Running News Daily

South America will be represented by a strong eight-man contingent at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26, with the athletes set to take on one of the deepest and most competitive men’s half marathon fields on Sunday.

The championship will bring together leading road runners from around the world, creating a demanding stage for the South American representatives as they battle for strong championship positions and potentially significant personal breakthroughs.

Bolivia’s Héctor Garibay headlines the group, joined by Colombia’s Mauricio González and Uruguay’s Cristhian Zamora. Peru will be represented by Ferdinand Cereceda, while Brazil has the largest presence with Fabio Jesus Correia, Lucas Paulo Ferreira and Giovani Dos Santos.

Argentina completes the contingent with Marcelo Fabian Manrique, giving South America a diverse eight-man lineup ready to take on the challenge in Copenhagen.

Competing at a World Athletics championship is never simply about chasing a fast time. Championship racing often demands patience, tactical awareness and the ability to respond when the pace changes, particularly when the field contains athletes capable of producing world-class performances.

For the South American runners, Copenhagen offers more than an opportunity to compete for championship honours. It is a chance to test themselves against the very best in the world and measure how far they have progressed on the international stage.

The contingent also brings a fascinating mix of experience, ambition and emerging talent. Each athlete arrives with a different racing background, but they share the same opportunity: to turn months of preparation into one memorable performance on the biggest road-running stage. Against a world-class field, even a small improvement in the closing kilometres could make a significant difference in the final standings.

Copenhagen is therefore set to provide a true test of character as much as fitness. The championship atmosphere, fast competition and relentless pace will demand that the South American runners remain composed from the opening kilometres to the final stretch. If they can execute their race plans and find another level when it matters most, several could leave Denmark with performances that represent important milestones in their careers.

With the pressure of a global championship and the depth of talent expected on the starting line, every kilometre will count. A personal best would be a major achievement, but strong tactical racing and a competitive finish could prove just as valuable.

The eight athletes will now look to arrive in Copenhagen ready to embrace the challenge, with South America hoping to make its presence felt when the world’s best half marathoners take over the streets of the Danish capital. 

The Buenos Aires Marathon is set for an exciting edition on September 20, with a strong international field preparing to take on the 42-kilometre challenge through the streets of Argentina’s capital.

Kenyan marathoner Bethwel Kibet Chumba has been highlighted as one of the major international stars arriving in Buenos Aires, where he will headline a highly competitive men’s field featuring athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Chumba will be joined on the start line by fellow Kenyans Felix Kiptoo Kirwa, Kipkemoi Kiprono, Gevin Kipkurui Kerich, Vincent Kibor Raimoi, Kelvin Kiptoo Kororia, Vitalis Kibiwott and Zacharia Krop.

The Ethiopian challenge will feature Deribe Robi Melka, Dechasa Alemu Moreda, Embay Goitom Dimtsu and Tilahun Amsalu Beyene, while Rwanda will be represented by John Hakizimana.

With such depth across the field, the men’s race promises to produce a fascinating battle from the opening kilometres, as experienced marathoners look to position themselves for a shot at victory on one of South America’s most prominent road-racing stages.

The women’s race is equally intriguing, with Kenyan star Rodah Jepkorir Tanui set to headline the international field. Tanui arrives with a clear target: to claim her fourth Buenos Aires Marathon title, adding another chapter to her impressive record in the race.

Tanui will face strong opposition from a group of international contenders led by Ethiopia’s Sintayehu Lewetegn Hailemichael, Lomi Muleta Tefera, Agere Adera Tamir, Alem Tsehay Birm Zerihun and Tadelech Bekele Nedi.

Kenya will also have Rebecca Kangogo Chesir and Emmah Cheruto Ndiwa in the women’s elite field, setting up another potentially gripping contest over the classic marathon distance.

The presence of Chumba and Tanui gives the Buenos Aires Marathon two major Kenyan figures to watch, but neither race is expected to be a straightforward affair. The depth of the international line-up means that the leading contenders will have to manage the pace carefully, conserve energy and produce their best efforts when the race enters its decisive stages.

As Buenos Aires prepares to welcome the international running community, attention will turn to September 20, when the elite athletes take to the streets for 42 kilometres of racing, with victory, prestige and another major marathon title on the line.

Buenos Aires is ready. The international stars are coming—and the battle for the 42K crown is set to be one to watch.

At an age when many athletes have long since stepped away from competition, Joan Benoit Samuelson continues to remind the running world that the finish line is never defined by a number.

On Sunday in Lima, Peru, the pioneering American distance runner lined up for the 10K at the 117th KIA Media Maratón de Lima & 10K, and at 69 years old, she crossed the finish line in an impressive 47:49 — averaging approximately 7:43 per mile.

It was another chapter in a remarkable running life that has stretched across more than four decades, taking Samuelson from the roads of New England to Olympic history and, now, to the streets of Lima.

The first Olympic women's marathon champion, Samuelson was in Peru as part of a Nike-backed trip, experiencing a race course that links Lima's historic heart with its modern districts. The event attracted around 21,000 runners, creating a spectacular celebration of running in one of South America's most historic cities.

The half marathon accompanying the 10K carries an extraordinary legacy of its own. First staged in 1909, the race is billed as the world's oldest half marathon, adding another layer of history to Samuelson's appearance.

But Samuelson herself needs little introduction when it comes to the history of women's distance running.

Her career helped redefine what was possible for women on the marathon course. She won the Boston Marathon in 1979 and again in 1983, then produced a stunning American record of 2:22:43 in her marathon debut that same year.

A year later, she reached the summit of the sport.

At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Samuelson captured gold in the inaugural women's Olympic marathon, running 2:24:52 and finishing 1 minute 26 seconds ahead of legendary Norwegian Grete Waitz. It was a victory that became one of the defining moments in the history of women's athletics.

And she was far from finished.

In 1985, Samuelson won the Chicago Marathon in 2:21:21, setting another American record that remained untouched for 18 years. Her achievements became part of the foundation upon which the modern era of women's distance running was built.

Yet perhaps the most remarkable part of her story is not what she accomplished four decades ago, but the fact that she is still curious, still competing and still eager to learn from the sport.

Before Sunday's race, Samuelson praised the growing strength of Peruvian distance running, telling local media: “Runners from Peru are starting to show up on the world stage, and they are doing it very well.”

Those words capture something that has defined her journey for generations: a belief that running is not simply about records, medals or victories. It is about discovery, connection and the endless possibility of seeing how far the human spirit can go.

Four decades after making history in Los Angeles, Samuelson is still answering the starting gun.

At 69, the Olympic champion is no longer chasing the clock she once conquered. She is chasing something far more enduring — the joy of running itself.

And in Lima, thousands of runners had the privilege of watching a living legend continue to do what she has always done best: inspire people to keep moving forward.

Ethiopia’s Kasegn Alemtsehay Asefa produced a brilliant performance at the 2026 Mexico City Marathon, winning the women’s race in 2:29:30 and leading an impressive Ethiopian clean sweep of the podium.

Asefa mastered the demanding 42.195-kilometre course through the Mexican capital, holding her form in an environment where altitude can make an already difficult marathon considerably more challenging. The race is staged at approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, meaning athletes have to contend with thinner air throughout the contest.

Despite those demanding conditions, Asefa looked in control and eventually crossed the finish line in 2:29:30, securing a convincing victory and adding another notable chapter to Ethiopia’s strong tradition in distance running.

Her compatriots Gebremedhin Alema and Tefera Mekashu completed the Ethiopian domination, finishing second and third respectively. Alema stopped the clock at 2:32:23, while Mekashu followed in 2:34:04, giving Ethiopia all three places on the women’s podium.

Peru’s Saida Meneses was the leading athlete outside Ethiopia, running an excellent 2:34:41 for fourth place. Her performance also made her the top South American woman in the race, narrowly missing the podium after finishing just 37 seconds behind Mekashu.

Kenya was represented inside the top six by Dorine Jerop, who produced a strong 2:36:32 to finish sixth.

Mexico’s leading runners followed behind the international contenders, with Margarita Hernandez finishing seventh in 2:46:14, followed by Estefany Rodriguez in 2:50:04. Ines Sarate Gil placed ninth in 2:55:20, while Micaela Rayo Reyes completed the top 10 in 2:55:58.

2026 Mexico City Marathon — Women's Top 10

  1. Kasegn Alemtsehay Asefa — Ethiopia — 2:29:30

  2. Gebremedhin Alema — Ethiopia — 2:32:23

  3. Tefera Mekashu — Ethiopia — 2:34:04

  4. Saida Meneses — Peru — 2:34:41

  5. Gerefa Hailu — Ethiopia — 2:36:05

  6. Dorine Jerop — Kenya — 2:36:32

  7. Margarita Hernandez — Mexico — 2:46:14

  8. Estefany Rodriguez — Mexico — 2:50:04

  9. Ines Sarate Gil — Mexico — 2:55:20

  10. Micaela Rayo Reyes — Mexico — 2:55:58

The women’s race ultimately belonged to Ethiopia, with four of the top five finishers representing the East African distance-running powerhouse. Asefa’s winning performance was the highlight, but the depth shown by her compatriots made the result even more impressive.

The Mexico City Marathon is unlike many other major city marathons because of its extraordinary elevation. At more than 2,200 metres above sea level, maintaining marathon pace requires not only physical strength but also careful management of effort and oxygen demand. Asefa’s ability to produce a 2:29:30 under those circumstances makes her victory particularly noteworthy.

For Asefa, the reward was a memorable victory on one of the world's most distinctive marathon courses. For Ethiopia, it was an emphatic statement of strength, with the country sweeping the entire women's podium in Mexico City.

Peru’s Cristhian Pacheco produced a magnificent performance to win the 2026 Mexico City Marathon, overcoming a strong international field and the demanding conditions of one of the world’s highest-profile high-altitude marathons.

Pacheco crossed the finish line in 2:10:03, securing a memorable victory on the streets of Mexico’s capital. Racing at an altitude of approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, the Peruvian had to contend with reduced oxygen availability and a course that places considerable demands on even the most experienced marathoners.

The race developed into a fascinating battle between Pacheco and a group of leading Ethiopian and African runners. However, the Peruvian remained composed as the kilometres accumulated and eventually established himself at the front, producing a strong finish to secure the title.

Behind Pacheco, Ethiopia’s Anbesa Tesfaye finished second in 2:11:25, followed by compatriot Balew Derseh in 2:11:58. Bolivia’s Héctor Garibay was fourth in 2:12:37, while Ethiopia’s Workneh Tasew completed the top five in 2:17:11.

For Pacheco, the triumph adds another important chapter to an already distinguished marathon career. The Peruvian has established himself as one of South America’s leading long-distance runners, and victory in Mexico City once again demonstrated his ability to compete successfully against some of the strongest marathoners from Africa and beyond.

The demanding altitude made Pacheco’s achievement even more impressive. Rather than allowing the conditions to dictate the outcome, he managed his effort intelligently, stayed patient during the crucial stages and found the strength required to separate himself from his rivals when the race entered its decisive phase.

His victory also carries special significance for Peru, continuing the country’s proud marathon tradition on the Mexico City stage. Pacheco’s performance showed a combination of experience, resilience and tactical discipline, qualities that proved decisive over the final kilometres of a race where every second and every ounce of energy mattered.

Pacheco’s success is therefore more than simply another entry in the results book. It is a powerful reminder that great marathon performances are built not only on speed, but also on patience, preparation and the ability to withstand adversity. In Mexico City, the Peruvian delivered all three—and walked away as champion.

 2026 Mexico City Marathon — Men’s Top 10

  1. Cristhian Pacheco (Peru) — 2:10:03

  2. Anbesa Tesfaye (Ethiopia) — 2:11:25 

  3. Balew Derseh (Ethiopia) — 2:11:58 

  4. Héctor Garibay (Bolivia) — 2:12:37

  5. Workneh Tasew (Ethiopia) — 2:17:11

  6. Boit Mike Kiptum (Kenya) — 2:17:32

  7. Cornelius Kibiwott (Kenya) — 2:17:38

  8. Fernando Tapia (Ecuador) — 2:21:12

  9. Emmanuel Reyes (Mexico) — 2:21:35

  10. Bett Kiprotich (Kenya) — 2:22:38

Cristhian Pacheco has conquered Mexico City—and in doing so, delivered a performance of Peruvian pride, determination and marathon excellence. 

For seven relentless days, Débora Simas turned a treadmill inside a bustling shopping mall in Florianópolis, Brazil, into the stage for an extraordinary feat of endurance.

When the clock reached 168 hours at midday on Sunday, the 55-year-old ultramarathoner had covered an astonishing 866.21 kilometres — approximately 538 miles. That distance put her more than 20 kilometres beyond the previous Guinness World Records benchmark of 846.16 kilometres, set by New Zealand’s Emma Timmis in June 2024.

The achievement was the culmination of a challenge that demanded far more than simply running. For an entire week, Simas had to manage the relentless combination of physical fatigue, sleep deprivation, nutrition, recovery and the mental strain of repeatedly stepping back onto the treadmill.

Her temporary home was a tent positioned behind the treadmill, where she grabbed short periods of sleep and attended to essential recovery needs. Food, medical attention and other necessities had to be carefully fitted around the demands of the attempt, while a private bathroom inside the shopping centre provided the only place where she could briefly step away from the public eye.

This was not Simas’s first encounter with the unforgiving nature of seven-day treadmill running. In 2019, she completed 800.61 kilometres over the same 168-hour period at the Beiramar Shopping centre, setting a Brazilian and South American record at the time.  Her return seven years later was driven by a very different ambition: to go beyond the world’s best mark.

The preparation behind the attempt was equally remarkable. Simas reportedly spent two years preparing for the challenge while balancing two jobs, often training largely on her own. Every kilometre of that preparation ultimately became part of a much bigger test of patience, resilience and belief.

There were moments during the seven days when the body threatened to take control. At one stage, a severe cramp placed the attempt in jeopardy and forced members of her support team to intervene. Yet Simas recovered and continued, refusing to let one difficult moment derail an effort that had taken years to build.

Her final distance of 866.21 kilometres represents an average of about 123.7 kilometres per day, or roughly 5.15 kilometres every hour across the full 168-hour period. That figure includes the periods when she was required to stop for essential needs, making the scale of the accomplishment even more striking.

Simas now has the number that matters most: 866.21 kilometres. However, there is an important distinction between breaking the previous mark and having the Guinness title officially ratified. Guinness World Records notes that records can change before they are immediately reflected online, and official recognition depends on the verification process.

For Simas, though, the significance of the achievement goes far beyond a number on a leaderboard. Her journey was a battle against exhaustion, discomfort and the powerful urge to stop — a test in which mental strength became just as important as physical endurance.

“I had to face the sleepiness, the pain, the exhaustion, and moments when my head had to be stronger than my body,” she said.

After 168 hours, the treadmill finally fell silent. Débora Simas stepped away having transformed seven days of relentless running into one of the most remarkable endurance performances of her career — and, pending official verification, a new women’s world-best mark for distance covered on a treadmill in one week.

There are moments in sport that transcend medals, records, and championships. The safe return of Brazilian Olympic marathoner Daniel Ferreira do Nascimento is one of those moments.

After 44 agonizing days of uncertainty, fear, and relentless searching, the South American marathon record holder has been found alive, bringing overwhelming relief to his family, friends, and the global athletics community.

Daniel had been missing since June 19, after leaving his family home in Paraguaçu Paulista, in the interior of São Paulo state, carrying only a black backpack. His sudden disappearance sparked growing concern as days turned into weeks with no confirmed information about his whereabouts.

The emotional breakthrough came after his mother, who had tirelessly appealed to the public through social media for help in finding her son, confirmed that he had been located. She immediately traveled to a police station in Brazil's capital to reunite with him, ending more than six weeks of heartbreaking uncertainty.

The family's search had captured widespread attention across Brazil and beyond. About a month after Daniel disappeared, relatives launched a major online campaign hoping someone would recognize him or provide information. In a particularly heartbreaking moment, the Olympic marathoner spent his 28th birthday away from those who love him, still missing as the desperate search continued.

