Running News Daily

On April 13, 1997, the streets of London witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes in marathon history as the 17th edition of the London Marathon delivered a race that still lives in memory. It was a day of elite performances, fierce competition, and unforgettable tension—none more thrilling than the women’s contest, where victory was decided by the narrowest of margins.

In a breathtaking duel that intensified over the closing kilometers, Joyce Chepchumba of Kenya and Liz McColgan went stride for stride in a battle of courage and endurance. With the finish line in sight, neither athlete gave an inch. In the end, it was Chepchumba who held her composure under immense pressure, crossing the line in 2:26:51—just one second ahead of McColgan, who stopped the clock at 2:26:52.

The razor-thin margin left spectators captivated and elevated the race into London Marathon folklore. It was not only a triumph of speed, but a showcase of resilience, tactical intelligence, and the relentless will to win.

Completing the women’s podium was Lidia Șimon of Romania, who ran an outstanding 2:27:11 to secure third place in a field packed with international quality.

Beyond the result itself, the race reflected the rising global strength of women’s marathon running during the 1990s. Athletes from Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania filled the top places, underlining how the women’s marathon had become one of the sport’s most competitive stages.

The men’s elite race also produced a performance of the highest class. António Pinto of Portugal claimed victory in 2:07:55, confirming his place among the finest marathoners of his era.

More than two decades later, the 1997 London Marathon remains a symbol of what makes distance running so compelling: history written by seconds, legends forged through suffering, and champions remembered forever. Joyce Chepchumba’s one-second masterpiece still stands as one of the greatest finishes the marathon world has ever seen.

Eilish McColgan has officially added “marathoner” to her illustrious resume. In her debut at the 2025 London Marathon, she not only finished as the top British woman but also set a new Scottish women’s marathon record with a time of 2:24:25. This performance surpassed the previous record held by Stephanie Twell and eclipsed her mother Liz McColgan’s personal best of 2:26:52 from 1997.  

Despite facing challenges during the race, Eilish credited the enthusiastic crowd for keeping her motivated. “When I was really struggling, the crowds were just keeping me going and going and going,” she remarked.  

Her mother, Liz McColgan, a former world champion and 1996 London Marathon winner, has been a significant influence in Eilish’s career, both as a coach and inspiration . Eilish’s achievement adds a new chapter to the McColgan family’s running legacy.

Looking ahead, Eilish is considering major marathons such as Berlin or Chicago, aiming to break the 2:20:00 barrier. While disappointed that the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will not include road events like the marathon, she remains open to participating in the 10,000m event, though her primary focus is now on her marathon career over the next four years.  

Eilish McColgan’s debut not only marks a significant personal achievement but also continues the legacy of excellence established by her mother, highlighting a remarkable chapter in Scottish athletics.

History was made on the streets of London this morning. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa surged to victory at the 2025 TCS London Marathon, setting a new women’s-only world record with an unofficial time of 2:15:50.

With cool, crisp conditions early in the race, Assefa quickly established her dominance. Pulling away from her rivals by the halfway point, she maintained a strong and steady pace through the final miles. In the closing stages, it was clear the race against the clock had begun — and she delivered in spectacular fashion, crossing the finish line with a commanding lead of over a minute ahead of second-place Joyciline Jepkosgei.

The previous women’s-only world record was held by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, whose 2:17:01 mark from London in 2005 had stood for two decades. Assefa’s breakthrough performance, pending official ratification, trims over a minute from that legendary time.

Tigst Assefa had already stunned the running world with her mixed-race world record of 2:11:53 set in Berlin in 2023. Today, she confirmed her place among the all-time greats by dominating a race staged without male pacemakers, underlining her incredible solo strength.

Assefa’s record run headlined what has already become one of the most memorable editions of the London Marathon, with over 56,000 participants and perfect spring weather creating an electric atmosphere.

Paula Radcliffe posted "That was a phenomenal race so hats off to Tigst Assefa for being brave enough to go out in the pace she did!

The manner in which she lifted herself to get across the line as well. 

You can see how much it means to her. It's more to build on for her moving forward."

