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Articles tagged #Jakob Ingebrigtsen
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The story of Jakob, Henrik, and Filip Ingebrigtsen is one of extraordinary athletic success, but it is also deeply intertwined with the intense and often controversial coaching methods of their father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen.
As the driving force behind their rise to middle-distance running dominance, Gjert’s methods pushed his sons to achieve Olympic golds, world records, and international acclaim. However, recent revelations about the emotional and physical toll of his coaching style have added complexity to this narrative of triumph.
The Making of Champions
Gjert Ingebrigtsen approached coaching with a scientific precision, designing rigorous training plans that tested the physical and mental boundaries of his sons. From a young age, Jakob, Henrik, and Filip were subjected to high-pressure environments that demanded discipline and focus far beyond what most young athletes experience. This relentless drive for perfection produced remarkable results:
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the youngest of the brothers, is the reigning Olympic champion in the 1500m (2020 Tokyo) and the 5000m (2024 Paris). He also holds world records in events ranging from the 2000m to the two-mile distance.
Henrik and Filip have also claimed European titles and made their mark in global competitions, showcasing the strength of Gjert’s training philosophy.
Central to Gjert’s success was his ability to push his sons far outside their comfort zones, a critical skill in elite racing where discomfort is inevitable. Jakob’s fearless racing style, where he often dictates the pace from the front, exemplifies the mental toughness forged under his father’s guidance.
The Cost of Greatness
While Gjert’s methods undeniably built champions, they also came at a significant emotional cost. In October 2023, the brothers publicly accused their father of aggression, control, and physical violence during their upbringing and training. Gjert has denied these allegations, but the legal case and its impact on the family dynamic have cast a shadow over their achievements.
Jakob and his brothers have spoken about the challenges of growing up in a high-pressure environment. The emotional strain, coupled with Gjert’s demanding expectations, led to a complex relationship between father and sons. While the discipline and mental resilience instilled by Gjert have undoubtedly contributed to their success, the allegations highlight the fine line between rigorous coaching and harmful behavior.
Jakob’s Success Amid Adversity
Despite the personal challenges, Jakob continues to dominate the global stage. In 2024, he won his second Olympic gold in the 5000m at the Paris Games, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest distance runners of all time. His ability to consistently perform under pressure reflects not only his physical talent but also the mental toughness cultivated during his father’s intensive coaching.
Jakob’s racing style—marked by a willingness to embrace discomfort and push beyond limits—bears the hallmark of Gjert’s philosophy. However, as he and his brothers navigate their careers independently, they are forging their own paths while acknowledging the dual impact of their father’s legacy.
A Complicated Legacy
Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s role in his sons’ success cannot be overstated. His unrelenting pursuit of excellence shaped them into some of the most formidable athletes in the history of middle-distance running. Yet, the recent revelations remind us that behind every champion is a story of sacrifice, struggle, and, sometimes, pain.
The Ingebrigtsen family’s journey raises important questions about the balance between ambition and well-being. While Gjert’s methods produced results that few could argue with, they also left scars that the brothers are now working to heal. Their story serves as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale about the cost of greatness.
As Jakob continues to inspire the running world with his performances, the legacy of Gjert’s coaching will remain a defining, if complicated, part of the Ingebrigtsen story.
(01/27/2025) Views: 566 ⚡AMPNorwegian middle-distance sensation Jakob Ingebrigtsen is set to make his indoor mile debut at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophee EDF in Lievin on February 13. The 24-year-old will return to the venue where he set his world indoor 1500m record of 3:30.60 during the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in 2022.
Since that record-breaking performance, Ingebrigtsen has continued to dominate, setting outdoor world records in the 2000m and 3000m, as well as achieving a world best for two miles. The reigning world and Olympic 5000m champion also holds a European record for the mile with a blistering time of 3:43.73, placing him third on the world all-time list.
A three-time winner in Lievin, Ingebrigtsen claimed victories in the 1500m in 2021 and 2023, alongside his record-setting performance in 2022. His debut in the indoor mile is expected to be one of the season’s most anticipated events.
(01/15/2025) Views: 165 ⚡AMPIf you’ve been on social media lately, you might have seen your friends making in-and-out lists. It’s been a thing for a few years—maybe less-so now—but the idea is to come up with some trends that you think will be popular and unpopular.
The best ones are fun and off the top of the head. Some of the thought-out ones about culture are kind of annoying. (Yeah, everyone agrees that “being mean” is out in 2025.)
So I took the idea and applied it to my own running. Remember, these are specific to my experience. They’re not mandates or absolutes or even advice.
And at the end of the year, feel free to call me out if I was wrong. I probably was.
Out: Showering between runs
In a normal training week, I run twice a day on Wednesday and Thursday. Those are my recovery days, and I use them as a chance to get ahead on my weekly mileage. Usually, I run between 60 and 85 miles a week during marathon training, so to break it up, I’ll run once before work and then again during lunch or after work. Also known as “doubling.”
But that laundry piles up fast.
So on days when I work from home, sometimes I’ll put off my shower and stay in my workout clothes until my next run or weightlifting session. I live alone, so there’s no one to complain about my odor. (If you live with a roommate, partner, or family, use this strategy at your own risk.)
In: Wearing ugly race T-shirts
Remember the race T-shirts of the 2000s? The ones that looked like they were designed by a middle schooler and had no fewer than 1,000 ads on the back? I’ve gotten so many over the years, and most have gone straight to Goodwill or I’ve used them for yard work. But this year, I’d like to use my race T-shirts for their purpose—and run in them. There’s something fun about wearing an ill-fitting cotton tee with an ad for Jimbo’s Ford Dealership on the back.
Some races are pivoting away from shirts in favor of more environmentally friendly alternatives, but don’t expect them to completely disappear. According to Running USA, 58 percent of participants who took the 2024 Global Running Survey said that commemorative T-shirts are important to their race experience.
Out: Long runs
I’m planning on running Grandma’s Marathon in June, which means I’m building up my mileage now. But I’ve found that long runs are kind of overrated. Hear me out.
During my last marathon training block, I never ran more than 18 miles for my long run. Many programs call for 20 to 23-mile long runs, but my coach and I decided that 18-milers would get the job done. I’ve been running high mileage for close to a decade now, so I have a large aerobic base. The strategy worked, and I ran 2:27:07, hitting my goal of sub-2:28.
Right now, as I build, my coach and I are experimenting with the idea of downplaying the long run. Instead of using it as a key workout (for example, 10+ miles at marathon pace during the run), we’re focusing more on high-volume workouts twice a week, then using the long run just to get time on my feet. Similar to how Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who never runs more than 12.5 miles, trains.
A hard long run takes a large emotional and physical toll on my body, so I’ve found that I respond well when I keep the long run easy and focus on high-volume threshold sessions during the week. Of course, running on tired legs is key to running a good marathon. As I get closer to June, I’m sure there will be weeks where I use long runs as key workouts. But sometimes I need to remind myself that the other six days of the week are just as important.
In: Wearing a T-shirt over a long sleeve
For the past year, I’ve been mulling over buying a running vest. They look cool, but I keep telling myself that I don’t need to buy something that I’d probably only wear on a few runs each year. I live in eastern Pennsylvania, so I’m usually wearing something light in the fall or a full jacket in the winter. Enter, the working man’s vest: the T-shirt over the long sleeve shirt.
The sleeves keeps your arms warm while the T-shirt acts as a protectorate for your torso, insulating (not suffocating) you from the wind. Cooper Teare is a big fan.
Bonus points if you pair the look with an ugly race T-shirt. And double bonus points if you rock the look in a snowy race, like seemingly everyone did at the 2004 USATF Cross-Country Championships in Indianapolis.
In: Sunscreen
Man, I’m bad at this. If I’m preparing to sit out at the beach or pool, I lather up thoroughly. But if I’m heading out for a 90-minute run, I rarely put on sunscreen, justifying to myself that the route is shady or 90 minutes isn’t that long in the sun.
I’ve gotten better at sun protection—I almost always wear a hat and sunglasses year-round now—but I need to get better at lathering up on a regular basis. If you see me jogging this summer, ask me if I have sunscreen on and, if I don’t, shame me until I turn around and go home.
Out: Marathon bottle service
In my debut marathon at Indianapolis in November, I was lucky enough to qualify for the elite field, meaning I got perks like reserved restrooms, a separate warm-up area, and bottle service. For those unfamiliar, bottle service at a marathon is different from bottle service at a Las Vegas nightclub. Instead of access to marked-up Patrón, you get reserved spots on the course where you can stash your race fluid bottles.
Because there’s limited space, bottle stations are typically reserved for the fastest runners at a marathon. Instead of fumbling with the water or electrolyte-drink cups that the masses use, elites can consume whatever they trained with. In most cases, it’s some kind of carbohydrate mix.
At Indianapolis, there were three bottle stations: at miles 8, 14, and 20. I filled mine up with Maurten 160, but honestly, I didn’t feel like the perk was that necessary. I carried eight gels with me, taking them every 15 to 20 minutes, which was plenty. The bottles felt like more of a bonus or palate cleanser. They were cumbersome to hold and drink at race speed, and I found myself only taking a few sips then discarding them. Plus I had to pee the entire race, so I didn’t want to make the situation more dire.
Previously, I thought bottle service was non-negotiable to running a fast 26.2. But my mind has changed. If you envy the pros for their bottle access, don’t worry, you’re not missing out. Gels get the job done.
In: Off-distance races
I’m stealing this one from my 2024 in-and-out list. Off-distance races are events that diverge from traditional race distances (like the 5K, 10K, and marathon). Popular examples include the Bix 7 Road Race in Iowa (a 7-miler), the Boilermaker 15K in New York, and the Manchester Road Race in Connecticut (4.737 miles).
My favorite off-distance event is the Run for the Diamonds in Berwick, Pennsylvania. It’s a Thanksgiving day 9-miler that’s been going strong since 1908. The whole town comes out and cheers the runners up and down the massive hill that’s sandwiched in the middle of the route. Plus, the top seven men and women get real diamonds!
In: Short trail races
Speaking of race distances, let’s make short trail races a thing in 2025. Ultramarathons get most of the attention, but they’re not for everyone. At risk of contradicting myself against my previous “in,” there are plenty of trail options at the 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distance. Local state parks may host them, or sometimes there are running races tied in with mountain bike or cyclocross races. (Fifth Street ‘Cross in Pennsylvania does a great job of putting on both.)
I’d love to jump in a trail half marathon this summer between my two marathon training blocks. There won’t be any pressure to run a certain time, and let’s be real, running on the roads gets boring sometimes.
(01/11/2025) Views: 186 ⚡AMPOlympic and world 5,000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen has been rewriting distance running records each year of his career. His unique and innovative training techniques, such as the double-threshold method and the strategic avoidance of long runs, have become pivotal components of his regimen. Surprisingly, another key element of his training is the treadmill. In a recent interview with Coros, Ingebrigtsen shared insights on how he maximizes indoor training during the winter.
For Ingebrigtsen, the treadmill isn’t just a winter fallback plan for when it’s too icy or snowy in his home of Sandnes, Norway—it’s a crucial training tool. The 24-year-old says he uses the treadmill extensively for his double threshold sessions, often completing the first workout of his day indoors.
“What I like about the treadmill is that it is far more controlled versus being outdoors,” Ingebrigtsen explains. “I can set a pace and forget it, without dealing with wind, corners, or other outdoor obstacles.”
Precision is key for the two-time Olympic champion, who uses the treadmill to hit specific efforts or paces for each of his runs. “On the treadmill, I can closely monitor my heart rate, lactate levels and pace,” he says. “Those three factors, combined with how I feel, guide me to ensure a successful session.”
How he stays motivated
Many runners, including myself, dread the monotony of treadmill training, but Ingebrigtsen finds motivation by approaching each treadmill run with a competitive mindset. “I look at each run as a competition, challenging myself to hit the splits and complete the workout within the parameters,” Ingebrigtsen says.
The Norwegian told Coros that his training schedule is planned “well in advance” to give him a clear idea of the work ahead: “I do everything the session requires, because I understand its importance in the long run,” he says. “Motivation isn’t an issue for me—I know it’s not supposed to be fun; it’s supposed to be productive.”
What treadmill training is perfect for
Winter in Norway can be unforgiving, much like in Canada, forcing many runners indoors. Ingebrigtsen says this time is perfect for building his base fitness with high-volume and threshold-focused training.
Ingebrigtsen’s meticulous indoor training allows him to measure his base-building progress precisely,” he says. “I monitor my heart rate, lactate, pace and overall feeling. These metrics let me know if my fitness is improving, and if I’m on track to meet my goals.”
After his 2023-2024 base season was disrupted by an Achilles scare, delaying his outdoor season, the Norwegian says he began his base-building (mileage) phase on the treadmill considerably later. As the weather warms up in Norway and his fitness improves, he’ll transition into his mid-season block, reducing his volume and increasing his speedwork to complement his base.
(01/08/2025) Views: 223 ⚡AMPSpanish Olympian and two-time world championship medalist Mohamed Katir was handed a four-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Friday for falsifying travel documents in support of his explanation for his three whereabouts failures in 2023.
Instead of accepting wrongdoing and taking on the two-year whereabouts ban, the 26-year-old middle-distance runner falsified travel documents (a travel itinerary, boarding pass and booking confirmation) in an attempt to mislead investigators as they probed the integrity of his explanation for a whereabouts failure that occurred on Feb. 28, 2023. The result was an even longer ban than what he was already facing.
The four-year ban will run concurrently with Katir’s ongoing whereabouts sanction, extending his ban from the sport until February 2028. This means he will be forced to miss both the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
According to the AIU, the world 5,000m silver medallist missed three tests between Feb. 28, 2023 and Oct. 10, 2023 (missing three doping tests in a 12-month window results in an anti-doping rule violation, or ADRV).
Katir’s whereabouts failures
On Feb. 28, 2023, a Doping Control Officer (DCO) went to the address in Murcia, Spain, indicated in the Athlete’s Whereabouts information; upon arrival, the DCO was told that Katir was in Lisbon and would not be returning until March 2.
Katir missed another test on April 3, when a DCO showed up at his home in Murcia again. When they arrived, Katir was training in France, and had failed to update his whereabouts. Katir told the AIU he tried to update his information, but the system was not working. He was charged with his second violation when he failed to send an email providing evidence of technical issues.
His third violation occurred on Oct. 10, when a DCO went to the specified location during a 60-minute time slot between 7:20 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. When the DCO arrived, Katir was away at training, and later insisted there was a mistake in his whereabouts, and claimed he never changed the time slot from his usual 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. window.