Behind the headlines lies a deeply personal struggle. According to his family, Daniel has been battling severe depression, a challenge that intensified following a doping case that abruptly brought his elite running career to a halt. In 2025, he received a five-year suspension, backdated to July 15, 2024, making him ineligible to compete in official events until 2029.

Despite the setbacks that have marked the past two years, today's news is not about records or racing. It is about life, hope, and the immeasurable joy of a family being reunited with their loved one.

Daniel remains one of South America's finest marathon runners, having represented Brazil at the Olympic Games and set a South American marathon record with a personal best of 2:04:51. Yet, this remarkable chapter serves as a powerful reminder that even the strongest athletes can face invisible battles beyond the finish line.

As Daniel returns to the care of his family, the athletics world shares in a collective sense of gratitude. The greatest victory today is not measured by time or trophies—it is the simple, priceless truth that he is alive.

The entire running community wishes Daniel strength, healing, and peace as he begins the next chapter of his journey, surrounded by the love and support of those who never stopped believing he would come home.

The streets of Colombia's capital witnessed a truly unforgettable performance on Sunday as Kenya's Erick Sang produced a breathtaking run to win the 2026 Bogotá Half Marathon, rewriting the event's history in spectacular fashion. Delivering a masterclass of strength, composure, and relentless pace, Sang stormed across the finish line in an official gun time of 1:01:59, becoming the new course record holder and etching his name into the race's history.

From the opening kilometers, Sang looked determined to produce something extraordinary. Running with remarkable confidence and rhythm despite Bogotá's demanding high-altitude conditions, he gradually pulled away from his closest challengers before unleashing a powerful finishing surge. With every stride, he moved closer to history, eventually shattering the previous course record in emphatic fashion. His landmark performance was a perfect blend of endurance, tactical intelligence, and unwavering determination, transforming an already prestigious race into a historic occasion.

Ethiopia's Bereket Nega finished second in 1:03:42, delivering a strong performance to secure the runner-up spot, while Kenya's Philemon Kiplimo completed the podium in 1:03:53 after an impressive and consistent race. Kenya's dominance continued with Gideon Kiprop finishing fourth in 1:04:23, just one second ahead of Ecuador's Luis Masabanda, who delighted the home-region supporters by claiming fifth place in 1:04:24.

Men's Elite Top Five Results

1. Erick Sang (Kenya) – 1:01:59

2. Bereket Nega (Ethiopia) – 1:03:42

3. Philemon Kiplimo (Kenya) – 1:03:53

4. Gideon Kiprop (Kenya) – 1:04:23

5. Luis Masabanda (Ecuador) – 1:04:24

The 2026 Bogotá Half Marathon once again reinforced its reputation as one of South America's premier road racing events, attracting a world-class field eager to conquer its challenging high-altitude course. Amid fierce international competition, Erick Sang rose to the occasion with a performance of exceptional quality, combining patience, precision, and explosive finishing strength. His record-breaking victory not only secured the biggest title of the day but also raised the standard of the event, inspiring future generations of athletes to chase greatness on the historic streets of Bogotá.

Sang's magnificent triumph was far more than a race victory—it was a defining moment in the history of the Bogotá Half Marathon. By dismantling the course record with such authority, he delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. His electrifying finish, fearless pursuit of excellence, and unforgettable display of resilience captivated spectators from start to finish, proving that true champions are those who dare to push beyond limits and leave a lasting legacy.

The 2026 SP City Marathon produced a captivating display of endurance and determination, bringing together elite athletes from Brazil, Kenya, and Ethiopia for a fiercely contested men's race through the streets of São Paulo. With victory hanging in the balance until the closing meters, Brazil's Gilmar Silvestre emerged triumphant, claiming the title in 2:16:34 after an unforgettable battle.

Silvestre was tested every step of the way by Kenya's Nicolas Kiptoo, who crossed the finish line with the same official time of 2:16:34 to secure second place in one of the closest finishes of the race. Fellow Kenyan Isaac Lelei completed the podium with an impressive 2:17:32, capping off a highly competitive contest among the leading trio.

Brazil continued its strong showing through Hiago Silva, who finished fourth in 2:21:40, while compatriot Andre Luiz claimed fifth in 2:22:33. Ethiopia's Abdena Kuma was the highest-placed Ethiopian athlete, taking sixth in 2:23:22, just one second ahead of Brazil's Victor Oliveira, who finished seventh in 2:23:23.

The depth of the field was further highlighted by Michael Paula, who placed eighth in 2:25:47, Raphael Magalhaes, who secured ninth in 2:27:34, and Leonardo Alves, who rounded out the top ten in 2:28:04.

Top 10 Men's Elite Results – 2026 SP City Marathon

1. Gilmar Silvestre (Brazil) – 2:16:34

2. Nicolas Kiptoo (Kenya) – 2:16:34

3. Isaac Lelei (Kenya) – 2:17:32

4. Hiago Silva (Brazil) – 2:21:40

5. Andre Luiz (Brazil) – 2:22:33

6. Abdena Kuma (Ethiopia) – 2:23:22

7. Victor Oliveira (Brazil) – 2:23:23

8. Michael Paula (Brazil) – 2:25:47

9. Raphael Magalhaes (Brazil) – 2:27:34

10. Leonardo Alves (Brazil) – 2:28:04

The race reached a breathtaking climax as Gilmar Silvestre and Nicolas Kiptoo charged down the finishing straight shoulder-to-shoulder, neither willing to surrender an inch after more than two hours of relentless effort. Every stride reflected months of sacrifice, discipline, and unwavering belief, while every second carried the weight of a dream. As thousands of spectators erupted in applause, Silvestre summoned one final surge of strength to edge ahead in the closing meters, with Kiptoo matching him on the official clock in a finish that will long be remembered. It was a powerful reminder that marathon running is about far more than crossing the line first—it is a celebration of courage, resilience, and the unbreakable human spirit.

The 2026 SP City Marathon once again reaffirmed its status as one of South America's premier road races, delivering a world-class competition, remarkable performances, and a dramatic finish that left athletes and fans alike with memories to cherish long after the final runner had crossed the finish line.

The countdown is on for the 2026 São Paulo Marathon, where an elite international field is set to battle for one of South America's most prestigious road racing titles on Sunday, July 26, in Brazil.

Ethiopia's Tulu Wami arrives carrying the fastest personal best in the field, having clocked an outstanding 2:05:19, making him the man every rival will be watching when the race gets underway. On paper, Wami stands as the favorite, but championship marathons are rarely decided by statistics alone.

Kenya will mount a formidable challenge through Denis Kipkosgei and Isaack Lelei, two accomplished marathoners eager to upset the pre-race predictions. Kipkosgei brings a personal best of 2:08:36, while Lelei has demonstrated his own consistency with a lifetime best of 2:09:32. Both possess the experience and tactical awareness to capitalize if the race turns into a battle of endurance rather than pure speed.

With three proven distance runners leading a deep and competitive field, the stage is set for an intriguing contest over the 42.195-kilometre distance. Whether the pace is aggressive from the gun or develops into a strategic duel in the closing kilometres, every move will carry significant weight.

Brazilian fans can expect an exciting spectacle as East Africa's marathon powerhouses renew one of the sport's greatest rivalries on Brazilian roads. Wami may hold the quickest credentials, but Kipkosgei and Lelei will be determined to write a different ending and take the title back to Kenya.

As anticipation builds ahead of Sunday's race, one question remains:

Will Tulu Wami justify his status as the fastest man in the field, or will Denis Kipkosgei or Isaack Lelei produce a memorable upset to claim the São Paulo Marathon crown?

The countdown is on for what promises to be one of South America's most compelling marathon races of the year, as an exceptional men's elite field prepares to line up for the New Balance 42K Porto Alegre in Brazil on 12 July 2026.

Leading the field is marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, whose remarkable personal best of 2:01:09 makes him the standout name on an entry list packed with proven international performers. The two-time Olympic marathon champion brings unrivalled experience and one of the greatest résumés in distance running, adding global prestige to the Porto Alegre event.

Just days before the race, Kipchoge shared an emotional message on social media, revealing the personal significance of his return to Brazil.

"The second part of my World Tour takes me to Porto Alegre, Brazil, a place that holds a very special meaning in my heart and in my career," he wrote.

Kipchoge reflected on the memories that continue to inspire him, recalling that Brazil was where he captured his first Olympic marathon gold medal—a defining achievement that transformed both his career and his life.

"Going back to Brazil means a lot to me. This is where I won my first Olympic gold medal, a moment that changed my life forever and shaped the path I continue to walk today. The memories of that achievement will always stay with me, not as a finish line, but as a beginning. To return here carries deep meaning."

He concluded his message by inviting fans to be part of the occasion, saying: "Porto Alegre, let us run together and celebrate the spirit of Brazil and the energy of South America."

Kipchoge will face a formidable challenge from a deep and competitive field featuring Ethiopia's Shifera Tamru (2:05:18), Kebede Tulu Wami (2:05:19) and Derese Workneh (2:06:58), all capable of producing world-class performances on the right day.

Kenya will also be strongly represented by Philemon Kiptoo (2:05:35), Timothy Kipkorir Kattam (2:06:40), Thomas Kibet Maru (2:07:53) and Dominic Nyairo (2:09:13), ensuring another thrilling chapter in the long-standing Kenya-Ethiopia rivalry that has defined elite marathon racing for decades.

The international field is further strengthened by Brazil's José Márcio Leão and Paulo Roberto Paula, Chile's Hugo Catrileo, Morocco's Yakoub Labquira and Zineddine Ouria, and Paraguay's Derlys Ayala, giving the race a truly global flavour.

With a blend of marathon champions, rising contenders and experienced campaigners assembled on the start line, the streets of Porto Alegre are set to host a captivating battle over 42.195 kilometres. Beyond the pursuit of victory, Kipchoge's return adds an emotional dimension to the event, reconnecting him with a country where one of the defining chapters of his legendary career was written. As the world turns its attention to Brazil, fans can expect a fiercely contested race where tactical brilliance, endurance and resilience will determine who emerges victorious.

The stage is set for another thrilling edition of the Bogotá Half Marathon, with race organisers unveiling a world-class elite field for the 2026 event, scheduled for 26 July in Bogotá, Colombia.

Athletes from across the globe are expected to converge on the Colombian capital for one of South America's most prestigious road races, setting the scene for an intense battle on Bogotá's challenging high-altitude course.

Among the standout names in the men's field is Philemon Kiplimo, whose exceptional personal best of 58:11 makes him one of the fastest athletes confirmed for the race. He is joined by Charles Matata (59:15), Gideon Kiprop (59:20) and Erick Sang (59:38), adding further quality to an already stacked international lineup.

While the Kenyan quartet arrives with impressive credentials, they will face strong opposition from elite runners representing other nations, ensuring the race is far from a one-country contest. The diverse field promises a fascinating clash of styles, experience and tactics as athletes chase victory through the streets of Bogotá.

Renowned for its altitude of more than 2,600 metres above sea level, the Bogotá Half Marathon has long been regarded as one of the most demanding races on the international road-running calendar. Success on this course requires not only speed but also exceptional endurance, patience and race management.

With proven performers and emerging talents from around the world set to take their places on the start line, the 2026 Bogotá Half Marathon is shaping up to deliver another memorable chapter in the event's rich history. Fans can look forward to a captivating contest as some of the world's finest distance runners battle for top honours in Colombia.

Ethiopian distance-running sensation Yomif Kejelcha is set to take his talents to South America after confirming his participation in the 2026 Buenos Aires Half Marathon, scheduled for August 23 in Argentina. The announcement has already generated excitement across the athletics world, with fans and analysts eager to see whether one of the sport's most accomplished road racers can mount an assault on the men's half marathon world record.

Kejelcha arrives in Buenos Aires carrying the reputation of a proven champion. Over the years, the Ethiopian star has built an impressive résumé on both the track and the roads, earning global recognition for his exceptional speed, endurance, and tactical brilliance. His move to compete in one of Latin America's premier road races adds another fascinating chapter to a career that has consistently delivered memorable performances.

The spotlight, however, will inevitably fall on the record books. The current men's half marathon world record belongs to Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, who stunned the athletics community with a historic performance several weeks ago, raising the bar to unprecedented heights. Since then, speculation has centered on which athlete possesses the talent and courage to challenge the new benchmark.

Kejelcha is undoubtedly among the leading candidates. Known for his aggressive racing style and ability to maintain relentless pace over long distances, the Ethiopian has repeatedly demonstrated that he thrives when chasing ambitious targets. Buenos Aires, with its traditionally fast course and competitive field, could provide the ideal setting for another landmark performance.

Yet breaking a world record is never guaranteed. Beyond physical preparation, such an achievement requires perfect weather conditions, flawless pacing, and an athlete capable of delivering the race of a lifetime. Even for a runner of Kejelcha's caliber, the challenge posed by Kiplimo's mark remains immense.

As the countdown to August begins, anticipation continues to build. Will Yomif Kejelcha simply add another major victory to his collection, or will he produce a performance that rewrites history? The answer awaits on the streets of Buenos Aires, where one of the world's finest distance runners will attempt to turn ambition into achievement and perhaps launch a serious attack on one of athletics' most coveted records.

At 41 years old, marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge continues to defy time and redefine greatness. After opening his 2026 World Marathon Tour campaign at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa, the Kenyan legend is now preparing for the next stop of his global journey — the Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil on Sunday, July 12.

Kipchoge crossed the finish line in Cape Town in 2:13:29, placing 16th overall while maintaining an average pace of 3:09 per kilometre. Although the result may not reflect the dominance that defined many of his peak years, the performance once again highlighted the extraordinary longevity, discipline, and fighting spirit of one of the greatest marathon runners in history.

Even at 41, Kipchoge remains one of the most respected and influential figures in world athletics. His presence alone transforms races into global attractions, drawing attention from fans, athletes, and organizers across continents. From his historic unofficial sub-two-hour marathon achievement — a groundbreaking performance that changed the perception of human endurance forever to multiple Olympic and World Marathon Major triumphs, the Kenyan superstar has already secured a legacy few athletes will ever match.

Now, attention shifts to Brazil, where excitement is rapidly building ahead of his appearance at the Porto Alegre Marathon. The race is expected to attract massive international interest as South American fans prepare to witness one of the sport’s greatest icons compete live on their streets.

Kipchoge’s enduring philosophy, “No Human Is Limited,” continues to inspire millions around the world. More than a slogan, it has become a symbol of resilience, ambition, and the belief that barriers are meant to be challenged regardless of age or circumstance.

As he continues his 2026 campaign, Kipchoge is proving that greatness is not only measured by victories, but also by consistency, influence, and the courage to keep competing at the highest level. From Cape Town to Porto Alegre, the marathon king’s remarkable journey continues to captivate the athletics world.

Uruguayan distance sensation Santiago Catrofe delivered the performance of his life in spectacular fashion, rewriting South American athletics history with a breathtaking run in the men’s 3000m. Competing against some of the world’s strongest distance runners, Catrofe crossed the finish line in an astonishing 7:29.72 to finish 13th overall — a result that carried enormous historical significance far beyond the final placing.

With that extraordinary performance, Catrofe became the first South American athlete in history to break the legendary 7:30 barrier in the 3000m. In the process, he shattered the South American record and lowered the Uruguayan national record, producing one of the greatest distance-running performances ever seen from the continent.

Although the race was loaded with world-class talent and relentless early pace, Catrofe refused to be intimidated. He remained composed throughout the contest before producing a powerful closing effort that ensured his name would forever be etched into athletics history.

The historic run represents a major breakthrough for South American distance running and further establishes Catrofe as one of the region’s brightest stars on the global stage. His achievement sends a strong message that South American athletes are capable of competing at unprecedented levels in elite middle- and long-distance events.

For Uruguay, the performance is nothing short of monumental. Catrofe’s remarkable run is expected to inspire future generations of athletes across the continent, proving that barriers once considered impossible are now meant to be broken.

On a night where the stopwatch told an unforgettable story, Santiago Catrofe did far more than finish a race — he changed the history of South American athletics forever.

“Run in Heaven’s Capital.” That’s the bold promise as the Cali Marathon returns this Sunday in southwestern Colombia for its second edition. After a strong debut last year, organizers are aiming higher—positioning Cali as a future major international marathon.

