K after placing second in 2022 and fourth in 2023, while this will be Young’s first B.A.A. event.

From Kenya are Lokedi and Kiplagat, racing in Boston two months after placing on the podium at the 128th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America. Lokedi is currently the alternate for Kenya’s Olympic Marathon team, and Kiplagat has twice finished runner-up at the Boston 10K. Joining them among international competitors are last year’s Boston 10K second-place finisher Stacy Ndiwa (Kenya), Cherry Blossom 10 Mile champion Sarah Chelangat (Uganda), 2022 Beach to Beacon 10K winner Fantaye Belayneh (Ethiopia), and 2021 Olympic 10,000m sixth place finisher Irine Cheptai (Kenya). Mercy Chelangat, an NCAA Cross Country and 10,000m champion from Kenya, and 2022 Boston Half third-place finisher Hiwot Gebremaryam (Ethiopia) are entered as well.

From the USA is 2015 Boston Marathon champion Caroline Rotich, B.A.A. High-performance team member Abbey Wheeler, 2024 USA 15K third-place finisher Emily Durgin and former American 10,000m record holder and U.S. Olympian Molly Huddle.

The men’s international field is headlined by Sabastian Sawe, the top-ranked road racer in the world and the 2023 World Athletics Half Marathon champion. Sawe, of Kenya, has run 26:49 — fastest in the field — and will be making his American road racing debut.

From Kenya are Boston Half reigning champion Abel Kipchumba, 2023 Falmouth Road Race winner Wesley Kiptoo, and 17-time NCAA champion Edward Cheserek. Also from Kenya is Alex Masai, third in 2023.

Beyond Clayton Young, American men on the starting line will include recent USA 25K national champion Diego Estrada, 1:00:02 half marathoner Teshome Mekonen, and B.A.A. High Performance Team member Josh Kalapos. Kalapos finished 17th at February’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon.

Hermin Garic returns in the men’s wheelchair division as a two-time defending champion, timing 22:44 last year. He’s joined by Michelle Wheeler, a top entrant in the women’s wheelchair division, who was runner-up last year.

In the Para Athletics Divisions, Brian Reynolds — who set a world record 41:09 at last year’s event for T61-64 Classification (lower-limb impairment) is back with sights on the podium again. Marko Cheseto Lemtukei and Kelly Bruno — each of whom won the T62-T64/T42-T44 Division at the 128th Boston Marathon — will compete, as well as Atsbha Gebremeskel, the two-time Boston Marathon T46 (upper limb impairment) Para Athletics Division champion. More than 25 athletes will participate in the Para Athletics Divisions and Adaptive Programs at this year’s Boston 10K. Nearly $20,000 — an event record — in prize awards are available to top-three finishers across Vision Impairment (T11-T13), Upper Limb Impairment (T45-T46), Lower Limb Impairment (T61-T64), Coordination Impairment (T35-T38) classifications.

The Boston 10K presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital will be the second event of the 2024 B.A.A. Distance Medley, a year-long series featuring the Boston 5K (April), Boston 10K (June), and Boston Half (November). While open registration is sold out, limited spots are still available through Brigham and Women’s fundraising team.

Could you beat Lee Baynton’s new record of “fastest marathon in a full-body inflatable costume?”

Each year, the London Marathon sees several Guinness World Record attempts, bizarre and wonderful feats like “the fastest female dressed as stationery (2022)” and “fastest marathon in dressed as a film character (Forrest Gump, 2018),” make history books—and 2024 was no exception. But of the 44 world records set or broken during the race, not all were just for costumed runners.

Among the remarkable stories was that of Jono Astle, a Londoner who not only ran the fastest marathon for someone with MS, but also raised a commendable $25,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society along the way.

Anthony Bryan, who lost the use of the left side of his body after having surgery to remove a brain tumor as a child, ran the fastest marathon by someone paralyzed down one side of their body, beating the previous time of 5:50. (Bryan, a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC, even met up with Spurs defender Ben Davies before the marathon for some extra encouragement to help him get the record.)

For the costumed runners, the outfits were as varied as the times they ran.

Lee Baynton of Essex ran the fastest-ever marathon in an inflatable costume, clocking a 3:21:07 while raising money for a local hospice. It was Baynton’s sixth marathon, but he said this was his favorite. “All the kids, as soon as they see you, are smiling, high-fiving. Everyone’s cheering and chanting, it’s incredible—I should do this every year,” he told The Independent.

Stephen Cochrane broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a scientist, although science could not save him from overheating during the race. “The lab coat gets sweaty, heavy, and you overheat very quickly. By halfway, I was really struggling,” he told the paper.

Simon Killen of Holbeach, England, broke the record for the fastest marathon dressed as a video game character. Ironically, it was not Sonic, but Mario, that Killen chose to beat the previous record of 2:57. It was also Killen’s personal best. No word if he used a mushroom beforehand, though he did complain of cramps.

Some overheated runners could have used a visit from Marcus Mumford, who ran the fastest marathon while dressed as a water tap, with a time of 3:10. Mumford loves plumbing fixtures, previously running London in 2014 dressed as a toilet. “I’m working my way around the bathroom items,” he told The Independent. “People didn’t really know what I was. I was called a weather vane, radio station. It’s all in aid of Water Aid – a fantastic charity.”

The full list of new Guinness World Records titles:  

Peres Jepchirchir: Fastest marathon (female, women-only race) - 02:16:16

Richard Whitehead: Fastest marathon (LA3) (male) - 02:42:01

Simone Carniglia: Fastest marathon by a type 1 diabetic (male) - 02:44:33

Stephen Cochrane: Fastest marathon dressed as a scientist (male) - 02:48:51

Simon Killen: Fastest marathon dressed as a videogame character (male) - 02:52:57

Sam Hull: Fastest marathon dressed as a tennis player (male) - 02:59:38

Warren Parish: Fastest marathon dressed as a cheerleader (male) - 03:03:51

Holly Brownlee: Fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas (female) - 03:06:18

Jonathan Astle: Fastest marathon with multiple sclerosis (male) - 03:07:34

Marcus Mumford: Fastest marathon dressed as a tap/faucet (male) - 03:10:50

James Whistler: Fastest marathon dressed as a harlequin (male) - 03:12:00

Alison Stewart: Fastest marathon dressed as a videogame character (female) - 03:19:10

James Applegarth: Fastest marathon in pilot uniform (male) - 03:20:25

Ian Howard: Fastest marathon dressed as a rotating puzzle cube (male) - 03:20:31

Lee Baynton: Fastest marathon in a full-body inflatable costume (male) - 03:21:07

Matt Everett: Fastest marathon dressed as a traffic cone (male) - 03:22:16

Douglas O’Neill: Fastest marathon dressed as a sweet food (male) - 03:28:16

Gilles Dufosse: Fastest marathon dressed as a monarch (male) - 03:32:16

Kate Baldock: Fastest marathon dressed as a Star Wars character (female) - 03:33:12

Toby Norman: Fastest marathon dressed as a three dimensional aircraft (male) - 03:34:27

Ollie Shortt: Fastest marathon dressed as a body part (male) - 03:43:00

Laura Baker: Fastest marathon dressed as a sweet food (female) - 03:45:57

Tom Hall: Fastest marathon dressed as an emoji (male) - 03:50:17

Claire Casselton: Fastest marathon dressed as a skeleton (female) - 03:51:01

Ben Kellett: Fastest marathon carrying a bicycle - 03:54:52

Kimberly Siano: Fastest marathon dressed in a safari suit (female) - 03:54:58

Uilszaya Bodikhuu: Fastest marathon dressed in traditional Mongolian dress (female) - 03:59:56