Katir is a two-time world championship medallist in the men’s 1,500m and 5,000m events. He won silver in the 5,000m behind Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
AIU head Brett Clothier said the ruling underscored the seriousness of tampering: “Gone are the days in athletics when explanations offered in anti-doping cases are just accepted at face value,” he stressed. “The vast majority of our elite athletes respect the strict rules and processes of the sport and they should take heart at the action being taken to ensure a level playing field.”
(12/20/2024) Views: 190 ⚡AMPOlympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has expressed her lack of interest in signing with Grand Slam Track (GST), the new, lucrative rival to the Diamond League, according to The Standard. The British athlete plans to focus on running fast times and winning medals in 2025, choosing to forgo the chance to compete for the enormous US$400,000 prize purse awarded for winning all four GST meetings.
Hodgkinson still hopes to participate in the circuit as one of the four Challengers invited to compete. (Signed athletes are referred to as Racers). Michael Johnson, the creator of GST, plans to select these athletes based on their speed and popularity, while aiming to fuel existing rivalries. Challengers have one shot at the US$100,000 prize offered at each Slam, whereas Racers, who are already guaranteed base compensation upon signing, compete for the generous purse four times.
“I think it’s great what [Johnson’s] doing, I just don’t feel like it’s for me next year,” Hodgkinson said. “I guess we’ll see where the league goes after that. But I look forward to hopefully doing one.”
Hodgkinson would be slated to race against her frequent rival, 2023 world champion and 600m world record holder Mary Moraa. She would also face Olympic 1,500m silver medalist Jessica Hull and American mile record holder Nikki Hiltz, who round out the short-distance event roster.
Required to (almost) double her distance
The league requires each athlete to participate in two events at each Slam; falling into the short distance category, Hodgkinson would race the 800m and 1,500m. While the Brit is less familiar with the latter, she would need to race the three-and-three-quarter-lap event four times during GST’s inaugural season.
An obligation to race eight times over four weekends and splitting her focus between two events doesn’t line up with Hodgkinson’s stated 2025 season goals. Although she called her season early due to an injury after winning gold in Paris, Hodgkinson already has her eyes on beating her personal best and earning more gold hardware from next year’s indoor European championships, and indoor and outdoor world championships
“It takes a special race”
“I do think the 1:53 is possible,” Hodgkinson, who holds a personal best of 1:54.61, told The Standard. “I think we’re so close to getting down there, but obviously it takes a special race. You’ve got to be in perfect shape, perfect conditions, the right race for all that to come together. I will definitely put myself in the best position to do so.”
Other major names missing from the GST roster include Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson. Currently, 43 of 48 athletes have signed with the league as Racers.
(12/17/2024) Views: 455 ⚡AMPJakob Ingebrigtsen’s absence from the European Cross Country Championships last year only seemed to fuel his determination for a spectacular return in 2024. On Saturday, the Norwegian middle-distance superstar, who won in both 2021 and 2022, captured his seventh Euro XC title—his third as a senior—at Dokuma Park in Antalya, Türkiye.
“The course was very challenging and tactical,” Ingebrigtsen, the two-time world 5,000m champion, told media post-race. “There’s a lot of fighting and pushing, a lot of things that could happen.” The 7.8 km course featured sections of sand and mud.
Ingebrigtsen ran comfortably in the lead pack throughout most of the race, before launching a decisive move in the final stages. He crossed the finish line in 22 minutes and 16 seconds, eight seconds ahead of Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa. Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo took bronze in 22:31.
Women’s race
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti stole the spotlight on the women’s side, securing her third continental title in 2024. The Olympic 10,000m silver medallist from Italy captured her first senior European cross-country title, following a season that saw her clinch a 5000m/10,000m double at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships.
Like Ingebrigtsen, Battocletti demonstrated strategic patience, remaining close to the front pack and unleashing a powerful kick in the final kilometres. She finished in 25:43—11 seconds clear of Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen, who took silver for the second year in a row, crossing the line in 25:54 and matching her finishing time in 2023. The European 10,000m champion, Yasemin Can, ran 26:01 to capture bronze in her home country.
(12/09/2024) Views: 201 ⚡AMPThe father and former coach of Jakob Ingebrigtsen will stand trial next year on charges of alleged physical abuse against the Norwegian two-time Olympic gold medalist, lawyers for Gjert Ingebrigtsen said on Friday.
Norwegian police earlier this year pressed charges against the elder Ingebrigtsen, and his lawyer said in a statement at that time that they involved only one of his children while other charges were dismissed.
The charges will now extend to incidents involving Jakob, 24, who took the gold medal in the 5,000 meters in Paris this summer, his lawyer Mette Yvonne Larsen told Reuters.
"He is now charged with having abused two of his seven kids ... We had expected that this would happen," she said.
Gjert's lawyers, John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang, said in a statement: "Gjert Ingebrigtsen maintains what he has said all along, that he does not admit criminal guilt for the offenses he has been charged with and that he has never subjected any of his children to either physical or mental abuse."
Jakob accused his father of several incidents of abuse, according to Norwegian media, including slapping him twice in 2008 and kicking him in the stomach after he fell off a scooter in 2009.
There were also numerous incidents of verbal abuse and threats in 2015 and 2016, according to Jakob, who said in one incident that his father assaulted him for between 15 and 30 minutes.
The Times reported that, according to the indictment, Gjert allegedly threatened to beat Jakob "to death."
Jakob and his brothers, Filip and Henrik, accused their father of physical violence and abusive behavior in a Norwegian newspaper column last year. The elder Ingebrigtsen has repeatedly denied the claims.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen announced in 2022 that he was stepping down as coach not long after Jakob won gold in the 1,500 meters in Tokyo, prompting widespread speculation over their rift.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen finished third in his much-anticipated showdown with Brit Josh Kerr in the 1,500 meters in Paris this summer as American Cole Hocker took an unexpected gold medal. However, Ingebrigtsen did win gold in the 5,000 meters.
(11/29/2024) Views: 310 ⚡AMPTimothy Cheruiyot plans to retire from the 1500m after a final championship, transitioning to long-distance and marathon races.
Timothy Cheruiyot has expressed his intention to retire from the 1500m discipline after the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The 2020 Olympic silver medallist aims to transition to long-distance and road racing, marking a significant shift in his illustrious career.
Cheruiyot, one of the most consistent middle-distance runners over the past decade, has set his sights on concluding his 1500m journey with a strong performance in Tokyo.
“My plan is to post good results at the 2025 World Championships. This will be my last 1500m after having done it for 10 years,” said Cheruiyot as per The Star.
“I will switch to 5000m or 10000m and then the marathon.”
The 29-year-old’s track record speaks for itself. His first major breakthrough came at the 2017 World Championships in London, where he secured a silver medal with a time of 3:33.99, finishing just behind fellow Kenyan Elijah Manang’oi.
Cheruiyot elevated his game in Doha 2019, claiming the world title in 3:29.26, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
Cheruiyot also earned a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, clocking 3:29.01 in a tightly contested race won by Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
His dominance extended to the Diamond League, where he clinched five titles, and his medal haul includes two silvers each from the Commonwealth Games and African Championships.
However, Cheruiyot’s journey has not been without challenges. In Budapest 2023, he suffered a tendon injury that sidelined him for nine months.
Despite the setback, he returned to competitive form, surprising even himself by securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“This season was good for me. Despite tearing both my tendons last year, I am happy I came back strong,” he reflected.
“I started my training later than anyone. Making it to the Olympics surprised me; I did not run with confidence at the trials.”
While Paris didn’t go as planned—Cheruiyot finished 11th in a highly competitive race—he remains optimistic about his future. His focus has shifted to 2024, where he plans to participate in several 10km road races to prepare for his transition.
“I have not done any road race before, but I am hoping to test it next year before Tokyo. I will look for a 10km race to gauge my body,” he explained.
Cheruiyot emphasized the importance of strategic planning with his coach, Bernard Ouma, as he gears up for his sixth World Championships appearance.
“I need to sit down with my coach and plan well on the races I will participate in preparations for the World Championships,” he said.
Having made his global debut in 2015, Cheruiyot’s career has been a mix of highs and lows.
From a seventh-place finish in Beijing to gold in Doha and struggles in recent years, his resilience has been remarkable.
Now, as he nears the twilight of his 1500m career, Cheruiyot is determined to leave on a high note.
His ambition to tackle longer distances and eventually the marathon signals a new chapter for the Kenyan athlete, whose legacy in middle-distance running remains firmly intact.
(11/28/2024) Views: 211 ⚡AMPNew to trail running? Welcome to the wild side. But before you lace up and charge into the woods, let’s save you from a few rookie moves that could make your first trail race a comedy of errors.
Sure, you’ve got rugged shoes and maybe even a hydration vest, but the terrain demands more than just gear. Here are five unexpected (and often hilarious) mistakes new trail runners make—and how to avoid them.
1.- Don’t be the trail DJ
Picture this: you’re cruising through a peaceful forest, birds chirping, wind rustling the leaves… and suddenly, you hear someone blasting their playlist on speaker. (Which instantly kills that trail-joy vibe.) Sure, running to music can be motivating, but this isn’t a marathon on city streets (and even then, most people aren’t going to appreciate you sharing your tunes). Part of trail running is connecting with nature—and–fun fact–most people don’t want to hear your music wafting through the wilderness. If you need tunes, grab some earphones (safely) and keep the forest soundtrack serene.
2.- The jostle-sprint: you’re not at a track meet
We’ve all seen them—the over-excited newbie who approaches passing another runner as if they’re sprinting for Olympic gold. Here’s the thing: you’re not Josh Kerr chasing Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the 1,500m final. It’s a trail, not a track meet—trail runners tend to be a laid-back crew, and aggressively shoving past someone while you breathe down their neck like a rhino is just poor form. Slow your roll, politely announce yourself, say excuse me and ease by. You’ll pass them soon enough without making anyone feel like prey.
3.- Downplaying the downhill
Everyone dreads the uphill grind, but let’s be honest, the downhill is where the real fun (and chaos) begins. For new trail runners, it’s either full-speed-ahead with no brakes, or they lock up tight, like every step could be their last. The sweet spot is somewhere in between—and mastering that balance can be the difference between feeling like a trail wizard and wiping out on a banana peel, cartoon-style. Yes, caution is key (no one wants a surprise somersault mid-run), but being overly timid? That’ll do your pace no favours. Loosen up, spread your arms for balance and embrace the momentum, while keeping things controlled.
4.- The classic snack underestimation
Trail running requires a little more fuel than a short jaunt on the road. Think you’re fine with just water? You’re about to face a (potentially dangerous) reckoning. That 10K trail loop can take much longer than expected, especially with some rooty, rocky climbs. Proper fuelling is as essential for trail training as it is for trail races. Bring snacks—and opt for real sustenance over gels to keep your tastebuds happy (although gels are a great option if you prefer your snacks simple and squeezable). Halfway through, that peanut butter sandwich (or whatever your chosen delight) will feel like a Michelin-star meal. Make sure you overestimate your fuelling needs when you’re hitting the singletrack, and start taking in calories early and often.
5.- Thinking you’re better than the dirt
Here’s a heads-up: you’re going to get dirty. Mud, dust and puddles are part of the package. Newbies often cling to the fantasy that they’ll stay spotless. Spoiler: they won’t. At some point, you either embrace the mess or spend your run doing awkward hopscotch like you’re dodging landmines. Own it. By the end, those mud splatters will feel like badges of honour. And look at the pros—they’re not crossing the finish line looking ready for a laundry commercial, either.
Trail running isn’t just road running with more rocks. It’s its own world, with unspoken rules and quirks that make it uniquely fun. Embrace it, laugh at your own mistakes (we’ve all been there), and for the love of all that’s sacred in the woods, leave the speaker at home.
(09/26/2024) Views: 309 ⚡AMPSometimes running less is harder than you think.
The hardest part of marathon training is behind you. For the past 12 weeks, you’ve dedicated yourself to preparing physically for race day. Now, it’s time to focus on the mental aspect and successfully navigate the taper. On paper, tapering may seem easy—reducing your training volume and intensity to give your body the rest it needs before the big day. But after 12 weeks of hard work and increasing mileage, the taper can feel unusual and even hard.
Tapering allows your muscles to repair, replenishes glycogen stores and sharpens your mental focus, enhancing your race performance and minimizing injury risk. It typically lasts one to three weeks, depending on your race distance and training plan.
Many forget that the taper is a shift in focus from mileage to recovery. It’s crucial to ensure you’re getting enough rest—whether that means going to bed earlier or adding naps to your day—and continuing to eat well. Stick to the healthy habits that have fuelled your training to keep your body primed for race day.
The goal of tapering is to recover from the accumulated fatigue of training while maintaining your fitness level so you can perform at your best on race day. Runners typically reduce their mileage by about 60 per cent during the taper, while still including shorter, faster workouts to stay sharp. With less running, you’ll have more free time on your hands. Use this opportunity to catch up on things you may have missed during your training—whether it’s meeting friends for a drink, attending a concert, or simply unwinding with your favourite Netflix show.
If cutting back on running feels strange, don’t worry—it’s completely normal. Just remind yourself that resting is part of the process. Trust in your training and enjoy the chance to relax; you’re on the right track!
(09/25/2024) Views: 295 ⚡AMP
In case you missed Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s half-marathon debut at the Copenhagen Half Marathon last weekend, it didn’t quite unfold as expected. Many believed the Norwegian middle-distance star would challenge the world record of 57:30 and easily break the one-hour mark for 21.1 kilometres. However, as even the most talented runners have learned, the transition from track to road racing is far from simple. Ingebrigtsen, like so many before him, fell victim to a classic mistake—going out too fast–which led to him walking at the halfway point.
Despite this, Ingebrigtsen still finished 34th, with a time of 63:13—a strong debut, though well below expectations for the reigning Olympic 5,000m champion; his time was more than five minutes behind winner Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe, who ran a blistering 58:05.
Ingebrigtsen has been one of the most dominant middle-distance runners in the world over the past four years, racking up numerous titles and accolades between 1,500m and 5,000m. Even though his mile personal best of 3:43.73 is the second-fastest in history, the leap from track to long-distance road running, particularly the half-marathon (or marathon), requires a completely different approach. While both distances demand physical and mental strength, marathoning and long-distance events call for more patience and experience.