They’ve taken a big step toward that goal with one of the deepest elite fields ever assembled on the continent. Kenya’s Ronald Korir (2:04:22) headlines the men’s race, while Eritrea’s Nazret Weldu (2:20:29) leads the women’s field. Defending champions Evans Mayaka and Emmah Ndiwa are back, but repeating will be anything but easy. No other marathon in South America currently matches Cali’s depth.

Participation has surged. A total of 20,000 athletes from 49 nations have entered across all distances, nearly doubling last year’s 11,000. The marathon itself will feature 3,000 runners. Race Director Luis Felipe Posso is encouraged but measured: the goal isn’t simply bigger numbers—it’s building a world-class marathon.

“This race has grown incredibly fast,” said Posso. “Now we want to increase the quality and establish Cali as a true destination for marathon runners.”

Even seasoned observers are impressed. Abel Antón, Spain’s two-time world marathon champion (1997, 1999), is in Cali as a guest of honor and noted how quickly the event has developed.

Conditions will play a role. At roughly 1,000 meters altitude with expected humidity and temperatures around 20°C (68°F), fast times are unlikely. But that often leads to compelling racing. Last year proved that, with late-race drama deciding the outcome. 

Mayaka and Ndiwa both set Colombian all-comers’ records in 2025—2:11:04 and 2:29:26 respectively. Organizers would love to see those marks fall again, especially a first-ever sub-2:10 on Colombian soil.

Men’s Race

The depth is remarkable. Five athletes have run under 2:06, and eight have broken 2:10. Interestingly, defending champion Evans Mayaka ranks just ninth on paper with his 2:10:00 best—but he proved last year that position on a start list doesn’t decide the race.

Ronald Korir enters as the fastest man in the field. He ran 2:04:44 in Berlin and followed that with a strong 2:05:41 for fourth place in Hamburg. After battling injuries, he’s optimistic. 

“It’s been a difficult couple of years, but my training for Cali has gone well,” Korir said. “I believe I can win.”

Ezra Tanui arrives in top form. He swept three marathons in 2025—Doha, JiLin, and Yellow River—and followed that with a 2:05:55 personal best for third in Osaka earlier this year.

“I’m confident,” Tanui said. “I’m not chasing a time—I trust my strength to carry me through.”

Adding to the moment, Kenya’s Abel Kirui—two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist—will run the final marathon of his career. The 44-year-old owns a personal best of 2:05:04 and remains one of the sport’s most respected figures.

Women’s Race

The women’s field is equally competitive. Morocco’s Fatima Gardadi could thrive in Cali’s conditions. She won bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and has proven strength in warm-weather racing. 

Nazret Weldu returns to competition after giving birth to her daughter in May last year. The Eritrean star, fourth at the 2022 World Championships and winner of the 2024 Vienna Marathon, is focused on competing rather than chasing time.

“I want to be competitive,” Weldu said. “I hope my strength will help me perform well.”

Kenya’s Stacy Ndiwa is another strong contender. The 2024 Los Angeles Marathon champion owns a 2:23:29 personal best and has shown consistency at major races. She is not related to defending champion Emmah Ndiwa, who will also be in the mix despite ranking outside the top tier on paper.

With so many athletes capable of contending, both races could come down to strength, patience, and positioning in the final kilometers—especially in Cali’s demanding conditions.

Elite runners with personal bests

MEN:

Ronald Korir KEN 2:04:22

Abel Kirui         KEN 2:05:04

Okubay Tsegay ERI 2:05:20

Eric Kiptanui KEN 2:05:47

Ezra Tanui KEN 2:05:55

Challa Gossa ETH 2:07:32

Martin Musau UGA 2:08:42

Habtamu Birlew ETH 2:09:10

Evans Mayaka KEN 2:10:00

Derlys Ayala PAR 2:10:11

Ezra Kering KEN 2:11:55

Bernard Geay TAN 2:15:47

Mayko Geay TAN Debut

Brian Kwemoi KEN Debut

David Wanjohi KEN Debut 

WOMEN:

Nazret Weldu ERI 2:20:29

Gladys Chesir KEN 2:20:30

Stacy Ndiwa KEN 2:23:29

Cynthia Kosgei KEN 2:23:43

Fatima Gardadi MAR 2:24:06

Letebrhan Haylay ETH 2:24:47

Sadiya Awel ETH 2:24:57

Emmah Ndiwa KEN 2:25:15

Rosa Chacha  ECU 2:26:43

Nigist Muluneh ETH 2:27:41

Fatiha Benchatki MAR 2:28:29

Marcela Gomes ARG 2:28:58

Veronicah Wanjiru KEN 2:29:03

The running world is set for one of its most thrilling days of the year as Sunday, April 12 delivers a marathon-packed schedule across multiple continents. From Europe’s fastest city courses to South America’s vibrant streets, elite athletes, rising contenders, and thousands of passionate runners will line up for a day that promises drama, speed, and unforgettable moments.

The spotlight will first shine on Paris, where the iconic streets of the French capital become the stage for one of the sport’s most prestigious races. With a reputation for fast times and electric crowds, the Paris Marathon is expected to provide an early burst of excitement as the world’s best chase victory through the City of Light.

Moments later, attention turns to Italy, where Milan prepares to host another major contest. Known for blending history, architecture, and fierce competition, the Milan Marathon has steadily become one of Europe’s standout races, attracting a deep field of talent each year.

As the morning unfolds, the action intensifies across the continent. Rotterdam, widely regarded as one of the fastest marathon courses in the world, once again takes center stage. The Dutch classic has produced countless memorable performances and remains a favorite destination for athletes targeting personal bests and record-breaking runs.

Elsewhere in the Netherlands, the historic Enschede Marathon adds another layer to the day’s excitement, while Germany’s Hannover Marathon promises high-energy racing and strong elite battles. Across Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Spain, runners will also take to the roads in Linz, Zurich, Bratislava, and Zaragoza, ensuring nearly every corner of Europe joins the celebration.

Beyond Europe, São Paulo will carry the marathon spirit into South America, delivering its own powerful chapter to this worldwide running festival.

For fans around the world, the schedule offers a full day of nonstop marathon action. From the first starters in Europe to the excitement building across every course, viewers everywhere will have the chance to follow elite battles, breakthrough performances, and inspiring personal journeys. No matter your time zone, this is the kind of Sunday made for running fans everywhere.

What makes this Sunday so special is not only the elite competition, but the shared spirit of the marathon itself. While world-class athletes battle for titles and records, thousands of everyday runners will be chasing personal milestones, lifelong dreams, and the unforgettable joy of crossing the finish line.

This is more than a race day—it is a celebration of endurance, ambition, and the universal power of running. Wherever you are watching from, prepare for a remarkable Sunday as the world runs together.

The stage is set for a compelling distance-running spectacle in São Paulo, Brazil where an accomplished and diverse elite field will converge on April 12 for the latest edition of the São Paulo Marathon. With a blend of proven performers and emerging contenders, the race promises both tactical intrigue and high-quality performances across the board.

Leading the men’s lineup is Kenya’s Jonathan Maiyo, the standout entrant on paper with a personal best of 2:04:56. Known for his consistency and strength over the marathon distance, Maiyo enters as the man to beat, carrying both experience and pedigree into the Brazilian streets.

He will be closely challenged by compatriots Ezekiel Kemboi Omullo (2:08:26) and William Kibor (2:08:32), both of whom bring solid credentials and the capacity to influence the pace. With such depth among the Kenyan trio, the men’s race could unfold into a strategic battle rather than a straightforward time trial, especially if conditions play a role.

In the women’s contest, Uganda’s Nancy Cheptegei headlines the field with a personal best of 2:31:45. She faces stiff competition from Kenya’s Vivian Jeftanui Kiplagat (2:37:14) and Edna Jeruto Kimitei (2:43:15), both eager to challenge for top honors and potentially upset the pre-race hierarchy.

Beyond the statistics, the São Paulo Marathon is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and demanding course, factors that often shape unpredictable outcomes. The combination of urban energy, climatic variables, and tactical racing typically ensures that victories are earned through resilience as much as raw speed.

As the countdown to race day narrows, anticipation continues to build. Whether it’s a dominant display from the favorites or a breakthrough performance from an outsider, all signs point to a gripping contest in one of South America’s premier road races.

A fresh chapter in global race walking is set to be written in Ciaxa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasília 26, where the women’s half marathon makes its long-awaited championship debut in the Brazilian Capital. On Sunday, April 12, the Brazilian capital will host a compelling mix of proven champions and rising contenders, all navigating the uncertainty of a distance that promises both opportunity and unpredictability.

With 74 athletes representing 28 nations, the race introduces a new tactical dimension to elite race walking. The one-kilometre loop course in Brasília will test not only endurance and pacing but also adaptability, as athletes transition from the traditional 20km format to this slightly longer challenge.

Leading the charge is Peru’s Kimberly García, a double world champion from 2022 and the reigning 20km champion from the previous edition. García has opened her 2026 season in impressive fashion, clocking a personal best of 1:34:17 at Dudince, underlining her readiness to contend for top honours. Her consistency and championship pedigree make her one of the standout names heading into this historic race.

She is joined by compatriot Evelyn Inga, who arrives with momentum after a breakthrough victory at the Dudinská 50, where she set a South American record of 1:33:49. Together, the Peruvian duo not only strengthens their individual medal prospects but also boosts their nation’s chances in the team standings, having narrowly missed out on the title in the previous championships.

China, however, looms large once again. With exceptional depth, the Asian powerhouse fields five of the six fastest entrants. At the forefront is Ji Haiying, who leads the field with a world-class 1:32:22 recorded in Taicang. She is closely backed by Guo Na (1:32:24) and Dou Maocuo (1:32:27), forming a formidable trio that places China as overwhelming favourites for the team crown.

Spain’s Antía Chamosa adds further intrigue. The 26-year-old has steadily climbed the ranks and enters the championships in peak form after securing the national title with a personal best of 1:33:45. Her progression, combined with a strong showing at recent global events, suggests she could be a serious threat in this new format.

Meanwhile, Poland’s Katarzyna Zdziebło brings invaluable experience. A double world silver medallist, she thrives in high-pressure championship races. Although yet to record a time over the half marathon distance, her tactical awareness and finishing strength could prove decisive in what is expected to be a closely contested race.

Australia also enters the fray with genuine medal ambitions. Rebecca Henderson recently surged to a personal best of 1:32:25 to claim her national title, placing her among the fastest in the field. Alongside her, Olivia Sandery adds depth, having finished second domestically with 1:34:09, ensuring Australia remains competitive in both individual and team battles.

Elsewhere, Mexico’s Alejandra Ortega—third in Dudince—continues to show consistent form, while France’s emerging talent Pauline Stey is steadily gaining ground on the global stage and could challenge the established names.

Italy’s Nicole Colombi remains an intriguing wildcard, having entered both the half marathon and marathon events, with her final decision still pending.

Notably absent, however, are two of the sport’s biggest names: Spain’s double world champion María Pérez and Italy’s Olympic champion Antonella Palmisano. Their absence leaves the podium wide open, creating a rare opportunity for new champions to emerge.

As the sport embraces this new distance, Brasília stands as the stage for innovation, ambition, and history. With no established blueprint for success, the women’s half marathon promises a race defined not just by speed, but by strategy, resilience, and the courage to master the unknown.

At the prestigious Berlin Half Marathon, a new name surged into global recognition as Sheyla Eulogio Paucar delivered a performance that blended courage, precision, and historic significance. The young Peruvian clocked an outstanding 1:10:03 to finish 18th overall, a result that not only elevated her standing on the international stage but also rewrote her nation’s record books. In doing so, she secured the third-fastest half marathon time ever recorded by a South American woman, placing herself among the continent’s most elite distance runners.

From the opening kilometers, Eulogio demonstrated remarkable composure, settling into a strong and consistent rhythm that reflected both tactical awareness and physical strength. She passed 5 kilometers in 16:24 and reached 10 kilometers in 32:46, maintaining an impressive 3:17 per kilometer pace. By 15 kilometers, she remained firmly in control at 49:17, before pushing through the final stretch to cross the line in 1:10:03. Her disciplined execution and ability to sustain pace under pressure revealed a maturity far beyond her years, marking her as one of the brightest emerging talents in global distance running.

Her breakthrough performance now places her firmly within the all-time greats of South American women’s half marathon running. The continental rankings are led by Florencia Borelli with 1:09:21, followed closely by Daiana Ocampo at 1:09:22. Eulogio’s 1:10:03 now stands third, ahead of a strong wave of Peruvian excellence including Zaida Ramos (1:10:05), Gladys Tejeda (1:10:14), Zarita Suárez (1:10:19), Luz Mery Rojas (1:10:32), Saida Meneses (1:10:44), Jovana de la Cruz (1:10:56), and Silvana Pereira (1:11:15).

What makes this achievement even more compelling is its broader meaning. This was not just a fast race—it was a defining moment for Peruvian athletics. Eulogio’s rise signals a generational shift, where fearless young athletes are stepping onto the world stage with the belief and ability to challenge long-standing benchmarks. Her performance in Berlin serves as a powerful reminder that greatness is not only inherited through legacy but forged through bold ambition and relentless pursuit.

In one unforgettable run, Sheyla Eulogio Paucar did more than set a national record—she ignited a movement. And as Perú continues to rise in the world of distance running, her name will stand as a symbol of what is possible when talent meets opportunity on the grandest stage.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge is set to continue his ambitious global running mission with a highly anticipated appearance at the NB42K Porto Alegre on July 12, 2026, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The South American race will form part of Kipchoge’s unique World Tour project — a challenge that will see the Kenyan great run seven marathons across all seven continents over the next two years. The initiative reflects his vision of using running as a universal platform to connect people and inspire communities around the world.

The visit to Brazil also carries deep personal significance for the two-time Olympic champion. It comes exactly ten years after his unforgettable victory in the 2016 Rio Olympic Marathon in Rio de Janeiro, where he captured the first of his Olympic gold medals and cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

In a message shared on his social media platforms, Kipchoge expressed both excitement and nostalgia about returning to Brazil.

“Running is a universal language that speaks to hope, discipline, and unity. I am very excited to return to Brazil where I won my first Olympic Gold medal. Each continent has its own spirit, and I look forward to sharing this journey with South America while inspiring people to believe that No Human Is Limited. See you on the streets of Porto Alegre on 12 July at the NB42k!”

Kipchoge’s global journey will begin on African soil at the Cape Town Marathon in Cape Town, South Africa on May 24, before the legendary Kenyan heads to South America for the Brazilian stop.

As the world’s most celebrated marathoner continues to write new chapters in his remarkable career, his message remains clear — that running has the power to unite people across continents while reminding the world that no human is limited. 

The 2026 Liévin Meeting in the northern French city of Liévin produced a race that far exceeded the expectations of a so-called “Final B.” What unfolded over 1500 meters was a fiercely competitive contest marked by tactical precision, fearless racing, and a record that reshaped South American middle-distance history.

From the opening stride, the tempo was purposeful. The field refused to allow the pace to drift, stringing out early and maintaining a rhythm that demanded both patience and courage. Every lap tightened the tension, every move tested resolve. By the bell, it was clear that something special was developing.

Adam Spencer of Australia delivered the decisive blow. Calm under pressure and perfectly positioned, he launched his finishing drive with controlled aggression, separating himself when it mattered most. He powered through the line in 3:35.23, a performance that reflected maturity, strength, and confidence on the indoor stage.

Close behind, Valentín Soca of Uruguay was writing a chapter of his own. Stopping the clock at 3:35.50, Soca shattered the South American Indoor Record in the 1500 meters. The performance marked a significant leap forward from his previous indoor best of 3:36.34, set in January in Antequera, Spain. The improvement was not marginal — it was emphatic. Soca did not merely lower a record; he elevated the standard for an entire continent.

France found reason to celebrate as well. Romain Mornet rose to the occasion in front of the home crowd, finishing third in 3:35.89 after holding his composure throughout a relentless pace. His podium finish added a local highlight to an already exceptional race.

