Running News Daily

Three reasons why treadmill running is fantastic

In every running group, there are always a few people who love to grumble endlessly about how much they hate treadmill running. But here’s the thing: running on a treadmill has its perks, and we’re here to give it the credit it deserves.

We get it—the “dreadmill” jokes practically write themselves. There’s also always a die-hard outdoor crew who take pride in braving icy sidewalks and freezing winds to avoid setting foot indoors. If you’re one of those runners who actually enjoys hopping on the treadmill now and then, don’t let the naysayers get to you. Whether you love the predictability, the convenience, or just the chance to run without layering up like you’re racing an Arctic marathon, your preference makes perfect sense. And guess what—you’re not alone.

1.- A treadmill is the perfect training partner

A treadmill offers precision that outdoor running can’t always match. If you’re looking to nail a steady pace or hit a specific incline during your hill-training sessions, the treadmill delivers. Its cushioned surface also feels kinder on your body than pounding pavement—for newer runners or those returning from an injury, this can be a huge help when it comes to staying consistent without overloading your body. The treadmill can be a fantastic, customizable tool that will help you smash your goals, with the complete control it allows over speed, incline and distance.

2.- Enjoy a unique mental challenge (and maybe a Netflix challenge, too)

Hey, you never need an excuse to rest and relax—but if you’re looking to justify that multi-hour Netflix binge, your treadmill long run has you covered. The miles will melt away as you dive into your favourite thrilling series or indulge in a few Hallmark Christmas specials (hey, we don’t judge). Want to channel your inner David Goggins and take on a next-level mental challenge? Skip the screen and stare at the wall in front of you for hours instead. It’s a bold choice, but who are we to question your grit?

3.- You can learn to love it

As someone who has bounced between the treadmill skeptics and fans, I can confirm that hitting that start button can absolutely grow on you. After enduring frostbitten fingers during brutal winter long runs and even breaking a leg on an icy sidewalk, I decided it was time to embrace the treadmill with an open mind. These days, whether I’m catching up on my favourite show, tackling a tough incline workout (a rarity in my pancake-flat prairie town) or squeezing in a run during odd hours when the streets feel less inviting, the treadmill has earned a permanent spot in my running routine.

Don’t get me wrong—I’ll always love the crunch of crisp fall leaves underfoot or the magic of a snowy trail. But there’s something equally liberating about knowing I can keep my training consistent, no matter what the weather or circumstances throw my way.

Etienne Daguinos sets European 10km record in Lille

The distance runner clocks 27:04 and takes three seconds off Jimmy Gressier’s mark with super run in French city

Etienne Daguinos set a European 10km record with a sensational performance at Urban Trail de Lille (November 16).

Daguinos, who was part of the French under-23 team that claimed silver at the 2022 European Cross Country Championships, went into the 10km off the back of a personal half-marathon best of 59:46, which put him joint-10th on the European all-time list over 13.1 miles.

“I cannot believe it,” Daguinos said. “Some people might have predicted it [10km record] but I didn’t believe it. I knew that I was in good shape after my half-marathon in Valencia. I wanted to run faster than 27:30 and I am still in shock.”

Not only did Daguinos defeat a strong and deep field in Lille but he did so by running identical 5km splits of 13:32.

World 1500m bronze medallist Narve Gilje Nordas broke the Norwegian 10km record with 27:31, while Mohamed Abdilaahi clocked 27:40, the fastest time by a German in history.

That put the pair seventh and joint-10th on the European 10km all-time list respectively.

It means that Mo Farah, who ran 27:44 in 2010 and held the European 10km record until Julien Wanders recorded 27:32 in 2018, is now 13th on the rankings.

With six out of the eight fastest 10km times by European male athlete occurring this season, expect the record books to tumble once again next year.

Daguinos, who occasionally trains in Font Romeu and also has a background in trail running, is now in prime position to be the first European athlete to break the 27-minute barrier in the 10km.

Only 29 athletes have ever achieved the feat and they are all from Africa.

How Tempo Run Workouts Can Make You Faster

You won't become a better runner by just staying at the same pace. Here's how to ramp up your training. WHEN YOU FIRST get into running, your routine probably looks something like this: Lace up the best running shoes you own, hit a quick warmup, and then hit the road for a set time, distance, or route. Simply running a few times a week and intuitively speeding up and slowing down might be enough to improve your fitness—at least at first. Once you decide to graduate from a trot around your neighborhood into the world of more serious training, you’ll need to approach your workouts with more intention and specificity.

One common training technique used by hobbyists and world-class runners alike is the tempo run, a protocol where you run at a near-maximal intensity. Using these workouts you’ll increase muscular and cardiovascular endurance, learn to maintain running mechanics at a faster clip, and teach your body to cycle through lactic acid (which is what causes that burning sensation) more efficiently. We tapped Jes Woods, a Nike Running coach and the Head Trail & Ultra Coach at the Brooklyn Track Club, to school you on all things tempo runs so you can better understand how to implement tempo runs into your running routine. We can’t say you’ll be thanking us (at least mid-run)—but you may just become the fastest guy in your local run club. What Is a Tempo Run?

According to Woods, a tempo run is a hard but controlled pace that can be run as intervals, or a steady run spanning one to 10 miles meant to make you a more efficient runner. Tempo runs should feel, “comfortably hard," according to Woods. "If your running buddy asked you a question while running your tempo run, you could answer them if you had to, but it would be pretty annoying.” 

Woods says tempo runs can have a variety of loose definitions but, put most simply, they’re threshold runs meant to improve your lactate threshold. “That is, the tipping point between aerobic running (your body has sufficient oxygen) and anaerobic running (your body does not have sufficient oxygen to create the energy you are demanding)," she says. “You want to run at that tipping point without crossing over.”

In short: A tempo run is not easy, and that’s by design. This type of workout is a training tool that pushes you to your limits to increase your cardiovascular capacity, help you acclimate to a faster race day speed, and improve your body’s ability to clear lactate. 

How to Do a Tempo Run

Tempo runs areStretches Woods likes: Knee hugs, quad pulls, hamstring scoops, table toppers, lateral lunges and air squats. Do five reps on each side of your body per movement.

Warmup Jog

Never jump straight into your tempo work, even if you've done some dynamic stretching. 

“Before any speed run, whether it's fast intervals around the track or hill repeats in the park, an easy jog warm up is mission critical,” says Woods. Run for 10 to 15 minutes at a conversational pace before diving into the workout.

Hit the Road

The classic tempo run is straightforward enough. After you warm up, you’ll aim to run for 20 to 30 minutes at your calculated pace. If you’re new to tempo workouts or at the beginning of a new training cycle, Woods suggests running at your tempo pace in intervals to work up to a longer unbroken run. Here are two interval methods:

Straight-Up Intervals

“Start with five 5-minute intervals at your tempo run pace, with 90 second breaks after each,” says Woods. “That’s 25 minutes of tempo work, but broken into smaller bite-sized chunks. You can gradually increase those tempo intervals over time until you’re holding your tempo pace for“Improving your tempo pace or improving your lactate threshold is like improving your miles per gallon on your car,” Woods says. “You want to be able to travel (run) farther on the same tank of gas (the same energy).”

Any form of running is going to improve your VO2 max, which is a measure of how much oxygen you can utilize during intense exercise. Naturally, a tempo run, an intentionally strenuous running workout, will improve your VO2 max and, therefore, your ability to run faster for longer. 

More specifically, your heart rate should be beating between 80 to 90 percent of your max (putting you in what are considered heart rate Zones 3 and 4), which are associated with improving your anaerobic and aerobic capacities. Having endurance in both zones is imperative for running at a high intensity. 

Improved Lactate Threshold

Once you enter Zone 4 in your workout, which you’re all but guaranteed to do during a hard run or race, your body taps into your anaerobic system, where it utilizes glycogen and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for energy. Lactic acid, a byproduct of that process, will begin to accumulate inside your muscles—and it's responsible for the burning sensation

Courtney Olsen Sets 50-Mile World Record of 5:31:56 at 2024 Tunnel Hill 50 Mile

American Courtney Olsen continues to make her mark on ultrarunning history, this time provisionally setting a women’s 50-mile world record of 5:31:56 at the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile in Vienna, Illinois, on November 9, 2024.

The previous record of 5:40:18 was set in 1991 by the iconic American ultrarunner Ann Trason. Olsen’s effort resets the world record by 8 minutes and 22 seconds.

Her performance represents an average pace of 6:39 per mile (4:08 per kilometer) over 50 miles (80.47 kilometers). Wow!

The Tunnel Hill 50 Mile is run as a double out-and-back on the Tunnel Hill State Trail, a rails-to-trails trail composed mostly of dirt. The event and trail are named after the tunnel through which the trail passes and was the location of a new men’s 50-mile world record in 2023. It is a USA Track & Field-certified course, and the event has an International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) Gold Label. The IAU governs the 50-mile distance for world records, and will be responsible for ratifying the record.

The 37-year-old hails from Bellingham, Washington, and appears to be amidst a big year in racing. Earlier in 2024, she took third at the Comrades Marathon. She’s also on Team USA, set to compete at the IAU 100-Kilometer World Championships in December, 2024. In 2022, the last time the 100k world champs took place, Olsen finished fourth and ran 7 hours and 15 minutes. Her marathon PR appears to be 2:36:21.

Compression socks might help your race-day tummy troubles

Compression socks have sprinted from the clinic to the track, with pro runners like Sifan Hassan and Eliud Kipchoge touting their recovery and performance benefits. Are they really more than just a fashion trend? Here’s the scoop on what compression socks deliver, and where the hype might be outpacing the science.

Better blood flow and swelling control

Studies suggest that compression socks really do promote blood circulation and reduce swelling in the legs. Whether you’re logging miles on the trail or pounding the pavement, compression can help prevent that dreaded heavy-leg feeling by keeping blood moving efficiently back to the heart, as recently reported in SELF magazine. Dr. Leada Malek, a San Fransisco-based sports physical therapist, notes that compression socks are particularly useful for runners dealing with recurring swelling or minor injuries like ankle sprains. By reducing fluid buildup, the socks help maintain freedom of movement, letting you run without the drag of swollen, tired legs.

Compression socks can also be helpful for runners who experience postural dizziness after intense effort. For runners with conditions like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which can cause lightheadedness when shifting from sitting to standing, the socks help push blood back to the brain and heart.

A calmer stomach on race day

If you’ve ever experienced a queasy stomach during a race, compression socks might help. Running can decrease blood flow to your gut, which leads to discomfort or even nausea. A study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research suggests that compression socks can direct more blood from your legs to your GI tract, helping reduce digestive distress. By maintaining better blood circulation, you may find yourself more comfortable mid-race, with fewer interruptions from an unhappy stomach.

A boost for post-workout recovery

The role of compression socks in post-workout recovery is widely debated. Some research suggests that wearing compression garments can reduce markers for muscle damage. While the effects vary, many athletes report feeling less sore after wearing them. Even if muscle repair benefits are unclear, the stable, “hugging” sensation of compression might help you feel ready to move your body sooner.

Compression socks for travel and long races

Planning to run a far-off race? Compression socks might help keep you healthy by reducing your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long flights. According to research, wearing compression socks during prolonged sitting can prevent blood clots by keeping blood flowing in the legs.

Research also suggests that wearing them during a race might reduce DVT risk for the flight home, as the pressure supports blood flow and circulation.

The takeaway

Compression socks may not shave seconds off your race time, but they do offer a variety of benefits, from easing leg swelling to calming a queasy stomach. And if they make you feel more confident on race day, that extra motivation could be all you need to push harder.

we need to stop using this phrase in ultrarunning

The phrase “it’s 100 per cent mental” is tossed around like a mantra in ultrarunning, suggesting that mental grit alone is what gets runners through challenging endurance races. While mental resilience is undeniably important, claiming that finishing is all in the mind oversimplifies the intense physical toll that these long-distance races demand. This mindset is not only misleading—it’s potentially dangerous. Here’s why.Most of us have lined up for a race, of any distance, knowing our training was less than ideal and willing to risk a less-than-perfect performance. But believing that mental toughness alone can make up for a lack of preparation is risky, particularly in long races (often on isolated courses) placing unrealistic expectations on our mental capacity and ignoring the very real need for physical readiness.

Mental strength has limits

First, let’s be clear: no amount of mental grit can make up for a lack of training in ultrarunning. With distances ranging from 50K to over 200 miles, on mountainous, often technical terrain, the body needs conditioning to handle the intense demands. Without proper training, runners risk serious injury and even long-term damage.“Ultra-trail runners at risk for kidney damage, study finds” — Canadian Running Magazine

View on the original site.

After my first ultra, I learned a lot about my body’s capacity—and my own mental resilience. Realizing that I could go the distance gave me the confidence to tackle future races, knowing I had reserves of strength I hadn’t tapped into before. But that mental boost only went so far; my body still had to be physically prepared for each race. Mental resilience helps you push through tough moments, but there’s no substitute for the endurance, strength and injury prevention that come from dedicated training. Both body and mind are essential to finishing safely and successfully.

Physical preparation isn’t just about finishing—it’s about finishing safely. For some athletes, the financial investment alone in signing up for some races can lead unprepared runners to attempt an endurance race they are woefully unprepared for. Approaching an ultra thinking it’s “all mental” can lead runners to neglect training, setting themselves up for heartbreak or, worse, risking their health and the safety of others.The risks of overemphasizing mentality

The “100 per cent mental” mindset can lead some runners to dangerous overexertion. By treating pain or fatigue as mere mental hurdles, they risk ignoring their body’s signals, which can lead to dehydration, heatstroke or serious injury. Pushing through rather than listening can have consequences beyond one race, with runners risking long-term injuries or even life-threatening situations.

Downplaying the physical demands of ultrarunning can also set unrealistic expectations, especially for newcomers. When runners believe they lack “mental toughness” due to physical struggles, they may feel discouraged—when the real issue may simply be a need for more conditioning. Race directors often have medics and rescue teams on standby for emergencies, as even experienced runners sometimes require aid or removal from the course. When inexperienced athletes put themselves at risk by over-relying on mental toughness, they may need these resources, impacting everyone involved.Balancing mental and physical strengths

A successful ultra is about harmonizing both mental and physical strengths. Yes, runners need to train their minds to cope with doubt, discomfort and long hours on the trail. But they also need a strong, prepared body to carry them over technical terrain, up mountains and across long, seemingly endless stretches of trail. Effective training integrates physical endurance, muscle strength and strategic recovery—all components that mental strength alone cannot achieve.

Training for an ultra needs to emphasize a well-rounded approach, acknowledging the importance of both mental and physical endurance. This mindset not only helps runners perform better but also keeps them safe, as they’re more likely to listen to their bodies and make smart decisions in races.

Jenny Simpson is Retiring after the New York City Marathon and Starting a New Adventure

After concluding a stellar, 20-year career, the Olympic bronze medalist will embark on a 50-state running-infused van-life tour of the U.S. with her husband, Jason, in 2025

Jenny Simpson will go down in the annals of American running as one of the greatest of all time. No question about it.

So as she approaches what is likely the last elite-level race of her long and storied career at the November 3 New York City Marathon, she has nothing to prove, no one to impress, and no specific performance goal that she needs to attain to secure her legacy.

As a four-time global championship medalist in the 1500 meters—including a victory in the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, Diamond League title in 2014, and bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics—Simpson has long been destined to go down as one of the best runners in U.S. history.

Add to that three Olympic appearances, 11 U.S. titles, three NCAA championships, eight top-10 finishes in international championships, eight Fifth Avenue Mile victories, six NCAA records (in six different events), and two American records (in the 3,000-meter steeplechase), and Simpson will rank among American legends for decades to come.

The fact that she’s been earnestly training to finish her career with a strong marathon performance in New York City epitomizes much of what the 38-year-old runner from Boulder, Colorado, has been about during her 20-year career. She’s not necessarily going out on top—that, she says, would have entailed making the U.S. Olympic team in the marathon for the Paris Olympic Games. But she is going out on her terms: focused, tenacious, and relentless to the end. It’s an opportunity afforded to few athletes, and even fewer distance runners.

“When I say I’m feeling good, it’s that I’m really excited for New York and I feel like I have a really, really good sense about my ability to run well,” she says. “I’m not going into it saying I’m gonna set the world on fire and be the top American or run 2:25 on that course. But I just know as good as I feel and as good as the training has gone, I know I’m capable of having a good day, and, most importantly, I have peace about it all.”

But as this chapter of life closes for Simpson, another very exciting one is about to begin, and that one will include quite a bit of running, too. She and her husband, Jason, are planning to embark on a year-long tour of the U.S. in 2025 that will take them—and their two Jack Russell Terriers, Truman and Barkley—to all 50 states while living out a van-life adventure focused on immersing in America’s thriving running culture.

From participating in races and visiting national parks to running iconic routes like Rim to Rim across the Grand Canyon and discovering hidden trails, Jenny and Jason have said their goal is to capture the heartwarming and inspiring essence of the country through the eyes of runners.

“We want to experience the beauty of this country firsthand, meet the incredible people who call it home, and celebrate everything that makes the U.S. so special,” says Jenny Simpson, who has represented the U.S. on the world stage for nearly two decades. “Through this journey, we hope to show that America’s beauty is not just in its landmarks, but in its people and the unique places they live, run, and explore.”

Out of the Ashes

In December of 2021, a devastating wildfire ripped through the south end of Boulder County—including the communities of Marshall, Louisville, and Superior, where it burned more than 1,084 homes and killed two residents and more than 900 pets. Miraculously, it didn’t burn the Simpson’s house—a restored circa-1900 schoolhouse they bought several years ago that was less than a half mile from the fire’s origin—but the house did incur significant smoke damage that needed mitigating.

The Simpsons were displaced and spent several months living in an apartment with little furniture, which forced them to live a rather spartan lifestyle. While Jason was still able to work as a creative director for a design firm, Jenny’s contract hadn’t been renewed by New Balance, and she wasn’t sure what the future held.

During that time, she had been doing a weekly call with her sister, Emily, and Jason’s sister, Annie, to discuss the book Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life, a guide aimed at helping people to reimagine their professional and personal lives. It was through those discussions that Jenny came up with an idea of buying a Winnebago so she and Jason could drive around the country with Truman, who they rescued in 2020 just before the Covid lockdown. (They got Barkley about three years later.)

“My idea was that we can just drive around America and see the place that I’ve had stamped across my chest on my Team USA gear all these years,” she says. “I have been on Team USA, but I really want to know what that means. I’ve raced in some amazing places all around the world, but I really haven’t seen much of our own country. I want to go see the places and the people that I haven’t seen. And then I had this idea of doing a 50 states, 50 weeks tour.”

Jenny told Jason about the idea and he was interested from the start, but it was initially just a fun distraction while Jenny was battling injuries. Jason was so intrigued, though, that he started searching for information about vans online and indulging in YouTube content from a variety of van-life influencers. Eventually, Jenny was healthy and racing on the roads for Puma, ultimately with a quest to qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon.

A year later, they were still casually talking about the enticing “what if” possibilities of owning a van.

“So by 2023, we were like, ‘What do these vans look like? What do they cost? What kind of different layouts are best?” says Jason, 40, a 20-time marathoner with a 2:18:44 personal best. “And then I got really into the travel influencer YouTube videos and at some point told Jenny, ‘Hey, let’s just go look at them.’ And that led to looking at the timelines of: if we were to do this in 2024 or 2025, what would it take? It takes like a long time to build out the vans, and we are definitely not build-it-yourself van people.”

On Her Own Terms 

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Simpson’s career has been her consistency. She qualified for every U.S. national team on the track between 2007 and 2019. Not only did she put in the work and remain virtually injury-free during that time, but she also raced fiercely and rose to the occasion every single time without a single hiccup in any of her preliminary races. (She also made it to the 1500-meter final of the Covid-delayed U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021 at age 35 after what she admitted was a rough gap in competition during the pandemic.)

For most of that time, she was coached by her University of Colorado coaches Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs. They continued coaching her as she transitioned to road running over the past three years and ultimately to the build-up to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in Orlando, Florida. Although she had brief moments of success on the roads—finishing second in the U.S. 10-mile championship in 2021 and turning in a solid ninth-place, 1:10:35 effort in the Houston Half Marathon in 2023—the first injuries of her career disrupted her training and delayed her debut at 26.2 miles until the Olympic Trials.

Over the past three years, continuing to adhere to the rigid lifestyle needed to keep racing competitively was increasingly met at an internal crossroads of wondering when it would feel OK to retire and move on in life and what that would look like.

“Running the Olympics Trials and then running Boston, I would say those were not successful outings,” Simpson says. “I did the best that I could and I got as prepared as I could, but they weren’t what I had hoped for, neither of them were what I’m capable of. I’m really proud of how I ran in Boston because I ran entirely alone after mile 3, but that’s not how I wanted to end my career.”

After Boston, Jenny still wasn’t ready to retire. But she’d heard the chatter that suggested she could give up the ghost and not try to remain competitive on the roads, knowing her legacy was already secure. After she took some time off to recover and reflect, she knew she wanted to get back into training and target one more race on the biggest stage and settled on the New York City Marathon.

She parted ways with Wetmore and Burroughs in the spring and decided to train on her own, although she’s continually received subtle guidance from Jason, who qualified for and raced in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in Atlanta. Although he has imparted bits of knowledge to help keep her balanced, Simpson has been following a training plan in her marathon buildup that she designed.

From Best in the U.S. to Across the U.S.

Casual interest in buying a van led to more in-depth investigation and, after what was an otherwise random training run on the dirt roads north of Denver last year, they passed an RV sales lot and decided to take a look. One thing led to another and they put down a small, refundable deposit that would hold a fully appointed 23-foot Winnebago Ekko during what was expected to be nearly a year-long wait until it was built and delivered.

Fast forward to 2024 and Jenny made her marathon debut on February 3 in Orlando, but it didn’t go at all as she had hoped. She had been running among the top 20 early in the race but  eventually dropped out at mile 18. She returned 10 weeks later to run a respectable Boston Marathon in mid-April (she placed 18th overall in 2:31:39 and was the fourth American finisher), and although her effort was commensurate with her inner drive—and some degree of success felt good—she still wasn’t ready to call it a career.

Finally, in April, several days before they were going to travel to Boston, the RV dealership called and told them the van had arrived and they had a week to consider buying it. At that point, Jenny was eager to run Boston to make amends for her Olympic Trials experience, but she was also physically and emotionally fried.

“And I was like, we’re doing it,” she says. “It was the perfect time in the perfect year. Because I was like, ‘I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to be done.’ It was killing me. I actually might perish in the middle of the Boston Marathon. I just was so burnt out, and so it was the perfect time for them to call and essentially say, ‘Do you want to drive away into the sunset?’ And I was like, ‘Yes, I do. I really do.’” 

Two days after the Boston Marathon, they paid the remainder of the balance on the van and picked it up, immediately sending them into daydreaming mode about where they wanted to go.

Although their plans are still being formulated, they intend to rent their house and hit the road with the charming dogs in January, officially starting their “Jenny and Jason Run USA” tour in Florida. Along the way, they plan to see numerous sights, host or join at least one fun run in every state, promote dog adoptions by publicizing local humane societies, and create a wide range of engaging social media content on their Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube accounts along the way. Given that their longest stint in the van so far was the six-day trip they took to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming early last summer, they know they’re going to have to learn on the fly and continually adapt. But that’s what an adventure is all about.

“I’ve been nothing but focused on running New York, but I am excited about what’s next,” Jenny said this week. “As I have been tiptoeing toward the idea of being retired from professional running, I don’t know that I’m going to be really great at it or that it’s going to come easily for me. That’s why it’s so wonderful to have a partner in life like Jason because I think he sees that, too. So our goal is to create a lot of time and space to figure that out. I think the year will be kind of interesting and fun and wild and I really don’t know how it’ll end up, and I think that’s really good.”

Approaching the End … and a Beginning

Simpson admits her post-Boston malaise contributed to her having an inconsistent summer of training, in part because she was listening to voices that suggested she should relax and not be so rigid in her approach. When she showed up to run the Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, on August 3, she admits she wasn’t very fit, and, as a result, finished a distant 12th in 34:30.

“My Beach to Beacon race was just so bad that it was like validation to me that caring less and trying less doesn’t work for me ever in anything,” she said. “I’m just not that person. It works for some people, but that’s not who I am. I used to joke that when you show up to the track and someone asks, ‘How do you feel?’ I always thought to myself it doesn’t matter how I feel. It’s about doing the work. I always feel like it’s execution over emotion for me all the time and that I have a job to do. I know who I am and I know how I operate, and how I operate is great.”

Simpson got back to work immediately after that race, ramping up her weekly mileage to the 100-mile range in the high altitude environs of Colorado. She says she’s done more than half of her long runs between 8,500 and 10,500 feet, including runs on Magnolia Road above Boulder, Golden Gate Canyon State Park near Golden, and even a loop around the paved Mineral Belt Trail in Leadville.

Her return to rigidity and improved fitness helped bring mental clarity that not only convinced her that she’d be ready to run a strong marathon in New York City, but also brought the revelation that she was ready to admit it was her last race knowing it would allow her to retire on her own terms.

Two months after feeling flat in the 10K, she won the Wineglass Half Marathon on October 5 in Corning, New York, running a near-PR of 1:10:50 (5:24 per-mile pace) as she ran stride-for-stride to the finish line with Jason. (She broke the women’s finisher’s tape for the win, while he ran slightly to the side as the 12th-place men’s finisher and 13th overall.) Now she’s likely in sub-2:30 marathon shape, even though the hilly New York City Marathon course is as equally challenging as Boston in its own way. Jason, meanwhile, will race in the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K the day before the marathon, not only so he can track Jenny on Sunday and meet her at the finish line, but also because he’s running the California International Marathon on December 8.

