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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Less than a year ago, Conner Mantz was rewriting American distance-running history. Now, after months of injury, rehabilitation and rebuilding, the American record holder is preparing for another major test — this time on the world stage in Copenhagen.

On October 12, 2025, Mantz produced the performance of his career at the Chicago Marathon, running 2:04:43 to break Khalid Khannouchi’s long-standing American record of 2:05:38, set in London in 2002. The performance made Mantz the fastest American marathoner in history and confirmed his place among the country’s elite distance runners.

But what followed was far removed from the glory of Chicago.

Only weeks after the marathon, Mantz began experiencing hip pain that was eventually diagnosed as a sacral stress fracture. The injury forced him away from running for 12 weeks and disrupted what had been shaping up to be another important season. He ultimately withdrew from the 2026 Boston Marathon during race week after acknowledging that his fitness had not returned sufficiently.

Rather than forcing the comeback, Mantz had to rebuild from the ground up.

Swimming became a major part of that process. Long sessions in the pool gradually became faster, with his pace progressing from around 1:43 per 100 yards to below 1:30. Some sessions stretched close to three hours. Cycling also became part of his training, while running was carefully introduced whenever his body allowed it — and stopped whenever the injury demanded caution.

For an athlete accustomed to racing at the highest level, it was a frustrating period of patience.

Mantz finally returned to competition at the ASICS Falmouth Road Race in August, almost ten months after his historic Chicago performance. He finished as the second American, a result that may not have been the comeback statement he wanted, but was nevertheless an important step forward.

Now comes a much bigger examination.

On Sunday, September 20, Mantz will line up in Copenhagen for the men's half marathon at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships. It will be his first global championship appearance since the Paris 2024 Olympics.

And Mantz is not arriving merely as another member of the American team. He is the reigning American record holder in the half marathon.

That record came in 2025, when he ran 59:17 in Houston to erase Ryan Hall's 59:43 American record, which had stood for 18 years.

In the same year, Mantz would go on to claim the American marathon record as well.

Two national records. One extraordinary season. Then an injury that forced him to step away from the racing world for months.

Now, the question is no longer simply how fast Mantz can run on his best day. It is about what remains after everything he has been through.

Copenhagen offers the perfect stage for that answer. With the world's best runners gathered for a global title, Mantz will have the opportunity to measure himself against the strongest competition while continuing his journey back to his best.

He has already shown that he can break records. He has already shown that he can compete with the world's best.

This time, he is simply trying to rediscover the runner who did it.

Records can redefine the ceiling. Injuries can force an athlete to rediscover the foundation. On Sunday in Copenhagen, we will find out just how much of the old Conner Mantz is back — and how much stronger the journey has made him.

Jimmy Gressier is preparing to take on one of the most intriguing challenges of the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen — competing in both the men’s 5km and half-marathon, with less than a day separating the two races.

The French star is listed for the 5km on September 19 at 2:40 p.m., before returning to action for the half-marathon at 9:45 a.m. the following morning. That gives him just 19 hours and five minutes between races.

It is a remarkable contrast. One race is expected to last less than 13 minutes for Gressier; the other could keep him racing for around an hour. His personal bests tell the same story: 12:51 for 5km, equivalent to roughly 4:08 per mile, and 59:45 for the half-marathon, or about 4:33 per mile.

And the difference in his standing on the two start lists is striking.

In the 5km, Gressier enters as the fastest man in the field of 63 athletes. His sensational 12:51 in Lille in April made him the European record-holder and moved him to within just two seconds of the world record. Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune is the only other athlete entered with a faster mark than 13 minutes, having run 12:54, while no other competitor has broken 13:06 this year.

The half-marathon presents a completely different challenge.

Gressier’s 59:45 personal best places him 13th on the entry list, with 12 athletes boasting faster lifetime performances. Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir leads that group with 58:08, while Sweden’s Andreas Almgren arrives with the European record of 58:41. Gideon Kipkertich Rono has run 58:38, Tadese Worku 58:47, while the field also includes major names such as Joshua Cheptegei, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, Yemaneberhan Crippa and Conner Mantz.

Adding another layer of intrigue, Gressier has not raced a half-marathon in 2026.

Yet this is far from unfamiliar territory for the Frenchman.

Gressier has already demonstrated that he can excel over 21.1 kilometres. His 59:45 came when he won the European half-marathon title in Brussels-Leuven in April 2025, defeating Norway’s Awet Nftalem Kibrab by 1:23. He also finished fifth at the 2023 World Half Marathon Championships in Riga, clocking 59:46.

That makes Copenhagen’s unusual schedule particularly important.

When the inaugural World Road Running Championships were held in Riga three years ago, the elite races were compressed into a single afternoon, making a 5km-and-half-marathon double far more difficult to contemplate. Copenhagen has instead spread the competitions across the weekend, creating a window that allows athletes such as Gressier to attempt something far more ambitious.

He will not be alone. Ten athletes on the final entry lists have entered two races, but Gressier’s combination is arguably among the most demanding because of the intensity with which he attacks both distances.

There is also a powerful reminder of what Gressier can produce when the stakes are highest.

