Running News Daily

The European half marathon scene is set for an exciting new chapter as SuperHalfs prepares to expand its popular international running series with the introduction of a second six-race challenge, giving runners even more opportunities to explore Europe while pursuing an extraordinary endurance achievement.

Starting in 2027, the newly introduced SuperHalfs EUROPA will feature six prestigious half marathons across six different European countries: Naples (Italy), Warsaw (Poland), Belgrade (Serbia), Vienna (Austria), Riga (Latvia) and Stockholm (Sweden).

The expansion represents a significant development for the SuperHalfs movement, which has established itself as one of Europe's most attractive half marathon challenges, combining competitive road racing, international travel and the opportunity for runners to achieve a unique personal milestone.

The new EUROPA series will operate alongside the existing six-race challenge, which will officially be known as SuperHalfs ORIGINALS. The original lineup comprises Lisbon (Portugal), Prague (Czech Republic), Berlin (Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Cardiff (Wales) and Valencia (Spain).

Rather than replacing the established series, the new initiative creates two independent challenges, each with its own dedicated SuperPassport and exclusive SuperMedal. Runners will therefore have the opportunity to complete either series or take on both challenges in pursuit of two separate medals.

One of the most appealing aspects of the expanded format is its flexibility. Participants can complete the six races in whichever order they prefer, without being restricted by a finishing deadline. This means runners can spread their challenges over several years, combining their passion for athletics with travel and exploration across the continent.

THE SUPERHALFS EUROPA 2027 RACE CALENDAR

The inaugural EUROPA campaign will begin in Naples on February 21 before moving through five more European destinations.

The confirmed calendar is as follows:

1. February 21, 2027 – Naples, Italy

2. March 14, 2027 – Warsaw, Poland

3. April 17, 2027 – Belgrade, Serbia

4. April 18, 2027 – Vienna, Austria

5. May 16, 2027 – Riga, Latvia

6. August 21, 2027 – Stockholm, Sweden

An interesting feature of the calendar is the scheduling of Belgrade and Vienna on consecutive days, April 17 and 18. This creates an unusual opportunity for ambitious runners to attempt two half marathons in two consecutive days, although the physical demands of such a challenge will require careful preparation and recovery.

The selected races also bring considerable running communities to the new series. Warsaw recorded 14,720 starters in its 2025 half marathon, establishing a national participation milestone. Vienna welcomed 13,181 finishers in its half marathon this spring, while Riga's wider race weekend attracted more than 45,000 participants across its various distances.

These figures underline the scale and popularity of the events joining the new challenge, providing runners with the opportunity to experience some of Europe's established road-running destinations.

The expansion is supported by global insurance company Generali and was officially unveiled during the European Athletics Convention, marking another important step in the development of the series.

However, runners planning to participate should take note of one important condition: previous race performances will not count towards the new EUROPA challenge. Every participant will begin their journey from zero when the series officially starts in 2027.

With six new destinations, six countries and another exclusive medal waiting at the finish line, SuperHalfs EUROPA promises to offer runners a fresh reason to travel, compete and challenge themselves.

For half marathon enthusiasts, the opportunity is now even bigger: six races to complete in the ORIGINALS series, another six in EUROPA, and potentially two SuperMedals to earn along the way. 

The group is all about logging slow miles and consuming carbs—in that order.

In New York’s Central Park, at West Drive and 92nd Street, is a nondescript drinking fountain made of black granite. Blink as you run past, and you’d miss it, but this particular fountain, inscribed in 1991 with an ivy garland and the words “72 Street Marathoning and Pasta Club” around its rim, has recently gained interest from a new generation of runners and inspired them to take up the mantle of distance running and carb loading. 

Amanda Smith stumbled upon the fountain in 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was inspired by the inscription. “As a foodie who loves to run, nothing more closely aligns with my lifestyle than that!” she wrote on Reddit. Smith snatched up the Marathoning and Pasta Club handle on Instagram posthaste, knowing she wanted to do something with it in the future—three years later, her dream has come to fruition. 