2025 and Beyond

Simpson arrived in New York City on October 30 healthy, happy, and ready to run hard—definitely not the feeling of holding on for dear life that she felt going into the Olympic Trials and the Boston Marathon. She says she couldn’t be more excited to run through the city’s five boroughs to the finish line in Central Park that she hopes will come with a satisfying result, as well as the beginning of closure to her star-spangled career.

Who knows what’s next after that—Coaching? Law school? A corporate career with a shoe brand? The world seems to be her oyster, but for the time being the cross-country tour might be just what she needs most. She’s excited to detach a bit from the rigid schedule and identity she’s clung to for the past 20 years and enjoy the freedom of the open road. She knows it will be a complete departure from the essence of what she’s all about, and to that point, she’ll likely dig into planning and scheduling early next week even before she recovers from the marathon.

Although she admits she was intrigued while watching some of the top runners finish the Leadville Trail 100 this summer, she says she’s decidedly not interested in running ultras. (However, Jason might be, and Jenny says she’s been keen to pace and crew him.) She might get more into trail running, something she did a little bit early in her University of Colorado career. Or she might even return to road running, but she’s not thinking that far ahead. For now, she’s focused on racing in New York and then continuing to run in 2025—on the magical mystery tour that awaits—and beyond.

“I feel a lot of peace about it, but it’s not like I’m over running. I want to retire so I can do more running and to explore the beautiful country I raced for,” she says. “I wanted to be world class at the marathon, and I’m not. I gave it a good try, and now it’s time to try something else, and I just feel really good about it.”

Chemutai, Kimeli rule Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

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

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

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

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

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

Chemutai dedicated her win to Cheptai and her family.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Koech will pocket Sh300,000.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Women runners are more afraid than ever

How often do you consider the safety of your surroundings when running? While running has surged in popularity, with race registrations soaring and running shoe brands experiencing record sales, many women face a growing, unsettling fear, as reported by CBC. The recent, tragic case of Alyssa Lokits, who was murdered while running in Nashville, highlights this issue and raises questions about safety for women runners everywhere.

A culture of fear

On Oct. 14., 34-year-old Alyssa Lokits was fatally shot while jogging on a popular trail. Witnesses reported hearing her scream for help, then hearing gunshots. Despite taking precautions, such as running during the day and practising self-defense, Lokits became yet another name in a disturbing list of women killed while exercising. “Alyssa did everything right,” noted an Instagram account dedicated to her memory, encouraging people to run or walk for her at the same time she was attacked. “It is unacceptable for a woman to go on a run and not make it back home.”

“Finish the Run” event planned in Toronto after runner violently assaulted” — Canadian Running Magazine

In Sept. 2022, Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year-old mother of two, was running near the University of Memphis where she was grabbed and forced into an SUV. Her body was found days later, and her accused killer will face trial in February.

There are many more women recently attacked or killed while running, and not just in the U.S. They include Johannesburg school teacher Kirsten Kluyts, who was pregnant when she was killed. And Samantha Murphy, 51, of Australia, a mom of three.

Statistics paint a complicated picture

Despite the alarming news stories, crime statistics indicate that attacks on women runners in Canada are rare. According to Statistics Canada, only one per cent of gender-related homicides are committed by strangers, and the rate of gender-related attempted murder has been declining since 2017. Nevertheless, the stories of Canadian women murdered while running still resonate. Vancouver’s Wendy Ladner-Beaudry and Toronto’s Margaret McWilliam were both killed during routine runs, and their cases remain unsolved. This lingering fear is echoed by Susan Ibach, an Ottawa-based runner, who remarked, “Even here in Ottawa, yes, it’s something I do think about.”

View on the original site.

While attacks on women runners may be rare, most women report experiencing harassment while running. New research out of Simon Fraser University reported that women trail runners were more likely than men to report losing cellphone service and being afraid of other people; the women were also more popular running paths.” The desire to stay safe often means making adjustments to routines and locations, a reality not faced to the same extent by male runners.

What can be done?

Experts emphasize the importance of focusing on prevention. Callie Rennison, a criminal justice professor at the University of Colorado who studies violence against women, argues for a societal shift in responsibility. “I wish there was more emphasis on teaching men not to assault women rather than telling women what they should or should not do,” she said.

For women, it can be helpful to take proactive measures. Joining running groups, carrying emergency ID tags or planning routes through well-populated areas can enhance safety. Social media and community platforms often share tips for safer running practices, fostering a sense of solidarity among women runners.

Ultimately, while fear can loom large, it shouldn’t deter women from enjoying the sport they love. As Rennison aptly put it, “What is the alternative? Trying to exist quietly doesn’t protect us either.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IRONMAN Kona 2024 World Championship head to head: Sam Laidlow vs Magnus Ditlev

The defending men’s IRONMAN World Champion versus a two-time fastest long distance record holder. Sam Laidlow and Magnus Ditlev are two of the strongest contenders set to take to the start line at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona this weekend. Laidlow is looking to make it back-to-back World Championship titles. And Ditlev looks fired up with a score to settle after, in his words, Laidlow “dusted my ass the last two editions of this race.”

Kona is the stage for an epic showdown as the pair lock horns over the full distance for the first time since Nice 2023 but who could come out top trumps if it all comes down to a head to head in Kona? TRI247’s Jenny Lucas-Hill looks at how the pair stack up. Are we in for a battle of the ages?

Sam Laidlow vs Magnus Ditlev – who’s most likely to take the crown in Kona?

Laidlow and Ditlev will surely feature top of many people’s podium picks for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. Laidlow coming in with a title to defend. And Challenge Roth record-setter Ditlev arriving at the start line with a title to try and grasp. We’ve only seen Sam Laidlow and Magnus Ditlev at the same race twice this year – and the score is 1-1. Ditlev finished 1st to Laidlow’s 9th at Miami T100. And Sam took the win at London T100, with Magnus trailing in 4th.

So as we see the pair go head to head over the full Iron distance for the first time since Nice 2023, which of these superstar athletes is most likely to leave the Big Island wearing the Kona victory crown?

Magnus Ditlev 2024 performances and form

The 2024 race season got off to a strong start for Magnus Ditlev, who placed third at last year’s men’s IRONMAN World Championship in Nice. An early-season race at Miami T100 in March saw him take a resounding win. On a day where the extreme heat and humidity saw other athletes dropping like flies – there were 6 DNFs – the Great Dane was able to stay strong and finish top of the podium ahead of a storming Sam Long.

But that dominant start to the season was then scuppered a little over a month later, as a bike crash just days before Singapore T100 resulted in a broken wrist which took Ditlev off the start list. We didn’t see him race again until June, where he finished 4th behind the sprinting trio of Marten Van Riel, Rico Bogen and Kyle Smith at San Francisco T100.

With a focus on that 100km distance, we didn’t see Ditlev on a full distance start line until July. Magnus returned to Challenge Roth, a race where he set a record-breaking time for the 140.6 mile distance in 2023. And any doubts over Ditlev’s form were soon extinguished, as he took the win – and broke his own record in the process. We’ve become accustomed to seeing Ditlev have to make up time on the bike after the swim. But what will be alarming for competitors is the strong swim he had in Roth – exiting the water just 51s back from the leaders. Wet conditions slowed him down a touch on the bike compared to 2023, but he still covered the 112 miles in under 4hrs. And that characteristically strong bike split was backed up by an incredible run – completing the marathon in 2hrs 34 mins, to cross the finish line eight minutes ahead of the rest of the field. And while many might note the absence of uber-runner Patrick Lange, who surely would have been making his way up to somewhere near Ditlev’s shoulder on the run if he hadn’t been forced to pull out of the race after the swim. What’s noteworthy is that Ditlev also ran a full three minutes faster than his Roth 2023 run split. A Magnus Ditlev who can exit the water within striking distance, tear up the field on the bike, and hold strong on the run is a Magnus Ditlev to be scared of.

Ditlev has been consistently in the mix this season, with two wins backed up by two fourth place finishes. And don’t forget, with Kona being that much later this year, the Great Dane has had more time to recover from his Challenge Roth effort compared to 2023. We know from Miami T100, he’s an athlete who can keep his cool when the heat is on – in all senses of the phrase. That characteristically calm, controlled confidence sets him up in a good place for Kona.

Sam Laidlow – the reigning IRONMAN World Champion’s 2024 performances and form

We haven’t really seen where Sam Laidlow is at over the full distance yet this year. That DQ at IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz meant he kept out of the race dynamics – getting to the finish line to validate his Kona slot.

Laidlow has also been a little hit and miss in the T100 series, with a 9th in Miami and a DNF in Singapore to start the season. Though his most recent win in London and 2nd place in Ibiza after going shoulder to shoulder with Marten Van Riel (despite the pair taking a wrong turn), suggest his form is shaping up just in time for Kona. And we learned in 2023 that an up-and-down season doesn’t mean you should count Laidlow out. Don’t forget that last year he took the win in Nice just a few weeks after his DNF at the PTO Asian Open.

We know that it’s typically harder to be the person on top returning to defend a title, versus being the person chasing. But what’s interesting about Sam Laidlow is that he’s proven his ability to shake off the doubters. Many dubbed his Kona 2022 podium finish as a one-hit wonder. And his hit-and-miss season in 2023 might have proven them right, were it not for a dominant victory at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice. When it mattered, he pulled it out the bag.

He proved again that he can tune the doubters out at London T100. He came into the race far from being a favourite for the win. And set tongues wagging as he was the only athlete who chose to swim without a wetsuit – many mocking the choice as he exited the water significantly further back than we’re used to seeing. But his choice was soon vindicated as he put down a confidence-boosting performance to take the win.

Where many athletes would crumble under the scrutiny of doubters and the pressure of defending a title, Laidlow seems to thrive. In fact, speaking after that win in London Laidlow said: “Whatever happens next, it’s great. I’ve got a lot of years ahead of me and if I win Kona this year, great. If I don’t, doesn’t matter. Of course I want to win and I’m going to do everything for that. But yeah, I’ve got nothing to prove, I’ve proven myself over the T100 and I’ve proven myself over Ironman.”

That ‘nothing to prove’ attitude, while still acknowledging that there’s everything to win, could give him the edge when the Big Island of Kona turns the screws this Saturday.

Verdict

The World Championship race in Kona will be the first time this year we get to see Sam Laidlow and Magnus Ditlev go head to head over the full Iron distance since last year’s IMWC in Nice. On the twists and turns of the French climbs, we saw Magnus Ditlev almost bike his way up to the front of the race. But it wasn’t enough to reel in Laidlow.

Cast our minds back to Kona 2022, and a similar story played out. Ditlev made a phenomenal charge to the front of the race which left even the mighty Norwegian duo of Blummenfelt and Iden struggling to hold his wheel. But it wasn’t enough to shake Laidlow, who not only reclaimed the lead – but set a new bike course record in the process. Ditlev picked up a drafting penalty which took him out of contention. And a Kona win wasn’t meant to be for Laidlow, who was overtaken by Gustav Iden just three miles from the finish line.

All of that means Ditlev will want to make it third time lucky and finally get ahead of Laidlow for good on the World Championship stage. He said in a recent Instagram video that he’s been having ‘nightmares’ ever since Laidlow “completely dusted [his] ass the last two editions of this race.” And both athletes have unfinished business on the Big Island. As much as Laidlow says it doesn’t matter – there’s got to be a part of him that wants to follow in the footsteps of Jan Frodeno and Patrick Lange to make it two for two.

Of course, I have to take some poetic licence in this hypothetical head to head scenario here. The likes of Blummenfelt – who was blisteringly quick at IRONMAN Frankfurt and is said to be targeting the overall Kona course record. And Patrick Lange, a former Kona champion who’s got a score to settle with that sub-2:30 marathon goal, will in reality be shaking up the dynamics – and hopefully creating an epic multi-athlete battle charging towards the finish line.

But if it does come down to a head to head battle between Laidlow and Ditlev for the win in Kona this year… despite all the signs being there that Laidlow could have the edge, my money is on Magnus Ditlev. Cool-headed he might be, but he’s clearly got some white hot flames in his belly to get out there and beat Laidlow to the finish line. A fired up Magnus Ditlev is a force to be reckoned with. Go prove me right, Magnus!

Olympic sprint champions to star in SPRINT’s second season on Netflix

Three months after its debut, Netflix’s popular track and field series SPRINT is set to return with a highly anticipated second season. Premiering on Nov. 13, the new season will give fans an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the 2024 Paris Olympics, focusing on the four Olympic champions in the 100m and 200m: Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred, Letsile Tebogo and Gabby Thomas.

The first season of SPRINT, which premiered on Netflix in July, took viewers through the build-up to the Paris Olympics and explored the lives of several elite sprinters during the 2023 World Championships. With the Olympic torch now on its way to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games, the second season shifts focus to the dramatic races in Paris, bringing new faces and stories to the forefront.

Fans can look forward to reliving historic moments, such as Tebogo’s gold in the 200m, where he clocked an impressive 19.46 seconds—placing him fifth on the all-time list and earning Botswana its first-ever Olympic gold. The series will also highlight Alfred’s win in the 100m, marking St. Lucia’s first Olympic gold, along with Thomas’s triumph in the women’s 200m. Meanwhile, Lyles’s standout persona, both on and off the track, promises to deliver never-before-seen Olympic moments to the Netflix screen.

After watching the trailer, it appears there is no coverage of the men’s or women’s relay races from the 2024 Olympic Games, meaning no Canadian men’s 4x100m relay triumph featured in the second season of the series.

The documentary series is produced by Paul Martin at Box to Box Films, the same production company behind other Netflix successes such as  Full Swing and Formula 1: Drive to Survive. SPRINT aims to bring track and field closer to fans, offering exclusive access to the sport’s biggest names and their path to superstardom. As viewers get a front-row seat to the athletes’ triumphs and struggles, SPRINT Season 2 will reveal the resilience required to become an Olympic champion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sawan Barwal betters previous performance

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

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

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

Lili Das has dream debut

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

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

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

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

A cold, hard look at extreme winter races

Winter is when races careen from the cosy, coddling courses of autumn into a forbidding tundra that both terrifies and exhilarates. It’s in this frozen landscape that the most extreme races are forged—competitions that take things to unsettlingly unconventional extremes, like sporting the scariest name or boasting the largest field of hungover revellers.

From a race season positively steeped in superlatives, here’s a sampling of extreme cold-weather races that boast the most—for reasons silly and chillingly serious—and strategies for making the most of them.

THE WILDEST

Polar Bear Marathon

Nov. 23, 2024

Churchill, Man.

Distances: 21.1 km, 42.2 km, 50 km

albertmartens.com

An event where vehicles tail runners in case a polar bear wanders onto the course truly deserves the title of winter’s wildest race. Beginning from Churchill, Man., the course takes participants along the coast of Hudson Bay for a challenge that balances breathtaking beauty with physical and mental rigour.

“A few times there have been polar bears right on the road where they run,” says race director Albert Martens. “However, we do provide safety for the runners, escorting them with a vehicle. Often the Canadian Rangers are out and assist us, as well.”

As challenging as this event is, the joys of the race aren’t to be outdone by the hardships. “One of the highlights of the run is the beautiful sunrise at the start overlooking Hudson Bay, and the post-marathon banquet, where the runners get to know each other better,” says Martens. He adds that one of the “swag bag” items runners receive is a polar bear carved out of soapstone. Although signups for this year’s event were set to close Oct. 1, it’s a race worth keeping in mind

THE BOOZIEST

Santa Will Run for Beer 5K-ish

Dec. 7, 2024

Bethlehem, Pa.

Distance: “5K-ish”

runsignup.com/Race/PA/Bethlehem/SantaWillRunforBeer5Kish

When it comes to combining Santa and suds, this race really raises the bar. Suit up in your best Kris Kringle costume and simultaneously work up and quench your thirst as you race between more than a dozen drinking establishments. The order you hit the bars in is up to you, but you’ve got three hours to stop at them all before raising a celebratory glass with your fellow runners at Molly’s Irish Grille and Sports Pub.

Speed counts—the first 24 runners at each location get a free beer—but so does presentation, so don’t skimp on style when putting together your Santa look. “Don’t go easy on your costume,” suggests Rochelle Romeo Kane, managing director of Run Lehigh Valley, which organizes the race. She also recommends mapping out your “beer strategy” beforehand: “Are you more of a ‘run fast and hit the close bars’ or ‘go for the early long-haul’ kind of runner? Either way, come with your plan and know it will change!” Runners must be at least 21, but it’s a race that

THE JOLLIEST

Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk

Dec. 7, 2024

British Columbia: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley

Alberta: Edmonton, Calgary

Saskatchewan: Regina

Manitoba: Winnipeg

Ontario: Hamilton, Kemptville, Kingston, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Whitby

Quebec: Montreal

Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown

Nova Scotia: Halifax

Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John’s

Additional virtual events

Distances: 1 km, 5 km

santashuffle.ca

What started in 1990 as a fundraiser by Running Room members to support Salvation Army programs in Edmonton has become a countrywide celebration of seasonal giving, as legions of speedy Santas are unleashed from start lines coast to coast. Santa Shuffle races, which continue to benefit the Salvation Army, boast the most Santas in Canada’s winter-running scene, but also pull in plenty of reindeer, elves and assorted festive fashionistas. Clever costuming pays at the events, with prizes for the best individual, group and pet get-ups (see the event website for details).

THE PRICIEST

Antarctic Ice Marathon

Dec. 13, 2024

Union Glacier, Antarctica

Distances: 21.1 km, 42.2 km

icemarathon.com

With a registration fee approaching $30,000, the Antarctic Ice Marathon isn’t a race you’ll enter on a whim, but the experience it offers is as rich as its price tag, and it’s sure to earn a spot on many runners’ bucket lists. You’ll be whisked by jet from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier in the Antarctica interior, within a few hundred kilometres of the South Pole. Although aid stations, snowmobile support and medical personnel will be available, completing either the event’s marathon or half-marathon will take plenty of self-motivation; as race organizers point out, there won’t be any crowds to cheer you on—not even penguins venture this far south. Runners should also note this race can be as unpredictable as it is unforgettable. “The Antarctic Ice Marathon presents a unique challenge with its extreme cold and unpredictable weather,” says race director Becca Pizzi. “We advise runners to prepare for low temperatures and be ready for sudden shifts in conditions. Proper layering and mental resilience are key to tackling this unforgettable race.”

THE HEAD-POUNDINGEST

The 18th Hangover Hike

Jan. 1, 2025

Dewsbury, England

Distances: 15 km, 27 km, 34 km

ldwa.org.uk/TheIrregulars/W/2112/hangover-hike.html

An event that gives a refreshingly honest nod to the realities of New Year’s revelry, the Hangover Hike in northern England encourages hikers and runners to get an early and (mostly) sober start to 2025. The New Year’s Day run/hike around the rural roadways, hills and hiking trails of the town of Dewsbury (about 15 km south of Leeds) will ease participants into the challenge ahead with tea and toast at registration. The event’s three hikes—15 km with just over 300 m of ascent, 27 km with about 520 m of climb and 34 km with almost 550 m of ascent—start and end at The Leggers Inn. The Irregulars group of the Long Distance Walkers Association, which organizes the event, puts it succinctly: “A brisk walk or run, a breath of fresh air, a wee dram en route and a hair of the dog at The Leggers. What better way to start the new year?”

THE LOOPIEST

Frozen Falcon

Jan. 12, 2025

Falcon Beach, Man.

Distance: As far as you can go in eight hours

ontheedgerunning.com/home/frozenfalcon

Looped courses can help take the sting out of daunting distances by breaking down the kilometres into bite-sized chunks. The Frozen Falcon’s 6.5-km course at Falcon Trails Resort in southeastern Manitoba is the perfect length to keep your run manageable without it becoming monotonous, but be aware of the course’s unique challenges: “This race is run on groomed trails, however, after a few laps the snow can become a little like sugary mashed potatoes,” cautions race director Joel Toews. “Get working on that lower-leg strength! Also, you’re going to head into the yurt each loop, where there is food and a wood stove. It’s pretty cosy, so don’t get sucked into the comfort. Get back out there as soon as possible.”

THE SCARIEST-SOUNDING

Hypothermic Half Marathon

Vancouver: Jan. 19, 2025

Edmonton: Feb. 2, 2025

(A planned second Edmonton event was not confirmed before publication.)

Kelowna, B.C.: Feb. 9, 2025

Halifax: Feb. 16, 2025

Calgary: Feb. 23, 2025

Winnipeg: Feb. 23, 2025

Additional virtual events

Distances: 10 km, 21.1 km

hypothermichalf.com

The Hypothermic Half Marathon is no walk in the park, but this intimidating-sounding series of winter races has a bark that’s worse than its frostbite. That’s due in large part to the warmth and hospitality shown by volunteers and supporters during and after the races. There are other ways to stay toasty at the Hypo Half, however—at last year’s event in Edmonton, local runner David Eliuk sported 120 T-shirts in a bid to set a new world record for the most T-shirts run in a half-marathon. He achieved the feat, but was bested by American Dan Harvey—who donned 127 shirts at an event a few months later—before Eliuk’s record could be ratified.

THE LONGEST

Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra

Feb. 2–14, 2025

Teslin, Yukon

Distances: 340 km, 640 km

arcticultra.de/home

This race could be a contender for the most extreme in several categories—winds whip up with unfathomable force while temperatures can plummet to -40 C—but its length is what really makes it a standout. Starting from the village of Teslin and finishing in the town of Faro, the ultra’s shorter race totals 340 km, while the main event (including a 150-km route out and back from Faro) adds up to an eye-watering 640 km. Competitors can tackle these either on foot or skis or by mountain bike.

“Many races with these kinds of distances are organized in stages,” says race director Robert Pollhammer. “In our race, athletes are on the go day and night, sometimes up to an average of 20 hours per day.” He cautions that sleep deprivation can be dangerous in such an extreme environment and emphasizes the importance of having a strong race strategy.” While cautioning that the race isn’t for everyone, he says, “If you like the cold, the vastness of nature and being in a race with a family-like atmosphere, the

THE LARGEST (LATITUDINALLY)

6633 Arctic Ultra

Feb. 27 to March 8, 2025

Eagle Plains, Yukon

Distances: 120 miles (193 km), 380 miles (612 km)

6633ultra.com

Canada’s most northerly winter foot race, the 6633 Arctic Ultra (named for the latitude of the Arctic Circle in the Yukon—66 degrees, 33 minutes north) tests the ambitious and adventurous in a gruelling trek across two Canadian territories. Beginning in Eagle Plains, Yukon, runners who tough it out will cross the Arctic Circle to finish lines in the Northwest Territories hamlets of Fort McPherson (193 km) and Tuktoyaktuk (612 km).

Blistering wind and cold make the 6633 one of the most physically punishing races on Earth—but the competition’s mental challenge is greater still, according to race co-director Stuart Thornhill. “The mental fatigue experienced and resilience required cannot be underestimated,” Thornhill says. “Our athletes experience long periods of isolation in the dark and extreme cold, leading to extreme hallucinations.” Sticking to script, he says, is key to success at the 6633: “Those who make it through have a plan which they follow, eating when they need to, sleeping when they need to. They don’t get caught up racing someone else and breaking their plan. I have seen people who have been at the back of the pack for most of the race and have come in the top three finishers, because they stuck to what worked best for them.”

THE SPICIEST

Chilly Half Marathon

March 2, 2025

Burlington, Ont.

Distance: 21.1 km

raceroster.com/events/2025/84601/2025-chilly-half-marathon

The Chilly Half Marathon is a cold-weather race that throws some serious heat. While most of the events on this list aren’t really built for racking up personal bests, the course through downtown Burlington and along Lake Ontario’s western shore is perfect for burning rubber. “This will be the 29th year of the fun, fast, flat race that welcomes 4,000 runners to downtown Burlington,” says Kelly Arnott, co-CEO and co-owner of race organizer VR Pro Inc.

An event that marks the start of the spring road-running season in eastern Canada, the Chilly Half is just as popular for its post-race revelry as for its scenic, zippy course. Spectators and runners can shake off the March chill by coming together for a bowl of piping hot chili. “If it is a chilly day, we will warm you up with a bowl of hot Stagg Chili following the great race,” says Arnott.

THE MOST ENDURING

Around the Bay Road Race

March 30, 2025

Hamilton

Distances: 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 30 km, additional virtual events

bayrace.com

Launched in 1894—three years before the Boston Marathon—Hamilton’s storied Around the Bay Road Race is North America’s oldest long-distance running event. More than a testing ground for generations of runners, Around the Bay is itself something of an endurance feat. Despite some challenging obstacles (in recent years organizers have had to switch up the course due to renovation and construction projects in the city), the 30K run around Hamilton Harbour remains a cultural focal point for the local community and favourite destination race for runners worldwide. Race-day weather has been known to swing wildly from warm and sunny one year to blizzard-like the next, so the best way to prepare is to be consistent in training, suggests race director Anna Lewis. “Keep to your training schedule even on bad weather days, because you never know what the weather will be like on race day,” she says, adding that wisely managing effort is also key to negotiating tougher terrain near the end of the race. “Don’t go out too fast, so

FROZEN FEATS

Here are some extreme winter exploits that have earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Coldest marathon

By its name alone, the Siberian Ice Marathon seems a convincing contender for the world’s coldest marathon—and it’s not just hype. Temperatures as low as -39 C were recorded at the 2001 race in Omsk, Russia. While it’s the coldest marathon recognized by Guinness, organizers of the Pole of Cold Marathon in Oymyakon (also in Siberia) reported the mercury crashing to -55 C at its most recent event on Jan. 12, 2024.