Jennifer Stack: Fastest marathon dressed as a flag (female) - 04:01:02

Charlie Fitton: Fastest marathon dressed as a snowperson (female) - 04:05:52

Karen Stebel: Fastest marathon dressed as a mobile phone (female) - 04:08:42

Joanne Bridle: Fastest marathon dressed as a clown (female) - 04:16:36

Jani Barré: Fastest marathon in a non-racing wheelchair (female) - 04:19:21

Adrian Bebb: Fastest marathon dressed as a road vehicle (male) - 04:21:41

Andrew Roberts: Fastest marathon wearing chainmail (upper body) - 04:22:24

Alexandra Fresco-Sumner: Fastest marathon dressed as a mechanic (female) - 04:28:58

Caroline Duncan: Fastest marathon dressed in a flight suit (female) - 04:36:16

Emma Whatley: Fastest marathon dressed as a road vehicle (female) - 04:38:30

Andy Fountain: Fastest marathon dressed as a rocking horse (male) - 05:04:52

Phillip Beer: Fastest marathon dressed as a book (male) - 05:08:04

Georgina Box: Fastest marathon in a full-body inflatable costume (female) - 05:10:31

Anthony Bryan: Fastest marathon (CIH) (male) - 05:49:04

Brendan Matthews: Most T-shirts worn during a marathon (male) - 100 T-shirts 

Jackie Scully, Frances Walker, Petr Maslov, Aileen Rice-Jones, Daniel Smith, Alex Weight, James Read, Kate Rham, Cameron Sharpe, Michael Edwards: Fastest marathon in a ten-person costume – 06:32:05

Lloyd Martin: Youngest person to complete a marathon (II2) (male) - 06:46:10 

A British man and TikToker combined two of his favourite things–running and wine–at this year’s London Marathon to complete an epic challenge for charity. Instead of opting for a flashy costume or a Guinness World Record, Tom Gilbey of London, an Internet wine connoisseur, took on the challenge of blind tasting a different glass of wine at every mile of the 26.2-mile course–and he still finished in a respectable time.

While most marathon participants focus on pacing themselves and staying hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks, Gilbey was fuelled by 25 different wines from around the world, savouring both white and red varieties along the route. Despite the unconventional and do-not-try-this-at-home approach, Gilbey completed the London Marathon in four hours and 41 minutes, finishing 22,316 overall in a field of 30,000-plus.

To make the marathon more challenging, Gilbey guessed each wine he was drinking at each mile, and despite the mental and physical fatigue (from the drinking and the marathon), he guessed 21 of the 25 wines correctly. Gilbey said he even had a glass of champagne waiting for him at the finish line, but his friend’s phone died (who was shooting the video for him).

Gilbey wasn’t just in it for the (dubious) accomplishment; he also ran for a cause close to his heart. The TikTok wine expert raised money for the Sobell House Hospice Charity in Oxfordshire, U.K., in memory of his mother, Caroline.

Gilbey posted updates on TikTok under the username @tomgilbeywine, garnering over 2.5 million views in 24 hours. The online community was astounded by Gilbey’s accomplishment, with many expressing admiration for his ability to combine two seemingly disparate passions—running and wine. One user hilariously commented, “I did this last night without the running.”

Besides being a wine-drinking marathoner, Gilbey has spent his entire life working with wine, and also runs his own wine business—so it makes sense why he was able to identify so many of them correctly.

His goal was to raise £2,000 (CAD $3,400) for Sobell House Hospice, and he’s gone well beyond his fundraising goal, raising nearly £14,000 (CAD $23,800). If you’d like to contribute to Gilbey’s fundraiser for Sobell House, you can do so here.

The world’s oldest annual marathon is back for its 128th edition.

On Monday, April 15, the World Marathon Majors will return stateside to the 2024 Boston Marathon. In its 128th year, the world’s oldest annual marathon features must-see storylines, including the return of defending women’s champion Hellen Obiri and two-time men’s winner Evans Chebet.

The point-to-point race is scheduled to begin in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and ends in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. The weather forecast for Patriots’ Day is showing slightly warmer temperatures than average in the city. The conditions could make race day more challenging on a course famous for its hills (we ranked Boston as the second-toughest of the six World Marathon Majors).

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s race. 

How to watch the 2024 Boston Marathon

ESPN2 will broadcast the Boston Marathon from 8:30 a.m. ET to 12:30 p.m. ET. You can also live stream the race with an ESPN+ subscription, which costs $10.99 a month. 

For those tuning in from Boston, live coverage will be provided by WCVB beginning at 4:00 a.m. ET and lasting throughout the day.

Boston Marathon start times (ET)

Men’s wheelchair division—9:02 a.m.

Women’s wheelchair division—9:05 a.m.

Men’s elite race—9:37 a.m.

Women’s elite race—9:47 a.m.

Para athletics division—9:50 a.m.

First wave—10 a.m.

Second wave—10:25 a.m.

Third wave—10:50 a.m.

Fourth wave—11:15 a.m.

Race preview

This year’s elite race comes with added high stakes for many international athletes. Countries that don’t host Olympic Trials for the marathon are currently in the national team selection process. A standout performance in Boston could be a game-changer for athletes looking to represent their country in Paris this summer. 

Women’s race

On the women’s side, Boston podium contenders Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi were included in the shortlist of marathoners under national team consideration by Athletics Kenya. 

Obiri, 34, is set to return to Boston after a stellar 2023 campaign. Last year, the On Athletics Club runner won the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon. A former track standout with two world championship titles, Obiri aims to continue her winning streak on Monday. 

Lokedi, 30, is looking to top the podium at a key moment in her career. The University of Kansas graduate is set to run her first 26.2 since finishing third at the New York City Marathon last fall—a race she won in her marathon debut two years ago. 

Kenya will also be represented by 2022 World Championship silver medalist Judith Korir and two-time Boston Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, among other standouts. 

The Ethiopian contingent should be strong as well. Ababel Yeshaneh finished second at Boston in 2022 and fourth in 2023. Plus, 2:17 marathoner Tadu Teshome will be one to watch in her Boston debut. 

In the weeks after the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February, more Americans were added to the field. Sara Hall, 40, enters the race after finishing fifth in a new American masters record (2:26:06) at the Trials in Orlando, Florida. 2015 Boston champion Caroline Rotich, 39, joins the field after placing sixth at the Trials. Jenny Simpson, 37, also entered after dropping out in her marathon debut in Orlando. And keep an eye out for 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden, 40, and Emma Bates, 31, who finished fifth in Boston last year. 

Men’s race

Evans Chebet is looking for a hat trick. Last year, the Kenyan became the first athlete to repeat as men’s champion since Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot won three in a row between 2006 and 2008. In the process, the 35-year-old took down two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge in Boston. 

His biggest challenger will likely be Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia, who is returning after a breakthrough season in 2023. In December, Lemma, 33, won the Valencia Marathon in 2:01:48, making him the fourth-fastest marathoner in history. Lemma also won the Runkara International Half Marathon in 1:01:09, a new personal best. 

Gabriel Geay, last year’s Boston runner-up, is returning to the field on Monday. The 27-year-old from Tanzania is coming off a fifth-place finish at the Valencia Marathon. 

Other runners to watch include 2023 New York City runner-up Albert Korir; Shura Kitata, who placed third in New York last year; and Zouhair Talbi, who finished fifth in Boston last year. 

The American men’s field also grew after the Olympic Trials with the addition of Elkanah Kibet and Sam Chelanga. Kibet finished fourth in Orlando in a 2:10:02 personal best, and after dropping out after mile 18 of the Trials, Chelanga will aim for redemption in Boston. They join 50K world record-holder CJ Albertson and the BAA’s Matt McDonald in the elite race. 

