Running News Daily

World half marathon champion Sabastian Sawe to lead Kenyan quartet against star-studded Ethiopian lineup at Valencia Marathon

The debuting quartet of Sebastian Sawe, Daniel Mateiko, Mathew Kimeli, and Hillary Kipkoech will attempt to challenge the Ethiopian dominance at the Valencia Marathon

The Kenyan athletics scene will once again be in the spotlight as four formidable runners Sebastian Sawe, Daniel Mateiko, Mathew Kimeli, and Hillary Kipkoech gear up to challenge Ethiopia's dominance at the Valencia Marathon on December 1.

Each member of this Kenyan quartet has established themselves as a powerhouse in road running and half marathons, promising an electrifying race against a star-studded Ethiopian lineup.

Leading the charge for the Kenyan team is Sebastian Sawe, the reigning World Road Running champion.

Sawe has completed all nine of his half marathons under the coveted 60-minute mark, boasting a personal best (PB) of 58:02.

Close on his heels is Mateiko, another consistent performer who has clocked sub-59-minute times on seven occasions, making him one of the most reliable half-marathoners in the world.

Kipkoech, who holds a PB of 59:22, enters the marathon as a serious contender after previously pacing Ethiopian course record holder Sisay Lemma in 2023.

Kimeli who triumphed at the 2023 Bangsaen21 Half Marathon in Thailand with a time of 1:03:39, adds another layer of depth to Kenya’s challenge.

The Kenyan quartet will face stiff competition from a stellar Ethiopian team led by Sisay Lemma, the Valencia Marathon course record holder.

Lemma’s breathtaking 2:01:48, set last year, ranks as the sixth-fastest marathon time in history.

Following his Valencia triumph, Lemma claimed the Boston Marathon title earlier this year with a time of 2:06:17.

Joining Lemma is Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele, whose PB of 2:01:41 makes him the fastest man in the field.

Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, continues to be a force at the marathon distance, ranking third on the all-time list.

The Ethiopian roster further includes two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese, winner of the 2021 Berlin Marathon Guye Adola and Olympian Deresa Geleta who placed fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Jacob Kiplimo Shatters the 15k World Record

On November 17, 2024, the running world witnessed a historic moment as Ugandan athlete Jacob Kiplimo shattered the men’s 15-kilometer road race world record at the Zevenheuvelenloop in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Kiplimo completed the race in an astonishing 40 minutes and 27 seconds, surpassing his previous record of 41:05 set in 2023 at the same event.

The Zevenheuvelenloop, or “Seven Hills Run,” is renowned for its challenging course, featuring undulating terrain that tests even the most seasoned runners. Despite these challenges, Kiplimo’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He maintained a blistering pace throughout the race, averaging approximately 2:42 per kilometer. His final kilometer was particularly impressive, clocking in at 2:31, which underscores his exceptional endurance and speed.

Kiplimo’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and the rigorous training he has undertaken. At just 24 years old, he has already established himself as a dominant force in long-distance running. His previous accolades include a world record in the half marathon, set in Lisbon in 2021, where he recorded a 15-kilometer split of 40:27 en route to his 57:31 finish. This consistency in breaking records highlights his remarkable talent and potential for future accomplishments.

The significance of Kiplimo’s new world record extends beyond personal achievement; it also places Uganda prominently on the global athletics stage. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in his home country and around the world, demonstrating that with perseverance and hard work, extraordinary feats are attainable.

In the women’s category, Kenyan runner Beatrice Chepkoech delivered a stellar performance, finishing the 15-kilometer race in 47 minutes and 12 seconds. Chepkoech, known for her prowess in the 3000-meter steeplechase, showcased her versatility and endurance in road racing, finishing 43 seconds ahead of her closest competitor.

The 2024 Zevenheuvelenloop will be remembered as a landmark event in the history of long-distance running. Jacob Kiplimo’s record-breaking run has set a new benchmark for the 15-kilometer distance, inspiring athletes worldwide to push the boundaries of human performance. As the running community celebrates this monumental achievement, all eyes will be on Kiplimo to see what records he may break next.

Bernard Koech: How I broke free from alcohol to reclaim my life and inspire other athletes

Marathoner Bernard Koech shares his journey from alcohol dependency to redemption, inspiring athletes to avoid similar pitfalls and embrace resilience.

If you love alcohol a little too much, the weekend drink can quickly become a daily ritual, gradually pulling you away from the things and people you once held dear.

For two-time Haspa Marathon Hamburg champion Bernard Koech, this slippery slope into dependency was one he stumbled down for years, reaching a point where he felt trapped, isolated and far from the promising career he had built as an elite Kenyan marathoner.

In his journey from darkness to redemption, Koech now shares his story to inspire fellow athletes and men facing similar pressures, advocating for change and awareness around the dangers of substance abuse.

During his peak years, between 2015 and 2020, Koech was an admired marathoner known for his speed and strength, but his private life was becoming a struggle.

What began as a casual drink to unwind after training eventually spiraled into heavy drinking sessions with friends.

“Somewhere at the beginning of 2015, I started doing that,” Koech says in a past interview with NOS.

“Instead of going to bed after training, I looked for entertainment elsewhere.”

His growing dependence on alcohol started to overshadow his discipline, the very trait that had fueled his athletic success.

Koech recalls how he became increasingly disconnected from family, friends, and even his coach.

His drinking, initially limited to weekends, quickly morphed into a daily necessity that he would indulge in secret.

“At one point, I no longer drank in public, but smuggled bottles in during training camps to drink in anonymity,” he says.

The more he drank, the more isolated he became, as relationships with loved ones became strained and his motivation for training waned.

His performance started to reflect his inner turmoil, as his times slowed and his name began to fade from the competitive marathon landscape.

The isolation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic became an unexpected turning point for Koech.

With events canceled and sponsors withdrawing, he was left with few options and limited financial support.

With no distractions to hide behind, he was forced to confront the reality of his life and how much he had given up to a habit that no longer served him.

Gradually, he realized that he had to reclaim his life not only for himself but also as an example to others who might find themselves in the same struggle.

For the last four years, Koech has dedicated his life to supporting fellow athletes, particularly young men vulnerable to the pitfalls of fame, stress, and societal expectations.

Each week, he meets with Kenyan athletes to talk about resilience, recovery and the importance of building a life that goes beyond momentary highs.

His experience has also motivated him to address issues like mental health, financial planning, and the pressures of modern relationships.

"For an athlete, discipline is the greatest condition for success," he says, highlighting the need for self-control not just in training but in everyday life.

Koech’s journey is a testament to the strength it takes to turn one’s life around, especially in a society where drinking can be culturally ingrained and sources of emotional support can be limited.

Recognizing the unique societal pressures men face, Pulse Kenya, in partnership with Money Clinic, has organized the second edition of the Average Joes forum.

This event, scheduled for November 23, 2024, will provide a supportive environment where men can openly share experiences and gain insights on topics from mental health and fatherhood to financial responsibility and social issues.

With a small registration fee of Sh500, attendees can register here to join this life-changing forum, designed to support men in their journeys toward healthier, more balanced lives.

Joe Klecker Plans His Half Marathon Debut

In a live recording of The CITIUS MAG Podcast in New York City, U.S. Olympian Joe Klecker confirmed that he is training for his half marathon debut in early 2025. He did not specify which race but signs point toward the Houston Half Marathon on Jan. 19th.

“We’re kind of on this journey to the marathon,” Klecker said on the Citizens Bank Stage at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon Expo. “The next logical step is a half marathon. That will be in the new year. We don’t know exactly where yet but we want to go attack a half marathon. That’s what all the training is focused on and that’s why it’s been so fun. Not that the training is easy but it’s the training that comes the most naturally to me.”

Klecker owns personal bests of 12:54.99 for 5000m and 27:07.57 for 10,000m. In his lone outdoor track race of 2024, he ran 27:09.29 at Sound Running’s The Ten in March and missed the Olympic qualifying standard of 27:00.00.

His training style and genes (his mother Janis competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in the marathon and won two U.S. marathon national championships in her career; and his father Barney previously held the U.S. 50-mile ultramarathon record) have always linked Klecker to great marathoning potential. For this year’s TCS New York City Marathon, the New York Road Runners had Klecker riding in the men’s lead truck so he could get a front-row glimpse at the race and the course, if he chooses to make his debut there or race in the near future.

The Comeback From Injury

In late May, Klecker announced he would not be able to run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June due to his recovery from a torn adductor earlier in the season, which ended his hopes of qualifying for a second U.S. Olympic team. He spent much of April cross training and running on the Boost microgravity treadmill at a lower percentage of his body weight.

“The process of coming back has been so smooth,” Klecker says. “A lot of that is just because it’s been all at the pace of my health. I haven’t been thinking like, ‘Oh I need to be at this level of fitness in two weeks to be on track for my goals.’ If my body is ready to go, we’re going to keep progressing. If it’s not ready to go, we’re going to pull back a little bit. That approach is what helped me get through this injury.”

One More Track Season

Klecker is not fully prepared to bid adieu to the track. He plans to chase the qualifying standard for the 10,000 meters and attempt to qualify for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. In 2022, after World Athletics announced Tokyo as the 2025 host city, he told coach Dathan Ritzenhein that he wanted the opportunity to race at Japan National Stadium with full crowds.

“I’m so happy with what I’ve done on the track that if I can make one more team, I’ll be so happy,” Klecker says. “Doing four more years of this training, I don’t know if I can stay healthy to be at the level I want to be. One more team on the track would just be like a dream.”

Klecker is also considering doubling up with global championships and could look to qualify for the 2025 World Road Running Championships, which will be held Sept. 26th to 28th in San Diego. To make the team, Klecker would have to race at the Atlanta Half Marathon on Sunday, March 2nd, which also serves as the U.S. Half Marathon Championships. The top three men and women will qualify for Worlds. One spot on Team USA will be offered via World Ranking.

Sound Running’s The Ten, one of the few fast opportunities to chase the 10,000m qualifying standard on the track, will be held on March 29th in San Juan Capistrano.

Thoughts on Ryan Hall’s American Record

The American record in the half marathon remains Ryan Hall’s 59:43 set in Houston on Jan. 14th, 2007. Two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp (59:47 at the 2018 Prague Half) and two-time U.S. Olympian Leonard Korir (59:52 at the 2017 New Dehli Half) are the only other Americans to break 60 minutes.

In the last three years, only Biya Simbassa (60:37 at the 2022 Valencia Half), Kirubel Erassa (60:44 at the 2022 Houston Half), Diego Estrada (60:49 at the 2024 Houston Half) and Conner Mantz (60:55 at the 2021 USATF Half Marathon Championships) have even dipped under 61 minutes.

On a global scale, Nineteen of the top 20 times half marathon performances in history have come since the pandemic. They have all been run by athletes from Kenyan, Uganda, and Ethiopia, who have gone to races in Valencia (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), or Copenhagen (Denmark), and the top Americans tend to pass on those races due to a lack of appearance fees or a stronger focus on domestic fall marathons.

Houston in January may be the fastest opportunity for a half marathon outside of the track season, which can run from March to September for 10,000m specialists.

“I think the record has stood for so long because it is such a fast record but we’re seeing these times drop like crazy,” Klecker says. “I think it’s a matter of time before it goes. Dathan (Ritzenhein) has run 60:00 so he has a pretty good barometer of what it takes to be in that fitness. Listening to him has been really good to let me know if that’s a realistic possibility and I think it is. That’s a goal of mine. I’m not there right now but I’m not racing a half marathon until the new year. I think we can get there to attempt it. A lot has to go right to get a record like that but just the idea of going for it is so motivating in training.”

His teammate, training partner, and Olympic marathon bronze medalist Hellen Obiri has full confidence in Klecker’s potential.

“He has been so amazing for training,” Obiri said in the days leading up to her runner-up finish at the New York City Marathon. “I think he can do the American record.”

Elite Field Shaping Up For 88th Version Of Manchester Road Race

This year's Manchester Road race will feature several Olympians and world-class runners, who will join others clad in turkey suits, tutus, college gear and pilgrim costumes in a field expected to exceed 11,000 on Thanksgiving morning.

This year marks the 88th version of the famed race. The annual 4.737-mile run through Manchester's central streets, regarded as one of America's largest and most Turkey Day events, will start at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 28) on Main Street in Manchester, in front of St James Church.

Organizers said large crowds of spectators are expected to view the race, which is one of only 22 in the United States, and 298 in the world, designated as a World Athletics Label Road Race by World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport of track and field.

Defending champion and Olympian Weini Kelati of Flagstaff, Arizona has entered the race. Kelati has won the MRR women’s title for the past three years, and a fourth victory this Thanksgiving will set the record for most consecutive wins by a female competitor. A 13-time All American runner at the University of New Mexico who finished eighth last summer in the 10,000 meters finals at the Paris Olympic Games, Kelati set the MRR women's course record of 22:55 in 2021 during her first Manchester appearance.

Kelati won the women's race in Manchester last November with a time of 23:21 and finished 19th in the overall competition. She will be joined in the elite field this Thanksgiving by Annie Rodenfels, the 2023 runner-up, and 2019 winner and marathon great Edna Kiplagat.

Former champions Ben Flanagan (2021) and Sam Chelanga (2013), Kenyan Olympian Edwin Kurgat, who placed seventh in the 5,000 meters finals at the Paris Olympics, and Andrew Colley, the fourth place-finisher in Manchester in 2022 with a time of 21:07, are expected to lead the men’s elite field.

As of early Monday morning, more than 9,000 runners had registered for this year's race.

Yemane Haileselassie And Fentaye Belayneh Win Chilly Boston Half-Marathon

Fentaye Belayneh of Ethiopia and Yemane Haileselassie of Eritrea won this morning’s 22nd Boston Half-Marathon on a sunny and near-freezing morning here.  Employing completely different tactics, Belayneh won in a pack-sprint to the finish in Franklin Park where the first three women finished in a span of just one second. Haileselassie won in a solo breakaway, dominating the final miles and winning by 15 seconds.  Both athletes won $12,000 in prize money.

The women’s race got out slowly, and the first mile was completed in just 5:41, a comfortable training pace for athletes at this level.  Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery was at the front.  She said that she felt good taking the lead and wanted to work on some of her racing skills.

“I felt good doing that,” Hauger-Thackery told Race Results Weekly.  “I was practicing not being set in a set pace.  I’ve got to practice surging… not be afraid to put in a five minute mile here and there.”

The first real move happened just before 5-K where Ethiopia’s Mestawut Fikir, who was fifth at this race last year, put in a surge.  The field responded immediately, and Kenyan’s Veronica Loleo and Daisy Jepkemei, and Ethiopians Melknat Wudu and Mebrat Gidey followed her single file.  They passed through 5-K in 17:17 and four miles in 21:45.  The downhill fourth mile was passed in a fast 5:05.

Fikir’s mini-surge only brought the lead pack down to 12.  Although the second, five-kilometer segment was faster (16:27) it wasn’t enough to dwindle the field further.  Fikir decided to go again just after the 10-K mark, and that move sent Hauger-Thackery and Australia’s Lauren Ryan several steps back.  Kenya’s Mercy Chelangat was also having trouble holding on.  Mile-8 went into the books at 5:10, and the serious racing had begun.

But after that, none of the women were keen to open up the race further, and the pace slowed enough that Chelangat managed to catch up.  Remarkably, eight women were still together as they ran back to Franklin Park for the finish.  Indeed, the race would not be decided until the final 200 meters when Belayneh, who had not led one step of the race, jumped the field and broke for the tape.  She was ready for that kind of move.

“I prepared very well and I knew Boston was a good course,” Belayneh said with the help of a translator.  “I prepared very well.”

Fikir and Senayet Getachew, another Ethiopian, were right on Belayneh’s heels as she bolted for the tape, but they just couldn’t catch their speedier rival.  She broke the tape, arms raised with a huge smile, in 1:10:26.  Fikir was given the same time, and Getachew was just one second back.  Loleo got fourth in 1:10:29, and Wudu was fifth in 1:10:30.  The first seven women finished in just a six-second span.

“At the end, I decided at the end,” Belayneh said when asked when she knew that the time was right for her final move.  “It was a rough race, but I knew I could hold on and push.  I had some little (energy) left over.  I used that.”

Farther behind, Chelangat finished eighth in 1:10:43 and Hauger-Thackery was ninth in 1:10:49.  The two women, both former NCAA stars who know each other from training in Flagstaff, embraced at the finish line.

“It was fun, it was good,” said Hauger-Thackery, who plans to run the California International Marathon in December with her husband, Nick.  She added: “This was a good race to go for it, get the blood flowing.”

Unlike Belayneh, Haileselassie did not want to wait for the final sprint.  In the ninth mile, he and Isaac Kipkemboi of Kenya and Haimro Alame of Israel pulled away from the field. Haileselassie was on the front, and kept pressing.

“Actually, when I lead in mile-nine I give them a little bit gap,” Haileselassie told Race Results Weekly.  “I looked over my back, I had little bit gap.  I know they can’t touch me.”

The Eritrean crossed to the finish line alone in 1:01:46.  Kipkemboi was a clear second in 1:02:01, but Alame faded in the final miles and only finished sixth in 1:02:12.  Taking the final podium position was Canadian miler Kieran Lumb, who was making his half-marathon debut.  Lumb, who made the Paris Olympic 1500m semi-finals, was timed in 1:02:03.  He was happy with his race, a good fitness test before the Canadian Cross Country Championships later this month, even if it hurt a little.

“It was hard,” said Lumb.  “Honestly, it was pretty hard early on.  I would say, like 20 minutes in, I didn’t feel amazing.  I did not sleep well last night, either.  I slept like four hours.”

Today’s event was the third and final race in the 2024 Boston Athletic Association’s Distance Medley which included the Boston 5-K on April 13 and the Boston 10-K on June 23.  About 6500 runners finished today’s race.

Asbel Kiprop: Fame, loss and the redemptive journey of a running legend

After a social media post where Asbel Kiprop blamed a woman for wrecking his family and career, friends and mentors intervened helping him refocus seek support and rebuild his life.

A man is often judged by how he faces his battles whether they are on the field, in the boardroom or within himself.

For Asbel Kiprop, Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion, life was initially a straight sprint to greatness—a journey of triumphs, gold medals and untold success.

However, when the cheers faded, Kiprop found himself confronted by challenges far more daunting than any he had faced on the track.

In 2018, Kiprop's world came crashing down with a doping scandal that shocked the athletics world.

His name, once revered, was suddenly associated with disgrace and scandal as the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) imposed a four-year ban after a positive test for the blood-boosting drug EPO.

“I did not know what he was talking about. He said media was reporting that I had been banned for doping. I developed a running stomach. I was shaking…speechless...My heart felt like someone had plucked it," he recalled in a past interview with The Standard.

The news broke him in a way he could never have anticipated, triggering a spiral of sleepless nights, isolation and bitterness as he fought to reclaim his reputation.

The societal expectations placed on Kiprop, like many men, shaped his journey.

As a world-class athlete with a clean record and a respected status in his community the fall from grace was brutal.

Despite his accomplishments, he suddenly felt alone, misunderstood and scrutinized by a world that once cheered him on.

“People I thought knew me were not standing with me. I got very bitter. I wanted someone who would understand my pain; of how I had trained so hard and now I am banned,” he confesses.

It is a sentiment many men can resonate with—the feeling of isolation when life’s challenges intensify and the difficulty of finding true allies in a world where showing vulnerability is often seen as weakness.

In his darkest moments, Kiprop was left grappling not only with the scandal but also with the cost of fame. His career had come with privileges: financial success, fame and adulation from fans.

Yet, fame’s allure had drawn him into a whirlwind of distractions and poor choices, leaving him exposed to criticisms that ranged from accusations of promiscuity to allegations of reckless behavior.

Kiprop admits, “I made some mistakes in life, and I have always taken the consequences.”

For years, he found solace in the familiar: rigorous training, the support of fans, and, in his downtime, friendships that seemed unbreakable. But the scandal unveiled a new reality.