On the track, Ingebrigtsen is accustomed to controlled environments, with perfect surfaces, consistent pacing and distances that are short enough that errors can be overcome with a kick. In contrast, the half-marathon requires not just endurance, but precise pacing and energy management over a much longer period. These skills become second nature to the world’s most experienced distance runners, but for a track star dipping his foot into the world of road racing, it presents new challenges. Starting too fast, as Ingebrigtsen did (coming through 10K in 27:27) is a detriment in longer road races, where proper pacing is crucial to avoid bonking.
The 24-year-old admitted as much after the race. In an interview with Olympics.com, he confessed, “Twenty-one km is definitely too long! I’m definitely not going to try again for a couple of years. It’s fun but tough. I tried to stay with the leading group for as long as I could.”
He also revealed he doesn’t ever run more than 21 km in training, and had this to say on Instagram: “My deepest respect to all you long-distance runners! Just realized the meaning of the term ‘run like hell.’ And thank you, Copenhagen Half, for the warm welcome!”
Building mileage and incorporating long runs are fundamental to half-marathon and marathon training, as they prepare both the body and mind for the prolonged strain of going the distance. Long runs are valuable practice for developing race-day strategies, establishing a rhythm and managing nutrition/fluid intake. If Ingebrigtsen wasn’t covering the distance in training, expecting a record time on race day would have been a very tall order.
His debut serves as a reminder that dominance on the track doesn’t guarantee instant success on the roads. Road racing takes time to master, and his performance in Copenhagen likely taught the 24-year-old some valuable lessons, should he choose to revisit the half-marathon distance in the future.
(09/21/2024) Views: 304 ⚡AMPSabastian Sawe outkicked Jacob Kiplimo to win the men’s race in a world lead, while Margaret Kipkemboi solo ran her way to victory in the women’s race at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, on Sunday (15).
Uganda’s world record-holder Kiplimo, Kenya’s world champion Sawe and his Kenyan compatriot Isaia Lasoi were all in contention in the closing stages, but Sawe had the strongest finish. He managed to get a gap on Kiplimo with the finish line in sight and won in a PB of 58:05, four seconds ahead of Kiplimo. Lasoi was one second further back in a PB of 58:10.
Kenya’s world half marathon silver medallist Kipkemboi was joined by her compatriots Judy Kemboi, Catherine Reline Amanang'ole and Sheila Chelangat plus Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray through 10km but she left her rivals behind during the second half of the race to win by more than half a minute in 1:05:11. Kemboi was second in a PB of 1:05:43 and Amanang'ole, the world half marathon bronze medallist behind Kipkemboi, was third in a PB of 1:06:09.The men’s race also featured Norway's Olympic and world 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, making his half marathon debut just two days after winning the Diamond League 1500m title in Brussels.
He formed part of a large lead men’s group that passed 5km in 13:53, but that pack quickly whittled down to six – pacemaker Berihu Aregawi, the 5000m champion in Brussels two days ago, leading ahead of Kiplimo, Sawe, Lasoi, Amos Kurgat, Kennedy Kimutai and Ingebrigtsen.
But Ingebrigtsen couldn’t maintain that pace and he pulled up at 10km, reached in 27:27 – a national record for the Norwegian on the roads. His rivals strode ahead and although he stopped a couple more times, Ingebrigtsen did continue to the finish and clocked 1:03:13.
After letting Sawe take the lead for a spell, Kiplimo was back in front at 15km, passed in 41:17. From there it was a battle between the trio of Kiplimo, Sawe and Lasoi. They were together through 20km in 55:13, before Sawe took control in the closing stages and went on to win in a time that improves his own world lead and is just four seconds off the race record, which was a world record when it was set by Geoffrey Kamworor in 2019.
Having won his world half marathon title in Riga last year, Sawe will have the opportunity to return to Copenhagen in 2026, when the city hosts the World Athletics Road Running Championships.
Another athlete who could be there is his compatriot Kipkemboi, who secured silver in Riga. This time in Copenhagen she ran as part of a group that reached 5km in 15:22 and she had Kemboi, Amanang'ole, Chelangat and Zeray for company through 10km in 30:52. The race was down to Kipkemboi and Kemboi by 15km, which they reached in 46:14, 15 seconds ahead of Amanang'ole.
Kipkemboi then made her break and ran the final section of the race alone, getting to the 20km mark in 1:01:42 and extending her advantage to win in 1:05:11.
(09/15/2024) Views: 304 ⚡AMPThe Copenhagen Half Marathon was the first road race in Scandinavia and is one of the fastest half marathons in the world. The Copenhagen Half Marathon has been awarded with the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) most distinguished recognition - the IAAF Road Race Gold Label. Copenhagen Half Marathon was awarded the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label in January...
more...Jakob Ingebrigtsen is set to make his half-marathon debut in Copenhagen on Sunday after racing to victory in the 1,500-meters event at the Brussels Diamond League final on Friday evening.
The 21-kilometer race, organized by Copenhagen Half Marathon, will conclude a brilliant season for the 23-year-old who won gold in the 5,000m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He had hinted at the news on social media two days ago, after racing to his third consecutive Diamond League final victory in the 1,500m, writing “What a great way to end the season… or?”
Ingebrigtsen will find himself in a field that includes world record-holder Jacob Kiplimo and world champion Sabastian Sawe.
“I’m looking forward to test myself in the half marathon, for the first time, in Copenhagen,” Ingebrigtsen said on the organisers’ website.
“Normally this is a distance that would suit my training very well, but after a long season on the track working towards the 1500m, it’s exciting to see if I even can reach the finish line,” said Ingebrigtsen.
(09/14/2024) Views: 400 ⚡AMPThe Copenhagen Half Marathon was the first road race in Scandinavia and is one of the fastest half marathons in the world. The Copenhagen Half Marathon has been awarded with the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) most distinguished recognition - the IAAF Road Race Gold Label. Copenhagen Half Marathon was awarded the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label in January...
more...It’s no secret that Norwegian distance running star Jakob Ingebrigtsen is on a mission to etch his name into the history books by setting as many world records as possible in his career. On Thursday, rumours began swirling on social media that Ingebrigtsen was competing at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday, marking what would be his debut at the distance. Should he decide to race, the world record of 57 minutes and 31 seconds could be in jeopardy.
On the Copenhagen Half Marathon start list, there is an unnamed athlete with bib number #2 who is the same age as Ingebrigtsen (23).
In a press conference ahead of Friday’s Diamond League Final in Brussels, Ingebrigtsen was asked if he had plans to compete in Copenhagen. “I’m focused on tomorrow’s race first, and what happens after that, I’m not sure,” the 23-year-old Norwegian responded, keeping the speculation alive. If the rumours prove true, he could be chasing another world record.
In tomorrow’s race in Brussels, Ingebrigtsen will be vying for his third-consecutive Diamond League title while trying to inch closer to Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1,500m world record of 3:26.00. “I believe it’s possible to break any world record,” Ingebrigtsen said in Thursday’s press conference. “For me, it’s about winning. It’s always exciting to race when there’s something bigger on the line. There’s always the chance of a world record, but likely not tomorrow.”
World record watch in Brussels
Meanwhile, the Diamond League Final could witness another world record in the men’s 800m, where Canadian Olympic silver medalist Marco Arop will face off against his rival, Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi. Both are the fastest 800m runners in the world this year, and they’ll be chasing David Rudisha’s world record time of 1:40.91. Arop will arrive in Brussels in record-setting shape, fresh off setting a North American record in the 1,000m at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial in Zagreb on Sept. 8.
(09/13/2024) Views: 370 ⚡AMP
The Copenhagen Half Marathon was the first road race in Scandinavia and is one of the fastest half marathons in the world. The Copenhagen Half Marathon has been awarded with the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) most distinguished recognition - the IAAF Road Race Gold Label. Copenhagen Half Marathon was awarded the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label in January...
more...Three top middle-distance runners are set to challenge the long-standing 1500m world record at the Brussels Diamond League.
The men's 1500m world record set back in 1998 by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj will come under serious threat as three of the most promising middle-distance runners—Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse—are set to clash in the Diamond League final in Brussels this Saturday.
El Guerrouj’s incredible time of 3:26.00 has stood the test of time for 26 years with no one able to break the mark that many thought would be surpassed by now.
However, the trio of Olympic and World Championship medalists are all in peak form and ready to challenge this long-standing record making this one of the most highly anticipated 1500m races in recent memory.
The Tokyo Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, enters the race as the favorite. The Norwegian sensation boasts a personal best of 3:26.73, a mere 0.73 seconds shy of El Guerrouj’s historic mark.
Ingebrigtsen’s dominance over the distance has been unmatched this season, and he has made it clear that breaking the world record is on his radar.
“I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life.The world record is something that has always been in the back of my mind, and I believe this is the best chance I’ve had to go for it," said Ingebrigtsen.
Pushing him to the limit will be the American duo of Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse. Hocker, fresh off an Olympic season that saw him claim a gold medal in the 1500m is ranked seventh on the all-time list with a personal best of 3:26.73 matching Ingebrigtsen’s time.
Hocker’s confidence has been building all season, and the 23-year-old has openly expressed his desire to break into history.
“I hope to take a stab at the world record, whether it’s this season or next year,” said Hocker.
“But right now, I’m focused on leaving a lasting legacy. The Olympic gold was the first goal, and now it’s time to chase something even bigger.”
Yared Nuguse, ranked ninth on the all-time list, is another strong contender. Nuguse has steadily risen through the ranks with a personal best of 3:27.80 and a season-best of 3:27.80 as well.
The 25-year-old has proven himself capable of competing against the best in the world and could be poised to surprise both Hocker and Ingebrigtsen in Brussels.
The race, however, will be missing one key figure in Josh Kerr, the British 1500m specialist who recently confessed that the mental toll of the season has led him to opt out of the final. Kerr’s absence opens the door for a fascinating showdown between Ingebrigtsen, Hocker, and Nuguse.
In addition to the leading trio, the race will feature strong competition from the likes of Kenya’s Reynold Cheruiyot, a rising star who has posted a season-best of 3:28.28, and Timothy Cheruiyot, the former World Champion.
France’s Azzedine Habz and Great Britain’s Elliot Giles will also be in the mix, having both posted times in the 3:29 range this season.
El Guerrouj’s record-breaking performance in 1998 was the first time a runner had managed to average under 55 seconds per lap for the 1500m.
With athletes now regularly running sub-3:30 times, the level of competition has never been higher. Whether it’s tactical brilliance, pure speed, or a combination of both, this race has all the ingredients to produce fireworks on the track.
(09/12/2024) Views: 293 ⚡AMPThe four-time world champion has confirmed where she will run next after her third-place finish at the Paris Marathon in April.
Vivian Cheruiyot has confirmed her next race after her third-place finish at the Paris Marathon in April.
Cheruiyot will race at the AJ Bell Great North Run scheduled for September 8 where she will line up against tough opponents including Eilish McColgan.
Cheruiyot has raced three times this season, opening her season in Paris and proceeding to the National Cross-Country championships where she finished 16th before racing at the Kilimanjaro Half Marathon where she finished second.
On her part, McColgan holds the British records on the roads at 5km, 10km, 10 miles and half-marathon and has won other Great Run events and in 2021 finished runner-up to Hellen Obiri at the Great North Run.
An injury set her back at the Paris Olympic Games but is expected to bounce back at the Big Half in London on September 1 before heading to the Great North Run and then the Vitality London 10,000 on the roads of London.
Another challenger will be Sheila Chepkirui who was third behind McColgan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 10,000m.
The Ethiopian charge will be led by Senbere Teferi, the former women-only 5km world record-holder with Mergetu Alemu also in the mix. British-based Kenyan Mary Ngugi-Cooper will also be competing at the event.
The men’s race will be headlined by Marc Scott who will try to reclaim the title he won in 2021. He faces a stern test from Berihu Aregawi, the Ethiopian who won the Olympic 10,000m silver.
Aregawi is a formidable opponent since he also went No.3 on the world all-time rankings for 3000m behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s world record in Poland.
Sisay Lemma, 2023 Boston Marathon winner Evans Chebet and Kenya’s NYC Half winner from earlier this year, Abel Kipchumba will also be in the mix.
(08/31/2024) Views: 302 ⚡AMPGreat North Run founder Brendan Foster believes Britain is ready to welcome the world with open arms after the launch of the event's most ambitious plan to date. The Great World Run campaign seeks to recruit one runner from every country in the United Nations – 193 in total – to take part in the iconic half marathon in...
more...The Olympics champion, who set a new world record at the weekend, had to endure a long grilling exercise by Norwegian authorities in a case where his father is accused of abuse.
Newly-crowned world 3,000m record holder Jakob Ingebrigtsen was interrogated by police in Norway over a case where his father Gjert Ingebrigtsen has been accused of mistreating his children.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen was grilled for four hours in Stavanger on Wednesday, his lawyer Mette Yvonne Larsen, saying it was in relation to the case of violence against a family member involving his father that took place between 2018 and 2022.
"There has been follow-up of his previous interrogations and timing of events. It has gone very smoothly,” Larsen told Norwegian media.
"Are there plans for new interrogations? Since he has now been in three long interrogations, and that there will be a subsequent reading of these, I do not think it will be relevant to re-examine him.”
When Gjert Ingebrigtsen was charged with mistreatment of one of his children, the police dropped the cases against several of the other children but the decision was overturned following an appeal by Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
The hearings would be postponed until August after the athlete sought ample time to rest and prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics in July.
He went on to win gold in the 5,000m, after a disappointing fourth place finish in the 1,500m, and announced his intentions of finishing the season strongly by lowering the 3,000m world record at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland last weekend.
The 23-year-old smashed the 3,000m world record of 7:20.67 set by Kenya’s Daniel Komen in 1996, setting a new mark of 7:17.55, in the Polish city.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father and former coach of Jakob Ingebrigtsen, was charged with one count of physical abuse against a family member by Norwegian authorities.
In October 2023, brothers Henrik, Filip and Jakob Ingebrigtsen came forward with claims of physical violence and abusive behavior by their father and former coach, who has denied all the allegations.
(08/30/2024) Views: 279 ⚡AMPBerihu Aregawi, Sisay Lemma and former winner Marc Scott are part of a strong men’s field for the September 8 event.
Eilish McColgan’s autumn road racing steps up a gear on September 8 when she tackles the AJ Bell Great North Run.
The 33-year-old holds the British records on the roads at 5km, 10km, 10 miles and half-marathon but has not yet won the iconic 13.1-mile race during her career. She has, however, won several other Great Run events and in 2021 finished runner-up to Hellen Obiri at the Great North Run.