The depth behind the podium underscored the quality of the field. Pinto Marques of Portugal secured fourth place in 3:36.13, narrowly ahead of France’s Titouan Le Grix, who clocked 3:36.16 for fifth. Luke McCann of the Netherlands finished sixth in 3:39.89, followed by Belgium’s Rubén Verheyden in 3:40.07. Mohamed Attaoui of Spain crossed in 3:41.31 for eighth, while Heithem Chenitef of Algeria completed the lineup in 3:41.56.

Official Results – Men’s 1500m Final B

1. Adam Spencer (Australia) – 3:35.23

2. Valentín Soca (Uruguay) – 3:35.50 – South American Indoor Record

3. Romain Mornet (France) – 3:35.89

4. Pinto Marques (Portugal) – 3:36.13

5. Titouan Le Grix (France) – 3:36.16

6. Luke McCann (Netherlands) – 3:39.89

7. Rubén Verheyden (Belgium) – 3:40.07

8. Mohamed Attaoui (Spain) – 3:41.31

9. Heithem Chenitef (Algeria) – 3:41.56

What transpired in Liévin was more than a race result — it was a reminder that elite competition knows no hierarchy of labels. In one electrifying contest, victory was seized with authority, history was rewritten with conviction, and the 1500 meters once again proved that when preparation meets daring ambition, the outcome resonates far beyond the finish line.

The men’s 3000m at the Madrid Indoor Tour delivered exactly what modern indoor racing promises: patience, positioning, and a decisive final lap where speed becomes the ultimate weapon. In a race featuring championship experience and rising global talent, South Africa’s Tshepo Tshite emerged victorious with a perfectly timed finishing surge, clocking 7:39.11 in one of the most competitive indoor races of the season.

Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale entered the race as the clear favorite. Known for his relentless strength and proven championship pedigree, Wale took responsibility early, setting a controlled tempo designed to gradually wear down the field. For much of the race, the pack remained tightly grouped, with no one willing to commit too early in what quickly became a tactical contest.

In today’s indoor 3000m, races are often decided not by who leads early, but by who executes best when it matters most. That moment came with just over one lap remaining.

Tshite, a former 800m and 1500m specialist, demonstrated both patience and confidence. With 400 meters to go, he made his move, accelerating decisively and forcing the field to respond. Uruguay’s Valentín Soca, one of the sport’s fastest-rising young talents, answered immediately, matching Tshite stride for stride as the two separated themselves from Wale and the rest of the pack.

The final straight became a test of speed, timing, and composure. Tshite held his form and crossed the line first in 7:39.11. Soca followed closely in 7:39.91, while Wale, who had carried the early pace, finished third in 7:39.98, underscoring how narrow the margins are at this level.

Tshite’s victory continues an exceptional stretch of racing. Just days earlier in Ostrava, he set a South African indoor record of 7:38.17, confirming his transition from middle-distance specialist to elite 3000m contender. His ability to combine endurance with world-class finishing speed makes him one of the most dangerous competitors on the indoor circuit.

Soca, only 23, continues to build his reputation as one of South America’s most promising distance runners. Already a continental record holder, he showed he belongs among the world’s best, demonstrating both tactical intelligence and finishing strength.

For Wale, the race reinforced both his consistency and the evolving nature of modern distance running. His strength and experience remain formidable, but indoor racing increasingly rewards athletes who can shift gears instantly in the closing stages.

Madrid’s 3000m was a clear reminder of how the event continues to evolve. Strength still matters—but speed, timing, and tactical precision now define success. On this night, Tshepo Tshite delivered all three, and his victory confirmed his arrival as one of the leading distance runners of 2026.

The World Athletics Indoor Championships began on March 21, 2025, in Nanjing, China, featuring outstanding performances across various events.

Matheus Lima da Silva Sets South American Record

Brazil’s Matheus Lima da Silva set a new South American indoor record in the men’s 400 meters, clocking 45.79 seconds to win his heat and advance to the semifinals.  

Triple Jump Gold for Andy Díaz Hernández

Italy’s Andy Díaz Hernández secured gold in the men’s triple jump with a leap of 17.80 meters, setting a new Italian record. China’s Zhu Yaming took silver with 17.33 meters, and Brazil’s Almir Dos Santos earned bronze with 17.22 meters.  

Jeremiah Azu Triumphs in Men’s 60 Meters

Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu won the men’s 60 meters final, recording a personal best of 6.49 seconds. Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy finished second in 6.50 seconds, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine claimed bronze with 6.54 seconds.  

Woo Sang-hyeok Wins High Jump

South Korea’s Woo Sang-hyeok claimed gold in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.31 meters. New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr and Jamaica’s Raymond Richards both cleared 2.28 meters, earning silver and bronze respectively based on countback rules.

Strong Performances in Middle-Distance Events

In the men’s 800 meters heats, France’s Yanis Meziane led with a time of 1:46.07, followed by the USA’s Brandon Miller at 1:46.47, and Puerto Rico’s John Rivera at 1:46.84.  

The opening day set a high standard, with athletes delivering exceptional performances and setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.

Kenya's Hellen Ekalale Lobun and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren claimed victories at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun, a World Athletics Label road race, on Sunday (12).

Lobun, who took the women’s title in 29:30, moved to fourth on the world all-time list while Almgren took 11 seconds off the European record, winning the men’s race in 26:53.

In a race of incredible depth, the first four women now feature in the top 10 on the world all-time list, while the men’s contest marked the first time 11 athletes had finished inside 27:30.

The women’s contest had been billed as an assault on the Ethiopian record (29:14) by pre-race favourite Fotyen Tesfay, who won the Valencia Half Marathon in 1:03:21 in October. Paced by Spain’s Abedarrahman El Khayami, the lead quartet of Tesfay, Lobun, Girmawit Gebrezihair and teenager Asayech Ayichew went through 3km in 8:46, putting them on course to break the world record of 28:46.

The cadence soon dropped, however, and Tesfay went through 5km in 14:31 with Lobun five seconds behind, Ayichew another two seconds in arrears and Gebrezihair clocking 14:42. Soon after, Tesfay had been reeled back in, and the lead trio – Tesfay, Lobun and Gebrezihair – reached 7km in 20:29.

Approaching the final kilometre, Tesfay dropped back, leaving Lobun and Gebrezihair to duel for the victory. Lobun broke away from her Ethiopian rival with 600 metres to go, crossing the line in 29:30 in what was her first standalone 10km race (though she has previously contested two half marathons).

Gebrezihair was second in 29:34, taking more than a minute off her previous best, while a tired Tesfay (29:42) managed to hold off Ayichew (29:43), both women setting PBs. It’s just the second time in history – after last year’s Valencia 10k – that four women have finished inside 30 minutes.

“I didn’t expect to win but I knew I was in good shape,” said Lobun who is based in Kirenget and is coached by Williams Langat. “It was my first 10km ever so my debut has been fantastic. I’ll next compete on 23 February at the Lobo Village cross country race in Eldoret and later I’ll focus on the track season as I try to make the Kenyan team for the World Championships in Tokyo.”

Despite the absence of the scheduled pacemaker Rodrigue Kwizera, who was forced to withdraw because of flu, the men’s contest ended up being one of the best ever in terms of depth.

Kenya’s Daniel Kinyanjui, Vincent Langat and Benard Langat, along with Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku and Telahun Haile Bekele took charge of the pacing duties with Almgren, Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu and Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli also part of the leading pack. The opening 3km was covered in 8:13 and half way was passed in 13:43, suggesting a finishing time well outside 27 minutes.

The pace soon started to increase, though, as Bekele, Langat and Lobalu started to push harder, reaching 7km in 19:05 with seven athletes in the lead pack. The pace, now at 2:40/km, continued to increase as Lobalu, Langat and Almgren reached 9km well ahead of the rest.

European 10,000m champion Lobalu tried to surge in the closing stages, but Langat and Almgren stayed on his shoulder. With just seconds to go, track specialist Almgren put his kick finish to good use and edged in front to cross the line in 26:53, having covered the second half in 13:10.

Lobalu settled for second in 26:54 and Langat completed the podium in 26:55. Further down the field, Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe set a South American record of 27:16 in eighth.

“Last year I ran 27:20 here and I knew I could run much faster today,” said Almgren, the 2014 world U20 800m bronze medallist who has moved up in distance in recent years and ran 26:53.57 for 10,000m on the track last year. “It’s my first European record so I’m over the moon; I’ll now spend four weeks in the altitude of Sierra Nevada to focus on my next target, the 3000m at the European Indoor Championships.”

In addition to the area records, national records were also set by Switzerland’s Lobalu, Eritrea’s Dawit Seare (27:21), Great Britain’s Rory Leonard (27:38), Spain’s Ilias Fifa (27:41) and Ireland’s Efrem Giday (27:43).

Leading results

Women1 Hellen Lobun (KEN) 29:302 Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 29:343 Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 29:424 Asayech Ayichew (ETH) 29:435 Fentaye Belayneh (ETH) 30:006 Christine Chesiro (KEN) 30:067 Maurine Toroitich (KEN) 30:288 Miriam Serem (KEN) 30:299 Alice Chemtai (KEN) 30:4710 Lomi Muleta (ETH) 31:01

Men1 Andreas Almgren (SWE) 26:532 Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (SUI) 26:543 Vincent Langat (KEN) 26:554 Daniel Kinyanjui (KEN) 27:065 Isaac Kimeli (BEL) 27:106 Benard Langat (KEN) 27:117 Telahun Haile Bekele (ETH) 27:138 Santiago Catrofe (URU) 27:169 Dawit Seare (ERI) 27:2110 Celestin Ndikumana (BDI) 27:23

On January 12, thousands of runners will fly through the fastest 10K course in the world. Dominic Lobalu, Isaac Kimeli and Andreas Almgren arrive in Valencia with the goal of breaking the European 10K record.

The 10K Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun is finalizing the details to offer again a great show in what will be its 17th edition this coming January 12. The race, which closed its registration last December 22 after exhausting the available numbers, will feature a cast of elite athletes of up to 25 nationalities. 

According to José Enrique Muñoz Acuña, Coordinator of Elite athletes and sports director of the race, the goal this year "is to continue the level of sporting demand that has the 10K Valencia as the best 10K in Spain and holder of world records for both men and women". "This January 12 we will once again experience an event of the highest level, in which -if the conditions respect us- athletes can meet their goals and we can once again see men under 27 minutes and women under 30 minutes," he added. 

As usual in the 10K Valencia, in men "we find a list that stands out for the good level of European athletes, who come with the aim of breaking the European record", which is currently held by Etienne Daguinos (27:04, Lille 2024). For this "there are three clear favorites: Dominic Lobalu (Switzerland), Isaac Kimeli (Belgium) and Andreas Almgren (Sweden), who will have a hare to launch the race to go under 27 minutes." 

As for the African armada, several athletes stand out, such as the Ethiopians Telahun Bekele, Getnet Wale and the debutant in the distance Samuel Tefera, double world indoor 1,500ml champion. In addition to many other athletes who can opt for victory, such as Kenyans Daniel Kinyanjui, Vincent Langat or Meshack Lelgut, "In total, we have 32 men with records under28 minutes".

As for the Spanish representation, several names stand out: Abdessamad Oukhelfen, current national record holder of the distance with 27:44 made last January on this circuit, Daniel Arce, who comes from running very fast in León, Juan A. Pérez Moreno, Víctor Ruiz and Aarón Las Heras. It is worth mentioning the Uruguayan athlete living in Spain, Santiago Catrofe, who comes to Valencia with the intention of improving the South American AR, which is currently held by the Argentinean Antonio Silio (27:51, 1990). 

Women, going all out 

In the women's field, three clear favorites stand out: Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia), Christine Chesiro (Kenya) and the young and talented Ethiopian athlete Asayech Ayichew, who won the Great Ethiopian Run a few weeks ago. "In addition to them we have to add a great cast of African athletes. They all come to Valencia to improve their records".  

In European terms, several athletes stand out, such as Slovenia's Klara Lukan, France's Mekdes Woldu and England's Abbie Donnelly, all of them looking to break their current records. 

In the Spanish field, we have two athletes who arrive in a similar form as Alicia Berzosa and Laura Priego, the clear favorites to win in the Spanish category without forgetting the athlete of the Serrano Athletics Club, Maria Jose Perez.

It is worth remembering that the 10K Valencia, which achieved the World Record in men in 2020 (26:24), managed to break all forecasts in the last edition when the athlete Agnes Jebet beat the 10K world record with a 28:46. On a national level, Abdessamad Oukhelfen won the Spanish men's 10K record with a time of 27:44. 

The Buenos Aires International Marathon has come to an end, with a new edition of the South American Championship for that distance taking place. The winner was Kenyan Bethwell Biwott Yegon, after a time of 2:09:04. The podium was completed by Isaac Kipkemboi Too, in second place, and Eliasa Kibet, in third.

This was the marathon with the largest number of participants in Latin America, with 15,000 runners. This was achieved after having surpassed last year's record of 11,500 participants. Among the thousands and thousands of runners, almost five thousand of them were foreigners. On the other hand, the Marathon had no less than 16 long-distance runners from African powers.

The first South American to reach the finish line was the Peruvian Ulises Ambrocio. Then, the Argentine Ignacio Erario and the Paraguayan Derlys Ayala, respectively. In the women's category, the first was the Ethiopian Yenenesh Tilahun Dinkesa.

Daniel do Nascimento, a 2:04 marathoner who famously fist-bumped Eliud Kipchoge during the last Olympic marathon, has been banned after testing positive for three illegal substances.

Brazil’s national marathon record holder and Paris Olympic-bound athlete, Daniel do Nascimento, has been provisionally suspended by the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (BDCA) after testing positive for three banned substances: drostanolone, methenolone and nandrolone.

According to Brazilian media outlet Globo, do Nascimento tested positive for the three anabolic steroids during an out-of-competition test conducted on July 4 while training in Kenya for the Paris Games. As a result, he will miss the Olympics. He was slated to run the marathon after qualifying at last year’s Hamburg Marathon with a time of 2:07:06. His personal best of 2:04:51 from the 2022 Seoul Marathon stands as the South American record. 

The three banned substances in Nascimento’s test are all anabolic steroids (precursors of testosterone). Do Nascimento will likely face a four-year ban from athletics, jeopardizing his dreams for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The 25-year-old’s suspension may be reduced to three years if he admits to the three anti-doping rule violations.

Do Nascimento’s girlfriend, Graziele Zarri, was also suspended earlier this year after testing positive for androstanediol and testosterone in a test conducted by the Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). She ran 2:42:48 in her marathon debut last December in Valencia.

Beside being the South American record holder for the marathon, do Nascimento is most famous for taking a porta-potty stop while leading the 2022 New York City Marathon. He set a blistering pace for 30 km, but ended up collapsing and did not finish the race.

Do Nascimento also made headlines at the 2020 Olympic marathon in Tokyo for exchanging mid-race fist bumps with former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge. The moment went viral, making do Nascimento a well-known name in Brazil and the distance running world.

There are just over 1 week left until the next edition of the Bogotá Half Marathon takes place, a race that takes place year after year in the capital of Colombia and brings together thousands of athletes from different parts of the world. For 2024, the participation of great international athletes is expected.

The mmB, in its two distances (10 and 21 kilometers), will be run on Sunday, July 28. And less than a month from that date, it was confirmed that six star long-distance runners, from different countries and continents, will be competing.

“World-class runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Spain, Germany and Ecuador appear on the second long list of elite foreign runners who will visit the Colombian capital to compete in the Bogotá Half Marathon on Sunday, July 28,” the organization announced.

Kenya will be represented by Gladys Kwamboka, recent gold medallist in the 10,000-metre race at the African Athletics Championships, and Philemon Kiplimo, champion of the Boston, Bahrain and Prague half marathons. South America will be represented by Ecuadorian Paula Bonilla, current national champion in the 10,000-metre race.

The participation of the German Esther Pfeiffer, winner of the 2022 Koln Half Marathon and the 2023 Koln Marathon, and the Spaniard Chakib Lachgar, first in the Belgrade Marathon and second in the Azkoitia Half Marathon, was also confirmed. The group of star long-distance runners who will run in Bogotá is completed by Asefa Boki (Ethiopia), current champion of the Xiamen Marathon.