At last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, he produced a breathtaking finish to claim the 10,000m world title, edging Yomif Kejelcha by just 0.06 seconds. His own description of that dramatic finish captured his competitive instinct perfectly: he had targeted a medal, moved into third on the home straight, then surged through second before taking gold.

Now, Gressier is preparing for another test of versatility.

First comes the explosive 5km, where he arrives as the fastest man on paper and one of the biggest threats to the world’s best. Then, barely 19 hours later, comes the half-marathon — a race filled with established road-running specialists and several athletes with considerably faster credentials.

Two races. Two very different challenges. One extraordinary weekend.

In Copenhagen, Jimmy Gressier will find out just how far his remarkable range can take him. 

Kenya has unveiled a formidable squad for the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships, with some of the country’s leading distance-running talents selected to represent the nation in Copenhagen, Denmark, on September 19–20.

The team features a blend of established international performers and emerging stars, underlining Kenya’s ambition to make a strong impact across the half marathon, 5km and one-mile races.

Leading the women’s half marathon team is Agnes Jebet Ngetich, one of the most accomplished young distance runners in the world. She will be joined by Daisilah Jerono, Veronica Loleo and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk as Kenya looks to challenge for the women’s team and individual honours.

The men’s half marathon squad is equally impressive, headlined by Daniel Simiu Ebenyo. The experienced Kenyan will line up alongside Michael Kiplagat Temoi, Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli and Gideon Kipkertich Rono, giving Kenya a powerful quartet capable of competing at the front of a championship field.

Kenya will also field two athletes in each of the 5km races. Charles Kiboino and Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang have been selected for the men’s event, while Caroline Makandi Gitonga and Caroline Nyaguthii Nyaga will carry Kenya’s hopes in the women’s race.

The one-mile races will provide another opportunity for Kenyan athletes to showcase the country’s renowned middle- and long-distance strength. Brian Komen and Daniel Kyumbe Munguti will represent Kenya in the men’s race, with Miriam Cherop and Naomi Korir selected for the women’s event.

With representation across all six individual races, Kenya heads to Copenhagen with a well-balanced squad and plenty of international experience. The championships will bring together the world’s leading road runners for two days of high-level competition, with Kenya once again expected to be among the nations fighting for medals.

For a country with such a rich tradition in distance running, the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships present another major stage for Kenyan athletes to demonstrate their speed, strength and championship racing ability on the streets of Copenhagen.

Team Kenya

Half Marathon – Men: Michael Kiplagat Temoi, Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli, Gideon Kipkertich Rono, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo

Half Marathon – Women: Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Daisilah Jerono, Veronica Loleo, Lilian Kasait Rengeruk

5km – Men: Charles Kiboino, Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang

5km – Women: Caroline Makandi Gitonga, Caroline Nyaguthii Nyaga

One Mile – Men: Brian Komen, Daniel Kyumbe Munguti

One Mile – Women: Miriam Cherop, Naomi Korir

Kenya’s road-running stars now have their sights firmly set on Copenhagen, where they will look to turn the strength of the squad into medals and memorable performances on the world championship stage.

When the World Athletics Road Running Championships arrive in Copenhagen Sept. 19-20, 2026, the focus will extend far beyond medals and finishing times. Organizers of the global event are positioning the championships as a model for how major sporting events can create long-term environmental and social benefits while still delivering world-class competition.

The championships will feature the world’s best athletes competing for official world titles in the half marathon, 5K, and one mile. They will be joined by an estimated 65,000 recreational runners racing on the same streets through the Danish capital.

But organizers say the bigger goal is to leave behind a meaningful legacy.

Behind the scenes, the event team is implementing a broad sustainability strategy designed to reduce climate impact while encouraging healthier lifestyles across Denmark. Organizers expect both runners and more than 100,000 spectators to participate in these efforts through responsible waste sorting, use of public transportation, and climate-conscious food choices.

At the same time, the championships are being used to engage children, young people, and individuals living with illnesses in programs aimed at improving long-term public health and community participation through sport.

“It may sound simple to ask people to sort their waste or take the bus, but as a leading green city, Copenhagen has a responsibility — especially when we welcome the world,” said Christopher Røhl, Mayor of Culture and Leisure for the City of Copenhagen. “We cannot take over the city and its public spaces without taking responsibility for the footprint we leave behind.”

One of the event’s major goals is to achieve gold certification under World Athletics’ “Athletics for a Better World Standard,” a sustainability framework requiring measurable progress across 55 action areas covering climate impact, governance, and social responsibility.

Sport Event Denmark CEO Lars Lundov said Denmark’s approach to hosting major sporting events has evolved significantly in recent years.

“When Denmark hosts major international sporting events, it comes with a responsibility to do so in a more sustainable way,” Lundov said. “It is about concrete actions — from renewable energy and reducing food waste to circular solutions and better use of public transport.”

Wonderful Copenhagen, the city’s tourism organization, also sees the championships as an opportunity to create behavioral change through sport.

“International events bring locals and visitors together around shared experiences, making them strong catalysts for changing behavior and creating long-term positive impact,” said Kit Lykketoft, Director of Congresses, Events & Sustainability.