Friendships dissolved, his reputation crumbled and he found himself wrestling with 'depression'.

His struggles, like those of many men, were not immediately visible to the public eye and Kiprop’s cry for help went unheard until a social media post alarmed his followers.

In a raw moment, he hinted at desperation, expressing his pain in a message that prompted intervention from senior officials.

For Kiprop, it was a call to address his pain—a step many men struggle to take.

Now 35, Kiprop is working to regain his place in Kenyan athletics, setting his sights on the World Athletics Championships in 2025.

Kiprop’s message for men facing setbacks in their careers, relationships, or mental well-being is clear: a setback does not define one’s worth. Instead, it is a test of character and resolve.

“I want to start small and win for my employers, the Kenya Police, who diligently stood by me all the four years,” he says in an interview with RFI.

“It is going to be a hard time but… I want to post good times and progressively go up the ladder and qualify to represent Kenya again.”

This season, Kiprop returned to competition at the National Police Service Track and Field Championships, where he won his 1500m heat—a modest yet meaningful step in his quest for redemption.

His performance signals a new beginning for a man determined to rise again not as the prodigious young star he once was but as a seasoned athlete bearing the lessons of both victory and defeat.

Kenyans take action against gender-based violence

In the wake of the murders of Agnes Tirop and Rebecca Cheptegei by their intimate partners, Athletics Kenya launched a movement on Monday to fight back against gender-based violence (GBV). A new hotline was unveiled for athletes to confidentially report cases of GBV, while an engagement campaign moves across Kenya to encourage athletes to speak up and to raise awareness for financial exploitation.

Tirop, World Championships 10,000 bronze medalist, was murdered by her husband in 2021, giving rise to the creation of Tirop’s Angels, an organization fighting GBV. High-profile female athletes, however, continued to fall victim to men; in September 2024, Cheptegei, who ran the Paris 2024 marathon, died after reportedly being set on fire by her ex-partner.

Working in conjunction with the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), Athletics Kenya addresses how lack of communication has been a significant obstacle in the fight against GBV. The hotline will allow athletes to call for help when in danger of GBV, while a chatbot will enable them send an SOS.

“We will fight it the same way we are doing with doping.”

“GBV is totally unacceptable in our society as well as in athletics,” Athletic Kenya’s Chief Administrative Officer Susan Kamau said. “As Athletics Kenya, we are totally committed to eradicating GBV and we will fight it the same way we are doing with doping.” In 2023, the Kenyan government committed to rebuilding their anti-doping program and increased the frequency of random drug testing. Athletics Kenya hopes that a safe and confidential channel for reporting GBV incidents will encourage women and girls to speak up.

The awareness campaign, already in motion, has been moving across the country all week, hosting forums at athletics camps. The program allows runners to share their stories and suggestions to stop GBV, and features female leaders as speakers to educate athletes.

Raising awareness of financial exploitation, as well as GBV

High-profile athletes, including two-time 800m world champion and 2007 Olympic silver medallist, Janeth Jepkosgei, have also highlighted the connection between financial exploitation of athletes and GBV. “Be wary of predators who pretend to be coaches and get into a relationship with young athletes who are the same age as their daughters,” Jepkosgei said, speaking at Thursday’s forum in Kapsabet, Kenya.

Speaking at an earlier event, Lucy Kabuu, 2006 Commonwealth Games champion and two-time Olympian, emphasized the same message. Recently, the athlete has been defending herself in court against her ex-husband and coach, who is trying to claim her earnings. “When you start running and making money, be careful not to fall into the trap of unscrupulous coaches and managers,” Kabuu said. “You should buy properties in your name and not in any other person’s name. Get a financial adviser to help you invest wisely. Learn from me and what I am going through; do not wait to learn from another person.”

1997 World 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio echoed Kabul’s advice. Other successful runners that are actively raising awareness for GBV include seven-time World Marathon Major champion Mary Keitany, six-time World Marathon Major champion, two-time world champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist Catherine Ndereba, 2013 world champion, Diamond League champion and Olympic medallist Milcah Chemos and 2021 TCS New York City Marathon silver medallist, Olympian and founder of Tirop’s Angels, Viola Cheptoo. 

Eliud Kipchoge at 40: Records broken, medals won, history made…what more is left for marathon GOAT?

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge turns 40 on Tuesday and as he celebrates his landmark birthday, Pulse Sports rolls back the years in a career filled with many highs and some all-time lows.

They say life begins at 40 but for Kipchoge, he has been living the dream since his 20s.

Kipchoge turns 40 on Tuesday, November 5 and as he begins a new chapter in his life, the last two decades have been marked with remarkable success on track and roads.

The two-time Olympics champion is the undisputed greatest marathoner of all-time, having won 15 of the 20 marathons he has participated in since he made the transition to from track to road in 2013.

Kipchoge has also won gold in Cross-Country, after claiming a junior title in 2003, the same year he won 5,000m gold at the World Championships in Paris.

However, his years on track were not as storied as what he has achieved in marathons.

Major marathon success

In marathons, he has won five titles in Berlin, where he also broke two world records, while he has been to London five times and won on four occasions.

From the six major marathons (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York), Kipchoge has been to five of them, with only New York where he is yet to run. He has won at four of them with only Boston proving tough after a sixth-place finish last year.

History maker

When the history of marathons is written, Kipchoge’s name will hog most of the chapters as he has made running a global phenomenon.

His ‘No human is Limited’ mantra has made everyone get encouraged not just to run but to succeed in their professions while he is the first man to run a marathon under two hours.

While it was not a competitive race, Kipchoge’s INEOS 1:59 Challenge in October 2019 proved that it is possible to clock under two hours in 42km, having run 1:59:40 in Vienna.

World records broken

Kipchoge was running in Vienna one year after breaking his first marathon record, having clocked 2:01:39 in Berlin in September of the previous year.

He had shaved off an astonishing 1 minute and 18 seconds from the 2:02:57 set by Kenyan compatriot Dennis Kimetto at the same venue four years earlier, proving that a sub-2:02 was possible.

That was his third win in Berlin and on his fourth appearance in the German capital, he lowered his own world record, running 2:01:09. His record lasted one year before compatriot Kelvin Kiptum broke it in Chicago last year (2:00:35) but the GOAT had already made his mark.

Role model to rivals & youngsters

Throughout his career, Kipchoge’s biggest strength has been how he kept up with younger and hungrier runners who were looking to dethrone him from the throne.

The veteran has never backed away from a challenge, even if there was an emerging threat, and most of the time, he came out on top.

Kipchoge sets an example for runners by the way he lives his life, how disciplined he is, his strict training regime and how keenly he follows his diet.

It is no wonder he has rarely suffered injuries in his long career, which draws parallels with football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who has enjoyed a long largely injury-free career due to how he looks after himself.

Bouncing back from setbacks

Kipchoge’s other strength is how he deals with disappointment. He does not let a bad race or bad words put him down.

Like every other athlete, he has suffered losses but always comes back strong. His failed attempt to break sub-2-hour mark in Monza in 2017 did not see him lose hope as he returned two years later and did it in Vienna, while finishing eighth in London in 2020 was answered back with Olympics, Berlin and Tokyo Marathon wins, with a world record in between.

After a sixth place in Boston in April 2023, he was on the winner’s podium in Berlin five months later, showing how resilient he is.

Even when many said he was finished after 10th place in Tokyo, he still came back to feature at the Paris Olympics and while he was not successful, he has not let it put him down.

Dealing with hate & cyberbullying

The year 2024 has thrown Kipchoge into a whole new territory, as a man who was so loved in Kenya quickly turned into a figure of hate in his own country.

It started in October 2023 when he took time before congratulating Kiptum for breaking his world record. It elicited vile comments on social media and it reached a whole new level when the world record holder died in February.

Kipchoge received abuses and threats that left him fearing for his life and that of his family, having been accused of having a hand in the death, and to his shock, even those whom he thought were friends and colleagues felt the same towards him.

He, however, took it on the chin and went about his business, featuring in two races this year although it is not known if it might have affected his performance.

What does the future hold?

Kipchoge’s strong mentality has seen him bounce back from all these setbacks and as he celebrates his 40th birthday, he is back in camp training for his next race.

A number of runners have shown that it is still possible to do it in their 40s and knowing Kipchoge, he must be backing himself to defy age and continue making marathon history.

Happy birthday, Eliud.

Ruth Jebet continues marathon win streak, Dejene Debela prevails in windy Istanbul

Ruth Jebet achieved her biggest marathon triumph so far at the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon on Sunday. The former Kenyan who competes for Bahrain remains unbeaten at the classic distance, making it four wins out of four. For much of the race the 2016 Olympic Steeplechase champion, who switched to the marathon in 2023, was on course for a sub 2:20 time. However with very strong winds hitting Istanbul during the second half of the race the 27 year-old had to settle for a winning time of 2:24:45. Ethiopia’s Dejene Debela raced to his biggest career win in Istanbul’s men’s race. The 29 year-old crossed the line in 2:11:40.

The Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon, which is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, registered 7,500 marathon runners. Adding events at shorter distances the total number of athletes was 42,500. 

“The race started fast and we were expecting strong performances from our athletes. However, the wind picked up significantly in the second half, which impacted the results. Even so, it was  once again a great race. There is tremendous potential for the future,“ said Race Director Renay Onur. “The Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon is the most important annual international event in Turkish athletics and we are eager to support it. The intercontinental route makes it unique and we hope to be able to attract 20,000 marathon runners in the future,“ said Ahmet Karadag, the newly elected President of Turkey’s Athletics Federation.

Men’s race: Wind slows leading group to a 3:47 kilometre split

For long periods it looked as if the course record of 2:09:44 will be smashed. Running behind two pacemakers Morocco’s 2:06:49 marathoner Mohcin Outalha reached the half marathon point in 63:24. At that stage he was seven seconds ahead of a chasing group. However once the second pacer dropped out at 25k and the course made a U-turn with the consequence of the runners now facing an increasing headwind Mohcin Outalha slowed and was soon overtaken by the group behind him. While the Moroccan later dropped out the wind gusts reached gale force and caused the kilometre splits to drop extremely. 3:47 was the split time for the 30th kilometre, which even for a women’s elite race would have been very slow. Any hopes for a course record were simply blown away. 

With five kilometres to go four athletes were still in contention: Kenyans Kenneth Kipkemoi, Matthew Samperu and Benard Kipkorir were running together with Dejene Debela. At the 40k mark Semperu and Debela took the lead. The final mile is mainly uphill and it was at the beginning of that section when the Ethiopian dropped Semperu. “When we passed the 30k mark I already knew that I could win,“ said Dejene Debela. “The wind made it very tough, it became worse from 35k onwards. But I am very happy since this is my biggest career win.“ The Ethiopian was runner-up in Chicago in 2019, when he clocked his PB of 2:05:46. “I had some injuries in recent years, but now I believe that I can improve my personal best,“ said Dejene Debela, who clocked 2:11:40 in Istanbul. Kenyans Mathew Samperu and Kenneth Kipkemoi took second and third with 2:11:55 and 2:12:07 respectively. 

Women’s race: Ruth Jebet almost nine minutes ahead

Ruth Jebet took the initiative early in the race. At the 5k point she was already a couple of seconds ahead. The former Kenyan then opened a gap of 17 seconds at 10k which she past in a very quick 32:52. At that point she ran a pace that was even threatening the course record: Back in 2018 Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, who recently smashed the world record with the first sub 2:10 women’s time, ran 2:18:35 in Istanbul. 

At half way Ruth Jebet’s split time was 69:23 while Kenyan chasers Sharon Chebet and Betty Kibet were also running fast with 71:06. However things changed dramatically once the turning point was reached and the athletes had to run against the wind. The unlikely course record was soon out of reach and with around 10k left a sub 2:20 time became unrealistic as well. In the end Ruth Jebet also had to give up her minimum goal of improving her personal best of 2:23:08. But with regard to the wind her 2:24:45 performance was top-class. And in contrast to most of the athletes behind her she still managed to run relatively smoothly. Ruth Jebet was almost nine minutes ahead of Urge Diro who ran 2:33:37 for second. Fellow-Ethiopian Ayantu Abdi took third with 2:33:49.

“From 33 kilometres onwards it was very tough to run against the wind. I though I give it a try and go for the course record, but it was impossible to run sub 2:20 in these conditions,“ said Ruth Jebet. “I will now go for a spring marathon and hope to qualify for next year’s World Championships.“

Results, Men:

1. Dejene Debela  ETH 2:11:40

2. Mathew Samperu  KEN 2:11:55

3. Kenneth Kipkemoi  KEN 2:12:07

4. Benard Kipkorir KEN 2:12:50

5. James Kiplagat KEN 2:13:25

6. Hüseyin Can TUR 2:14:34

7. Titus Mbishei KEN 2:15:34

8. Abraham Kipyatich KEN 2:15:54

Women:

1. Ruth Jebet BRN 2:24:45

2. Urge Diro  ETH 2:33:37

3. Ayantu Abdi  ETH 2:33:49

4. Betty Kibet KEN 2:34:52

5. Zenebu Bihonegn ETH 2:35:38

6. Christine Kioko  KEN 2:35:57

Ethiopian and Kenyan runners win titles at 2024 Beijing Marathon

BEIJING -- Ethiopia's Lemi Berhanu Hayle and Kenya's Vicoty Chepngeno claimed the men's and women's titles, respectively, at the 2024 Beijing Marathon on Sunday.

Hayle crossed the finish line first in 2 hours, 9 minutes and 16 seconds, just 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Bethwel Kibet Chumba of Kenya. Chinese runner Chen Tianyu finished third in 2:09:48.

The women's race saw Chepngeno, who clocked 2:21:56, stand atop the podium, while Rahma Tusa of Ethiopia and another Kenyan runner Angela Jemesunde Tanui were in the second and third place, respectively.

In order to enhance the overall race experience for runners, the organizers moved the start line 100 meters north on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square for a more streamlined start this year.

The marathon route, which spans from Tiananmen Square to the Beijing Olympic Park, remains a favorite for runners worldwide. Despite a cap of 30,000 participants, a record 182,949 runners from 43 countries and regions applied within the first three days of registration last month.

Sharon Lokedi relishing competition from Helen Obiri ahead of New York Marathon showdown

Former New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi is looking to get one over fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri at the 53rd edition of the New York City Marathon on Sunday November 3.

The 2022 New York City Marathon champion, Sharon Lokedi, is preparing for an intense rematch with fellow Kenyan star Hellen Obiri at the 53rd edition of the marathon, scheduled for Sunday, November 3.

Lokedi, who has grown accustomed to facing off with Obiri on the world stage, embraces the competition that brings out the best in her, particularly as she aims to reclaim the title.

"Honestly, you see her, and it’s like one of those things where we’re competitors, and you can sense the tension,” Lokedi admitted via Citius Mag.

“But we’re all just talking, trying to avoid it, which is pretty funny," she added.

This friendly rivalry between Lokedi and Obiri has become a defining aspect of their careers.

Their last head-to-head battle came at the Paris Olympics, where Lokedi finished fourth with a time of 2:23:14, just four seconds behind Obiri, who claimed bronze in 2:23:10.

That close finish has fuels Lokedi’s determination to turn the tables in New York.

“But I love being with her. She’s a really good competitor, and you know, she wins all the time, but I hope this time it’s going to be different,” Lokedi shared.

“The competition is still very tough, so it’s not going to be easy. It might be something different from what we’ve seen, so we’ll see.”

As Lokedi and Obiri prepare to take on New York’s challenging course, all eyes will be on the rivalry that has become a thrilling storyline in the world of marathon running.

The Kenyan pair’s battle for dominance on Sunday promises to be a spectacle as both athletes push to etch their names into the city’s marathon history.

Four women to watch in the 2024 New York City Marathon

The New York Marathon will take place on Sunday and ahead of the epic race, Pulse Sports highlights the four women likely to be on the podium.

A quality field is expected in the 2024 New York Marathon that is set for Sunday, November 3, as athletes look to set records on the course while others seek to bag victories for the first time.

Even though fierce competition is expected, Pulse Sports takes a look at athletes deemed favourites by bookmarkers to clinch a podium position as the build-up to the marathon enters homestretch.

Hellen Obiri (Kenya)

Hellen Obiri enters this year’s New York City Marathon as the defending champion in formidable form just like last year. In 2023, the 34-year-old had her arm raised victorious at the end of both the Boston and the New York City marathons. This year, she has the chance to repeat history after her victory in Boston set her up for an intriguing double-double.

Obiri’s other notable 2024 highlight was bronze in the Olympic marathon in Paris, which took place just 11 weeks ago. It was an incident-packed race for the Kenyan, which included falls and missed drink stations, but she rallied bravely to finish on the podium for her third Olympic medal in as many Games. Obiri boasts a marathon PB of 2:23:10.

Sharon Lokedi (Kenya)

The 2022 New York City marathon champion was within touching distance of an Olympic medal, missing out on the podium by a mere four seconds on the streets of Paris. It’s evidence of the strength of the Kenyan marathon team that Lokedi was originally named as a reserve for the Olympics before she replaced an injured Brigid Kosgei just weeks before the Games.

Lokedi also lost out to Obiri at this year’s Boston Marathon where she finished second, but her impressive achievements after only four career marathons will put her in good stead when she races again in the Big Apple. Lokedi has a marathon PB of 2:22:45

Dakotah Lindwurm (USA)

Dakotah Lindwurmwas USA's top finisher at the Paris Olympics, coming 12th in the French capital. Lindwurm has high expectations for this year’s race in New York, having improved in an area she feels has been her main weakness in the past.

"I’d say my 'A' goal would be to be on the podium,” Lindwurm, whose marathon PB is 2:24:40, said in the build-up to the race as revealed by Olympics.com. "I don’t think that’s out of reach when I’ve been training so hard on the hills, and for the first time in my life, feel really, really confident on hills."

Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya)

In terms of pure marathon speed, Chepkirui is the fastest woman in the field. The 33-year-old holds a personal best of 2:17:29 set on the rapid Valencia Marathon course in 2022. While Chepkirui does not have the Olympic pedigree of some of her rivals in New York, she did win bronze in the 10,000m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Her form over the 42.195km distance has, however, been nothing short of impressive and includes a 2:17:49 at last year’s Berlin Marathon. She will be aiming for a new PB in a year in which the women’s marathon world record has toppled to under the mythical mark of 2 hours and 10 minutes. Chepkirui's PB is 2:17:29

MARATHON GROUNDBREAKERS

Since Australia’s Derek Clayton ran history’s first sub—2:10 marathon in Fukuoka, Japan, on 3 December 1967, there have been a total of 4538 sub—2:10 marathons (as of 30 October 2024), 4537 by men, one by a woman.

As with any new ground-breaking performance, Ruth Chepngetich’s 2:09:56 in Chicago on 13 October has forced us to reassess all our past assumptions, or, like many, to doubt the validity of the performance itself. But no matter how we got here, to whatever you want to ascribe it, this is where we are now, 2:09:56 by a woman. 

In this new reality, until proven otherwise, Ruth Chepngetich is the new Paula Radcliffe, just as Paula was the new Grete Waitz, one ground-breaker to the next, 1978 to 2003 to 2024. 

There have been many talented women champions through the years besides those three, including all the pioneers who had to overcome centuries of gender bias that restricted women from even showing their stuff.

But in terms of pure ground-breaking, the 1978 New York City Marathon drew a bright line between what once was and what would be. 

On 22 October 1978, Norway’s track and cross-country star Grete Waitz participated in the marathon for the first time, almost on a whim, as the trip was more of a honeymoon for her and husband Jack after the long track season. 

The 2:32:30 world record Grete ran that day was totally unexpected by both the public and Grete herself. She wore bib #1173, wasn’t included on the list of elite women, and came with no specific marathon preparation (not a single run over 13 miles). In fact, she was so upset with husband, Jack, for suggesting she come run the marathon that she threw her shoes at him in the hotel room following her victory. 