“In this way, the confirmation of foreign elite athletes for the Bogotá Half Marathon is progressing, which this year has a new home, since the Hilton Bogotá Corferias will be the official venue of the race,” concluded the mmB.

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Six weeks ago, 19-year-old Issam Asinga, the fastest teen sprinter in world history, was handed a four-year ban from the sport of track & field after testing positive for the banned substance GW1516. Asinga’s positive sample came in July 2023, just days before he ran 9.89 seconds to become, at the time, the youngest person in history to break 10 seconds for 100 meters. Asinga, who had been provisionally suspended since August 2023 by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), appealed the decision to the AIU’s disciplinary tribunal, who ruled against him and upheld the four-year suspension on May 27.

Until then, the details of Asinga’s case had been kept secret. Now they are public, and potentially explosive.

Asinga, who maintains his innocence, blamed the positive test on contaminated Gatorade gummies he received at the company’s National Athlete of the Year ceremony in Los Angeles last summer, where he was honored as high school track & field athlete of the year. Asinga has already appealed his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where it is expected to be heard later this year. He is also mulling whether to launch a civil suit against Gatorade because the gummies in question falsely carried an NSF Certified for Sport label, which signified that the product did not contain any prohibited substances. NSF has made a public statement saying the gummies from Asinga’s lot number were not NSF Certified and the NSF Certified mark was being used without authorization.

“They distributed a supplement that wasn’t NSF Certified for Sport that had a banned substance in it,” said Asinga’s lawyer Paul Greene. “That’s violation of product liability law, negligence, implied warranty, New York state consumer protection law. I mean, it’s bad. He had the possibility of getting endorsement and NIL deals that were going to be in the millions of dollars and he lost all that as a result of this. He also lost out on the chance to compete in the World Championships and the Olympics.”

The AIU, however, was not satisfied that the gummies were the source of Asinga’s positive test, and its disciplinary tribunal agreed.

Incredible 2023 high school season

Asinga’s is one of the highest-profile doping cases in recent years. After running personal bests of 10.44 seconds in the 100m and 20.76 in the 200m as a junior in 2022 at Principia High School in Missouri, Asinga transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida for his senior year, where he improved enormously and produced one of the greatest seasons ever by a high school sprinter.

During the 2023 indoor season, Asinga won national high school titles in the 60m (6.59) and 200m (20.48) at New Balance Nationals, tying the national record in the former event (he ran 6.57 in the semis) and breaking the national record in the latter. Outdoors, Asinga ran a wind-aided 9.83 in the 100m to defeat Noah Lyles, who would go on to win the world title in that event four months later. Asinga, who was born in the US but represents Suriname internationally, then ran 19.97 in the 200m in April (#2 all-time among US high schoolers) and 9.89 in July to win the South American 100m title in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The latter time ranked Asinga in a tie for ninth in the world in 2023. It was also a world U20 record and was the first time a US high school athlete had broken the fabled 10-second barrier.

Now that world U20 record has been stripped as Asinga finds him at the center of controversy. The 43-page decision in his case released by the AIU presents only two possible versions of events.

Option A: An 18-year-old was caught doping barely a month after being added to the international testing pool. Then he or someone in his camp tried to cover up his doping by manipulating evidence and defaming Gatorade, one of the world’s largest sports nutrition companies.

Option B: One of the greatest sprint talents in history was unjustly banned after consuming a tainted supplement given to him by one of the most famous brands in sports.

Neither picture is particularly rosy for the sport of track & field, but one of them must be true. After reviewing the evidence, the AIU and its disciplinary tribunal is clear which version it believes: Option A. As a result, Asinga is banned from competition until 2027 barring a successful appeal to CAS.

Background: Asinga enters the testing pool

Most high school track athletes, even elite ones, are rarely drug-tested. But by the spring of 2023, Asinga was running so fast it was becoming clear he could be a factor at that summer’s World Championships in Budapest. He was added to the World Athletics Testing Pool on June 1.

Asinga was tested on June 11 and returned a negative result. He was tested again out-of-competition on July 18 (in his training base of Clermont, Fla.) and again at the South American championships on July 28. The July 18 sample tested positive for GW1516, a banned substance that modifies how the body metabolizes fat and has been found to cause cancer. Specifically, Asinga’s sample tested positive for low levels of two metabolites of GW1516 — a metabolite is a substance produced when the body breaks down a specific drug. In this case, Asinga’s urine contained the GW1516 sulfone metabolite (at a concentration of 0.2 nanograms per milliliter in both his A sample and B sample) and the GW1516 sulfoxide metabolite (at a concentration of 0.5 ng/mL in his A sample and 0.4 ng/mL in his B sample).

On August 9, Asinga was informed of his positive test and provisionally suspended from competition. Shortly after, in an effort to prove his innocence, he began sending his supplements to be tested for contamination at the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), a WADA-accredited lab in Salt Lake City. The first supplement Asinga sent, melatonin gummies, tested negative. Asinga then sent a larger set of supplements, including Airborne and Skratch Lab Hydration packets as well as Gatorade Immune Support Gummies and Gatorade Recovery Gummies, two new products he had received at the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year ceremony on July 10.

All of the supplements tested negative for GW1516 except the Gatorade Recovery Gummies. In December, SMRTL informed the AIU that of the five gummies tested, four were positive for GW1516. That much, the parties agree on. From there, the narratives diverge.

Contaminated during manufacturing or as part of a coverup?

Asinga said he began taking the Recovery Gummies shortly after the ceremony on July 10 — initially two per day, then less consistently before traveling to Brazil for the South American championships on July 25. He said he did not take any gummies to Brazil. Asinga declared the gummies as a supplement on the doping control form for his July 18 test and said he had no concerns about the gummies because the container carried the NSF Certified for Sport label.

Greene said the AIU was initially reluctant to share the results of the SMRTL analysis with Asinga because it viewed the test results of products from an opened container as unreliable.  (LetsRun.com reached out to the AIU for comment on June 2 but had not received an answer as of publication).

“Normally, SMRTL’s process and the AIU’s process is if there is a preliminary finding in a supplement, they don’t initially just tell the athlete straight away,” Greene said. “They try to go and find their own sealed version and test that too and then go to confirmation testing.”

But neither SMRTL nor the AIU could find a sealed version from the same lot number as Asinga’s gummies. So, after several weeks, the AIU relented and shared the news that the Gatorade Recovery Gummies had tested positive for GW1516. Asinga said he felt he was on his way to clearing his name.

“I was like okay, boom,” Asinga told LetsRun.com. “When I got that message, I was like, okay, finally we’re going to move forward.”

But the AIU did not agree with Asinga’s assessment and hinted at something far more sinister. In the disciplinary tribunal hearing, which took place over Zoom on April 30, Martial Saugy, former director of the WADA-accredited lab in Lausanne, Switzerland, served as an expert witness for the AIU and noted that the exterior of the gummies contained much higher concentrations of GW1516 than the interior of the gummies.

“I cannot see how these results would be consistent with a contamination during the manufacture of the gummies,” Saugy said. “These results point to an adulteration of the gummies at a later stage.”

Another key point: Asinga had opened both containers of gummies before sending them to SMRTL. And in SMRTL’s analysis, it noted a “large discrepancy” between the concentration levels of GW1516 between the containers. The two gummies tested from the first container each featured a concentration of at least 610 ng of GW1516 per gummy. Meanwhile of the three gummies tested from the second container, the highest concentration of GW1516 was 1.5 ng per gummy, and one of the gummies did not test positive for GW1516 at all.

This fact left open the possibility for manipulation; to be satisfied of his innocence, the AIU demanded to see a positive test from a separate, sealed container of gummies from the same lot number as Asinga’s.

Separate lot numbers bring questions

This is where things get complicated. The lot number printed on Asinga’s gummy containers was 22092117150234. NSF has issued a statement saying this lot number was not NSF Certified and the NSF Certified mark was being used without authorization. As part of the case, the Lausanne lab did test a sealed container of Gatorade Recovery Gummies, which tested negative. But that container was from a different lot number — lot 22092117150213, which was one of the lots that did receive NSF certification.

The gummies were not manufactured directly by Gatorade, but rather by a company contracted by Gatorade called Better Nutritionals, who manufactured the gummies for Gatorade at its plant in Gardena, Calif. As part of its case, the AIU called a former Better Nutritionals employee as a witness who testified that, for all intents and purposes, lots 22092117150234 and 22092117150213 were identical. This witness, referred to only as Witness B in the decision, made the following argument:

Witness B said lots 22092117150213 and 22092117150234 were part of the same batch of 20,000 jars’ worth of gummies cooked on the same day. That batch of 20,000 jars was separated into two lots: 7,500 jars (lot 22092117150213) would enter the marketplace immediately without the NSF Certified for Sport logo, of which a few would be sent to NSF for testing. The remaining 12,500 jars (aka lot 22092117150234, which included the gummies Asinga received) would be held back and given the NSF Certified logo predicated on NSF testing on lot 22092117150213.

Before NSF testing had been completed, lot 22092117150213 entered the marketplace without the NSF Certified logo.

By October 4, the 12,500 jars from lot 22092117150234 had been labeled NSF Certified. On October 18, Better Nutritionals received confirmation that lot 22092117150213 had been granted NSF certification, which was confirmed on the NSF website.

As proof that the two lots were part of the same batch, Witness B noted that the first six digits of the lot number, which refer to the cook date, were identical: 220921, or September 21, 2022. Furthermore, Witness B said the seventh digit refers to the specific production line used at the factory. Again, both were the same — 1, referring to the first production line.

Witness B said it would not be feasible to produce two separate batches on the same day, noting that a batch with 20,000 jars’ worth of gummies would take roughly 19 hours to complete with a minimum of eight hours to clean the production line between batches.

Witness B and another witness from Better Nutritionals (Witness A) noted there was no logical source for contamination as GW1516 is not an ingredient of any of the other products manufactured in the Gardena plant.

To simplify: one lot of 7,500 jars (lot 22092117150213) was NSF Certified but did not bear the NSF label. Another lot of 12,500 jars (lot 22092117150234) was not NSF Certified but did bear the NSF label, and that is the lot Asinga’s gummies came from. Better Nutritionals claims the two lots were cooked as one large batch of 20,000 jars, and as a result, the fact that one lot was NSF Certified means that both lots should be considered NSF Certified.

To represent him in his appeal, Asinga hired Greene, the sports lawyer who previously represented Jarrion Lawson, Shelby Houlihan, Peter Bol, and many others in their high-profile doping cases. Greene said he does not buy Witness B’s argument.

“There’s no such thing as two lots of the same,” Greene told LetsRun.com. “They’re not the same. Every lot is separate according to NSF and according to FDA rules.”

After it was informed of Asinga’s positive test by the AIU, the NSF conducted its own investigation and issued the following public notice on June 4:

Gatorade® Immune Support Gummies (citrus; lot number 22091937150233) and Gatorade® Recovery Gummies (cherry; lot number 22092117150234), manufactured by Better Nutritionals LLC, have been found in the public domain bearing the NSF Certified for Sport® Mark without authorization. These specific lot numbers, for these products, have not been tested, evaluated or certified by NSF and are not authorized to use the NSF certification mark or make any claims of NSF certification.

Furthermore, Greene noted that Witness B was terminated for cause by Better Nutritionals in December 2022 — the same month Better Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy.

Asinga asked a representative at Gatorade for a sealed container from lot 22092117150234 — the lot from which Assinga’s gummies came — but was informed that Gatorade Recovery Gummies had been discontinued for “manufacturing reasons” (Witness A said the gummies were discontinued because Better Nutritionals went bankrupt). The AIU and SMRTL also requested sealed containers from the same lot, yet Gatorade/Better Nutritionals only made containers from lot 22092117150213 available. Greene says that makes no sense. If the two lots are identical, Greene argues, why not send one from the same lot number as Asinga’s?

“Somehow they had several sealed versions from the 7,500 lot but nothing from the 12,500 lot,” Greene said. “I find it hard to believe they don’t have anything out there and it was an intentional choice to withhold it. It had to be. Why else wouldn’t they give us one from both? What’s the difference?”

If Gatorade has no sealed version, Greene says, they are in violation of FDA regulations, which state that supplement manufacturers must hold reserve samples from each lot they produce.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya has detailed how a top Brazilian athlete training in Kenya was nabbed over the use of a prohibited substance before she was suspended.

Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has explained how Brazilian athlete Graziele Zarri was caught cheating in the country before she was provisionally suspended.

Zarri was among five athletes suspended by ADAK over various doping offences last month, the others being Kenyans Samuel Kimani Wanjiru, Panuel Mkungo, Brian Kiptoo and Victor Kiptoo.

The Brazilian was nabbed for using prohibited substances S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS)/Testosterone with tests conducted while she was in the country.

“I confirm that ADAK collected a sample from the athlete on 23rd January 2024,” ADAK’s Head of Legal Services Bildad Rogoncho said in a response to Pulse Sports.

“The sample was transported to and analyzed by a WADA accredited laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden; that is the Doping Control Laboratory - Karolinska University Hospital.

“The Sample tested positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS)/ Pregnanediol, Androsterone, Androstane, Ketoetiocholanolone, Androstanediol, Etiocholanolone, Adilos, Epitestosterone and Testosterone.

“The athlete’s case was then referred to the Brazilian National Anti-Doping Organization for processing.”

ADAK says the athlete had been training in Eldoret when the sample was collected but when contacted, she denied having used the prohibited substance and claimed to have used a supplement acquired in Kenya.

She, however, failed to produce proof of the supplement and could not also recall its name, leaving ADAK with no option but to act.

“The athlete alleged to have bought and used some supplement which are suspected to have been contaminated with the substance found in the athlete's system. This matter is now being dealt with by the Brazilian National Anti-Doping Organization,” added Rogoncho.

Zarri is a long-distance runner who recently won the 5k race in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and had been training in Kenya, alongside her husband Daniel Nascimento, in a bid to make Brazil’s Olympics team.

Nascimento is the South American marathon record holder and the only Brazilian qualified for the marathon at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re capable of. That’s for you to determine.”

For the last mile of the Antarctica Marathon, Jonathan Acott played one song on repeat. Trudging through snow and icy winds on the edge of the world, the runner from Surrey, United Kingdom, listened to Tim McGraw’s hit, “Live Like You Were Dying.” It was a fitting anthem for the six-time cancer survivor in his pursuit to run a marathon on all seven continents. 

With 500 yards remaining in the race, Acott took his headphones out. He wanted to be fully present for the homestretch of the seventh marathon. Running downhill toward a small tent with a timer next to the Russian research station, the 48-year-old made his way to the finish line area, where a group of volunteers and fellow competitors cheered him on. 

His legs sore from the descent, Acott took a moment to compose himself before stepping across the finish line, completing a challenge that seemed unimaginable five years ago. “The photographers are there and they say, ‘Put your arms up!’ But I don’t want to put my arms up. That’s not how I want to celebrate,” Acott said. “I needed to stop at that moment. There’ll be other mountains, but right now I just want to stop.”

Amid the devastation caused by multiple cancers and the arduous healing process that followed, Acott transformed his life, becoming a motivational speaker, coach, and avid runner intent on chasing epic goals. For Acott, becoming a member of the Seven Continents Club—645 men and 358 women who have completed 26.2 on all seven continents—is the latest example of the runner choosing to embrace every moment.

‘If I’m moving, I’m not dead.’ 

Acott’s cancer journey began 20 years ago. In 2004, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 29 years old. His first relapse occurred in 2007 when doctors discovered a tumor in his chest. He relapsed again in 2013 and 2016 and underwent back-to-back retroperitoneal lymph node dissections, a surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen. In 2017, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The following year, doctors discovered he relapsed again. His final surgery in 2018 involved removing his kidney and spleen. The spleen ruptured during the procedure, which required an emergency blood transfusion on top of chemotherapy post-operation. 

In a span of 14 years, Acott underwent numerous rounds of chemotherapy (he estimates about seven months total) and six surgeries that left his body riddled with lifelong side effects, including permanent nerve damage and hearing loss. The experience also took a heavy toll on his mental health. At his lowest, Acott suffered from suicidal ideation. Working with a psychiatrist helped him cope and reframe his perspective. 