Former World 10,000m champion Linet Chepkwemoi Masai will headline the 21st edition of the Enschede Marathon slated for April 21, 2024 in Enschede, Netherlands.

The 34 year-old who is also the 2008 Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist, comes to this race with the fastest time on paper of 2:23.46 that she got six years ago at the Amsterdam Marathon.

Masai who is born in Kapsokwony, Mount Elgon District in Bungoma County will have to get past her compatriot, the 26 year-old, Caroline Jepchirchir, who also comes to this race with a life time best of 2:26.11 that she got at this same course two years ago.

The two will also face four times Belgium National champion, Hanne Verbruggen who comes to the race with a personal best of 2:26.32 that she got last year at the Zurich Maraton de Sevilla, where she finished in seventh place.

Another title contender is Kenya’s Hildah Cheboi who comes to this race with the fourth fastest time on paper of 2:28.31 that she got at home, last year at the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon where she finished in position four.

The race organizers have assembled a strong field to try and chase the race course record of 2:21.10, set two years by Maurine Chepkemoi from Kenya.

LEADING TIME

42KM WOMEN

Linet Masai                (KEN) 2:23.46

Caroline Jepchirchir  (KEN) 2:26.11

Hanne Verbruggen    (BEL) 2:26.32

Hildah Cheboi            (KEN) 2:28.31

Likina Amebaw, Jemal Yimer, Hagos Gebrhiwet and Caroline Nyaga were among the winners as athletes descended on Paris for the Festival of Running ASICS Speed Race 5km and 10km events on Friday (5).

Competition took place on an iconic 2.5km loop that started and finished at Palais-Royal in the shadow of the Louvre.

Ethiopia’s Amebaw and Kenya’s Loice Chemnung both dipped under 30 minutes in the women’s 10km, with Amebaw clocking a PB of 29:56 to win and Chemnung finishing just one second behind her. They were joined by Kenya’s Miriam Chebet during the first half of the race but Chebet was unable to maintain the pace and finished third in 30:41.

Finishing fourth, Nadia Battocletti improved her own Italian record to 31:19.

“It was a very amazing race. It was a fast race – I ran under 30 minutes, so I liked it,” said Amebaw, who was recently confirmed as joint runner-up in the 2023-2024 World Athletics Cross Country Tour.

She also voiced her ambition to return to Paris to compete in the No.1 Olympic sport at the Games in August.

“I have got to work hard, and I hope I will be at the Olympic Games,” she said. “Now I will get ready for track competition.”

Less than three weeks after his Seoul Marathon win in a PB of 2:06:08, Ethiopia’s Yimer matched his 10km best, running 27:43 to win the men’s race, also by one second.

Kenya’s Hillary Kipkoech was runner-up in 27:44 and his compatriot Vincent Kibet was third in 27:48.

Ethiopia’s multiple world and Olympic 5000m medallist Gebrhiwet was racing a couple of weeks out from his African Games 5000m victory, which followed a 5km win in the rain at the Podium Festival in Leicester, UK. In Paris he won the men’s 5km in 13:24 ahead of Mohamed Ismael (13:32) and Adel Mechaal (13:34).

Kenya’s Nyaga, who also raced in Leicester where she finished second, this time topped the women’s 5km as she secured a dominant win in 14:40 over Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek and Belinda Chemutai, who ran 15:03 and 15:05, respectively.

 

Kenyans Leonard Langat and Vibian Chepkirui will return to defend their Vienna Marathon titles, while there are three men on the start list who have broken 2:06 and five women featuring personal bests of sub 2:25.

With regard to these personal records it will be strongest line-up in the history of the Vienna City Marathon which will see its 39th edition next week. Including races at shorter distances more than 31,000 runners have registered for Austria’s biggest running event, a World Athletics Marathon Label Road Race.

Kifle had a fine year in 2021: He was third in Enschede, 14th in the Olympic marathon in Sapporo and then 6th in Valencia, where he ran his PB. With his personal record the Eritrean is a little faster than Vienna’s course record of 2:05:41 by Ethiopia’s Getu Feluke in 2014. 

Abdi Fufa of Ethiopia is the third athlete in Vienna’s line-up who has run sub 2:06. A year ago he was second in Siena’s elite only race with 2:05:57.

It looks a tough task for Leonard Langat to defend his title in the Austrian capital. The Kenyan improved to 2:09:25 in Vienna last September. But with this PB he is only the eighth fastest athlete on the start list.  

Unfortunately there were a number of cancellations from elite runners recently. Among them are Mekuant Ayenew and fellow-Ethiopian Derara Hurisa, who had originally crossed the line first in last year’s Vienna City Marathon. However he then had to be disqualified for wearing illegal racing shoes and Leonard Langat became the winner. 

The fastest runner on the women’s start list is Caroline Kilel, who ran 2:22:34 when she took the Frankfurt Marathon back in 2013. While the Kenyan did not reach these sort of times recently there are other athletes who showed promising last year.

Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui may only be number five on the list with her PB of 2:24:29. However she did run this time last September in Vienna in very warm conditions.

Afterwards the Kenyan said that she could have been at least two minutes faster in more suitable conditions. Chepkirui could be capable of attacking the course record of fellow-Kenyan Nancy Kiprop who was the winner in 2019 with 2:22:12. 

Kenya’s Ruth Chebitok and Ethiopia’s Sifan Melaku are number two and three on Vienna’s start list with PBs of 2:23:29 and 2:23:49 respectively.

Sheila Jerotich of Kenya is a contender for victory as well. She took the Istanbul Marathon in November, improving to 2:24:15.

“We are very happy that we were able to surpass the mark of 30,000 entries. Compared to our comeback race in September 2021 this is a nice step forward. We feel the enthusiasm of the runners,“  said Kathrin Widu, the General Manager of the Vienna City Marathon.

There has never been an Eritrean winner in the history of the Vienna City Marathon which had its first edition back in 1984. This may change next week though since the two fastest entrants are from this country: Goitom Kifle and Oqbe Kibrom feature personal bests of 2:05:28 and 2:05:53 respectively.

Kenyans dominated the 49th Roma-Ostia Half Marathon, with victories in both men's and women's categories on Sunday.

Former world half marathon silver medalist, Mary Wacera Ngugi, showcased her enduring class and resolve by clinching victory at the 49th edition of the Roma-Ostia Half Marathon held on Sunday in Rome, Italy.

At 35, the seasoned athlete, who also holds the title of 2021 Boston Marathon silver medalist, entered the race with a personal best of 1:06.29, recorded eight years ago at the Houston Half Marathon. 

Ngugi outpaced her rivals to secure top honors with a commendable time of 1:07.38.

Caroline Korir rounded out the top three, crossing the finish line in 1:09.01, and solidifying the podium positions. 

Ngugi’s victory is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to her commitment to nurturing young talent through her initiative, the Nala Track Club. 

Based in her hometown of Nyahururu, the club aims to empower young girls by providing them with opportunities to engage in athletics, thereby fostering a new generation of champions.

In the men’s category, the competition was equally intense, with Kenya’s Emmanuel Wafula emerging victorious in his debut over the distance, clocking an impressive time of 1:01.10. 

The race was a nail-biter until the very end, with Ethiopia's Yegzaw Bayelign finishing a mere one second behind Wafula. 

Kenyan Kimakal Kipsambu secured the third spot with a time of 1:01.20, while compatriot Asbel Kiplimo finished fourth in 1:02.57.