Eilish McColgan picks up the pace as she comes across the line in 02:24:25 for eighth place.

She's tired on her marathon debut but has done one thing she wanted - beat her mum Liz's best time. Liz McColgan won here in 1996.

A decent effort for a first attempt.

Top 13 Women’s Elite Finishers

1. Tigst Assefa (ETH) – 2:15:50

2. Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) – 2:18:44

3. Sifan Hassan (NED) – 2:19:00

4. Haven Hailu Desse (ETH) – 2:19:17

5. Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) – 2:22:32

6. Stella Chesang (UGA) – 2:22:42

7. Sofiia Yaremchuk (ITA) – 2:23:14

8. Eilish McColgan (GBR) – 2:24:25

9. Rose Harvey (GBR) – 2:25:01

10. Susanna Sullivan (USA) – 2:29:30

11. Phily Bowden (GBR) – 2:30:28

12. Molly Bookmyer (USA) – 2:32:31

13. Holly Archer (GBR) – 2:39:45

Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa delivered a historic performance, setting a new women-only world record with a time of 2:15:50. She broke away from the pack after the 30-kilometer mark and maintained her lead to the finish line.   

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei secured second place with a strong finish at 2:18:44, while the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan completed the podium in third with a time of 2:19:00.  

Notably, Great Britain’s Eilish McColgan finished eighth, setting a new Scottish marathon record with her time of 2:24:25.  

Eilish McColgan, the reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion, is preparing to take on the marathon distance for the first time in April at the London Marathon. While the 34-year-old has her sights set on eventually breaking Paula Radcliffe’s longstanding British marathon record of 2:15:25, she is clear that it won’t happen on her debut.

“It’s so unrealistic to think I’m going to go in and break Paula Radcliffe’s record on my first attempt,” McColgan admitted. “That’s nonsense. It just isn’t going to happen. But do I think I’m capable of getting down to those times in the future? Absolutely. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I was. But I’m playing more of a long game, and just taking things month by month and year by year rather than trying to rush things.”

For McColgan, this marathon debut has been a long time coming. She originally planned to run London in 2023, but injuries forced her to withdraw. In hindsight, she believes that rushing her marathon training contributed to the issues that kept her sidelined for nearly six months.

Now, with a more structured approach, she sees this as the start of a new chapter in her career. The transition from elite track racing to the marathon is a challenge that many great distance runners have taken on, and McColgan is determined to build gradually rather than force a record-breaking performance too soon.

A Running Legacy

McColgan’s marathon ambitions are deeply rooted in her family history. Her mother, Liz McColgan, was a world champion over 10,000m in 1991 and a London Marathon winner in 1996. Throughout her career, Liz McColgan was known for her incredible endurance and grit—qualities that Eilish has clearly inherited.

Having her mother as a mentor has been invaluable. Liz has guided Eilish through her development as a long-distance runner, offering both coaching insights and first-hand experience of what it takes to succeed over 26.2 miles. While Eilish has carved out her own path in the sport, her mother’s legacy as a champion marathoner serves as both an inspiration and a benchmark.

“It’s a totally different challenge,” McColgan said. “The marathon is so much more about patience and experience. Having my mum’s advice has been really helpful, especially after last year when I probably rushed into things too quickly. Now, I feel like I’m approaching it the right way.”

Building Toward the Record

Before injury struck, McColgan was in the best shape of her career. She had just shattered Radcliffe’s 21-year-old British 10,000m record and had lowered her own British half marathon mark in Berlin. These performances suggested that she was well on her way to transitioning into the marathon successfully.

Now, after months of careful rebuilding, she believes she has the foundation needed to complete her first 26.2-mile race. But rather than going all-in for a record-breaking debut, McColgan is focused on learning the marathon, understanding the pacing, and building toward future attempts.

“I still think my best years are ahead of me,” she said. “I’ve got a lot more to give in the marathon, but I know I have to respect the distance. This first one is about learning. I want to build from here and put myself in a position to attack fast times in the future.”

While Radcliffe’s 2:15:25 remains one of the most iconic marathon performances in history, McColgan believes that with time, experience, and the right training, she can one day challenge that mark.