A few weeks ago, Smith gauged interest for an all-new run club devoted to sharing easy miles followed by “family style” meals afterwards. People loved the idea. The group got together for their first outing on Thursday night: Five runners showed up for a loop of Central Park, chatting and getting to know each other, before tucking into orders of rigatoni carbone on the Upper West Side. 

“It was really nice to just have a conversation, and everyone’s kind of sharing the role that running plays in their lives,” Smith told Runner’s World.

The original Marathoning and Pasta Club traces its history back to the 1970s, when its members, in addition to their love of running and spaghetti, were dedicated stewards of Central Park, often planting trees and cleaning and restoring water fountains. One of the seven original members is Jonathan Mendes, a World War II Marine who in 2016, at 96 years old, was believed to be the oldest unofficial finisher of the New York City Marathon, completing the race in 11 hours and 23 minutes. Carl Landegger, 10 years Mendes’ junior, was another founding member, and was running marathons with his friend as recently as 2010. 

Smith laughs that the initial club was comprised of serious runners who competed around the world, clocking impressive times. Her iteration of the Marathoning and Pasta Club is more of a nod to the originals. The new club is truly pace inclusive and spans all five New York City boroughs. Next week they’ll be meeting in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park before heading to Pasta Louise Cafe in Park Slope. 

You don’t need to be a marathoner to join the club, and unlike many other groups, there’s no minimum pace required. 

“I hope people feel comfortable to come because it isn’t about competitions,” Smith said. “You don't need to be training for anything. We had people last night who just like to run, and they’re not interested in running a marathon and that’s totally fine.” 

Some nights, Smith says they may even skip the run and just bond over pasta. She sees a real need for clubs based around recovery-pace runs and community. 

Fusilli and farfalle sound fun? You can stay up-to-date on the happenings of the Marathoning and Pasta Club on their Instagram page. 

From actors to former pro athletes, there are quite a few notable people running the Big Apple’s big race on November 6.

Celebrities—they’re just like us. They eat breakfast, they go to work, and they run marathons too! 

The 2022 New York City Marathon fast approaches, which means 50,000 runners will stand on the starting line in Staten Island ready to cover 26.2 miles. Among them are TV stars, Olympians, models, and race car drivers, all hoping to achieve the same goal as everyone else—cross the finish line in Central Park.

So what celebs and notables are racing the NYC Marathon this year? Take a look! You might spot them cruising the streets of the Big Apple on November 6.

1 Amy Robach, Amy Robach, co-host of ABC News’ GMA3: What You Need to Know and 20/20, is running her fourth marathon. The 49-year-old completed NYC in 2019, Berlin in 2021, and Chicago just a month ago. Her co-host, TJ Holmes, is also running. The pair ran the NYC Half together earlier this year.

2 Ashton Kutcher, Ashton Kutcher is multiple-time Teen Choice Award-winning actor who has been prominently featured in film and television ever since he appeared on That ’70s Show in the ’90s and early aughts. The 44-year-old will race his first-ever marathon in support of his nonprofit, Thorn, which aims to eliminate child sexual abuse from the internet.

3 Casey Neistat, Casey Neistat is a filmmaker and YouTube star who has done everything from build an app to start a podcast to film documentaries. He has completed the New York City Marathon five times, with a course best of 3:03:17 from 2013. The 41-year-old recently moved back to his native New York from Los Angeles, so the race is a homecoming of sorts.

4 Claire Holt Actress Claire Holt, 34, is most famous for her roles in H20: Just Add Water, Pretty Little Liars, and The Vampire Diaries and its sequel The Originals. She’s racing to raise money for the Boston Children’s Hospital.

5 Ellie Kemper You might know her best as Kimmy Schmidt or Erin Hannon, but actress and comedian Ellie Kemper is playing herself as she runs 26.2 miles over the streets of New York. The 42-year-old will race to support The Brotherhood Sister Sol, an organization that educates, organizes, and trains Black and Latinx youth to challenge inequality and create opportunity.

6 Lauren Ridloff Forget fighting zombies and celestial beings—The Walking Dead and The Eternals star has to push through her first marathon. The actress, 44, is raising money to support PS 347, a New York City public school serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

7 Marit Bjørgen Norweigian cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen has earned 15 Olympic medals. How will she fare without her skis? The 42-year-old has set a lofty goal for herself—a sub-3:00 time.