Fastest half-marathon barefoot on ice/snow

Not content to set this record by running a bone-chilling half-marathon barefoot in 1:50:42, Josef (Joska) Šálek added an extra dash of shivery showmanship by running the distance in nothing but shorts. The Czechian set the record on a course in his home country on Feb. 18, 2024.

Fastest marathon by a female dressed as Santa

From snowmen to ice-cream cones, there’s no end to the cold- and winter-centric costumes runners will don to break records, but most of these attempts are made in spring or fall. Hand it to British runner

WINTER RACE TIPS FOR FIRST-TIMERS

Don’t dress just for the start line

As tempting as it is to bundle up while waiting for your race to start, things can heat up pretty quickly once you’re on the move, and overheating can sap your performance and enjoyment of the race. If temperatures are dry and above freezing, dressing as though it’s 10 C warmer than it really is will keep your engine running cool as you hit your stride. On colder, windier days, dress in layers that can easily be discarded or passed off to a supporter on the sidelines.

Show up fully charged

The energy demands on your body when racing in colder temperatures aren’t significantly different from those of any other time of year, so there’s no need for drastic changes to your pre-race fuelling. The same can’t be said of your running tech, however. Plummeting temperatures can be a big drain on the battery capacity of your watch, headlamp and heart rate monitor, even during shorter races. Make sure the devices you rely on are fully charged; don’t assume the GPS that saw you to the end of a summer 5K on a 15 per cent

Hurricane Helene Devastated This Running Hotbed. Professional Athletes Are Helping Rebuild It.

“We had no idea the gravity of what was coming,” said Olympian Abbey Cooper.

On a typical Tuesday, Abbey Cooper usually tackles a threshold workout before leading practice as the coach of a youth cross-country team in Boone, North Carolina. 

Last week, the 2016 Olympic 5,000-meter runner was working as a volunteer, answering phones at her church, Alliance Bible Fellowship. For hours, the new mom helped survivors of Hurricane Helene obtain generators and other necessities in the wake of a natural disaster. 

When Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, it created a 500-mile path of destruction across the southeast. Homes were washed away, roads were destroyed, and electricity was wiped out in communities across six states, where the death toll has risen to 227. Many are still unaccounted for or missing, according to The AP. 

In the rural mountain towns of western North Carolina, the hurricane decimated communities with unrelenting rain and devastating floods. And emergency response was made more difficult due to hundreds of damaged roads and downed bridges. 

Now as people begin to recover and rebuild, several elite runners in Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina, are taking major steps to give back and raise awareness for the organizations working tirelessly to support those in need. From cleaning up trails to delivering meals and disaster kits, professional and collegiate athletes who train in the area are providing critical aid and urging others to help in recovery efforts. 

“We had no idea the gravity of what was coming”

Cooper, her husband, Jacob, and their 20-month-old daughter, Mercy, live in a valley about 15 minutes from downtown Boone. In the days leading up to the storm hitting their town on Friday, September 27, a downpour descended on the area. At the height of the storm, Cooper remembered seeing waterfalls flowing off the hill and rushing toward their house. 

Though they had to dig a trench to reroute water that was flowing into their garage, there was minimal damage done to the Coopers’ home. Cooper said they were lucky. One of their neighbor’s homes located next to a creek was destroyed, but the owner made it out safely. “All of us were really humbled. We had no idea the gravity of what was coming,” she said. 

They lost power and water, relying on a portable camping stove and water filter to sustain them at home for three days. The couple considered driving to their friend’s house in Raleigh but decided to stay after the power was turned back on. 

Tristin Van Ord Colley had a similar terrifying experience at her home in Blowing Rock, located about eight miles from Boone. The professional marathoner, who runs for Zap Endurance, was in her apartment when a tornado hit the street behind her complex on Wednesday, September 25. Without receiving any warning of the tornado, the Appalachian State University alum and her husband, fellow pro runner Andrew Colley, took shelter last minute in a room without windows. The next day, the rain started to pick up. By Friday, it became catastrophic. 

Tristin said Andrew was watching a teammate’s dogs across town when water started flooding into the house. With the water rising rapidly and the electricity still on, Andrew fled with the dogs in his car and drove to their apartment. Tristin said he was forced to avoid road closures and drive through deep water as the storm progressed. “If [Andrew] had waited any longer, I’m not sure he would’ve been able to make it,” she said. 

Though the basement of their apartment building flooded up to four feet, the water didn’t reach their unit on the second floor. After the power went out—and didn’t turn back on for nine days—Tristin and Andrew braved the few roads that were open but riddled with fallen trees, to drive to her mom’s house in Chapel Hill. 

Recovering and rebuilding

Once they stabilized at home, Abbey and Jacob started volunteering with local relief efforts led by the Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse in partnership with their church. Jacob, who works as the Associate Athletics Director for Sports Psychology and Mental Wellness at Appalachian State, is making deliveries to families in need and serving meals at the university. Abbey is assisting with administrative

“The people of Appalachia I feel are forgotten about a lot…Being someone who was extremely lucky in this situation, it’s hard for me to watch this community that I’ve grown to love so much crumble because of poverty and maybe not being prepared or not warned,” she said, while noting the messaging about the severity of the storm could have been better communicated in advance. 

“It’s important to have eyes on this area and have people recognize that these people here matter too.”

Zap Endurance elite coach Peter Rea and his family are doing their part by volunteering at local churches and public schools, which have become distribution centers for aid since the hurricane hit. Rea, his wife—cofounder of Zap Endurance Zika Rea—and their two children are helping people get necessities, like diapers, toothpaste, bottled water, blankets, and hot meals in the aftermath of their homes getting destroyed. 

The Rea family home saw minimal damage in Blowing Rock compared to other communities sitting at lower elevation, but four Zap runners were flooded from their houses, he said. Several of the athletes stayed with Rea immediately after the hurricane. They had to run on treadmills because the team’s primary training venue, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, was severely damaged from the storm. 

“There are just hundreds of trees down in the national park on all of the carriage trails that we run on,” Rea said. “A couple of our rolling dirt loops are completely flooded out. There’s lots of housing destruction on the road because it’s right next to the Watauga River, which went 12 feet over its banks.”

Most of the team left Blowing Rock and Boone to continue their respective training blocks in their hometowns. Though the team is displaced right now, Rea has encouraged the athletes to stay connected as they pursue their running goals from afar. “We’re trying to impress upon them to be excited about getting out the door everyday, and go out of your way to create community when you’re back home,” he said. 

Rea is hoping the athletes will be able to

A portion of the trail clean-up effort is being led by the cross-country team at Appalachian State. Seeing the widespread damage prompted the men’s and women’s squad to pick up trash blown onto the paths they utilize every day, said Appalachian State women’s distance coach Annie Richards. 

“As a distance runner, you’re out running the trails or running around town, you really have a unique connection to the place,” Richards said. “In some ways, it’s harder because a lot of the trails that we’ve been running on have been really impacted by the storm, but also I think our team has been able to really understand the scope of the disaster.”

Last week, the team volunteered to sort through donations and build disaster relief kits, which included items to help people kill mold in their home caused by water damage. Richards said they plan to do more volunteer projects while the team is in season for cross-country this fall. 

Though the community has received aid from different organizations in town and around the country—Cooper said she got “chills” when she saw hundreds of camper vans belonging to volunteers who traveled many miles to assist—there’s a long period of recovery ahead. 

“The people of western North Carolina have never seen anything of this magnitude,” Rea said. “Anything people can do to help is greatly appreciated.”

To learn more about Hurricane Helene relief efforts and different ways to give back, visit the following nonprofit organizations recommended

Runners have gone wild in the current boom, increasingly hitting the trails and embracing ultra distances

that immerse us in nature, where mile splits matter far less than the experience of respondents to a 2024 Runner’s World survey have run an ultramarathon.

65%

of those ran their first ultra in the past five years.

33%

said that they’re planning to run or considering running an ultra in the next two years.

‘It definitely feels more people are running trail and ultra, certainly post-Covid. The scene is really exciting with more races (and more accessible races), more brands, more sport-specific media, more younger, faster runners and more women – but they’re still a minority. Black Trail Runners and others are doing great work to make the scene more diverse. It’d be great to see more diversity, more accessibility and gender equality.’

Damian Hall, author and record-breaking ultrarunner236% 

The year-on-year increase in internet searches for the Barkley Marathons from August 2023. 

61% 

of those surveyed by RW are interested or may be interested in following the big ultra races, such as the Barkley Marathons, Spine and Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. 34% 

This year’s increase in registrations for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc World Series Finals, compared with 2023. Demand is two to three times higher than max capacity. 

43 

Events in UTMB World Series in 2024, in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas. 

$7.3 billion

The value of the global trail running shoes market in 2022, according to a report by Allied Market Research. Up from $1.38bn in 2016, according to data from Grand View Research.

$12.4 billion 

Predicted value of the global trail running shoes market in 2032, according to Allied Market Research. 

30% 

Year-on-year increase in numbers for the Montane Spine races. ‘The Montane Spine has expanded with more races within the events and more locations. We’ve had to organise other races to keep up with demand because the Montane Spine races continue to consistently sell out. We’re seeing people looking for ultramarathons to help with their mental health.’ 

Phil Hayday-Brown, founder of the Montane Spine Race

63% 

The year-on-year increase in participants at Black To The Trails, with a waiting list operating for 2024’s sold-out event. 58% of runners were people of colour, with 14 of the 19 UK ethnic categories represented; 70% of participants were women.‘The Black Trail Runners community continues to grow daily with thousands of followers in the UK and globally, we’re a registered community and campaigning charity with the mission to increase the inclusion, participation and representation of people of Black ethnicity in trail running. If you want to see a more ethnically diverse sector, you can join us to help us do that – you don’t need to be of Black ethnicity to support the work that we do.’ 

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, ultrarunner and co-founder of Black Trail Runners

5,252% 

Growth in trail races with 500 or more participants in the 10 years leading up to 2022, according to RunRepeat. 11% 

The year-on-year increase in runners on Strava completing at least one ultra, according to 2024 Strava data, growing at the same rate for men and women. 

10% year-on-year increase in 50Ks.16% year-on-year increase in 50-milers. 14% year-on-year increase in 100Ks.

1,676% increase in ultra participation between 1996 and 2018, according to a recent report from RunRepeat, with numbers rising from just 34,401 to 611,098. 

5,590 races 

on the International Trail Runners Association calendar between January and August 2024: a 458% increase from the 1,002 races planned a decade ago. 

49% 

of respondents to the RW survey who run on trails started trail running within the past five years. 

231% 

Growth in trail running worldwide in the decade leading up to 2022, according to RunRepeat research. ‘All our events have been sell-outs the last couple of years. The Tolkien Trail Race sells out 500 entries in under an hour, and we’re noticing races fill up quicker and quicker each year. Trail racing has the least barriers to compete, with less emphasis on times than road racing, which can be intimidating. There’s an element of adventure, a test of endurance and the release of being in nature that’s evidently being enjoyed across ages and genders.’ 

Chris Holdsworth, race director for Pennine Trailsitting the trails and embracing ultra distances that immerse us in nature, where mile splits matter far less than the experience 

Musician finishes 90 marathons in 90 days on Pacific Crest Trail

The U.K.'s Charles Costa just spend 90 days running a marathon a day to raise funds and awareness for mental health.

British folk-pop singer and ultrarunner Charles Costa, formerly known by his stage name King Charles, embarked on an extraordinary journey this year. Since July 20, Costa has been running the length of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), raising funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Having previously completed a 39-day run across the U.K., Costa’s latest adventure took him through the stunning yet punishing terrain from Canada to Mexico.

Running and music: a healing combination

For Costa, running has become much more than a physical challenge—it’s a form of therapy. After suffering a severe brain injury in 2010 following a skiing accident, both running and music have been central to his recovery. “I believe there’s a strong interconnection between running on the trail and making music to keep my mind and emotions balanced,” Costa said in a pre-run press release. After I’ve been running, I feel free and completely released from the struggles I face when I wake up. No other therapy can come close to the healing I experience from running and singing.”

To align with the end of his run, Costa has released the first single, “Nothing at the Most” from a new album that will be released in full in January 2025. “Mental health is an ongoing battle,” said Costa.“The message that I’m trying to get out with this run is that I really believe running is a very healthful, curing activity, that can completely untangle your way of thinking. It’s getting your heart pumping, it’s getting your lungs heaving, and it’s really getting back to your human self. It’s all about connecting your spirit to the world, and to music and to melody.”

A struggle through the Mojave Desert

Costa’s run was filled with challenges, but perhaps the toughest came when he hit a heat wave in the Mojave Desert. “It was over 100 Fahrenheit [38 C], and my body started operating much slower,” Costa explained. As his condition worsened, his crew grew increasingly concerned. Fortunately, a chance encounter with a group of firefighters provided a turning point. “They checked my vitals and told us about heatstroke and heat exhaustion. It was a lucky encounter,” Costa told the LA Times. Costa took the firefighters’ advice and paused his trek to head to a nearby hospital for IV fluids, crediting this with likely saving his run and allowing him to continue despite the overwhelming heat.

Raising awareness, one step at a time

Costa’s run has raised around $190,000 for two charities: James’ Place, which focuses on men’s suicide prevention in the U.K., and the JED Foundation, which supports at-risk teens in the U.S. The mental health challenges Costa has witnessed, both personally and through the stories of others, have inspired his mission. “One moment can last an absolute lifetime… as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you’ll get there in the end,” Costa says.

Top five fastest women marathoners in the world

Discover the top 5 fastest female marathoners in the world, featuring record-breaking athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia who continue to redefine the sport.

Kenya and Ethiopia, long-standing powerhouses in long-distance running, are known for producing some of the greatest female marathoners of all time, consistently setting new records and redefining athletic excellence.

Athletes such as Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya and Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia have not only dominated the marathon world but have also broken significant barriers with their remarkable times.

The competitive landscape of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) — including iconic races like the Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and London Marathon — has seen historic performances from these and other top runners.

In this article, we review the top 5 fastest female marathoners in the world, analyzing their breakthrough races, their contributions to the sport, and how they continue to inspire future generations of athletes.

5. Amane Beriso Shankule (Ethiopia) – 2:14:58

Rounding out the top 5 is Amane Beriso Shankule of Ethiopia, whose incredible performance at the 2022 Valencia Marathon earned her a place among the fastest female marathoners. Shankule completed the race in 2:14:58, showcasing her strength and determination in long-distance running.

Although still relatively new to the elite marathon circuit, Shankule’s time places her in an elite group of women who have broken the 2:15 barrier. Ethiopia has long been a dominant force in long-distance running, and Shankule’s success further underscores the depth of talent in the country. Her performance in Valencia will likely serve as a stepping stone to even greater achievements in the future.

4. Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) – 2:14:04

Brigid Kosgei of Kenya is no stranger to marathon success, having made history during the 2019 Chicago Marathon. On October 13, 2019, Kosgei crossed the finish line in 2:14:04, breaking the previous world record and establishing herself as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Kosgei’s performance in Chicago was groundbreaking, as she broke the world record that had stood for over 16 years. Her run was characterized by her smooth stride and exceptional stamina, which allowed her to dominate the race from start to finish. Her record time remained unbeaten until 2023 when Tigst Assefa surpassed it.

Kosgei’s marathon career has been illustrious, with multiple wins in prestigious events such as the London Marathon. Her success has further cemented Kenya’s reputation as a global leader in marathon running. Although her record was eventually broken, Kosgei’s achievements remain a significant chapter in the history of women’s marathoning.

3. Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) – 2:13:44

In third place is Sifan Hassan, a Dutch athlete known for her incredible versatility. Originally a middle-distance runner, Hassan shocked the world when she ran the 2023 Chicago Marathon in 2:13:44, marking her debut in the marathon with one of the fastest times ever recorded by a woman.

Hassan’s ability to transition from track events to the marathon is nothing short of exceptional. Her success in the 1,500m, 5,000m, and 10,000m events — where she has multiple Olympic and World Championship titles — clearly translated well to the marathon. Her 2023 performance in Chicago not only placed her among the fastest female marathoners but also demonstrated the potential for athletes to excel across different distances.

Hassan’s achievement has inspired many young runners, especially those who see her as a symbol of athletic versatility. By running one of the fastest marathons on her debut, Hassan proved that success in the marathon does not always require years of specialized training in the event.

2. Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia) – 2:11:53

Second on the list is Ethiopian sensation Tigst Assefa, who delivered a breathtaking performance at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. On September 24, 2023, Assefa finished the race in 2:11:53, setting a new course record and breaking the previous world record for female marathoners at the time. This monumental run placed her firmly among the fastest women in marathon history.

Assefa’s journey to the top has been remarkable. A former middle-distance runner, she transitioned to marathon running with great success, demonstrating her versatility across different distances. Assefa’s victory also highlighted Ethiopia’s dominance in marathon running, adding her name to a long list of world-class Ethiopian athletes who have left their mark on the sport.

With her record-breaking time, Assefa solidified her position as one of the greatest marathoners of all time.

1. Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) – 2:09:56

Ruth Chepngetich stands as the fastest female marathoner in history, having recently shattered records at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. On October 13, 2024, Chepngetich clocked a stunning time of 2:09:56, becoming the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier. This incredible achievement has cemented her position as the top female marathoner globally.

Known for her aggressive pacing and strong endurance, Chepngetich’s performance in Chicago was nothing short of extraordinary. She had already been a prominent figure in the marathon world, having won the 2019 World Championships Marathon in extreme heat conditions. However, her 2024 run in Chicago redefined what was possible for women in the marathon, establishing her as a trailblazer in the sport.

Chepngetich’s ability to push boundaries continues to inspire countless female athletes, especially those from Kenya, where marathon running has become a symbol of national pride. Her record-breaking marathon will undoubtedly remain a benchmark for years to come.

Runners, you need to try bounding

Bounding isn't just for kids on the playground; it's a simple way to boost power and efficiency.

Bounding might look like a fun playground activity, but it’s actually a powerhouse move that can seriously elevate your running game. This dynamic drill is about more than just hopping around; it’s about building explosive strength, refining your running form and giving your legs the boost they need to power through tougher workouts. Adding bounding to your routine can unlock new levels of speed and efficiency, and the best part? It’s easy for any runner to start, no matter your experience level.

A science-backed power boost

Bounding, an explosive running drill where you take exaggerated, powerful strides, mimics the mechanics of running but adds an exaggerated element of power and height. The act of bounding forces the legs to generate more force than usual, recruiting fast-twitch muscle fibres that are crucial for speed and explosive movement. Research shows that plyometric exercises like bounding can increase muscle stiffness, which, in turn, improves your body’s ability to store and release energy during a run, making you faster and more efficient.

Bounding also works the muscles in your hips, glutes and calves—important areas for maintaining a strong stride and reducing injury risk. By working on these muscle groups, runners can help prevent the fatigue that often slows them down in the later stages of a race or long run—it also improves ground contact time, meaning less stationary time and greater efficiency.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marathoner, bounding is an accessible way to improve running economy. Its versatility means it can be done almost anywhere—on a track, a trail or right in your backyard. Because it doesn’t require special equipment, it’s easy to incorporate into your regular training routine. Bounding doesn’t just add power; it also increases your range of motion, helping you develop a longer and more efficient stride.

How to get started

Make sure to begin with a thorough warm up that includes a few minutes of easy running. Start with three sets of 10 bounds, focusing on form. Drive your knee up, push off powerfully with your back leg and land softly on the balls of your feet. Make sure to stay tall and controlled, allowing your arms to swing naturally with each bound.

Dry saunas for runners: how useful are they?

For endurance athletes, it’s all about finding that extra edge—whether it’s a faster recovery, a boost in endurance or a way to handle extreme conditions better. Recently, the dry sauna has entered the spotlight as a potential training tool, touted for their health benefits, and their potential ability to speed up recovery while being a useful tool for heat acclimation. But can a dry sauna actually enhance endurance performance? Here’s what the science says.

How the dry sauna affects your cardiovascular system

When you step into a dry sauna, your heart rate will rise similarly to what you’d experience during an easy run. This increase in heart rate happens because your body is working to stay cool in the heat, which can lead to cardiovascular benefits. Some studies have shown that even a single session in a sauna has a positive effect on heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of cardiovascular health that’s often used by athletes. For endurance athletes, this could mean a more efficient heart, which may help when it’s time to hit the trails or track.

Heat acclimation and improved performance

Spending time in a sauna may also help you acclimate to higher temperatures, which can be the difference between finishing a race and taking a DNF when running in warm conditions. Research indicates that heat acclimation from regular sauna sessions can improve blood plasma volume, helping with thermoregulation and endurance. Your body becomes more efficient at cooling itself, meaning you might handle a hot race day a little better. Just 15 to 20 minutes a few times a week could potentially make a difference.

The muscle-recovery angle

Endurance athletes know that recovery is as important as the workout itself. Sauna use has been shown to reduce muscle soreness by boosting circulation, which helps deliver nutrients to muscle tissues and remove metabolic waste. A post-run sauna session could potentially speed up recovery, allowing you to bounce back faster for your next workout. Studies suggest that heat exposure increases the release of human growth hormone, which aids in muscle repair.

Pay attention to how you feel

While sauna sessions offer intriguing benefits, they’re not a substitute for actual training. Saunas are also dehydrating, so it’s essential to rehydrate thoroughly afterward. If you have any cardiovascular concerns or other medical conditions, consult a professional before diving in. It’s all about balance—sauna use can be a valuable supplement to an existing training routine, but is not a replacement for it.

How to Actually Enjoy Running (Even With the Occasional Blister or Side Stitch)

Six options that can help every kind of runner .

There are runners who make it look easy, with the smoothest form, quick cadence, and a smile on their face no matter what mile they’re clocking. And then, there’s the rest of us, who don’t exactly know how to enjoy running consistently. Maybe you have to drag yourself out of bed to run. Maybe most days, the time on your feet just ticks a little too slow.

Love it or hate it, running does wonders for your cardiovascular health, can boost mood, and help you achieve better mental health. Whether you’re a total beginner or a runner facing burnout, it is possible to fall in love (or back in love) with the run.

If you've been struggling with sticking to traditional training plans and truly want to learn how to enjoy running, we’ve compiled a few unique tools to help you run with your heart.

There are six options that can help every kind of runner approach running differently and try something new. Through time, distance, music, and feel, here’s exactly how to enjoy running (even with the occasional blister or side stitch.)

How to Enjoy Running by Tracking Time

Best for Runners Who...

Don’t mind having your hand held a little; want a fairly fail-safe method to easing into running; are a rule-follower; don’t mind frequently looking down at your wrist.

You’ll Need...

A watch. (A digital chronograph watch is easiest to follow and can be preset to beep at you when it’s time to run or walk.)

Where to do it:

Outside on the road, a trail, the track, or inside on a treadmill. If you do it on a trail or on hilly terrain on the road, you’ll need to adjust a bit based on feel: run for longer on a downhill, shorter on an uphill.

How to do it:

Follow any given run-by-time plan, like the Runner’s World walk-to-run plan that has helped thousands of beginners get started. Unless you have a photographic memory, either print and cut out the workout to take with you, or jot it down on something small like a business card and take that with you. Alternatively, you could try to memorize it, and/or you could take a picture of it with your phone to reference if you forget (and don’t mind taking your phone with you). You can preset some watches to help you stick to the intervals.

How to Enjoy Running by Loosely Tracking Time

Best for Runners Who...

Have a rebellious streak and want a

On a road, trail, treadmill, or track.

How to do it:

Walk for roughly the first 5 minutes. If you feel like walking for 6, go nuts.

Run until you don’t feel like running anymore. Maybe this is 30 seconds, maybe it’s a few minutes.

Walk again.

Run again, laughing in the face of structure. (Or just run.)

Repeat for the remainder of your run, aiming to run for a total of 2 or 3 minutes on your first time out. Break down those 2 or 3 minutes within a 30-minute outing however you want. The other 27 or 28 minutes, walk.

Walk to cool down.

Improve (week 3ish): Increase your total run time to 5 minutes.

Improve more (week 5ish): Increase your total run time to 10 minutes. And walk more if you bloody feel like it.

Improve even more (week 7ish): Increase your total run time to 15, 20, and eventually 30 minutes or more.

Tip: Make sure you’re entering this plan, and any other, from where you are physically and mentally as a runner. If you run regularly (but maybe hate it) for example, do the above by running, say, 20-30 minutes total, broken down

How to Enjoy Running by Monitoring How You Feel

Best for Runners Who...

Don’t love watches; need a break from technology; want to feel more in tune with your body.

You’ll Need...

An ability to listen to your body and mind.

Where to do it:

Anywhere!

How to do it:

Start by walking.

When your body feels moderately warmed up (less creaky than when you started; usually about 5 to 10 minutes in), break into a jog.

Stop running and start walking when you still feel sorta okay, but when you notice a hitch in your stride or a light strain (more than usual) in your muscles or breath. Do not wait to walk until you can’t breathe or talk.*

Start running again.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 for 3 or 4 rounds.

Walk for a few minutes after your last run segment to cool down.

Improve (week 3ish): Run for longer during each segment, but don’t make jumps that are too big. Give yourself at least two to three runs with similar run-length segments before adding time.

Improve more (week 5ish): Run for longer still during each segment. Again, do this gradually.

Improve even more (week 7ish): You got it. Run for longer during each segment, still listening to your body.

Tip: Choosing natural markers, as in “run until that big tree,” “walk until the stop sign,” can help keep you motivated. But if your body tells you to stop before then, listen.

* The Talk Test: If you can no longer speak a full sentence, it’s time to slow down and walk. Walk until you regain your breath and your muscles feel semi-ready. (Don’t wait until you feel perfect, because you won’t.)

How to Enjoy Running by Listening to Music

Best for Runners Who...