“Life is unfair to everybody. This just happens to be it,” Acott said. “And I can do two things. I can sit there and wallow about how miserable life is, or I can accept that life is difficult and hard and challenging, and you can make the most of it.”

Since 2018, Acott has been cancer free. After the last bout of the disease, his doctors encouraged him to start walking in the recovery process. He also lost his job after being unable to work during treatment. Walking not only gave him time to process his emotions, it also gave him something to work towards. In a few months, Acott was walking up to three hours at a time. 

After spending months building up to long distances, Acott decided he wanted to be more efficient by running. “I push because if I’m moving, I’m not dead,” Acott said. “If I’m moving further each day, I am getting healthier.”

Because Acott is immunocompromised and his body takes longer to heal now, he trains every other day. He’s also battling pain most of the time from scars and neuropathy in his feet, among other ailments, and needs to run a conservative pace most of the time. “My body has been through a lot, but it’s still capable of doing so much," he said. 

Choosing to live in optimism

In the fall of 2019—15 months after his last surgery—Acott raced the Berlin Marathon as a way to celebrate his comeback. He finished his first 26.2 in 4:58:38. Shortly after, he set out to complete the seven continents challenge. 

“I chose to apply myself to making the most of my time because I don’t know how much time I have,” Acott said. “It’s a choice about how you live. You can live in fear, and I am always scared, or I can live in optimism that I’m going to have the best life I possibly can.”

The following year, he ran the Africa leg at the 2020 Marrakech Marathon in 4:45:48. In 2020, he also took up motivational speaking on top of his full-time job as the head of guest experience at a business complex. 

After COVID restrictions were lifted, he finished the 2022 Austin Marathon in 5:15:28. The same year, he completed the South America portion by finishing the Curaçao Marathon in 5:09:16, trudging through flood waters on the course. 

He ran the Asia leg with a 5:15:33 at the 2023 Dubai Marathon along a desert roadway. Last fall, he covered Australia at the 2023 Perth Marathon with a finishing time of 5:01:40. On March 21, he completed the Antarctica Marathon in 5:38:16. 

Looking back on the experience, Acott remembered his surgeon’s warning after the last procedure. The doctor told him he wouldn’t be able to complete the same physical feats he used to do before cancer. Less than two months after completing the global marathon challenge, he’s already training for his next goal—breaking four hours in the marathon. 

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re capable of,” Acott said. “That’s for you to determine. Find what the best version of you looks like, and make it happen.”

MORE FROM RUNNER'S WORLD ON APPLE NEWS

On Monday morning, Surinamese sprinter and current world U20 100m record holder Issam Asinga was issued a four-year doping ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for the metabolites of GW1516 in an out-of-competition test on July 18, 2023. Asinga and his agent claimed the positive test resulted from ingesting Gatorade Recovery Gummies, which were given to him after he won the Gatorade U.S. Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year award last July.

A few weeks later, at the South American Athletics Championships in São Paulo, Brazil, Asinga set a new U20 100m world record of 9.89 seconds, only to be provisionally suspended two weeks later, just before the start of the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

GW1516 was originally developed to treat obesity and diabetes, but is not approved for human use, due to its carcinogenic effects. It is banned both in and out of competition and is not eligible for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). A USADA bulletin from 2019 states that GW1516, also known as cardarine or endurobol, has been found in some supplements, despite being illegal.

Asinga claimed he took gummies from Gatorade that were supposed to help with recovery. He said two containers of the gummies revealed the presence of the banned substance, but the AIU panel stated he did not show proof that the gummies were the source of the drug found in his sample.

According to the AIU, Asinga claimed he took the Gatorade gummies the week before the positive test, and that subsequent testing of two unsealed containers of Gatorade gummies, provided by the athlete, revealed the presence of GW1516 and GW1516 sulfoxide. “The Disciplinary Tribunal found that Asinga did not satisfy his burden of proof to establish that the Gatorade Recovery Gummies were the source of the GW1516 metabolites detected in his sample.”

In making its decision, the AIU Disciplinary Tribunal stated that the Gatorade recovery gummies provided in unsealed containers by the athlete for testing contained significantly more GW1516 on the outside than on the inside, which practically excludes any contamination by raw ingredients during the manufacturing process. They also noted that the gummies were batch-tested by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and that a sealed jar of the Gatorade recovery gummies, from the same batch taken by Asinga, tested negative for GW1516.

The 19-year-old sprinter plans to appeal the ban, which would take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

All of Asinga’s results from July 18 onward will be disqualified, including his two South American Championships gold medals in the 100m and 200m, as well as his world U20 100m record of 9.89 seconds.

The 2022 Rotterdam Marathon bronze medalist Reuben Kipyego will flex his muscles against 2022 French Riviera Marathon champion John Langat at the  Madrid Marathon on Sunday.

The marathon will feature a full marathon, half marathon and 10km race with the event organizers noting a huge turnout in the half marathon.

“The biggest race will be the half marathon with 20,000 participants, followed by the full marathon with 11,000 and the 10km with 9,000,” a statement from the organizers read.

Kipyego holds a personal best of 2:03:55 set while winning the 2021 Generali Milano Marathon in Italy.

The 28-year-old is also the 2019 Abu Dhabi Marathon champion where he clocked 2:04:40. Also in that year, he won silver at the South American Marathon Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina, clocking 2:05:18.

Langat holds a personal best of 2:07:11 set at the Eindhoven Marathon in the Netherlands in 2019, where he placed third.

In 2016, he clocked 2:10:49 to finish second at the Daegu Marathon in South Korea. The 30-year-old is also a bronze medallist at the Adidas Stockholm Marathon in Sweden clocking 2:12:39.

Joining the fray is Bernard Kimani, a bronze medalist at the 2020 Loop Den Haag Half Marathon.

The Ethiopian duo of Mumbai Marathon champion Haymanot Alew and 2022 Rome Marathon champion Fikre Bekele will prove a tough test for the Kenyans.

Also in the lineup is Taiyuan Marathon bronze medalist Hicham Laqouahi of Morocco.

Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta ran a world-leading course record of 2:03:27 to move into the top 20 on the men’s world marathon all-time list while his compatriot Azmera Gebru won the women’s race in 2:22:13 at the Zurich Maraton de Sevilla, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, on Sunday (18).

Record breaking was the theme of the day, with eight national records set as athletes chased qualification times for the Olympic Games in Paris in August.

A total of 12 men dipped under 2:08 and 14 women went sub-2:25.

Three of those national records were achieved by the athletes who next followed Geleta over the finish line: runner-up Morhad Amdouni of France, who clocked 2:03:47; third-place finisher Gashau Ayale of Israel, who ran 2:04:53, and Yemaneberhan Crippa of Italy, who finished fourth in 2:06:06.

Behind Gebru, the runner-up spot in the women’s race was secured by Josephine Chepkoech in a PB of 2:22:38, while her Kenyan compatriot Magdalyne Masai was third in 2:22:51.

The men’s race started fast and the leaders reached 10km in 29:02 before the front group of nine passed the half marathon mark in 1:01:49 – 42 seconds inside course record pace.

The pacemakers dropped out at around 25km and Geleta made a move. He was chased by a group of five athletes and by 30km Amdouni had closed the gap. They ran together through that checkpoint in 1:27:44.

Geleta pulled away from Amdouni over the final 5km and won by 20 seconds in 2:03:27.

Further back, national records were also set by Sweden’s Suldan Hassan in ninth (2:07:36), Chile’s Carlos Martin Diaz del Rio in 18th (2:08:04) and Macedonia’s Dario Ivanovski in 20th (2:08:26).

Gebru was part of a six-strong women’s group that passed halfway in 1:11:22. At the two-hour mark, the race was down to three.

Gebru was the only athlete who could stick with the pacemaker over the following kilometers and she reached the 40km mark in 2:15:02.

She continued on to win in 2:22:13, 25 seconds ahead of Chepkoech. Masai finished a further 13 seconds back.

The record-breakers in the women’s race were Meline Rollin, who placed seventh in a French record of 2:24:12, and Argentina’s Florencia Borelli, who was eighth in a South American record of 2:24:18.

Prior to the race, a 42-second silence was held in tribute to marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a road traffic accident last weekend.

On Thursday, Toronto-native Ben Pobjoy announced that he had successfully concluded the Marathon Earth Challenge, a solo journey around the world that was an attempt to surpass the Guinness World Record of most marathons in one year (Pobjoy ran 242 42.2 kilometer runs in 365 days) but also to expand the challenge by navigating these runs across nearly 70 countries.

“This past year has been mentally and physically taxing, but it’s an incredible feeling to have achieved this momentous goal of mine and meet incredible people along the way,” said Pobjoy. “From trekking in Ulaanbaatar’s chilly -20 degree temperatures with makeshift winter gear to enduring extreme levels of humidity in Malta, my year-long, earth-spanning adventure has been an unforgettable experience.”

“The purpose of Marathon Earth Challenge was never to race others, but rather, transform my physical exercise into a creative endeavor and observe our world up-close,” said Pobjoy. He explains on his website that each marathon was a method to nurture curiosities and document findings through written essays in newsletters, social media updates and photographic books for others to enjoy.

Pobjoy initiated his self-funded challenge on Jan. 1, 2023, equipped with a backpack filled with pens and cameras for documentation. Over 365 days, he completed 242 freestyle 42.2 km runs, covering an impressive 11,465 kilometers by foot. The diverse geographical locations included South America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

“Was regularly tested on earth’s streets yet somehow lived to tell,” Pobjoy shared on Instagram. “This adventure taught me how tenacious we humans are, and how we’re more alike than we are dissimilar. Furthermore, I observed that when we choose division over commonality, we lose our humanity. ”

Pobjoy’s running journey began in 2015, a transformative period in his life when he battled severe health issues while being morbidly obese. Starting with outdoor walks, he shed 100 pounds in eight months, and found that this form of exercise not only improved his health but also allowed him to appreciate the “exquisite beauty of Mother Earth.”

“While Marathon Earth Challenge is now complete, my awe for the physical world and my growing appetite to explore it further remain. I am excited to see what my next adventure holds,” said Pobjoy.

American runner Larry Macon currently holds the title of the official Guinness record for most marathons completed in one year (by a man) with 239 marathons completed in 2012, which were done at 239 marathon races. 

On Wednesday, the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) announced in a statement that the committee has decided to withdraw the host city status from Barranquilla, Colombia, for the 2027 Pan American Games due to a breach of contract.

According to PASO, a meeting took place at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, between the committee and Colombian authorities regarding Barranquilla 2027. The host city requested an extension of the financial deadlines set by PASO to fulfill contract expectations. PASO granted the hosts an extension, with the new deadline set for Dec. 30.

“Given the lack of response in accordance with the new financial deadline, the PASO executive committee made the decision on Jan. 3, 2024, to withdraw the right to be a host city of the continental event in 2027,” PASO said in a translated statement posted on social media.

The Federación Colombiana de Atletismo (FECODATLE), the national athletics federation of Colombia, submitted the bid for the 2027 Games on Aug. 27, 2021. They were one of three cities that expressed interest in hosting the major sporting event, with others being Buenos Aires, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Buenos Aires submitted a bid for the 2023 event, but withdrew for financial reasons.

“Charles Philibert-Thiboutot earns Canada’s first track medal at Pan American Games” — Canadian Running Magazine

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As Barranquilla was the sole bid, it was appointed as the host city. Large multi-sporting events outside of the Olympics have recently grappled with the costs of staging an event of this magnitude. Recently, the state of Victoria, Australia, pulled out of the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to the exponential costs associated with the Games.

The Pan American Games is a multi-sport event held every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games. It is the second oldest continental games globally, originating in 1951 in Buenos Aires. Since then, the games have been held in various cities across North and South America, including Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Toronto. The most recent event was held in Santiago, Chile, in late October, where Team Canada won a total of 164 medals, including 46 gold

There are many things to look forward to in the sport of athletics in the upcoming year.

There’ll be six global championships in 2024, with ever-expanding one-day meeting circuits spread throughout the year. Rivalries will be renewed, and record-breakers will continue to push boundaries in their respective disciplines.

Here are just 10 of the many reasons to be excited by what’s to come over the next 12 months.

1. Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Athletics is the No.1 sport in what will be the biggest event on the planet this year. 100 years after Paris last hosted the Games, the Olympics will return to the French capital where 2000 athletes from about 200 countries will compete for medals in 48 disciplines from August 1-11 . Expect duels, drama and record-breaking performances as athletes compete for the highest honor in the sporting world.

2. World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24

The first global track and field championships of the year will start in just two months’ time as Glasgow hosts the World Indoor Championships on March  1-3. In Belgrade two years ago, pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and triple jumper Yulimar Rojas set world records to claim gold; they’ll be looking to add to their medal – and record – tally in Glasgow, as will a host of other top track and field stars.

3. World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24

For the first time since 2017, the World Relays will be held in the Bahamian capital as the global event returns to the venue of the first three editions. From May 4-5, athletes will be vying to secure their place in the 4x100m, 4x400m and mixed 4x400m for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Expectations of a nation rests on their shoulders – and their baton exchanges.

4. World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24

Just two years after the Serbian capital hosted the World Indoor Championships, Serbia will this year play host to the world’s best cross-country runners. Recent editions of the event, in both Aarhus and Bathurst, have put athletes to the test on grueling courses, so expect more of the same on 30 March.

5. World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24

After the latest successful edition of the World U20 Championships in Cali two years ago, the global event will return to South America as Lima becomes the first city in Peru to host a World Athletics Series event. The championships will take place from August 27-31, and will showcase the world’s most promising up-and-coming stars.

6. World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Antalya 24

Is there room on the calendar for one more global event? Go on, then. For the first time ever in the history of these championships – including all previous iterations – Turkiye will play host to the World Race Walking Team Championships on April 21 . The first 22 teams here will automatically qualify for the marathon race walk mixed relay – the newest Olympic discipline – at the Paris Games.

7. One-day meeting circuits

While championship action is great, the likes of the Wanda Diamond League and World Athletics Continental Tour is where athletes can be seen in action week in, week out throughout the peak of the outdoor track and field season. Before that, there’s also the World Indoor Tour, while other series such as the Cross Country Tour, Combined Events Tour, Race Walking Tour and Label road races will provide competition opportunities throughout the year.

8. Record breakers

Athletes continued to push boundaries throughout the past 12 months on the track, field and roads. Expect more of the same in 2024 as the likes of Faith Kipyegon, Mondo Duplantis, Kelvin Kiptum, Yulimar Rojas and Ryan Crouser look to run, jump and throw better than they ever have done before.

9. Big clashes

Rivalries between the sport’s biggest stars always provide a gripping narrative for any season. For 2024, expect some mouth-watering clashes to come from the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol in the 400m hurdles, Kelvin Kiptum and Eliud Kipchoge in the marathon, Gudaf Tsegay and Sifan Hassan in the 10,000m or Daniel Stahl and Kristjan Ceh in the discus to name but a few.

10. New stars

Every year a new generation of talent emerges. Some of those will be athletes who started to make a bit of a breakthrough towards the end of last year, while others may be athletes who fans have barely heard of. Either way, keep your eyes peeled as the season unfolds to witness the future stars of the sport mixing it with the world’s best athletes.

A failure to measure the course at the 2023 Pan American Games leaves several female athletes out of Olympic qualification in the 20 km race walk.

It was a rocky start to the first day of athletics at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, on Sunday, when the women’s 20 km race walk course was found to be three kilometers shorter than the prescribed distance.

This unexpected lack of accurate course measurement led to officials quashing the finishing times, throwing the entire event into disarray. Race officials initially thought first-place finisher Kimberly García of Peru had broken the world record when she finished in an astounding time of one hour, 12 minutes and 26 seconds–11 minutes faster than the existing world record.

Confusion arose when all of the top 12 competitors finished inside the world record mark and significantly inside the Olympic 20 km race walk qualification standard of 1:29:20.

García, who had already secured a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics, told reporters she sensed something was off early in the race. “I realized it since the first kilometer,” García told the Associated Press. “The time did not coincide with the distance.”

The race walks in the Pan American Games were critical for North and South American athletes aiming to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Athletes could secure their spots by meeting the entry standard time or by earning World Athletics ranking points.