Ngugi, a Boston marathon silver medalist from 2021, headlines the women’s field with a personal best (PB) of 66:29 in the half marathon and 2:20:22 in the marathon.

As part of her preparations for the upcoming Boston Marathon, Mary Ngugi-Cooper will line up for this year’s Roma-Ostia Half Marathon in March.

The race will be held on March 3, 2024 in Italy.

Ngugi, a Boston marathon silver medalist from 2021, headlines the women’s field with a personal best (PB) of 66:29 in the half marathon and 2:20:22 in the marathon.

The 2022 Boston bronze medalist who placed fifth at the New York City marathon last year will compete against her compatriots Caroline Korir and Nelly Jeptoo, the young Ethiopian Wariyo Bekelech Teku (fifth in the recent Ethiopian Cross Country Championships and rising star), and compatriot Anna Dibaba, the younger sister of the well-established Tirunesh and Genzebe.

“I’m really excited to announce that in April I will be running @bostonmarathon. Boston holds a special place in my heart, not only for having two podium finishes in the last few years, but getting married there too! The streets are always amazing, crowds loud and I can’t wait to hit Heartbreak Hill once again with a ridiculously strong field of talented women,” Ngugi said while announcing her return to Boston.A welcome return for the Italian team is Rebecca Lonedo, who is in great shape with a recent PB of 70.13 in Seville.

As for the men’s elite list, Ethiopian Tsegu Berehanu Wendemu headlines the list with eyes firmly set on running under an hour as he holds a PB of 59:42.

Shadrack Koech, eager to compete on the fast Roman course after his 61.12 in Trento last October, and Kimakal Kipsambu, returning to the capital after pacing with a time of 61.37 in 2023 make up the top three list of elites.

Asics, Puma, and Nike had a big day.

The city of Orlando witnessed some amazing performances under a blistering sun, with tickets to Paris at stake. When the dust settled after three loops, six brands placed among the top 10 men’s and women’s finishers. There was a time Nike ruled the roads, but Asics topped them in this year’s Olympic Trials Marathon, with two men and four women making my list below.

Here’s a look at what the top 10 finishers in both races wore in their quests for a spot on the Olympic team.

MEN’S TOP 10

1st — Conner Mantz, 2:09:05

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% (v1)

Despite two updates to the Alphafly, Mantz (right in the image above) continues to wear the very first version. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

2nd — Clayton Young, 2:09:06

Asics Metaspeed Sky 3 prototype

Young (left, above) looks to be wearing the newest, unreleased Metaspeed Sky. Asics has three “development” shoes (prototype) approved by World Athletics for use in competition, currently. This colorway looks a lot like the existing Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+, but when we zoom in closer we don’t see any labels, and the sidewall of the midsole looks different than the shoe you can buy now.

3rd — Leonard Korir, 2:09:57

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly 3

Korir laced up the latest Alphafly and might just have run himself onto the squad headed for Paris. We reviewed the Alphafly 3 recently.

4th — Elkanah Kibet, 2:10:02

Asics Metaspeed Edge 3 prototype

Kibet is wearing a prototype, like Young. His, however, appears to be the Metaspeed Edge. You can see the ridge on the sidewall of the forefoot swoops down low toward the sole of the shoe. The Edge’s plate curves lower, allowing for more foam between your foot and the plate than in the Sky.

5th — CJ Albertson, 2:10:07

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 prototype

It looks like CJ is wearing Brooks’s top racing shoe, which was just announced. But, the company also has a “Hyperion Elite 4 RD.010” prototype shoe that was approved by World Athletics for use in competition just two weeks ago. It’s likely he wore that version (we don’t have details yet) but the outsole of CJ’s race shoe has gray rubber, whereas the newly announced version has a web of black and orange rubber.

6th — Zach Panning, 2:10:50

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 prototype

Panning seems to be wearing the same prototype of the Hyperion Elite 4 that CJ wore.

7th — Nathan Martin, 2:11:00

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly 3

8th — Josh Izewski, 2:11:09

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly 3

9th — Reed Fischer, 2:11:34

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

Fischer rolled to a top-10 finish with an all-white version of the Adios Pro 3. Adidas does not have any prototypes on the list of approved shoes as of race day.

10th — Colin Bennie, 2:12:17

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 prototype

Bennie seems to be wearing the same prototype as Albertson and Panning.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

1st — Fiona O’Keeffe, 2:22:10

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

Not a bad first effort for O’Keeffe and Puma. Fiona won her first marathon in record fashion. And Puma claimed victory with the Deviate Elite 3 on the first day it was approved for use in competition. The World Athletics approved shoe list shows the 3 green lighted for use as a “development” as of Feb. 3, 2024.

2nd — Emily Sisson, 2:22:42

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer

New Balance has a new super shoe, the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, out. But Sisson laced up the thinner, lighter Pacer. It’s a shoe most of us recreational runners might only grab for a 5K or 10K (maybe). Seems like it’s working just fine for the American record holder.

3rd — Dakotah Lindwurm, 2:25:31

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

Lindwurm also wore the new Puma racer. Hey, Puma, need me to re-send my address? 

4th — Jessica McClain, 2:25:46

Nike Vaporfly 3

This marks an insane shift in racing footwear. On the men’s side, four of the top 10 runners laced up Nike. Only McClain, the team’s first alternate, cracked the top 10 women’s runners wearing the swoosh. Folks, we’re living in the golden age of running shoes. Pick the pair that fits and feels best—and rip it.

5th — Sara Hall, 2:26:06

Asics Metaspeed Edge 3 prototype

Like Kibet, it appears Hall wore the Metaspeed Edge prototype.

6th — Caroline Rotich, 2:26:10

Asics Metaspeed Edge+

Unlike Hall, Kibet, and Young, Rotich’s shoe seems to be the current Metaspeed Edge+ that you can buy right now.

7th — Makenna Myler, 2:26:14

Asics Metaspeed Sky 3 prototype

Myler is likely wearing the Sky 3 prototype—again, check out that ridge in the forefoot; it’s closer to the foot. One heck of a day for Asics, if I do say so.

8th — Lindsay Flanagan, 2:26:25

Asics Metaspeed Edge 3 prototype

N + 1.

9th — Emily Durgin, 2:27:56

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

Durgin held onto a top-10 finish wearing Adidas’s most popular marathon racer.

10th — Annie Frisbie, 2:27:56

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

Asics packed four runners in the top 10, but Frisbie finished strong to give Puma a triumphant trio, all wearing the new Deviate Elite 3.

Malaga's Half Marathon has experienced some remarkable growth in recent times. Last October witnessed one of its most successful editions, shattering records in both categories and boasting significant participation numbers, with over 4,000 athletes donning their race numbers to take part.

However, the accolades don't end there. World Athletics, the foremost athletics organization globally, has now compiled a ranking assessing the quality of Spain's half marathons. In it, Malaga has secured third spot with an impressive score of 9,461.

It falls just behind Valencia (awarded 10,853 points) and Barcelona (with 10,076 points). Seville, in seventh with a score of 9,176, is the only other Andalusian city that comes close.

Unique characteristics

The reason for such a high ranking are the unique characteristics that set it apart. It holds the distinction of being the half marathon with the fewest curves across the entire continent, featuring just seven bends.

What's more, the records set in the latest edition by Kenyan runner Geoffrey Toroitich (59:13) and compatriot Caroline Nyaguthii (1h 07:36) position the Malaga Half Marathon among the top five fastest in the country and within the twenty fastest in Europe.

New date

As a result, all signs point to the event breaking its registration record in the upcoming 2024 edition, slated for 10 March.