Still, like almost all debuting marathoners, after a short period of recovery and reflection, Grete concluded she could probably improve next time.

Thus, in New York 1979, following a more careful preparation, Grete ripped nearly five full minutes off her 1978 mark to record history’s first sub—2:30 by a woman at 2:27:33. Her margin of victory over England’s Gillian Adams was 11 minutes (2:38:33). The combination of the mild-mannered former geography teacher from Oslo and the raucous New York City crowds proved transformative, elevating women’s running to heights previously unimagined.

Though Japan’s Naoko Takahashi broke the 2:20 barrier for women in Berlin 2001, after Norway’s Ingrid Kristiansen (2:21:15, London ‘85), America’s Joan Benoit Samuelson (2:21:21, Chicago’85), and Kenyan Tegla Loroupe (2:20:43, Berlin ‘99) all challenged the barrier in the 1980s and ‘90s, it was England’s Paula Radcliffe who established new headlands in the marathon in London 2003 with her 2:15:25.  

Nearly two minutes faster than her own 2:17:18 record from Chicago the year before, her 2:15 arced away from Catherine Ndereba’s 2:18:47 from Chicago 2001, completed just one week after Takahashi’s first sub-2:20 in Berlin. 

The quality of Paula’s 2:15 can be seen in the 16 years and an entire shoe technology revolution that developed before Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei did Paula one better in Chicago 2019 at 2:14:04. That performance plowed new ground again. And now we have Ruth Chepngetich in Chicago 2024 with history’s first sub-2:10, just a year after Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa’s first sub—2:12 in Berlin `23 (2:11:53).

Twice before, Chepngetich had come to Chicago with world record intentions. In 2022, she won the race in 2:14:18, just 14 seconds off Kosgei’s record. In 2023 she finished second in 2:15:37. On both occasions she flew through halfway under 66 minutes, only to falter in the second half. Perhaps she was a close reader of Malcolm X. 

“There is no better teacher than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.” – Malcolm x

In simple terms, making innovative strides in athletics requires time, experimentation, and reviewing, similar to how new scientific theories are examined before full acceptance. But women just haven’t been at the marathon game long enough to produce a large enough sample size to define their outer limits with any accuracy. They are barely two generations in since 1978. 

Men have been competing for a much longer time with a much larger sample size. 

Though Eliud Kipchoge surpassed the two-hour barrier in Vienna in 2019, that was accomplished as an exhibition, not a sanctioned race. In that sense, we are still awaiting the next barrier breaker on the men’s side in the Marathon. 

Looking back, England’s Jim Peters stands as the first modern barrier breaker with his 2:18:40 win at the 1953 Polytechnic Marathon between Windsor and Chiswick in West London, England, history’s first sub—2:20. 

Next was Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila, the legendary double Olympic victor in Rome 1960 and Tokyo 1964. His 2:15:17 in Rome still stands as the barefoot marathon world record. 

Next came Australia’s Derek Clayton, the first man under both 2:10 and 2:09. His 2:08:34 from Antwerp 1969 lasted for 12 years, holding off challenges throughout the entire Running Boom era headed by Americans Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. 

Though never world record holders, the two Americans dominated the 1970s boom era, Shorter through the first half, Rodgers the second. 

The Eighties were the last decade of international marathon champions: American (Al Salazar, Greg Meyer); European (Steve Jones, Carlos Lopes); Japanese (Toshihiko Seko and the Soh brothers); and Australian (Rob de Castella). Kenya’s Joe Nzau won Chicago in 1983 in a thrilling duel with England’s Hugh Jones when Chi-town was still developing its reputation as a world class event. 

Ibrahim Hussein set new records in Honolulu and kick-started the Kenyan marathon revolution

The full East African deluge didn’t begin until 1987 and ‘88 when Kenya’s Ibrahim Hussein (already a two-time and soon to be three-time Honolulu Marathon champion) became Africa’s first New York City and Boston Marathon winner and Ethiopia’s Belayneh Dinsamo set the world record, 2:06:50, in Rotterdam 1988 that lasted over a decade. 

The list of marathon stars from other nations scaled back markedly in the 1990s. Mexico had its turn at the top via greats like Dionicio Cerón (1994-`96 London champion), and back-to-back New York Ciy winner German Silva (1994 & 1995). 

Moroccan-born American Khalid Khannouchi twice ran a world marathon record, first in Chicago 1999 (2:05:42), then three years later in London 2002 (2:05:38). And who could forget the personable Brazilian, Marílson Gomes dos Santos, who won New York City twice in 2006 & 2008, or Meb in NYC `09 and Boston 2014?? 

But the United Nations pickings get rather meager after that as East African athletes have had a stranglehold on the sport of marathoning, most dominatingly by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge. His run of sustained excellence over 42.2 kilometers was, and is, unprecedented in its longevity, including double gold in Rio 2016 and London 2020. And his last world record of 2:01:09 in Berlin 2022.

Sadly, the current record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, died in a car accident in February 2024 after establishing the 2:00:35 world record in Chicago 2023.

With the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon scheduled this weekend, we don’t expect to see any record performances. Yet, all the above is why we follow the game, isn’t it, to witness the arc of improvement over time, while hoping to discover a new name to remember? It’s as valid a focus as any other in this life. 

And despite its many flaws and corruptions, the sport of marathoning retains an innate dignity that many endeavors do not. People may have bruised, battered, and tarnished it in the name of glory and money. But it survives, nonetheless, as a simple reflection of the human drive to achieve more in the quest to discover our best. 

Doesn’t always turn out that way, but I don’t think we are done with it quite yet. Onward! 

A look into the men's marathon world record progression from legendary Paul Tergat to the late Kelvin Kiptum

Kelvin Kiptum’s untimely passing leaves his sub-two-hour marathon goal unfulfilled, but the evolution of marathon times, Kenyan dominance, and technological advancements signal the likelihood of sub-two-hour marathons becoming common.

The men’s marathon has experienced major shifts and if not for the untimely passing of Kelvin Kiptum, the world could have seen a sub-two-hour marathon this year.

The late Kelvin Kiptum had plans to shatter his own world record at the NN Rotterdam Marathon earlier this year but unfortunately, the world might never know the Kenyan’s full potential.

However, with the emergence of super shoes and strong athletes will definitely see the shift in times and very soon, the world might witness runners posting very fast times and sub-two-hour marathons might just be the order of the day.

Kenyans have been so dominant in the long-distance races and out of the nine fastest times from 2003, there is only one Ethiopian who has managed to penetrate through Kenyan dominance. Paul Tergat broke the world record in 2003 and since then, times have changed drastically with the late Kelvin Kiptum now having the world record.

1) Paul Tergat (2003)

It is not a surprise that Paul Tergat paved the way for Kenyan dominance as long as the marathon is concerned. Tergat proved to Kenyans and the whole world at large, that anything is possible and from his performance, marathon running became Kenya’s business.

At the 2003 Berlin Marathon, Paul Tergat clocked a stunning 2:04:55 to win the race and his time was the first world record for the men's marathon ratified by World Athletics.

2) Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie threatened Kenya’s dominance in the marathon with his two world records over the distance. He first shattered the world record at the 2007 Berlin Marathon, clocking a stunning 2:04:26 to cross the finish line.

The legendary marathon runner then proceeded to shatter his own world record at the 2008 Berlin Marathon, clocking an impressive 2:03:59 to cross the finish line. However, his reign was not for long as another Kenyan rose to prominence.

3) Patrick Makau

The Berlin Marathon seemed to be a suitable course for breaking the world record as Patrick Makau shattered Haile Gebrselassie’s record at the 2011 edition of the event. Makau clocked a blistering 2:03:38 to cross the finish line.

4) Wilson Kipsang

Another Kenyan, Wilson Kipsang proceeded to shatter Patrick Makau’s world record at the 2013 Berlin Marathon. Wilson Kipsang clocked a stunning 2:03:23 to cross the finish line in one of the most historic showdowns.

5) Dennis Kimetto

Wilson Kipsang’s world record did not stay for long as a year later, Dennis Kimetto completely destroyed the record, becoming the first man to clock under two hours and three minutes to win a marathon.

Competing at the 2014 Berlin Marathon, Dennis Kimetto clocked 2:02:57 to win the race with his world record being one of the most long-standing records before Eliud Kipchoge’s rise to the top.

6) Eliud Kipchoge

In his prime, Eliud Kipchoge was undoubtedly one of the most consistent marathon runners and it was just a matter of when he would break the world record.

Eliud Kipchoge made his dream a reality at the 2018 edition of the Berlin Marathon where he clocked an astonishing 2:01:39 to cross the finish line and take top honours in the race, becoming the first man to clock under two hours and two minutes.

Eliud Kipchoge was not done with his dominant exploits as he proceeded to claim top honours at the 2022 Berlin Marathon in a new world record time of 2:01:09.

7) Kelvin Kiptum

The late Kelvin Kiptum was a rare talent and he would be the one to define marathon running following his resilience and hard work. In his debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, Kelvin Kiptum clocked the fastest time ever by a debutant. He crossed the finish line in a time of 2:01:53.

The world class marathoner then proceeded to claim the win at the London Marathon, clocking a personal best time and the second-fastest time then. He clocked 2:01:25 for a win.

Kelvin Kiptum was not done writing history as he shattered Eliud Kipchoge’s world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. He clocked 2:00:35 to win the race and before his demise, Kiptum was actually looking to run under two hours in the 42km distance.

Ethiopia dominates the 38th edition of the Wizz Air Venice marathon

It was a 38th Wizz Air Venicemarathon in the name of Ethiopia, with the victories of Abebe Tilahun (with a personal best of 2h09'08") among men, and the winning debut of Birtukan Abera (2h32'40") among women.

The men's race initially developed at a rather cautious pace (the group with all the best passed in 1h04'21" halfway through the race). The real selection was made after the 30th km, when there were 5 left, and especially at the beginning of the Ponte della Libertà, where Abebe Tilahun launched a decisive attack. The only one able to resist him was the Kenyan rookie Kipsambu Kimakal, who however could do nothing after a further stretch by Tilahun just before entering Venice. At that point, it was a triumphant catwalk for the Ethiopian rider, which allowed him to cross the finish line of Riva Sette Martiri amidst the jubilation of the crowd with a new personal best of 2h09'08". In second place came the Turkish Ilham Tanui Ozbilen (2h09'31") who overtook an exhausted Kipsambu Kimakal on the last bridge, who still finished the first marathon of his career in 2h09'41". "I am happy to have lowered my personal best in a race that is not easy and I am happy to have won a prestigious race like the Venice marathon" – these are the words of the winner.

Excellent was also the debut of the Italian Army Ahmed Ouhda, who thanks to a judicious race, managed to recover many positions in the final, finishing in seventh place with a good time of 2h13'00". "I am very happy with how I was able to manage the race – these are the words of Oudha – because I did what I had set out to do at the start: not to overdo it and try to run regularly both the first and second part of the race. It went well and I also really enjoyed this race: there was a lot of cheering everywhere that pushed me along all the route. Now that I've got a taste for it, I'm already thinking about the next marathon which could be the one in Seville at the beginning of 2025".

The women's race saw a trio made up of the Ethiopian Birtukan Abera and the Kenyans Carolin Jebet Korir and Betty Chepkorir in front from the start. At the refueling of the 20th km, Abera slowly began to stretch, well assisted by the hare that allowed her to pass at the 'half' in 1h13'30". The Ethiopian athlete continued his entire race alone, finally managing to cross the finish line in Riva Sette Martiri in 2h32'40" and thus celebrating his marathon debut with a splendid victory. "My marathon career is off to a good start and I'm delighted to have won today in Venice: a race that I enjoyed very much and in which I hope to return next year." Betty Chepkorir finished second in 2h33'23" while third came the Ethiopian Tesfahun Melkam in 2h39'01". The first Italian at the finish line was Sara Carducci (Atl. 85 Faenza), who finished her race in fifth place in 2h44'47".

With the victories of Tilahun and Abera, Ethiopia rises to 13 total successes at the Venice marathon, second only to Kenya (30).

In the third edition of the VM Half Marathon, which started from Mestre with arrival in Riva Sette Martiri and saw the record participation of 4500 athletes, the first step of the podium for the triathlete Filippo Candeo (US Dolomitica) who won in 1h12'34". Among the women, the French Emilie Tissot sets the new record of the event, running in 1h18'47" ahead of the 2022 and 2023 winners Claudia Andrighettoni and Federica Panciera who thus repeats last year's third place. Tissot, who lives and trains in Strasbourg, has chosen to run in Venice also to discover the beauty of the city and the territory.

The VM 10 km, which started from the San Giuliano Park with arrival in Venice and which saw the record participation of 7,000 athletes, bears the signature of Orlando Pizzolato (whose 40th anniversary of his first victory at the New York Marathon occurs this year) with the second victory of his daughter Chiara Pizzolato who won among women in 39'37" and of the athlete he coaches Massimo Guerra (33'48"), both bearers of Atletica Vicentina.

Men's Marathon Ranking

1. Tilahun Abebe (Eth) 2h09'08"

2. Ilham Tanui Ozbilen (Tur) 2:09:31

3. Kipsambu Kimakal (Ken) 2:09:41

4. Abdenego Cheruiyot (Ken) 2h11'28"

5. Adugna Takele (Eth) 2h12'33"

6. Mohamed El Ghazouany (Mar) 2h12'44"

7. Ahmed Ouhda (Ita – CS Army) 2h13'00"

8. Asmerom Shumay (Eri) 2h14'06"

9. Ishmael Chelanga Kalale (Ken) 2h14'37"

10. Deresa Reta (Eth) 2h17'24"

Women's Marathon Ranking

1. Birtukan Abera (Eth) 2h32'40"

2. Betty Chepkorir (Ken) 2h33'23"

3. Tesfahun Melkam (Eth) 2h39'01"

4. Carolin Jebet Korir (Ken) 2:41:30

5. Sara Carducci (Ita – Atl. 85 Faenza) 2h44'47"

6. Ivana Iozzia (Ita – Corradini Rubiera) 2h45'22"

7. Federica Moroni (Ita – Dinamo Running) 2h49'13"

8. Szofia Malatinszky (Hun) 2h59'47"

9. Elisabetta Luchese (Ita – Runcard) 3h10'00"

10. Catherine Chaplin Scott (Gbr) 3:16:18

Sifan Hassan and Ruth Chepngetich headline nominations for Female Athlete of the Year

Who do you think deserves top honors—the Olympic champion or the new women's world record holder?

Two of the world’s most dominant marathoners, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and newly-minted world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, are among the nominees for the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year (Out of Stadium) award.

Hassan’s distance running triple at the Paris Olympic Games made her a guaranteed candidate, where she won two bronze medals on the track (5,000m/10,000m) and capped off her historic run with a gold medal in the women’s marathon, setting a new Olympic record. Chepngetich made history of her own, becoming the first woman to break 2:10 in the marathon with her stunning 2:09:56 performance at the 2024 Chicago Marathon earlier this month.

The other nominees for the women’s out-of-stadium award include Kenyan distance star Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who set world records in the 5K and 10K on the roads, and who ran the second-fastest half-marathon in history at the Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday (63:04, a Kenyan national record); Ethiopian Sutume Kebede, the Tokyo Marathon champion, and second-place in Chicago; and Tigist Ketema of Ethiopia, who took wins at the 2024 Berlin Marathon and in Dubai.

Men’s nominees

On the men’s side, the nominees feature a similarly competitive field. Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, who set a new Games record on the tough Paris course, and his compatriot Yomif Kejelcha, who just broke the men’s world record in the half-marathon by one second at the 2024 Valencia Half. Other nominees for the award include Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, the Tokyo Marathon champion and Olympic bronze medalist; Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, the world cross-country champion; and Ecuador’s Brian Daniel Pintado, who won Olympic gold in the men’s 20km race walk.

A World Athletics panel compiled the list of nominees. The two finalists for each award will be determined through a three-way voting process that runs until Nov. 3. The World Athletics Council vote accounts for 50 per cent of the decision, while the World Athletics Family (including athletes, coaches and officials) vote accounts for 25 per cent, and the remaining 25 per cent comes from a public vote on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Fans can cast their votes by liking posts on Facebook and Instagram or by retweeting on X.

In 2023, the out-of-stadium award went to Kenyan marathoner Kelvin Kiptum on the men’s side, following his remarkable 2:00:35 performance at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Ethiopian marathoner Tigist Assefa won the women’s award with her marathon record-breaking run in Berlin.

World Athletics revamped the awards system for 2024, introducing overall World Athlete of the Year titles for both women and men, alongside three specialized awards for track events, field events, and out-of-stadium events. This new approach allows for a more recognition of the diverse athletic accomplishments throughout the year.

Chemutai, Kimeli rule Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

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

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

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

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

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

Chemutai dedicated her win to Cheptai and her family.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Koech will pocket Sh300,000.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jepkemei and Kwizera the winners in Atapuerca

Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera and Kazakhstan’s Daisy Jepkemei were the winners at the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca – the second Gold standard meeting in this season's World Athletics Cross Country Tour – on Sunday (27).

With the races held in light rain, Kwizera lived up to expectations to claim his first win here in the men’s race while Jepkemei outsprinted Kenya’s Grace Nawowuna to secure the women’s title.

Right from the start of the women's 8km contest, Jepkemei, a 9:06.66 steeplechaser, took command with only Nawowuna and Burundi’s France Niyomukunzi for company. The latter surprisingly lost ground some seven minutes into the race as Jepkemei averaged a brisk 3:06/km pace. Further back, Spanish duo Carolina Robles and María Forero ran together.

After three kilometres, lead duo Jepkemei and Nawowuna had built a 10-second advantage on the Burundian, herself another 14 seconds clear of the Spanish duo. Portugal’s Mariana Machado, Germany’s Elena Burkard and Spain’s Idaira Prieto were a further eight seconds behind.

Just before the midway point, 2021 Olympic steeplechase finalist Robles broke away from 2022 European U20 cross-country champion Forero, while the lead duo’s advantage over Niyomukunzi had increased to 25 seconds.

There were few changes on the penultimate 2km circuit. During the final lap Nawowuna attempted to move into the lead but it was short-lived. Then, with about 200 metres remaining, Jepkemei finally broke away from the Kenyan to win in 25:00, finishing two seconds ahead of Naowuna.

Niyomukunzi took third place, more than a minute behind the victor, while Robles finished fourth. There was a photo-finish for fifth place between Burkard and Machado with the German getting the verdict.

Spanish steeplechaser Daniel Arce, boosted by the local crowd, was the early leader from Adel Mechaal in the men’s 9km event. Pre-race favourites Kwizera, 2022 world 5000m bronze medallist Oscar Chelimo and fellow Ugandan Martin Kiprotich initially sat behind the Spanish duo but soon caught up and passed them.

Kiprotich’s third kilometre split of 2:49 proved too much for Mechaal. Chelimo moved into the lead just before the half-way point to help ease the pressure on his compatriot, while a quiet Kwizera remained in third place, looking ominously comfortable.

When the lead pack reached the bell, Kwizera moved to the front for the first time and increased the pace which could only be followed by Chelimo and Kenya’s Mathew Kipsang with Kiprotich losing any chance of a podium place. With just over a kilometre remaining, Chelimo tried to launch an attack but Kwizera soon covered the gap and then unleashed a powerful change of speed to break away from the Ugandan.

Running down the final home straight, 25-year-old Kwizera couldn’t hide his joy as he was about to achieve his first win in Atapuerca, finishing in 25:37, two seconds ahead of Chelimo with Kipsang completing the podium another seven seconds adrift.

“The race wasn’t easy because of the rain and some muddy sections difficult to negotiate,” said Kwizera. “As usual, I preferred to stay in the middle of the group for much of the race before launching my attack far away from home as there always are very fast finishers.”