After an injury-hit 2023, McColgan returned this summer to make the Olympic team in Paris, finishing 15th in the 10,000m. But after several more weeks of training she is expected to be stronger as she tackles the Big Half in London on September 1 followed by the Great North Run seven days later and then the Vitality London 10,000 on the roads of London again on September 22.
At the Great North Run she will face, among others, Vivian Cheruiyot, the Great North Run winner in 2016 and 2018, plus Sheila Chepkirui, the Kenyan who was third behind McColgan when the Scot won the Commonwealth 10,000m title in 2022.
Cheruiyot, who is now 40, also won the London Marathon in 2018 and the Olympic 5000m gold in 2016.
There is also Senbere Teferi, the former women-only 5km world record-holder and 65:32 runner in the half-marathon, plus two-time London Marathon podium placer Mergetu Alemu and British-based Kenyan Mary Ngugi-Cooper.
In the men’s race Marc Scott returns to try to retain the title he won in 2021. But he faces tough opposition from Berihu Aregawi, the Ethiopian who won Olympic 10,000m silver close behind Joshua Cheptegei in Paris.
Last weekend Aregawi also went No.3 on the world all-time rankings for 3000m behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s world record in Poland.
Also racing on Tyneside are 2024 Boston Marathon and 2021 London Marathon winner Sisay Lemma, 2023 Boston Marathon winner Evans Chebet and Kenya’s NYC Half winner from earlier this year, Abel Kipchumba.
McColgan said: “I have incredible memories of competing in Newcastle and participating in the Junior Great North Run events over 20 years ago, and we have a family history at the Great North Run, with mum being a three-time winner, so this year’s Great North Run will be a special one for me to finally follow in my mum’s footsteps and because as I have yet to run the original route from Newcastle to South Shields.”
She added: “Returning from this year’s Paris Olympics and on the road back from injury, I’m especially looking forward to the thousands of spectators lining the streets of the North East, as well as the 60,000 inspirational runners taking part in their own journey.”
McColgan’s best half-marathon time is 65:43 set in Berlin last year. Paula Radcliffe has run three seconds quicker – at the Great North Run in 2003 – but the course is not eligible for records.
This year’s run will also welcome back the elite men’s and women’s wheelchair races, held to the backdrop of this year’s Paralympic Games closing ceremony in Paris. Notable competitors include JohnBoy Smith, Sean Frame, Michel McCabe and Jade Hall.
Sir Brendan Foster, founder of the Great North Run, said: “Our fantastic spectators are once again in for a great day thanks to our impressive elite field at the top end of our Great North Run Sunday.
(08/29/2024) Views: 336 ⚡AMPGreat North Run founder Brendan Foster believes Britain is ready to welcome the world with open arms after the launch of the event's most ambitious plan to date. The Great World Run campaign seeks to recruit one runner from every country in the United Nations – 193 in total – to take part in the iconic half marathon in...
more...Jakob Ingebrigtsen obliterates the 3000m world record at the Memoriał Kamili Skolimowskiej with 7:17.55.
He goes more than 3 seconds faster than the previous world record!
Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen shattered the world 3000m record in the Silesia Diamond League on Sunday (25) afternoon with 7:17.55 to become the first athlete in history to break the 7:20-barrier for the seven-and-a-half lap distance.
The Olympic 5000m champion slashed more than three seconds off the previous mark of 7:20.67 which had stood to Kenya’s Daniel Komen since 1996, the longest standing world record in an individual men’s track event.
But the 23-year-old Norwegian took the record into uncharted territory, churning out the last two laps in 57.46 and 55.47 respectively - 1:52.93 for the last 800 metres - to break away from Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi and take a significant chunk of 3.12 seconds off Komen’s enduring record.
“It feels special, amazing. I was hoping to challenge the world record here but based on my training, I can never predict exactly what kind of time I am capable of. I would not have imagined I could run 7:17, though,” said Ingebrigtsen.
. “I would not have imagined I could run 7:17, though. At the beginning the pace felt really fast, but then I started to feel my way into the race and found a good rhythm.
“[The] 3,000 is a tough distance,” continued Ingebrigtsen. “After four-five laps you feel the lactic acid, but you need to get going. The conditions were difficult with the heat today, but it is the same for everyone. Now I want to challenge world records at all distances, but it is one step at a time.”
He finished ahead of a trio of Ethiopians, with the Paris Olympics 10,000m silver medallist, Berihu Aregawi. second in a personal best and the third-fastest time in history (7:21.28). Yomif Kejelcha was third.
Three days ago, the Norwegian had exacted a small measure of revenge over the American Cole Hocker by winning the men’s 1500m in Lausanne in 3:27.83, two weeks after Hocker shocked the Olympic field to win gold in Paris.
He won $50,000 for setting the record.
(08/25/2024) Views: 354 ⚡AMPBorn to Run is the new TV series you won't want to miss.
Hopefully you’ve downloaded Duo Lingo and have started practising your Norwegian, because Norway’s favourite running family has a new TV show documenting their behind-the-scenes journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Born to Run will premiere on Prime Video on Sept. 20.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the youngest and most successful Ingebrigtsen brother, will undoubtedly be the star of the show; at just 23, Jakob is at the height of his sensational track career, having won gold in the men’s 5,000m in Paris (despite his recent upset in the 1,500m). The series will follow the life of the two-time Olympic champion as he gets married to Elisabeth Asserson, prepares for the arrival of their first child and takes viewers through his training and racing leading up to Paris 2024.
Brothers Filip Ingebrigtsen, 31, and Henrik Ingebrigtsen, 33, play key roles in the show despite no longer being focused on their own competitive running. The brothers have no fewer than four other siblings; after growing up in such a large family, they highlight how family gives them purpose while navigating the pressures and challenges that accompany their fame.
The trio’s father and former coach, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, will not be part of the new series. The brothers cut ties with their father in 2022 after reporting he had been physically abusive toward one of his seven children; Gjert denied the allegations but was charged with one count of domestic violence in April. Jakob has since then been coached by Henrik.
This is the super-family’s second TV series; five seasons of Team Ingebrigtsen aired from 2016 to 2021, leading up to Tokyo 2020 Games.
(08/20/2024) Views: 217 ⚡AMPHopefully you’ve downloaded Duo Lingo and have started practising your Norwegian, because Norway’s favourite running family has a new TV show documenting their behind-the-scenes journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Born to Run will premiere on Prime Video on Sept. 20.Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the youngest and most successful Ingebrigtsen brother, will undoubtedly be the star of the show; at just 23, Jakob is at the height of his sensational track career, having won gold in the men’s 5,000m in Paris (despite his recent upset in the 1,500m).
The series will follow the life of the two-time Olympic champion as he gets married to Elisabeth Asserson, prepares for the arrival of their first child and takes viewers through his training and racing leading up to Paris 2024.Brothers Filip Ingebrigtsen, 31, and HenrikIngebrigtsen, 33, play key roles in the show despite no longer being focused on their own competitive running.
The brothers have no fewer than four other siblings; after growing up in such a large family, they highlight how family gives them purpose while navigating the pressures and challenges that accompany their fame.The trio’s father and former coach, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, will not be part of the new series. The brothers cut ties with their father in 2022 after reporting he had been physically abusive toward one of his seven children; Gjert denied the allegations but was charged with one count of domestic violence in April. Jakob has since then been coached by Henrik.
This is the super-family’s second TV series; five seasons of Team Ingebrigtsen aired from 2016 to 2021, leading up to Tokyo 2020 Games.
(08/17/2024) Views: 704 ⚡AMPNorwegian superstar Jakob Ingebrigtsen raced to a maiden Olympic 5,000m gold medal at Paris 2024 on Saturday (10 August).
The double world champion over the distance made up for his hiccup in the 1,500m in the French capital where he finished in fourth place after a dramatic sprint for the line.
Ingebrigsten was in cruise control over the final stretch of the 5,000m, beating nearest rival Ronald Kwemoi of Kenya by nearly two seconds with a time of 13 minutes, 13.66 seconds (13:13.66).
Kwemoi crossed the line second in 13:15.04 with Grant Fisher of the U.S. bagging bronze in 13:15.13.
Ingebrigtsen conceded his Olympic 1,500m earlier in the track and field meeting and lined up in the 5,000m hoping for redemption.
The 23-year-old took a measured approach in the final as he sat back around fifth place at the halfway point.
With 600m to go Ethiopian ace Hagos Gebrhiwet made his move which ultimately brought Ingebrigtsen into the battle.
Gebrhiwet was leading at the bell with Ingebrigtsen going into the final lap in second place and quickly gaining on the Ethiopian.
The Norwegian took the lead for the first time with half a lap to go and turned on the afterburners to race home to add the Olympic gold to his two world titles in the event.
(08/10/2024) Views: 322 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...On Wednesday morning, an unexpected participant made an appearance in the second of two first-round heats of the men’s 5,000m. Two thirds of the way through the race, while filming the women’s javelin event, a cameraman equipped with a large camera rig strolled right through the second lane of the track, stopping just short of lane one. He seemed completely oblivious to the 20 men running straight toward him. Two runners, including Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, had to run around him to avoid a collision. Even the men on the inside of lane one could barely squeeze by him.
Ingebrigtsen was unimpressed, appearing to make angry hand gestures after dodging the cameraman. The last thing he needed after missing the 1,500m podium on Tuesday night was a mid-race collision in his 5,000m race. “It’s amateurish,’ Ingebrigtsen told the media. ‘That should not happen in an Olympics.” Luckily, the Norwegian had been playing it safe by hanging on to the back of the pack, giving him enough time to steer clear.
This isn’t the first time an incident like this has occurred at a major championships. At the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Ore., another rogue cameraman got a unique shot during the men’s 3,000m steeplechase–filming from lane two of the straightaway. His back was to the racers; luckily, runners were able to successfully swerve around him, averting a crash.
The incident is characteristic of a chaotic seventh day of athletics in Paris so far. The first heat saw a major collision that took down six athletes, leaving several medal contenders out of the 5,000m final taking place on Saturday, Aug. 10.
(08/10/2024) Views: 343 ⚡AMPOn Wednesday morning, an unexpected participant made an appearance in the second of two first-round heats of the men’s 5,000m. Two thirds of the way through the race, while filming the women’s javelin event, a cameraman equipped with a large camera rig strolled right through the second lane of the track, stopping just short of lane one. He seemed completely oblivious to the 20 men running straight toward him. Two runners, including Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, had to run around him to avoid a collision. Even the men on the inside of lane one could barely squeeze by him.
Ingebrigtsen was unimpressed, appearing to make angry hand gestures after dodging the cameraman. The last thing he needed after missing the 1,500m podium on Tuesday night was a mid-race collision in his 5,000m race. “It’s amateurish,’ Ingebrigtsen told the media. ‘That should not happen in an Olympics.” Luckily, the Norwegian had been playing it safe by hanging on to the back of the pack, giving him enough time to steer clear.
This isn’t the first time an incident like this has occurred at a major championships. At the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Ore., another rogue cameraman got a unique shot during the men’s 3,000m steeplechase–filming from lane two of the straightaway. His back was to the racers; luckily, runners were able to successfully swerve around him, averting a crash.
The incident is characteristic of a chaotic seventh day of athletics in Paris so far. The first heat saw a major collision that took down six athletes, leaving several medal contenders out of the 5,000m final taking place on Saturday, Aug. 10.
Athletics events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are taking place from Aug. 1-11. Today’s coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and PUMA Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.
For this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...A little over 14 hours after being run out of the medals in the 1,500 metres final, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen was back on the Olympic track on Wednesday in the heats of the 5,000m, where he looked strong as the fastest qualifier.
The defending champion over 1,500m finished fourth in a race won by long-shot American Cole Hocker and, understandably, did the minimum necessary on Wednesday to advance to Saturday’s final.
After going out hard from the start on Tuesday night, he sat comfortably at the back of a 20-man field before easing to the front two laps out and leading it home in 13 minutes 51.59.
The Norwegian bounced back from defeat in the last two world championship 1,500m finals to win the 5,000 and would obviously love to make that a hat-trick.
Ingebrigtsen has been outspoken in his criticism of Briton Josh Kerr, who took silver in the 1,500, but was magnanimous in defeat, writing on his Instagram page: "Well, I guess he (Kerr) did show up after all. Cole Hocker, (bronze medallist) Yared Nuguse and Josh Kerr outsmarted me. They were 'the best guys' when it really mattered. And I want to congratulate them all on a great performance."
There was great support from the crowd as home favourites Hugo Hay and Jimmy Gressier made the early running in a slow and eventually chaotic first heat.
The pedestrian pace meant that the entire 21-man field was together heading into the final lap, with the inevitable clashes, leading to four men falling in the final straight mayhem.
Narve Gilje Nordas, who finished seventh, in the 1,500m final, kept clear of it by hitting the front and led it home in a "fast-walk" 14:08.16, ensuring there will be two Norwegians in the final.
He even had time to fist-bump second-placed finisher Hagos Gebrhiwet of Ethiopia, who became the second-fastest man ever over the distance earlier this year, before they crossed the line.
Grant Fisher, still on a high from his bronze in the 10,000, will look to extend the United States' impressive middle and long-distance showing in Paris after also progressing.
Canada’s Tokyo silver medallist Mohammed Ahmed did not make it after falling earlier in the first heat, but the four who went down at the end of it - Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu, George Mills, Mike Foppen and Thierry Ndikumwenayo - were all added to the final lineup after appeals.
(08/07/2024) Views: 357 ⚡AMPTimothy Cheruiyot strategically advanced to the men's 1500m semifinals at the Paris Olympics and was joined by fellow Kenyans Brian Komen and Reynold Cheruiyot.
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot has reacted to his performance in the men's 1500m heats at the Paris Olympic Games.
Cheruiyot, who recently returned to competition after a nine-month injury hiatus, secured his spot in the semifinals despite stiff competition and a highly tactical race.
Competing in the second heat, Cheruiyot finished with a time of 3:35.39, placing fifth in a race that was won by Ethiopia's Ermias Girma, who posted a time of 3:35.21.
Despite not leading the pack,Cheruiyot's strategy was carefully planned to ensure his advancement without peaking too soon.
“Our heat was the fastest and it was also a tactical one compared with the other two. I didn’t want to kick early and also I ensured that I’m not far behind the leading pack. Everyone is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the semis and the final and that’s why the results are not surprising,” said Cheruiyot as per Citizen Digital.