This year, the event reverts to its original date, in the early months of the year, meaning that there are just over two months left until it takes place.

So far, registrations have already surpassed 3,000 participants, indicating a promising turnout.

The 128th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America will feature the strongest women’s field in race history, led by defending champions Hellen Obiri and Susannah Scaroni. A total of 19 women with personal bests under 2:23:00 will line up in Hopkinton aiming to earn the Open Division crown, including Olympians, Abbott World Marathon Majors winners, and national stars. In the Wheelchair and Para Athletics Divisions, Paralympic hopefuls from around the world are set to compete.

“The Boston Marathon is proud to showcase the world’s best athletes year in and year out on Patriots’ Day,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “This year’s women’s field is exceptionally fast and showcases many who’ve been podium finishers on the global stage. It’ll make for an exciting race from Hopkinton to Boston, and we look forward to crowning our champions on April 15.”

Women from 20 countries will be competing as part of the Bank of America Professional Athlete Team.

“Each year, the Boston Marathon sets the bar higher with an unbelievable level of athletic talent, and its impact on communities around the world,” said David Tyrie, chief digital officer and chief marketing officer, Bank of America. “The 128th Boston Marathon builds on a rich history and will continue to be an inspiration for all athletes.”

HELLEN OBIRI SET TO DEFEND OPEN DIVISION TITLE

Hellen Obiri, a two-time Olympic silver medalist from Kenya now living in Colorado, won the 2023 Boston Marathon thanks to a perfectly-timed sprint in the final mile. Adding to her trophy case, Obiri also took home the 2023 B.A.A. 10K title in June and the TCS New York City Marathon crown in November.

“I am excited to return to the 2024 Boston Marathon to try to defend my title,” said Obiri, who finished last year’s race in 2:21:38. “Boston is an historic race and I would like to add my name further to its history on April 15. Winning such an historic marathon with my family waiting at the finish line was an amazing experience.”

A trifecta of Ethiopians with lifetime bests under 2:18:00 will take to the Boston course. Worknesh Degefa, the 2019 Boston Marathon champion, returns, while 2:17:36 marathoner Tadu Teshome will make her Boston debut and Hiwot Gebremaryam aims to improve upon her eighth-place finish last year. Also from Ethiopia is World championships medalist Senbere Teferi; she won the 2022 B.A.A. 5K in a course record 14:49 and has shown talent at the longer distances. Experienced marathoner Ababel Yeshaneh –second in 2022 and fourth in 2023— will try to become the seventh woman from Ethiopia to win the olive wreath in Boston.

Joining Obiri from Kenya are 2022 World Athletics Championships Marathon silver medalist Judith Korir; two-time Boston Marathon winner Edna Kiplagat; four-time top-ten finisher Mary Ngugi-Cooper; and 2022 TCS New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi. Helah Kiprop, who holds a silver medal in the marathon from the 2015 World Athletics Championships and has earned wins in Tokyo, Copenhagen, and Paris, makes her second career Boston start. From Morocco is 2023 World Athletics Championships Marathon bronze medalist Fatima Gardadi.

Desiree Linden leads the American contingent six years after winning the 2018 title. Linden has finished in the top-five five times, and holds the third fastest time by an American ever on the Hopkinton-to-Boston route (2:22:38). Linden will run her fifth U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February. Joining her is Emma Bates who finished fifth last year in the second-fastest time ever by an American woman at Boston (2:22:10).

“At this point in my career it’s an easy decision to return to the Boston Marathon and make it my top priority race of the spring,” said Linden. “I can’t wait to take on the iconic course for an 11th time and have the opportunity to mix it up with some of the best runners in the world.” 

128TH BOSTON MARATHON PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S FIELDS

 Women’s Open Division

Country

Personal Best

Worknesh Degefa

ETH

2:15:51 (Valencia, 2023)

Tadu Teshome

ETH

2:17:36 (Valencia, 2022)

Hiwot Gebremaryam

ETH

2:17:59 (Valencia, 2023)

Judith Korir

KEN

2:18:20 (Eugene, 2022)

Meseret Belete

ETH

2:18:21 (Amsterdam, 2023)

Tiruye Mesfin

ETH

2:18:47 (Valencia, 2022)

Worknesh Edesa

ETH

2:18:51 (Berlin, 2022)

Zeineba Yimer

ETH

2:19:07 (Berlin 2023)

Senbere Teferi

ETH

2:19:21 (Berlin, 2023)

Dera Dida

ETH

2:19:24 (Berlin, 2023)

Edna Kiplagat

KEN

2:19:50 (London, 2012)*

Mary Ngugi-Cooper

KEN

2:20:22 (London, 2022)

Nazret Weldu Gebrehiwet

ERI

2:20:29 (Eugene) NR

Ababel Yeshaneh

ETH

2:20:51 (Chicago, 2019)

Vibian Chepkirui

KEN

2:20:59 (Vienna, 2022)

Helah Kiprop

KEN

2:21:27 (Tokyo, 2016)

Hellen Obiri

KEN

2:21:38 (Boston, 2023)

Emma Bates

USA

2:22:10 (Boston, 2023)

Desiree Linden

USA

2:22:38 (Boston, 2011)*

Buze Diriba

ETH

2:23:11 (Toronto, 2023)

Sharon Lokedi

KEN

2:23:23 (New York City, 2022)

Malindi Elmore

CAN

2:23:30 (Berlin, 2023)*

Fatima Gardadi

MOR

2:24:12 (Xiamen, 2024)

Angie Orjuela

COL

2:25:35 (Berlin, 2023) NR

Fabienne Konigstein

GER

2:25:48 (Hamburg, 2023)

Jackie Gaughan

USA

2:27:08 (Berlin, 2023)

Dominique Scott

RSA

2:27:31 (Chicago, 2023)

Grace Kahura

KEN

2:29:00 (Sacramento, 2023)

Katie Kellner

USA

2:32:48 (Berlin, 2023)

Briana Boehmer

USA

2:33:20 (Sacramento, 2021)

Dylan Hassett

IRL

2:33:25 (Pulford, 2021)

Parley Hannan

USA

2:33:43 (Carmel, 2023)

Sara Lopez

USA

2:33:48 (Eugene, 2023)

Annie Heffernan

USA

2:34:33 (Lowell, 2023)

Nera Jareb

AUS

2:35:00 (Queensland, 2022)*

Johanna Backlund

SWE

2:35:10 (Hamburg, 2019)

Argentina Valdepenas Cerna

MEX

2:35:34 (Chicago, 2022)*

Ariane Hendrix Roach

USA

2:35:39 (Sacramento, 2022)

Michelle Krezonoski

CAN

2:36:39 (Sacramento, 2022)

Shannon Smith

USA

2:36:43 (Columbus, 2023)

Caroline Williams

USA

2:37:01 (Sacramento, 2022)

Gina Rouse

USA

2:37:10 (Sacramento, 2023)*

Kim Krezonoski

CAN

2:37:20 (Sacramento, 2022)

Abigail Corrigan

USA

2:37:45 (Sacramento, 2023)

Marissa Lenger

USA

2:38:41 (Chicago, 2022)

Emilee Risteen

USA

2:38:46 (Duluth, 2023)

Isabelle Pickett

AUS

2:38:46 (Valencia, 2023)

Allie Hackett

USA

2:38:52 (Duluth, 2023

Mary Christensen

USA

2:38:55 (Big Bear, 2023)

Olivia Anger

USA

2:39:13 (Indianapolis, 2023)

April Lund

USA

2:39:23 (Houston, 2022)*

Sarah Short

AUS

2:39:51 (Valencia, 2023)

Maura Lemon

USA

2:40:30 (Valley Cottage, 2023)

Sarah Sibert

USA

2:40:31 (Philadelphia, 2022)

Lauren Ames

USA

2:40:34 (Valley Cottage, 2023)

Kassie Harmon

USA

2:41:48 (Utah Valley, 2023)*

Elizabeth Camy

USA

2:42:51 (Sacramento, 2022)*

Alexandra Niles

USA

2:43:23 (Hartford, 2022)*

Amber Morrison

USA

2:43:50 (Sacramento, 2022)*

Mindy Mammen

USA

2:44:01 (Duluth, 2023)*

Ziyang Liu

USA

2:44:56 (Eugene, 2023)*

*Denotes Masters Division (40+)

Edwin Kiptoo of Kenya set a new course record at the 40th Athens Marathon in 2:10:34 on Sunday, slicing three seconds off of the previous record of 2:10:37 set by fellow Kenyan Felix Kipchirchir Kandie in 2014.