Leading results

Women (8km)

1 Daisy Jepkemei (KZK) 25:00

2 Grace Nawowuna (KEN) 25:02

3 Francine Niyomukunzi (BDI) 26:18

4 Carolina Robles (ESP) 26:40

5 Elena Burkard (GER) 26:48

6 Mariana Machado (POR) 26:48

7 Águeda Marqués (ESP) 26:50

8 María Forero (ESP) 26:54

Men (9km)

1 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 25:37

2 Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 25:39

3 Mathew Kipsang (KEN) 25:46

4 Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI) 25:48

5 Martin Kiprotich (UGA) 25:50

6 Adel Mechaal (ESP) 26:11

7 Ayele Tadesse (ETH) 26:11

8 Efrem Gidey (IRL) 26:18

Hawi Feysa smashes course record with 2:17:25 in Frankfurt

Hawi Feysa took the 41st Mainova Frankfurt Marathon with a superb course record: The 25 year-old Ethiopian ran 2:17:25 to improve the former women’s record by 1:45. It was also the 12th fastest performance this year. Second-placed Kenyan Magdalyne Masai ran a big personal best of 2:18:58 and also finished inside the former course record of 2:19:10. Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo was third with 2:22:37.

The men’s race had its surprise as well: the 22 year-old Kenyan debutant Benard Biwott triumphed to cross the line in 2:05:54 in Frankfurt’s Festhalle. The Ethiopians Gossa Challa and Lencho Tesfaye took second and third with 2:07:35 and 2:08:02 respectively. The combined winning times of the women’s and men’s champions came to 4:23:19, the fastest aggregate time ever in the history of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. Organisers registered 13,939 runners from 113 nations. Adding events at shorter distances, the total was 25,616 athletes.

“To have such as fantastic course record is so satisfying for all of us involved. You can prepare a great deal in elite sport but nothing is guaranteed. We had ideal conditions, many personal bests and many wonderful scenes of celebration at the finish,” said the Race Director Jo Schindler. The Elite Race Coordinator Philipp Kopp added his thoughts: “Once again we’ve shown that you can run fast in Frankfurt.” The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon had 13,939 runners from 113 countries and, taking into consideration events held in conjunction, had in total 25,616 participants.

Women’s Race: Feysa’s breakthrough, Schwiening fastest European

Hawi Feysa achieved a sensational breakthrough in the marathon by running 2:17:25. The Ethiopian had shown highly creditable performances at shorter distances and finished sixth in the World Cross Country Championships in 2023. Winning the marathon in a course record took her to a new level. “The record was my goal and everything went perfectly. After 25 kilometres I had enough energy left to run away from the group. I was very happy with my race plan. The atmosphere along the course helped me a lot. You can certainly run 2;16 on this fast course,” Hawi Feysa reflected.

Right from the start the fastest runners set out to make a concerted attack on the course record of 2:19:10. Although no runner had a personal best faster than 2:21:17, the pace was consistently aimed at breaking the record. “I wanted originally to run at my own pace alone at the head of the field. But the organizers planned that we ran together as a group until 25 kilometres. The tactic proved very good,” said Feysa, in praise of sporting director Philipp Kopp.

Five women went through halfway in 69:19, among them Hawi Feysa and the two sisters, Magdalyne and Linet Masai from Kenya. When Feysa increased the pace after 25 kilometres, only Magdalyne Masai followed her. Until just before 40 km, Masai was still in contention with the gap a few seconds. But Hawi Feysa proved unbeatable and ran a clearly faster second half of the race to finish in triumph in the Festhalle. Magdalyne Masai was a highly creditable second in 2:18:58.

While it was the first time that two women ran below 2:20 in Frankfurt a large number of elite runners achieved personal bests: Four women from the top 5 and six from the top 10 ran PBs. British runners achieved a string of great results in Frankfurt: Georgina Schwiening was the fastest European with a strong PB of 2:25:46 in eleventh place. A staggering number of seven British women finished inside the top 25 in the „Festhalle“.

Men’s Race: A day for the debutants

The men’s elite field, featuring talent spread evenly throughout, set off at a pace which made the target finishing time of under 2:05 a real possibility. Split times of 29:38 for 10km and 44:30 at 15km pointed to a time in the region of just under 2:05. Subsequently the pace dropped somewhat, despite the excellent weather conditions with temperatures between 12 and 15 degrees, overcast and almost no win. But with a number of kilometre splits around 3 minutes, halfway was reached in 62:52. For much of the time, the 13-strong leading group then stayed compact and there was little change.

The first serious attack came only after 30 km but it proved decisive: Bernard Biwott went to the front and only Gossa Challa proved capable of going with the marathon debutant. But when the Kenyan forced the pace again between 35 and 37 kilometres and covered the single kilometres in around 2:50, the Ethiopian had no reply. Biwott, who previously had shown highly promising form at half marathon, achieving a best of 59:44, won with over a minute and a half to spare. “I’m so happy because I didn’t expect that I could win on my debut. I want to thank the organizers and my manager Gianni Demadonna for their support,” said Bernard Biwott who had achieved a rare win here on debut. The last occasion in the men’s race in Frankfurt was in 2008 when a fellow Kenyan, Robert Cheruiyot, won in what was then a course record of 2:07:21.

To add to the surprises, a marathon debutant was also the fastest runner from Germany in the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. Jan Lukas Becker finished 17th in 2:15:20 and had been on course for a finishing time of under 2:11 for much of the race. 

Results, Men:

1. Benard Biwott KEN 2:05:54

2. Gossa Challe ETH 2:07:35

3. Lencho Tesfaye ETH 2:08:02

4. Gerba Dibaba ETH 2:09:03

5. Aychew Dessie ETH 2:09:22

6. Workneh Serbessa ETH 2:09:30

7. Christopher Muthini KEN 2:09:31

8. Ebba Chala  SWE 2:09:35

9. Tim Vincent AUS 2:09:40

10. Mulat Gebeyehu ETH 2:10:07

Women:

1. Hawi Feysa ETH 2:17:25

2. Magdalyne Masai KEN 2:18:58

3. Shuko Genemo ETH 2:22:37

4. Catherine Cherotich KEN 2:22:42

5. Agnes Keino KEN 2:22:53

6. Kidsan Alema ETH 2:23:27

7. Linet Masai KEN 2:23:52

8. Judith Kiyeng KEN 2:24:41

9. Betty Chepkwony KEN 2:25:13

10. Aberash Korsa ETH 2:25:43

Kenyan duo of Daniel Mateiko and Agnes Ngetich lead Kenyan charge at the Valencia half marathon

Daniel Mateiko leads the men's field, while Agnes Jebet Ngetich makes her half marathon debut, promising an exciting race in one of the world’s fastest half marathons.

Kenya’s elite athletes are set to make waves at the highly anticipated Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on October 27, 2024.

Among them, Daniel Mateiko leads the men's field, while Agnes Jebet Ngetich makes her half marathon debut, promising an exciting race in one of the world’s fastest half marathons.

Mateiko, who has clocked an impressive personal best of 58:26, is aiming for a record-breaking time in Valencia.

However, he faces fierce competition from Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Selemon Barega, two of the fastest athletes over the half-marathon distance, with personal bests of 57:41 and 57:50 respectively.

The showdown among these top-tier runners is expected to push the pace and could see new records set.

Joining Mateiko are his compatriots Isaia Kipkoech (58:55), Edward Cheserek (59:11), Bravin Kiprop (59:21), and Weldon Langat (59:22), strengthening Kenya’s presence in the men’s race and adding depth to the country’s bid for top finishes.

In the women’s field, all eyes are on Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who is making her half-marathon debut with high expectations.

Ngetich has already captured the world’s attention this year by breaking the 10K world record in Valencia with a time of 28:46.

This achievement not only demonstrated her speed and resilience but also established her as a formidable contender for her first half marathon.

She will be up against Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama and fellow Kenyan Lilian Kasait Rengeruk, both of whom bring strength and experience to the competition.

With Valencia's history of producing fast times and world records, the race promises a thrilling spectacle.

The presence of top athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia underscores the high caliber of competition, and the event has the potential to be a milestone in the global running calendar.

Faith Kipyegon to receive honorary doctorate degree from University of Eldoret

Faith Kipyegon to receive honorary doctorate from University of Eldoret for remarkable achievements in athletics

Triple Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon is set to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of Eldoret, a recognition that highlights her exceptional contributions to athletics and her inspiring career as a world-class runner.

 The honorary degree will be awarded to Kipyegon during the university's 13th graduation ceremony, scheduled for November 21, 2024.

“Kipyegon is an accomplished middle and long-distance runner and is the reigning 1,500-meter and mile world record holder. 

"Her most notable feat was becoming the first athlete to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1,500 meters,” the university announced in a statement on Friday.

2024 has indeed been a landmark year for Kipyegon, as she claimed her third Olympic title in the 1,500 meters and broke world records in both the 1,500 meters and the mile, accomplishing these feats within a remarkable 49-day span. 

These achievements have earned her a nomination for the prestigious World Athlete of the Year 2024 award.

In addition to her records, Kipyegon also faced Olympic challenges, notably in the 5,000 meters race, where she was briefly disqualified for alleged obstruction of Ethiopia's world record holder, Gudaf Tsegay. However, the disqualification was successfully appealed by Kenyan officials, and her silver medal was reinstated.

She concluded her 2024 season on a high note, marking another year at the peak of global athletics. 

Entering the Olympic year, Kipyegon held titles as both the 1,500m and 5,000m World Champion and was the 1,500m world record holder. 

Though she began the season with uncertainty due to an injury, she quickly dispelled doubts by taking on 10,000m world-record holder Beatrice Chebet in the 5,000m race at Kenya’s National Olympic trials, winning with a time of 14:46.28.

Faith Kipyegon’s journey continues to inspire young athletes and cement Kenya's legacy in athletics. This honorary doctorate from the University of Eldoret is a tribute to her dedication, resilience, and historic accomplishments.

The Valencia Half Marathon, as star-studded as always

Once upon a time there was an athlete who didn’t know what it was like to take over an hour to run a half marathon, his legs were simply faster than that; he has tried five times, but his worst time, if that’s what you can call it, is 59:25. Three of those occasions have been in Valencia, where he won in 2019 and where he took second place in both 2022 and last year, when he clocked a personal best of 57:41, just 10 seconds off the world record and the third fastest time in history. Yomif Kejelcha arrives in Valencia hungry for glory, after an Olympic year in which he has performed at the highest level, with spectacular times and personal bests over 5000m (12:38.95) and 10,000m (26:31.01), but without the cherry on the cake of Olympic glory, having to settle for sixth place in the 25 laps of the track in Paris, an impressive achievement for 99% of athletes, a disappointment for him, who has hardly amassed any major medals.

It is doubtful that the Ethiopian team will be unable to secure victory considering that Selemon Barega, Olympic 10,000m champion in Tokyo, will also be in action, as he has had a similar season to Kejelcha in 2024, coming in just after him in Paris. Less experienced than his compatriot, Barega faces his third adventure over 21,097 m with the confidence of having run 57:50 here just a year ago in last year’s race, a performance that puts him sixth fastest of all time. It will surely depend on the collaboration between these two Ethiopian stars, once the pacers finish their work, as to how close to Kiplimo’s 57:31 they can fly through the crowded Valencian streets. The athletes in charge of pushing the tempo from the start will be the young Ethiopian Kekeba Bejiga, who will have to set a pace of 2:44/km and the Kenyan Mathew Kiplimo Langat, who will try to stay with the pace until the tenth kilometre to reach it ideally between 27:15 and 27:20. From then on, the stars will vie with each other for victory and the big question is whether they will form an alliance to beat the clock or whether each will keep an eye on the other in pursuit of victory.

The Kenyan squad will do everything they can to ensure that last year’s victory by Kibiwott Kandie, the man who broke the world record here, running 57.32 in 2020, will continue this year. Their two best assets should be Daniel Mateiko and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi; the former has already run nine half marathons and knows the Valencian avenues like the back of his hand, coming third in both 2021 and 2022, with 58:26 as his personal best, which he will have to improve on if he wants to stand up to the Ethiopian duo. Mateiko improved his 10,000m time at the Paris Olympics, although his 26:50.81 was only good enough to place him in eleventh position. Lasoi, who is in great form after finishing third in Copenhagen six weeks ago, with a personal best of 58:10 in his fourth (!!) half of 2024, is sure to be in great shape.

Theory tells us that this quartet should be the ones to take the podium places on 27 October, but the magic of the half marathon, which is never as tight as the 42,195m, often brings wonderful surprises. One of them could well be Thierry Ndikumwenayo, who amazed in the Olympic 10,000m by smashing the Spanish record at this distance with a time of 26:49.49. After the rest required following the Games, Thierry may not have had enough time to realise his unlimited potential at this distance, but his performances over shorter distances give him sufficient room for manoeuvre to break the Spanish record, set just a year ago by Carlos Mayo with 59:39 after the previous record had remained unbroken for 22 years. Thierry will have the 59:13 held by Switzerland’s Julien Wanders as the European record in his sights and perhaps the biggest danger for him will be if he remains caught in no man’s land, as joining the leading group, who will be aiming for a sub-58 finish as always, does not seem the most sensible strategy in this his first foray over the distance. This hypothetical record would serve as a well-deserved tribute to Pepe Ortuño, who will retire as his trainer when Thierry crosses the finish line. Tadese Worku, Gemechu Dida, Edward Cheserek and Bravin Kiprop are all well under the one-hour mark and will be looking for their day of glory in Valencia. Among the Europeans, the Portuguese Samuel Barata (national record last year with 59:40), the Italian runner-up at the Europeans Pietro Riva (59:41) and the British runner Emile Cairess (60:01), fourth at the Paris Olympics in the marathon, will be competing with Ndikumwenayo.

Ngetich wants to make her debut in style

The possibility of a women’s world record will also glimmer over the Valencian asphalt on Sunday, courtesy of Agnes Ngetich, who smashed the 10K world record in Valencia on 13 January with a stratospheric time of 28.46. After that explosion, the Kenyan lost some steam, if we can refer to her 5th place in the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade as such. During the track season she suffered from physical problems that made her give up the chance to compete in the Kenyan trials in Eugene at the last minute, thus saying goodbye to her Olympic dreams. Since then, her plan has been to make her début in Valencia over 21,097 m and, despite her status as a newcomer, it is not out of the question that she could make a serious attempt at the world record currently held by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, who clocked an impressive 1:02:52 in Valencia in 2021. The pacemaking duties will fall to Japhet Kosgei and Vincent Nyageo, who will travel at a tempo of just under 3:00/km, to ensure a challenge to the WR if Ngetich still has some strength in her legs in the final stretch.

Following them will be a large group comprising Tsige Gebreselama, Llilian Rengeruk and Ejgayehu Taye. Gebreselama returns to the scene of her debut two years ago (1:05:46), a time she improved on this February by winning the prestigious Ras Al Khaimah Half in 1:05:14. Although, Ngetich’s biggest threat could be fellow debutant and compatriot Lilian Rengeruk, 5th in the Olympic 10,000m and with a 10K time of 29:32 set in Valencia in January, she is projected to be a strong performer over double the distance. While Taye, also making her debut at this distance, is an accomplished 5K specialist, although she also dipped below 30 minutes (29:50.53) in the 10,000 at the Ethiopian trials in Nerja. The main European hopefuls should be Great Britain’s Samantha Harrison, who improved to 1:07:10 in Valencia last year, and Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen, a brilliant winner on her début two years ago with 1:05:41, although she does not seem to be in her best form at present.

Spain’s record is looking wobbly

If there is a record that has every chance of crumbling on Sunday, it is the Spanish women’s record, not because it is outdated, as Laura Luengo became the record holder just a year ago with her 1:09:41, but because her own form heralds a not inconsiderable improvement on that mark. The On Athletics team athlete will set off at a devilish pace of 3:16/3:17 per kilometre under the guidance of duathlon world champion Javier Martin to seriously threaten the 1:09 barrier. It could well be that she manages to beat that and yet not hold the record as both Irene Sanchez-Escribano and Boulaid Kaoutar are planning to run at the same pace, which could make for an exciting three-way duel. The Toledo athlete shone at the Olympic Games in Paris over her favourite 3,000m steeplechase and is facing a very exciting duel over the distance with confidence; she already ran at a Spanish record pace in the 10K in Laredo (31:35) in March and her good adaptation to asphalt is more than promising. On the other hand, the new Spanish champion Kaoutar (1:10:44 on 6 October in Albacete) already knows what it means to run under the 1:09 mark, as she clocked 1:08:57 in Gijón a year and a half ago when she was still competing under the Moroccan flag. Place your bets.

Hellen Obiri shares how love from Americans is motivating her to succeed in marathons

Kenyan marathoner Hellen Obiri has revealed how moving to the United States has become a major source of motivation for her given the way she gets treated well by Americans.

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri is loving life in America since relocating to pursue her marathon dreams.

Obiri moved stateside in 2022 ahead of her marathon debut in New York that year, teaming up with a new coach and training group in Boulder, Colorado.

She joined the On Athletics Club (OAC), an elite team based in Boulder which is led by former distance runner Dathan Ritzenhein.

After a disappointing marathon debut in New York that saw her finish sixth in 2022, she has since got it right to win Boston twice (2023 and 2024) and New York in 2023, while she is looking for another victory in the Big Apple next month.

Preparation for her races means meeting different people on the road as she trains and the frequency has yielded familiarity while her success is now rubbing off on most Americans who have responded with love that has left the 34-year-old delighted and motivated.

“People here know me. Like now when I train, people say; ‘Hey Hellen, we saw you in Paris during [Olympics] closing ceremony you did so well, well done,’” she told FloTrack.

“It feels so good when people appreciate your work. I feel like I need to work extra hard for them to continue appreciating me. It keeps motivating me a lot,” he added.

Obiri will hope that the love from American motivates her to another rare double as she is looking to win both New York and Boston titles for the second straight year.

The mother of one, who relocated with her family to the US, has since adapted to life in America with Boulder’s high-altitude, rolling trails and temperate climate making it an ideal location for distance runners like her.

Elisha Rotich and Yeshi Chekole head strong elite fields in Frankfurt

Elisha Rotich of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Yeshi Chekole head the elite field of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon next Sunday. Rotich has a personal best of 2:04:21 while Chekole’s personal record stands at 2:21:17. More than 14,000 marathon runners have entered the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon which is a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race.

A number of athletes had to cancel their start recently due to either injury or visa problems. Among them are Ethiopians Herpasa Negasa and Tigist Abayechew as well as Eric Kiptanui of Kenya. The men’s start list now features four runners with personal bests of sub 2:07:00 and another ten who have run below 2:10:00. 

While the leading men will probably run a 2:05 pace and organisers hope that a winning time slightly below that mark might be possible, the women could produce the highlight at the 41st edition of Germany’s oldest city marathon. They are expected to attack the course record of Valary Aiyabei. The Kenyan ran 2:19:10 in 2019. Five women have entered the race featuring personal bests of sub 2:23:00. Additionally Ethiopia’s Hawi Feiysa might do very well. She currently has a PB of 2:23:36. But her half marathon time of 65:41 suggests that she should be able to run much faster. Additionally Hawi Feiysa ran a brilliant race at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, last year when she placed sixth. 

Tom Thurley and Laura Hottenrott lead the domestic challenge in Frankfurt. Thurley was second in this year’s national championships with 2:14:52 and Hottenrott ran 2:24:32 in Valencia a year ago. She competed in the Olympic marathon in Paris and finished 38th. 