For now, her London debut is just the beginning of that journey. With her mother’s guidance, a more measured approach, and a career built on resilience, McColgan is well on her way to becoming Britain’s next great marathoner.

Eilish McColgan, the accomplished British distance runner, is poised to make her marathon debut at the 2025 TCS London Marathon on April 27. This event holds special significance, as her mother, Liz McColgan, clinched victory in the same race in 1996.

Eilish's journey to the marathon has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. In early 2023, she was prepared to compete in the London Marathon; however, a knee injury forced her to withdraw just days before the event. Reflecting on the setback, she expressed her frustration, stating, "It was frustrating not to showcase the form I felt I was in, and get a race out of all the hard work I had put into it." Undeterred, McColgan set her sights on making her marathon debut in 2025.

The announcement of her participation in the 2025 London Marathon was met with enthusiasm, especially given the familial legacy associated with the event. Eilish shared her excitement, saying, "I am really looking forward to making my marathon debut in London this year. After a tough 12 months of injury, I am excited to finally toe the line and start the next chapter of my career on the roads."

Beyond her marathon aspirations, McColgan has an impressive track record in distance running. She secured a gold medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, setting a new Games record with a time of 30:48.60. Additionally, she holds British records in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and the half marathon, underscoring her versatility and endurance across various distances. 

As the 2025 London Marathon approaches, anticipation builds to see how Eilish McColgan will perform in her marathon debut, following in the footsteps of her mother and adding a new chapter to her distinguished running career.

Scottish runner hopes to follow in the footsteps of mum Liz by winning iconic half-marathon in September.

Eilish McColgan will return to the AJ Bell Great North Run this year, for her first competitive race on the iconic city to sea course, on Sunday September 10. The Scot took on the event for first time in 2021 on an alternate course that had been modified due to pandemic related restrictions and finished runner-up to Hellen Obiri.

McColgan ran 67:48 on that occasion although she improved to a UK record of 66:26 at the Ras Al Khaimah event in 2022.

This year she will be following in the footsteps of her mum, Liz McColgan, who was a prolific presence at the event in the 1990s, taking top spot in 1992, 1995 and 1996.

“I have such amazing memories of coming to Newcastle and taking part in the Junior Great North Run events,” said Eilish.

“We also have a great family history at the Great North Run, with mum being a three-time winner, so I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do on the original course.

“The pandemic course included a lot of uphill sections and was quite challenging, so I’m hoping for a much faster run this year.”

After an incredible 2022 on and off the track, Eilish has already confirmed plans to prioritise road running in 2023 ahead of her debut in the TCS London Marathon in April.

Brendan Foster, founder of the Great North Run, said: “After so many memorable performances from her mum, Liz, over the years, it’s wonderful for me to have the opportunity to invite Eilish back to the Great North Run this year.

“We’re delighted to confirm she will be back on the start line in September, she is an incredible ambassador for the sport and an inspiration to so many runners. We’re working on a competitive field and we’re sure it will be one to remember.”

Women's only World marathon record holder Mary Keitany will be inducted into the 2022 New York Road Races Hall of Fame in USA on November 4.

The ceremony will come two days before this year's New York Marathon which will take place on November 6.

Keitany told Nation Sport that it is a big honour for her to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in New York.

The legendary long distance runner thanked her fans in New York who cheered her on during the races.

“I’m glad I have been listed for the induction into the Hall of Fame. I started my marathon career in New York and after retirement, I’m happy I will be going back to be honoured,” said Keitany.

In her first race in New York in 2010, Keitany was in third place after clocking 2:29:01. She finished third again the following year, but improved her time to 2:23:38.

Keitany went back to New York Marathon in 2014 where won in 2:25:07 before defending her title in the 2015 and 2016 editions.

She finished second in 2017, then reclaimed her title in 2018 before announcing her retirement from road racing after her second place finish the following year.

"My first experience in major races was London Marathon when I was tasked to pace Lorna Kiplagat, Gete Wami and the rest of the team, I remember I had been asked by the race organiser and the management to pace the normal 21km but I exceeded to 26km just to test my body which was responding well at that time," said Keitany.