8 Matt James The Bachelor star Matt James ran his first marathon in Chicago in 2019. Since then, he’s caught the bug, completing last year’s New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon earlier this spring. The 30-year-old will run to support ABC Food Tours.

9 Meghan Duggan Olympic gold medal hockey player and New Jersey Devils Director of Player Development Meghan Duggan is trading in her skates for running shoes. All 26.2 of her miles are in support of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

10 Monica Puig Another Olympian on this list? Retired tennis player Monica Puig struck gold in singles at Rio. Now, she’ll have a new athletic challenge—completing a marathon. Tennis players run much farther than you think over the course of a match, so watch for her to run a fast time. 

11 Nev Schulman The host of MTV’s Catfish: The TV Show is no stranger to the New York City Marathon, having run it multiple times. The 38-year-old even grew up near the finish line. Schulman will run to support NYRR Team for Kids.

12 Nicole BriscoeNicole Briscoe is used to commentating on races as a NASCAR anchor on ESPN. But during the New York City Marathon, she’ll be the one on the road herself—no car needed.

13 Pia Wurtzbach Model and actress Pia Wurtzbach, who won the Miss Universe pageant in 2015, chases her first marathon finish in Central Park. The 33-year-old is prepared, having recently finished a 20-mile long run.

14 Ryan Briscoe As a professional IndyCar driver, Ryan Briscoe is always ready to race. Except this time, he’ll have to leave his car behind. His wife Nicole Briscoe, mentioned earlier, is also running, making the NYC Marathon a family affair.

15 Sierra Boggess The original Ariel in Broadway’s The Little Mermaid, Sierra Boggess is running the New York City Marathon with her sister Allegra. The sisters have teamed up to raise money for the Cancer Support Community.

16 Tiki Barber, It wouldn’t be a New York City Marathon without legendary New York Giants football player Tiki Barber. The 47-year-old, who also co-hosts Tiki & Tierney, has completed the last seven editions of the Big Apple’s premier road race. Will this year be his best finish? 

17 TJ Holmes, Veteran journalist TJ Holmes takes his talent to the marathon course. The 42-year-old will race with his co-host of ABC News’ GMA3: What You Need to Know, Amy Robach. He beat his co-host by just a step in the NYC Half earlier this year, but who will come out on top when the distance is doubled?

18 Zac Clarkhe Bachelorette star Zac Clark finished the Boston Marathon earlier this year and has run the New York City Marathon seven times. Will he best his personal record of 3:48:43 from 2014?

 

No cable box or login? No problem. Here’s how you can catch every track and field event from Tokyo.

For track and field fans, the Olympic Games are must-see TV. And this year, with spectators not allowed, television coverage feels more critical than ever.

Fortunately, NBC will air more than 5,500 hours total of live coverage across all sports from the Tokyo Olympics, which start July 23 and go until August 8. That will include qualifying rounds, semifinals, and finals of everything from the 100 meters to the marathon. (Check https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule for the full schedule.)

With the 13-hour time difference between Tokyo and New York, most track and field coverage begins at either 4 a.m., 6 a.m., or 8 p.m. EDT. While some track and field events will air live on NBC proper, many will be shown on the network’s other channels, including USA and NBCSN—as well as on NBCOlympics.com, the NBC Sports App, or NBCSports.com, after you sign in with your cable or satellite provider login.

So, if you don’t have cable, how are you supposed to watch? We break it down for you.

Stream for free 


If you don’t have a cable login, you’re limited to highlights on those NBC websites and the app. With an increasing number of online streaming services, however, it’s still possible to catch every second of the action on your smart TV, computer, phone, or tablet, even if you don’t have a cable subscription.

And—if you time your sign-ups right—you can even do it for free.