Sparta Athletics & Running, the local organizing body behind the championships, says the approach is intentionally practical rather than built around one headline-grabbing promise.

“The World Championships provide a unique international platform that allows us to elevate our social responsibility efforts to a new level,” said Sparta CEO Dorte Vibjerg. “The experience we gain here will create lasting effects that extend far beyond the event itself.”

Nynne Ammundsen, Head of Sustainability for Sparta Athletics & Running, summarized the philosophy this way:

“We believe that an ‘every action counts’ approach will take us far. Rather than promoting one overly ambitious goal, we are setting measurable targets across a wide range of areas where we, as organizers, can genuinely make a difference.”

The championships’ sustainability campaign is built around the slogan:

“Do less. Do greener. Do it together.”

With elite racing, mass participation, and one of Europe’s most environmentally focused cities working together, Copenhagen 2026 hopes to demonstrate that the future of road racing can be both world-class and responsible.

USA Track & Field has officially announced a formidable roster for the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships, set to take place on September 19–20 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Featuring a blend of American record holders, global finalists, and rising distance-running stars, Team USA heads into the championships with ambitions of challenging for medals across the mile, 5K, and half marathon events.

Leading the American charge are three national record holders whose presence immediately elevates the strength of the squad. From the road to the track, the United States has assembled one of its deepest and most versatile teams in recent years, reflecting the continued rise of American distance running on the global stage.

The women’s half marathon selection, however, comes with unusual circumstances following dramatic scenes at the USATF Half Marathon Championships. With just over a mile remaining in the race, the lead vehicle veered off course, unintentionally directing several athletes away from the official route and creating widespread confusion among the contenders.

As a result, USATF confirmed that official team scoring for the championships will be restricted to American record holder Weini Kelati alongside the three athletes directly affected by the course error — Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat.

Despite crossing the line as the top three finishers at the national championships, Molly Born, Carrie Ellwood, and Annie Rodenfels were granted entry to the world championships through a special World Athletics exception. While the trio will be eligible to compete in Copenhagen, they will not qualify for medals or prize money. Their performances, however, will still count toward official world ranking points — an important detail in the buildup to future global competitions.

Kelati’s inclusion provides a major boost for the American women’s squad. The Eritrean-born star has rapidly become one of the most dominant distance runners in U.S. history, and her record-breaking performances continue to redefine American standards in road racing.

On the men’s side, Conner Mantz headlines a dangerous half marathon lineup that also features Wesley Kiptoo, Hillary Bor, and Ahmed Muhumed. Mantz has developed into one of the world’s premier road racers in recent seasons, and his aggressive racing style could make him a serious podium threat on the streets of Copenhagen.

The 5K teams also bring considerable firepower. Karissa Schweizer and Courtney Frerichs will spearhead the women’s challenge, while Drew Hunter and Dylan Jacobs line up for the men. Both squads combine championship experience with tactical versatility, qualities that will be crucial in the fast and unpredictable nature of road racing championships.

In the mile events, American middle-distance depth is once again on full display. Addy Wiley and Gracie Hyde will represent the women, while global star Yared Nuguse leads the men alongside Vincent Ciattei. Nuguse, already established as one of the finest milers in the world, arrives as one of Team USA’s biggest medal hopes.

With a roster packed with proven performers and emerging talent, the United States appears determined to make a major statement in Copenhagen. The championships promise two days of intense competition, and Team USA will arrive carrying both momentum and expectation as the world’s best road runners converge in Denmark.

Full Team USA Roster – 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships

Women’s Half Marathon

1. Weini Kelati

2. Jess McClain

3. Emma Grace Hurley

4. Ednah Kurgat

5. Molly Born

6. Carrie Ellwood

7. Annie Rodenfels

Men’s Half Marathon

1. Conner Mantz

2. Wesley Kiptoo

3. Hillary Bor

4. Ahmed Muhumed

Women’s 5K

1. Karissa Schweizer

2. Courtney Frerichs

Men’s 5K

1. Drew Hunter

2. Dylan Jacobs

Women’s Mile

1. Addy Wiley

2. Gracie Hyde

Men’s Mile

1. Yared Nuguse

2. Vincent Ciattei

In a bold and transformative move, World Athletics has laid out a visionary roadmap that will reshape the future of distance running. At the heart of this strategy is the introduction of a standalone World Marathon Championships, set to debut in 2030—marking a historic shift for one of the sport’s most iconic disciplines.

For decades, the marathon has been a cornerstone of the World Athletics Championships, embodying endurance, tradition, and global prestige. However, under the new structure, the event will make its final appearances within the Championships in 2027 and 2029 before stepping into its own spotlight. From 2031 onward, road races—including the marathon—will no longer feature in the World Championships program.

Instead, the newly established World Marathon Championships will stand as an annual spectacle, designed to elevate the discipline to unprecedented heights. In a unique format, elite men’s and women’s races will alternate each year, maintaining the rhythm of top-level competition while creating a more focused and commercially vibrant platform for the sport’s biggest stars.