That would be the turning point for Keitany, who was by then a half marathon specialist. When she returned to training in 2009 after one-year maternity leave, her eyes were fixed on the full marathon.

She won the London Marathon in 2011.

Kenya's Ibrahim Hussein was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year with the Class of 21 which included Americans Gary Muhrcke and Shalane Flanagan, Scotswoman Liz McColgan and Australian Kurt Fearnley.

London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei will be seeking to defend her title in this edition set for October 2.

Last year, the 2016 Africa 10,000m bronze medalist obliterated a strong field to clinch the title in a personal best time of 2:17:43.

“My main aim is to defend my title and also lower my personal best,” Jepkosgei said.

Jepkosgei revealed she has invested a lot in training and expects this to repay handsomely on the streets of London.

“My main focus this season was on this marathon and I have trained very well for it. I know I will perform well,” she said.

Jepkosgei insisted she is not worried about the competition, where she will face the likes of compatriots Brigid Kosgei and Mary Ngugi, the Ethiopian duo of Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58) and Ashete Bekere (2:17:58), who finished second and third respectively last year. Bekere finished second at the Tokyo Marathon in March.

Kosgei is the fastest in the field with her world record/personal best time of 2:14:04, ran at the 2019 Chicago marathon. Ngugi has a personal best time of 2:21:32 attained at this year’s Boston Marathon.

Commonwealth Games 10,000m winner Eilish McColgan will make her full marathon debut while another Ethiopian, Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:17:23), will be making her London Marathon debut. McColgan aims to replicate her mother — Liz McColgan — who won the 1996 edition.

“I enjoy running with elite runners. The race will be tough and that means I can post a good time,” she said.

The 28-year-old said she does not feel any pressure after training under her supportive husband/coach, Nicholas Koech.

“My coach has been a great support system for me and with that, I do not feel any pressure. He is also my adviser,” Jepkosgei said.

Meanwhile, Jepkosgei disclosed she is yet to make a decision on the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“After the marathon, my coach and management will sit down and decide what next,” Jepkosgei said.

Commonwealth Games 10,000m winner Eilish McColgan will also be making her London Marathon debut with the aim of replicating Liz McColgan’s (her mother) win in the 1996 edition.

Scotland’s Eilish McColgan ran the race of her lifetime to win Commonwealth Games gold in the women’s 10,000m with her coach and mom Liz McColgan watching on (second photo). She ran a Commonwealth Games record of 30:48.60 to follow in the footsteps of her mother 32 years ago.

McColgan took the lead early on and began to inject some speed into the race after 6,000m. Irine Cheptai of Kenya followed suit, with the two athletes battling over the final 2,000m, surging back and forth. Cheptai put on a surge with two laps to go and McColgan held on. With 200 meters to go, the two were stride for stride, then McColgan pulled ahead, achieving glory in front of a (near) home crowd.

The sold-out crowd of 32,000 at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium roared as McColgan sprinted to her first gold medal at an international competition. She ran straight to her the arms of her mother, Liz, where the two shed tears of joy and triumph, while wrapped in the Scottish flag.

Cheptai, the 2017 world cross country champion, won the silver in 30:49.52 and her compatriot Sheila Kiprotich won bronze in 31:09.46.

This gold medal is a story of redemption for McColgan, who caught COVID-19 only weeks before her race at the 2022 World Championships last month.

The 31-year-old from Dundee, Scotland has previously won silver and bronze at the European Championships over 3,000 and 5,000m. She currently holds the British record over 5,000m, 5K, 10K and the half marathon.

McColgan will now shift her focus to training for London Marathon this October, where she hopes to become the first woman from Scotland to win the race since her mother did it 26 years ago.

Eilish McColgan will make her much anticipated marathon debut in London on October 2 as she takes on a world-class field around the streets of the British capital.

The 31-year-old Scot broke Paula Radcliffe’s British half-marathon record of 66:47 on February 19, after clocking 66:26 at Ras Al Khaimah and now feels like it’s the right time to take on the marathon.

Since McColgan started competing on the roads she has broken the British 5km record, European 10km record and set a British best over 10 miles.