First things first: Make sure you’ve joined NBC’s Peacock service—even if you have cable. Some track and field events—for instance, the men’s and women’s 10,000 meters and finals of the 1500 meters and 100 meters—will stream live there exclusively. It’s free. (For a $4.99 a month Peacock Premium subscription, you can get Olympic basketball and have access to other track events, such as the Diamond League meets, but you don’t need a Premium subscription for Olympic track.)

Live coverage of the remaining track and field events will be spread between NBC, USA, CNBC, and—for the men’s and women’s race walk—NBCSN. So, you can pair Peacock with a streaming service that includes other NBC stations to watch all your favorite athletes.

Track and field events take place during the 10-day period from July 30 to August 8. Because several companies offer seven-day free trials for new customers, it’s possible to string a few promo periods together to cover track and field, or even the entire Games.

A word to the wise: Set yourself a calendar reminder to cancel at the end of the trial period if you don’t want to incur charges. However, none of these services requires a long-term contract, so even if you forget, the most you’re out is a month of subscription fees.

Streaming services

Here are five options—complete with cost, trial period, and how much storage space you get for recording, so you can watch later or revisit key races as many times as you want. Note: In some markets, local NBC affiliates aren’t available on all of these services. So if you don’t already have a way to watch local TV, double-check by entering your ZIP code on the website or contacting customer service before you sign up.

AT&T TV

Price: $69.99/month for the Entertainment package

What you get: 65+ channels and 40,000 on-demand TV shows and movies

DVR storage: 20 hours, or upgrade to unlimited for an additional $10/month

Free trial? No

FuboTV

Price: $64.99/month for the Starter package

What you get: 100+ channels, some TV shows and movies on-demand, and 130+ events, including other track and field favorites like Diamond League and American Track League meets

DVR storage: 250 hours

Free trial? 7 days

Hulu + Live TV

Price: $64.99/month

What you get: 75+ channels, on-demand library with TV and movies, plus Hulu originals (think The Handmaid’s Tale and Little Fires Everywhere)

DVR storage: 50 hours

Free trial? 7 days

Sling Blue

Price: $35/month, plus an extra $6/month for News Extra to include CNBC

What you get: 30+ channels, with some TV shows and movies on-demand

DVR storage: 50 hours, or upgrade to 200 hours for an additional $5/month

Free trial? No, but there’s an intro offer of $10 for your first month

YouTubeTV

Price: $64.99 per month

What you get: 85+ channels, with some TV shows and movies on-demand

DVR storage: Yes, with unlimited space

Free trial? Promo offers are frequently updated, so check back

Saucony recently announced that the company will focus on sustainability as it moves forward, and almost all of its new products will be made with renewable materials.

The company is even developing its first biodegradable shoe, which is “one small step toward reducing our footprint for good.” Hundreds of millions of pairs of shoes are produced every year, and hundreds of millions more are tossed in the trash and end up in landfills.

With more sustainable practices and materials used, companies can significantly lower the amount of waste humans produce on a yearly basis.

Eco-Friendly production.- Natural, organic and recycled materials were used to produce Saucony’s new Spring 2020 collection. The company’s “environmentally conscious materials” include recycled polyester, which it produces by melting existing plastic (water bottles, for example) and turning it into a new polyester fibre. 

Saucony is looking to use as much recycled polyester as possible without sacrificing the comfort and durability of its products.

Saucony’s eco-friendly materials also include recycled nylon and organic cotton. Even the tags attached to clothing will be made with a mix of recycled post-consumer waste and paper.

The first-ever biodegradable Saucony shoe was the focus of a Super Bowl ad in February. In the commercial the narrator asks the question, “What if the shoes we threw away actually went away?” That is the goal of the biodegradable shoe, which is still in development: to have a shoe which, when thrown away, won’t just sit in landfill and take decades to decompose.

The first biodegradable shoe will be added to the Saucony Originals line, and it will be made from natural materials and renewable resources while also remaining completely free of plastics, bioplastics and plastic derivatives.

In addition to creating this eco-friendly shoe, its manufacturing process will use less electricity, and it won’t be built using petroleum-based glues and threads. It’s a shoe that is environmentally friendly from its earliest stages of production until the end of its life.