Cheruiyot's strategic patience in the heats reflects his greater ambition to surpass his previous Olympic performance.
After his injury at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, he spent nine months recovering and recalibrating his approach to racing.
"The injury was a big setback for me but everything is perfect and I believe this year we can go beyond our Tokyo performance," he shared, hinting at his aspirations for the upcoming rounds.
Other Kenyan athletes also showed strong performances in their respective heats.
Brian Komen and Reynold Cheruiyot, both advancing to the semifinals, demonstrated the depth of Kenyan talent in middle-distance running.
Komen clocked 3:36.31 to secure his position behind Josh Kerr of Great Britain, the reigning world champion who finished his heat in 3:35.83, marking a season's best.
Meanwhile, Reynold Cheruiyot, a former World U-20 champion, placed fourth in his heat with a time of 3:37.12, closely following Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who finished third.
The men's 1500m semifinals are eagerly anticipated, with high stakes for all competitors.
Scheduled for Sunday, August 4, at 8:10 pm Kenyan time, the event promises intense competition and strategic racing.
The final is set for Tuesday at 7:50 pm Kenyan time and it will be a pivotal moment for Cheruiyot and his teammates as they aim for Kenya's first men’s 1500m Olympic title since the 2008 Beijing Games.
(08/02/2024) Views: 345 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...The 1500 is always one of the crown jewels of the Olympic program, and the burgeoning rivalry between Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway and world champion Josh Kerr of Great Britain has sent anticipation levels through the roof in 2024. The last two global 1500-meter finals were unforgettable, and this year’s race is shaping up as an all-time classic after the two men have spent the last 12 months trading verbal barbs.
On the night of August 6 in the Stade de France, one of three things will happen:
1) Ingebrigtsen will win his second Olympic 1500-meter title at the age of 23, joining Seb Coe (1980, 1984) as the only man to repeat as champion.
2) Kerr will win gold, just as he did at last year’s World Championships, bringing Ingebrigtsen’s record in global 1500m finals to 0-4 since his triumph at the 2021 Olympics (with one being the 2022 World Indoors loss).
3) Someone else will win the title in one of the great Olympic upsets. Could it be 19-year-old phenom Niels Laros? Or perhaps two-time Olympic Trials champion Cole Hocker of the United States?
As long as the race isn’t marred by a fall — which has sadly become all too common in middle-distance races this year — it’s hard to envision a scenario in which this race is not totally awesome.
(07/30/2024) Views: 337 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...We are just four days away from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics and a little over a week from the start of the athletics events at the Stade de France. If you’re looking to place your bets for gold or want to know the favorites for each event (according to Vegas sportsbooks), we’ve got you covered with insights and odds to help you get the best value out of your picks.
Men’s 100m
Favorite: Kishane Thompson (JAM) -105 [world leader]
Best value: Oblique Seville (JAM) +900
Men’s 200m
Favorite: Noah Lyles (USA) -290 [3x world champion]
Best value: Erriyon Knighton (USA) +1000 [2x world championship medallist]
Men’s 400m
Favorite: Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) +120 [world silver medalist]
Best value: Steven Gardiner (BAH) +350 [reigning Olympic champion]
Men’s 800m
Favorite: Djamel Sedjati (ALG) -250 [world leader]
Best value: Marco Arop (CAN) +1500 [reigning world champion]
Men’s 1,500m
Favorite: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) -225 [reigning Olympic champion]
Best value: Josh Kerr (GBR) +175 [reigning world champion]
Men’s 5,000m
Favorite: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) -290 [reigning world champion]
Best value: George Mills (GBR) +4000
Men’s 10,000m
Favorite: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) +120 [world record holder]
Best value: Berihu Aregawi (ETH) +600
Men’s 110m hurdles
Favorite: Grant Holloway (USA) -500 [world leader and world champion]
Best value: Hansle Parchment (JAM) +1000 [reigning Olympic champion]
Men’s 400m hurdles
Favorite: Rai Benjamin (USA) +100 [world leader]
Best value: Alison Dos Santos (BRA) +300 [2022 world champion]
Men’s 3,000m steeplechase
Favorite: Lamecha Girma (ETH) -120
Best value: Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) +190
Men’s marathon
Favorite: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) -190 [reigning Olympic champion]
Best value: Benson Kipruto (KEN) +900 [2024 Tokyo Marathon champion]
Women’s 100m
Favorite: Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) -225 [reigning world champion]
Best value: Julien Alfred (LCA) +700
Women’s 200m
Favorite: Gabby Thomas (USA) +105 [2020 Olympic bronze medalist]
Best value: Shericka Jackson (JAM) +180 [reigning world champion
Women’s 400m
Favorite: Marileidy Paulino (DOM) -135 [2020 Olympic silver medalist]
Best value: Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL) +700
Women’s 800m
Favorite: Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) -290 [Olympic silver medallist]
Best value: Nia Atkins (USA) +1500
Women’s 1,500m
Favorite: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) -285 [world record holder]
Best value: Jessica Hull (AUS) +1000
Women’s 5,000m
Favorite: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) -285 [world champion]
Best value: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) +750 [world XC champion]
Women’s 10,000m
Favorite: Sifan Hassan (NED) +120 [reigning Olympic champion]
Best value: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) +250 [reigning world champion]
Women’s 100m hurdles
Favorite: Cyrena Samba-Mayela (FRA) +250 [European champion]
Best value: Tobi Amusan (NGR) +1500 [world record holder]
Women’s 400m hurdles
Favorite: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) -700 [world record holder and reigning Olympic champion]
Best value: Femke Bol (NED) +300 [reigning world champion]
Women’s 3,000m steeplechase
Favorite: Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) n/a [world record holder]
Best value: Sembo Almayew (ETH) n/a
Women’s marathon
Favorite: Tigst Assefa (ETH) +250 [world record holder]
Best value: Hellen Obiri (KEN) +400 [2023 & 2024 Boston Marathon champion]
(07/25/2024) Views: 436 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...Timothy Cheruiyot has disclosed what he needs to work on after his second-place finish behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco.
Olympic 1500m silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot has disclosed the one thing he needs to work on before descending on the purple track at the Stade de France for the men’s 1500m at the Paris Olympic Games.
Cheruiyot has battled injuries in the past seasons but he has slowly been bouncing back and this season has been steady on him. He qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Kenyan Olympic trials, finishing third in 3:35.90.
The 28-year-old, after finishing second at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco, noted that he has to work on his speed endurance if he has to silence his serial rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
The Norwegian clocked a stunning 3:26.73 to join the club of legends with a win as Cheruiyot was forced to finish second in 3:28.71. Africa 1500m champion Brian Komen sealed the podium in 3:28.80.
The 2019 world champion was happy to be peaking at the right time, expressing his elation towards the time posted, just less than a month before the Olympic Games.
“The race was good, I am happy about my time and my position. The 1500m nowadays is a very competitive race with a lot of young guys coming up fast," Cheruiyot said in a post-race interview.
“So I am proud because I am peaking myself towards the Olympics. I need to work harder to keep up. I know that I can come back strong. I especially need to work on my speed endurance.”
In the 1500m, Cheruiyot opened his season with a second-place finish at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha before finishing fourth at the National Championships, clocking 3:40.23 to cross the finish line.
Cheruiyot also finished second behind Ingebrigtsen at the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo before the Olympic trials where he finished third. As he heads to the Paris Olympic Games, Cheruiyot hopes to improve on his silver medal won at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
(07/13/2024) Views: 336 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...Jacob Krop has sent a stark warning to Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Joshua Cheptegei, and other 5000m bound athletes after securing a ticket to the Olympic Games, following his relentless run at the Kenyan Olympic trials.
World 5000m bronze medallist Jacob Krop has promised to burn the midnight oil and ensure all the glory comes back to Kenya as he heads to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Krop secured a direct ticket to the global showpiece, thanks to his relentless pursuit of greatness at the Olympic trials where he managed to finish second in the 5000m, clocking an impressive 13:27.54 to cross the finish line behind Ronald Kwemoi who won the race in 13:27.20. Edwin Kurgat completed the podium, clocking 13:27.75 to cross the finish line.
He will team up with Kwemoi and Krop believes they have the ability to silence serial winner Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway, defending champion Joshua Cheptegei and other opponents who have for long dominated the distance.
He disclosed that he moved to Japan and training there has been very effective since he has been able to work on certain areas of his training and he is now back.
“This is my first time to make the cut to the Olympic team and I want my fans to expect something good. To bring the medals back home, we shall practice teamwork and invest more time in training.
“Everything is possible and I know it’s not easy but we shall work hard in training and see how things work out. I went to Japan and my stay there had been great since they always give me ample time to even come back to Kenya and train,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kenya last won the Olympic gold medal over the distance at the 1988 Seoul Olympics where John Ngungi beat a strong field to claim the coveted prize.
During the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, no Kenyan made it to the podium as Cheptegei claimed the top honours with Canadian Mohammed Ahmed finishing second in the race as Kenyan-born American Paul Chelimo completed the podium.
As they head to the Olympics, Krop is aware of the tough opposition but he is sure anything is possible if they work hard and embrace team work.
(06/15/2024) Views: 466 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...The Norwegian completed the double in Rome after victory in the 5,000m and will resume his rivalry with world champion Kerr at the Paris Olympics in one of the sport’s most gripping rivalries
Norway's Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the 1,500 metres in Rome on Wednesday for a record sixth European Championship gold.
The 23-year-old charged down the final metres and was all by himself when he crossed the finish in 3:31.95, a championship record, to become the most decorated male athlete ever in the continental championship.
Belgian Jochem Vermeulen took the second spot on the podium in 3:33.30 while Italian Pietro Arese was third in 3:33.34.
"Today it's about winning. At the same time, I'm looking for answers in every single question I'm asked. Today I got a lot of good answers," he told a Norwegian broadcaster.
Ingebrigtsen is expected to form one of the most compelling rivalries of this year's Paris Olympics against Briton Josh Kerr, who denied him the gold in Budapest last year.
Ingebrigtsen hurled himself over the finish to win last month's Oslo Diamond League meet, after finishing second to Kerr over the mile race days earlier at the Prefontaine Classic.
(06/14/2024) Views: 528 ⚡AMPOn Wednesday night at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen became the first track athlete in history to earn six European gold medals, winning the men’s 1,500m with a championship record of 3:31.95. This marks his third consecutive European 1,500m title.
Ingebrigtsen showcased his tactical prowess by initially taking the back of the pack on the first lap. After a swift 56-second start, he surged to the front, slowed the pace, then accelerated again to win gold. He finished two seconds ahead of Belgium’s Jochem Vermeulen and Italy’s Pietro Arese, both of whom earned their first senior European championship medals.
The Ingebrigtsen family, including Jakob’s brothers Filip and Henrik, have dominated the men’s 1,500m at the European Championships, winning the last five gold medals since 2012. The last three European 1,500m titles have been won by Jakob.
Earlier in the championships, Ingebrigtsen also won gold in the men’s 5,000m event. This is the third time he has achieved the 1,500m/5,000m double at the European Championships, having previously done so in Munich in 2022 and Berlin in 2018.
Notably absent from the championships was Ingebrigtsen’s rival, 1,500m world champion Josh Kerr, who opted to skip the 2024 European Championships to focus on the British Olympic Trials and the Olympics in Paris. Earlier this season, Kerr got the best of Ingebrigtsen in the Bowerman Mile at the Eugene Diamond League in Oregon. He is the only man to beat him twice. (Kerr also outran him at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.)
The next likely encounter between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr will be at the Paris Olympic Games.
(06/13/2024) Views: 522 ⚡AMPWith a lap and a half to go in the Bowerman Mile at last month’s Prefontaine Classic, Josh Kerr made what he described as a “dumb decision” – on purpose.
The world 1500m champion raced to the front at the Wanda Diamond League meeting, ahead of Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Yared Nuguse, the third- and fourth-fastest milers of all time, a move whose intention was daring them to chase him down. When neither could, Kerr burst through the line with a world-leading British record of 3:45.34 and bragging rights – for now.
Having said at the pre-event press conference that he was racing to win, not settle tension between himself and Ingebrigtsen after months of banter between the overnight rivals, Kerr settled who was best over one mile at least on this day at Hayward Field. As to who will be the best in the long run, that remains to be seen – because each runner left declaring confidence for their presumed rematch at the Paris Olympics.
“I was just excited to go out and race against a world-class field and show that I’m still the best 1500m runner in the world,” Kerr said. “The training I’ve done is not anywhere near my peak. 3:45 right now is good enough but we’ve got to make some progress moving from here.”
“It’s a good fight,” Ingebrigtsen said. “Some of my competitors have clearly taken a step in the right direction but not a big step – not as big of a step that maybe is needed to be the favourite in Paris. But I think if anything, this is going to be an exciting summer. For me, I think it’s very good.”
Kerr entered the race with full health and full confidence. After outkicking Ingebrigtsen, the Olympic champion, to win the world title in Budapest last year, Kerr set a world indoor best over two miles in February, then won the world indoor 3000m title in March in front of fans from his native Scotland.
Ingebrigtsen ended last season by winning the Prefontaine Classic mile in 3:43.73, just ahead of Nuguse, but then battled an achilles tendon injury during the winter. That did not necessarily mean he kept a low profile. Comments in the press by Ingebrigtsen began a back-and-forth.
When asked about his relationship with Ingebrigtsen at the press conference ahead of their recent clash in Eugene, Kerr responded: “I wouldn’t say this is a counselling session.”
No, but the race did prove to be a strategy session. The athletes at the front felt that the time through 800m, 1:53, was not too fast. With 600 metres to go, Kerr made his move.
“I thought it was a dumb decision and I knew if I thought it was a dumb decision then it probably was and that was going to scare myself and everyone else around me,” said Kerr, whose previous personal best of 3:48.87 was set two years ago.
Did such an early move surprise Ingebrigtsen?
“A little bit,” he said. “Because historically people have a tendency to not do what they say they’re going to do so they can feel very confident when they have to hold their mask but when we start racing everybody’s very insecure so I think it says a lot about their preparations. I think it was as expected but maybe still surprised that someone is deciding to all of a sudden start racing so I think that’s very good.”
Considering his delayed start to training, Ingebrigtsen was pleased with the time.
"If you do the conversion [to 1500m] it’s a pretty good start," he said. "I’m not a fan of the mile event by itself because it has nothing to do with my culture, definitely something British and American, which I’m not that familiar with, but I think it’s a very good start. I have lost quite a lot of training this winter."