This evolution is not happening in isolation. World Athletics has emphasized that the championship is being built in close collaboration with key stakeholders who have helped turn the marathon into a global phenomenon—from race organizers to commercial partners. While further details of these partnerships are yet to be revealed, the intention is clear: to create an event that reflects both the heritage and the modern dynamism of road running.

Meanwhile, the World Athletics Road Running Championships will continue as a separate annual competition, ensuring that shorter road distances retain their own global stage.

Adding a layer of historical significance to this new chapter, the ancient city of Athens has emerged as the preferred host for the inaugural edition in 2030. Widely regarded as the spiritual home of the marathon, Athens offers a symbolic and cultural resonance that aligns perfectly with the ambitions of the new championship. The Athens Marathon The Authentic—already steeped in legend—has further strengthened its case by attaining Elite Label status, reinforcing its credentials on the global stage.

If confirmed, Athens would not only host a new competition but also bridge the ancient origins of the marathon with its modern evolution, creating a powerful narrative that celebrates both legacy and progress.

This strategic shift signals more than just a structural change—it represents a reimagining of how the marathon is experienced, celebrated, and elevated worldwide. By giving the event its own dedicated platform, World Athletics is betting on a future where the marathon stands taller than ever, commanding global attention in a way never seen before.

In a landmark decision shaped by both circumstance and principle, USA Track & Field (USATF) has confirmed that World Athletics has granted the United States an exceptional expansion of its women’s half marathon squad for the World Athletics Road Running Championships set for September in Copenhagen.

The ruling follows a controversial episode at the USATF Half Marathon Championships, where leading contenders Jessica McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat were mistakenly directed off course during the race—an error that significantly altered the competitive outcome. In response, USATF lodged a formal appeal, advocating for fair recognition of the affected athletes.

World Athletics’ decision to allow a one-time expansion reflects a rare but decisive intervention aimed at preserving competitive integrity on the global stage. The revised Team USA roster now features a blend of those impacted by the incident and the top performers from the national championships.

Joining McClain, Hurley, and Kurgat are Molly Born, Carrie Ellwood, and Annie Rodenfels, all of whom secured their places through their championship results. A seventh and final spot will be awarded based on world rankings as of May 5, completing a uniquely expanded lineup.

While the United States will field seven athletes in the women’s half marathon, only four will be eligible to contribute to the official team standings in Copenhagen, with the remaining three competing in non-scoring roles. Nonetheless, every athlete on the start line will have the opportunity to gain valuable World Athletics ranking points, adding further competitive significance to the race.

Beyond its immediate impact, this decision sends a powerful message about fairness and athlete protection in elite sport. It not only restores opportunity to those affected but also strengthens Team USA’s competitive depth heading into one of the year’s premier road running events.

As the championships approach, the United States will arrive in Copenhagen with more than just an expanded roster—it will carry a renewed sense of purpose, determined to turn an unfortunate setback into a defining moment on the world stage.

The road to Copenhagen has officially begun, and it was paved with grit, precision, and championship composure at the USATF Half Marathon Championships.

On a fiercely competitive day that tested both patience and pace judgment, Wesley Kiptoo surged to gold in a commanding 1:01:15, stamping his authority on the national stage and confirming his place among America’s most formidable distance runners. His victory was not merely about time—it was about control. From the early miles through the decisive closing stretch, Kiptoo demonstrated tactical maturity, waiting for the perfect moment to assert dominance before powering away with unmistakable confidence.

Close behind, Hillary Bor delivered a courageous performance to secure silver in 1:01:30. Known primarily for his prowess over barriers on the track, Bor once again proved that his endurance extends far beyond the steeplechase. His transition to the roads continues to gain momentum, and his performance here signals a seamless blend of speed and stamina that will serve him well on the global stage.

Completing the podium was Ahmed Muhumed, who crossed the line in 1:01:51 to claim bronze. Muhumed’s race was a testament to resilience. Maintaining composure through shifting race dynamics, he held firm in the closing miles to secure the final automatic qualifying spot. His measured effort reflected both discipline and growing international ambition.

Together, the trio now turns its focus to the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, where they will represent the United States against the world’s finest road specialists. The Danish capital awaits, promising a championship atmosphere steeped in tradition and intensity. For Kiptoo, Bor, and Muhumed, this is more than a selection—it is an opportunity to measure themselves against global excellence.

Their performances at the national championships were not accidental peaks but calculated statements of readiness. Each athlete displayed a unique racing identity: Kiptoo’s commanding surge, Bor’s relentless strength, and Muhumed’s composed determination. Collectively, they form a balanced and dangerous squad capable of making a profound impact on the international stage.

As Copenhagen draws nearer, anticipation builds. The half marathon is often described as a race of controlled aggression—fast enough to demand courage, long enough to punish impatience. If their championship performances are any indication, the United States will arrive not just with participants, but with contenders ready to shape the narrative.

May 11, 2025 | Copenhagen, Denmark – The 45th edition of the Copenhagen Marathon was the largest in Danish history, with 21,141 registered runners and near-perfect racing conditions—11°C (52F) and no wind. It nearly became the fastest as well, with both men’s and women’s course records just out of reach.

Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfaye claimed victory in the men’s race, stopping the clock at 2:08:25, just two seconds shy of the course record. In the women’s race, Kenyan debutant Sharon Kiptugen ran a stunning 2:23:19, finishing just five seconds off the women’s course best.

Tesfaye, who also won the 2025 Mumbai Marathon, ran a tactical race. After early pacing from Kenya’s Reuben Rono (1:03:43 at halfway), the lead shifted multiple times. Tesfaye and Kenya’s Vincent Mutai battled through the final kilometers, with the 38-year-old Tesfaye pulling away after 40K to win by 44 seconds. “I was aware of the record, but I had pain in my legs and just couldn’t finish faster,” Tesfaye said post-race.

On the women’s side, Kiptugen pulled away after the halfway mark (1:11:27), steadily building a commanding lead over a deep field that included Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia—2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 3000m steeplechase—who finished second in 2:26:21. “I didn’t know I was so close to the record,” Kiptugen said. “But I’m just happy for the win.”

Top Finishers – Men

Berhane Tesfaye (ERI) – 2:08:25

Vincent Mutai (KEN) – 2:09:09 (PB)

Yismaw Atinafu (ETH) – 2:10:32

Top Finishers – Women

Sharon Kiptugen (KEN) – 2:23:19 (PB)

Sofia Assefa (ETH) – 2:26:21

Abebech Afework (ETH) – 2:28:37

Looking ahead, the 2026 Copenhagen Marathon will take place on May 10, with registration opening on May 27, 2025. The next major event in the city is the Copenhagen Half Marathon, scheduled for September 14, 2025, which also serves as a lead-up to the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26—expected to draw up to 65,000 runners.

In just over a year, Taylor Roe has gone from a promising collegiate standout to one of the brightest stars in American distance running. Her 2025 campaign has been nothing short of historic—national titles, American records, and international recognition are stacking up fast for the 24-year-old from Lake Stevens, Washington.

From Washington to the NCAA Podium

Roe began her running journey in Lake Stevens, where she collected nine individual state titles in cross country and track. At Oklahoma State University, she continued to shine, winning the NCAA Indoor 3000m title in 2022 and placing second at the 2020 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Her final collegiate season in 2024 saw her finish third in the 10,000m and sixth in the 5,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Breakout Year on the Roads

Turning pro in mid-2024 with Puma, Roe wasted no time making her mark. She won the USATF Half Marathon Championships in March 2025 in a personal best of 1:07:22. The win not only earned her a national title but also secured her a spot on Team USA for the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

Rewriting the Record Books

Just a month later, Roe delivered one of the most impressive road racing performances in recent memory. At the USATF 10 Mile Championships in Washington, D.C., she became the first American woman to break 50 minutes for the distance, finishing in 49:53 which is the world best for in an all woman race.   On her way to the win, she also set new American records for the 10K (30:56) and 15K (46:24), earning her USATF Athlete of the Week honors.

Breaking down the world best time ever for ten miles in an all woman's race: Looking Ahead

Taylor Roe’s rise has been fast, fierce, and inspiring. As she builds on this foundation, fans of American distance running have plenty to be excited about. With her blend of speed, endurance, and race-day poise, Roe is now firmly on the radar for global championships and Olympic teams. At just 24, she’s entering her prime years with the momentum of a seasoned veteran. If 2025 is any indication, she could soon be the face of American distance running.

Taylor Roe’s 2025 Highlights

• USATF Half Marathon Champion – 1:07:22 (March 2025)

• USATF 10 Mile Champion – 49:53 (April 2025)

• American Records:

• 10K – 30:56

• 15K – 46:24

• 10 Miles – 49:53

• Selected for Team USA – World Athletics Road Running Championships

Taylor Roe’s rise has been fast, fierce, and inspiring. As she builds on this foundation, fans of American distance running have plenty to be excited about.

The global road racing spotlight will shine brightly on Denmark in 2026 as Copenhagen has been selected to host the World Athletics Road Running Championships, one of the premier events on the international running calendar.

Organized by World Athletics, this championship brings together elite and recreational runners alike to compete in the half marathon, 5K, and road mile—all in the heart of one of Europe’s most picturesque and runner-friendly cities.

Why Copenhagen?

Copenhagen isn’t just a beautiful city—it’s a city built for runners. Known for its flat terrain, scenic waterfronts, and vibrant running culture, it previously hosted the 2014 World Half Marathon Championships with rave reviews from athletes and fans alike. The city’s efficient infrastructure and passionate running community made it an easy choice for this return.

What to Expect

In 2026, tens of thousands of runners will take to the streets to compete in both championship and mass participation races. The event is expected to include:

• World-class Half Marathon Championships

• Fast and exciting 5K and road mile races

• Mass races open to the public

• Interactive fan zones and cultural celebrations

• Elite athlete appearances and meet-ups

Copenhagen’s Running Legacy

Copenhagen has long embraced running as part of its culture, from its booming local race scene to its emphasis on health and sustainability. Hosting the World Road Running Championships cements the city’s status as a global running hub.

If you’re looking for a race-cation in 2026, mark your calendar. This is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of road running at every level, in one of Europe’s most runner-friendly destinations.