Elite runners with personal bests

MEN

Elisha Rotich  KEN  2:04:21

Lencho Tesfaye  ETH  2:06:18

Aychew Bantie  ETH  2:06:23

Birhan Nebebew  ETH  2:06:52

Gossa Challa ETH 2:07:43

Workneh Serbessa ETH 2:07:58

Abdelaziz Merzougui  ESP  2:08:00

Gerba Dibaba ETH 2:08:25

Jake Robertson  NZL  2:08:26

Belay Bezabeh ETH 2:08:58

Ebba Chala SWE 2:09:06

Reuben Narry KEN 2:09:06

Bernard Muia KEN 2:09:17

Vincent Ronoh KEN 2:09:21

Tom Thurley  GER 2:14:52

Jonathan Dahlke  GER  2:15:42

Jan Lukas Becker GER Debüt

WOMEN

Yeshi Chekole ETH 2:21:17

Shuko Genemo ETH 2:21:35

Magdalyne Masai  KEN  2:22:16

Kidsan Alema ETH 2:22:28

Meseret Dinke ETH 2:22:52

Betty Chepkwony KEN 2:23:02

Agnes Keino KEN 2:23:26

Hawi Feiysa ETH 2:23:36

Linet Masai  KEN  2:23:46 

Laura Hottenrott GER 2:24:32

Tadelech Nedi ETH 2:26:23

Georgina Schwiening GBR 2:26:28

Aberash Korsa  ETH 2:29:04

Loice Chemnung smashes course record at Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon

Loice Chemnung has set a new course record at the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon leading a strong Kenyan performance.

Loice Chemnung etched her name into the record books after a stunning performance at the third edition of the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon held on Sunday at the iconic Japan National Stadium.

The 27-year-old Kenyan long-distance runner broke the course record in style, clocking an impressive time of 1:07:27, significantly improving the previous mark and showcasing her exceptional talent.

Chemnung, who entered the race with the fastest time on paper—1:05:58, set earlier this year at the Málaga Half Marathon—lived up to expectations by leading from the front.

The 2014 World U20 5000m fifth-place finisher displayed her strength and determination as she ran a near-flawless race.

She crossed the finish line in a new course record of 1:07:27 obliterating the previous record and making her mark in the international running scene.

Her performance left a gap of almost four minutes between herself and the second-place finisher, Mao Kiyota of Japan.

Kiyota, the 2015 Asian 5000m bronze medalist, put up a valiant effort but could only manage 1:11:29, a distant second.

Meanwhile, Mongolia's Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh rounded out the top three, clocking 1:12:12 to claim the final spot on the podium.

Chemnung’s dominance in the women's race set the tone for a thrilling day of racing but it was not just her success that stood out.

In the men's category, Kenyan runners continued their tradition of excellence. Defending champion Evans Keitany, who had won the title the previous year, saw his compatriot Amos Kurgat steal the show.

Kurgat ran a phenomenal race, clocking 59:52 and smashing the previous course record of 1:00:10, set by Vincent Kipkemoi during the inaugural race in 2022.

Kurgat’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, becoming the first man to run sub-60 minutes in the history of the event.

His victory was followed by another Kenyan, Bedan Karoki, who clocked 1:00:38 to secure second place, improving on his third-place finish from last year.

Paul Kuira, also of Kenya, came in third, crossing the line in 1:00:49. All three podium finishers managed to run faster than the previous course record, further cementing the dominance of Kenyan runners at this year's race.

Elsewhere, in Spain, Uganda’s Ezekiel Mutai won the Bilbao Half Marathon, clocking 1:01:13.

However, it was the Kenyan duo of Wilson Kiprono Too and Josphat Kiprono Menjo who grabbed headlines by finishing second and third, respectively.

Kiprono Too clocked 1:01:24, while Menjo came home in a personal best time of 1:01:28, rounding off a strong showing for Kenyan athletes on the international stage.

The women's race in Bilbao was another moment of glory for Kenya.

Purity Kajuju Gitonga, making her debut at the half marathon distance, clinched the title with an impressive time of 1:08:52.

Gitonga led a Kenyan sweep of the podium, with Sheila Cherotich finishing second in 1:10:34, and Sheila Jeruto taking third in 1:13:27.

All three athletes were racing their first half marathon and managed to dominate the field, underscoring Kenya's depth of talent in long-distance running.

Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon: Joshua Cheptegei wins men's title; Alemaddis Eyayu bags women's crown

Olympian Joshua Cheptegei lived up to his billing to take home the men’s crown, while Alemaddis Eyayu pushed pre-race favourite Cynthia Limo behind for a surprise win in the women’s race in today’s Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, at the Indian capital.

Kenya’s Alex Matata (27) led a major part of the race with his teammate Nicholas Kipkorir, who ran his maiden half marathon internationally. Kipkorir was a bronze medalist in the 5 km World Championships last year.

Matata was unbeaten in all three races he took part in in Europe earlier this year, with two sub-60 minutes clocking in two of them.  That made the race exciting, and everyone was looking for a fast finish timing from the men’s winner.  Matata keeps the lead until the runners turn toward the finish line in the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, where the race commenced less than an hour earlier to decide the 2024 title.

Cheptegei, running seconds behind the Kenyan, realized the now-or-never situation and came from behind to snatch the lead from Matata to win in 59 minutes 46 seconds. Matata (59:53) and Kipkorir (59:59) complete the podium with the Ugandan.     

Incidentally, the Vedanta Delhi half marathon was one of the fastest races in the World and usually saw incredible timings by the participants. Ethiopian Deriba Merga was the first to post a sub-60-minute winning time in 2008 when all the podium finishers dipped under 1 hour. This action was repeated several times in some of the subsequent editions at Delhi, wherein 2014 witnessed a record number of nine runners finishing within 60 minutes.

Former world champion Muktar Edris from Ethiopia, another pre-race favourite, finished fifth (60:52), while Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (60:40) got the fourth place.  

Cheptegei, with multiple world titles on his cap, said that “this win in Delhi was special to me because it is my first-ever victory in a Half Marathon.  India has been important for my career, and this country now means a lot to me.  I felt good throughout the race despite the slow start.  My first aim was to catch up with Nicholas (Kipkorir) and then Alex (Matata) in the final few kilometres of the race.  I am delighted with my performance and hope to continue in the same manner in the future races”.  

Thank you, Vedanta Delhi Half, for a wonderful race. This has been a special race that tested my mind.  Initially, I felt some problems in my feet around 16-17 km, but I decided to push and catch up with Nicholas, and then for about two kilometers, we pushed each other.  I took it slow because I didn’t want to burn out, and I wanted to finish strong.  Now I go back home with a feeling to conquer the roads”, he further revealed.

Eyayu beats favourite Limo to win the women’s title:Alemaddis Eyayu extended the Ethiopian winning streak in Delhi.   Kenya’s Cynthia Limo, the pre-race favourite, led the field right from the beginning while Scotland’s Commonwealth Champion Eilish McColgan trailed behind all the time.  McColgan had the fastest and only sub-66 minute timing among the elite women who took the starting lineup today.  However, two Ethiopians, Eyayu and Tiruye Mesfin, stuck with Limo for the entire part.        

Cynthia Limo, who won the women’s title here in 2015, had returned to Delhi after nine years.  Following her victory in the Indian capital, the Kenyan runner secured a silver medal in Cardiff's 2016 World Half Marathon championships.Eyayu and Limo passed the 10K mark together and remained the sole leaders in the women’s race. However, the Ethiopian runner pulled ahead in the second phase of the race, leaving Limo 10-15 seconds behind.  It was a crucial deciding factor at the end as Eyayu crossed the finish line 68:17 for the top spot, while Limo did so 10 seconds later.  Mesfin clocked 69:42 for third and McColgan 69:55 to finish fourth and outside the podium.  

“I had a good race, tried to keep my pace and aimed to finish well.  I am happy to have achieved it” Eyayu said during the post-event press conference.

Limo said she was happy to join the Delhi podium after nine years.  “Securing second place is incredible, one that fills me with pride.  The atmosphere was electric, with people lining the streets and cheering us.  It’s heartwarming to see how the city comes together.  This experience has been truly special; the support from the spectators, their enthusiasm, and the overall energy of the event have made this return to Delhi unforgettable,” was Limo’s reaction to the race.

The total prize purse for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is USD 260,000. The podium finishers both men and women will take home USD 27,000, USD 20,000 & USD 13,000 respectively.

Sawan Barwal betters previous performance

Sawan Barwal will go home with the gold medal this time around after finishing on the podium of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon for a second straight edition. With a timing of 1:02:46, Barwal finished ahead of Puneet Yadav, bettering his personal best in the process. Kiran Matre grabbed the third spot to complete the podium for the Indian Elite Men's event.

Barwal, who won bronze in 2023, was behind Puneet at the 10-kilometer mark, but left his best for the final stretch of the race. Taking advantage of an opening, he pushed himself in the final quarter and eventually secured the top spot with a difference of almost 1 minute and 9 seconds.

After the race, an emotional Sawan was ecstatic about turning the bronze to gold as he shed some light on his performance, saying, "It has been a great ride from the last Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon to the current edition. We are nearing the end of the season, and I was happy with the preparations throughout the season, and I used that to my advantage this time around. I did not enter thinking about finishing in 62 minutes, but the way I started and when I settled into the race, I knew I could go all the way."

Lili Das has dream debut

In the Indian Elite Women's category, Lili Das was miles ahead of her competitors, securing the gold with a timing of 1:18:12. Coming in second was last year's winner Kavita Yadav, who clocked 1:19:44 as she finished in the top 3 for a second straight edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. In third place was 2022 Asian Games bronze medallist Priti Lamba, who crossed the finish line at the 1:20:21 mark.

In the 9th position at the 10-kilometer mark, Lili upped the ante to reach the top spot at the 15th kilometer. She maintained the lead with a massive effort and went on to win the gold by a massive difference of 1 minute and 32 seconds ahead of Kavita.

Lili, who fought cramps on the way to her gold, spoke about the experience of landing on the podium in her very first Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, "It is a very good feeling to win the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in my very first attempt. I felt a little bit of dehydration during the race which I was worried about, but I am glad that I was able to finish the race. I cramped up around the 19th kilometer and it was a scary moment, but I fought it and worked very hard to finish the final 2 kilometers. After doing well in track and field events, winning gold in a half marathon feels great."

The people of Delhi came together once again to showcase the spirit of their city and promote healthy lifestyles at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Thousands of runners, from seasoned athletes to enthusiastic amateurs, took to the streets, turning the event into a vibrant celebration of fitness and community. The race not only highlighted the city's commitment to well-being but also raised awareness for various charitable causes, embodying the essence of unity and social responsibility that Delhi is known for.  

Yehualaw breaks Amsterdam course record, Getachew regains title

Yalemzerf Yehualaw returned to winning ways at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, winning the World Athletics Platinum Label road race in a course record of 2:16:52 on Sunday (20).

Tsegaye Getachew made it an Ethiopian double as he regained the title he won two years ago, winning the men’s race in 2:05:38 in a close finish from compatriot Boki Asefa.

Yehualaw, winner in London two years ago, was looking to rebound following her eighth-place finish in the British capital earlier this year. The 25-year-old set out with clear intent, passing through 10km in 32:23 before breaking away from her last remaining challenger, Bahrain’s Desi Jisa, and reaching the half-way point in 1:08:00.

Jisa managed to hold on to second place through half way, which she reached in 1:08:14, 30 seconds ahead of Haven Hailu, Winfridah Moseti and Bedatu Hirpa. But the chase trio managed to catch the Bahraini runner at 25km (1:21:15).

By this point, Yehualaw had a lead of almost a minute and was showing no signs of slowing down. She passed 30km in 1:36:23, 63 seconds ahead of Hailu and Moseti, and continued to pull away from the field.

The former world 10km record-holder went on to finish in 2:16:52, chopping 28 seconds from the course record set two years ago by Almaz Ayana. Moseti’s challenge faded in the closing stages, leaving Hailu to finish second in 2:19:29. Moseti was third in 2:20:27, just three seconds ahead of her fellow Kenyan Gladys Chesir.

The course record may never have been in jeopardy in the men’s race, but it was highly competitive throughout. A pack of 15 runners passed through 10km in 29:27 and 14 of those were still together at half way, which was reached in 1:02:31.

Getachew, the 2022 winner, was among the large lead pack, along with fellow Ethiopian Asefa, world silver medallist Maru Teferi of Israel, and Kenyan trio Justus Kangogo, Kennedy Kimutai and Felix Kipkoech.The pack started to whittle down throughout the second half, but three men – Getachew, Asefa and Teferi – entered Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium just a few strides apart from one another.

Just as he had done two years ago, Getachew proved to have the stronger finish as he held off his opponents to win in 2:05:38. Asefa was a close second in 2:05:40, just two seconds ahead of Teferi.

Kenyan parliament demands U.S. journalist apologize for marathon world record question

It’s been five days since Kenyan distance runner Ruth Chepngetich stunned the distance running world at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, not only breaking the previous women’s world record but also becoming the first woman to run sub-2:10—something many thought was impossible. At the post-race press conference, Chepngetich faced a pointed question from Let’sRun.com journalist and founder Robert Johnson, who asked what she would say to those who believe her time of 2:09:56 is too good to be true.

Chepngetich, shocked by the question, responded, “I don’t have any idea. You know people must talk but…people must talk so I don’t know.”

The clip made found its way to Athletics Kenya and the Kenyan parliament, which now insists that Johnson apologize to Chepngetich.

“Honourable Speaker, I urge the Cabinet Secretary for Sports; Athletics Kenya and the Kenyan Anti-Doping Agency to stand up for our athletes and demand an immediate an unequivocal apology from Robert Johnson and others who have shamed our athletes. […] I know that were it an American athlete, that question would not have been posed,” said Hon. Gladys Boss, an M.P. representing Uasin Gishu County (incl. Eldoret).

The response 

Johnson replied to the demands on social media, doubling down on his initial question. “Apologize? For what? I didn’t accuse her of doping. I asked her what she would say to those who think her performance is too good to be true and proactively gave her the opportunity to get ahead of the cynics.”

Many have spoken up in Johnson’s defence, given Kenya’s recent history with doping violations; the country has more than 100 athletes currently serving doping suspensions on the Athletics Integrity Until (AIU) Global List of Ineligible Persons. 

“I do wish she had an interpreter. But it’s a fair question, given the nature of what we saw,” said American marathon coach James McKirdy on X. “It’s either the greatest running achievement in history…or… it’s drugs. Given that there are over 100 currently suspended athletes from Kenya, the questioning of the result is valid.”

“Kenya has an extensive recent history of high-profile doping busts. It’s a perfectly appropriate subject to raise with an athlete who had such an outlier performance, and the question was in no way accusatory or abusive,” another person replied on X.

Athletics Kenya statement

On Tuesday, Athletics Kenya issued a statement congratulating Chepngetich on her achievement and defending the newly-crowned women’s marathon world record holder:

“It is preposterous to cast aspersions on a seasoned winner like Chepng’etich, who has upheld integrity and hard work throughout her career. In any case, many world records were broken this year, and to single her out is utterly unfair. It is therefore disheartening to hear some sections of the media casting unwarranted doubts on her achievements. Such aspersions, made without due process, undermine not only her efforts, but the integrity of the sport.”

The statement adds: “It is important to note that Ruth, like all other athletes in major competitions, underwent multiple anti-doping tests, both pre-race and post-race. These are standard procedures in events of this magnitude and only after all results are verified will her record be officially ratified.”

Athletics Kenya described the 2019 world marathon champion as an elite athlete who has earned her stripes with a number of solid performances, including wins at two previous editions of the Chicago Marathon. “Her familiarity with the course, having won this prestigious marathon in 2021 and 2022, played a pivotal role in her third victory, showcasing her tactfulness and athletic mastery. Her latest triumph is a continuation of this stellar career, despite missing the 2024 Paris Olympics due to illness,” the federation said.

WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY (ABOUT WOMEN’S MARATHOING)

I am a numbers’ guy. I’ve always been a numbers’ guy. I always want to see what the numbers tell me before I opine from an emotional standpoint. 

Accordingly, I did a deep dive into the last five women to hold the marathon world record going back to Kenyan Catherine “The Great” Ndereba, in 2001. What I found was a changing world order.

Catherine Ndereba was the last of the old school road racers who then progressed to the marathon. Catherine came to compete on the U.S. road tour beginning in 1995, but really began winning convincingly in 1996 at age 24, winning four times in New York City; Spokane, Washington; Utica, NY; Flint, Michigan; and Philadelphia, Pa. 

In 1999, she made her marathon debut in Boston, running to eighth place in 2:28:26. Later that fall, she finished second in New York City in 2:27:34. But she also had eight wins on the road circuit when you could still make money there and the marathon wasn’t yet as lucrative as it is today. 

The following year, 2000, Catherine won her first Boston and Chicago Marathons, with another eight wins on the road circuit. She won Boston again in 2001 in 2:22:53, then set her world record in Chicago in the fall in her sixth career marathon, running 2:18:47, with another eight wins on the roads. Catherine was 29 when she ran her record and set her personal best by 2:46 seconds. 

In all, she ran 23 marathons, finished 23, won 8. 

Great Britain’s Paul Radcliffe broke Catherine‘s world record one year later in Chicago 2002 (2:17:18) then smashed her own record one year later in London (2:15:25), a record that would last 16 years, by far the longest standing women’s marathon world record in history. Before that, Paula had run her debut in the spring of 2002 in London, at age 28, winnng in 2:18:56, a debut record.

In all, Paula started 13 marathons, finished 12, won 8. She, like Catherine, was age 29 when she set her final record at 2:15:25. 

But Paula had a long, distinguished career in cross country and track going all the way back to 1992 when won the IAAF World Cross Country U20 championship in snowy Boston before finishing fourth in the World Junior Championships in the 3000m, a circumstance that would repeat itself over the years until she moved up in distance. 

Paula ran fifth at the 1996 Olympic 5000m final in Atlanta. Then fourth in the 1997 World Championships 5000 in Athens; second in the WC 10,000m in Seville; and fourth again in the 2000 Olympic 10,000 in Sydney. She just couldn’t finish the last 200-300m with the East Africans like Derartu Tulu and Gete Wami to nab gold. 

She entered her first marathon in London 2002 after showing her ability at the half marathon, winning at the Great North Run and the World Half Marathon Championships in Vera Cruz in 2000, and again in Bristol in 2001 – though she still ran on the track at 3k, 5k and 10k. From there, it was clear sailing, as the world came to expect Paula’s 2:15:25 to last for a long, long time.

It wasn’t until Brigid Kosgei came along in Chicago 2019, running 2:14:04, that Paula’s mighty record fell. But that was a bit of a stunner, as people didn’t see it coming. That gave even more gravity to the super-shoe era, because Brigid was 25 years old running the ninth of her 17 career marathons when she set her record. It was a personal best by 4:16, very similar to what we saw with Ruth Chepngetich last Sunday in Chicago. Both were deep into their marathon careers before producing their other worldly record performances. 

Between Brigid and Ruth came Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa. She ran her world record of 2:11:53 at age 26 in Berlin in the third of only five career marathons. And that WR was a personal best by 3:44 at age 26. 

And now, of course, we have Ruth Chepngetich, whose 2:09:56 in Chicago last Sunday has had heads spinning faster than Linda Blair in the Exorcist. 

Ruth has run 15 marathons, finished 13, won 9, while running her world record in her 15th marathon, seven years into her career, setting a PB by 4:22. That last stat is the one people have trouble getting their heads around. You don’t improve that much so late in your career; they say.

But Brigid Kosgei ran her world record in the ninth of 17 career marathons with a personal best by 4:16. So what Ruth did was not unprecedented, though taken from a tiny sample. 

The ages when they produced their world records:

Catherine, age 29; Paula, age 28 and 29;Brigid, age 25; Tigst, age 26; Ruth, age 30.

The world is constantly spinning, changing. Catherine Ndereba and Paula Radcliffe came from an old world, not just pre-super shoes, but pre-only focusing on marathons and half marathons. 

And with the super shoes and super nutrition and super coaching and super God knows what else, there has been a great stir in the running community. Some refuse to even consider the possibility of these record times. Others say “wait and see if any positive testing follows down the line”, as we have seen many times before. And very few say, “everything‘s on the up and up. There’s nothing here to see other than a great performance.”

That doesn’t leave the sport in a very good place. But guess what? We are kidding ourselves if we think 2:09:56 is going to last very long. Look at Chicago’s women’s splits: 15:00 at 5K = 2:06:46 pace; 45:32 at 15k = 2:08:16 pace; and 64:16 at halfway = 2:08:32 pace. You even out that effort just a little, and you’re looking at sub-2:09! It’s coming. You can count on it. Plus, once one-person shows what’s possible, it inspires many more to try.