Given her natural progression through the longer distances on both track and field, it was always a question of not if but when McColgan took on 26.2 miles.

“It’s really just coming from a confidence side of things,” McColgan says. “I think I’ve known for like a very long time that this is where my career would go. I think my mum and my dad have known even longer than I have. From being a young kid they always said the marathon was the event I’d end up going to.

“The way I’ve progressed over the years now through the distances, taking on both the 5km and 10km, I remember thinking, ‘I’ll never ever run a half-marathon’. And yet now, I’m excited. I couldn’t wait to get out and race it against some of those the top athletes in the world.

“It is my choice. I feel I’m going to do it when I’m ready to do it and I think that’s that time is coming now. I think there’s no better place to do that than the London Marathon.

McColgan takes to the streets of the British capital 26 years after her mum, Liz McColgan won the race. Like Eilish, Liz started out on the track and gradually progressed to the marathon, winning on her debut in New York in 1991 before her triumph in London five years later.

“It’s amazing and it’s a bit surreal,” McColgan adds. “The more iconic images I’ve got in my head as a youngster were my mum running the London Marathon with Buckingham Palace in the background. It’s just incredible that so many years later I’m following in her footsteps and I think she’s excited to see that finally come into action.

“It’s always the iconic event. It was the one where I always watched my mum run as a kid when I sat in the hospitality area and ate all the free food! There’s not a London Marathon that my mum and dad have ever missed. It’s just got a buzz and everyone speaks about it, even those who don’t know much about athletics.”

Although this is McColgan’s debut marathon she does have experience of the London circuit though, having been the pacemaker for Charlotte Purdue last year.

Purdue is also part of the line-up this year which includes world marathon record-holder Brigid Kosgei, defending champion and fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei and the fastest-ever female marathon debutante Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia.

“It just feels surreal to me [to hear that],” McColgan adds. “I remember watching Paula [Radcliffe] on the side of the road in Athens and being as devastated as she was. I watched her run the world record in 2003 and it was strange watching it because, given her pace, it was like watching a robot. You thought there was no way somebody could keep it up for 26.2 miles.

“Out of all the records she set this is by far the one the hardest she set. It’s difficult for me to believe that’s it’s almost possible but if you asked me two years ago would I run 30 minutes for 10km, I’d have told you no chance but now I believe I can break that record.”

McColgan also has a busy summer on the track as she races over both 5000m and 10,000m at the World Championships in Oregon before representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Ahead of Paris 2024, she wants to focus on the marathon and compete in more road races in the near future.

Every day between 1964 and 2017 the renowned British athlete Ron Hill ran at least a mile, setting a world record streak of 52 years and 39 days that still stands – even after snapping his sternum in a car accident in 1993.

Yet that was one of many achievements in a glorious career. For Hill, who has died at the age of 82, was also an Olympian, inventor, innovator and undoubtedly one of the country’s greatest marathon runners.

In 1970 he became the first Briton to win the Boston Marathon, breaking the course record, and won Commonwealth gold the same year in a time of 2hr 9min 28sec – becoming only the second man to ever go under 2hr 10min.

Hill also competed at the Olympics three times, finishing seventh in the Mexico 1968 Games despite running barefoot, and sixth in Munich four years later.

He was one of the pioneers of “carbo-loading” before a marathon to increase glycogen stores. And he used his PhD in textile engineering to good effect to invent and then race in breathable mesh vests to keep cool – a huge innovation at the time. His company Ron Hill Sports also led the way with their “trackster” tights before the lycra boom in the 1980s and 90s.

The tributes to Hill were led by Dave Bedford, the former 10,000m world record holder, who said Hill was “a great man, a great athlete, and a great influence to so many during the golden age of British distance running, including myself.

“His dedication to his sport was extraordinary, but he also stood out for being a great innovator,” he added. “He led the way with carbo-loading and with textiles. I doubt there is a British athlete in the last 30 years who hasn’t worn a pair of Ron Hill tracksters at some point. He will be deeply missed.