While commentating inside the stadium for the BBC, Steve Cram watched as Kerr broke his 1985 British record of 3:46.32, then had a word with Kerr following the race.
“He said it was a long time coming and he was very proud of me and the way I raced today,” Kerr said.
Jake Wightman, the 2022 world champion at 1500m who missed nearly all of last season due to injury, was fifth in 3:47.87, just behind another British middle-distance specialist, Neil Gourley. Those fast times and gold medals since 2022 were the background to why Kerr said the sport is “heading into the golden era of 1500m running in the UK and in Europe”.
Ingebrigtsen, the day before, had said that being available to race often against top competition was something he considered part of an athlete’s job. Asked if he needed to reassess how to race Kerr tactically given Kerr’s bold and somewhat surprising early move to the front, Ingebrigtsen pointed to his literal track record.
“The last couple of years obviously I have been the only one racing for many of the races so when someone all of a sudden decides to participate other than just following, it’s something different,” Ingebrigtsen said. “So it’s not surprising but it’s just something different.”
Asked if he was suggesting Kerr – who claimed his first Diamond League victory Saturday – had not raced often enough, Ingebrigtsen asked a reporter about the September 2023 meeting in Eugene, when Nuguse was in the field, but not Kerr.
“What about the last time we were here?” Ingebrigtsen said.
Nuguse was third in Eugene in 3:46.22, and while that was behind his 3:43.97 personal best from September, that race occurred at the season’s very end. To run 3:46 in May, at the start of a long season, left Nuguse smiling afterwards, even as he noted he needs to train to be more capable of closing quicker in the final 100m.
“I definitely feel a lot stronger and more comfortable being closer to the front,” Nuguse said. “In a race with so many great guys I think just to come out with third and still be pulling away from it is really huge. I’m feeling really good compared to last year.”
(06/11/2024) Views: 489 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up on his struggles with injuries and his comeback plan to the top of the men's 1500m.
Olympic silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up about his injury bout that saw him struggle to produce great results since the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Cheruiyot, a former world champion, explained that he had been through a tough time with his injury and explained that he had a torn knee which cost him a lot in terms of training and performing well.
He was a favourite at the 2022 World Championships but failed to live up to the billing, finishing sixth in the final of the 1500m before proceeding to a second-place finish at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Last season, Cheruiyot had a bitter exit from the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where he was eliminated in the semifinal of the race. He explained that the injury has been a nightmare to him but appreciated his management and coach Bernard Ouma for walking with him during the difficult period.
“It was a bit hard because sometimes when an athlete has an injury, it’s a bit of a problem but for me, I thank my management and my coach for coming together and finding a good physiotherapist and a great rehab.
“At the moment I’m very happy to be back…it was hard because I had a torn knee and I’m happy to have come back and I’m training well now,” Cheruiyot said.
This season, the 28-year-old has been in great shape, and has competed in Diamond League Meetings and local races as he eyes the Olympic trials.
He was in action at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, finishing second behind Brian Komen before almost upsetting Jakob Ingebrigtsen on home soil, at the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo.
Cheruiyot was also in action at the trials for the Africa Senior Athletics Championships, where he doubled in the 800m and 1500m and finished third and fifth respectively.
He has assured his fans of being fully back and will be keen to go back and take his rightful position as one of the greatest 1500m runners the world has ever known.
(06/06/2024) Views: 570 ⚡AMPEugene, Oregon has been awarded the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced today. From June 21 to 30, Hayward Field at the University of Oregon will be home to one of the biggest track and field competitions in the country, as the U.S. Olympic Team...
more...Timothy Cheruiyot has explained why he loves running against his track rivals, singling out Jakob Ingebrigtsen as one of his favourite.
Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up for his love competing against track rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Cheruiyot and Ingebrigtsen were in action at the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo, where they went head-to-head to the finish line with the Norwegian middle-distance runner dramatically diving over the line to take the top prize.
The two-time world 5000m champion crossed the line in a world leading time of 3:29.74 ahead of Cheruiyot who came in close second in 3:29.77. Frenchman Azeddine Habz sealed the podium, clocking an astonishing season best time of 3:30.80 to cross the finish line.
Cheruiyot, the Olympic Games silver medallist, noted that he loves competing against talented athletes like Ingebrigtsen who usually push him to the limit. Going into Oslo, Cheruiyot had high expectations to win the race but expressed satisfaction with his second-place finish.
He has been out with an injury bout but is slowly coming back to competing and will certainly be a force to reckon with.
“Racing with my compatriot, Jakob - it makes me happy, he's a strong guy and he finished fast today. I'm glad to be here in Oslo for the second time, the track is amazing.
“I was expecting the win but I'm satisfied I managed to run under 3:30 today. Now, I'm going home to prepare for the Kenyan trials - I need to finish in the top three.
“For the last nine months, I've been injured so I need to focus on training more to improve my fitness ahead of Paris, where I hope to get another medal for my country,” Cheruiyot said.
He opened his season with a second-place finish at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha before doubling in the 1500m and 800m at the National Championships.
(05/31/2024) Views: 598 ⚡AMPOSLO, Norway (AP) — Hagos Gebrhiwet of Ethiopia ran the second-fastest 5,000 meters of all time in winning at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Thursday.
Gebrhiwet ran a final lap of 54.99 to finish in 12 minutes, 36.73 seconds — 1.37 seconds off the world record set by Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei.
Gebrhiwet's time is not only the second fastest time ever it was also a new national record for Ethiopia. New personal bests for the top eight finishers and new National records for Guatemala, Switzerland, Sweden, France and South Africa!
Also at the Bislett Games, home favorite Jakob Ingebrigtsen dived for the line to win the men's 1,500 just ahead of Timothy Cheruiyot in a world-leading 3 minutes, 29.74 seconds.
More details: Hagos Gebrhiwet produced the standout performance of the Bislett Games – and one of the biggest surprises of the year so far – when winning the men’s 5000m in 12:36.73 at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Thursday (30).
It was one of three meeting records and five world leads set on an enthralling night of athletics action in the Norwegian capital, just two months away from the Paris Olympic Games.
Going into the men’s 5000m, many eyes were on world record-holder and Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei, two-time world cross-country champion Jacob Kiplimo and last year’s Bislett Games winner Yomif Kejelcha. But Gebrhiwet – who produced the first sub-13-minute run of his career on this track as a teenager back in 2012 – ensured his name won’t be forgotten in the lead-up to the Olympics.
The early pace was strong but not spectacular as the field was paced through the first 1000m in 2:33.13 and 2000m in 5:07.05. Addisu Yihune maintained that tempo through 3000m, reached in 7:41.05, with all the big contenders still in contention.
Kejelcha took control soon after and started to wind up the pace. Gebrhiwet stayed close to his fellow Ethiopian with Ugandan duo Kiplimo and Cheptegei close behind as 4000m was reached in 10:11.86, the previous kilometre being covered in 2:30.
Cheptegei was unable to hold on for much longer and started to drift back. Kejelcha continued to drive the pace but the challenge from Gebrhiwet and Kiplimo wasn’t fading, despite the increase in pace. Gebrhiwet struck as the bell sounded and moved into the lead, kicking past his compatriot and pulling away with each stride.
With a final lap of 54.99, Gebrhiwet charged through the line in 12:36.73 to win by more than two seconds from Kejelcha (12.38.95) – the first time in history that two men have broken 12:40 in the same race.
Gebrhiwet’s winning time is just 1.37 seconds shy of the world record Cheptegei set in 2020 and moves him to second on the world all-time list, one place ahead of Kenenisa Bekele, whose Ethiopian record Gebrhiwet broke.
Kiplimo held on for third, setting a PB of 12:40.96, while Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo (12:48.10) and Yihune (12:49.65) also finished inside 12:50.
It was just the second time in history that 13 men have broken 13 minutes. Along with Gebrhiwet, there were national records for Guatemala’s Luis Grijalva (12:50.58), Switzerland’s Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (12:50.90), Sweden’s Andreas Almgren (12:50.94), France’s Jimmy Gressier (12:54.97) and South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt (12:56.67).
“I’m really happy with my time,” said Gebrhiwet, the world road 5km champion. “I set a PB when I first ran in Oslo, and now it’s even better. The conditions and the crowd were great. It was a very fast race and it wasn’t easy for me, but it went very well. I’ll now try to qualify for the Olympics in the 10,000m too.”
There were notable performances in two other endurance events in Oslo.
Australia’s Georgia Griffith continued her breakthrough to win the 3000m in an Oceanian record of 8:24.20. The field had been paced through 1000m in 2:50.34, then that pace was maintained through 2000m in 5:40.73.
The field became more strung out over the final kilometre as the pace increased. Griffith made a break in the closing stages and Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw tried to come back, but her challenge was in vain as the Australian won in a meeting record of 8:24.20, 0.09 ahead of Amebaw in a race where the top six women finished inside 8:30.
In the closing event of the night, Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen was made to dive for the line to ensure a home victory for the Norwegian fans.
He controlled the pace in the second half, but still had 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot for company on the final lap. The Kenyan challenged the Norwegian down the home straight and appeared to have timed his kick to perfection, but Ingebrigtsen collapsed over the line to get the verdict in a world-leading 3:29.74, 0.03 ahead of Cheruiyot. The first 11 finishers all set either season’s or personal bests.
(05/30/2024) Views: 635 ⚡AMPIt is nearly a decade since Josh Kerr made the decision to turn his back on home comforts and fly thousands of miles across the Atlantic to begin a new life courtesy of an athletics scholarship at the University of New Mexico.
He was only a teenager at the time and left behind a close-knit family in Edinburgh, But never at any point did he have any doubts about the sacrifices involved in upping sticks to Albuquerque, or the ultimate goal.
“It was a big leap of faith, to be honest,” he recalled last year. “I hadn't taken a visit. But if you're not pushing your boundaries, you're just going to get a little bit stale. They said they had 307 days of sun, so I was there.”
Still only 26, the Scot’s boundaries have shifted considerably since then. He is increasingly regarded as one of Scotland’s top medal prospects for the coming Paris Olympics, a status consolidated by his remarkable victory in the Diamond League, where he triumphed over Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and smashed Steve Cram’s near 40-year-old British mile record.
In a quirk of fate, Cram, one of the leading lights in the golden era of British middle-distance running, was part of the BBC commentary team for the meet. “Josh Kerr is getting better and better and better, that was phenomenal, and you know this is a man full of confidence heading to the Olympic Games,” he said.
Kerr’s victory represents the latest step in his journey to the summit of his sport. He first came to national prominence thanks to his 1,500m bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. And in August last year, he shocked Ingebrigtsen to win the 1,500m title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, before breaking the indoor two-mile world record in February.
Such victories are the highlights of a running career that began when Kerr joined Edinburgh Athletics Club aged eight. At the time, his older brother, Jake, was pursuing a successful track career, but later followed in the footsteps of their father, John, by taking up rugby. The younger Kerr stayed on the track, honing his skills under the tutelage of coaches Eric Fisher and Davy Campbell before heading stateside. He is now based in Seattle, part of the Brooks Beasts team trained by Danny Mackey.
But Kerr has always credited the crucial role played by Edinburgh Athletics Club, regularly returning to help give advice to its next crop of youngsters. “Those from the club that have reached the big stages before me have shown that it can be done, and in turn we can show it to the next generation,” he previously explained.
His rapid rise in world athletics represents the latest glowing endorsement of Edinburgh’s coaching. Indeed, Kerr, used to race alongside Jake Wightman, a 1,500m gold medallist at the 2022 World Championships.
Both men were trained by Fisher, now 77. In the wake of Kerr’s gold win in Budapest, he gave an insight into how, during Kerr’s early years, he could give too much respect to his brother, and lacked the confidence to see himself as being at the same level as top athletes. “Things have changed now,” he added.
(05/27/2024) Views: 553 ⚡AMPFor this historic event, the City of Light is thinking big! Visitors will be able to watch events at top sporting venues in Paris and the Paris region, as well as at emblematic monuments in the capital visited by several millions of tourists each year. The promise of exceptional moments to experience in an exceptional setting! A great way to...
more...Josh Kerr smashed Steve Cram’s 39-year-old British record to claim victory in the mile race at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon. The Scottish runner won a highly anticipated showdown with his Norwegian rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen thanks to a remarkable world-leading run of 3min 45.34sec.
Cram, who was commentating on the race for the BBC, had held the British record since 1985 with a time of 3:46.32.
The Olympic 1500m champion, Ingebrigtsen, who was stunned by Kerr in that event at last year’s world championships in Budapest, finished second, with the Britons Neil Gourley and Jake Wightman in fourth and fifth respectively.
Earlier, Keely Hodgkinson produced a dominant display to win the women’s 800m. The 22-year-old clocked a world-leading time of one minute 55.78 secs, while compatriot Jemma Reekie was third – behind Kenyan Mary Moraa – in a time of 1min 57.45sec.
Sha’Carri Richardson, the world champion won in her first women’s 100m of the Olympic year in a time of 10.83sec ahead of St Lucia’s Julien Alfred (10.93) and Dina Asher-Smith, whose time of 10.98 was a season best for the Briton.
Laura Muir continued preparations for this summer’s Olympics in Paris with fourth place in the women’s 1500m in a season’s best 3min 56.35sec. The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist said: “I want to be in the best shape I can for August, so it’s a step towards that to run 56 [seconds] in May. It’s very promising.”
Elsewhere, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet set a new world record of 28min 54.14sec to win the women’s 10,000m. Chebet bested the previous record of 29.01.03 set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey at FBK Stadium in the Netherlands on 8 June 2021.Chebet finished ahead of Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, who finished in 29min 5.92sec in cloudy and cool temperatures. Chebet started to pull away with three laps to go, then poured herself into the final lap. “My body was responding good and I felt strong,” she said. “I felt like I was very comfortable.”
It was her first 10,000m race since 2020, in Nairobi. Chebet, 24, won the silver medal at the 5,000m at the world championships at Hayward Field in 2022. She won the bronze in the event at the worlds last year.
The finish qualified her for her first Olympics this summer in Paris. She said she hopes to double in the 5,000m and 10,000m. “But my target is to run 5,000m first, then 10,000m comes second,” she said. “Because this is my first 10,000m outside the country to run, and I’m so happy to run 28, a world record.”
The Prefontaine Classic is the lone American stop on the international Diamond League series.