Need music to make your heart beat; don’t like watches but want some structure on your runs; can’t fathom getting out the door without music blasting in your ears.

You'll Need...

Some way to play music into your ears and carry said music player comfortably. (That probably means carrying

How to do it:

Walk for the duration of two songs (avoiding jam band epics).

Jog/run for the first verse of the next song.

Walk during the next verse and chorus of that song.

Jog/run for another verse, before walking until the end of the song.

Repeat the run/walk for four songs.

Walk home during the duration of two songs to cool down.

Improve (week 3ish): Warm up by walking for two songs. Once you feel comfortable jog/running for the duration of a verse, increase the jog/run duration from one verse to two.

Improve more (week 5ish): Warm up by walking for two songs. Jog/run fortwo verses and through the end of the chorus (while still walking for the restof the song). Repeat for four songs.

Improve even more (week 7ish): Warm up by walking for one or two songs.Jogging for an entire song, then walk a song, then jog/run for another entire song. Repeat for four or so songs.

Tip: Playing the same music/playlist will help you gauge your improvement.

Another tip: The cadence of a song can affect the speed with which your feet hit the ground, so choose songs accordingly. Look for a running playlist online or just choose songs that have an upbeat tempo. It’s tough to crank out miles to “The Way You Look Tonight,” unless you want to force yourself to run slower. Likewise, especially if you’re first starting out, avoid superfast dance beats. You don’t want the cadence of a song to make you feel badly about your stride or make you trip on yourself trying to keep up.

How to Enjoy Running by Monitoring Distance on a Track

Best for Runners Who...

Are a visual thinker; feel more comfortable in controlled environments; are competitive.

You'll Need:

A track.

Where to do it:

A track.

How to do it:

Walk two laps.

Jog/shuffle the curve of the beginning of the third lap.

Walk the rest of

Another tip: While you’re trying hard, take an inside lane. While you’re not, move to an outside lane. Always look over your shoulder before switching lanes so you avoid collisions and annoyed track mates.

How to Enjoy Running by Monitoring Distance off a Track

Best for Runners Who...

Are visual thinkers; don’t want to go by time.

You'll Need:

An ability to listen to your body; a treadmill, if doing this on a treadmill; a GPS-enabled device, if doing this by device.

Where to do it:

On a road, trail, or treadmill.

How to do it:

Walk until your body feels less creaky than when you started.

Spot something ahead of you, but not too far ahead of you—a tree, a telephone pole, a stop sign. If you’re on a treadmill or if going by distance measured by a device, choose a distance.

Jog/run to that thing/mileage.

Walk until another thing—a different tree, a different telephone pole, a yield sign. Or to the next mileage increment on your treadmill console or smartwatch.

Repeat, listening to your body. If the thing/increment you chose makes you go into overload—your muscles or lungs scream—walk sooner

Thanksgiving foods to avoid before your turkey trot

With Thanksgiving just days away, it’s hard not to get excited about your favourite holiday dishes—roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and, of course, pumpkin pie for dessert. You might also be planning a run along your favourite scenic trail, now that the crisp autumn weather has arrived. To make sure you can enjoy your turkey trot without any post-feast regrets, here are a few foods you might want to go easy on the night before your run.

Stuffing

Indulging in some stuffing might seem like the perfect way to carb-load, but it won’t benefit your run as much as you’d think. The white bread typically used is high on the glycemic index, meaning it causes your blood sugars to spike, and then crash. Opting for complex carbs, such as squash or sweet potatoes, will raise your blood sugar slowly, supplying you with more energy over an extended period of time.

Mashed potatoes and gravy

Your favourite mashed potatoes and gravy might be loaded with sodium, which can leave you dehydrated during a run, and fat, which takes longer to digest and could still be sitting in your stomach. This is especially true if you’re using boxed or canned potatoes. Making these dishes from scratch lets you cut back on added salt and butter, helping avoid any belly troubles.

Turkey drumsticks

Turkey is a lean protein that can help with muscle repair without being really high in fat–if you eat white meat (over dark). The dark meat and turkey legs are lower in protein and higher in fat, making them less ideal, and the skin is the fattiest part entirely. If you’re prone to having a sensitive stomach on a run, sticking to primarily white meat can help you avoid that sluggish feeling.

Cruciferous vegetables

Veggies that are part of the cruciferous family are high in fibre; this includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale. Fibrous foods can increase bloating, cause digestive discomfort and even leave you dehydrated–all things you don’t want to deal with when exercising.

Overall, avoiding overeating and straying from your regular pre-run foods are the best ways to ensure you don’t feel like a turkey when you hit the trails.

Four things your training plan might be getting wrong

Feel like you're putting in the time but only spinning your wheels? The problem probably isn't you.

Are you following your running plan exactly, but not seeing the results you expected? It might not be you—it could be the plan itself, and we’re here to help with four ways your training plan might be leading you astray (and what to look for). Many runners stick to their schedules without questioning if the plan actually fits their needs or if they’re making some common training mistakes.

Montana DePasquale, a running coach based in Rhode Island, has some suggestions for runners who feel like they’re putting in all the work without seeing the rewards.

1.- Your training paces are wrong

If you’re training at your goal race pace rather than where your fitness is right now, you could be doing more harm than good. When you train too fast too soon, you risk burnout or injury—and it can be disheartening to feel like you are never hitting your targets. Instead, DePasquale suggests using a fitness test or a time trial to establish your current baseline. From there, you can build up in a way that allows for steady progress. Training at a pace that matches your current fitness level will help you improve gradually and safely, setting you up to eventually hit those race goals.

2.- You haven’t personalized your plan

A cookie-cutter plan may not address your specific strengths, weaknesses or even interests. If you love trails but your plan sticks to flat roads, your motivation may dip. Or, if you’re an injury-prone runner, the prescribed mileage may be too high. Maybe Sundays aren’t the best day for you to fit in a longer run, and you’re constantly rushed or having to cut things short. Tailor your plan to reflect your individual needs, from cross-training preferences to rest days. Your training plan should feel like a custom fit, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

3.- You’re not taking enough time to let the work sink in

In running, atience and consistency are key. Your muscles and cardiovascular system need time to adapt to the stress you’re putting on them. Many runners make the mistake of switching things up too soon, expecting to feel faster right away. Give your body time to respond to the training you’ve put in and allow for proper recovery between big efforts. DePasquale suggests the six-month mark as a good rule of thumb—if you’re not seeing rewards by this point, it’s probably time to re-evaluate. If you’ve been training for three months or less, you need to allow your body more time to make adaptations.

4.- Your lifestyle choices are dragging you down

Even the best training plan won’t make up for poor lifestyle habits. If you’re not fuelling your body with quality nutrients, getting enough sleep or cutting back on alcohol, you’re getting in your own way. Sleep, in particular, is crucial for recovery and performance. Re-evaluate your habits and make sure they’re supporting your running—not holding you back. Small tweaks can go a long way.

The Strange Saga of Ultrarunner Camille Herron and Wikipedia

The husband of runner Camille Herron admitted to having altered the Wikipedia biographies of prominent ultrarunners. The revelation came after a Canadian journalist launched an investigation.

On September 24, Conor Holt, the husband and coach of American ultrarunner Camille Herron, admitted to altering the biographies of Herron, Courtney Dauwalter, Kilian Jornet, and other prominent runners on the website Wikipedia. Holt’s edits boosted his wife’s accolades but also downgraded those of the other prominent ultrarunners.

“Camille had nothing to do with this,” Holt wrote in an email sent to Outside and several running media websites. “I’m 100 percent responsible and apologize [to] any athletes affected by this and the wrong I did.”

The confession brought some clarity to an Internet mystery that embroiled the running community for several days and sparked a flurry of chatter on social media and running forums. Herron, 42, is one of the most visible ultrarunners in the sport, and over the years she has won South Africa’s Comrades Marathon and also held world records in several different events, including the 48-hour and six-day durations. But the Wikipedia controversy led to swift consequences for Herron—her major sponsor, Lululemon, parted ways with her on Thursday morning.

The entire ordeal sprung from an investigation led by a Canadian journalist who spent more than a week following digital breadcrumbs on dark corners of

Marley Dickinson, a reporter for the website Canadian Running, began looking into the Wikipedia controversy in mid-September after receiving a tip from someone in the running community. The tipster told Dickinson, 29, that someone was attempting to delete important data from the Wikipedia entry for “Ultramarathon.”

The person had erased the accomplishments of a Danish runner named Stine Rex, who in 2024 broke two long-distance running records—the six-day and 48-hour marks—which were previously held by Herron. At the time, the sport’s governing body, the International Association of Ultrarunners, was deciding whether or not to honor Rex’s six-day record of 567 miles.

“The person making the edits said the IAU had made a decision on the record, even though they hadn’t yet,” Dickinson told me. “Whoever was doing it really wanted to get Rex’s run off of Wikipedia.”

Wikipedia allows anonymous users to edit entries, but it logs these changes in a public forum and shows which user accounts made them. After an edit is made, a team of volunteer moderators, known as Wikipedians, examines the changes and then decides whether or not to publish them. The site requires content to be verifiable through published and reliable sources, and it asks that information be presented in a neutral manner, without opinion or bias. The site can warn or even suspend a user for making edits that do not adhere to these standards.

Dickinson, who worked in database marketing at Thomson Reuters before joining Canadian Running, was intrigued by the bizarre edits. “I’ve always been into looking at the backend of websites,” he told me. “There’s usually a way you can tie an account back to a person.”

The editor in question used the name “Rundbowie,” and Dickinson saw that the account had also made numerous changes to Herron’s biography. Most of these edits were to insert glowing comments into the text. “I thought whoever this person is, they are a big fan of Camille Herron,” Dickinson said.

Rundbowie was prolific on Wikipedia, and made frequent tweaks and updates to other biographies. The account had removed language from the pages of Jornet and Dauwalter—specifically deleting the text “widely regarded as one of the greatest ultramarathon runners of all time.” Rundbowie had then attempted to add this exact language to Herron’s page. Both attempts were eventually denied by Wikipedians.

After examining the edits, Dickinson began to suspect that Rundbowie was operated by either Herron or Holt. Further digital sleuthing bolstered this opinion. He saw that the Rundbowie account, which made almost daily edits between February and April, abruptly went silent between March 6-12. Those dates corresponded with Herron’s world-record run in a six-day race put on by Lululemon in California.

But Dickinson wasn’t done with his detective work. He saw that in March, Wikipedia had warned Rundbowie on its public Incident Report page. The reason

A final Internet deep dive convinced Dickinson that he was on the right track. The IP address—a string of characters associated with a given computer—placed Temporun73 in Oklahoma, which is where Herron and Holt live. Then, on a forum page for Oregon State University, which is where Herron attended graduate school, Dickinson found an old Yahoo email address used by Herron. The email name: Temporun73.

“To me, this was a clear sign that it was either Conor or Camille” Dickinson said.

Dickinson published his story to Canadian Running on Monday, September 23. The piece included screenshots of Wikipedia edits as well as Dickinson’s trail to Herron and Holt. It started off a flurry of online reactions.

A thread on the running forum LetsRun generated 360 comments, and several hundred more appeared on the Reddit communities for trail running and ultrarunning. Film My Run, a British YouTube site, uploaded an immediate reaction video the following day. Within 12 hours, more than a hundred people shared their thoughts in the comments section.

It’s understandable why. Lauded for her accolades in ultra-distance races, Herron is also one of the most visible ultrarunners on the planet. She gives frequent interviews, and has been an outspoken advocate for the anti-doping movement, for smart and responsible training habits, and for the advancement of women runners.

“I think we’re going to continue to see barriers being broken and bars raised. I want to see how close I can get to the men’s world records, or even exceed a men’s world record,” she told Outside Run in 2023.

Herron has also spoken and written about her own mental health. Earlier this year, she began writing and giving interviews about her recent diagnosis with Autism and ADHD.

“Although I knew little about autism before seeking out a diagnosis, my husband, who observed my daily quirks and often reminded me to eat, drink, and go to bed, would jokingly speculate that I might be autistic,” she told writer Sandra Rose Salathe on the website FloSpace in July.

Dickinson told me he had a very positive image of Herron from his short time at Canadian Running. He joined the website in 2021.

“She’s always been super nice and welcoming,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson says he reached out to Herron and Holt via email and social media, but did not receive a reply. On Monday afternoon, a user on the social media platform X asked Herron about the story. “It’s made up,” Herron’s account replied. “Someone has an ax to grind and is bullying and harassing me.”

Herron’s social media accounts were deactivated shortly afterward—Holt later said he took them down.

Some online commenters questioned if the story was legitimate—something I did too, initially. Following Dickinson’s arcane trail through Wikipedia’s backend required a careful read, and a strong knowledge of the encyclopedia’s rules and regulations.

After speaking to Dickinson, I sent my notes to a Wikipedia expert named Rhiannon Ruff, who operates a digital consulting firm called Lumino that helps clients navigate the online encyclopedia. Ruff examined the story as well as the Wikipedia histories of Rundbowie and Temporun 73, and said that the evidence strongly suggested that both accounts were operated by the same person. But, since Wikipedia allows for anonymity, you cannot make the connection with 100 percent certainty.

Ruff pointed out that Wikipedia’s internal editors strongly believed the two accounts had a biased with Herron, because the accounts had attempted to write in the same sentence. “Both tried to add details about her crediting the influence of her father and grandfather, and how she runs with a smile,” Ruff said.

Ruff also pointed me to the prolific editing history of Temporun73. Started in 2016, the account had made approximately 250 edits to

“I never got a chance to say anything to the Canadian Running website before they published it,” Holt wrote.

Holt admitted that he was the operator of the Temporun73 and Rundbowie accounts. But he said his Wikipedia editing was aimed at combating online bullies who had removed biographical details from Herron’s Wikipedia page in the past.

“I kept adding back in the details, and then they blocked my account in early February of this year,” Holt wrote. “Nothing was out of line with what other athletes have on their pages. Wikipedia allows the creation of another account, so I created a new account Rundbowie. I was going off what other athletes had on their pages using the username Rundbowie and copying/pasting this info.”

“I was only trying to protect Camille from the constant bullying, harassment and accusations she has endured in her running career, which has severely impacted her mental health,” he added. “So much to the point that she has sought professional mental health help.”

Outside asked Holt via email to provide further details, but we did not receive a response. In an email to Canadian Running, Holt said he was focused on Herron’s upcoming race, and would not be conducting interviews.

But the fallout from the admission came quickly. On Thursday morning Dickinson broke more news: apparel brand Lululemon, which has backed Herron since 2023, had ended its partnership. In a statement provided to several outlets, the brand said it was dedicated “to equitable competition in sport for all,” and that it sought

Get trail-strong with these tips from a pro

Pro trail runner and coach Hannah Allgood shares four exercises that target common weaknesses in runners.

If you want to be a strong trail runner, you’ll need more than just miles on your legs—you need to build strength that can take on the rugged terrain. Hannah Allgood, a Colorado-based pro trail runner for Dynafit, is here to help, sharing her four favourite exercises for athletes.

Allgood not only excels in the mountains (in July, she won the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100K), but also helps athletes build strength through her coaching with Freetrail, an online trail community and media outlet. With a background in exercise science and years of competitive experience across multiple sports, she has perfected the art of staying strong, fast and injury-free on the trails. “Strength training has always been an integral part of my career as an athlete,” Allgood explains. She knows firsthand how crucial lifting is to boost performance and prevent injuries, especially for trail runners tackling challenging mountain races.If you want to be a strong trail runner, you’ll need more than just miles on your legs—you need to build strength that can take on the rugged terrain. Hannah Allgood, a Colorado-based pro trail runner for Dynafit, is here to help, sharing her four favourite exercises for athletes.

Allgood not only excels in the mountains (in July, she won the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100K), but also helps athletes build strength through her coaching with Freetrail, an online trail community and media outlet. With a background in exercise science and years of competitive experience across multiple sports, she has perfected the art of staying strong, fast and injury-free on the trails.

“Strength training has always been an integral part of my career as an athlete,” Allgood explains. She knows firsthand how crucial lifting is to boost performance and prevent injuries, especially for trail runners tackling challenging mountain races.

If you want to be a strong trail runner, you’ll need more than just miles on your legs—you need to build strength that can take on the rugged terrain. Hannah Allgood, a Colorado-based pro trail runner for Dynafit, is here to help, sharing her four favourite exercises for athletes.

Allgood not only excels in the mountains (in July, she won the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100K), but also helps athletes build strength through her coaching with Freetrail, an online trail community and media outlet. With a background in exercise science and years of competitive experience across multiple sports, she has perfected the art of staying strong, fast and injury-free on the trails. “Strength training has always been an integral part of my career as an athlete,” Allgood explains. She knows firsthand how crucial lifting is to boost performance and prevent injuries, especially for trail runners tackling challenging mountain races.

Step-ups

Allgood suggests varying the height of your step to 12-18 inches, based on your height and current strength. “Step-ups are a great exercise because they allow for versatility to match the athlete’s needs (weight or no weight, increase or decrease height, increase speed or decrease speed),” Allgood explains.  “They help with not only strength on trails but functional day-to-day strength.”

Single-leg Romanian deadlift (with a cable or band, OR with weight)

“This exercise targets many different systems,” says Allgood. “The RDL changes your centre of mass, therefore working on your balance and coordination, which are highly beneficial for trail running. The row helps with rotational core stability, which is also vital for running, as it helps with balance and control across various terrains and helps with efficient force transfers from upper to lower body.”

Bulgarian Split Squat

Allgood explains that the Bulgarian split squat is another unilateral exercise that helps improve balance and core stability by using weights. “This move is also very helpful for improving leg power, which translates to improved force production, meaning you can get up the mountains faster.” She suggests adding in a soleus raise for an extra challenge.

Modified side plank with clamshells or hip abduction

“This is one of my favourite go-to glute exercises that also incorporates core stability,” Allgood says. “Adding a band around your knees will increase the challenge!”

If you’re adding strength training during your racing season, Allgood suggests focusing on 12-15 reps per set, aiming for two to three sets. “This will help build strength, but also not leave you too sore for running or other fun activities,” she says. “Strength training two to three times a week can be huge for your overall health and with preventing injuries.”

Is FKT Fever Coming to the Himalayas?

American runner Tyler Andrews just set the speed record on Manaslu, running from base camp to the summit while using an ultralight setup. Will more runners flock to the world’s highest peaks to prove themselves?

On September 19, 34-year-old American mountain runner Tyler Andrews ascended Nepal’s 26,781-foot Manaslu in a mind-bending 9 hours and 52 minutes. The time shaved more than two hours off the previous speed record on the peak, set in 2023 by Nepalese climber Pembe Gelji Sherpa. Before that, Francois Cazzanelli, an alpinist and guide from Italy, summited in 13 hours, in 2019.

Manaslu is one of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. These mountains have traditionally been the realm of mountaineers and professional high-alpine guides, not trail runners.

But Andrews believes that’s about to change. “I think we’re going to start seeing more mountain runners going this way,” Andrews told Outside from Manaslu base camp.

His belief stems in part from his own experience on the peak, and from changing dynamics he’s seeing in the world of ultrarunning and the pursuit of fastest known times. Andrews is part of a new generation of mountain runners seeking out increasingly bigger, more challenging, and more daunting speed records. “If you start with the Colorado fourteeners, then go to the Alps, then the Andes, the natural progression is to the Himalayas and the 8000ers,” he told Outside.

Instead, ascents on Nepal’s highest mountains, including those resulting in speed records, have historically been tracked by the Himalayan Database. But that’s changing, and Andrews is one reason behind the shift. He actually works part-time for Fastest Know Time as Regional Editor for Latin America and the Himalayas. Part of his job is to create routes and then help FKT track records on them.

“I think in the past, the team didn’t want to be trying to verify routes that required rock climbing because you can’t just use a GPS watch to track something that’s vertical,” Andrews says. “But Manaslu is not like that, so tracking it is really no different than other mountains on there, like Cotopaxi or Denali.”

When Andrews returns from Manaslu base camp—he’s currently supporting a friend attempting a ski descent—he will submit his GPX data to Fastest Known Time for approval. He also plans to submit his data to the Himalayan Database.

Manaslu and 26,864-foot Cho Oyu in Tibet are considered the easiest of the 14 8,000-meter peaks. On Manaslu, the nine-mile route from base camp to the summit requires less technical climbing than harder peaks, like K2 or Nanga Parbat. Still, Manaslu isn’t easy. The trail gains nearly 11,000 feet of elevation, requires the use of fixed ropes in many sections, and travels over steep sections of snow and ice. Climbers must also survive in what mountaineers call the “Death Zone”—elevations above 26,000—because there’s not enough oxygen for human beings to survive more than a day or two.

Andrews ran up Manaslu without using supplemental oxygen, and he did so with an extremely lightweight setup. He wore a pair of waterproof trail running shoes designed to shed snow, a puffy jacket, lightweight pants, and a windbreaker. He carried a 30-liter backpack containing bare essentials: harness, helmet, goggles, ice axe, water, snacks, and energy gels.

In 2013 he ran straight up 15,780-foot Mont Blanc, typically a two-day mountaineering ascent, in less than 5 hours while wearing shorts and a t-shirt. In 2017 he ascended Mount Everest twice in the same week.

Jornet’s ascents prompted some trail runners to take on similar challenges, setting off a flurry of mountain-top FKTs, and inspiring a new generation of endurance athletes.

Similarly, Andrews thinks the time is right for athletes to “push back on some of the conventional wisdom” for ascending 8,000-meter peaks. Instead of ascending Manaslu overnight, as is typical (“so you don’t get roasted by the sun”), Andrews did it mostly during daylight, which allowed him to use more conventional footwear, due to the warm temperatures.

Andrews also brought a stationary bike to base camp, which he said was “absurd.” But the device enabled him to get his heart rate higher than he would have while running.

But Andrews cautions that Himalayan ascents aren’t for untested trail runners. “I didn’t just step off the track and onto an 8,000-meter mountain,” he says. Andrews has been mountaineering for 15 years, and much more seriously in the last five. In recent years he’s ascended 22,841-foot Aconcagua in Argentina, 19,347-foot Cotopaxi in Ecuador, and 22,349-foot Ama Dablam in Nepal, among other peaks.

He lives and trains at high altitude, splitting time between Flagstaff, Arizona and Quito, Ecuador. And Andrews has extensive experience running at higher altitudes in the Andes.

Prior to Manaslu, Andrews ran dozens of trails above 16,000 feet in the Himalayas. His FKT on Manaslu was his second attempt on the mountain in two years. He didn’t summit the first time. “I got my ass kicked,” Andrews says. “But I learned a lot.” Both times, he hired expert local outfitter Dawa Steven Sherpa of Asian Trekking to manage logistics.

For 2025 and beyond, Andrews hopes to add more Nepali trails to the Fastest Known Times database. “There’s an absolute smorgasbord of mountain trail running here,” he says. “Really epic beautiful routes that most people do in a few days to a few weeks that

Five mistakes new trail runners can avoid

New to trail running? Welcome to the wild side. But before you lace up and charge into the woods, let’s save you from a few rookie moves that could make your first trail race a comedy of errors.

Sure, you’ve got rugged shoes and maybe even a hydration vest, but the terrain demands more than just gear. Here are five unexpected (and often hilarious) mistakes new trail runners make—and how to avoid them.

1.- Don’t be the trail DJ

Picture this: you’re cruising through a peaceful forest, birds chirping, wind rustling the leaves… and suddenly, you hear someone blasting their playlist on speaker. (Which instantly kills that trail-joy vibe.) Sure, running to music can be motivating, but this isn’t a marathon on city streets (and even then, most people aren’t going to appreciate you sharing your tunes). Part of trail running is connecting with nature—and–fun fact–most people don’t want to hear your music wafting through the wilderness. If you need tunes, grab some earphones (safely) and keep the forest soundtrack serene.

2.- The jostle-sprint: you’re not at a track meet

We’ve all seen them—the over-excited newbie who approaches passing another runner as if they’re sprinting for Olympic gold. Here’s the thing: you’re not Josh Kerr chasing Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the 1,500m final. It’s a trail, not a track meet—trail runners tend to be a laid-back crew, and aggressively shoving past someone while you breathe down their neck like a rhino is just poor form. Slow your roll, politely announce yourself, say excuse me and ease by. You’ll pass them soon enough without making anyone feel like prey.

3.- Downplaying the downhill

Everyone dreads the uphill grind, but let’s be honest, the downhill is where the real fun (and chaos) begins. For new trail runners, it’s either full-speed-ahead with no brakes, or they lock up tight, like every step could be their last. The sweet spot is somewhere in between—and mastering that balance can be the difference between feeling like a trail wizard and wiping out on a banana peel, cartoon-style. Yes, caution is key (no one wants a surprise somersault mid-run), but being overly timid? That’ll do your pace no favours. Loosen up, spread your arms for balance and embrace the momentum, while keeping things controlled.

4.- The classic snack underestimation

Trail running requires a little more fuel than a short jaunt on the road. Think you’re fine with just water? You’re about to face a (potentially dangerous) reckoning. That 10K trail loop can take much longer than expected, especially with some rooty, rocky climbs. Proper fuelling is as essential for trail training as it is for trail races. Bring snacks—and opt for real sustenance over gels to keep your tastebuds happy (although gels are a great option if you prefer your snacks simple and squeezable). Halfway through, that peanut butter sandwich (or whatever your chosen delight) will feel like a Michelin-star meal. Make sure you overestimate your fuelling needs when you’re hitting the singletrack, and start taking in calories early and often.