The 1991 world 10,000m champion Liz McColgan also paid her respects. “So sad to hear of the passing of marathon legend Ron Hill, an inspirational athletic icon over the years sincere condolences to his family. The wider running community will miss you. RIP.”

Hill’s clothing company Ronhill confirmed his death in a social media statement. “It is with immense sadness we today mourn the passing of British running legend Dr Ron Hill MBE, our founder, our inspiration, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a runner.”

In 2017, Allie Kieffer took the running world by surprise when she finished fifth overall and second American woman across the finish line at the TCS New York City Marathon. From there, she would go on to run several strong marathons, including her 2:28:12 at the 2018 NYC Marathon.

But, Kieffer had a difficult year in 2019, dropping out of several races, as well as the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February 2020. On October 2, she ran a 5K personal best at a low-key meet in New Jersey. She’s got a new coach and a new outlook, and she’s ready to return to the world of elite running. 

DyeStat.com reports that Keiffer ran a 15:41.4 5,000m this week in her first race since March. She wrote on Instagram post-race, “I left the track feeling both disappointed for not running what I think I’m capable of and simultaneously grateful for where I’ve gotten myself to. After a tough year and a half, I’ve learned to celebrate each step of progress and use disappointment as motivation.”

Overcoming burnout 

Keiffer told reporters that by the Olympic trials, she was physically in shape but mentally struggling. Since then, she’s joined forces with Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Liz McColgan as her coach and resumed chasing her Olympic dream.

She posted to Instagram this week, “I’m still here running my way into another Olympic Trials because of the people that helped pick me up. I’ve been lucky to have had far more good coaches than bad ones – thank you!”

While she can’t qualify for the Olympics in the marathon (that team was decided at Trials), she may qualify on the track. Her next race is a 10K on October 23. 

Steph Twell ran a PB of 2:26:40 to break the Scottish marathon record and achieve an Olympic qualifying mark at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday.

The women’s race was won by Kenya’s Valary Jemeli Aiyabei in a course record of 2:19:10, a time which moves her to 12th on the world all-time list, while the men’s title was claimed by Ethiopia’s Fikre Tefera in a close finish.

For Twell, her time to finish eighth puts her fifth on the UK all-time rankings in only her second ever marathon, behind Paula Radcliffe, Mara Yamauchi, Charlie Purdue and Veronique Marot.

It improves on the 2:30:11 she ran on her debut in Valencia last December and betters Liz McColgan’s 22-year-old Scottish record by 12 seconds.

Her fellow Briton Jenny Spink of Bristol & West took almost four minutes off her PB with 2:31:14, while Spink’s England team-mate Hayley Carruthers dropped out after 30km after suffering sickness and fainting.

Andy Vernon is amongst a top elite field announced this week for the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon.

After having to withdraw from this year’s London Marathon due to a hamstring injury the AFD man will look to lay down his 26.2 credentials on the stress of New York.

Vernon could be well suited to the hard undulating course and there will keen interest amongst British distance fans to see how the popular athlete runs in his debut marathon. We know his pedigree at cross country and at 10,000m where his has won a European silver medal and has a PB of 27:42 but he remains an unknown quantity at the marathon.

With the IAAF standard now set at 2:11:30 for men and 2:29:30 for women the most Brits will have their eyes on courses that offer the best chance for quick times for Tokyo next year.

However the dual qualification system also recognises a top 10 finish in a World Marathon Major event (which includes NYC Marathon). 10th placed finisher Chris Derrick ran 2:13:08 in 2018 and in 2017 the 10th place finisher ran 2:14:57. Despite the profile of the course these times are well within Vernon’s ability but regardless of times the race clearly affords the opportunity to build critical experience before London 2020.

History shows this can be a happy hunting ground for British Athletes. Steve Jones’ winning time of 2:08:20 in 1988 and Paula Radcliffe’s wins in 2004, 2007 and 2008 are testiment to that along with victories for priscilla Welch in 1987 and Liz McColgan in 1991.

In 2018 eight British men went inside 2:30 with Jonny Mellor leading the way in 2:16:09 for 15th place. Three British women ran inside three hours with St Albans Strider Gillian Pease (2:55:14) the fastest.