Kenya’s Sabastian Kimaru Sawe has quickly become one of the most exciting figures in long-distance running. On April 27, 2025, he won the London Marathon in a commanding 2:02:27, outpacing a deep field that included Olympic champions and rising stars. This victory came just months after his sensational debut at the 2024 Valencia Marathon, where he clocked 2:02:05—the second-fastest marathon debut in history and the fastest time recorded in the world that year.

A Different Path to Greatness

Born March 16, 1996, in Kenya, Sawe did not follow the typical trajectory of a professional runner. While many of his peers were competing internationally as teenagers, Sawe was still focused on his studies. He only began running competitively in his 20s, after completing school in 2015. In 2020, he joined the training group of coach Claudio Berardelli, who had worked with several world-class Kenyan athletes, including Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei. That marked the turning point in his career.

Unlike many top Kenyan runners who come from Iten, Sawe is based in Kapsabet, another high-altitude town known for producing champions. His dedication to training, combined with a strategic racing approach, quickly paid dividends.

Building Momentum on the Roads

Sawe’s breakthrough came on the roads. In 2022, he set a new Kenyan national record in the one-hour run—covering 21,250 meters at the Memorial Van Damme meet in Brussels. The following year, he won the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships half marathon in Riga, Latvia. He further stamped his authority in 2024 with a 58:05 clocking at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, confirming his elite status among the world’s fastest over 21.1 kilometers.

London Victory and Tactical Brilliance

At the 2025 London Marathon, Sawe showed both power and poise. Running in a field stacked with stars—including debutant Jacob Kiplimo and defending champion Alexander Mutiso—he made his decisive move just past 30K, surging ahead with a 5K split of 13:56. No one could follow. He crossed the finish line nearly a minute ahead of Kiplimo, cementing his place among the world’s best.

Sabastian Sawe Key Performances

• Marathon Personal Best: 2:02:05 – Valencia Marathon, 2024

• London Marathon: 1st place – 2:02:27, 2025

• Half Marathon Personal Best: 58:05 – Copenhagen, 2024

• World Championships: Gold medalist – Half Marathon, Riga 2023

• One-Hour Run: 21,250 meters – Kenyan national record, Brussels 2022

• 10,000m Track: 27:09.46 – Top 10 all-time Kenyan performance

Looking Ahead

Still early in his marathon career, Sawe has already proven he has the tools to challenge for global titles and course records. With Paris 2024 behind him, the focus now shifts to the next Olympic cycle, where Sawe could be a favorite for gold in Los Angeles. He’s also expected to be a top contender in the World Marathon Majors circuit, possibly returning to London or making his debut in Berlin or New York.

Sawe’s rise from a late start to the pinnacle of world marathoning is both inspiring and a reminder that potential can emerge in different ways. With every stride, he is redefining what it means to be a modern marathon champion.

Runners from around the world now have the opportunity to secure a spot in the half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 2026. The lottery, open until March 20 at 11:59 PM CET, will determine which lucky participants will line up alongside the world’s best on September 20, 2026.

A total of 65,000 runners will take part in the championships, spread across three race distances:

• Half marathon: 35,000 participants

• 5K: 20,000 participants

• One mile: 10,000 participants

The half marathon will give participants the rare opportunity to race on the same course as the elite competitors, following a scenic and festive route through Copenhagen.

For the first time in Denmark, race entries will be allocated through a lottery system, similar to major international marathons like London and Berlin.

The decision to implement a lottery follows overwhelming demand for the Copenhagen Half Marathon 2025, which sold out in just 2.5 hours. Many runners were left waiting in the queue without securing an entry, leading organizers to rethink the process.

“The lottery ensures a fair and equal chance for everyone,” said Dorte Vibjerg, CEO of Sparta Athletics & Running. “Interested runners now have plenty of time to sign up whenever it suits them, as the chances of being selected are the same regardless of when you enter during the lottery period, March 6-20.”

A Scenic and Historic Course

Copenhagen, Denmark’s vibrant capital, is a city rich in history, culture, and architectural beauty. The half marathon course will take runners through the heart of the city, passing iconic landmarks such as Tivoli Gardens, the colorful Nyhavn waterfront, the Royal Palace, and the famous Little Mermaid statue.

The route is known for being flat and fast, offering ideal conditions for runners aiming to set a personal best. With thousands of spectators lining the streets, the race promises an unforgettable atmosphere that will push runners to their best performances.

With the introduction of the lottery system, organizers aim to create a fairer and more inclusive registration process, ensuring that all runners have an equal opportunity to be part of this world-class event.

In a recent development, World Athletics has announced that the 2025 World Athletics Road Running Championships, initially slated for September in San Diego, will be moved to a different location. This decision follows comprehensive discussions between World Athletics and the Local Organising Committee of the World Athletics Road Running Championships San Diego 25.  

While the official announcement did not specify the reasons for this relocation, discussions within the running community suggest potential factors such as organizational challenges, financial considerations, and coordination issues between local organizers and governing bodies. Notably, some have pointed out that the event’s planning may not have been in direct partnership with USA Track & Field (USATF), potentially leading to logistical complications.  