These are the 10 most scenic marathoners you need to put on your bucket list 

1) Midnight Sun Marathon, Norway.  Head to Tromso, Norway to try an Arctic Marathon where the sun doesn’t set…literally! Norwegians experience the “Midnight Sun” from May 20 to June 22, which allows runners to run a marathon during the night. A big portion of the race happens along the coast, so runners enjoy picturesque views of the Norwegian sea as well as the snow-capped peaks. 

2) BMW Berlin Marathon, Germany. This marathon that starts and ends at the Brandenburg Gate takes runners in a large loop around the city. This is the perfect marathon to experience a slice of history as marathoners will pass the iconic Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, Tiergarten and Potsdamer Platz, to name a few.

3) â€‹Marathon du Medoc (France).  This is a wine and food festival disguised as a marathon! The course will take you through the vineyards of the Médoc in Gironde. Held in the Southwest of France near Bordeaux; food stands and wine tasting stalls dot the entire course of this event. Nibbles offered include pastas, oysters, cheese, steaks, fruits, and the region's famous wines to wash down everything. This fun marathon usually turns into a carnival of spirited, costumed runners as participants are encouraged to dress, according to the year’s theme. 

4) The Hong Kong Marathon (Hong Kong).  This is easily the biggest participation sporting event in Hong Kong with over 70,000 runners from 90 countries participating in it. Marathoners enjoy some of the best urban landscape. This iconic race unfolds against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s breath-taking skyline and harbour. The full marathon and half marathon, both start at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui racing up into New Territories, and heading back down to a spectacular finish in Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island. The Hong Kong Marathon has been awarded Gold Label status since the 2016 and with total prize money of US$300,000, it is one of Asia's most prominent marathons.

5) Big Five Marathon (Limpopo, South Africa).  This is undoubtedly the wildest marathon in the world! Conducted within the private Entabeni Game Reserve in South Africa, this marathon runs through the African savannahs. True to the marathon’s name, you have a chance of bumping into lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and cape buffaloes in addition to the other animals like giraffes, antelopes, etc., along the way. The safety of the runners is not compromised as park rangers watch over the Big Five Marathon to ensure that participants can gaze safely at zebras, leopards, and antelopes as they run.

6) Great Wall Marathon (China).  This marathon isn’t for the faint hearted, but it’s the race of a lifetime. Strictly speaking, the marathon route overlaps the Great Wall of China for a small section of the race, but this relatively short section on the Wall is a challenging 5,164 steps. Participants get to run through old villages and see sweeping hillside views, with hundreds of enthusiastic locals cheering for them. 

7) Skarkasse 3-Laender Marathon (Germany, Austria and Switzerland).  This unique marathon offers runners an opportunity to run through three countries - Germany, Austria and Switzerland in one single race! This 26.2-mile journey starts on the island of Lindau, Germany, before taking runners through several Austrian towns, and then crossing the Swiss border and finishing in Bregenz. The flat terrain, half of which courses along the shores of Lake Constance, features a mix of cobblestone, gravel and asphalt. 

8) Big Sur Marathon (California, USA).  For the past two years, the Big Sur Marathon sells out in record time! Traversing through one of the world’s most scenic courses, meandering through the coastline along the azure blue waters of the Pacific ocean and redwoods, the Big Sur International Marathon held in California ranks high on the list of challenging marathons due to its alpine terrain and strong headwinds. Known for its incomparable natural beauty and dramatic coastal scenery, this race has a strict 6-hour time limit to complete it.

9) Patagonian International Marathon (Patagonia, Chile).  This marathon will take you through the jaw-dropping landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, a route which makes way through turquoise waters, towering peaks and pristine glaciers. This is also the most eco-friendly race in the world. Instead of medals, participants have a tree planted in their name. The organisers also encourage you to carry your own water bottles to avoid cup waste. So, go ahead and fulfil your dream of running in one of the most pristine places on the planet!

10) Australian Outback Marathon (Australian).  Big open skies, cool rock formations, soft red earth under your feet, this marathon was made for adventure seekers and nature lovers. This marathon will give runners a glimpse of the famous Uluru and Kata Tjuta rock formations and sacred sites of the aboriginals of the area.