"I was not well prepared for the race. I did not expect to break the record. I thank my family for giving me ample time to prepare for this marathon," said the 30-year-old who shook off his main challengers over the second half of the course and ran the last 10 kilometers alone.

Kiptoo's compatriots Rhonzai Lokitam Kilimo and Felicien Muhitira of Rwanda finished second and third in the men's event. Moroccan Soukaina Atanane finished first in the women's category in 2:31:52, followed by Kenya's Caroline Jepchirchir and local Gloria Privileggio. 

The event attracted some 70,000 runners from 140 countries and regions in the 42km course, as well as the 10km, 5km and kids' races, setting a record high of participants, according to the Hellenic Athletics Federation. The 42km classic course from Marathon city to Athens follows in the footsteps of ancient soldier Pheidippides who inspired the race.

The Athens Marathon has a relatively hilly route, which somehow makes it almost impossible for runners to set a world record here, with the course rising almost continuously between the 17th and 32nd kilometers before descending most of the rest of the way.

The reigning Iten Marathon champion, Caroline Jepchirchir will be the star to watch at the 40th edition of the Athens Classic Marathon scheduled for this Sunday (12) in Athens, Greece.

The 35 year-old comes to this race with a personal best 2:26.11 that she got last year at the Enschede Marathon where she finished in fourth place.

Jepchirchir will battle for honors with eleven time Lithuania’s National champion, Vaida Zusinaite-Nekriosiene, who comes to this race with a life time best of 2:32.50 that she got in 2016 at the Hannover Marathon.

Jepchirchir will be targeting to lower the race course record of 2:31.06 set thirteen years ago by Lithuania’s Rasa Drazdauskaitė.

 

Kenyan runners Geofry Toroitich and Boniface Kibiwott set new records in the men's category and Caroline Nyaguthii and Veronica Loleo in the women's during a windy day in the city.

The 32nd edition of the TotalEnergies Malaga Half Marathon saw records smashed left, right and center. In fact, four records were broken, exclusively by Kenyan athletes, as the race unraveled on the streets of Malaga city on Sunday morning.

In the men's category, Geofry Toroitich, with a time of 59:13, and Boniface Kibiwott (59:23) shattered the race record, beating Josphat Kiptoo Chumo's 2022 time by one minute and 22 seconds.

An early lead

Despite the headwinds in the first section, the race started well for both, with the five-kilometer mark reached in 13:52, and the 10-kilometer point at 27:58. By the 15-kilometer mark (at 2:48 per kilometer), the leading duo was already firmly established.

In the women's race, compatriots Caroline Nyaguthii (1h.07:36) and Veronica Loleo (1h.08:03) also set new records for the event. Both athlete's times far surpassed the previous mark of 1h.10:20.

Long straights and few curves

As evidenced by the new times, the Malaga Half Marathon features an ideal course - starting and finishing at the city's athletics stadium - for setting records, with long straights, only six curves and minimal elevation changes.

The route was mostly flat, along the Malaga coast and around the port, with just one steep incline at the end of Paseo de los Curas.

With some six thousand athletes participating in the race, the event has become one of Spain's top half marathons and the 22nd fastest in the world.

On a windy marathon morning in Toronto, the women’s race came down to the wire, as four athletes, all of them from Ethiopia, finished within seven seconds of each other. Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba Kejela was quickest to the line, taking the win in 2:23:11–a five-minute personal best. 

Diriba was closely followed by 2023 Ottawa Marathon champion Waganesh Mekasha in second place (2:23:12) and Afera Godfay in third (2:23:15). This was the closest finish between a top three in the race’s history. The women were paced by Kingston, Ont.’s Kevin Coffey through 30K.

Fozya Jemal Amid was right on their heels, finishing fourth in 2:23:18 (a personal best); the U.S.’s Emily Durgin finished fifth in 2:26:46 in her debut marathon, nabbing herself a 2024 Olympic marathon qualifying time in the closest of margins. Durgin was the fastest North American finisher on the course, finishing three minutes ahead of her compatriot Molly Grabill. 

The women were within course record pace for most of the race, but the chilly wind on Toronto’s lakeshore took its toll, and the women’s course record of 2:22:16, set in 2019 by Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai, remained intact.

Godfay, who held the fastest seed heading into the race, did not push the pace, never taking a turn at the front to block the wind. “I came here to win, and was upset not to,” said Godfay on her third-place finish. “More speed won at the end.”

At the post-race press conference, Diriba credited her track speed for her ability to separate from the four women in the final kilometre. (She has a personal best of 14:50 for 5,000m.) She came into Sunday’s marathon with a PB of 2:28:06 from the 2019 Houston Marathon. 

Pomerleau wins Canadian title

Caroline Pomerleau of Quebec was the surprise winner of the Canadian Marathon Championships, placing 10th overall in her marathon debut, in 2:34:44. 

Pomerleau’s goal heading into her first marathon was to run under 2:40. On the final corner, she overtook Anne-Marie Comeau, who had been leading the Canadian women for most of the second half of the race, beating her by seven seconds; Comeau finished as second Canadian, in 2:34:51. Tokyo Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky rounded out the Canadian women’s podium for third, finishing in 2:35:50.

An eventful GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON produced a Kenyan double triumph on Sunday. In fine weather conditions Bernard Muia clocked 2:09:17. This is the second fastest winning time in the history of the race which saw its 37th edition. Catherine Cherotich took the women’s race crossing the finish line in the Munich Olympic Stadium in 2:31:34. Germany’s Sebastian Hendel was the fastest European runner in fifth place with a personal best of 2:10:14. However he missed the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10. 

The men’s leading group passed the half way mark in 64:29, which was almost exactly the split time targeted. With less than ten kilometers to go Kenyans Bernard Muia and Benson Nzioki pushed the pace, breaking up the leading group. They covered the kilometre sections from 34 to 36k in 2:56, 2:58 and 2:53 and built a decisive lead. It was then Bernard Muia - a training partner of the World Half Marathon Championships’ bronze medallist Samwel Mailu - who left behind his compatriot in the final kilometre.

The 28 year-old was first over the line with 2:09:17 after he was added to the Munich elite field only on Tuesday. He had been training for a marathon and was accepted in Munich after an other athlete had to cancel his start. Marathon debutant Benson Nzioki took second in 2:09:12 while Mica Cheserek completed the Kenyan podium with 2:09:26. 

The men’s leading group was unfortunate during the race when they missed a turn shortly before the 10k mark. The group had to turn around and lost about half a minute. „It is a pity that something like this has occurred, but unfortunately it can happen in a marathon. At least I know I am stronger than in 2022 and should be able to run sub 2:10 next time,“ said Sebastian Hendel, who ran 2:10:37 in Munich a year ago in his debut and now improved by 23 seconds.