Remember, we are still in the first two generations of world-class women’s distance running. We have no idea what their limits may be, notwithstanding all nefariousness that attends the sport these days.

And so the debate continues, even as the sport searches for leadership, which seems to be missing in action. It’s one hell of a Wild West show, isn’t it?

'Give Ruth the respect she deserves!'- Athletics Kenya jumps to Ruth Chepng'etich's defense following doping accusation

Athletics Kenya has defended Ruth Chepngetich after her record-breaking Chicago Marathon win, urging respect and dismissing doping accusations, emphasizing her consistent, hard-earned success.

Athletics Kenya has called for the respect of newly-crowned Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich who is fresh from breaking the marathon world record.

Ruth Chepng’etich clocked an impressive 2:09:56 to win the race at the Chicago Marathon, shattering Tigst Assefa’s previous record of 2:11:53 that she set to win the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

The Kenyan distance sensation ran a solo race to showcase her mastery of the course after winning the 2021 and 2022 editions of the race and finishing second behind Sifan Hassan at the 2023 edition of the event.

However, rumours have emerged that Ruth Chepng’etich might have doped following her impressive splits and that her world record might not be credible. However, Chepng’etich is one of the most consistent marathoners who has a lot of titles including the world marathon title she won at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Following a ton of accusations, Athletics Kenya has jumped to her defence, urging the public to allow her to celebrate her huge feat and acknowledge her efforts as one of the most outstanding marathon runners in the world.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Athletics Kenya acknowledged her efforts, noting that she has been extraordinary in her performances for over five years and has joined the exclusive world of world record holders including Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet and Beatrice Chepkoech.

“In any case, many world records were broken this year, and to single her out is utterly unfair. It is therefore disheartening to witness some sections of the media casting unwarranted doubt on her achievements. Such aspersions, made without due process, undermine not only her efforts but the integrity of the sport,” Athletics Kenya said in a statement.

“We urge the media and the global community to give Ruth the respect she deserves and protect athletes from harassment. Let her celebrate this hard-earned victory and let us acknowledge the years of hard work and discipline that have brought her to this moment.”

The Kenyan federation was quick to note that every athlete, including Ruth Chepng’etich, underwent the required anti-doping tests and defended her performance on the global stage.

Fast times in the 38th monthly KATA Time Trial in Thika Kenya

The Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) monthly time trial took place today October 16th. We had 37 total registered athletes, 10 women and 27 men. Stephen ngigi opened the day with victory in the 5km MEN posting 14:28. This was his first time in the distance.

He was followed closely by Levis kuria who finished two seconds later stopping the clock at 14:31, a new personal best. Levis lowered his previous time of 14:49 by 18 seconds. Kelvin ragui finished third place and stopped the clock at 14:58, 8 seconds slower than his previous time. Kellen waithira took the victory in 5km Women in time of 17:01 followed by Lois wambui who stopped the clock at 17:22.

Athanas kioko (first photo) who is coming back from an injury won the men 10km race in a time of 29:16. He was followed by Peter mwaniki who is also nursing an injury clocked 29:47. Michael chege finished in third place posting a scintillating time of 29:59, a new personal best. Chege took off more than 40 seconds from his previous time.

KATA Kenya and KATA Portugal

5km WOMEN 

1 Kellen waithira 36 30 17:01

2 Lois wambui 23 5 17:22

3 Jacinta kamau 22 3 17:35

4 Lilian nyamai 23 4 17:59

5 Karen chepkwony 22 40 18:34

5km MEN 

1 Stephen ngigi 20 18 14:28

2 Levis kuria 23 2 14:31

3 Kelvin ragui 23 13 14:58

4 Peter maina 33 34 15:02

5 John njuguna 29 36 15:03

6 Charles ndirangu 23 10  15:18

7 kappua Anthony 23 25 15:22

8 David muriuki 28 16 15:51

9 Amos chirchir 23 39 16:02

10 Peter mulua 24 14 16:42

11 Fredrick mwenda 18 11 17:47

12 William mbugua 21 12 17:55

13 Geoffrey mwangi 44 28 18:19

14 Michael oriko 24 24 20:38

15 Benjamin oriko 24 20 20:40

10km WOMEN 

1 Monica wanjiku 22 29 33:34

2 Rachael ndungu 32 19 34:06

3 Virginia wanjiru 22 6 35:43

4 Karen chepkemoi 22 27 35:55

5 Vyonne nyawira 24 20 36:22

10km MEN 

1 Athanas kioko 29 35 29:16

2 Peter mwaniki 27 31 29:47

3 Michael chege 17 15 29:59

4 Peter wanyoike 28 33 30:01

5 Bernard Baruka 30 23 30:42

6 Kenneth gichoya 27 32 30:49

7 Fredrick kiprotich 23 1 31:34

8 Bernard giceha 33 35 32:24

9 Joseph muniu 21 38 33:21

10 Paul kariuki 25 22 33:43

11 John ndungu 22 21 35:14

12 Charles ndirangu 64 37 37:57

Laura Hottenrott from Kassel is Europe's hope at the Frankfurt Marathon

Laura Hottenrott will be at the start of this year's Frankfurt Marathon. This was announced by the organizer on Tuesday. With a best time of 2:24:32 hours, the runner from Kassel is considered the fastest European in the strong field. At the Olympic Games in Paris, the North Hessian finished 38th in 2:31:19 hours.

However, Hottenrott will probably not compete for the title in Frankfurt. On October 27, six athletes will also be competing in the Main metropolis with best times under 2:23 hours. The fastest in the field is Tigist Abayechew, who ran 2:18:03 in Berlin two years ago. This makes the Ethiopian the fastest runner ever to be on a start list in Frankfurt.

Organizers hope for new record time

"Due to the compact field in the women's top, we hope that we will see an exciting race and times of under 2:20:00 hours. Maybe even the course record set by Kenyan Valary Aiyabei five years ago will fall," said race director Jo Schindler.

Aiyabei had run a time of 2:19:10 hours in 2019. Last year, winner Buzunesh Getachew Gudeta from Ethiopia was only 17 seconds slower.

Another look at the new women’s marathon record set in Chicago today

30-year-old Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich destroyed the women’s marathon world record today (13 Oct. 2024) at the 46th Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Her time of 2:09:56 ripped 1:57 from the previous mark set in Berlin 2023 by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (2:11:53).

At this point, the athletics record book feels like it ought to be written in No. 2 Ticonderoga pencil. That’s how fast records fall in this age of technological and nutritional advances. This is especially true at the longer distances where such advancements create greater margins.

Still, Ruth Chepngetich’s new world record stands out as history’s first women’s sub-2:10, and first sub-5:00 per mile pace average. But Tigst Assefa’s 2:11:53 mark set last year in Berlin had us all cradling our heads, as well. That performance cut 2:11 off Brigid Kosgei‘s 2:14:04 record from Chicago 2019, which shattered Paula Radcliffe‘s seemingly impregnable 2:15:25 set in London 2003.

In each case: Radcliffe’s, Kosgei’s, Assefa’s, and now Chepngetich’s record have caused mouths to gape in the immediacy of their efforts. But nothing should surprise us anymore.

Racing is often a self-fulfilling prophecy determined by one’s build-up. Ruth Chepngetich said in her TV interview she came into Chicago off a perfect three-months of training after her disappointing ninth-place finish in London in April (2:24:36). Two previous wins in the Windy City (2021 and 2022) and a runner-up in 2023 meant Ms. Chepngetich arrived well seasoned on this course, with a keen understanding of what training was required to produce such a record run.

Of course, sadly, no record in athletics can be free of skepticism considering the industrial level of PED use that is uncovered, seemingly, every other Tuesday. Though understandable, cynicism should not be one’s default reaction.

To maintain any allegiance to the game, to follow it with any interest at all, we have to celebrate each record at face value. Just as rabid fans have to acknowledge some records to be ill-gotten, cynics accept that many special runs are exactly as they appear, above reproach.

Besides, when you break down Ruth’s 5k splits, each one from 5k to 35k was slower than the previous 5k. Not until the split from 35k to 40k (15:39) did she run faster than the split before (15:43 from 30  to 35k)

5k   – 15:0010k – 30:14 (15:14)15k – 45:32 (15:18)20k – 60:51 (15:19)25k – 1:16:17 (15:26)30k – 1:31:40 (15:32)35k – 1:47:32 (15:43)40k – 2:03:11 (15:39)Fini – 2:09:56

1st half   – 64:162nd half – 65:40

So congratulations to Ruth Chepngetich and her team for a marvelous run through a beautiful city. Now, let’s see how long this mark stays on the books before the No. 2 Ticonderoga pencil gets pulled out again.

BY THE NUMBERS

There have been 26 women’s world records set in the marathon since Beth Bonner‘s 2:55:22 in New York City in 1971. Over the ensuing 53 years, the average percentage change from one record to the next has been 1:26%. See WOMEN’S WORLD RECORD PROGRESSION.

Today’s record by Ruth Chepngetich, 2:09:56 (just one second slower than Bill Rodgers‘ American men’s record in Boston 1975!), lowered Tigst Assefa’s 2:11:53 mark by a healthy 1.5%. And Assefa’s time cut Brigid Kosgei’s 2:14:04 by 1.65%.

These latest records are still taking significant chunks off their predecessors and doing so in quick order. That suggests women are far from slicing everything they can from even this new record.

Yet, when comparing the women’s marathon world record to the men’s (2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago 2023), we see a differential of 7.2%. That is by far the best women’s record vis-à-vis the men’s throughout the running spectrum. Second place on that list is Florence Griffith-Joyner‘s 10.49 100m in relation to Usain Bolt‘s 9.58, a percentage difference of 8.675%.

The traditional rule of thumb has been a 10% gap between men’s and women’s records. But there are so many factors in play, it is difficult to make any definitive statement that explains one event, much less one athlete from another. I guess that’s why we keep watching.

Kenyan debutant Nehemiah Kipyegon and Ethiopian newcomer Asmare Assefa win in Munich

Kenyan debutant Nehemiah Kipyegon took the 38th edition of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON, beating his challengers by a huge margin while also fighting against windy and rainy conditions. Taking into account the wet weather during the second half of the race the 26 year-old showed an impressive performance and clocked a highly respectable 2:10:02.

In a race without pacemakers he was in the lead throughout and achieved the fourth fastest winning time in the history of the event. Nehemiah Kipyegon was more than five minutes ahead of Siyum Tola. The Ethiopian ran his first marathon as well and finished in 2:15:29. Kenya’s Benard Chumba was third in 2:19:00.

Running her first race in Europe Ethiopia’s newcomer Asmare Assefa won the race in 2:29:44. The 26 year-old clocked a personal best and the second fastest winning time of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON. Kenya’s Shamilah Kipsiror was second in 2:34:01 and Gelane Senbete of Ethiopia followed in third with 2:35:44. 

Organisers of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON registered a record number of almost 28,000 entries from 120 nations including events at shorter distances. Among them were 6,250 marathon runners.

“Today we witnessed a superb event with an impressive entry record and we have further established the international standing of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON. We hope that we can continue staging this race,“ said Race Director Gernot Weigl, who also pointed out the huge financial benefit the marathon generates for the city of Munich. It is estimated that this is in the region of twelve million Euro.

Nehemiah Kipyegon, who had recently improved his half marathon PB to 60:34 in Copenhagen, took the lead right after the start with four runners following behind him. Without any pacemakers he then reached the half marathon point in 64:13. At this point only Siyum Tola and William Kibor of Kenya were still behind him. However Kibor dropped back soon after half way. The Kenyan suffered badly with muscle problems and later finished well behind in 2:26:13. In a duel of two debutants Tola could not hold on for long.

When Kipyegon ran sub 3:00 kilometre splits between 24 and 26k the Ethiopian was beaten. “He did not help pacing, so I decided to make a move,“ said Nehemiah Kipyegon, who lives and trains in Keringet which is in between Nairobi and Eldoret. “This is my biggest career win so far. I think I can run times of around 2:05 in the future.“

In the women’s race four runners passed the 10k mark in 34:54. Running without pacemakers as well Shamilah Kipsiror did most of the pacing. While Ethiopians Gelane Senbete and Gadise Negasa were dropped Asmare Assefa stayed behind the Kenyan. When the two passed the half marathon point in 73:34 they were almost a minute ahead already. With less than ten kilometres to go Assefa finally passed Kipsiror and quickly build a big lead. The Kenyan was so exhausted that she collapsed after crossing the finish line and needed medical treatment.

“I was able to stay behind Shamilah for a long period and it went very well for me. However it was getting difficult when the rain turned stronger at around 27k. I think in good weather conditions I would have been three minutes faster,“ said Asmare Assefa. “I would like to come back to Munich for this race next year.“

Chepngetich smashes world marathon record in Chicago with 2:09:56

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich took almost two minutes off the world record* at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, winning the World Athletics Platinum Label road race in 2:09:56 on Sunday (13).

Not only did she obliterate Tigist Assefa’s world record of 2:11:53, set in Berlin last year, Chepngetich also notched up her third Chicago Marathon victory and chopped more than four minutes off her previous best of 2:14:18, set when winning her in 2022.

On a good day for Kenyan runners, John Korir took the men’s title in 2:02:43, the second-fastest time ever recorded in Chicago behind the world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum last year.

Chepngetich’s intent was clear from the start. She breezed through the first 5km in 15:00 and had Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede for company, and then reached 10km in an astonishing 30:14 with Kebede still just two seconds behind.

Chepngetich continued her relentless pace and hit the half-way mark in an incredible 1:04:16, the fifth-fastest clocking in history for the half marathon distance and putting her on course for a sub-2:09 finish. Kebede had started to drop behind, but she was still operating well inside world record pace, reaching the half-way point in 1:04:30, three minutes ahead of Joyciline Jepkosgei.

The gap between Chepngetich and Kebede continued to grow throughout the second half. The pace of both women dropped, Kebede’s more so than Chepngetic, and by 30km (1:31:49) the Kenyan had a lead of almost two minutes over her Ethiopian rival.

Chepngetich’s next 10km was covered in 31:22, which was her slowest of the race so far, but still remarkably quick and enough to increase her leading margin to more than six minutes. With little more than two kilometres left to run, she was still well inside world record pace, the likelihood of breaking it increasing with every step.

Spurred on by her memories of the 2022 race, when she missed out on the world record by just 14 seconds, Chepngetich powered through the final stages and crossed the line in 2:09:57, becoming the first woman to break 2:10. Remarkably, only nine athletes went quicker in the men’s race today.

“I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.”

Kebede held on for second place in 2:17:32 while Kenya’s Irine Cheptai came through for third place in 2:17:52.

By contrast, the men’s race got off to a relatively conservative start before Korir broke away and sped up in the second half en route to a dominant win with huge negative splits.

A lead pack of 10 men ran together through the first 10km in 29:27, and they were still one big group as they passed through the half-way point in 1:02:19, putting them on course for a 2:04:38 finish.

Korir, along with fellow Kenyans Daniel Ebenyo and Amos Kipruto, continued to push the pace into the second half. By 30km, reached in 1:28:18, the lead group was down to seven men. But soon after, Korir increased his pace and broke free from the pack, creating a gap of 29 seconds by the time he reached 35km.

His leading margin continued to grow, and by 40km his lead was 92 seconds over Kipruto and Ethiopia’s Huseydin Mohamed Esa. Korir sped up in the final kilometres and crossed the line in 2:02:43, having covered the second half in 1:00:24. Esa was second in 2:04:39 and Kipruto third (2:04:50).

Legese and Chepngetich lead Chicago Marathon fields

Ruth Chepngetich heads to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on the hunt for a hat trick, while Birhanu Legese is the fastest in the men’s field for the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday (13).

The women’s race features a clash between Chepngetich, her Kenyan compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei and Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede – three sub-2:17 runners who form part of a field that includes another six women to have dipped under 2:20.

Chepngetich, the 2019 world marathon champion, won in Chicago in 2021 and 2022, and followed that with a runner-up finish to Sifan Hassan last year. She clocked 2:14:18 on that occasion, while her PB of 2:14:18 set in Chicago in 2022 makes her the fourth fastest women’s marathon runner in history.

She ran 2:24:36 for her most recent marathon, in London in April, and placed ninth, but then clocked 1:05:58 to win the 21k Buenos Aires half marathon in August.

Jepkosgei, who won the London Marathon in 2021 and New York City Marathon in 2019, finished fourth in Chicago last year in 2:17:23. 

She improved by one place when returning to marathon action in London in April, setting a PB of 2:16:24.

It’s Kebede who leads this season’s top list, thanks to the PB of 2:15:55 she set to win the Tokyo Marathon in March. That puts her at No.8 all time and she will be hoping to make the most of the fast course in Chicago.

“After seeing what my teammate Kelvin Kiptum did last year, I want to come to Chicago to do something great,” said Kebede, who finished 15th in last year’s race.

Kiptum, who was part of Kebede’s training group, died in a road traffic accident in February, just four months after he set his world marathon record of 2:00:35 in Chicago. This year, the event will honour Kiptum’s legacy with a moment of silence at the start line.

Joining Chepngetich, Jepkosgei and Kebede on that start line will be three more women with PBs under 2:18 – Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw, Ashete Bekere and Hiwot Gebrekidan – plus Kenya’s Irine Cheptai, who ran 2:18:22 in Hamburg in April.

The field also features the second and third fastest ever US women’s marathon runners, Keira D’Amato and Betsy Saina, who have also dipped under 2:20. They are joined in this competitive field by their compatriots Sara Hall and Emma Bates.

Ethiopia’s Legese leads the men’s field with the PB of 2:02:48 he ran in Berlin in 2019. That performance puts him sixth on the men’s world marathon all-time list but since then his highest marathon finish has been a third place, achieved in Rotterdam with a 2:05:16 run in April.

The two-time Tokyo Marathon champion will want to return to winning ways when he heads back to Chicago, where he placed 10th when making his World Marathon Majors debut in 2018, but he faces tough opposition.

Six other men in the field have PBs faster than 2:06, including Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, Vincent Ngetich and John Korir, and Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde, Amedework Walelegn and Mohamed Esa.

Kipruto, the 2019 world bronze medallist, and Ngetich have matching PBs of 2:03:13. Kipruto won the London Marathon in 2022 and trains with Benson Kipruto, who won that year’s Chicago Marathon, while Ngetich was second in the Berlin Marathon last year, five places ahead of Kipruto. He was also third at this year’s Tokyo Marathon.

Korir ran his PB of 2:05:01 when finishing third in Chicago in 2022, while Wolde ran 2:03:48 in Valencia last year, Esa has a best of 2:05:05 from Amsterdam in 2022 and Walelegn clocked 2:04:50 in Rotterdam in April, finishing runner-up – one place ahead of Legese.

Looking to join them at the front of the field will be Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo, the world 10,000m and half marathon silver medallist who makes his marathon debut. The 29-year-old ran a 59:30 half marathon in Berlin in April, 26 seconds off his PB set in Manama in 2022.

Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer Mekonnen, who finished fourth in the half marathon at last year’s World Road Running Championships behind runner-up Ebenyo, is back in marathon action after his win in Seoul in March.

Among the athletes racing on home soil are USA’s Zach Panning, CJ Albertson and Brian Shrader.