World Athletics is actively engaging with other potential hosts and anticipates announcing a new venue soon. They have expressed gratitude to the San Diego 25 team for their efforts over the past months and remain hopeful about future opportunities to host World Athletics events in San Diego.

Tracy Sundlun, CEO of San Diego 25, commented on the decision: “We really looked forward to welcoming the running world to San Diego this September but sadly it is not to be at this time. For now, all of us here on Team San Diego will do everything in our power to assist World Athletics in the seamless transition of the 2025 Championships to a new venue.”

The World Athletics Road Running Championships is a global celebration of running, featuring races in the half marathon, 5K, and one-mile distances. The event was set to be held in the U.S. for the first time, with San Diego’s selection announced approximately 1.6 years ago.  Participants and fans are advised to stay tuned for updates regarding the new host city and event details. 

On a chilly morning in Atlanta, runners took to the streets for the USATF Half Marathon Championships on March 2, 2025, battling for national titles and a chance to represent Team USA at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in San Diego this September. With fierce competition and fast times, Taylor Roe and Alex Maier emerged as the day’s champions.

Roe Breaks Away to Claim First National Title

Taylor Roe made a statement in the women’s race, surging ahead in the final miles to secure victory in 1:07:22. The Durham, North Carolina, standout, representing PUMA Elite, held off a strong challenge from Emma Grace Hurley, who finished second in 1:07:35. Amanda Vestri of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, rounded out the podium with a solid 1:08:17.

With their top-three finishes, Roe, Hurley, and Vestri secured their spots on Team USA for the World Championships in San Diego.

Top Five Women:

1. Taylor Roe (Durham, NC) – 1:07:22

2. Emma Grace Hurley (Indianapolis, IN) – 1:07:35

3. Amanda Vestri (Blowing Rock, NC) – 1:08:17

4. Jessica McClain (Phoenix, AZ) – 1:08:37

5. Emily Venters (Salt Lake City, UT) – 1:09:03

Maier Holds Off Late Challenge to Take the Men’s Crown

In the men’s race, Alex Maier delivered a strong performance, crossing the finish line in 1:00:48 to claim his first USATF Half Marathon title. The Chapel Hill runner, also representing PUMA Elite, stayed composed as Shadrack Kipchirchir of Colorado Springs pushed hard in the final stretch, finishing just 10 seconds back in 1:00:58. Hillary Bor made it a tight battle for second and third, clocking 1:00:59.

Maier, Kipchirchir, and Bor will now represent Team USA at the World Championships, where they’ll take on some of the world’s best in San Diego.

Top Five Men:

1. Alex Maier (Chapel Hill, NC) – 1:00:48

2. Shadrack Kipchirchir (Colorado Springs, CO) – 1:00:58

3. Hillary Bor (Colorado Springs, CO) – 1:00:59

4. Ahmed Muhumed (Flagstaff, AZ) – 1:01:03

5. Andrew Colley (Blowing Rock, NC) – 1:01:09

All Eyes on San Diego

With the USATF Half Marathon Championships in the books, the focus now shifts to the World Athletics Road Running Championships in San Diego this September. The newly crowned national champions, along with the other top finishers, will have the opportunity to take on the best distance runners from around the globe. If their performances in Atlanta are any indication, Team USA will be ready to make an impact on the international stage.

San Diego is set to become the epicenter of the running world as it hosts the World Athletics Road Running Championships from September 26 to 28, 2025.

This prestigious event marks the first time the championships will be held on U.S. soil, bringing together elite athletes and running enthusiasts from around the globe.

Event Overview

The three-day festival will feature a series of races, including the one-mile, 5km, and half marathon events. Each race offers both elite competitions and mass participation opportunities, allowing runners of all levels to experience the thrill of competing alongside world-class athletes.

Race Schedule

Friday, September 26, 2025: One-Mile Race

The event kicks off with the electrifying one-mile race, inspired by New York City's iconic 5th Avenue Mile. Races will be held approximately every ten minutes, catering to various age groups and specialty divisions. The day culminates with the World Championship Women's and Men's Mile races, showcasing top middle-distance runners vying for the coveted title.

Saturday, September 27, 2025: 5km Race

Modeled after the renowned Carlsbad 5000, the 5km event features multiple races throughout the day, each tailored to specific age groups and categories. The format allows participants to compete against their peers, fostering a competitive yet inclusive atmosphere. The day's highlight is the World Championship 5km races for both women and men.

Sunday, September 28, 2025: Half Marathon

The grand finale is the half marathon, uniting 30,000 participants, including elite World Championship athletes and recreational runners. To ensure a smooth start, runners will be released in waves based on seed times, allowing for an enjoyable race experience for all.

Multi-Race Challenges

For those seeking an extra challenge, the championships offer multi-race options:

Triple Crown Challenge: Participate in the one-mile, 5km, and half marathon events over the weekend.

Middle Distance Challenge: Combine the one-mile and 5km races.

Long Distance Challenge: Take on the 5km and half marathon events.

Book End Challenge: Run the one-mile and half marathon races.

These challenges are designed to test endurance and versatility, with adequate rest periods scheduled between races.