5.- Thinking you’re better than the dirt

Here’s a heads-up: you’re going to get dirty. Mud, dust and puddles are part of the package. Newbies often cling to the fantasy that they’ll stay spotless. Spoiler: they won’t. At some point, you either embrace the mess or spend your run doing awkward hopscotch like you’re dodging landmines. Own it. By the end, those mud splatters will feel like badges of honour. And look at the pros—they’re not crossing the finish line looking ready for a laundry commercial, either.

Trail running isn’t just road running with more rocks. It’s its own world, with unspoken rules and quirks that make it uniquely fun. Embrace it, laugh at your own mistakes (we’ve all been there), and for the love of all that’s sacred in the woods, leave the speaker at home.

Runners, you need to try bounding

Bounding isn't just for kids on the playground; it's a simple way to boost power and efficiency.

Bounding might look like a fun playground activity, but it’s actually a powerhouse move that can seriously elevate your running game. This dynamic drill is about more than just hopping around; it’s about building explosive strength, refining your running form and giving your legs the boost they need to power through tougher workouts. Adding bounding to your routine can unlock new levels of speed and efficiency, and the best part? It’s easy for any runner to start, no matter your experience level.

A science-backed power boost

Bounding, an explosive running drill where you take exaggerated, powerful strides, mimics the mechanics of running but adds an exaggerated element of power and height. The act of bounding forces the legs to generate more force than usual, recruiting fast-twitch muscle fibres that are crucial for speed and explosive movement. Research shows that plyometric exercises like bounding can increase muscle stiffness, which, in turn, improves your body’s ability to store and release energy during a run, making you faster and more efficient.

Bounding also works the muscles in your hips, glutes and calves—important areas for maintaining a strong stride and reducing injury risk. By working on these muscle groups, runners can help prevent the fatigue that often slows them down in the later stages of a race or long run—it also improves ground contact time, meaning less stationary time and greater efficiency.

Why bounding is perfect for all runners

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marathoner, bounding is an accessible way to improve running economy. Its versatility means it can be done almost anywhere—on a track, a trail or right in your backyard. Because it doesn’t require special equipment, it’s easy to incorporate into your regular training routine. Bounding doesn’t just add power; it also increases your range of motion, helping you develop a longer and more efficient stride.

How to get started

Make sure to begin with a thorough warm up that includes a few minutes of easy running. Start with three sets of 10 bounds, focusing on form. Drive your knee up, push off powerfully with your back leg and land softly on the balls of your feet. Make sure to stay tall and controlled, allowing your arms to swing naturally with each bound.

Kibii leads Kenyan charge at Hengshui Lake Marathon

Fresh from winning the 2024 Stockholm Marathon triumph, Fredrick Kibii will spearhead a formidable Kenyan lineup at the Hengshui Lake Marathon in China on Sunday.

The 28-year-old triumphed at the Stockholm Marathon in June, crossing the line in 2:14:17, leading a Kenyan top-five finish.

Robert Ng'eno (2:14:30) and Benard Kipkorir (2:15:41) completed the podium with Kennedy Kipyeko (2:15:53) and Abednego Cheruiyot (2:16:46) in tow.

In April, Kibii clocked 2:08:56 to finish fourth at the Linz Marathon, trailing Eritrea’s Goitom Kifle (2:08:15), Denis Chirchir (2:08:28) and Ethiopia’s Dejene Debela (2:08:38).

Kibii's impressive resume boasts a third-place finish at the 2023 Hannover Marathon, clocking 2:08:09 behind Germany’s Amanal Petros (2:07:02) and Chirchir (2:07:17).

He finished a solid seventh-place finish at the Frankfurt Marathon later that year (2:09:33).

Joining Kibii in China is Boaz Kipkemei, who finished second at this year’s Hannover Marathon in April in a time of 2:07:06.

Gevin Kerich, who was three seconds (2:06:52) behind last year’s Doha Marathon winner, Morocco's Mohcin Outalha, is also in contention.

Kerich grabbed second place at the 2022 Eindhoven Marathon (2:07:07).

Boniface Kimutai rounds off a strong Kenyan contingent, who face stiff competition from Ethiopian runners, led by 2020 Seville Marathon champion Mekuant Ayenew, Copenhagen Marathon runner-up Gadisa Birhanu and Daegu Marathon third-place finisher Berhane Tsegay.

Hannover Marathon third-place finisher Lilian Jebitok will headline the women’s elite field.

Her resume includes a victory at the 2019 Casablanca Marathon (2:31:31) and a third-place finish at the 2018 Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon (2:42:23).

She is joined by Tallinn Marathon champion Mercy Kwambai, second at the Copenhagen Marathon in May (2:28:12) and runner-up at the 2022 Bregenz Marathon (2:30:15).

Ethiopia will once again provide the competition with 2021 Stockholm Marathon champion Atalel Anmut leading the charge.

She has Seville Marathon third-place finisher Urge Diro and Xuzhou Marathon champion Derartu Hailu for company.

The Best Marathon Racing Shoes (2024)

After a year of testing, we've identified 12 marathon shoes that will boost your performance and make the race more enjoyable

While training undeniably has the biggest impact on your marathon performance, there’s one more thing you can do to ensure you’re ready to give your best on race day: invest in a pair of marathon racing shoes.

An effective marathon racing shoe can help reduce the repeated impact that miles after miles put on your legs while allowing you to get more energy out of each footstrike. Even more importantly, the right marathon racing shoe will provide you with a platform that is stable and cushioned enough to carry you through 26.2 miles in security and comfort. We’ve spent the last year rigorously testing every option on the market to help you easily pick the perfect pair for you.

Seven years after the debut of the first super shoe, the thick-stacked, carbon-plated racers are ubiquitous at the front of every marathon and increasingly common among runners in the pack looking to optimize their performance. These shoes have been lab-proven to improve running economy by a few percentage points, making it easier to maintain a faster pace. Runners also report that, when running in a super shoe that complements their stride, they experience less muscular fatigue as well.

These are some of the super shoes that our testers found most comfortable and effective at marathon pace, but your experience may vary (as we found when we had three testers compare 16 super shoes. Every super shoe boasts some sort of ultralight, hyper-responsive foam with an embedded, curved carbon-fiber plate—but each delivers a surprisingly unique ride. You’ll have to experiment to find one that gives you wings.

See our “How to Choose Marathon Shoes” section at the bottom of this article for more guidance on whether you should consider a super shoe and how to select a pair that works for your stride.

Designed specifically for marathons, the Alphafly set a new standard as the fastest marathon shoe ever when Eliud Kipchoge wore them while breaking the 2-hour barrier in a staged marathon, clocking 1:59:40.2 in October 2019.

Now, in its third iteration, the Alphafly 3 continues to dominate as the ultimate marathon racing shoe. Designed with Nike’s Air Zoom Units in the forefoot and a PEBA-based midsole, our more competitive, efficient testers praised the Alphafly 3 for its bouncy, energy-efficient ride.

Subtle adjustments to the shoe’s geometry, including a wider footprint and carbon fiber plate, paired with repositioned Air Zoom Units and strategically sculpted midsole, give the Alphafly 3 a distinctly different feel from its predecessor. These changes effectively address some of the issues found in the Alphafly 2, which many felt was heavy and clunky compared to the original.

The new Alphafly 3 is surprisingly nimble, weighing in as the lightest Alphafly to date. Even running as fast as 5k pace, I found the Alphafly responded quickly, encouraging a fast turnover. That said, it may be too sharp of a tool for some runners, as those who require a stable stance may find it a bit wobbly, especially in the heel.

The redesigned Atomkit 3.0 upper is about as race-y as you can get—extremely light and airy. Though a bit tough to put on because of its tightly woven mesh (like previous models), the new upper is highly breathable and secure, with sawtooth laces that stay tied tight throughout the marathon. You can read our full Alphafly 3 review and how it compared to other racers in our .

A stark contrast to On’s previous carbon fiber racing shoe, the firm-feeling Cloudboom Echo, the Cloudboom Strike is soft, bouncy, and fun to run in. Runners who can maintain their balance on what is a fairly unstable platform are rewarded with a lively, highly cushioned ride that’s comfortable and responsive, making it ideal for long-distance efforts.

The secret to the Strike’s sweet ride lies with the insole. On swapped out the traditional Strobel (a thin layer connecting the upper to the sole) and sockliner for a thick, removable layer of high-energy PEBA foam, thus increasing the amount of performance-enhancing foam underfoot. The result is a legal racer with cushioning that feels like it exceeds the World Athletics’ maximum stack height.

The smooth, ultra-cushioned ride is surprisingly quick for such a thick shoe, responding nimbly even when exceeding 5k pace. The shoe accommodated both long-striding testers and those who prefer to turn over faster.

The Cloudboom Strike fit runs long enough that you might consider sizing down by half a size. However, the one-piece mesh upper, which breathes well and effectively repels moisture, easily cinches down for a secure foot hold. You can read our full Cloudboom Strike review.

The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris gives runners the best of both worlds—a highly energetic, cushioned feel and a stable ride. Super shoes’s tall, thick midsoles often create a wobbly sensation, forcing your stabilizing muscles to work harder to maintain balance.

The key to the Metaspeed Sky Paris’s stability is its wide base under the forefoot, coupled with an updated, wider carbon fiber plate. This makes the Metaspeed Sky Paris an excellent choice for beginner, intermediate, or unstable runners who want to enjoy the benefits of super shoe technology while still having a supportive, predictable platform. One back-of-the-pack tester noted that the broad base provided a “smooth ride, and the running dynamics worked extremely well with my foot and my own personal gait.”

The shoe’s stability, however, doesn’t compromise its stride-lengthening performance for experienced, efficient marathoners. Testers found that the Metaspeed Sky had the ability to work well for a wide range of runners and paces.

The shoe also has a new, more pliable and comfortable mesh upper and midsole foam that’s approximately 8 percent lighter and, Asics says, has an 8.2 percent better energy return over the previous model. The best part: The shoe got nearly an ounce lighter, making it one of the lightest marathon-racing options. You can read more about the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris in our .

The groundbreaking adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shatters the mold as the lightest super shoe ever made, weighing nearly 2 ounces less than the next lightest super shoe. Yet from the outset, I was amazed that a shoe this light could have this much cushioning.

The Pro Evo 1’s rocker is long and aggressive, curving up to a high toe spring (elevation of the toe box). Initially, at well-below marathon speeds, it felt forced and unnatural. However, once I picked it up to around marathon pace and my toes engaged with the steep curve, I sensed a smooth rolling action that energetically pushed me forward. I believe marathoners averaging seven-minute miles or faster will see the most benefit from these.

Besides being the lightest super shoe on the market, the Evo 1 also claims the title of the most expensive. That, coupled with initial talk of the shoe only working for a single marathon, makes the Evo 1 a big investment. Our test pair, however, lasted nearly 200 miles before the midsole showed signs of wear. While not every runner can expect similar durability, those with an efficient stride should enjoy everything the Evo 1 has to offer much longer than a single marathon. You can read our full review and durability test.

The challenge with super-soft, highly responsive cushioning in super shoes is that they often lack stability, demanding an efficient stride to maintain control as they first squish, then bounce back strongly, magnifying forces—whether propulsive or unbalanced. For runners seeking a more stable carbon fiber shoe without losing the performance benefits, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 offers a firmer underfoot feel than most.

Instead of the heavily cushioned sink and trampoline-like bounce of many of today’s super shoes, the nitrogen-infused DNA Flash V2 midsole is extremely responsive, pushing back against the foot immediately and ready to pounce on the pace when needed. That lively firmness, combined with a curved carbon fiber plate embedded in the rockered midsole, gives the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 a smooth, stable, and forward-propelling ride.

In terms of fit and feel, Brooks nailed the basics. The thin, breathable mesh upper perfectly embodies a racing shoe’s ideal—minimalistic, with a secure midfoot lockdown that makes you feel firmly in control.

These are not for you if you prefer a highly cushioned, springy running experience. However, if you feel bounced around by most super shoes and want a firmer-feeling shoe that offers a good mix of stability and fast-rolling performance, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 is the shoe you’re looking for. You can read more about the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4.

With a ride that feels like bouncing on a pogo stick, the Hoka Cielo X1 delivers unmatched spring with every stride. Designed with two layers of über-responsive PEBA foam separated by a winged carbon fiber plate and a severe, heel-to-toe rocker profile, testers marveled at how much fun these shoes were. One tester described running in them as “feeling effortless,” adding, “It almost feels like you’re cheating when you’re wearing these shoes.”

However, a few testers had mixed reactions to the shoe’s prescriptive geometry. The stiff platform and aggressive rocker design seemed most effective for a midfoot strike and within a narrow pace range, specifically around six to eight minutes per mile for our testers.

Another knock concerned the shoe’s stiff, ribbon-like shoe laces. Nearly every tester commented on how difficult it was to get a tight, dialed-in knot. Still, if you can get past the less-than-ideal lacing—or choose to swap them out entirely—and are comfortable in the pace range sweet spot, the ride is worth it and could deliver a fun, fast marathon.

Cielo X1 clocks in at a hefty 9.3 ounces for mens size 9 and for womens size 10, making it the heaviest super shoe on the market. Thanks to the high-energy foam, however, we still found it held its own in the super shoe pack when it came to performance. You can read more about the Hoka Cielo X1.

Unfortunately, there are not a ton of options when it comes to highly cushioned zero drop racing shoes. Fortunately, the only option is a really good one. Now in its second iteration, the Altra Vanish Carbon 2 features three more millimeters of softer, more flexible underfoot cushioning heel to toe. Embedded in the soft, nitrogen-infused, TPE-based midsole is a full-length carbon fiber plate that adds a bit of stabilizing and propulsive stiffness without feeling controlling.

The Vanish Carbon 2’s midsole doesn’t have as dramatic a trampoline sensation as some other marathon racing shoes, but it delivers a smooth, cushioned ride that’s hard to beat. Even as someone who typically struggles with zero-drop shoes, I found the Vanish Carbon 2 enjoyable and surprisingly easy to run in, thanks to the high stack and rockered profile. Testers said the low heel helped increase their cadence and kept them more on their toes.

Despite not having a ton of structure, the lightweight, breathable mesh upper does a surprisingly good job of securing your midfoot while your toes have room to splay in Altra’s signature wide toe box. You can read more about the Altra Vanish Carbon 2.

When it comes to replicating the performance benefits of road super shoes for the trail, shoemakers have struggled to achieve the same level of success. The adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is a standout exception. Designed with one of the most aggressive rockered profiles on a trail running shoe, the Terrex Speed Ultra feels awkward initially, almost like you’re walking downhill.

However, once you get accustomed to the unique profile that wants to push you forward, you’re rewarded with a propulsive ride unlike any other trail running shoe. Inside, the high-performance TPEE (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer) midsole incorporates a four-pronged, slightly flexible PEBA-based rod system, providing extra stiffness to the soft foam without creating instability on technical terrain. While it manages well on groomed or rocky sections, like most highly cushioned trail shoes, it’s not designed for prolonged precise technical maneuvering.

Staying true to its race-ready design, the upper is razor-thin and slightly padded to keep weight at a minimum. The quick-drying synthetic material, combined with a gusseted tongue and sawtooth lacing that bites like a threatened rattlesnake, provides excellent midfoot lockdown. The only drawback is the unstructured heel counter, which can cause some heel lift if the laces aren’t pulled extra tight. You can read our full review of the Adidas Agravic Terrex Speed Ultra.

Not everyone wants or needs a super shoe when covering 26.2 miles. Here are some top options without a rigid carbon-fiber plate, sorted with consideration for specific needs and preferences.

Supershoes’ tall, highly cushioned soles create an unstable and wobbly platform, especially for beginner runners who spend more time in contact with the ground than their faster counterparts. Plus their rigid, curved plates dictate how the foot rolls, and are tuned to be optimal for fast, efficient runners.

Puma’s Deviate Nitro 3 combats these issues by combining two foams, a softer one closer to the foot with a firmer one closer to the ground, separated by a semi-flexible carbon-fiber composite plate. This design offers most of the cushioning and propulsive benefits of a super shoe, without the instability or the prescriptive stride control.

What sets the Deviate Nitro 3 apart most, however, is its remarkable ability to deliver a smooth ride at any pace. There’s nothing restrictive about the shoe—it adapts to your running speed and performs effortlessly, making it double as a great everyday trainer as well as a racing shoe.

Keeping comfort in mind, the upper features an engineered knit mesh with moderately padded heel collar. Testers felt the fit was true to size with a small amount of stretch throughout the upper to accommodate foot swelling or irregularities, such as bunions. The stretchy laces received mixed reviews, as one found he needed to keep tightening them to feel secure during the run. You can read our full review of the Puma Deviate Nitro 3.

When the Saucony Tempus first came out, we were blown away by its ability to control the soft, unstable nature of a PEBA midsole without taking away its high-energy, performance-enhancing benefits. Keeping everything the same underfoot, but adding a better fitting, more breathable mesh upper, the Tempus 2 continued to wow us with its supportive, yet lively ride.

The combination of soft, bouncy PEBA foam and a firmer EVA frame that uniquely wraps over and under the high-performance core helps guide the foot into a more stable position, making it perfect for beginners, or any runner, who may struggle with foot alignment, particularly during a long and exhausting marathon. The moderate stack height of 33mm in the heel and 25mm in the forefoot strikes a perfect balance—not so thick and cushioned that you can’t push off effectively, yet not so thin that it compromises comfort. The dual foam midsole, without a plate, provides ample underfoot protection while still allowing for a good sense of ground feel and accommodates any stride pattern.

The main drawback is that it’s relatively heavy for a racing shoe (while light for a trainer). Weighing 9.4 ounces for men and 8.2 ounces for women, it’s the heaviest shoe on our list. However, if you prioritize stability and want to tap into the performance benefits of PEBA in a supportive but not prescriptive shoe, this is still the top choice on the market.

Known for its wide toe box designs, Topo has mastered the balance of offering plenty of space for your toes while ensuring a secure midfoot lockdown. One of only four shoes in this roundup without a plate in the midsole, the Topo Specter 2 delivers a more natural and flexible experience than your stiff-plated super shoe or super trainer. A generous layer of Pebax foam underfoot is tuned firmer than usual, but still delivers its signature bouncy ride. One tester described the midsole as “firm and springy with a lot of response,” adding, “the shoe feels airy and fast with the perfect balance of stiffness versus flex.”

Testers found the Specter 2 incredibly versatile. It delivers the same ease and comfort on easy run days as it does on uptempo runs or races, thanks to its highly cushioned, responsive, and adaptable sole, and low overall weight.

Where the shoe truly stands out, however, is in its fit. One tester said about Topo shoes, “They’ve gone from being one of my least favorite brands to offering some of the best-fitting shoes I’ve tested.” The wide toe box isn’t just for runners with wide feet. Even our runners with regular-width feet appreciated the extra space, once they got used to their toes having room for their natural positioning and splay.

As foams have evolved to be increasingly lighter, marathon racing shoes are getting thicker and more cushioned. Rather than allowing your foot to react to the ground and move naturally, these thick-soled shoes blunt the underfoot feel and dictate how your foot moves through the gait cycle to various degrees. While this works well for some runners, others prefer a more minimalist ride.

If you’re the kind of runner who finds today’s cushioned shoes cumbersome and as restrictive as a stiff suit of armor, look no further. The Topo Cyclone 2 is a free and flexible lightweight racer that lets your foot control the shoe, not the other way around. Testers described the ride as “nimble” and “flexible” with a “slipper-like” feel.

The Cyclone 2’s Pebax midsole delivers the soft feel and springy response of a super shoe, but the comparatively thin stack height (28mm/23mm) keeps the squish and bounce moderate, and lets you feel the ground under the cushioning. You won’t find a plate embedded in the flexible midsole; instead there’s a slight rocker profile to help smooth the transition from stance to toe-off.

We’ve always found Topo Athletic makes some of the best-fitting shoes on the market, and the Cyclone certainly follows suit. A tailored midsection with excellent lockdown gives way to a roomy anatomical toe box. You can read our full review of the Topo Cyclone 2

There are a few factors beginner runners should consider before choosing a carbon fiber shoe. First, most carbon fiber running shoes are designed with fast, efficient runners in mind. Studies have shown that slower runners get less improvement in their running economy from the shoes, and the shoes actually make running harder for a significant number.

If you have developed solid mechanics, you may benefit from a carbon fiber shoe. However, if your form is still a work in progress, the stiffness of the carbon plate and the hyper-responsiveness of the foam could actually magnify poor mechanics, reduce your performance, and increase the risk of injury.

Additionally, every carbon fiber shoe is built differently—the placement and shape of the carbon plate, geometry of the midsole and properties of the foam all are different, model to model. This means no two carbon plated shoes will run exactly the same. It’s important to match your individual gait to a carbon fiber shoe by testing several options for the one that feels the best. In general, beginners should be cautious and make sure they’re fully comfortable in carbon fiber shoes before racing in them.

Our exhaustive testing process involves evaluating every marathon racing shoe on the market, sometimes as long as over a year, with input from more than 20 experienced wear-testers. They each fill out a detailed testing questionnaire evaluating key points such as fit, comfort, cushioning, and speed. The completed questionnaires are compiled and combined with testing feedback from lead tester Cory Smith, who brings over a decade of experience testing running shoes for Outside. Shoes that excel in specific areas are then ranked and categorized in relation to their strengths.

Cory Smith, a former Division One runner at Villanova University, has been running since the mid-1990s. With over a decade of experience testing and reviewing running apparel and shoes for publications like Outside and Runner’s World, he continues to compete as a masters athlete, boasting a masters personal best of 4:31 in the mile at the age of 44. He consistently logs 30 to 40 miles per week on roads, trails, and the track.

.Those looking for a low-profile, flexible ride with some support might consider the Brooks Hyperion 2 GTS, which has a moderate stack height (31.5–23.5mm), responsive cushioning, and gently guides the gait with firmer, raised sidewalls alongside the rearfoot.

After dedicating countless hours to marathon training, it’s just as crucial to invest time and effort into choosing the right running shoe for race day. Unlike your everyday trainer, a marathon racing shoe must strike a balance between providing enough stability to maintain your form over 26.2 miles and offering sufficient cushioning to protect your legs from the constant impact, while not weighing you down or holding you back. Here’s what you must consider when buying the ideal marathon racing shoes.

As running shoes become thicker and softer, they can start to feel unstable and wobbly. This instability forces the stabilizing muscles in your feet and legs to work harder, which can lead to premature fatigue and even injury. To prevent this, it’s crucial to choose a marathon racing shoe that provides a stable enough platform for your stride, ensuring consistent support throughout the race, even when you grow tired and your stride becomes less efficient. Stability is built into a marathon racing shoe by using embedded plates, firmer midsoles, a widened base, and a more structured heel counter and rearfoot hold.

Cushioning refers to the perceived underfoot firmness of a running shoe. While cushioning levels are a matter of personal preference, wearing softer running shoes during the marathon can be beneficial. One 2022 study with 32 recreational runners found that wearing highly cushioned running shoes improved performance by 5.7 percent and reduced oxygen consumption by 3.2 percent during incremental treadmill tests. However, runners must balance cushioning benefits with stability and propulsion needs.

Given the length of the marathon it’s crucial to make sure your marathon racing shoes fit well. Since over the course of the 26.2 miles your feet may swell, you should make sure you have enough room in the toe box to accommodate this swelling. A good general rule of thumb is to make sure you have at least a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. You should be able to wiggle your toes without them bumping up against the front of the shoe. While you want space for your toes to splay, the upper should hold your foot securely around the heel and instep.

While this is a highly debated topic, the current thinking is to limit the amount of time spent training in carbon fiber plated shoes. These shoes are built with a thick, highly cushioned, and unstable platform, and a rigid rocker profile. Unlike more flexible running shoes that allow your foot to move naturally, carbon fiber shoes dictate the way your feet strike the ground and roll forward, potentially altering your natural gait, which can lead to injury. In addition, the powerful bounce magnifies any instability, causing more stress on your muscles, tendons, and joints. Ideally, limit your carbon-plated shoes to race day and a few speed sessions. Super trainers—with the same high-end foams but more flexible plates—can be a great alternative for weekly speed sessions or fast-finish long runs.

The length of marathon racing shoes varies on a runner’s weight, stride efficiency, and model of shoe. Typically, lighter runners who have an efficient stride will realize longer shoe lifespans, while heavier runners who spend more time on the ground will see less. Generally speaking, you should get somewhere around 100 to 200 miles from your marathon racing shoes before the midsole begins to decompress. Visual cues, such as worn down outsole, uneven midsole compression, or holes in the upper, can be your best indicator of it being time to replace your marathon shoes. Outside of that, I’ve found if you start to question whether it’s time to replace your shoes, it’s usually time.

How Recreational Runners Get Through UTMB: 'It's All About Digging Deep into Yourself'

Wearing purple shorts, a blue and white tie-dyed T-shirt, a bright pink hat, a light blue Salomon hydration pack, fluorescent yellow-rimmed Oakley sunglasses, and a pair of Hoka Speedgoat 5 shoes, Chaiwen Chou was a vibe as she crossed the finish line of Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) on Sunday afternoon in Chamonix, France.

Chou, who had also freshened up the pink and purple tint of her hair before the race, stood out among the numerous other dusty and weary runners clad in more traditionally colored trail garb as they took their final strides in the epic 106-mile race around the Mont Blanc massif.

But what was most remarkable about the 41-year-old software developer from New York City was the huge smile on her face and expression of pure joy that emanated from her. When she arrived at the finish line after 45 hours and 15 minutes of running-about 75 minutes before the cutoff-she was beaming ear to ear and greeted with big hugs from her mom, brother, partner, and a good friend who helped crew her on her journey.