(05/25/2024) Views: 670 ⚡AMPThe Pre Classic, part of the Diamond League series of international meets featuring Olympic-level athletes, is scheduled to be held at the new Hayward Field in Eugene. The Prefontaine Classicis the longest-running outdoor invitational track & field meet in America and is part of the elite Wanda Diamond League of meets held worldwide annually. The Pre Classic’s results score has...
more...Going strictly by time, the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday (25) is one of the fastest races in the meeting’s 49-year history.
Add in the storylines, and it’s one of the most anticipated, too.
Featuring seven men with lifetime bests faster than 3:50, Olympic and world championship gold medallists, world record-holders and rivals whose banter has preceded the matchup for months, the mile caps a Wanda Diamond League meeting at Hayward Field whose potential for world-leading marks extends far beyond its final event.
Consider, for one, the women’s 800m, and the early window it will open into this summer’s Olympics. The field includes six of the eight competitors from last year’s World Championships final in Budapest, including gold medallist Mary Moraa and silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson. Notably absent will be bronze medallist Athing Mu, the Olympic champion, who was initially scheduled to race but has been withdrawn out of precaution because of a sore hamstring.
Raevyn Rogers, the 2019 world silver medallist whose image adorns a tower standing high above Hayward Field, also is entered, along with Jemma Reekie, Nia Akins and Halimah Nakaayi, who is coming off a victory at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix.
World champion Sha’Carri Richardson and Elaine Thompson-Herah headline the women’s 100m, along with world indoor 60m champion Julien Alfred and Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, while world indoor 60m champion Christian Coleman and Ackeem Blake are among the fastest entered in the men's 100m.
Perhaps the most dominant athlete entering the meeting is Grant Holloway, the world 110m hurdles champion who has won all 10 races he has contested this year, including the indoor season and heats. That also includes running a world-leading 13.07 into a headwind to win in Atlanta last weekend.
The three-time world champion's last loss came on the very same Hayward Field track, at last September’s Prefontaine Classic. The only remaining gap on Holloway’s resume is an Olympic gold medal, and Saturday’s race could be an early preview of Paris, as the field includes five who raced in last summer’s World Championships final in Budapest, including silver medallist Hansle Parchment and Daniel Roberts, who earned bronze.
Shot put world record-holder and multiple world and Olympic champion Ryan Crouser will open his outdoor season in his home state and at the stadium where he owns the facility record, while trying to best Leonardo Fabbri’s world-leading mark of 22.95m.
Since 2023, Crouser has lost in just one final – and it was at September’s Prefontaine Classic to Joe Kovacs, who won in Los Angeles last weekend with 22.93m, and is entered again. Payton Otterdahl, who owns the world No.3 mark this year, also is in the field.
Those events offer no shortage of global medallists. Few, however, carry the prospect for as much drama as the mile.
Over the past year, Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr, who outkicked Ingebrigtsen for last year’s world title in Budapest, have carried on a battle of words through the press about who could prevail in Paris.
Commonwealth champion Olli Hoare, who is part of the field following his 1500m win in Los Angeles last week, said the sport was better for the attention drawn by the back-and-forth between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr – but added that other racers wanted to strike the appropriate level of respect for their competitors, such as Yared Nuguse, whose PB of 3:43.97 was set battling Ingebrigtsen (4:43.73) down to the line at September’s Pre Classic.
“This is a big one. This is going to be a big one for a lot of egos,” Hoare said in Los Angeles. “But I think it’s going to be a big one for me because it’ll be the first race where I’ll have an inkling of where I am with the world’s best. There’s a bit of tossing and turning with the banter but you can’t disrespect that field. If you do, you’ll get eaten alive.”
That list of seven men under 3:50, which includes Hoare, notably doesn’t include Jake Wightman, who will be racing Ingebrigtsen for the first time since their duel at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, when Wightman won gold; Abel Kipsang, who was fourth at the Tokyo Olympics; Geordie Beamish, less than three months after he stormed to the world indoor title; or Lamecha Girma, the steeplechase world record-holder who is making his mile debut.
“Jake Wightman’s back, he’s a world champion,” Hoare said. “Yared Nuguse, 3:43 mile – these guys are keeping quiet and they’re going to wait for their opportunity to strike. And when they do strike, I guarantee they will make a comment.”
They are not the only accomplished names entered in the distances.
Athletics Kenya will determine its men's and women's Olympic 10,000m qualifiers at Hayward Field, with Kenya's two-time world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet, the world leader at 5000m this season, part of a women's race that will include world champion Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, eight months after Tsegay set the world 5000m record on the same track.
World record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech will attempt to retain her controlling hold over the steeplechase when she races top challenger Faith Cherotich. The Kenyan duo produced the two fastest times in the world this year at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, which Chepkoech won in 8:55.40 to Cherotich’s 9:05.91. Olympic silver medallist Courtney Frerichs will no longer run after injuring the ACL and meniscus in her right knee.
One week after winning in Los Angeles, Diribe Welteji leads the 1500m field that includes 13 women who have run under four minutes. World indoor 3000m champion Elle St Pierre, who won the 5000m in Los Angeles, is running her first 1500m of the season, with Laura Muir, Nikki Hiltz, Jessica Hull, Hirut Meshesha and Cory McGee also entered.
Multiple world and Olympic gold medallist Sifan Hassan, as well as world No.2 Ejgayehu Taye, will feature in the 5000m.
In the field, world and Olympic pole vault champion Katie Moon opens her outdoor season against Sandi Morris, and in the triple jump four of the top five women this season are entered, led by Thea LaFond, whose 15.01m jump to win the world indoor title in Glasgow still stands as the mark to beat.
Olympic discus champion Valarie Allman has not lost in Eugene in two years, a run that includes claiming September’s Diamond League final. That could change on Saturday because of the presence of world leader Yaime Perez, who finished second to Allman in Xiamen last month.
In the men’s 200m, top US sprinters who will duel at the Olympic trials only weeks later will face off. Kenny Bednarek, fresh off a world-leading 19.67 in Doha, is scheduled to race against world No.2 Courtney Lindsey (19.71), with world silver medallist Erriyon Knighton making his season debut. Joe Fahnbulleh and Kyree King, winner of the Los Angeles Grand Prix 100m, are also entered.
Another winner in Los Angeles, Rai Benjamin, headlines the men’s 400m hurdles, and he enters with considerable confidence after running 46.64, the ninth-fastest performance of all time.
“I think I’m the fastest guy in the field, honestly,” Benjamin said of potential Olympic chances.
The women’s 100m hurdles and women’s hammer will not count towards Diamond League points totals, but will be more potential previews for global championships.
Women who account for five of the year’s six fastest times, all of whom are separated by fractions of a second, will face off in the hurdles. Tonea Marshall, fresh off her victory in Los Angeles in 12.42, leads 2019 world champion Nia Ali, Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, two-time world champion Danielle Williams and world indoor champion Devynne Charlton.
Brooke Andersen’s 79.92m throw from earlier this month remains the world-leading hammer mark this season but she will be challenged by world champion Camryn Rogers, 2019 world champion DeAnna Price and world silver medallist Janee’ Kassanavoid, who own the next three farthest throws this season.
(05/24/2024) Views: 665 ⚡AMPThe Pre Classic, part of the Diamond League series of international meets featuring Olympic-level athletes, is scheduled to be held at the new Hayward Field in Eugene. The Prefontaine Classicis the longest-running outdoor invitational track & field meet in America and is part of the elite Wanda Diamond League of meets held worldwide annually. The Pre Classic’s results score has...
more...Gjert Ingebrigtsen has been charged by Norwegian police with one count of physical abuse after allegedly hitting one of his seven kids in the face with a wet towel in 2022.
On Monday, Norwegian police announced that Gjert Ingebrigtsen, father and former coach of 1,500m Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, faces charges of domestic violence against a family member. Gjert could face up to six years in prison if found guilty.
In October 2023, Jakob, 23, and his older brothers Henrik, 33, and Filip, 31, who are also Olympic-level athletes, told the Norwegian newspaper VG that their father, who had coached them until 2022, had been physically violent.
The 58-year-old denied the allegations, but Norwegian police, who had been investigating the case, said on Monday that Gjert had been charged with one count of physical abuse. According to a report in VG, the alleged abuse took place between 2018 and early 2022 and included threats, coercion and hitting one of his seven kids in the face with a wet towel.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen’s lawyer, John Christian Elden, told VG that his client disagrees with the presentation of the events and does not admit any criminal wrongdoing.
The police did not disclose the name of the child to the public. If found guilty, Ingebrigtsen could be facing up to six years in prison. No date for a trial has been set.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen was named the Norwegian sports coach of the year in 2018 after Jakob, Henrik, and Filip all won medals at the European Championships that year. The family had also been the subject of a TV documentary series, “Team Ingebregtsen,” aired by public broadcaster NRK for the five years leading up to the Tokyo Olympics.
Jakob is one of the biggest international stars in track and field, and was coached by his father since he began running. He broke ties with his father in 2022, and has been coached by his brother Henrik since then.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen recently started coaching another Norwegian runner, Narve Gilje Nordås, who won bronze in the men’s 1,500m behind Ingebrigtsen in Budapest. Gjert Ingebrigtsen was told by the Norwegian sports federation that he would not be allowed to be part of the Norwegian coaching staff at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He was also denied accreditation for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where Jakob won gold in the 5,000m and silver in the men’s 1,500m.
(04/30/2024) Views: 643 ⚡AMPAthing Mu, Mary Moraa and Keely Hodgkinson – the three women who’ve claimed the 800m medals at the past two World Championships – will clash at the Prefontaine Classic when the Wanda Diamond League reaches Eugene on 25 May.
Mu won in Eugene last year when Hayward Field hosted the Wanda Diamond League Final. Having finished third at the World Championships three months prior, the Olympic champion gained revenge on home soil and kicked to victory in a US record of 1:54.97.
Hodgkinson – as she had done at the Olympics in 2021, as well as at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships – finished second on that occasion in a British record of 1:55.19.
Moraa wound up fourth in that race, but the Kenyan had won the biggest prize of the year in Budapest, taking the world title in a PB of 1:56.03.
The trio have clashed just three times in the past, with Mu coming out on top in two of those encounters.
It’s the second big middle-distance clash announced by the Prefontaine Classic, following the news last month that Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen will take on world champion Josh Kerr and North American record-holder Yared Nuguse in the Bowerman mile.
(04/11/2024) Views: 479 ⚡AMPThe Pre Classic, part of the Diamond League series of international meets featuring Olympic-level athletes, is scheduled to be held at the new Hayward Field in Eugene. The Prefontaine Classicis the longest-running outdoor invitational track & field meet in America and is part of the elite Wanda Diamond League of meets held worldwide annually. The Pre Classic’s results score has...
more...This workout is a staple in Ingebrigtsen's training regimen and a cornerstone for building speed and fitness for 5K or 10K races.
On Wednesday, Olympic and world champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen announced his new partnership with the sports wearable brand Coros and shared a challenging yet effective 10K workout.
Coming off an Achilles injury this past year, Ingebrigtsen revealed that he is now building volume as he targets his goals for the big 2024 season. This workout is a staple in Ingebrigtsen’s training regimen and a cornerstone for building speed and fitness for 5K or 10K races.
Workout
Two sets of 12x400m (24 reps total) with 30 seconds of rest between reps, at a pace corresponding to your goal race pace. (Take three minutes of rest between the first and second set).
To prepare your body for the workout, start with a 10- to 20-minute warmup followed by a few strides to prime your body for the intensity ahead. After completing the workout, finish with a 10-to 20-minute cool down to aid recovery.
Purpose of the workout
Ingebrigtsen says this session is a valuable tool for becoming more comfortable with race pace in training for both the 5K and 10K distances. He emphasizes the importance of matching intensity with your goal pace to achieve optimal results. The workout is strategically designed to stress the body without inducing excessive fatigue, allowing runners to maintain speed and effort throughout the session.
The workout may seem daunting on paper, but Ingebrigtsen assures that it is fantastic for any runner, and offers a few tips to help you conquer it. “1) Start slow: If you’re new to this workout, begin with fewer repetitions and shorter breaks to gradually build endurance and speed. 2) Focus on hitting paces: Aim to reach your desired pace early in the session and maintain it evenly throughout. Avoid the temptation to increase pace with each repetition. 3) Adapt and progress: Over time, gradually increase the number of repetitions and pace to challenge yourself.”
Regardless of your experience level, Ingebrigtsen believes his 10K-oriented workout can benefit anyone pursuing faster times. “It is a race-pace simulation,” Ingebrigtsen told Coros. “By breaking the 10K distance into manageable repetitions, runners can simulate race conditions and enhance their ability to sustain that pace over longer distances.” While it may not be the key workout each week, Ingebrigtsen describes it as “smart,” because it stresses the body without introducing too much fatigue. “Due to the short break, you’re still not getting enough rest to recover, but are still getting enough to maintain speed and effort.”
If 24 reps of 400m seem like too many, or if a 10K or half-marathon is not your focus, Ingebrigtsen recommends breaking down the workout into shorter reps, while keeping the rest the same.
(03/21/2024) Views: 667 ⚡AMPThe date when a showdown between 1500m Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and 2023 1500m world champion Josh Kerr has been confirmed.
Serial track rivals Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen have both been confirmed as headliners for the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic, the fourth leg of the Diamond League Meeting series happening in Eugene, USA on May 25.
The duo has been known to attack each other with the two-time World 5000m champion from Norway also attacking the Scot most of the time.
The Norwegian, from time to time has been on record, trash-talking his rivals including Kerr and he once referred to him as the guy next door.
In his recent interview Speaking to the UK Times, Ingebrigtsen noted that he believes his competitors are irrelevant and very inconsistent when it comes to the sport.
“I’m going to say my competitors are irrelevant in the way I see them all the same. One of the main issues is they are very inconsistent and that means my rivals are always changing.
“From 2017 I have had ten to 12 different rivals. It’s easier for them to have a rival in me but not as easy for me to have a rival in them,” Ingebrigtsen said.
After the Scot broke the two-mile indoor world record, the World 1500m silver medallist also made fun of him and noted that he would have beaten him blindfolded.
“I would have beaten him in that race, blindfolded… But it’s good that people run better than they have done before,” Ingebrigtsen said.
The duo now clashes at the Prefontaine Classic and Kerr will be debuting at the event. U.S. indoor and outdoor mile record holder Yared Nuguse will also be in the mix.
In last year’s race, Ingebrigtsen battled to the finish line with Nuguse with the Norwegian star winning in 3:43.73. Nuguse took nearly three full seconds off Alan Webb’s American record with a 3:43.97.