Elite fields

WomenRuth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:14:18Sutume Kebede (ETH) 2:15:55Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:16:24Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:17:58Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:17:58Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) 2:17:59Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:18:22Keira D'Amato (USA) 2:19:12Betsy Saina (USA) 2:19:17Sara Hall (USA) 2:20:32Emma Bates (USA) 2:22:10Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:23:11Sara Vaughn (USA) 2:23:24Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:24:27Gabi Rooker (USA) 2:24:35Lindsay Flanagan (USA) 2:24:43Stacey Ndiwa (KEN) 2:25:29  Lauren Hagans (USA) 2:25:56Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:26:18Jackie Gaughan (USA) 2:27:08Dominique Scott (RSA) 2:27:31Diane Nukuri (USA) 2:27:50Makena Morley (USA) 2:30:25Anne Marie Blaney (USA) 2:30:43Amy Davis-Green (USA) 2:33:09Aubrey Frentheway (USA) debut

MenBirhanu Legese (ETH) 2:02:48Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13Vincent Ngetich (KEN) 2:03:13Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:03:48Amedework Walelegn (ETH) 2:04:50John Korir (KEN) 2:05:01Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:05:05Jemal Yimer (ETH) 2:06:08Kyohei Hosoya (JPN) 2:06:35Toshiki Sadakata (JPN) 2:07:05Tatsuya Maruyama (JPN) 2:07:50Yuichi Yasui (JPN) 2:08:48Jorge Castelblanco (PAN) 2:09:24Zach Panning (USA) 2:09:28Brian Shrader (USA) 2:09:46CJ Albertson (USA) 2:09:53Tomoki Yoshioka (JPN) 2:10:03Reed Fischer (USA) 2:10:34Nathan Martin (USA) 2:10:45Colin Mickow (USA) 2:11:22Kevin Salvano (USA) 2:11:26Jacob Thomson (USA) 2:11:40Turner Wiley (USA) 2:11:59Shadrack Kipchirchir (USA) 2:13:02JP Flavin (USA) 2:13:27Charlie Sweeney (USA) 2:13:41Ben Kendell (USA) 2:15:49Phil Parrot-Migas (CAN) 2:15:53Aaron Gruen (USA) 2:15:56Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) debutPeter Lynch (IRL) debutAlex Maier (USA) debutAlex Masai (USA) debut

TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon elite field announced for 2024

We are just 10 days away from Canada’s largest race weekend: the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Since 2015, this event has also served as the annual Canadian Marathon Championships. This year’s race will feature everything from former champions and national record holders to rising stars looking to make their mark on the 42.2 km distance.

Here’s your cheat sheet for the men’s and women’s elite fields in Toronto.

Canadian men’s field

Andrew Alexander (Toronto): The 25-year-old former NCAA standout won the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon in 62:44. He is coached by Matt Hughes, the Canadian record holder in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, and former Canadian marathoner Dave Reid. Alexander is aiming for a sub-2:10 finish at his hometown marathon.

Thomas Broatch (Vancouver): The reigning Canadian marathon champion. He was the first Canadian across the line last year in his marathon debut (2:16:25). Four months later, Broatch took another shot at the distance, lowering his personal best by more than four minutes at the 2024 Houston Marathon (2:11:54).

Justin Kent (Surrey, B.C.): This will be Kent’s first time competing at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. He ran his PB of 2:13:07 at the 2023 Prague Marathon, earning him a spot on Team Canada’s men’s marathon team for the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Maxime Leboeuf (Gatineau, Que.): Leboeuf finished third at the 2022 Montreal Marathon in 2:24:25. He’s a former graduate of Queen’s University XC program and an avid cross-country skier.

Kieran McDonald (Halifax): McDonald will be making his marathon debut in Toronto. He ran his half-marathon best of 65:45 at the 2024 Houston Half Marathon in January.

Alex Neuffer (Stratford, P.E.I.): Neuffer ran his PB of 2:21:34 at the 2022 Boston Marathon, finishing as one of the top Canadians. He’s a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University’s XC program and a training partner of Kieran McDonald (see above). 

Thomas Nobbs (Vancouver): The 25-year-old will be running his second-career marathon in Toronto. He made his debut in Philadelphia last fall, running 2:19:13. Nobbs finished just off the podium at the 2024 Canadian 10K Championships, in 29:31. He also finished second at the Canadian Half Marathon Championships in Winnipeg in June.

Sergio Ráez Villanueva (Mississauga, Ont.): Ráez Villanueva has competed at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon for the last two years. He set his best of 2:18:04 here in 2022 (his marathon debut). Ráez Villanueva is self-coached and also coaches youth athletes in his hometown of Mississauga.

Tristan Woodfine (Cobden, Ont.): Coached by former Canadian Olympic marathoner Reid Coolsaet. Woodfine won the half marathon here in 2022. He has the fastest time among Canadian men in the field, with a PB of 2:10:39 from Houston earlier this year.

International men’s field

Elvis Cheboi (Kenya): Cheboi ran his personal best of 2:09:20 to win the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. (Reigning champion)

Mulugeta Uma (Ethiopia): Uma ran 2:05:33 to win the 2024 Paris Marathon in April. He has the fastest personal best in the men’s field.

Abdi Fufa (Ethiopia): Fufa finished just off the podium at the 2024 Dubai Marathon in January (2:06:23). He ran his PB of 2:05:57 at the Siena Marathon in 2021 (where he was second). The 29-year-old is looking for his first marathon win.

Hailu Zewdu (Ethiopia): The 29-year-old ran his PB of 2:06:31 at the Dubai Marathon in 2020. He has not broken 2:09:00 in his six marathons since.

Gizealew Ayana (Ethiopia): Ayana is the youngest elite athlete in the field–he’s only 21. He ran his PB of 2:07:15 to win the 2023 Paris Marathon in his debut at the distance.

Domenic Ngeno (Kenya): The 26-year-old is the fastest Kenyan marathoner in the Toronto field. He won the 2024 L.A. Marathon in March in 2:11:01. Ngeno’s PB of 2:07:26 was from a podium finish at the 2023 Eindhoven Marathon in the Netherlands.

Noah Kipkemboi (Kenya): A veteran of the marathon distance. The 31-year-old has competed at more than 10 marathons in his career. He podiumed at the Enschede Marathon earlier this year, with a time of 2:09:06. 

Brian Kipsang (Kenya): Kipsang arrives in Toronto fresh off a personal best at the 2024 Milan Marathon in March, where he placed second in 2:07:56. The 30-year-old has finished in the top five at three of his last four races. 

Abe Gashahun (Ethiopia): Gashahun has the fastest half-marathon personal best in the field of 59:46. He’s had success at shorter distances and cross country, but it hasn’t yet translated to the marathon. The 26-year-old ran 2:08:51 earlier this year in Saudi Arabia.

Sydney Gidabuday (U.S.A.): Former member of Adidas Tinman Elite Track Club in Colorado. Gidabuday made his marathon debut on Canadian soil at the 2023 Ottawa Marathon, where he finished ninth. His PB of 2:14:34 was run at the hilly NYC Marathon in 2023.

Yusuf Nadir (U.S.A.): Personal best of 2:15:27 from the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn. He finished 25th at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February.

Aidan Reed (U.S.A.): Also made his marathon debut at the 2023 Ottawa Marathon–2:20:23. Reed ran collegiately at Southern Utah University, following in the footsteps of Canadian marathon record holder Cam Levins.

Canadian women’s field

Kate Bazeley (St. John’s, N.L.): The 40-year-old ran her PB of 2:36:35 in Toronto in 2019. Earlier this year, Bazeley represented Team Canada at the World XC Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Anne-Marie Comeau (Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que.): The 2018 Canadian (winter) Olympian ran her marathon best of 2:34:51 in Toronto last year, crossing the line as the second Canadian woman.

Asia Dwyer (Toronto): Dwyer ran her personal best of 2:42:45 at the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon last fall. She told Canadian Running in an interview for the November/December 2024 issue of the print magazine that she is looking to smash her previous best.

Rachel Hannah (Port Elgin, Ont.): Hannah was the top Canadian finisher at the 2024 Ottawa Marathon in May. She won a bronze medal for Canada at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto. She ran her personal best of 2:32:09 was at the 2016 Houston Marathon.

Liza Howard (Toronto): Howard told Canadian Running in an interview that her goal is to reach the podium and run a personal best. Howard ran her current personal best of 2:35:29 at the 2022 Chicago Marathon. She has unofficially broken the Canadian women’s 50K record, twice, in her marathon build for this race.

Erin Mawhinney (Hamilton): The 28-year-old runner will be making her marathon debut in Toronto. She is coached by two-time Canadian Olympian Reid Coolsaet. She broke the tape at the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon last year, running a PB of 1:13:50.

Melissa Paauwe (Calgary). Paauwe is carrying the pride of Calgary into Toronto. She ran her PB of 2:41:12 at the 2023 Chicago marathon, and finished as the top Canadian.

Leslie Sexton (Markham, Ont.): Sexton returns to Toronto to run her hometown marathon. She said she will be trying to qualify for Worlds in Tokyo next year. She set her PB of 2:28:14 at the 2024 Houston Marathon this year, but missed the Olympic standard by two minutes.

Natasha Wodak: (Vancouver) started her marathon career here in 2013 but has not returned until this year; has never won the championship. Her PB of 2:23:12 from the 2022 Berlin Marathon stands as the current Canadian record.

International women’s field

Waganesh Mekasha (Ethiopia): Has a personal best of 2:22:45  from the 2019 Dubai Marathon. The 32-year-old Ethiopian won the 2023 Ottawa Marathon and finished second in Toronto last fall, with a time of 2:23:12.

Afera Godfay (Ethiopia): Godfay finished third behind compatriots Buze Diriba and Mekasha (see above) last year. She has a personal best of 2:22:41 and has finished in the top five in four of her last five marathons.

Roza Dejere (Ethiopia): The 27-year-old Ethiopian has the fastest personal best in the women’s field (2:18:30). She finished fourth in the women’s marathon at the Tokyo Olympic Games. She comes to Toronto as a threat to the course record of 2:22:16, which was set in 2019.

Meseret Gebre (Ethiopia): Gebre hasn’t raced since Toronto last fall, where she finished seventh in 2:29:54. She set her PB of 2:23:11 to win the Barcelona Marathon in 2022.

Valentina Matieko (Kenya): One of two Kenyan women in the international elite field. Matieko comes to Toronto fresh off a personal best earlier this year at the Paris Marathon in April (2:24:21).

Lydia Simiyu (Kenya): Simiyu ran her PB of 2:25:10 earlier this year at the Rome Marathon. She served a six-month doping suspension in 2022 after she tested positive for chlorthalidone after the Poznan Half Marathon in Poland.

Rediet Daniel (Ethiopia): Two top-five finishes in her three professional marathon starts. The 24-year-old Ethiopian ran her personal best of  2:26:25 at the 2024 Doha Marathon in February.

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, to be held on Oct. 20, is Canada’s premier running event and the grand finale of the Canada Running Series (CRS). Since 2017, the race has also served as the Athletics Canada marathon championship and Olympic trials.

Kenyans target a double hat-trick in Munich

Kenya’s elite runners target a double hat-trick at Sunday’s Generali Munich Marathon: If successful it will be the third time in a row that runners from this country take Germany’s fourth biggest marathon race.

Cosmas Birech and Shamilah Kipsiror are heading the start list with personal bests of 2:08:03 and 2:27:33 respectively.

Organizers registered a record total of over 27,000 entries from 120 countries for the 38th edition of the Generali Munich Marathon, which will start and finish next to the iconic Munich Olympic Stadium. Due to building works in the arena runners can not finish inside on the track this year. While the total figure includes races at shorter distances there will be around 6,200 marathon runners on Sunday.

A number of athletes had to cancel their start due to either injuries of visa problems. The latest withdrawal came from Dominic Nyairo of Kenya, who would have been a strong favorite on Sunday. However there is still enough talent left to produce a good race. “It is our aim to achieve winning times of sub 2:09 and sub 2:26,“ said Michael Kraus, the elite field coordinator. The weather might be challenging, but we remain optimistic to see faster winning times than last year.“

Cosmas Birech ran his personal record when he won the Rome Marathon in 2018 with 2:08:03. Rome is not known as a particularly fast course, so Birech hopes to achieve a similar time at the Generali Munich Marathon. Fellow Kenyans William Kibor and Benard Chumba are also among the favorites. Kibor has a PB of 2:08:32 from the Vienna City Marathon back in 2012 and Chumba ran 2:10:33 in Marrakech last year. All three of them are from Kaptagat and train together. “My training went very well and I feel that I am in the same kind of shape as when I ran my personal best. If the weather is good I hope to run between 2:07 and 2:09 on Sunday,“ said William Kibor at Friday’s press conference in Munich.

A marathon debutant could do very well on Sunday: Kenya’s Nehemiah Kipyegon showed very promising form recently. The 26 year-old improved his half marathon PB to 60:34 in Copenhagen last month. In the highly competitive race he finished ninth. Siyum Tola of Ethiopia is another athlete who will run his debut in the Generali Munich Marathon. He has been involved in marathons as a pacemaker and is a training partner of Milkesa Mengesha who won the Berlin Marathon two weeks ago.

In the women’s race Shamilah Kipsiror will be the main favorite. The Kenyan improved to 2:27:33 for fourth place in Rome this spring. Her half marathon PB of 67:53 indicates that there is potentially more to come, especially on a flat course like Munich. A trio of Ethiopians will most likely be her strongest rivals on Sunday. Gelane Senbete has a personal record of 2:29:54 while Gadise Negasa has run 2:30:30. Asmare Assefa could be in for a surprise and a big improvement. So far she has not run faster than 2:33:10 but the Generali Munich Marathon will be her first race outside Africa. Assefa is in the same training group with Tola and Mengesha in Addis Ababa.

“We are thrilled by the record entry which means we have a 20 percent surge compared to last year. We are proud of these figures which show that our event and the course are really popular,“ said Gernot Weigl, who runs the Generali Munich Marathon as Race Director for almost 25 years. Stronger elite fields and international media work have helped bring up the numbers recently.

Although the city of Munich benefits from the growing number of international runners the event attracts, it was Munich’s government that clouded the future of the Generali Munich Marathon. Officers of the city’s district department (Kreisverwaltungsreferat) decided to pass on the right of staging a marathon in the city to a new organizer who has never ever staged a road race. There is talk of a two-lap marathon course and it looks as if the city of Munich gambles with a successful international event that in addition keeps a legacy of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. “I have never heard of anything like this happening to a major international marathon race,” said Gernot Weigl, who is now legally challenging the decision of the Munich district department.

Amos Kipruto eyes comeback victory at Chicago Marathon after injury struggles

Amos Kipruto will be seeking a comeback victory at the 2024 Chicago Marathon honoring late friend Kelvin Kiptum after injury setbacks.

The 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto is gearing up for a return to the world stage at the 2024 Chicago Marathon aiming for a victory that could re-establish his position among the elite long-distance runners.

After a year hampered by injuries and personal struggles, the Kenyan athlete is determined to make a statement on the streets of Chicago this Sunday, October 13.

For Kipruto, this race is not just another competition—it marks the end of a long road to recovery.

The bronze medalist from the 2019 World Marathon Championships revealed that an injury in early 2024 kept him sidelined for much of the season, forcing him to withdraw from races, including the London Marathon, where he had hoped to defend his 2022 title.

"I was supposed to race in London [2024], but it was late. I tried to treat it, but I decided to be patient and focus on the treatment," Kipruto explained in an interview with Olympics.com.

"Now, I am focused on the next race. I am back and injury-free."

A testing year and the mental toll

Kipruto’s journey back to fitness has not been easy and the athlete candidly shared how his physical setbacks also affected him mentally.

“In 2020, I got a tendon tear injury and I went through some low moments,” he recalled.

“It was difficult. I felt like I had more to prove after winning in London, but the injuries and the uncertainty that followed were challenging.”

The challenges, however, were not something Kipruto faced alone. He credits his coach, Claudio Berardelli, and his management team for keeping his spirits high during the difficult times.

"My coach Claudio and the management supported me, and gave me hope that I will be back. They kept telling me to be patient and that my time would come again."

A special race with extra motivation

The Chicago Marathon is set to be Kipruto's first major marathon race since his 2023 Berlin Marathon disappointment, where he was unable to reclaim the form that had made him a champion in London.

However, Kipruto enters this race not just with a desire to win, but with added emotional motivation.

The Kenyan star will also be running in honor of the late Kelvin Kiptum, the 2023 London Marathon winner, who passed away unexpectedly after his victory.

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Kiptum’s death shook the running community, and Kipruto, a close friend and fellow Kenyan, wants to use the race as a tribute.

"This race is special for me," Kipruto said.

"I want to honor Kelvin’s memory with a strong performance. He was a friend and an inspiration to many."

Eyes on a personal best and redemption

While Kipruto has already secured his spot on Kenya’s 2024 Olympic team, this race will be critical in demonstrating that he is still a force to be reckoned with.

"My goal is to try to run a personal best,” he said.

“I want to show the world that I am still the kind of athlete who is capable of winning a major marathon.”

The Chicago Marathon will be Kipruto’s first competitive race on American soil, and he’s fully aware of the expectations.

"I have a big challenge and a big task ahead of me. I know I must work hard so that I can prove that I can still [win]," he said confidently.

After a quiet season filled with rehabilitation and only one documented 10km race in Gabon in June, Kipruto is ready to reclaim his place at the top.

As he lines up on Sunday, the world will be watching to see if the Kenyan star can cap off his season with the redemption he seeks.

"I'm going into the race fresh and focused.I know I’ve had setbacks, but now it's time to show the world I am back."

Ruth Chepngetich leads Chicago Marathon elite line-ups

The Kenyan will be targeting her third victory in Chicago whilst Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese leads the men’s field.

This weekend, all eyes will be on Chicago as the city hosts the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday (October 13), promising a thrilling showdown amongst top-tier athletes.

In the women’s competition, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, a former Chicago Marathon winner in 2021 and 2022 and the fourth-fastest woman in marathon history, is set to return to the course, which winds through 29 neighborhoods.

The 30-year-old enters as the fastest woman in this year’s line-up after winning the title in 2022 by running her fastest time of 2:14:18. At the time, she was 14 seconds short of Brigid Kosgei’s world record of 2:14:04, before Tigist Assefa (2:11:53) and Sifan Hassan (2:13:44) went quicker in 2023.

The 2019 world champion secured a second-place finish in Chicago last year behind Sifan Hassan.

Yet, it will not be an easy run to victory for Chepngetich. Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, fresh off her Tokyo Marathon win, arrives with the fastest marathon time of 2024, having ran 2:15:55 in Tokyo.

Kebede has had a stellar year, setting a record time of 64:37 at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon – the fastest-ever women’s half marathon time on US soil.

Chepngetich and Kebede will be joined by Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, who has previously taken titles at the New York City Marathon in 2019 and London Marathon in 2021. Jepkosgei finished third this year in London where she clocked her personal best of 2:16:24.

American athletes Keira D’Amato (2:19:12) and Betsy Saina (2:19:17) join the list of athletes. D’Amato, a former American record holder in the marathon, is making a comeback as a competitor after working as a commentator. Meanwhile, Saina, who had to withdraw from the Chicago Marathon in 2019 due to illness, returns to make her mark.

The men’s race will also feature a highly competitive field with Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese leading the charge. Legese, who recorded an impressive 2:02:48 at the 2019 Berlin Marathon is the fastest on paper.

A two-time Tokyo marathon champion, this will be his second time tackling the Chicago course after finishing 10th in 2018 with a time of 2:08:41. Most recently, Legese took third place at the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon.

Legese will be up against strong competition, particularly from Kenya’s Amos Kipruto and Vincent Ngetich, who both hold personal bests of 2:03:13.

Kipruto, a bronze medallist at the World Championships in Doha 2019, claimed victory at the 2022 London Marathon. Ngetich won bronze in the Tokyo marathon earlier this year.

Cherop, Negewo and Kipkemoi are set to challenge for victory in Istanbul

A mix of highly experienced marathon runners with strong personal records and younger challengers could produce some fascinating races at the 46th Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon on November 3rd.

Ethiopia’s Abebe Negewo and Kenneth Kipkemoi of Kenya head the current start list with personal bests of sub 2:05:00. Kenya’s former World Championships’ marathon bronze medalist Sharon Cherop is the fastest woman on the list with 2:22:28. Cherop, Negewo and Kipkemoi have all turned 40 this year, but they are still going very strong. They will have to hit top form if they want to challenge for victory in Istanbul. Ethiopians Kelkile Gezahegn and Sentayehu Lewetegn will be among their rivals while 24 year-old debutante Betty Kibet of Kenya could produce a surprise.