While her interest in running started on a bit of a whim a decade ago, her continued passion and progression have led her to run more than 30 trail running races, including the biggest and most celebrated one in the world. On Sunday, she was one of 95 American runners to complete the grueling UTMB course.

"So when I turned 30, I had this typical New Year's resolution, like, I want to get fit, I want to learn how to run," said Chou, who grew up in Massachusetts. "And then I met a friend who ran, and I started running with him and doing group runs. And then we started running trails, and we specifically entered The North Face Endurance Challenge, and that's where I ran my first marathon, and fell in love with trail running and then learned about ultrarunning and this whole world that I never even knew existed."For many recreational ultrarunners from around the world like Chou, UTMB sits at the top of their lifelong bucket list. It means starting at the same time as the elite professional runners on Friday evening in Chamonix, and maneuvering through the same rugged and aesthetic 106-mile loop with a daunting 32,000-feet plus of climbing and descending. It's historic, and the crowds and the energy around it are unparalleled.

It's also a monumental challenge to complete.

Trail Running's Infectious Buzz

Ultra-trail running is having a moment right now-especially since the end of the Covid pandemic-but it probably started a decade ago as the urge to run beyond the marathon gained mainstream traction and destination races around the world started to become desirable goal races for recreational runners.The North Face Endurance Challenge began as a singular 50-mile championship-style trail race near San Francisco in 2006 with a $30,000 prize purse, but it evolved into a multi-distance race weekend (from 10K to 50 miles) aimed at encouraging runners of all abilities to immerse themselves in the sport. After a few successful years of the event in Mill Valley, California, it expanded to several locations across the U.S.-upstate New York, Madison, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C., among others-and around the world.

Although The North Face pulled the plug on the series in late 2019 with a suggestion that it was going to reimagine the event format, nothing ever materialized after the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted the world-and specifically running events-in 2020. But those events played a big role in introducing runners and non-runners alike to the unique aspects of trail running, and many of those who caught the bug-like Chou-have continued to chase their passion in global events like the UTMB World Series.

Chou and her friends returned to The North Face Endurance Challenge four years in a row and she upped the ante each time, going from the marathon to the 50K and finally to consecutive finishes in the 50-miler. She competed in the 50-mile race in San Francisco in 2017 and 2019 and then started traveling to other races around the U.S. and eventually around the world. By 2020, she had completed the Madeira Island 115K race in Portugal and the Tarawera Ultramarathon 100-miler in New Zealand.

Once Covid subsided, Chou set her sights on trying to get into UTMB, which she did by collecting running stones and finishing seventh at the Grindstone 100 amid torrential rain storms last September in northwest Virginia. Her training for UTMB was interrupted in February when, just a week after she found out she secured an entry into UTMB through the lottery, she broke her ankle. Then once she got to Chamonix a week before the race, she smashed her left  knee on a shakeout run and it swelled up pretty badly.

As such, her UTMB experience was rougher than she had hoped-the 80-degree heat and the 32,000 feet of vertical gain and descent pushed her to her limits-as she had challenges fueling consistently and also got sick several times. But she persevered and reached her primary goal of finishing.

Officially, she was the 1,542nd finisher out of 1,760 runners who completed the full loop. (A total of 1,001 runners started but did not finish.) She did whatever it took and she crossed the finish line.

"So this is the first time I've  been in the Alps, and I'm just blown away by how beautiful it is," she said. "Even though I was in pain pretty much the whole race because the climbing and the elevation gain here are insane compared to the East Coast! But it was just so beautiful everywhere. It's pretty crazy. But you get to be out there all day though, so that's fun."Every Runner Has a Story

Becky Convery only started running four years ago in the middle of the Covid lockdown. What started as short, occasional runs turned into a passion for trail running that was fueled, in part, by doing group runs with the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club.

Like Chou, Convery also qualified for UTMB through the Grindstone 100. The 58-year-old Washington D.C. attorney almost quit that race, but she dug deep to finish. During UTMB, Convery dealt with GI issues from early on in the race and couldn't keep any food down. It was so bad, she almost dropped out at the 51.5-mile aid station in Courmayeur, Italy. But then she thought of Wayne Chang, a running buddy from Virginia, who did just that last year and immediately regretted it. With her friend's experience top of mind as she struggled, Convery persevered and finished in 45:27 with an hour to spare."I wanted to quit at Grindtone last fall. I was miserable and just wanted to go to bed, but he wouldn't let me quit," Convery said. "He's like, 'Look, I quit UTMB and I woke up a couple hours later, and I was like, 'Oh my God, what have I done?' So when it got hard out there (during UTMB), I thought of Wayne, and even though I couldn't keep food down, I said to myself, 'What would Wayne do?' He'll kill me if I quit, so I knew I couldn't quit. So I just kept going."

As much as UTMB gets considerable international notoriety for the livestream and media coverage around the elites-and understandably so, it draws many of the world's best runners-at the heart, UTMB is a personal journey of courage, commitment, and hope for most of the 2,800 runners who toe the starting line.

And really, that's what the entire sport of ultra-trail running is all about and what differentiates it from road racing. For many, it's not about racing at all-competing against other runners or even the clock-it's about challenging yourself and the natural terrain in pursuit of a dream that might seem like it's on the realistic edge of your abilities.

"It's all about digging deep into yourself," Convery said. "With this race, it's so international and there are so many nations represented, it's just an amazing time up there. Even though most people don't speak each other's language, everybody gets it. Everyone is pulling for each other. It's a great environment out there. I'm glad I made it."

Going the Distance

That's always been the case for 67-year-old Mike Smith, a retired resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, who reached the finish line 15 minutes after Convery. It was Smith's second year in a row finishing UTMB, and because he won his age group at the Canyons 100K in April, he'll likely be back next year.

"The best part about it is always the people," Smith says. "But, oh gosh, chasing the time cutoff at that last aid station, that hike up to the La Flegere ski area, that's always a challenge."Smith relishes in those kinds of ultra-trail challenges. By reaching the finish line in Chamonix, he recorded the 224th 100-mile trail race finish of his career dating back to the mid-1990s. According to an ultrarunning history site, he ranks No. 2 in the world in all-time 100-mile finishes and first among 100-mile trail races. (Last year's UTMB was his 205th finish, which means he completed 18 100-mile ultra-trail races in the interim.

"This is always a spectacular finish," said his wife, Sandra, who wrote a book about what it's like to crew her husband at races. "This is one of the most exciting finish lines there is. The finish lines at smaller races are exciting because there's such a close community of people, but here, there are so many people from around the world, and that's just wonderful."

In all, 2,761 runners started this year's UTMB and 1,760 finished, including 95 U.S. runners who reached the finish line (out of 152 American starters) under the cutoff. Frenchman Vincent Bouillard was the overall winner in 19:54:23 on Saturday afternoon, but 20 hours later there were still about 1,000 runners moving toward the finish line and trying to beat the 46.5-hour cutoff on Sunday afternoon. Among the 95 U.S. finishers, 41 completed the course after the 40-hour mark.

Lamont King, 51, a runner from Roseville, California, has watched and been inspired by runners finishing in the golden hour of the Western States 100 as a fan and as a board member of the race for years. So finishing UTMB on his first try in 45:59-about 30 minutes before the cutoff-was a special moment for him.

"The race was very, very tough. We just don't have that kind of vertical in California where I'm from," said King, who has been trail running for 20 years. "But it's just amazing to be in this scenery in the mountains. It's just fantastic, and it makes up for a little bit of pain. I did have to push a little bit more than I probably would've liked, but I got it done. Coming in with all those people cheering for you in that final finish is almost overwhelming. It's just beautiful."

Racers prepare for annual Pikes Peak Ascent, Marathon event

Take a deep breath while there’s time. Come this weekend, runners will have to cherish every bit of oxygen they can.

The 69th annual Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon begin Saturday starting with the romp up Pikes Peak.

Both events have their highest number of participants since 2019 prior to the pandemic and a plethora of new runners will compete in this year’s festivities.

Here are a few items to keep tabs on during the annual event.

Weather

It’s doubtful inclement weather will impact this year’s Pikes Peak Ascent. Saturday’s race, which begins at 7 a.m., typically takes around 7 hours for the final finishers to arrive.

Jordan Linder, Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon race director, said, “Saturday we’re a-go as normal” since snow is expected later in the day on Pikes Peak, but not during the early portion of the race.

As for Sunday’s Marathon, stay tuned.

“We’re monitoring the weather for Saturday night into Sunday,” Linder said. “We’ll communicate that throughout the weekend for marathoners who may be affected. We’ll communicate that primarily through Facebook. We have Instagram as well and a text feature this year so we can text our registered runners up-to-date information.”

As of Thursday afternoon, Manitou Springs will have a low of 41 degrees and a high of 57 and a 50% chance of participation Sunday.

Participation

Nearly 2,000 runners will race in the Ascent and 916 will compete in the Marathon, which Linder said is the highest total of participants for both events since 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, more than 1,450 racers competed in the Ascent while 673 ran the Marathon. In 2019, nearly 1,700 runners ran up Pikes Peak and 723 signed up for the Marathon.

Linder said they’re grateful to see numbers continue to increase post-pandemic.

“We’re grateful that the sport of running has continued to be at an all-time high and is increasing,” Linder said. “We’re seeing all kinds of different runners out on the trails. What’s most exciting is whether this is their first trail race or first mountain run, all of the runners are exceptional for being courageous enough to start.”

New Pikes Peak Ascent record? (Again?)

Maybe, but Linder said not likely.

Rémi Bonnet broke Matt Carpenter’s 30-year-old record last year and finished the Ascent in 2 hours and 20 seconds.

Bonnet will not participate in this year’s climb up Pikes Peak and in 2023, second place finished more than four minutes behind the Swiss runner.

“We had the luxury of watching the 30-year-old record be broken last year, so that’s probably not happening this year,” Linder said. “Obviously, it’s possible, but Rémi isn’t here to run it or break his record this year.”

Among the slew of runners are Joseph Gray and Seth DeMoor who, throughout the years, have constantly finished in proximity to one another.

In 2019, Gray won the Pikes Peak Ascent at 2:08.59 while DeMoor placed second at 2:12:45.

DeMoor won the Pikes Peak Marathon in back-to-back years from 2020 to 2021 and, in 2024, finished second overall.

During July’s Barr Trail Mountain Race, Gray clocked in at 1:33:10 and had a photo finish to edge out Jonathan Aziz, who won last year's Pikes Peak Marathon.

“You always want to come out and defend your title,” Gray said after his win at the Barr Trail Mountain Race. “It’s more special now being a master’s runner (40 and older) and competing with the young bucks and still being able to get some (wins.)”

How to Prepare For Your First Running Event

Are you signed up for your first running race this year? If so, you might be wondering what to do next. Many of us register for a 10k or half marathon in the hopes that doing so will simply motivate (or pressure) us to get to the finish line, and sometimes, it does. But let’s face it, Forrest Gump was just a movie. In real life, without proper preparation, you could wind up injured, unable to finish, or not even make it to the starting blocks, all of which would be really disappointing, to say the least.

Preparing for your first race requires careful planning, from training and getting the right kit to goal-setting and pre-race fuelling. Proper preparation ensures you’re physically ready for the race, have the energy to keep going and can overcome race day nerves, all of which will mean you have a more enjoyable race, and are likely to make it the first of many.

1. Set a goal

Once you’ve chosen a race and signed up, it can be smart to set an achievable goal. This can give you something to focus on during both your training and your race, and that can help you stay motivated, while achieving your goal can also give you a greater sense of satisfaction (for this reason, it’s a good idea to set a secondary goal in case you don’t make your primary goal.

Your goal could be something ambitious, like running a sub three-hour marathon, but it can easily be as simple as just finishing the race. When I did my first triathlon in 2012, I simply wanted to finish and I wanted to do so without walking during any of the running section. I didn’t finish anywhere near the podium, but I managed to achieve my goals and I was really happy with myself.

2. Make a training plan

For injury prevention, it’s obviously vital to make a smart training plan, and to leave yourself enough time before race day to actually execute it. There is no one way to train, and your plan will depend on where you’re starting and where you want to get to, but just as a rough idea, in our first marathon training plan we recommend 12 weeks for seasoned runners, but a full year for novices. 

The most important aspect of training to remember is to build up gradually to give your body time to adapt to each increase in load, make ample room for rest and recovery and if possible, work with a coach and train in conditions similar to those you’ll be racing in.

3. Gear up

As you get closer to the big day, you’ll need to start to consider your gear. You’ll need to choose trail running shoes or road running shoes and have trained in them for a while to be sure they’re right for you. If you’ve already put in a ton of miles of them, you may need to replace them with an identical pair a few weeks before the race, and break them in. Once you’ve found the perfect pair of running socks, have a new or nearly new pair set aside for race day.

Use your training months to figure out what clothing you’re most comfortable in, taking into account the expected climate and conditions. Are you happiest in a pair of running shorts or do you prefer running tights? You’ll need a well-fitting running top that’s breathable and doesn’t chafe, and consider whether you want to run with a headband or running hat if you're expecting sunny conditions.

Remember, the general rule for running is light, breathable clothing that wicks moisture, but everyone is different. Reigning UTMB champ Courtney Dauwalter is well-known for running in baggy men’s running shorts and shorts, which isn’t common, but it definitely works for her.

4. Rest up

You’ll spend months slowly ramping up your mileage in order to reach your race distance, but once you get there, you’ll want to start to reduce both your distance and intensity in the final couple of weeks before your race, a practice known as tapering. During this time, you’ll focus on easy runs. 

In the final two days before your race, get complete rest and lots of sleep. If you’re not a great sleeper, read our article getting better sleep for some tips on improving your sleep hygiene and routine.

5. Recce your route

Ultra runner Renee McGregor has ranked highly in some pretty rugged races, from Snowdonia to the Himalayas, and when I heard her talk about her accomplishments, she described making the podium in a gnarly race where the majority of participants took a wrong turn. Her advantage? She wasn’t necessarily the fastest runner, but she had checked out the race course ahead of time and knew where to go.

Understanding your route before you take off, if possible, can help you plan for when you’re going to want to slow down, or walk, where you can gain back some time, when and if you’ll need running poles and any tricky sections in a trail race where there’s the possibility of getting off-route.

6. Get in the right headspace

In addition to your physical training, it’s advisable to give your mental state some attention. Running a race can be exhilarating and empowering but it can also be nerve wracking and daunting. In the months leading up to your race, it can be worthwhile practicing mindfulness or meditation, which a 2020 study published in the journal Neural Plasticity found improved coordination, endurance and cognitive function. This could help you in the lead up to the race and in combating race-day nerves.

Know yourself and understand what you’ll need the day before your race and morning of to ensure you’re in the best head space possible. It might be good to minimize social contact and give yourself some quiet time to focus and get in the right headspace.

7. Fuel up

Just like filling up the tank of your car before you set off on a long drive, you’re going to want to make sure your body has plenty of energy stored before a race. For a race that’s not likely to take much more than an hour, you can simply make sure you eat well in the couple of preceding days, but fueling for endurance races can take careful fine-tuning. Following his second-place win at the 2023 UTMB, Zach Miller revealed that for him, managing his sodium levels with salt tablets was the secret to success.

For longer distances, you might want to consider increasing your carbohydrate intake – a practice known as carb loading – to increase your body’s glycogen stores. The best nutritional advice is to focus on well-balanced meals with protein and carbohydrates and not going overboard on refined carbs or fiber, which might wreak havoc on your gut. Learn more in our article on carb loading.

Though you should definitely eat well in the days leading up to your race, if you’re going to be able to eat during the race and are loading your hydration vest up with running gels, then you don’t necessarily need to carb load, but you will want to make sure your stomach can handle gels and take them with plenty of water to avoid the dreaded “runners' trots.”

Ultimately, for longer endurance races, working with a dietician will give you an advantage, since every athlete and every race is different. This will help you avoid the pitfalls of low energy availability and might help you figure out your unique nutritional needs faster. 

8. Pre-hydrate

As we explain in our article on hydration tips for runners, hydration for a race doesn’t begin with filling up your hydration pack. Your behavior in the days before a long run can really affect your hydration levels on the big day, so avoid dehydrating foods like caffeine and alcohol.

According to Susan Kitchen, registered dietitian and USA Triathlon Level II and IRONMAN certified endurance coach, if you’re training for a big race, you want to avoid being in the heat unnecessarily in the days leading up to it, unless you're just doing a training run, but sitting outside on the beach sweating, or in a sauna, is not a good idea. Sip plenty of water in the days before your race, too.

9. Make a recovery plan

Chances are, all of your energy and efforts will be focused on that finish line, but the longer the race, the more you’ll want to make a recovery plan, otherwise it’s all too easy to end up having too many celebratory beers, which after a long run can be a bad idea. 

Try to plan for at least a couple of days off work following your race to recuperate, hydrate and nourish your body, schedule a massage and engage in some of your favorite recovery activities to reward your body for all its hard work.

10. Set your alarm

The night before race day, make sure you set your alarm nice and early so you have plenty of time to prepare. Chiefly, you’ll want to have time to sip water, eat and give yourself enough digestion time before the starting gun goes. 

In our article on what to eat before a half marathon, we explain that nutrition experts recommend runners eat a familiar breakfast around three to four hours before the race start, or a large snack 90 minutes to two hours beforehand. When deciding what time to get up, factor in that meal as well as how much time you need to get to the race plus any other pre-race rituals you want to observe.

I Tried Training for a Half-Marathon and Failed—These Are the Five Things I'll Do Differently Next Time

Here's how I plan to prepare to run a successful half-marathon after learning the hard way.

As a kid, I always looked up to my older brother as the embodiment of athleticism. He was a great runner, and his achievements in the world of competitive racing were awe-inspiring. With each race he conquered, he fueled my desire to follow in his footsteps. But there was one small problem: I didn’t seem to have inherited the natural running gene that he had, and my short-lived eighth-grade cross-country record was proof of that. 

However, as an adult, I wanted to give my running career another shot, so I challenged myself to run a half-marathon. Unfortunately, I lost the motivation to train and gave up around the 8-mile mark, never making it to race day. Looking back on my failed attempt, it's evident there were a few key errors from the start that left me struggling to find my stride. While I’m not actively training, I run regularly and finishing a half-marathon is a goal of mine in the future. Here are the five things I'll do differently the next time I train for a half-marathon.

1. Stay Hydrated

One of my biggest missteps while training was underestimating the importance of hydration. I simply didn’t drink enough water before, during or after my runs. I’d often finish my runs feeling drained, dehydrated and unable to recover as quickly as I could have. When you exercise and sweat, your body loses electrolytes and water, so it’s important to replenish those stores by drinking water. By not staying hydrated, I ended up with a weaker workout. 

To ensure I stay hydrated when I train again for a half-marathon, I'll be relying on my trusty Stanley water bottle. It holds 40 ounces of water, so I don't have to worry about constantly filling up throughout the day. Currently, I fill my water bottle up before bed and place it on my nightstand so I start hydrating as soon as I wake up. This is a habit that leaves me more hydrated overall, and I plan to continue doing this the next time I train. I’ll also be incorporating electrolyte-rich beverages like Gatorade into my post-run routine. It's packed with sodium and potassium, two essential minerals that are lost while you sweat. With my new approach toward hydration, I already feel better during my runs and know that I’ll see the same results when I start training again.

2. Eat a More Balanced Diet

When I first attempted to take running seriously, I wasn’t fueling my body properly. As much as I love McDonald’s Free Fries Friday, I quickly realized habits like these weren’t helping me accomplish my goals. It became evident that a balanced eating pattern with complex carbs and protein was a missing piece of the puzzle. Complex carbs like whole grains, fruits and vegetables have become my go-to choices. They provide a steady release of energy, which helps support stable energy levels and avoid those dreaded spikes and crashes during longer runs. Mindfully incorporating complex carbs into my diet once I start training again, especially before long workouts, may make a noticeable difference in my energy levels.

Meanwhile, incorporating enough protein into my diet has been crucial for my recovery after runs. Often if my legs were sore, I would use it as an excuse to skip a workout and take a recovery day. But the soreness I was experiencing was from pushing my muscles to grow and work harder than they were used to. Eating enough protein is important to ensure you’re getting the amino acids that may help the maintenance, repair and growth of muscles. Next time around, by mindfully eating a balanced amount of protein, I can improve my endurance during training.

3. Get a Running Buddy

One practice that I started during my weekly runs, and plan to add when I train for a half-marathon again, is running with a buddy. Running can sometimes feel like a solitary endeavor, but having someone by your side can make it so much more motivating. The joy of sharing the experience with someone else, specifically my roommate, has turned each dreaded workout into a fun, social activity. And while having fun is more than enough reason to run with a partner, we also help each other stay motivated and accountable. Plus, it’ll be fun to share the finish line with someone I know!

4. Switch Up Running Locations 

During my first attempt at training, I found myself opting for the treadmill located in my apartment's fitness center. It was undoubtedly convenient, and I didn’t have to face the crisp morning air. But running indoors quickly became monotonous and sucked all the joy out of my workout—that’s why I’ll be running outside next time. Whether it’s a scenic trail, through a beautiful park or simply just around my neighborhood, the landscape changes with every step and makes running feel more special. Plus, the different terrain offers a variety of challenges as the elevation rises and falls. Running outdoors also keeps my mind engaged by the evolving environment. When I enjoy my surroundings more, I become less focused on the distance left to go and more entertained by the experience of my run. I think this simple change will make the 13 miles fly by.

5. Change My Mindset

During my treadmill workout phase, I used to be fixated on maintaining a specific pace, and if I fell short, I’d get frustrated. However, my perspective on running and training underwent a significant shift, and I have come to realize that mindset is everything. Next time around, I will go in with the mindset that true pride isn’t found in the digits on the stopwatch, but in the commitment, dedication and mental strength that is poured into training. I understand now that chasing a speed is not an accomplishment. Shifting to this perspective will be a challenge, especially for someone with a competitive nature like mine, but it’ll allow me to savor each run and recognize that the ultimate reward is the personal growth I’ll experience along the way.

Tallinn Marathon win goes to Kenya

The Tallinn Marathon, held on Sunday, was won by Kenyan runner Samwel Kiptoo. Tiidrek Nurme was crowned Estonian champion, finishing fourth overall.

Thirty-year-old Samwel Kiptoo finished the race with a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes and 48 seconds. The last time a Kenyan marathoner did not win in Tallinn was in 2018 when Roman Fosti claimed first place.

The second to cross the finish line was Ethiopian Geleto Barecha Tolosa, trailing the winner by 22 seconds. Kenyan Ishmael Chelanga Kalale came in third, finishing 51 seconds behind Kiptoo.

Tiidrek Nurme, running his first marathon on home soil, was the fastest Estonian, placing fourth overall with a time of 2:15:04. He missed out on third place by just 25 seconds.

Leonid Latsepov secured the silver medal in the Estonian championships, finishing fifth overall (+2:56). Bert Tippi took the bronze, placing eighth overall (+13:54).

In the women's race, Kenyan runners swept the podium. Mercy Kwambai claimed victory with a course record of 2:31:09, breaking the previous mark set two years ago by fellow Kenyan Pauline Thitu by 20 seconds. Kwambai also finished 10th overall.

Hildah Jepkogei Cheboi took second place with a time of 2:31:29, while Euliter Jepchirchir Tanui secured third with a time of 2:31:48.

If Running Uphill Feels Like Torture, Make These Expert-Approved Adjustments

Try these expert-approved tips to make running uphill easier and more enjoyable.

I love to run—but I detest running uphill. When I hit an incline, my legs burn, I get acid reflux, and I often need to take a break to catch my breath. Jogging over hills is so terrible for me that I exclusively map out flat routes and sign up for races with minimal elevation, if any.

As it turns out, there’s a legitimate reason people struggle with hills. Every single one of us has a unique running style, or running fingerprint, as John Mercer, a professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, calls it.

I, for example, have a long, lanky strut while my husband hops up and down like a kangaroo. When you run uphill, your entire running style changes. Maybe you hunch over or flail your arms or stick your butt out. As a result, you engage different muscles that may not be in tip-top shape, such as your hip flexors, hamstrings, and the muscles that support your knee joints.

This, coupled with the fact that you’re now working against more gravity, is why hills can be so brutal. “Instead of just needing to propel yourself horizontally, you’re also essentially climbing a flight of stairs. So, yeah, it is hard,” says Milica McDowell,  a certified exercise physiologist and vice president of operations at Gait Happens.

But hills don’t have to be agonizing. There’s a method to the madness of hill running, and if you go about it correctly, you might end up enjoying it.

According to McDowell, when you jog up a hill, make sure to strike the ground with the middle or ball of your foot, not your heel. A heel-first approach causes you to lean back, she says, which throws off your center of gravity and acts as a breaking mechanism.

This slows you down, making it tougher to get anywhere because you’re breaking every step, McDowell says. Landing on your mid-foot shifts your center of gravity forward, which propels you up and over the mound. “You want to feel like you’re falling up the hill,” she says.

When I’m on a steep section of a trail, I tend to collapse over my torso to suck in more air, but according to Mercer, this move makes the body work even harder. This is proof that gravity is at play. It can feel like you’re carrying an extra four pounds on a slight incline, Mercer says. But a super steep hill? That can feel like an added ten to 20 pounds of extra weight pulling you down.

The key is to lean forward, but not so much that you’re crunching over your stomach. Look ahead, not down at the ground, and keep your shoulders in front of your hips, Mercer says. Lift your ribcage up and out of your pelvis and engage your core by pulling your belly button back to your spine. This will fix your posture, pull back your center of gravity, and make it less torturous to get up the hill, McDowell says.

Uphill running puts more demands on your joints and muscles, per a 2023 research study, so it might feel like your workout suddenly gets more intense when you reach an incline. One trick is to slow down—assuming you’re not in a timed race.