(03/12/2024) Views: 446 ⚡AMPNorway’s gold drought at the World Indoor Championships hit 29 years last weekend in Glasgow, with the country’s star middle-distance runner, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, sidelined by injury. In a recent interview with the Times, Ingebrigtsen did not hold back, slamming doping in athletics, saying it’s worse now than a decade ago.
“I think doping is worse now than 10 years ago,” Ingebrigtsen told the Times. “It is difficult to prove that, but it’s what I feel. The problem now is that we see fewer positive tests, and that really concerns me; it is a sign that people are getting smarter and finding better ways to evade detection, or perhaps the tests are not detecting enough.”
The Olympic 1,500m champion went on to say that not enough people are getting caught by regular testing, and the only way “cheats” are detected is through whereabouts (three missed doping tests in 12 months). “If you know what you’re doing, that is a genius way of cheating,” he says.
One thing that is different than 10 years ago is the number of athletes tested. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe introduced the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in 2017, a crucial governing body dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of athletics. Each year, World Athletics spends an estimated $8,000,000 putting systems in place to tackle doping.
Ingebrigtsen voiced his satisfaction in beating suspected dopers, like two-time world championship medalist Mohamed Katir, who was given a two-year ban on whereabouts in February. “It’s the ultimate destruction,” he said to the Times. “It’s more embarrassing for them—even when they have the audacity to cheat, and they are not doing it right.”
The 23-year-old has yet to race in the 2024 season, as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury he suffered last fall. He expects to make his debut on the track in late May and round into form to compete at the 2024 European Championships in Rome in June.
(03/09/2024) Views: 720 ⚡AMPGeordie Beamish of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, pulled off an incredible upset to take gold in the men’s 1,500m on the final day of competition at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
Beamish was not expected to win, with the 1,500m not being his main event. However, he bided his time and entered the final lap in eighth place before surging down the final straight to become New Zealand’s first world indoor champion in the 1,500m event, clocking a personal best of 3:36.54.
“I trusted my closing speed against anyone,” said. Beamish to Canadian Running post-race.
Cole Hocker and Hobbs Kessler of Team USA claimed silver and bronze, respectively, with times of 3:36.69 and 3:36.72.
The door was open for a new champion in the men’s 1,500m with the absence of Jakob Ingebrigtsen due to injury and reigning world (outdoor) champion Josh Kerr, who ran and won the 3,000m distance instead.
When asked if Beamish would run the 1,500m in Paris instead of the steeplechase, he declined. “I don’t think I can run a 1,500m in 3:29,” he said. “I enjoy the steeple a lot, and I think I have my best chance to medal in that event.”
Vancouver’s Kieran Lumb finished 13th in the 1,500m final. “I’m disappointed,” says Lumb. “I felt I was going to really do something special today, and that wasn’t the case.”
Beamish’s medal capped off a day to remember for New Zealand after Hamish Kerr earlier won gold in the high jump. The small Oceanic island nation finished with four medals (two gold, two silver), their most ever at an indoor world championship.
In the women’s 1,500m final, it was Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu who came out on top in a time of 4:01.46. This is Hailu’s first global title. Her best finish before Glasgow was a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in the same event. Americans Nikki Hiltz and Emily MacKay ran personal bests to win silver and bronze. Canada’s Lucia Stafford finished 11th in 4:08.90.
(03/04/2024) Views: 659 ⚡AMPWelcome or fáilte as the Gaelic speakers in Scotland would say, to the digital home of the 19th edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships taking place in Glasgow in 2024. With the competition fast approaching it’s nearly time to take your seat for one of the hottest sporting tickets in Scotland this year. Glasgow has a proven track record...
more...Just before the bell sounded in the men’s 3000m final, Josh Kerr made his move, sweeping through to join Selemon Barega at the front of the field with one lap of the track remaining.
Could the Scot who brought down Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian prince of the middle distances, in the last 200m of the stunning men’s 1500m final at the outdoor World Championships in Budapest last August do the same to the defending 3000m champion back on home ground at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24?
Indeed, he could. And then some.
The noise threatened to raise the roof in the Glasgow Arena as the pride of Glasgow kicked again halfway down the back straight. Barega, the Olympic champion at 10,000m, was unable to respond.
As Kerr rounded into the home straight, the gold medal was in the bag. He still dipped for the line but with 0.61 to spare.
The time, 7:42.98, was a statistical irrelevance as the double world champion savoured his victory ahead of his US rival Yared Nuguse, who came through to snatch silver in 7:43.59, Barega fading to third in 7:43.64.
Kerr had become the first British man to win the world indoor 3000m title and only the third Scottish athlete to strike world indoor gold in any event.
He wasn’t even born when the Bellshill Bullet Tom McKean hit the bullseye in the men’s 800m and his training partner Yvonne Murray did likewise in the women’s 3000m in Toronto back in the mists of 1993.
Fittingly, McKean and Murray were both in the house to join in the celebrations as Kerr soaked up the applause wrapped in a Scottish Saltire flag.
“For Scotland and for the UK, this is a huge championships,” said the Tokyo Olympic 1500m bronze medallist, who has been based in the United States in Albuquerque since the age of 17.
“I needed to be at my best. It was a hard-fought race.”
It was indeed and Kerr fought the smartest, judging his effort to absolute perfection, as he had in that wonderful world outdoor 1500m final seven months ago.
He was happy to sit back in the pack as Barega and his Ethiopian teammate Getnet Wale toyed with the pace at the front, injecting fleeting surges.
The field remained bunched with 800m remaining, at which point Kerr coolly drifted up into second, behind Wale. It was the perfect position to react to any major move.
That came with 500m remaining, Barega making his way past into the lead. Nuguse’s US teammate Olin Hocker entered the equation too before Kerr closed down Barega at the bell – and proceeded to break not just the Ethiopian runner but the Ethiopian stranglehold on the event.
After wins by Yomif Kejelcha in Portland in 2016 and in Birmingham in 2018, and Barega’s success in Belgrade two years ago, Kerr became the first European winner since Italy’s Gennaro Di Napoli retained the title in Toronto in 1993.
“I just didn't want to short change anyone because I knew I had the support of all Scotland and the UK tonight,” added Kerr, who has raced sparingly on the boards but set a brilliant world indoor two mile best of 8:00.67 in New York on 6 February.
Behind the three medal winners, Wale finished fourth in 7:44.77 and Hacker fifth in 7:45.40.
(03/03/2024) Views: 566 ⚡AMPWhen the Olympic champion met the world indoor champion, something was always going to give. In the end, as Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Samuel Tefera fought towards the line in the men’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22 on Sunday (20), it was the Norwegian star who had no choice but to concede.
Not that Ingebrigtsen ever gave up, the 21-year-old trying to summon something – anything – to repel the late charge of Tefera, but it was no use, with the 22-year-old Ethiopian taking gold in 3:32.77, Ingebrigtsen taking silver in 3:33.02, and Kenya’s Abel Kipsang the bronze in 3:33.36.
Before the race, the head-to-head record between the big two was 11-0 in favour of Ingebrigtsen, but no one beats Samuel Tefera 12 times in a row, not when this is a distance at which he held the world indoor record at 3:31.04 for the past three years, until Ingebrigtsen broke it earlier this year with 3:30.60.
That race in Lievin, France, in mid-February made the Norwegian the hot favourite for the title in Belgrade, and when the gun fired he adopted similar tactics to the Olympic final in Tokyo, or indeed most races on the circuit.
He made sure it was fast.
With Kipsang rocketing through the opening lap in 27.60, Ingebrigtsen waited until the second to hit the front, stringing the field out behind as he passed 400m in 55.81, 800m in 1:53.9 and 1200m in 2:51.16.
But tracking him all the way, keeping his powder dry, was Tefera, the slightly more measured pace compared to the race in Lievin allowing him to sit in his slipstream into the final bend. Tefera then moved wide off the turn and emptied the tank to edge past his rival up the home straight, retaining his world indoor title with a championship record of 3:32.77.
“The race was very tough, but I feel very happy now because I became the champion,” said Tefera, who said he had surgery on his achilles tendon last year, an injury picked up during the Tokyo Olympics.
“I could not do many activities within the training but now I am completely fit,” he said. “I feel normal and I am ready for any kind of races and championships.”
Ingebrigtsen was gracious in defeat, not that he was too pleased about his silver.
“I came here to fight for the gold and it was a good fight,” he said. “I didn’t feel that great. Usually I feel a bit tired from 600 to 800 then it starts to loosen up but that didn’t happen tonight so I’m not 100 percent. Tefera was better than me tonight. I thought I was better than him, having run the record.”
Asked if he would do anything different if the race was run again, he said: “If I knew that I was completely s*** tonight, then of course I’d do a lot of things different, but I didn’t have any factors telling me that before the race.”In third, Kipsang claimed the first global medal of his career, having been edged into fourth at the Olympics last year. Ethiopia’s Teddese Lemi finished fourth in 3:33.59, with Australia’s Ollie Hoare fifth and Britain’s Neil Gourley sixth.
The following day, on his return home after not feeling fully fit, Ingebrigtsen shared a photo of a positive Covid test on his social media and wrote: "Just arrived home in Sandnes, and decided to take a health check after a strange feeling last night. Leading up to the race, everything felt normal, with negative PCR test and several rapid tests. Bad timing but in some way unavoidable. Now it's all about recovering and getting back to training."
(03/03/2024) Views: 496 ⚡AMPWelcome or fáilte as the Gaelic speakers in Scotland would say, to the digital home of the 19th edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships taking place in Glasgow in 2024. With the competition fast approaching it’s nearly time to take your seat for one of the hottest sporting tickets in Scotland this year. Glasgow has a proven track record...
more...On Thursday morning, Josh Kerr was calm and confident as he took questions from the media at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. The reigning 1,500m world champion is poised to tackle a new challenge at World Indoors: the men’s 3,000m event, all under the watchful eyes of a supportive home crowd. When asked about the pressure for Saturday’s race, Kerr brushed it off, saying that internally, nothing has changed.
Acknowledging the weight of expectation that comes with being a world champion, Kerr says he’s unfazed by external distractions. “I remain focused on myself and on preparing to compete at the highest level,” says Kerr. “My primary goal remains unchanged: to win gold at both the World Indoors and the Paris Olympics.”
The Scottish middle-distance runner made the strategic decision to opt out of the 1,500m event in Glasgow, entering the 3,000m instead—a distance he’s tackled only twice in his professional career. “Over the years, I’ve recognized the need to build strength, and I’ve seen considerable success in the 3K and two-mile races,” explained Kerr. “I believe I have untapped potential in the 3K.”
While venturing into longer-distance events, Kerr reiterated that his main focus for Paris is firmly on the men’s 1,500m. “I have no plans to venture into the 5,000m anytime soon… I might be the worst at it,” he laughed. “But it’s an area I’m working on improving.”
Constantly challenging himself to get better was something Kerr had to learn early on in his career. When he won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, he said he got carried away with thinking the hard work was done and that he could ride the wave. “I believe track and field is the most humbling sport in the world,” says Kerr. “I had to put my head down and set events to look forward to in order to help with my motivation during winter training.”
The possibility of winning world championship gold on home soil holds a lot of significance for Kerr. “World Indoors in Scotland is deeply meaningful to me,” he said. “Following the legacy of events like London 2012, I hope this championship inspires the next generation of Scottish athletes.”
As the main medal favourite for host country Team GB, Kerr is embracing the challenge. “Despite our smaller team size, I think every athlete in a GB singlet is a genuine medal contender,” Kerr says.
While Kerr’s rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen will be absent from World Indoors, Kerr declined to engage in any banter after Ingebrigtsen said he could beat Kerr’s two-mile world best “blindfolded.” When questioned about Ingebrigtsen’s recent remarks, he laughed and said “No comment.” With the men’s 3,000m at World Indoors stacked with talent—including American mile record holder Yared Nuguse and Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega of Ethiopia—reaching the top of the podium for Kerr won’t come easy.
You can stream the 2024 World Indoor Championships from March 1 to 3 from Canada live on CBCSports and CBC, and the CBC Gem app. Canadian Running will be reporting live from Glasgow, reporting on the action and featuring interviews with athletes as everything unfolds. You can follow our coverage on Instagram or Twitter.
(02/29/2024) Views: 555 ⚡AMPWelcome or fáilte as the Gaelic speakers in Scotland would say, to the digital home of the 19th edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships taking place in Glasgow in 2024. With the competition fast approaching it’s nearly time to take your seat for one of the hottest sporting tickets in Scotland this year. Glasgow has a proven track record...
more...Sprint legend Michael Johnson feels top athletes have been skipping meetings pitting them against their bitter rivals because there is not enough incentive to entice them.
American sprint legend Michael Johnson believes top athletes would not be skipping meetings against their bitter rivals over some flimsy reasons if the pay was good.
Johnson has been an advocate of better pay for athletes, calling on World Athletics to improve on their welfare, while also urging runners to speak out so that they can be taken seriously by the powers that be.
While commenting on sentiments made by multiple world champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who claimed he could beat his bitter rival Josh Kerr while blindfolded, a fan said it was highly unlikely that the two runners will clash any time soon because athletics authorities ‘do not like the idea.’
“One of them is definitely pulling out with an “injury” bc [because] there is no way we are going to get this good of a moment from the track and field gods,” said the fans.
Replying to the comment, Johnson said: “If the money goes up, the “injuries” will go down.”
It is another dig aimed at those in charge of the sport, ramping up the pressure on the need for athletes to get better pay so that fans have an opportunity to witness the best competing against each other.
Johnson, who won four Olympic Gold medals and eight World Championship titles, fired one of his many salvos last month when fans appeared to casually dismiss track and field athletes as amateurs.
“The number of people in the replies who think a track & field Olympic and World Champion is an amateur athlete is a major indictment of those in charge of the sport,” Johnson posted on social media after Pole vault Olympic and world champion Katie Moon had questioned why the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission had never nominated a female athlete for the Athlete of the Year award.
Ingebrigtsen stocked the fires on Friday when responding to Kerr’s impressive outing at the 2024 Millrose Games.
Kerr of Great Britain set a new indoor two-mile world record, running 8:00.67 to take down Mo Farah’s time of 8:03.40.
However, Ingebrigtsen seemed to dismiss his performance, claiming he could have beaten him in the two-mile “blindfolded” despite the fact that Kerr defeated him to claim 1,500m gold at the 2023 World Championships.
(02/17/2024) Views: 641 ⚡AMP