The Santiago 2023 organization committee laid the blame for the distance blunder at the Association of Panamerican Athletics (APA). In their statement, Santiago 2023 organizers explained, “The APA is the only organization authorized to carry out measurements, and therefore is responsible for the official distance of the competition. We deeply regret the inconvenience for the athletes, their coaches, the public and the attending press, but this situation cannot be attributed to the organizing committee.”

As a result, race organizers quickly re-measured the course for the men’s race, which created a nearly one-hour delay for the men’s start.

This is only the second time in the last 90 years that an official Olympic athletics event was mismeasured at a continental championship. At the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, the men’s 3,000m ended up being the men’s 3,400m steeplechase when the man in charge of the lap count lost track–something they do not have to worry about nowadays, in the era of electronic measurement.

The women’s 20 km race walk times were officially deemed invalid, meaning they will not be eligible for 2024 Olympic qualification.

Fresh from finishing second at the Buenos Aires Marathon on Sunday in Argentina, former world marathon bronze medalist Sharon Chemutai Cherop wants Athletics Kenya to give her a chance to represent the country at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

The former Boston Marathon champion said she has had a good season and the Buenos Aires race was her last assignment this year. 

Cherop finished second in 2:24.56 behind compatriot Rhoda Jepkorir Tanui, who won the race in a course record of (2:24.52). Pamela Rotich came third in an all-Kenyan podium sweep.

Cherop said she hopes to fly the country's flag high if offered the Paris 2024 slot.

“I am proud of my country. I have always wanted to represent my country since I was a junior athlete and if offered the opportunity to run at the Olympic Games, I will do my level best to make the country proud,” said Cherop.

Cherop said she had a good outing in Argentina and was happy to have redeemed her image following her performance in the half marathon last month in the South American nation.

“I have closed a season on a good note after running many races this year. I really need to rest until next year and set up good plans for the year. But the best of all would be to represent my country at the Olympics,” she added.

She said she has been in the game for more than 20 years and first represented Kenyan at the 1999 All Africa Games, finishing 4th in the 10,000m.

“I have been running since 1999 and I won my first medal at the 2000 World Youth Championships in 5,000m. That is how long I have been in this game,” she said.

She said she had wanted to run her best race in a bid to improve on her time in Bueno Aires but as much as that was not achieved, the second position was good enough.

The 2012 Boston Marathon champion said she prepared well for the race. 

“I started preparing for this race after winning the Milan marathon. This year alone, I have run two marathons and a number of half marathons,” she added.

Cherop won the Milan Marathon after timing 2:26.13 back in April after recovering from an injury.

In Milan, she edged out Ethiopian Ethlemahu Sintayehu (2:26.30) and compatriot Emily Kipchumba Chebet for third position after timing 2:28.08.

She is also remembered for winning a bronze at the 2011 World Athletics Championships behind the champion Edna Kiplagat and Priscah Jeptoo in an all-Kenya podium sweep.

She went ahead to win the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and finished third at the 2011 Boston Marathon before winning the race the following year.

In men, Cornelius Kibet Kiplagat (2:08.29) led his compatriot Paul Tanui (2:09.57) and Robert Kimutai Ng’eno (2:10.16) in a 1-2-3 podium sweep for team Kenya.

In other races over the weekend, Charles Mbatha Matata won the Leo Lion Half Marathon in France. The Kenyan won the men’s title in 1:01.34 followed by countrymate Vincent Kipkorir Kigen (1:02.21) and Ethiopian Getachew Masresha Kidie (1:02.23).

Former world championships bronze medalist Sharon Cherop will be chasing after a personal best at the Buenos Aires marathon set for this Sunday in Argentina.

Cherop, who has a PB of 2:22:28, said she has been hard at work in preparing for the South American race. She wants to atone for her defeat by former world champion Ruth Chenpngetich in the 21km race during the Standard Chartered Marathon last month.

“I really don’t have a specific time that I will be chasing but I want some good time at the end of the day. I want to run better than I did in the half marathon,” said Cherop.

The 2012 Boston Marathon champion said she is buoyed by her performance at April's Milan Marathon, where she clocked 2:26:13.

In Milan, she edged out Ethiopian Ethlemahu Sintayehu (2:26:30) and compatriot Emily Chebet (2:28:08).

"I am really trying to come back stronger after being out for so long. I want to have a good time. I pray that it will be favorable this time around,” she said.

The 2002 world junior 5,000m bronze medalist has a good history in marathon running since winning bronze at the 2011 World Championships behind winner Edna Kiplagat and Prisach Jeptoo in an all-Kenyan podium sweep.

The Tirap Primary School alumna also won the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and finished third at the 2011 Boston Marathon before winning the race the following year.

“Weather can also be a factor and as athletes, we always look forward to favorable conditions,” said the former New Delhi Half Marathon silver medalist.

Apart from road running, she also competed at the Discovery Kenya cross country in 2002, where she was third. She has also won the Eldoret City Marathon.

Former world 10,000m silver medalist Paul Tanui will lead the men's contingent that has Cornelius Kibet, and Edwin Kibet among others. 

Suriname’s Issam Asinga, who only two weeks ago stunned the athletics world by shattering the U20 100m world record at the South American Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for the alleged use or presence of a prohibited substance . The suspension, which went into effect Wednesday and was announced by the AIU on Friday, is for the presence of GW1516, a substance that modifies how the body metabolizes fat, and which can boost endurance.

Provisional suspensions are issued before a hearing to determine whether the charges warrant any official punishment.

Botswana’s Nijel Amos, who won silver in the 800m at the 2012 Olympics in London, received a provisional suspension last year for the presence of the same metabolite ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore. He ended up receiving a three-year ban.

GW1516 was originally developed to treat obesity and diabetes, but is not approved for human use, since it was discovered to be carcinogenic. It is banned in and out of competition, and not eligible for Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). A USADA bulletin from 2019 says GW1516 is also sometimes known as cardarine or endurobol and has been found in some supplements, even though it is illegal. In 2017, there were 31 sanctions worldwide related to its use.

The 18-year-old Asinga clocked an impressive 9.89 seconds with a tailwind of (-0.8m/s) on July 28 to become the first South American sprinter to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m. His blazing run surpassed the previous record of 9.91 seconds set by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo at last year’s World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, and also broke the South American area record, bettering the 10.00 mark set by Brazil’s Robson da Silva in 1988.

In addition to claiming a world record in Brazil, Asinga’ also picked up a free PlayStation 5 with his performance. A tweet posted last week shows retired American sprinter Justin Gatlin handing Asinga the video game console with the caption “The special moment when Justin Gatlin promised Issam Asinga a PS5 if he ran a legal 9.8 and he delivered!”

Asinga has made headlines in the 2023 season, running for Montverde Academy near Orlando, Fla. Earlier this year, he beat world champion Noah Lyles in a 100m race to break the U.S. high school record, and a week later, broke Lyles’s 200m high school record in 19.97 seconds.

The provisional suspension appears to have dashed Asinga’s dreams for gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest later this month, where he was set to run the double. The sprinter has plans to head to Texas A&M University in the NCAA on a full track and field scholarship this fall.

The 2019 Hangzhou Marathon champion Agnes Barsosio and the 2022 N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon Rodgers Kwemoi are the latest Kenyans to be summoned by the AIU.

The Athletics Integrity Unit has today, August 11 suspended other two Kenyans days after sanctioning Michael Kunyuga Njenga. 

The 2019 Hangzhou Marathon champion Agnes Barsosio and the 2022 N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon Rodgers Kwemoi are the latest Kenyans to be summoned by the AIU.

Barsosio has been suspended after testing positive for the use of a Prohibited Substance/Method – ABP. Barsosio has been inactive in athletics since her last race was during the 2021 Lisboa Marathon where she finished fourth.

In a tweet posted on their Twitter account, the AIU said: “The AIU has provisionally suspended Agness Jeruto Barsosio (Kenya) for the use of a Prohibited Substance/Method – ABP case.”

The same case applies to Kwemoi who has also been suspended for the use of ABP. Kwemoi has competed in a series of 10,000m races in Japan. He opened his season with a 10th place finish 31st at the Kanakuri Memorial Middle- and Long-Distance Invitational Meet.

He then proceeded to the 1st Nittaidai Challenge Games and 67th Central Japan Corporate Teams Athletics Championships where he finished ninth and third respectively.

The AIU has also suspended the latest kid on the block, Surinam’s Issam Asinga for the use of Prohibited Substance (GW1516). The 18-year-old has made headlines this year after breaking the Under-20 100m world record at the South American Championships.

The sanction means the trio is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.

In a remarkable debut on the international stage, 18-year-old Issam Asinga of Suriname stunned the athletics world on Friday, shattering the U20 100m world record at the South American Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Asinga clocked an impressive 9.89 seconds with a tailwind of (-0.8m/s) to become the first South American sprinter to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m.

Asinga’s blazing run surpassed the previous record of 9.91 seconds set by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo at last year’s World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, and also broke the South American area record, bettering the 10.00 mark set by Brazil’s Robson da Silva in 1988.

To make his record more impressive, his time was run at altitude, as Sao Paulo sits nearly 800m above sea level. Asinga’s new record also sparred other fast times in the field, with Brazil’s Erik Cardoso breaking the Brazilian national record for silver in 9.97. 

The 18-year-old sprint phenom has made headlines in the 2023 season, running for Montverde Academy near Orlando, Fla. Earlier this year, he beat world champion Noah Lyles in a 100m race to break the U.S. high school record, and a week later, broke Lyles’s 200m high school record in 19.97 seconds. 

Asinga’s sights are now on the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest this August, where he will run the sprint double. After worlds, Asinga will head to Texas A&M University in the NCAA on a full track and field scholarship. His exceptional talent runs in the family. His father, Tommy Asinga, holds multiple national records for Suriname and represented the country at three Olympic Games (1988, 1992 and 1996).

Prague Half Marathon champion Irine Kimais says she will be overjoyed beyond measure were she to make the team to the World Chmapionships in Budapest, Hungary in August this year.

Kimais revealed she is putting in an extra shift in training as she eyes a first-ever appearance for Team Kenya at the global showpiece.

“I am working extra hard in training because I want to make the national team. My eyes are set on the national trials for the World Championships in the next two weeks. If I manage to make the final team, it would be my greatest happiness. Of course, all that depends on how I perform at the trials,” the South American Half Marathon champion said.

Kimais was a disappointed woman at last year’s national trials for the World Championships in Oregon, United States, after she clocked 32:02.53 to finish fifth in the women’s 10,000m.

On Friday, she went some way towards righting the wrongs of 2022 when she clocked 31:56.37 to win the women’s 10,000m at the Athletics Kenya (AK) National Championships at Nyayo Stadium.

In second place was North Rift’s Catherine Releen who timed 31:57.79 as Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich clocked 32:09.87 in third place.

Kimais said the win has boosted her morale ahead of a cutthroat fight for a place on the plane to Hungary for the World Championships, come August.

“I came here to see how much more work I have to do before the national trials. I know I now need to work on my time ahead of the competition. I have been training in Kapsabet and I can say, so far so good. I will try my best to ensure I am among those selected in the final team,” she said.

Very fast times and thrilling races are expected at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg on Sunday. Just a year after Yalemzerf Yehualaw set a sensational course record of 2:17:23, which at that time was an unofficial world debut record as well, a fellow-Ethiopian will be at the start line, hoping to smash the mark: 20 year-old Tiruye Mesfin announced at the press conference in Hamburg that she targets a world-class time of sub 2:17.

Brazil’s Daniel do Nascimento is among the men’s favorites. The South American record holder wants to bounce back after disaster struck in New York in November. After taking the European marathon gold in Munich in sensational style last summer Hamburg will be the first race at the classic distance for Germany’s Richard Ringer. Around 12,000 runners have registered for the marathon event while the total number including shorter races is over 30,000. 

A live stream of the race will be available worldwide at www.haspa-marathon-hamburg.deon Sunday. The race starts at 9.30am local time and the coverage will begin at 8.45am. While the commentary will be in German the Twitter account of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg will carry English elite race updates. 

Tiruye Mesfin could indeed be in a position to break the course record on Sunday if weather conditions will be suitable. At the moment the forecast looks good, however there might be some wind. The Ethiopian youngster ran a superb 2:18:47 debut at the Valencia Marathon in December and believes she can run considerably faster in her second marathon on Sunday.

“I am in fine form and my preparations went very well. I will try to break the course record, but at least I want to run a personal best,“ said Tiruye Mesfin, who hopes to be in the mix for Olympic qualification. „My plan is to run the first half in 68:00.“ While this would lead towards a world-class time of 2:16 she knows that it will probably not be enough to secure an Olympic spot. “I think I would have to go even faster, but there is some time left and I could do it in a later race.“ 

Qualifying for the 2024 Paris games will probably be easier for Stella Chesang since the competition for places in Uganda is not as tough as in Ethiopia. Running her debut marathon in Hamburg she is ready for an adventurous pace.

“I want to go with the first and see how it goes for me and what is possible. I hope to achieve Olympic qualification,“ said Stella Chesang, who chose Hamburg for her first marathon “because of the fast course“. Her half marathon PB of 68:11 indicates that she could break the Ugandan record of 2:23:13. And her tenth place at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, in February shows that she is probably in very good form.

Kenya’s Bernard Koech is the fastest runner in the field with a PB of 2:04:09. He did not make it in time for Thursday’s press conference because of a strike at Hamburg airport. South American record holder Daniel do Nascimento arrived a day earlier and was present when the conference fittingly began in room Sao Paulo at the Radisson Hotel.

A year ago the Brazilian, who recently trained in Uganda for a longer period, stunned with a time of 2:04:51 in Seoul. However the 24 year-old then collapsed with ten kilometers to go at the New York Marathon in November. Daniel do Nascimento ran world record pace in the first part of that race and was ahead by well over two minutes at half way. “I made a mistake in New York, it was not a good strategy. After 30k I felt sick and got stomach problems. For me marathon is a bit like a marriage - there are difficult times and better times,“ he said. “I will run more intelligently on Sunday  and will surely finish this time.“

If he should succeed in breaking his personal best he would then most probably break the course record as well. Last year Cybrian Kotut improved the mark to 2:04:47, which is just four seconds quicker than do Nascimento’s South American record. Unfortunately the Kenyan is among a number of withdrawals the organisers have to cope with. Ethiopians Mule Wasihun and Muktar Edris, who wanted to run his debut in Hamburg, had to cancel their starts due to an injury as well. 

After his sensational gold medal performance at the European Championships in Munich last summer Richard Ringer returns to the classic distance for the first time. Olympic qualification is his next major goal. “Preparing for Hamburg everything went really well, even better than expected,“ said Richard Ringer, who will choose a more conservative approach on Sunday. 

"I don’t want to take too many risk now as I really want to make sure that I achieve the Olympic qualifying time and go under 2:08.“ Richard Ringer’s PB stands at 2:08:49. “At the moment I hope that a time between 2.07:30 and 2:08:00will be enough to qualify for Paris.“ Another German runner who will go for the Olympic standard in Hamburg is local runner Haftom Welday. The former Eritrean surprised with a 2:09:06 in Berlin last year and now hopes to run well under the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10. Since he will choose a more aggressive approach than Ringer there could be an interesting German battle in Hamburg as well.