If you try to stick to your normal pace, the metabolic effort needed to climb the hill will dramatically increase. If you often feel winded when you inch over hills, try walking instead. Mercer says this can help you avoid burning out, so you don’t have to bring your entire workout to a screeching halt to recoup for a few minutes. Don’t be fooled—taking it down a notch when going uphill does not mean you’re getting less of a workout. Because trekking up a hill automatically intensifies the activity, your energy output, even if you’re going slower, is more or less the same as it would be running on a flat path.

At the same time, you should pick up your cadence. Trade in the longer steps for shorter, quicker strides. McDowell recommends upping your step cadence by up to 25 percent. So, if you were taking roughly 100 steps a minute, shoot for 125. But keep this in mind: you’re taking more steps, but you want each step to be shorter and cover less distance, so you’re not full-on sprinting uphill. “It’s the turnover rate of your feet that’s faster, not your whole body speed,” she says.

Taking small, swift steps means your feet spend less time on the ground—which decreases impact forces on your knees, hips, and ankles—and helps you run more efficiently, McDowell says.

Anything you can do to propel your body forward will help you get over the hill, which is why McDowell puts her arms to work. She recommends swinging your arms faster and farther out to take some pressure off of your legs.

“Your arms create momentum, and that momentum is part of the gas pedal that pushes you up the hill,” she says. If you can, swing them 25 percent faster than when you’re going downhill or on a flatter path. “It makes a huge difference,” McDowell says.

When you work out, you suck in oxygen, which provides energy to your muscles. The harder you run—à la trotting up a killer mountain—the more oxygen your body needs. “Your body is like, ‘I need more blood in these muscles, I need more oxygen in these tissues’” McDowell says. But you probably aren’t getting the oxygen you need if you’re short of breath.

The fix? Slow down your breathing. McDowell uses a 2:2 breathing pattern where you inhale for a count of two (or about the time it takes you to take two separate foot strikes), then exhale for two. “That’s going to drive down your breathing rate, which will decrease your heart rate, which helps lower stress,” McDowell says, all while increasing the amount of oxygen in your body. 

I always get a bad attitude when I see a hill. I think, “This is going to suck,” and then guess what: it does. So, Mercer says that the best thing you can do is have the right mindset.

Research shows that a positive outlook can improve your performance and help you accomplish your fitness goals (including that daunting hill ahead).

According to a study published in 2019, when Olympic and Paralympic athletes were asked, “To what do you attribute your success?” they didn’t reference how toned their legs were or how they built up their glute muscles. They mentioned their positive mindset—how resilient and hungry they were for the competition. Their advice for other athletes? Believe in yourself and embrace the challenge.

Getting over a hill is a mental game. Accept that your pace will change or that the next 10 minutes might be extra tough. But that’s okay—you’ll get through it.

Why older runners are rocking the trails

Recent performances by Jeff Browning and Ludo Pommeret suggest that trail runners age like fine wine.

A fascinating trend has emerged in trail and ultrarunning: athletes in their 40s and 50s are not just competing—they’re thriving. Recent performances by American ultrarunner Jeff Browning (53) and France’s Ludovic Pommeret (49) are putting to rest the common belief that athletic performance declines with age. Instead, these trail runners are proving that experience, mental resilience and a well-honed training regimen can defy the clock. Why are trail runners getting better with age, and how are they doing it?

The power of experience

One of the key reasons trail runners are excelling later in life is the accumulation of experience and mental resilience built over time. Running on technical trails requires quick decision-making and the ability to stay calm under pressure, qualities that often improve with age. Pommeret won the UTMB 176K race at age 41 and placed fourth at this year’s edition, at the age of 49, after winning Hardrock 100 only six weeks earlier. Some of his success can be attributed to years of experience, which has taught him to manage his energy efficiently, pace himself wisely and navigate challenging terrain with confidence.

Research supports this idea, suggesting that older athletes possess greater mental resilience, allowing them to maintain focus and composure during long, grueling races. This psychological edge often compensates for any slight physical declines, enabling veteran runners to stay competitive.

Adapted training and smarter recovery

Older trail runners are also better able to adapt their training to suit their aging bodies. Browning has consistently performed at the top level through his 40s and early 50s, most recently setting a supported FKT on the Colorado Trail at age 52 and placing second at this year’s Cocodona 250 (402 km) in Arizona. Browning emphasizes the importance of strength training, flexibility and strategic recovery. Instead of pushing through pain or ignoring signs of overtraining, experienced runners like Browning adjust their routines to prevent injury and enhance their longevity in the sport.

Research shows that strength training becomes increasingly important as we age, helping to maintain muscle mass, bone density and joint stability. Older athletes are also often more attuned to the need for adequate recovery, which is vital for avoiding burnout and ensuring sustainable performance.

Wisdom of pacing and nutrition

As trail runners age, they also tend to develop a keen sense of pacing and nutrition, partially due to familiarity with their own body. Unlike younger runners, who might go out too fast and burn out, more experienced runners understand the importance of conserving energy for the later stages of a race. They also become more meticulous about nutrition, recognizing that fueling their bodies properly can make the difference between finishing strong and hitting the wall.

Pommeret’s victory at the 2016 UTMB is a perfect example. After falling behind early in the race, Pommeret strategically paced himself, gradually working his way up the field to take the lead in the final miles. This kind of tactical acumen is often honed over years of racing experience.

Trail running is increasingly proving that age is just a number. with athletes like Pommeret and Browning demonstrating that with the right mix of experience, training adaptations, mental resilience and smart pacing, older runners can continue to compete—and win—at the highest levels.

Rebecca Cheptegei, died from full organ failure

Rebecca Cheptegei, died from full organ failure following a horrific attack by a former boyfriend on Sunday, which left her with burns covering 75 per cent of her body.

Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympic marathoner for Uganda who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, tragically passed away on Thursday morning after reportedly being set on fire by her former boyfriend in Kenya. She was 33.

According to the Kenyan newspaper Nation, Owen Menach, the Director of Clinical Services and Surgery at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, confirmed that Cheptegei died around 5 a.m. local time due to “full organ failure.” This followed a horrific attack by her boyfriend at her home in Kenya on Sunday, which left her with burns covering 75 per cent of her body. She was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

The alleged attacker, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, was also injured by the flames and is currently hospitalized. Neighbors reportedly overheard the couple arguing outside the house shortly before the attack. Both Cheptegei and Marangach were rescued from the fire by neighbors.

The Uganda Athletics Federation led tributes to Cheptegei on X (formerly Twitter), posting: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence early this morning. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”

Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August and previously won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022. She had a marathon best of 2:22:47.

Tragically, this is not the first instance of domestic violence involving elite female athletes in East Africa. In 2021, Kenya’s two-time 10,000m world championship bronze medalist, Agnes Tirop, was found stabbed to death by her husband at their home in Iten, Kenya. Tirop’s husband, Emmanuel Ibrahim Kipleting, was arrested after fleeing Iten and found hundreds of kilometers away. She was 25 at the time of her death.

Fuel your runs with the perfect fall granola

This nutritious granola is jam-packed with energy and incredible seasonal flavors.

As the crisp air of fall settles in, runners everywhere are lacing up their shoes to hit the trails. This time of the year calls for a diet that not only provides energy, but also aligns with the seasonal flavours we all love and look forward to all year long. Granola, with its versatile and nutritious profile, is the perfect fall pre-run or recovery snack for runners.

With its mix of oats, nuts and seeds, granola offers a blend of carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins. Adding this blend to a smoothie bowl, yogurt, oatmeal or eating it as cereal with milk can elevate your fall mornings. I’m already an huge advocate for pre-run yogurt with granola, so this recipe will be a hit in my kitchen this fall. If you typically only go for a really light pre-run snack, this granola is excellent for giving you a boost of energy without weighing you down.

Ingredients

Yields 8 cups (~16 servings). Adapted from Cookie and Kate.

8 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

3 cups raw nuts and/or seeds (I used 3/4 cup pecans, 3/4 cup green pumpkin seeds/pepitas, 3/4 cup slivered almonds, 3/4 cup shredded coconut).

3/4 tsp table salt (or 2 tsp fine-grain sea salt)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup coconut oil, melted

1 cup maple syrup or honey

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups dried cranberries (can also use dried cherries, raisins or dried apricots)

2 tsp orange zest (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine oats, nuts, seeds, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Pour in the oil, maple syrup/honey, vanilla and orange zest (if using). Mix to lightly coat all oats and nuts. Pour granola onto the prepared pan and spread into an even layer with a spatula.

Bake for 21 to 24 minutes, or until lightly golden, stirring halfway. (If wanting extra-clumpy granola, press down with a spatula to create an even layer.)

Let granola sit for at least 45 minutes or until it cools completely. (The granola will continue to toast when cooling.)

Add dried fruits. Break into chunks with your hands or stir around with a spoon.

You can store the granola in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to three months. Let frozen granola warm to room temperature for five to 10 minutes before serving.

Some other nut alternatives include walnuts, cashews, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts and sunflower seeds. To enhance the fall flavours, choose maple syrup over honey. Ground ginger and pumpkin-spice blends are also perfect alongside the cinnamon. Don’t skip the salt; this is key for bringing out the perfect blend of flavours and spices.

Kilian Jornet summits 82 Alpine peaks in 19 days

On Monday, Spain’s Kilian Jornet, four-time UTMB champion and a legend in ski mountaineering and climbing, completed his monumental mountain challenge to summit all 82 Alpine peaks over 4,000m high in only 19 days. Jornet shattered the previous Fastest Known Time (FKT) of 62 days, set in 2015 by Swiss alpinist Ueli Steck, who used a combination of cycling and paragliding.

Following his remarkable 10th victory at the Sierre-Zinal race (where he beat his own course record by a single second), Jornet embarked on a quest, dubbed “Alpine Connections,” to ascend as many of the 4,000-metre peaks in the Alps as possible, using only human-powered methods to travel between them. This endeavour seamlessly combined trail running, mountaineering, climbing and cycling.

In 2023, Jornet took on his toughest challenges yet, summiting all 177 peaks over 3,000 metres in the Pyrenees in just eight days. Reflecting on the feat at the time, he called it “one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.” With the “Alpine Connections” project, Jornet pushed his limits even further as he continued to use only running or cycling between mountains, being careful to leave no trace that he was there.

Jornet started his journey in the Bernina range of eastern Switzerland. In just a few days, he conquered 10 peaks, covering 423 km with a staggering 19,831m of elevation gain. The early stages of the challenge tested both his physical and mental endurance, and Jornet worked closely with scientists to track the physical and mental demands of his trek. He also provided daily recaps, stats and tracking on the Nnormal blog, Strava and @nnormal_official.

Jornet faced other, more humourous challenges during his journey: at one point, police threatened to tow his vehicle when work needed to be done on the parking lot he had left it in—2,500km away, and 4,000 metres below him.

Upon reaching the summits of Dôme and Barre des Écrins (the westernmost peaks in the series) on Instagram, Jornet shared his thoughts on Instagram. “This was, without any doubt, the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life, mentally, physically, and technically, but also maybe the most beautiful.”

“It’s difficult to process all my emotions just now, but this is a journey that I will never forget. It’s time for a bit of rest now.”

Chebet to test New York reediness at Sunday's Great North Run

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet will gauge his readiness for November’s New York Marathon at Sunday (September 8) when he lines up at the Great North Run, England.

The Great North Run is the largest half marathon in the world, and it is staged in North East England.

Chebet revealed he is looking to test his body as he aims for positive results ahead of the New York Marathon.

 “I want to test my body in England and see how it responds. This race will be part of my preparations for the New York Marathon. I am confident of positive results in both races,” Chebet revealed.

Chebet sustained a tendon rapture during the Boston Marathon in April, dashing his hopes of a historic hat-trick.

Despite the injury, he managed to secure a third-place finish with a time of 2:07:22, trailing Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma (2:06:17) and Mohamed Esa (2:06:58).

Before that, he had picked up last year’s title with a time of 2:05:54,  beating Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay (2:06:04) and Olympic bronze medalist Benson Kipruto (2:06:06).

He also led an all-Kenyan podium sweep during the 2022 edition—cutting the tape in 2:06:51 to lead Lawrence Cherono (2:07:21) and Kipruto (2:07:27) to the podium.

Now fully fit, the 35-year-old is determined to reclaim his winning form.

“My body feels great. I’m ready for the Great North Run and I am looking forward to positive results. I am also well prepared to win a second title in New York,” Chebet noted.

Chebet won the 2022 New York Marathon in 2:08:41 ahead of Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata (2:08:54) and the Netherlands' Abdi Nageeye (2:10:31).

Chebet’s resume also includes victories from the 2020 Valencia Marathon (2:03:00), the 2019 Buenos Aires Marathon (2:05:00) and the 2020 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon (2:07:29).

He placed third at the 2016 Berlin Marathon (2:05:31) and second at the 2016 Seoul Marathon (2:05:33) and 2019 Generali Milano Marathon (2:07:22).

Chebet is set to renew his rivalry with Lemma as he looks to assert revenge on the Ethiopian after he beat him to the Boston title.

The 2021 Valencia Half Marathon champion Abel Kipchumba will join Chebet on the start line as they look to secure a Kenyan 1-2 finish.

Other key competitors include Marc Scott, who will be representing the host nation. Scott clinched the 2021 title in 1:01:22, beating Edward Cheserek (1:01:31) and USA’s Galen Rupp (1:01:51).

In the women’s race, Rio 2016 Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot leads a strong Kenyan contingent, including 2022 Commonwealth 10,000m bronze medalist Sheila Chepkirui and 2014 World Half Marathon silver medalist Mary Ngugi.

Their competition will come from 2015 World 5,000m silver medalist Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia and Britain’s record holder in the 10km Road race Eilish McColgan.

American Katie Schide Shatters Courtney Dauwalter’s Course Record to Win UTMB

She’s now the third woman to win both Western States and UTMB in the same year.

Katie Schide is on a tear.

On Saturday, the American won the women’s race at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in dominant fashion, finishing the 109-mile race in 22 hours, 9 minutes, and 31 seconds. Her time is 21 minutes faster than Courtney Dauwalter’s course record of 22:30:54 from 2021.

Schide, 32, is undefeated this year, winning the Canyons 100K in April and the prestigious Western States 100 in June. 

Ruth Croft of New Zealand was 39 minutes behind Schide in second place (22:48:37). She passed Canada’s Marianne Hogan—who would finish third in 23:11:15—just after the 100-mile mark. Dauwalter, who won the Hardrock 100 on July 12, did not compete in this year’s edition.

In the men’s race, Vincent Bouillard of France was not favored to win, but he ultimately took the crown. He went to the lead after 48 miles and never relinquished it, crossing the finish line in Chamonix in 19:54:23. His compatriot, Baptiste Chassagne, was next to finish in 20:22:45, while Ecuador’s Joaquin Lopez placed third (20:26:22). 

Last year’s champion, Jim Walmsley of the U.S., withdrew just after 50 miles because of a knee issue, according to a post on his Instagram story. He remains the only American man to win the race.

UTMB has been contested since 2003. The course—which slightly changes year-to-year—starts and ends in the French Alpine town of Chamonix and traverses through Italy and Switzerland along the way, covering over 30,000 feet of elevation gain. 

This is Schide’s second time winning the event after taking top honors in 2022. Originally from Maine, Schide now trains in France and is sponsored by The North Face. 

In the final 7 kilometers, a downhill section, she was over 20 minutes ahead of course record pace, but she started limping. The buffer, however, was enough, and by the end, the hitch in her stride had mostly dissipated.

Schide said in a post race interview on the UTMB broadcast that her main goal was to dip under the 22-hour barrier, followed by a secondary goal breaking Dauwalter’s time from 2021. Schide went out hard in the first half—like she did in 2022—but she said winning two years ago gave her some much-needed context.

“I think this race, I just went in more confident in myself and I wasn’t surprised that I was fast,” she said. “Whereas in 2022, I was kind of freaking out because I was like “Oh, I didn’t really mean to do that.’ But this time, I meant to do it, and I was just focused on trying not to die too hard at the end.” 

Schide now joins Dauwalter (2023) and Nikki Kimball (2007) as the third woman to win both Western States and UTMB in the same year.

USA’s Eli Hemming and China’s Miao Yao Make History at 2024 OCC

It’s the first time an American or Chinese runner has won the prestigious 57K trail race that serves as a de facto global trail running championship. All year, Eli Hemming said his primary focus was charging up and over the La Flégère ski resort on the last climb of the Orsières-Champex-Lac-Chamonix (OCC) race at the UTMB World Series Finals to then break the finish line tape in Chamonix, France, as the champion.

That’s almost exactly how it played out on Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old runner from Kremmling, Colorado, fended off the world closing in around him as he overheated under a humid, sunny 80 degree day, as well as a hard-charging Francesco Puppi, to win the 57K (36-mile) race in 5 hours, 11 minutes in 48 seconds. In doing so, he not only  claimed a UTMB-Mont Blanc Finals title and the 13,000 euro (about $14,400) prize, he became the first American ever to win the prestigious race that serves as the de facto global championship at the shorter ultra distances.

But the race was a dastardly tilt, and Hemming had to turn himself inside out to get the win. It figured to be a grueling battle, both because of the 11,500 feet of elevation gain and descent but also because of the strong field of international runners and hot, humid weather with sunny skies soaring into the 80s under the early afternoon sun. Hemming went out hard early in the race, but he didn’t feel compelled to challenge for the lead up the first two climbs over the first 9 miles. That’s because fellow American Christian Allen was absolutely flying off the front, as the 26-year-old runner from Orem, Utah, surged to the lead from the gun and led by more than 2 minutes through the 15-mile mark as he passed through Swiss the village of Trient. But that’s where the runners faced the toughest test of the race, a spikey 4-mile, 2,300-foot technical climb to the Chalet des Grands before continuing upward on slightly less steep terrain to the Col de Balme mountain pass. In all, it’s a 3,000-foot ascent over about 6 miles to the 7,200-foot high point on the course.

That was the first crux of the race, and that’s where Hemming took charge. As Allen faded, Hemming surged up the big climb as several other speedy runners gave chase, including Swiss runner Remi Bonnet who is known for his uphill running abilities. But Hemming had been waiting for this all year and specifically trained on long mountain ascents near Breckenridge, Colorado. He continued to surge across the Swiss-French border and up to the pass, building a nearly 7-minute lead over Spanish runner Antonio Martinez Perez.

From there, Hemming extended his lead to 10 minutes on the 7-mile, 3,000-foot descent to the French village of Argentière. But with one more big climb—a 3.5-mile, 2,000-foot technical grind to 6,200 feet atop the ski resort—he was anything but home free. Early in the climb, he slowed from a run to a walk, and even stopped at one point midway through the climb, bent over and rested his hands on his knees. He looked in distress, but eventually gathered himself and started running slowly up the hill again.

Perez had been charging up the mountain behind him and there was a brief moment where it looked like Hemming’s lead might be in jeopardy. But he managed to reach the final checkpoint at the 50K La Flégère aid station in first, and immediately looked better as he began the 4-mile descent down to Chamonix. Although he had gained ground, Perez felt the impact of the climb, too, and was caught by Italian runner Francesco Puppi before reaching the ski resort aid station. After a cordial acknowledgement as he passed, Puppi suddenly had a new spring in his step. He surged up the final 200 meters to reach the checkpoint about 4 minutes after Hemming then began bombing down the rocky, rooty dirt trail in pursuit of the leader.

Up front, Hemming had recovered slightly, running smoothly albeit without the intensity of a couple hours earlier. Puppi was clearly running faster. What had been a 10-minute lead at the 28.2-mile mark had greatly diminished with less than 3 miles to go. But with every stride, Hemming was one step closer to his year-long goal of winning OCC and he wasn’t going to let it slip away.

When he reached the edge of the Chamonix pedestrian village, he was quickly re-energized by the throngs of cheering spectators and increased his pace briefly as he dashed through the winding 200-meter section before slowly slightly on the final blue-carpeted approach to the finish line.

“I was trying to pace it as well as I could, and I knew if I made it over Col de Balme with a good gap, unless I blow up—which I did a little bit—I knew I could hold up pretty well to the end,” Hemming said. “It ended up being a bit of a grind. I knew I had about a 10-minute lead at Argentière, but I was very much overheated and the walls started closing in a bit. I tried to take a little time to cool down, but I knew I had to keep moving and just make it to the top.”

Still running hard, Puppi dashed through the village three minutes later to finish second in 5:14:46, followed by Perez in third at 5:17:56, China’s Juwei Zi in fourth (5:22:17), and Aritz Egea Caceres in 5th (5:27:07). Nick Handel, a 32-year-old runner from San Francisco, was the second American runner in the men’s race, finishing 13th in 5:41:08. The victory is the first big international win for Hemming, who transitioned into trail running  in 2021 after several years as a professional triathlete. Hemming has won several domestic 50K races in the US, including the Canyons Endurance Runs 50K on April 26 in Auburn, California. Last year, he placed second to Bonnet in the Mont-Blanc Marathon and also finished fifth in the Golden Trail World Series Final 20K championship in Noli, Italy. For a while, it looked like Hemming, and his 27–year-old wife, Tabor, might be on the verge of one of the best trail running stories of the year. They decided to part ways with sponsor Salomon, in the offseason, and sign with the Adidas-Terrex team at the start of the year. While they both raced well early in the season—Tabor took third at the Canyons 50K in April and third at the Broken Arrow Skyrace 25K in June—they opted not to race as much this year as they’ve been known to. They also decided not to join their new teammates at an extended Chamonix training camp in late July and instead stay home and train at high-altitude in central Colorado.

Knowing what they’d be facing on the course, they sought out long climbs near Breckenridge and Frisco that topped out between 12,000 and 13,000 feet—including Wheeler Pass between Copper Mountain ski resort and the community of Blue River. “The course is fast and steep, but it’s also very runnable,” Tabor said. “We knew we could get quality training at home, so we used those climbs to train, so we were happy to stay at home and run the places we know best.”

Tabor looked great early in the race, running with a strong pack of lead women that included Judith Wyder of Switzerland, Clementine Geoffray of France, and Miao Yao of China, plus Spain’s Sara Alonso, New Zealand’s Caitlin Fielder, and fellow Americans Dani Moreno and Allie McLaughlin.

Wyder was the early leader and figured to be tough to beat—despite a recent bout of COVID. She had earned the silver medal in the 50K race at last year’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Austria, and more recently took second in the 20K mountain running race at the European Championships and first at the Mont-Blanc Marathon in early July. Wyder led Geoffray, Moreno, McLaughlin, and Yao through the initial 4.5-mile climb to Champex, then expanded her lead to the top of the second climb at the 6,200-foot summit of La Giete as Yao and Alonso maneuvered into the second and third spots. But following a similar strategy as her husband, Tabor took the lead on the long downhill into Trient and began to surge on the technical climb up to Chalet des Grands with Yao, Wyder, Alonso and McLaughlin in tow. Hemming ran in the lead for part of the climb, but she paid for the aggressive move. Wyder and Yao overtook her and those two separated from the rest of the field. They dueled back and forth but Yao took the lead over Col de Balme and would never relinquish it. She seemed to get stronger as the race went on and she extended the gap on Wyder to 4 minutes at La Flégère ski resort.

From there, Yao cruised into Chamonix to secure the first win by a Chinese athlete at OCC in 5:54:03. With a 2018 CCC win already under her belt, she also enters the rarified air of having two UTMB World Series Finals championship titles to her name. Wyder was second in 6:00:05, followed by Geoffray in third at 6:02:10, Alonso in fourth (6:05:15), and Fielder in fifth (6:05:46). Moreno, who was third in the OCC in 2022 and dropped out last year, ran a strong second half to finish sixth as the top American in 6:06:59. Tabor Hemming continued up and over Col de Balme but slowed significantly and eventually dropped out at Argentière.

“I’m really happy about my race. It was really fun out there to compete with such strong ladies,” Wyder said, “Miao Yao was flying in the end. I’m so proud of myself to be back and to be able to be racing healthy. I didn’t think about [having COVID recently]. Today I was really happy with my performance and with my legs today.”

UTMB Is Having a Golden Moment. But It’s Delicate.

After a year that included a maelstrom of controversy, the world’s most prominent ultra-trail running event has righted its path

“It felt like a golden era of trail running.” 

That quote came from Keith Byrne, a senior manager at The North Face and a UTMB live stream commentator for nearly a decade, who was talking about last summer’s UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France.

The UTMB races during the last week of August last summer were, I thought, the most alluring in the event’s 20-year history.

After years of being frustrated by the course, American Jim Walmsley finally put it all together for a victorious lap around Mont Blanc. In doing so he became the first U.S. man to win the race, setting a course record of 19:37:43. He and his wife, Jess, had moved from Arizona to live full-time in France to make it happen. And then there was Colorado’s Courtney Dauwalter, who won the race handily in 23:29:14 to notch her third victory and continue the strong legacy of American women on the course. The win felt extra historic because it made her the first person to win Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB in the same year—arguably the three most legendary and competitive 100-mile events in the world, and she dominated each one.

The events came off without a hitch and included record crowds in Chamonix, plus a record 52 million more tuning into the livestream.

Throughout the fall and winter, harmony and happiness seemed to give way to chaos and discontent. But a year later, as the UTMB Mont Blanc weeklong festival of trail running kicks off on August 26, everything seems back to normal in Chamonix. What happened along the way is a tale of drama, perhaps both necessary and unnecessary, all of it culminating in course corrections by the multinational race series.

In short, what a year it has been for UTMB.