A total of 42,500 runners have entered the race that leads the athletes from the Asian side of the city onto the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and then into the European part of Istanbul. 7,500 of them will run the classic distance on 3rd November. The event is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, which guarantees high standards in every aspect. Entries will still be accepted until next Monday (October  14th) at: https://maraton.istanbul

“No marathon is run in a city that bears the traces of three great empires that have left a significant mark on world history. No marathon passes over a bridge that connects continents above a magnificent strait. Thanks to this unique feature, we believe that the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon is the best thematic marathon in the world,” said Race Director Renay Onur.

There are now many examples of runners who have turned 40 and still going strong: Kenenisa Bekele, Tadesse Abraham or Edna Kiplagat are among them. With a personal best of 2:04:51 Abebe Negewo is the runner with the fastest PB in the Istanbul field. He ran this time in Valencia in 2019 when he was fourth. While Negewo, who is also known as Abebe Degefa, has not raced as often as during his early career he produced one excellent marathon in each year: 2:05:27 in Valencia in 2021, 2:06:05 in Hamburg in 2022 and 2:08:12 in Rotterdam last year. Negewo has not competed yet this year, so if he wants to continue this streak of strong results Istanbul will be his best chance.

Kenneth Kipkemoi is the other top-class marathon runner in Istanbul’s men’s field who turned 40 this year. The Kenyan’s last three marathons were consistently fast: Kipkemoi ran 2:08:15 in Rotterdam in 2023 and then won the Eindhoven Marathon in the autumn with a personal best of 2:04:52. This year he returned to Rotterdam where he was fourth with 2:05:43.

Two Ethiopians who are more than ten years younger will be among the favourites as well. 28 year-old Kelkile Gezahegn, who has a PB of 2:05:56, is a runner who focusses fully on the classic distance. Since the start of his international career in 2016 he competed only in city marathons. He managed to win all his first four marathons in the year 2016, all in China. “The marathon is my distance,“ said Kellie Gezahegn when he won the Frankfurt Marathon in 2018. Dejene Debela is 29 years old and ran his personal best of 2:05:46 when he was runner-up in Chicago in 2019. After a two year-break, which seems to have been injury related, he came back this year with 2:09:33 in Taiyuan, China.

Sharon Cherop is the most prominent athlete in the elite field of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon. The 40 year-old Kenyan took the bronze medal in the marathon at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011. A year later Cherop won the prestigious Boston Marathon and in 2013 she clocked her PB of 2:22:28 when she was runner-up in Berlin. This PB makes her the fastest woman on the start list in Istanbul. Sharon Cherop is still going strong. Last year she won the Milan Marathon and this spring she was second in Hannover with 2:24:41. “I think I can run for a couple of more years,“ she said after the race in Germany.

Sentayehu Lewetegn will be among Sharon Cherop’s challengers. The Ethiopian ran a strong debut in Frankfurt in 2018 with 2:22:45 for sixth place. The 28 year-old could not improve this PB yet, but she came close in Ljubljana: Two years ago she was second there with 2:22:36.

Betty Kibet is an athlete who could have an immediate impact in the marathon. The 24 year-old Kenyan will run her debut over the classic distance in Istanbul. While she has a promising 66:37 half marathon PB she ran the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon this April and finished sixth with a fine 68:39. Betty Kibet, who was a world-class junior athlete in her early career, has a strong 10k PB of 31:08 and ran 1:21:43 in Kolkata, India, for 25k in December last year.

Kenya's Charles Kipkkurui Langat issued with two-year ban for doping offence

Kenyan road runner Charles Kipkkurui Langat has received a two-year ban for violating World Athletics anti-doping regulations.

Kenyan road runner  Charles Kipkkurui Langat been banned for two years from competing after being found to have violated World Athletics anti-doping rules.

The 28-year-old athlete, who won the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona in 2023 with an impressive time of 58:53, provided an out-of-competition urine sample in Iten, Kenya, on August 6, 2024.

The sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Furosemide a diuretic commonly used as a masking agent.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the body responsible for managing doping-related issues in athletics, confirmed the violation in a statement released this week.

The AIU’s findings state that Langat did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for Furosemide, and after reviewing his case, it was determined that no procedural errors occurred during the sample collection and testing process.

“The AIU has no evidence that the Anti-Doping Rule Violations were intentional, and the mandatory period of Ineligibility to be imposed is therefore a period of two (2) years,” the AIU said in its decision.

Langat admitted to the use of Furosemide in an explanation provided to the AIU, stating that he had been suffering from inflammation since September 2023 and had sought medical treatment in the Netherlands earlier this year.

He claimed a doctor advised him to use the substance.

“On 31 July 2024, he contacted a doctor that he knew, who, based on the Athlete’s symptoms, advised him to try using Furosemide for four (4) days to help reduce the inflammation he was experiencing and to ‘help the kidney and the adrenal glands,’” the report detailed.

Despite his explanation, Langat’s admission was enough for the AIU to impose sanctions.

The AIU outlined that his ineligibility would begin from September 11, 2024, when he was provisionally suspended, and his results since August 6, 2024, would be disqualified.

This includes the forfeiture of any titles, awards, and appearance money accumulated during this period.

Langat's case is the latest in a growing number of doping violations involving Kenyan athletes.

Just days ago, another Kenyan runner, Emmaculate Anyango Achol, was provisionally suspended after failing a doping test for testosterone and the blood-boosting hormone EPO.

Anyango, who made headlines by becoming the second woman to complete a 10km race in under 29 minutes, is currently awaiting the outcome of her case.

Kenya,has been grappling with a string of doping scandals in recent years.

The Athletics Integrity Unit has intensified its testing efforts, particularly in high-altitude training regions like Iten, where many elite athletes train.

Langat’s acceptance of the two-year ban and his decision not to contest the charge has drawn attention from both the global athletics community and his home country.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) have the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Peres Jepchirchir reveals her next stop following dissapointing Paris 2024 Olympics showdown

Peres Jepchirchir has revealed her next step as she eyes redemption following her dissapointing 15th-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games.

Former Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir is targeting the world half-marathon record as she heads to the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label event, scheduled for Sunday, October 20.

Jepchirchir, the reigning London Marathon champion, has not raced since her exit from the Paris Olympic Games where she faded to 15th place in a time of 2:26:51. The Kenyan long-distance running ace will be looking to bounce back in a commanding way with a world record.

The women’s world record currently stands at 1:02:52 and was set by Letesenbet Gidey on October 24, 2021, at the Valencia Half Marathon and Peres Jepchirchir has plans to obliterate it and take back her crown when she steps on the track. A huge prize purse also awaits her as she seeks to make history in the Indian city.

The men’s race will be headlined by Joshua Cheptegei, the current world record holder in the 5000m and 10,000m. The reigning Olympic 10,000m champion will also be out to attack the world record and make an impact as he continues enriching his decorated athletics resume.

“This country holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I made my international debut in 2014. It’s been a good season for me, and I am certainly looking at a course-record timing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The energy and passion of the Indian running community are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of this prestigious event,” Cheptegei said ahead of his return to the streets of the Indian city.

Meanwhile, a total amount of $260,000 prize money has been set aside for top finishers with the winners set to walk away with $27,000. In addition to this, there is an Event Record Bonus of $12,000.

The Chicago Marathon has a strong history

First run in 1977, this Sunday, Chicago hosts its 46th marathon (it lost 2020 to the Covid-19 pandemic; 1987 to sponsorship issues). One of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, the history of the BofA Chicago Marathon has been one of rising, falling, and rising again.

In 2023, it witnessed its third men’s marathon world record, 2:00:35, gloriously produced by the late Kenyan star, Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically died in a car accident on February 11, 2024 (age 24 years), in Kaptagat, Kenya.

But the roots of the modern Bank of America Chicago Marathon traces back to 1982 when, in its sixth year, known as America’s Marathon/Chicago, the event rebooted, much as New York City 1976 was a reordering for the Big Apple 26-miler.

In America’s bicentennial year, the New York Road Runners expanded their event from four laps of Central Park to all five boroughs. It was a gamble. But in one fell swoop, the event grabbed the public’s attention, took on international importance, and ushered in a new era of urban marathons, even though they had run six previous marathons under the same banner. 

In 1982, Chicago’s move from a regional marathon to the big time came about because of two things: one, the $600,000 budget put up by race sponsor, Beatrice Foods, and the hiring of one Robert Bright III of Far Hills, New Jersey to serve as athlete recruiter.

Bob Bright (left) at the Litchfield Hills Road Race in Connecticut with Nike east coast promo man, Todd Miller.

Recommended to the event by Olympians Frank Shorter and Garry Bjorlund, Bright had successfully elevated a modest 15K road race in Far Hills, New Jersey, called the Midland Run, to international prominence in 1980. So loaded was the Midland Run elite field, Sports Illustrated sent a reporter and photographer to cover the event.

What Bright brought to Chicago was zeal and a vision. Before Bright, there had been very little orchestration of competitive marathon racing. The Bright idea was simple: actively recruit a field of international athletes who came ready to run, so elite competition would become the hallmark of the event.

First, a brief history. For many decades, Boston dominated the marathon scene as essentially the only game in town. Yes, there was the Yonkers Marathonin New York, first contested in 1907; the Polytechnic Harriers’ Marathon for the Sporting Life trophy in England, which began in 1909. The Košice Peace Marathon in Slovakia joined the club in October 1924; Enschede and Fukuoka in 1947; Beppu in ’52.

But the Boston Athlettic Association’s attitude from its marathon’s inception in 1897 up to the mid-1980s remained, “We’re running our race on Patriots’ Day starting in Hopkinton, Massachusetts at noon. It will cost you three bucks to enter. See you at the bus line for the ride out to the start.” No bells, no whistles, no invitations.

When New York City debuted in 1970, it spun four laps of Central Park to total its 26.2 miles. But in 1976, with the city in a major financial difficulty amidst America’s Bicentennial, the New York Road Runners boldly took its marathon from the confines of Central Park and expanded it through all five boroughs hoping to attract more tourists. 

Race Director Fred Lebow recruited a few big guns upfront to entice press coverage, Olympic gold and silver medalist Frank Shorter along with Shorter’s rival, American record holder from Boston 1975, fellow Olympian, Bill Rodgers. Everyone else filled in from behind, with the City of New York being the true star attraction. 

First considered a onetime gimmick, the five-borough experience proved so successful, the NYRRs embraced it as the path forward. Still, the actual races in NYC were never very competitive. Rodgers won by three minutes over Shorter in ‘76, 2:10:10 to 2:13:12. Then dominated for the next three years, as well.

Chicago 1982 would be the first, full–blown, orchestrated marathon race, as Bright had a specific recruitment strategy.

“We wanted six guys who thought coming in that they had a chance to win,” said Bright. “Then we wanted six more behind them who figured they had a shot at the top 10. So, right away we didn’t go after a guy like Alberto Salazar (who was ranked number one in the world after wins in New York City in 1980, a short-course world record in ‘81, and a Boston title in 1982.)

“And if you figure that a top race has a main pack of 10 to 15 athletes, you’re going to double that number in invitations. That guarantees that even if two of every five don’t run well for one reason or another, you still have a big group ready to race.”

Redundancy was the key, the money, the magnet. The total amount taken home by runners from Chicago in 1982 was $130,000. 

This was when Boston was still embracing its amateur roots, stiff-arming the new breed of runners looking to get paid for their craft. In New York, Lebow had to keep his payments under the table in order to avoid being billed for city services on race day. 

Chicago put up $48,000 in prize money for the men in 1982, with $12,000 going to the winner, 600 for 15th place. The women’s split was $30,000, with $10,000 awarded for the win through $500 for 10th. The remaining $52,000 represented the grease in upfront, under-the-table appearance fees.

“We wanted the money to be respectable, but not overwhelming the first year,“ explained Bright, whose history as a dog sled racer and thoroughbred horse trainer made him one of the best judges of the running animal. “We didn’t want it to appear like the race was store-bought, like the Atlantic City pro race a few years ago, where the money was good, but no one took the race seriously. 

“So, we put up $78,000 in prize money, which, to the public, doesn’t sound like all that much. But when you added on the appearance money, it represented as much as any other race handed out.“

For the money on offer, and the prestige of doing well against a field of that caliber – as good as the group assembled at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, according to Sweden’s Kjell Eric Stahl – what came down in Chicago 1982 was a new course record by University of Michigan grad Greg Meyer (2:10:59), along with 22 more sub -2:220s, and nine personal bests out of the first 11 finishers. 

The top five women followed suit, led by Northampton, Massachusetts’s Nancy Conz, whose 2:33:33 also represented a new course record for Chicago, some 12 minutes faster than the old mark.

The event treated the athletes well; offered a new opportunity in the fall, competing with New York City; Chicago witnessed its first truly world-class marathon; the sponsor, Beatrice Foods, received enormous visibility for its dollars; and a new professionalism attended the art of marathon orchestration. Chicago was now the new kid on the block, with toys to match anyone’s.

But now the pressure was on, not just to maintain its pace, but to top itself in 1983. The story continues.

Kenyan Irene Cheptai will make her Abbott World Marathon Majors debut at Chicago Marathon

Kenyan marathoner Irene Cheptai will make her Abbott World Marathon Majors debut at the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October.

Cheptai made her marathon debut at the 2024 Hamburg Marathon and didn't disappoint. She won the race, running a new personal best of 2:18:22 in the marathon.

Cheptai has been collecting medals and podium finishes for a long time. Most recently, she won the Copenhagen and Delhi half marathons in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Her half marathon best comes from the 2023 Valencia Half Marathon, where she ran 1:04:53 for a second-place finish.

She represented Kenya in the 2020 Olympics, where she finished sixth in the 10,000-meter run. She also won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 10,000-meter run.

Former world U20 800m champion Kipyegon Bett dies aged 26

The Kenyan passed away in hospital, where he’d been receiving treatment for an illness

Kipyegon Bett, the former world under-20 800m champion, has sadly passed away at the age of 26.

The Kenyan, who also secured a bronze medal over two laps at the 2017 World Championships in London, was receiving treatment for an illness in hospital.

According to Nation, Bett was vomiting blood due to damage to some of his internal organs.

Purity Kirui, who is Bett’s sister and the 2014 Commonwealth 3000m steeplechase champion, told the outlet: “He’d been unwell for about a month and had been treated at AIC Litein Hospital as an outpatient. On Saturday (October 5), his condition deteriorated and was referred to Tenwek Hospital for further tests.”

Bett started competing internationally in 2015 and claimed respective gold and silver 800m medals at that year’s African and World Youth Championships.

The following season he became world under-20 800m champion in Bydgoszcz, clocking 1:44.95 to take the crown.

Bett also recorded his personal 800m best of 1:43.76 in 2016, with only world record-holder David Rudisha ahead of him at ISTAF Berlin.

It was therefore no surprise to see Bett make a global senior podium in 2017.

In a pulsating race at the World Championships, Bett clocked 1:45.21 and placed third behind France’s Pierre-Ambroise Bosse and Poland’s Adam Kszczot.

That year he also won the 800m at the Shanghai Diamond League, running 1:44.70 to win the event in China.

However, Bett tested positive for EPO in 2018 and subsequently received a four-year ban.

He only ever raced once after it ended and that was in the 400m hurdles two years ago.

Trento Half Marathon 2024: Ugandan Kiplangat triumphs, Ethiopian Mekuriaw wins in the women's category

Great success for the 2024 edition of the half marathon that takes place in the city center: 1500 participants in the Trento Half Marathon and Trento 10k del Concilio. President Gianni Valler: "First time that several days before we declare sold out. We are extremely satisfied, everything was beyond the rosiest expectations"

Triumphing in the 2024 edition of the Trento Half Marathon is the Ugandan born in 2000 Hosea Kiplangat, who showed up on the finish line in Piazza Duomo in a brilliant and very valid 1h00'15". The women's race was won by the Ethiopian Yalemeget Yaregal Mekuriaw, who won with a real solo in 1h07'56", just 8 seconds from the course record held by the Ethiopian Worknesh Debele.

Great emotions this morning in Trento, which proves to be the Italian capital of running for a Sunday of sport of the highest technical level: on the second day of the Trento Running Festival - after the thrills and adrenaline of Saturday evening with the 77th edition of the Giro al Sas - it was the turn of the 1500 participants of the Trento Half Marathon and Trento 10k del Concilio, which recorded as many as 20 percent more attendance than in 2023, with 25 nationalities represented and 25 percent female.

Returning to the competitions, the Trento Half Marathon record to beat has been held since 2022 by the multi-titled Ethiopian Tamirat Tola with 59'49", but today it was really fast thanks to Kiplangat who showed up at the finish line with an extraordinary time that for the Ugandan also counts as a personal best.

"I improved my personal best on the half marathon by almost two minutes and I am really happy with the final result - said Kiplangat at the end of the race -. I arrived today inthe best possible physical condition and the race went really well, I thank Trento for the warm affection at the finish line".

Behind Kiplangat, a Kenyan double with the youngclass of 2005 Dennis Kororia and Zacharia Krop: respectively second in 1h01'11", conquering a personal best, while Krop, at his debut on the distance of 21 kilometers, third in 1h01'19".

As for the women's race, despite the triumph, Yalemeget Yaregal Mekuriaw did not get a "personal best" (time at the Berlin Half Marathon 2023 of 1h06'27", ed.) but the Ethiopian athletestill entered a great time, with 15 kilometers run alone where she distanced the runner-up by a good three minutes.

In second place was the Kenyan Nelly Jeptoo in 1h10'58" and on the third step of the podium in 1h11'34" her compatriot Nancy Jepleting.

Sixth place instead for Luna Giovanetti of Atletica Valle di Cembra, already Italian champion Promesse di corsa in montagna, who therefore becomes the first Italian of this Trento Half Marathon stopping the clock in 1h20'35", her first real official result on the certified half marathon distance.

At the same time, the Trento 10k del Concilio was also run, a race that recorded the success of Damiano Casagranda of Atletica Valle di Cembra with 33'53", while among the women the victory went to the South Tyrolean Tanja Scrinzi in a time of 38'19".

To make a final assessment of this Trento Running Festival 2024 is the new president of Asd Città di Trento Gianni Valler: "It is the first time that several days before we declare the sold out of registrations, we are extremely satisfied with this, everything has been beyond the rosiest expectations".

"Great chronometric performances have further rewarded us, gratifying our work and that of over three hundred volunteers who have set up the route impeccably – concluded Valler -. The Giro at the Sas was also a spectacle with a great Yeman Crippa, a home athlete cheered by all the Trento public who loves him and obviously congratulations also to last night's winner Charles Rotich who ran really fast, he will be a great champion in the future, we are sure of it".

More shock as Kenyan steeplechaser Clement Kemboi found dead in Iten

Kemboi, who won the 2015 All African Games, was found hanging from a tree at St.Patrick's High School, Iten.

Kenya's athletic community is once again in mourning following the tragic loss of another talented runner, Clement Kemboi on Monday.

The 32-year-old athlete was found dead, his body discovered hanging from a tree in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Peter Mulinge confirmed the incident, with Kemboi's body located in the St. Patrick’s High School Farm in Koisungur village.

The heartbreaking news comes just hours after Kenya woke up to the devastating announcement that former world U20 champion Kipyegon Bett had passed away at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County.

Kemboi was a highly regarded middle-distance runner who excelled in the 3000m steeplechase. Born in 1992, he made his mark on the international stage when he clinched the gold medal at the 2015 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville. His talent shone brightly, and he was seen as one of the nation's rising stars in the discipline.

Kemboi achieved his personal best time of 8:10.65 in the 3000m steeplechase at the prestigious Doha Diamond League in 2016, further cementing his status as one of Kenya’s top athletes in the event.

Patrick Mosin and Miriam Chebet rein supreme as Kenyans sweep Cardiff Half Marathon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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