The women had a major problem in this section of the course as well, when they were misguided and took the same turn too early. They were suddenly around 600 m short and their times would have been invalid. However organisers staged a unique rescue mission for these athletes by adding two laps for the affected runners in the Olympic Stadium before the finish.

There was an all-Kenyan podium in the women’s race as well: Catherine Cherotich, who left behind Teclah Chebet just before the 30k mark, was the winner with 2:31:34. Chebet took second in 2:32:13 while Flomena Ngurasia followed in third with 2:33:17. "Of course I was very tired, but the spectators pushed me towards the finish line on these two laps in the stadium. The atmosphere was great,“ said 28 year-old Catherine Cherotich. 

“I have never experienced anything like this in 23 years of organizing this race. I can not point the finger on anyone. The section of the course where they took the wrong turns contains major road works and it was all very confusing,“ said Race Director Gernot Weigl, who was still happy with the overall event: “We had thrilling races and there was a lot of excitement.“

A total of 21,647 runners from 87 nations entered the 37th edition of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON, including races at shorter distances. 5,210 of them were marathon runners, making the event the fourth biggest German marathon.

Results:

Men:

1  Bernard Muia KEN 2:09:17

2  Benson Nzioki KEN 2:09:21

3  Mica Cheserek KEN 2:09:26

4  Cosmas Kiplimo KEN 2:10:07

5  Sebastian Hendel GER 2:10:14

6  Amos Birgen KEN 2:11:15

7  Luke Kibet KEN 2:11:41

8  Merhawi Ghebreslasie FRA 2:17:33

Women:

1  Catherine Cherotich KEN 2:31:34

2  Teclah Chebet KEN 2:32:13

3  Flomena Ngurasia KEN 2:33:17

4  Caroline Chepkwony KEN 2:36:32

5 Beatrice Cheburet KEN 2:46:42

A group of Kenyan runners headed by Luke Kibet could be challenged by Sebastian Hendel in the race for victory at the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON on Sunday. The German elite runner hopes to dip under the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10 when he will finish in the Munich Olympic Stadium. Athletes from Kenya are the fastest on the women’s start list as well. Catherine Cherotich has a personal best of 2:26:41.

Including events at shorter distances well over 20,000 runners have so far registered for the 37th edition of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON. More than 5,000 of them will run the classic distance through the Bavarian capital, starting and finishing inside the Olympic Stadium. Entries are still accepted at: www.generalimuenchenmarathon.de

The GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON will be streamed live from 8.55 am (CET).

"After a great elite race comeback with two course records a year ago we are now looking forward to more thrilling races at the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON on Sunday. Additionally I hope that Sebastian Hendel can produce a strong performance and makes the next step with a sub 2:10 time,“ said Race Director Gernot Weigl. Relatively warm temperatures are expected around midday on Sunday. While the elite athletes will have already finished their races water supply at the course has been increased for the fun runners. 

With a personal record of 2:08:45 Luke Kibet is the fastest runner on the start list. The 28 year-old Kenyan achieved this time in Chuncheon, Korea, four years ago. Kibet has prepared for the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON in Iten, Kenya, where he joined the strong training group of Germany’s marathon record holder Amanal Petros. While compatriots Edwin Kimaiyo and Cosmas Kiplimo are number two and three on the start list with PBs of 2:09:12 and 2:09:44 respectively Bernard Muia could be in for a surprise.

He has only a 2:13:40 to his credit so far, but the Kenyan ran this time in Nairobi in high altitude. Muia is a training partner of Samwel Mailu, the course record holder of the Vienna City Marathon and world half marathon championships bronze medalist. He is a said to be in fine form. Benson Nzioki, also from Kenya, is tipped to produce a good debut. 

Sebastian Hendel was fourth in Munich a year ago with a 2:10:37 debut. When the 27 year-old returns to the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON he wants to break 2:10 and hopes to become the third German to break the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10. “My shape is good and actually better than a year ago. I want to run the first half in 64:20 and then hope to achieve the Olympic standard with a negative split,“ said Sebastian Hendel. If he should be able to run such a time he will most probably be in contention for victory as well.

With personal bests of around 2:27:00 three Kenyan women head the elite start list. With 2:26:41 Catherine Cherotich is the fastest of the three. It is worth noting that she ran her PB in Nairobi. Because of the high altitude she should be able to run faster on Sunday in Munich. While Caroline Chepkwony took the Enschede Marathon in 2019 with 2:27:00 Munich’s elite race coordinator Michael Kraus expects Teclah Chebet to do well. She has won six of her seven marathons and most recently took the race in Linz, Austria, this spring with a PB of 2:27:18.

Elite runners with personal bests:

MEN

Luke Kibet KEN 2:08:45

Edwin Kimaiyo KEN 2:09:12

Cosmas Kiplimo KEN 2:09:44

Sebastian Hendel GER 2:10:37

Cornelius Chepkok KEN 2:11:46

Jackson Rutto KEN 2:12:02

Merhawi Ghebreslasie FRA 2:12:34

Amos Birgen KEN 2:13:09

Bernard Muia KEN 2:13:40 

Alessandro Giacobazzi ITA 2:15:25

Benson Nzioki KEN Debüt

WOMEN

Catherine Cherotich KEN 2:26:41

Caroline Chepkwony KEN 2:27:00

Teclah Chebet KEN 2:27:18

Beatrice Cheburet KEN 2:30:41

Flomens Ngurasia KEN 2:30:42

Kenya’s Caroline Jepchirchir will lead a strong Kenyan team at the 37th edition of the Generali Munich Marathon scheduled on October 08, 2023 Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany.

The 35 year-old who is also the reigning Iten Marathon champion,  comes to this race with a life time best of 2:26.11 that she got last year at the Enschede Marathon where she finished in fourth place.

Jepchirchir will have to get past Tecla Chebet who has won six of her seven marathons with her latest being Linz Marathon where she posted her personal best of 2:27.18.

The two Kenyans will be chasing to lower the race course record of 2:23.09 that was set last year by their compatriot Agnes Keiono who destroyed the previous record of 2:33.09 that had stood for thirty one years by Karolina Szabó from Hungary.

“In 2022 we successfully came back with international elite racing and it is now our aim to further establish our position at this higher level. Last year’s course records proved that our course is not only very attractive regarding the sightseeing features but very fast as well. A marathon weekend trip to Munich is definitely worth it, “said Race Director Gernot Weigl.

Edwin Kimaiyo will be returning to Germany with the hope of achieving a podium finish at the Munich Marathon scheduled for Sunday October 8.

Germany is definitely one of the favorite destinations for Kimaiyo and he will be hoping to improve on his performance from last year.

During the 2022 edition of the race, the 37-year-old finished fifth. With mastery of the course, he will definitely pull a surprise performance.

Kimaiyo has a Personal Best time of 2:09:12 and he is the fastest in the men’s field currently in Germany’s fourth biggest marathon.

The Kenyan has vast experience and he took a fine third place at the 2011 Berlin Marathon with 2:09:50. He will be joined by compatriot Cosmas Kiplimo who is still a newcomer to international road racing.

He made his international debut at the Linz Marathon in Austria last year, clocking 2:09:44 for 11th place. He finished third at the Geneva Marathon earlier this year.

Sebastian Hendel will lead the home charge and he will be returning to the Munich Marathon as well. He goes into the race after clocking 2:11:29 at the Vienna City Marathon.

In the women’s field, Caroline Jepchirchir leads the field with a PB time of 2:26:11. The 35-year-old ran her personal best in Enschede, Netherlands, in 2022 when she settled for fourth.