And now, hordes of nervous and excited runners from all corners of the globe are descending on Chamonix for this year’s UTMB Mont-Blanc races. Registration for UTMB World Series events is reportedly up about 35 percent year over year with even greater growth in interest for OCC, CCC and UTMB race lottery applications. There is more media coverage, more pre-race hype, and more excitement than ever before. More running brands are using the UTMB Mont Blanc week to showcase their new running gear with media events, brand activations, and fun runs. Even The Speed Project—although entirely unrelated to UTMB—chose Chamonix as the starting point of its latest so-called underground point-to-point relay race to try to catch some of the considerable buzz UTMB is generating.

So what happened? Did the UTMB organization do its due diligence and make amends with several significant changes in the spring? Was the angst and stirring of emotions just not as widely felt as the fervent bouts of Instagram activism claimed it to be? Have the participants and fans of the ultra-trail running world suffered amnesia or become ambivalent? Or is it all a sign of the race—and the entire sport of trail running—going through growing pains as it adjusts to the massive global participation surge, increased professionalism, and heightened sponsorship opportunities?

On the eve of another 106-mile lap around the Mont Blanc massif, I wanted to take a look at what happened and the current  state of UTMB’s global race series that culminates here in Chamonix this week.

We caught a glimpse of what was to come shortly before UTMB last year, when the race organization announced the European car company Dacia as its new title sponsor. A fossil-fuel powered conglomerate didn’t sit well with some fans of the event, coming amid an era of widespread climate doom (even though the brand would be highlighting its new Spring EV at the UTMB race expo.) The Green Runners, an environmental running community co-founded by British trail running stars Damian Hall and Jasmin Paris, called it an act of “sportswashing” and released a petition calling on UTMB to denounce the partnership. (Hall even traveled all the way to Chamonix to deliver the petition in person.)

These grumblings of discontent and others that followed exploded into a social media firestorm shortly after UTMB. In October, it became public that UTMB had moved to launch a race in British Columbia, Canada, just as a similar event in the same location was struggling with permitting. A he-said, she-said back-and–forth left onlookers with whiplash. Then on December 1, UTMB livestream commentator Corrine Malcolm announced on Instagram that she had been fired and in late January, a leaked email from elite runners Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller to fellow athletes called for a boycott of the race series. All of it, jet fuel for social media algorithms.

“We’re at a turning point in trail running, but we can keep the core values if the community stands up,” the Pro Trail Runners Association secretary, Albert Jorquera, told me at the time.

In the midst of these dramas, I interviewed race founders Catherine and Michel Poletti over lunch at a Chamonix cafe. For nearly a decade now, I have met with the couple for candid conversations that helped frame online articles and magazine stories, and most recently for the book, The Race that Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB.

I plunged headlong into two articles with hopes of explaining it all. There was so much heat swirling around the UTMB stories, and so little light.

“The very thing that made ultrarunning so bonding was being torn apart by the community itself through social media,” said Topher Gaylord. A former elite runner who tied for second in the inaugural UTMB in 2003, Gaylord engineered UTMB’s first title sponsorship with The North Face and has been a close supporter of the Polletis for 20 years. “Some players are using social media to divide the community. That’s super disappointing.”

To me, it felt like the aggressive online activists were winning the day. Trail running suddenly seemed polarized, infected with the intertwined social media viruses of false indignation and close-mindedness. Twice, I deep-sixed my article drafts. Friends and editors convinced me they wouldn’t be read dispassionately. Who wants to be handed a fire extinguisher, when your goal is to torch the house?

Well, what a difference eight months can make. We now have some perspective and, with it, some answers.

Since its earliest days, UTMB’s volunteer founding committee believed in the values of the sport. The very first brochure produced for the race—a mere sheet of paper—featured a paragraph on values. In later years that statement became much more comprehensive, expanding to cover a wide range of topics and the race’s mission to support and protect them.

But maintaining those values in an organization that has gone from a singular race with a literal garden-shed office to a 43 global event series with a staff of more than 70 full-time employees is tricky at best. In an interview once, Michel Poletti paused, asking if I had seen a photo of a mutual friend that was making the rounds. He was climbing one of Chamonix’s famed needle-sharp aiguilles, one foot on each side of a razor sharp ridge—a perilous balancing act, big air on each side. It was his metaphor for trying to move ever up, while balancing business growth and heartfelt values.

Over the course of dozens of hours of interviews with the Polettis, I came to learn one thing: UTMB always moves forward up the ridge.  In the process, UTMB corrects its course. It starts with a careful analysis after each edition, evaluating pain points in areas such as logistics, security, media, traffic, and others, discussing how they can be addressed.  Historically, those course corrections haven’t been at the pace others might want—especially since the social unrest that developed during the Covid pandemic—but the organization has a reliable pattern of steadily addressing concerns.

And so, not too many weeks after that lunch meeting, UTMB set to work. First came a heartfelt effort they kept under the radar—traveling around the U.S. to listen and learn. They spent two weeks in the U.S. in February, visiting with American athletes, race directors, journalists, consultants, and their Ironman partners. “We need to learn from our mistakes and from this crisis,” Michel said.

Methodically over the ensuing months, UTMB rolled out a series of changes. Some were aimed at directly addressing the controversies, others were overdue for what is, by any metric, the world’s premier ultra-trail running event.

“My hope is that the trail running community understands that we are human,” Catherine had told me over the winter.

Four months ago, at the end of April, the race organization announced that Hoka would become the new title sponsor of UTMB Mont-Blanc and the entire UTMB World Series through 2028. It was a huge move because Hoka, one of the biggest running brands in the world, essentially doubled-down on its support of UTMB and trail running in general. The five-year deal brought benefits other than cash, too. Hoka has a strong history of inclusivity and growing representation among marginalized communities, an area UTMB  has announced it intends to focus more on beginning this year. The deal also moved Dacia out of the title sponsor limelight, instead bringing a brand with a strong reputation in trail running to the fore.

Dacia was shifted to the role of a premier partner in Europe, and now plays an integral part in a new eco-focused mobility plan UTMB updated in July. Fifty of their cars can be signed out for use by over 70 staff and 2,500 volunteers, encouraging them to arrive in Chamonix using public transportation instead. The move is estimated to eliminate 200 vehicles driving into the valley. (The organization’s new mobility plan will transport an estimated 15,000 runners and supporters, eliminating the need for approximately 6,000 cars during the UTMB Mont-Blanc week. On average, a bus will run every 15 minutes between Chamonix and Courmayeur, Italy, and Chamonix and Orsières, Switzerland.)

In May, UTMB announced a new anti-doping policy it had developed with input from PTRA. The organization committed to spending at least $110,000 per year, money that will be allocated to test all podium finishers and a randomized selection of the 687 elite athletes in attendance. The new policies will be implemented by the International Testing Association, an independent nonprofit that has also conducted two free informational webinars for the 1,400 UTMB Mont Blanc elite runners.

Not long after the announcement, Catherine Poletti suggested this was just a start. Speaking at TrailCon, a new conference held in Olympic Valley, California, on June 26, she said, “It’s a first big step for us. And we’ll continue to develop this policy.” (The most important anti-doping protocol may still be beyond UTMB, however. “The elephant in the room is that we need a coordinated approach to establish out-of-competition testing,” Tim Tollefson, an elite U.S. runner and director of the Mammoth TrailFest in California, who spearheaded independent testing at his event in 2023. “Individually, we’re just lighting our money on fire.”)

In mid-June, UTMB addressed a longtime issue with top runners—prize money. A chunk of the funding from the ratcheted-up Hoka sponsorship was directed to supporting the bigger prizes for the OCC, CCC and UTMB races in Chamonix—about $300,000 this year, nearly double of 2023—as well as more prize money for the three UTMB World Series Majors. (The sequence was intentional. The organization wanted a new doping policy in place before increasing prize purses, since large cash awards are often thought to lead to a growth in doping.)

It’s a move that was long overdue—the most celebrated marquee event in any sport should reward its top athletes more than any other event—but not possible without Hoka’s increased involvement. The proposal was shared with PTRA in advance of the announcement, and the group provided feedback that was incorporated into the final divvying up of the purse.  The total amount spent on prize money across all UTMB races is now more than $370,000.

“We increased the prizes quite dramatically,” said UTMB Group CEO Frédéric Lenart. “It’s very important for us to support athletes in their living.”

Finally, just last week, UTMB announced a new department within the company called “Sport and Sustainability.” The group is headed by longtime UTMB staffer Fabrice Perrin. He was a driving force behind the creation of UTMB’s live coverage back in 2012. Heading up relations with the pro athletes will be longtime elite trail runner Julien Chorier.  Nicolas LeGrange, UTMB’s Director of Operations, will be in charge of sustainability and DEI, Diversity, Equity Inclusion.

On the DEI front, UTMB is calling its strategy “leave no one behind,” and they promise new initiatives coming this fall so that, according to Perrin, “every athlete feels a sense of belonging within our community,” he says. “I am committed to ensuring that we perfect symbiosis with the entire community of trail running.”

UTMB has already begun to embrace adaptive athletes, something it was criticized for lacking as recently as last year. This year’s UTMB Mont Blanc races will feature a team of 12 adaptive athletes who will be participating in the MCC, OCC and UTMB races. Under the direction of adaptive athlete and team manager Boris Ghirardi, who lost his left foot and part of his left leg after a motorcycle accident in 2019, the race organization recruited the athletes from around the world to showcase how adaptability and resilience are key elements of the UTMB values.

“I proposed this program to make a concrete action around adaptive athletes and the inclusion policy, and to prove that it was possible,” he said this weekend. “If you really get everyone working on this,  you can change the game.”

And with that, UTMB Mont-Blanc 2024 is underway, resuming the golden era status that Byrne raved about last August. Starting this past weekend, banners have been unfurled over Place du Triangle de l’Amitié in the heart of Chamonix, kicking off the carefully choreographed trail running Super Bowl that is UTMB. The excitement begins on August 26 and culminates as the race for UTMB individual crowns reach a tipping point on August 31. (The golden hour of the final finishers on September 1 will be something to behold, too.)

“It’s like wrapping the Tour de France, Burning Man, and the biggest industry trade show into one giant, week-long festival,” Gaylord says. “It’s an amazing week for our sport, one of the biggest showcases we have.”

The aura of Chamonix and the opportunity to run a race there is drawing as much or more interest than ever before. It is perhaps the essence of what will keep the UTMB World Series afloat into the distant future. Runners will continue to chase Running Stones at qualifying events around the world, knowing the carrot of running one of the races around the Mont Blanc massif is second to none.

Trail running is booming on a global scale, and it’s not just UTMB shouldering the burden or reaping the benefits. The Golden Trail World Series, Spartan Trail Running, Xterra Trail Running—and even the World Trail Majors, Western States 100, and dozens of other more prominent trail races—are all trying to get a bigger piece of the pie, either by way of money or relevance.

UTMB Mont Blanc, as trail running’s most important race, is at the very beating heart of it all. And trail running is a soul sport, so when change and growth happen, it can feel threatening to all of us whose lives have been changed for the better by time spent with dirt underfoot and blue sky above. UTMB is big enough now that it’s urgently important that it make changes judiciously and preemptively.

As the world’s most significant trail race, the consequences of UTMB’s choices will ripple throughout the ecosystem. UTMB understands this.  “Do we owe something to trail running? Yes, of course we do,” Michel Poletti once told me.  That’s truer than ever now.

At TrailCon in June, Catherine Poletti summed up UTMB’s challenge. “Trail running is changing around the world. We’ve seen that evolution over 20 years. We need to adapt, to find a good balance, to accept different models and ways of organizing.”

Back in August 2021, I wrote an article here called, “UTMB, Don’t Break Our Hearts.” It came the summer after the organization announced its investment from the Ironman Group. Change– big change– was everywhere. Could the race around Mont Blanc maintain its soul and passion amid talk of multinational sports marketing, we all wondered? Michel Poletti closed the interview by saying, “Nous prenons un rendez-vous dans trois ans.” Simply translated: “We’ll schedule an interview in three years.”

Three years is now, and both UTMB and trail running’s landscape have changed dramatically, if not literally then certainly figuratively. We’ve seen UTMB adjust its rudder this past year, responding to concerns. Perhaps not at the pace any individual or specific group would like, and not to the extent some would wish. But it’s happening, and for that we should all breathe a cautious sigh of relief. Because if you love trail running, you have to care about what happens at the world’s biggest trail race.

As I write this in Chamonix very early on the morning of August 26, overcast skies are parting and blue skies are in the offing. The forecast for the week ahead is for bright sun with a few clouds. It’s a workable enough metaphor for trail running’s future. But one thing has to happen for it to come true. The race that changed running needs to continue to listen to its stakeholders around the world, and engage with them as it grows and develops in the days ahead. If that happens, Byrne’s vision of the golden age of our sport just might linger on. I can hope.

Chepngetich shatters Buenos Aires record as Kenyans dominate races

2019 World Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich blazed through the Buenos Aires Half Marathon on Sunday, setting a new course record of 1:05:58.

Chepngetich broke the previous record of 1:06:10, held by Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh, who claimed the title last year.

Alemaddis Eyayu finished second with a time of 1:07:04 while Joyce Chepkemoi rounded out the podium clocking 1:07:35.

Veronica Loleo secured fourth in 1:08:09, with Dorcas Jepchirchir coming in seventh at 1:09:03 and Sandrafelis Chebet finishing 11th in 1:12:19.

Chepngetich improved on her previous appearance in the half marathon, where she placed third in 1:06:18, trailing Ethiopia’s Yashaneh (1:06:10) and Gutemi Shone (1:06:12).

In the men’s event, Ethiopia’s Gerba Dibaba outshined the Kenyan contingent, clinching the crown in 1:00:24.

Kenya's Cosmas Mwangi (1:00:25), Richard Yator (1:00:44), Bernard Biwott (1:00:53), Gideon Kiprotich (1:00:54) and Isaac Kipkemboi (1:01:06)followed in that order. 

Mwangi improved on his third-place finish from last year, where he clocked 59:29 behind Roncer Konga (59:08) and Felix Kipkoech (59:28).

In His First 100-Miler, David Roche Demolishes the Legendary Leadville 100 Course Record

Matt Carpenter’s record stood for 19 years.

In his first 100-mile race of his career, trail runner and coach David Roche took down a legendary record in the sport. On Saturday, the 36-year-old broke Matt Carpenter’s storied Leadville 100 course record from 2005, winning in 15:26:34—over a 16-minute improvement of the record.

Roche won the men’s race by 30 minutes, on the dot. Adrian Macdonald was second in 15:56:34, and Ryan Montgomery placed third with a time of 16:09:40. In the women’s race Mary Denholm dominated, winning in 18:23:51. Zoë Rom took runner-up honors (21:27:41) while Julie Wright rounded out the podium in 21:48:57. 

The Leadville course is notoriously difficult, primarily due to its situation at high altitude. The town of Leadville, Colorado—where the race starts and ends—sits at 10,119 feet above sea level. The “Race Across the Sky” covers more than 18,000 feet of vertical gain and at its highest point, runners reach an elevation of 12,600 feet. (For context, “high altitude” is generally considered to begin around 5,000 feet above sea level.)

Roche went out aggressively and built a sizable cushion on Carpenter’s record of 15:42:59. At the halfway mark, Roche was ahead of course-record pace by over 25 minutes, according to iRunFar. By the 87.4 mile split, the gap had decreased to 15 minutes, but it was enough of a buffer for Roche to maintain. 

After the race, Roche posted on Instagram recapping the feat and noting some prerace nerves.

“I put a big scary goal out there early this year: chasing the historic 15:42 Leadville 100 course record by one of the GOATs, Matt Carpenter,” he wrote. “Approaching my first 100 miler, though, I’m not sure I truly believed. I kept joking about where I’d drop out and what my order would be at the Leadville Taco Bell.”

While Roche is an accomplished trail runner, he’s historically had the most success at shorter distances, like the half marathon and 50K. In 2014, he was named the 2014 USATF Sub-Ultra Trail Runner of the Year, and he’s represented Team USA internationally.

Roche, along with his wife, Megan, are well-known in the running community for their coaching business and podcast: Some Work, All Play (SWAP). According to its website, SWAP’s professional roster includes athletes like mountain running world champion Grayson Murphy, three-time Barkley Marathons finisher John Kelly, and steeplechaser/mountain runner Allie Ostrander.

How To Watch the 2024 Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc Races

The most-anticipated annual event of the trail running universe takes place from August 26 to September 1

This year’s Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is right around the corner—which means some of the best athletes in the trail-running universe will be meeting up in Chamonix, France, to test their mettle on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

With double the prize money on the line this year, athletes will have more to fight for than ever. And you can get a front seat to the action without leaving home. Here’s how to watch the 2024 UTMB World Series Finals, including the 50K championship, OCC, the 100K championship, CCC, and the grand finale 100-mile championship, the 106-mile Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), from August 29-September 1.

What started as a stand-alone race has transformed into a weeklong festival of alphabet soup acronyms. There are eight total races during the week from August 26-September 1, but the three races that make up the official UTMB World Series Final—the OCC, CCC, and UTMB—will all be brought to you via drones, bike and runner follow cams, and non-stop commentary.

Last year, Outside and UTMB World Series teamed up to make it easier to stream the UTMB’s top trail-running events. This year, the partnership continues—which means you can watch 10 of the series’s best events live on Outside TV.

The championships racing action starts on Thursday, August 29 with the OCC as runners start from Orsières, Switzerland (and race the final third of the loop to Chamonix). The action continues straight into Friday morning with the start of CCC in Courmayeur, Italy (which sends runners along two thirds of the loop to Chamonix), and culminates with the crème de la crème, the full-loop UTMB, which kicks off in downtown Chamonix that evening at 6 P.M. local time. The 106-mile race with roughly 32,800 feet of climbing and descending is a time-honored test piece for lifelong ultrarunners, up-and-coming rookies, and elite-level pros alike. For many, it’s the most anticipated trail race of the year.

All three races, OCC, CCC, and UTMB, will be available to watch for free on Outside TV. If you’re sleeping and miss the action live, no sweat. Outside+ members will also be able to watch on demand after the finish anytime, on any device.

The Incredibly Specific, Occasionally Gross Food We Eat to Fuel Our Ultras

The strangest and most distinct snacks we can’t live without when we’re on the trail all day The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) World Series Finals kick off on August 26 and run through September 1. The annual finale is made up of three races: the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc Orsières-Champex-Chamonix (50K), the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix (100K), and the classic UTMB (100M), across France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Sure, crowds come for the world-class athletes and spectacular views of the Alps, but, some might argue, another big draw is the food—and even the race participants get a taste on the course. Much of the fuel at aid stations are sourced from nearby communities, who bring their best. Think: locally made croissants, bread, cheese, and prosciutto.

But for those of us who haven’t had the pleasure of running by tents filled with freshly baked French baguettes on our long runs, here’s the weird, the specific, and the sometimes gross on how we fuel our adventures.

On a 13-hour, nearly 10,000-vertical foot ridge scramble/romp through the high peaks in New Mexico a few years ago, I fueled with the food of the gods: birthday cake in a bag. I had somehow scammed my way into having three cakes at my birthday dinner a few nights prior and figured the calorie-to-weight ratio of buttercream frosting couldn’t be far off from Gu. So I cut a generous piece of birthday cake, put it in a Ziploc, and stashed it in my pack. By the time I went to eat it, it had lost all structure and I could easily squeeze it directly into my mouth from a hole —Abigail Barronian, senior editor, Outside

The last time I ran 100 miles, it was a self-supported multi-day journey through the English countryside. The bad news: no aid stations. The good news: pubs and cafes at far greater frequency. I was able to refill my vest with raisin scones and coffee every ten miles. By itself, a scone is pretty dry. But combined with a mouthful of coffee (or even water), it becomes an easy-to-digest, carby snack that’s just the right amount of sweet. Plus, it’s perfectly sized to fit in a chest pocket.

—Corey Buhay, interim managing editor, Backpacker

I have been blessed with a rock-solid stomach and have never had gastrointestinal issues during any run or race. That gives me the freedom to consume just about anything, but I notably veer away from energy gels and opt for real food—either the breakfast burritos or ramen noodles available at aid stations or peanut butter tortilla wraps (sometimes with Nutella) and Pay Day candy bars (because they don’t melt and have a good blend of calories, carbs, fat and protein). I have also been known to drink pickle juice straight from the jar for the sodium content. I love the taste!

—Brian Metzler, editor-in-chief, RUN

I’m all about having a variety of guilty pleasure snacks on hand during an ultra! My favorite is a specific mix from Trader Joe’s called Many Things Snack Mix, with honey-roasted peanuts, sweet and spicy Chex-like cereal squares, pretzel sticks, and bread chips. It’s basically Chex mix. I put it in a Ziploc bag and relish being able to eat it without guilt during my run (because when I eat it at home, it’s never really fulfilling any kind of nutritional need and I always eat too much of it!).

I’ll also pack a Ziploc bag with gummy bears, and then another one with half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Peanuts and peanut butter go down easy for me while also providing a bit of a “stick to your ribs” satiety, while the gummy bears have a fun texture and come with a sugar rush. A PB&J sandwich kind of combines both sides of that, and then the Chex mix—as long as it has some spicy pieces—wakes up my taste buds.

Chebet shrugs off threat from Tola as he seeks to recapture New York title

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet is unfazed by the presence of Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola in his quest to recapture the New York Marathon title on November 3.

Tola secured the Olympic marathon crown with a record time of 2:06:26,  beating Belgium’s Bashir Abdi (2:06:47) and Benson Kipruto (2:07:00).

The Ethiopian is the reigning New York Marathon champion after setting a course record time of 2:04:58 during last year’s edition, edging out Albert Korir (2:06:57) and Shura Kitata (2:07:11).

However, Chebet is confident Tola will not pose a threat to him in New York. “Tola won’t be a threat to my New York ambitions. I’ve raced this course before and I know the strategies I need to secure another win,” Chebet said.

Chebet secured the New York title in 2022 after cutting the tape in 2:08:41 ahead of Kitata (2:08:54) and Netherlands Abdi Nageeye (2:10:31).

The 35-year-old also reckons Tola will not have sufficient recovery time which is instrumental ahead of the race.

“Tola just raced in Paris and with two months until New York, I don’t think he will have sufficient recovery time which is crucial,” Chebet explained.

After battling a ruptured tendon that cost him his Boston title earlier this year, Chebet assures that he’s back to full fitness.

“I have now fully recovered. My body is feeling fine and I am ready for the task ahead,” he noted.

Chebet walked into the April Boston Marathon as the reigning champion but failed to defend his crown after finishing third in 2:07:22— trailing the Ethiopian duo of Sisay Lemma (2:06:17) and Mohamed Esa (2:06:58).

To ensure he is in top form, Chebet revealed that his training consists of 32km runs daily. “I do 32km daily runs—20km in the morning and 12km in the evening,” he noted.

Joining Chebet on the New York startline will be Korir, two-time champion Geoffrey Kamworor and 2021 Valencia Half Marathon winner Abel Kipchumba.

Chebet believes the trio has the potential to deliver a Kenyan podium sweep. “Kamworor, Korir, and Kipchumba are strong competitors. We’re capable of a clean sweep through teamwork,” Chebet noted.

The men’s elite race will also see Olympic silver medallist Bashir Abdi and a strong American contingent, including Conner Mantz, Clayton Young and Noah Droddy, vying for top honours.

On the women’s side, Olympic marathon bronze medallist Hellen Obiri will defend her New York crown, leading a formidable Kenyan lineup that includes 2016 Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, two-time Boston Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, and 2022 champion Sharon Lokedi.

Obiri secured the title last year with a time of 2:27:23, beating Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia (2:27:29) and Sharon Lokedi (2:27:33). Their stiffest competition will likely come from Ethiopia’s three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba.

Leadville 100 sees long-standing course record fall

This year's edition of "the race across the sky" saw history-making performances on both the men's and women's sides

Leadville 100, known as the “race across the sky” for its stunning vistas as it traverses the Colorado Rockies, has been a staple in the ultrarunning community since its inception in 1983. This year’s event saw blistering performances in both the men’s and women’s races, with popular coach and author David Roche taking 16 minutes off the long-standing course record, and women’s race winner Mary Denholm recording the second-fastest time ever at the event.

The 100-mile race has runners climbing nearly 4,800 metres of elevation gain over rugged mountain trails, and runners begin and end in Leadville, Colo.

Women’s race

Denholm took off hot and dominated the competition from start to finish. By the halfway point, she had built an insurmountable 50-minute lead. She crossed the finish line in 18:23:51, securing the second-fastest time ever recorded for the women’s race, just short of legendary Ann Trason’s mark of 18:06:24, set in 1994. Denholm was followed by fellow American runners Zoe Rom in 21:27:41, and Julie Wright in 21:48:57.

Alberta’s Ailsa MacDonald and Molly Hurford of Ontario were initially in contention for podium positions, but both faced challenges that saw them taking DNFs. Hurford left the race after suffering a badly sprained ankle, and MacDonald after dealing with unrelenting gut issues.

Men’s race

Like Denholm, Roche set a fast pace from the start and built on his lead throughout the race. His time of 15:26:34 took more than 16 minutes off the previous course record, set by Matt Carpenter in 2005. He was followed in by U.S. ultrarunners Adrian Macdonald in 15:56:34, and Ryan Montgomery in 16:09:40.

Pete Kostelnick, a well-known ultrarunner famous for completing the fastest transcon run of the U.S. in 2016 (42 days, six hours and 30 minutes), made a remarkable return to running earlier this year after recovering from a severe car accident that resulted in multiple pelvic fractures. In May, Kostelnick finished the Cocodona 250, followed by Badwater 135 only a few weeks ago; he finished Leadville 100 in 24:30:18.

Calgary’s Reiner Pauwwe took the 28th overall position (24th man) in 22:16:59.