Elite Runners with Personal Bests

MEN:

Bernard Koech KEN 2:04:09

Tsegaye Kebede ETH 2:04:38

Daniel do Nascimento BRA 2:04:51

Martin Kosgei KEN 2:06:41

Masresha Bere ETH 2:06:44

John Langat KEN 2:07:11

Henok Tesfay ERI 2:07:12

Joshua Kemboi KEN 2:08:09

Daniel Mateo ESP 2:08:22

Richard Ringer GER 2:08:49

Martin Musau UGA 2:09:04

Haftom Welday GER 2:09:06

Derlys Ayala PAR 2:10:11

Jeisson Suarez COL 2:10:51

Ernesto Zamora URU 2:11:26

Andy Buchanan AUS 2:12:23

Arttu Vattulainen FIN 2:13:29

Joshua Belet KEN Debut

Moses Koech KEN Debut

Demeke Tesfaye ETH Debut

Simon Debognies BEL Debut

WOMEN:

Tiruye Mesfin ETH 2:18:47

Sintayehu Tilahun ETH 2:22:19

Giovanna Epis ITA 2:23:54

Dorcas Tuitoek KEN 2:24:54

Marion Kibor KEN 2:25:15

Kumeshi Sichala ETH 2:26:01

Tsigie Haileslase ETH 2:27:08

Paolo Bonilla ECU 2:27:38

Obse Abdeta ETH 2:27:47

Rosa Chacha ECU 2:28:17

Zenebu Bihonzg ETH 2:28:59

Katja Goldring USA 2:29:01

Tereza Hrochova CZE 2:29:06

Molly Grabill USA 2:29:17

Loreta Kancyte LTU 2:30:48

Fabienne Königstein GER 2:32:35

Tabea Themann GER 2:33:51

Stella Chesang UGA Debut

Mekdes Woldu FRA Debut

Mary Granja ECU Debut

Ana Ferreira POR Debut

Seventy years after his first cross-country race and 46 years after competing as an elite runner, the author competes—and triumphs—on a tough Australian course

Last weekend, in Bathurst, Australia, I did something I thought I would never do again: I ran once more in the World Cross-Country Championship. Not the main men’s open race, in which I competed for England in 1966 and New Zealand in 1977. Not at age 83. But for the first time, the World Athletics federation added Masters championships, and—almost like a dream—I not only participated again, but raced at the front of the M80 field and managed to outlast a stubborn Australian for the win.

If you believe that running after eighty is about leisurely slow toddling, wait till you’re up there, racing to your limit, and you make the sharp u-turn at halfway and see that you are being closely stalked by a lean lanky Aussie with M80 on his bib and a threatening scowl like Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon. 

He is called James Harrison, and he made me work for it. I have won and lost many hard races over the years, and this was one of the hardest. The only possible tactic was unrelieved pressure. I finally broke him three-quarters through the four-kilometer distance, on the second two-kilometer lap, as we gasped up a big steep rough-surfaced hill that broke many hearts that weekend. At last, I sensed him drop. It took tenacity, months of focused training (including hill repeats), and years of learning the wiles that true cross-country demands. 

This was a course where every decision counted about where you placed your next stride. Every sharp oxygen-draining uphill demanded that you keep momentum over the crest, every downhill was there for attack, not recovery, every tight turn required poise and pace. Those things don’t come easily after age eighty (and on two replaced knees in my case), but it was a World Championship of cross-country running, and we were there to take those tests. 

I won’t claim the sheer thrill of winning the race was the same as ever. But it was real, and it had a private significance. I ran below my best in the senior world championship in the past. Nothing can change those results, but it felt good this time to get it right. And the sense of achievement is something that few things in the last years of life are ever likely to equal.

World Athletics, under President Seb Coe (who learned cross-country in England in his early teens), has grown tired of holding its cross-country championships on boring flat safe horse-race circuits, like those I encountered in my days in the main race. They decided to take some security risks to revitalize the sport. American senior administrator David Katz now acts as course consultant for each World Cross-Country, and insists on the real thing. 

“Cross-country has one distinctive thing, the course. That has to be the talking point, and each one must be unique as the race moves around the world. The media and the public need to understand that cross-country is special in its challenges, not just another long race,” Katz said in Bathurst. 

The previous championships in 2019 in Aarhus, Denmark, set the world chattering about a course that included loops over the steeply-sloping grassed roof of the Moesgaard Museum. This time (after several Covid-related postponements) the Aussies gave us a course that was a raw slice of the Australian outback. On the side of Mount Panorama, it was broken and unpredictable, rusty dirt, grey raggedy scrub grass, and diabolical hills. Scattered blue gum trees provided the only shade. Each morning, you could find fresh kangaroo poop. 

They added some challenges to make it even more uniquely Australian. There was a “billabong,” of treacherous ankle-deep wet mud that caused many runners to skid and flop to a slimy downfall. (Some of the slower kids in the scholastic races lay down and daubed themselves heroically.) There was a dash through the straight vines of a winery, followed by tight turns, and, in honor of Bathurst’s motor-race circuit, a “chicane” where you had to steer through a forest of car tires. 

High on a dry hillside there was a stretch named “Bondi Beach,” deep shifting sand decorated with lifeguard flags and “Beware of Sharks” signs. An Aussie joke, yet for the runners, another testing change of racing rhythm, another response to the challenge of contours and terrain. No other kind of running does that. Cross-country is the closest our sport gets to true interaction with the earth.   

Added to all that was the Outback summer heat, 95 degrees for the main races on the Saturday late afternoon. In the different races, several runners were taken to hospital, and at least four passed out during the race, including, it seemed, the women’s favorite and race leader, Letesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia), who collapsed dramatically and glazy-eyed as she was passed by Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) within strides of the finish. 

As a serious evening storm approached, its clouds like dark riders, the men’s race was hastily moved forward, and 22-year-old Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo had to win his first major title while lightning flashed behind the mountain and brutal wind gusts sent runners staggering. Slower runners were caught in torrential rain.  Australia does nothing by half measures. 

For me and many others, Australia was an unexpected opportunity. Three months before the race, World Athletics and World Masters Athletics announced that they were combining to add masters championships, part of a new and excellent policy to make the event a full cross-country festival, as well as the world’s elite team and individual championships. Hundreds of spectators doubled as competitors. I met so many old friends out there, it was like a global runners’ reunion. 

In addition to the usual competitors from Europe, North America and Africa, there were teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and other Pacific nations, none of them obvious participants in a sport that is essentially one of cold winter.

I guess an 83-year-old who last ran the World Cross-Country in 1977 was another less-than-obvious participant. I never imagined it. I gave up cross-country for good, I believed, when my orthopedic surgeon confessed, after he watched me and the knee he had implanted struggle over a muddy course, that it gave him nightmares for weeks. 

But a lifetime of racing has taught me that you have to seize the moment. Before committing, I watched videos of the course, which like a good actor came across looking much more attractive than it was. When I actually saw the steep downhills, I thought I was out of my mind. But another thing I have learned is that in running, only one thing is absolutely certain—you won’t run well if you’re not in the race. 

I registered. I did the work. I seized my moment. I got the sheer thrill of winning a race. I was lucky in that the course’s surface proved (mostly) not too lumpy or too soft, and I was lucky in some top Europeans and South Americans not making the journey. In every race, you can only compete against those who show up. 

Young readers, please note. In January 1953, aged 13, I ran my first cross-country race, in my high school’s inter-house league, well back in the field. Seventy years a runner. You never know what a high school race might lead to. 

Being called world champion at 83 is a nice way to celebrate that small private anniversary—and at this age, I can surely be forgiven a memory lapse, if sometimes I forget to add “over-80.” It could also be a nice way to round off seventy years of running. Round off, except for the next race, that is.

(Roger Robinson ran the world cross-country championship for England and later New Zealand, and set a Masters record of 2:20:15 at the Boston Marathon.  He is regarded as the outstanding historical writer on running. He recaptures history from personal observation in When Running Made History (Syracuse University Press) and he researches vivid and accurate accounts of the sport’s best stories in his new book, Running Throughout Time: the Greatest Running Stories Ever Told (Meyer & Meyer). Available through Amazon and all online outlets and bookstores.)

The former soccer phenom was burnt out and angry. Then he started running every day, no matter what. 

Hellah Sidibe shared his story with producer Sarah Vitak for an episode of The Daily Rally podcast. It was edited for length and clarity.

I went into this dark area in life where I was just mad. Why is this happening to me?

It all came down to, all right, I’m pissed at everything, but let me stop making excuses. Just look at myself, and just deal with what I can handle, what I’m in control of. That’s how it started.

My full name is Hellah Sidibe, but I have a nickname: Hellah Good. I got that nickname back in college. I played Division I soccer. Every time I would take the ball and start sprinting down the line, they’d just say, oh, he’s Hellah good.

Growing up in Mali, West Africa, soccer was the number one sport. We just loved playing, and we loved watching the top players on TV. We were trying to play like them: we were trying to score goals and celebrate the way they do.

We lived in an area where there’s dirt, so we would use our feet to trace and make marks. You would literally make the whole soccer field. In order to still see the line, we would go into our kitchens. When we make food, we make food with wood and charcoal. Everybody would fill that up in a can from their house and bring it to the field. The path that we created with our feet, we’d spray that chalky gray-white powder along those lines so it looked like the white soccer lines.

We’d pick teams. Say: you’re Brazil, you’re Argentina. We’d always take the South American teams because they were the best in the world at the time, when I was young. We would pick players, and we would be like, you’re Thierry Henry, you’re Luís Figo. I’d say, I’m Ronaldo Nazário. Sometimes you’d just paint their numbers on your back, on your bare skin.

We would recruit our own team within the neighborhood. The next neighborhood was within a five-minute walk, and we’d go play them. Their neighborhood we would call allez, which is away. And there was no pressure. We did it because we wanted to, and no one was yelling at us.

When I came to the U.S., it got a little competitive. There started being consequences. If you didn’t do something right, the punishment was: let’s make you run. So I got to college, and it added more to that because I was playing under a coach. His mindset was that we might not be the most skillful team in the country, but we’re gonna be the fittest team in the country. It was to a point in that sometimes the track team would joke around and say, are you guys with the UMass track team or the soccer team? Because whenever they went by the field, they’d see us just huffing and puffing.

So I started hating running. I would cramp up in my calves, my lungs would be burning, and my hamstrings would be on fire. I started having a fear of it. It wasn’t a fear where I hated the game, but it was fear of going to practice for that specific reason. You’re getting yelled at like it’s not enough, even though you feel like you’re giving your absolute best.

Out of almost 400 players, I was one of 20 picked up to face the US youth national team. All of those teams were after me: phone calls from teams, telling me, we want this player. We like his skillset. I was approached by Sporting Kansas City my senior year, and they were one of the top teams in the MLS and won the MLS Cup the year that I finished college.

I was told: you’re gonna get picked up in the draft.

There were domestic roster spots and international roster spot at the time. I don’t know if that’s changed; I haven’t really looked into it. It was the rule that only eight international players could be picked up per team, and the rest had to be domestic players.

The assistant coach at Sporting Kansas City was like, hey Hellah, I’m sorry to tell you this, but the reality is right now. We’d rather have a young player that is a U.S. citizen that’s not as talented as you, but we can develop them and we don’t have to worry about the paperwork side of it. But also we can pick up a big European player that can sell jerseys and tickets that can take the spot. Versus, I’m somebody who hasn’t made a name for himself.

He was just telling me the reality. It wasn’t even his decision.

Just seeing that—it is frustrating, and it’s tough. Your goal is to play the game that you love, and it’s getting pulled away from you.

I just started hating everything. I’m not a doctor, but I do think there was some depression looking back. When you’re in that spot, nothing matters. Someone could smile at you or could even want to hug you, and you want nothing to do with that.

It was a looking-at-myself-in-a-mirror moment. What can you do with yourself right now? What are you in control of? I literally had that conversation with myself. Being an athlete, you always fall back on your physical ability because it makes you feel a certain way mentally. You like challenging yourself. You like competing on the field.

I was just like, what are you gonna do now? You tell yourself you’re going to go to the gym every day for a week, and you can’t even last three days. Do something, and hold yourself accountable for once. Be consistent.

So that is what led me in 2017 to when I said, what is a fear of mine that I wanna face? And running was the first thing that hit my mind.

It was a two-week goal of ten minutes a day within the first week. I didn’t care about distance. It was time. I would just start my watch, and then after ten minutes I’d be done, so I’d be just over a mile.

The ten-minute goal wasn’t because I couldn’t do more than ten minutes; it was just attainable. I just knew that it wasn’t so much where I was going to hate it.

That didn’t last more than a week. Even within the first week, I was going as far as four miles, which is way longer than ten minutes. But I would get lost in it. It wasn’t about pace or distance or anything. It was about just being out there in the present moment.

I ran every day for two weeks. And then I said, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. Let me do it every day for a year.

And now we’re here, running every day for 1,989 consecutive days. About to hit 2,000 consecutive days. And running across the U.S., doing a hundred-mile race, and still loving it like day one.

When things aren’t necessarily working out in life, it does mean it’s the end of you. It just means that it’s preparing you for something even greater. You just have to focus on what you can control and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Right now, I would not trade this for anything. Nope, I would not.

Hellah Sidibe is a runner, speaker, and content creator. He has run for more than 2,000 consecutive days. In 2021, he ran across the United States. In September of 2022, he competed in the Leadville Trail 100 Ultra Marathon. You can learn more about him at hellahgood.com.

Darren Edwards completed 7 marathons in 7 days. He challenges others to “risk failure” and “dream big.” 

On February 7, Darren Edwards completed the seventh marathon in the World Marathon Challenge, becoming the first hand-cyclist to do so, according to the Canadian Running. 

The British athlete and veteran raised nearly $60,000 to support the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team, a British organization that helps the recovery of wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans, according to its website. 

Edwards was injured in a near-fatal climbing accident in August 2016, which left him paralyzed from the chest down, he wrote on his fundraising page. 

“I was incredibly fortunate to survive, but life would never be the same again,” he wrote. “I have been on a journey of rediscovery and have refused to let disability stop me from dreaming big and taking on tough challenges.” 

There is, perhaps, no tougher challenge than the World Marathon Challenge.

In order to complete it participants must finish one marathon on every continent in seven days. 

The first race took place on January 31 in the Antarctic Circle. From there, racers traveled to Cape Town (Africa), Perth (Australia), Dubai (Asia), Madrid (Europe), Fortaleza (South America), and Miami (North America). According to Canadian Running a “speed bump” caused a delay in athletes leaving South Africa, giving racers an extra day of recovery. 

Edwards completed the Antarctica race in 5:48:37 before slashing his time in South Africa, with 2:52:04. In Australia, he finished in 2:36:30, in the heat. Next, he finished in 2:23 in Asia. The travel and racing began to take a toll. Edwards completed his European leg in 3:23:05. Then, he finished the South American race in 2:36:59. 

Despite further travel issues, according to Canadian Running, athletes managed to get from South America to Miami mostly on schedule where Edwards became the first handcycle athlete to finish the challenge, completing the race in 2:31:40. 

Edwards reflected on his whirlwind of a week on Instagram: “This week has tested me and my disability to the limit. I went into this challenge knowing that there was a potential for failure, that there were elements out of my control, which could dictate the success or failure of this endeavor. But, unless we are prepared to roll the dice and bet on ourselves, we are even less likely to achieve our true potential. Bet on yourself. Risk failure. Dare to dream big. You are capable of so much more than you know.”

The names of the five finalists for Women’s World Athlete of the Year have been confirmed, as the countdown to the World Athletics Awards 2022 continues.

The five athletes, who represent five countries from three area associations, have achieved sensational performances across a range of athletics disciplines in 2022, at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, one-day meeting circuits and other events around the world.

The finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Tobi Amusan, NGR- World 100m hurdles champion- Diamond League, Commonwealth and African 100m hurdles champion- Set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.12

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, JAM- World 100m champion, claiming a fifth gold medal in the event- Diamond League 100m champion- Ran a world-leading 10.62 among her record seven sub-10.70 100m races of the season

Kimberly Garcia, PER- World 20km race walk champion, winning Peru’s first ever World Athletics Championships medal- World 35km race walk champion in a South American record to complete a race walk double- World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships 20km bronze medalist

Sydney McLaughlin, USA- World 400m hurdles and 4x400m champion- Broke the world 400m hurdles record with 51.41 at the US Championships- Further improved the world record to 50.68 to win the world title

Yulimar Rojas, VEN- World indoor and outdoor triple jump champion- Diamond League triple jump champion- Improved her world record to 15.74m in Belgrade

Voting procedure for 2022 World Athletes of the Year

A three-way voting process determined the finalists.

The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family cast their votes by email, while fans logged their decisions online via the World Athletics social media platforms where a record 1.3 million votes were registered.

The World Athletics Council’s vote counted for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes each counted for 25% of the final result.

Voting closed on 31 October.

The World Athletes of the Year will be announced on World Athletics’ social media platforms in early December, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2022.