Her compatriot, Tecla Chebet will be among her challengers but she is yet to run a major international marathon. Jepchirchir has managed to bag six of her seven international marathons. This year the Kenyan took the Linz Marathon with a personal record of 2:27:18.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the 37th edition of the event are expecting a field of around 22,000 runners including races at shorter distances. It was noted that around 7,000 of them will run the marathon.

Not every runner chooses to complement their toughest training sessions with a soundtrack, but those who do run to music tend to select songs that lift their spirits—and possibly even their performance. There’s no doubt the right song can put a spring in a runner’s step as the legs tire in the darker moments of a long run, or make a scamper along a sun-dappled forest trail seem that much more serene.

But should music‘s role as a training tool be limited to making us feel better? I say no. Learning to cope with fatigue and exhaustion is important in other parts of training. Running on tired legs at the peak of marathon training feels pretty crummy at the time, but it can reap big rewards on race day. In the same way putting our legs through the wringer can build our physical resilience, perhaps panic-inducing tunes can fortify our mental resilience during training, giving us the confidence to know we can endure frantic doubts and crashing emotional lows on race day.

Consider adding these songs to your panicky running playlist to help you build mental resilience on training runs.

Tarred and Feathered by Cardiacs

This truly frantic piece of post-punk progressive rock unleashes the panic right out of the gates, keeping up its unrelenting tempo until the halfway point, then steadily growing slower and weaker. Great for simulating the mental distress of your GPS watch battery dying right at the start line or running the first half of your race way too fast, then ignominiously flaming out.

Snooze by Toots Thielemans

A classic by one of the titans of jazz harmonica, this song isn’t nearly as frantic, but it does a great job of inducing the dull, steady anguish that comes from fretting over non-running related matters during a race. Did I park the car in a tow-away zone? Did I remember to fill the cat’s food dish?

Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond (Diagnostix Bootleg)

This remix of the soft-rock classic begins with the warmth of a welcomingly familiar voice—with only slight hints that something is askew—and lulls the listener into a false sense of security before going horribly, horribly wrong. Masterfully mimics the mental torture of being on pace to PB your favourite race course, then pulling your 

Gimme Summn by TNGHT

A great song for simulating the panic of simultaneously being lost on a race course and swallowing way too many energy gels. As a bonus, the video—by Canadian artist and animator Cole Kush—really drives home how depressingly fleeting life is, and that you should get your runs in while there’s still time.

We had an amazing morning in San Francisco for our 9th annual Golden Gate Double 8k (5k+break+3k) and our Golden Gate 10k/5k.   We had 452 registered runners.  The weather was perfect.  Like in the 50-60’s with hardly any wind.  And we could see the GG bridge the whole time.  

Congrats to our Double winners: the current king of the Double Anthony Cortes clocked 25:20 (15:52 + 9:28) for the win.  14-yearly-old Caroline Chang did her first double today and won clocking 32:03.

There were two world bests set today.  71-year-old Suzanne Koonce (second photo) from Menlo Park, California smashed the current 70  plus record set by Sharlet Gilbert of 43:38.  Suzanne clocked 41:48 today.  

Bobby Hastings of Chico, California set the record for 60-69 a couple of years back of 31:39, a time that was nearly two minutes ahead of everyone else.  Today he focused on beating that time and he did clocking 31:29.

The next double racing event is set for Dec 16th in Palo Alto California. The featured event, the Double 15k (10k+test+5k) will be run.  There will also be the Palo Alto 10k/5k and the Bob Anderson’s one mile kids run (kids 13 and under).

The latest results from the 2023 Wharf to Wharf 6 Mile race, which took place on Sunday, 23 July, in the City of Capitola. This year was the 49th edition of the event, and the races were won by Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema, who set a course record to win the women’s contest, and USA’s Diego Estrada, the winner of the men’s race.

Highlighting the 2023 Wharf to Wharf 6 Mile competition, which took place in California, was the record-breaking performance by Tigist Ketema, who clocked an impressive 29:51 to secure the victory. Her time was a new women’s course record, and she pocketed USD $4000 for her effort.

The previous Wharf to Wharf 6 Mile course record of 29:59 was set by Kenya’s Caroline Rotich in 2018.

Kenya’s Sarah Naibei ran a time of 30:13 to take second place behind Ketema to collect USD $3000, with third place going to Ethiopia’s Werkuha Getachew, who clocked 30:37 and earned USD $2000.

Meanwhile, USA’s defending champion Ednah Kurgat, who clocked 30:29 to win last year’s race, was only fourth this year in 30:38.

Diego Estrada Dominates Men’s Race

In the 2023 Wharf to Wharf 6 Mile men’s race, experienced runner Diego Estrada returned from his second-place finish to Emmanuel Bor last to clock 27:14 to run away with the title this year and earned USD $4000, plus an additional USD $1000 in bonus money.

Kenya’s Josphat Kipchirchir clocked in at 27:48 for second place, with his fellow countryman, Shadrack Keter, following home closely at 27:50 in third place. USA’s Colin Bennie (27:56) and Ben Blankenship (28:02) rounded out the top five men’s finishers.

The BAA 10K is this Sunday in Boston. The elites—as well as a mass field of nearly 10,000 runners—will race through the streets of the Back Bay neighborhood.

Emily Sisson has her eyes on another American record; she’s been on a tear the past year on the roads. In October, at the 2022 Chicago Marathon, she took 43 seconds off Keira D’Amato’s American record, running 2:18:29 for second place. Three months later, at the Houston Half Marathon, she broke her own American record, crossing the line in 1:06:52. She’s setting her sights on Shalane Flanagan’s 10K record of 30:52, which Flanagan set at the 2016 edition of the BAA 10K.

Also toeing the line is Molly Seidel, who’s been running some shorter races to prepare for a fall marathon. In February, she finished eighth at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in 1:13:08.

A slew of former Boston Marathon champions are also competing on Sunday. Hellen Obiri, who won April’s race, will line up next to two-time champion Edna Kiplagat and 2015 winner Caroline Rotich. The course record of 30:36 could be up for grabs.

The men’s field is highlighted by 2021 Boston Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, who won the BAA 10K in 2018. American Leonard Korir returns as the race’s reigning champion, taking last year’s win in 28:00—12 seconds off the American record of 27:48 that has stood since 1985. Gabriel Geay, Geoffrey Koech, and Tsegay Kidanu should also be in contention.

Those in the Boston area can catch coverage of the race on WCVB. The BAA Racing App will also provide live updates and results, but there is no stream of the race. The elites are scheduled to start at 8 a.m. ET.

Iten International Marathon champion Samuel Naibei has confirmed participation at next Nairobi City Marathon.

Speaking in Iten on Thursday after receiving his Sh1 million cheque for winning the inaugural Iten race in December last year, Naibei said he has set his focus to compete in the Nairobi International Marathon.

“I will be competing at the Nairobi Marathon that will mostly be concentrated on the Expressway” he said.

“Just a month ago, I competed at the Nelson Mandela Half Marathon in South Africa, which I won in  61 minutes. I am ready to improve on it.”

Naibei won the men’s race in Iten while Caroline Jepchirchir ruled the women’s category.

In Iten, Naibei edged out experienced marathoners on his debut including Albert Kangogo among others in a time of 2:08:43. Joshua Kogo came second in 2:10:35 while Kangogo completed the podium positions in 2:11:46.

Naibei said they are on course as far as training is concerned and promised to do well in Nairobi. “Running 2:08 in Iten is easy but not so good for me. I want to do more,” he said.  “We are running well in this region because coaches are doing a great job.”