Virtual Participation

Recognizing the global running community, organizers offer virtual race options for the one-mile, 5km, and half marathon distances. This initiative allows runners worldwide to participate remotely, fostering inclusivity and broad engagement.

Registration and Additional Information

Runners interested in joining the event can register through the official World Athletics Road Running Championships website. Early registrants may receive exclusive benefits, including discounted pricing and limited-edition training shirts. All participants will receive an official ASICS event t-shirt and a commemorative finisher's medal.

San Diego's Role as Host City

Selected by World Athletics in August 2023, San Diego is honored to host the 2025 championships, highlighting the city's status as a premier global destination for sports tourism. Mayor Todd Gloria expressed pride in showcasing San Diego's vibrant running community and welcoming athletes from nearly 200 countries.

The 2025 World Athletics Road Running Championships in San Diego promise an unforgettable celebration of athleticism and community, uniting runners from around the world in a shared passion for the sport.

Kenya's Beatrice Chebet credits her grandmother's influence for inspiring her historic Olympic double gold and world record-breaking success.

If your grandmother is still alive, she often holds a unique place in your heart—offering wisdom, support and encouragement.

For Beatrice Chebet, her grandmother has been far more than that. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder credits her grandmother, Pauline Lang’at as the driving force behind her remarkable athletics career shaping her into one of the most dominant figures in women’s long-distance running.

Reflecting on her journey, Chebet describes her grandmother’s pivotal role in motivating her to reach unimaginable heights.

Lang’at, who took Chebet to her first athletics club in 2016, was also among the emotional crowd that welcomed the newly crowned double Olympic champion back to Kenya.

“I am lost for words when I look at where I have reached, when I look or talk to my grandmother,” Chebet said with a smile during an August interview with Daily Nation as quoted by Olympics.com.

“She is my rock and the reason I never gave up, even when the challenges seemed insurmountable.”

Chebet’s meteoric rise is built on years of determination, inspired by her grandmother’s belief in her potential.

At just 24 years old, the Kenyan sensation has rewritten the history books, becoming the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000m and the third woman in history to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m golds at the same Olympic Games.

Her journey has not been without setbacks as after missing out on the 5,000m world title in Budapest last year, where she settled for bronze, Chebet turned to road running as a path to redemption.

In Riga, she claimed the women’s 5km title at the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships, but that was just the beginning.

On the last day of 2023, Chebet shattered the world record for the women’s 5km in Barcelona with a time of 14:13, cementing her place among the legends of the sport.

“I always have faith and belief in myself,” Chebet shared with Olympics.com after winning the 5,000m in Paris.

“I had never won a track title before, but after breaking the 10,000m world record in Eugene at the Kenyan Trials for the Olympics, I felt an unusual strength and motivation. That’s when I decided, ‘I want to double in Paris.’”

This bold decision led to one of the most remarkable achievements of her career, winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Despite her unprecedented success, Chebet remains humble, attributing much of her accomplishments to her grandmother’s unwavering support.

Lang’at’s influence stretches beyond the track, instilling in Chebet the discipline and resilience needed to thrive in one of the most competitive sports in the world.

She is determined to restore Kenya’s dominance in women’s track running, and with her eyes set on breaking Gudaf Tsegay’s 5,000m world record, Chebet shows no signs of slowing down.

As she looks back on her career, from her first global title at 18 to her recent Olympic triumphs, Chebet remains grounded by the love and guidance of her grandmother.

Her story is one of resilience, determination and the power of family—a true testament to how inspiration can come from the most cherished of relationships.

For now the sky’s the limit for Beatrice Chebet but one thing remains constant: her grandmother’s enduring influence on her path to greatness.

Sabastian Sawe outkicked Jacob Kiplimo to win the men’s race in a world lead, while Margaret Kipkemboi solo ran her way to victory in the women’s race at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, on Sunday (15).

Uganda’s world record-holder Kiplimo, Kenya’s world champion Sawe and his Kenyan compatriot Isaia Lasoi were all in contention in the closing stages, but Sawe had the strongest finish. He managed to get a gap on Kiplimo with the finish line in sight and won in a PB of 58:05, four seconds ahead of Kiplimo. Lasoi was one second further back in a PB of 58:10.

Kenya’s world half marathon silver medallist Kipkemboi was joined by her compatriots Judy Kemboi, Catherine Reline Amanang'ole and Sheila Chelangat plus Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray through 10km but she left her rivals behind during the second half of the race to win by more than half a minute in 1:05:11. Kemboi was second in a PB of 1:05:43 and Amanang'ole, the world half marathon bronze medallist behind Kipkemboi, was third in a PB of 1:06:09.The men’s race also featured Norway's Olympic and world 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, making his half marathon debut just two days after winning the Diamond League 1500m title in Brussels.

He formed part of a large lead men’s group that passed 5km in 13:53, but that pack quickly whittled down to six – pacemaker Berihu Aregawi, the 5000m champion in Brussels two days ago, leading ahead of Kiplimo, Sawe, Lasoi, Amos Kurgat, Kennedy Kimutai and Ingebrigtsen.

But Ingebrigtsen couldn’t maintain that pace and he pulled up at 10km, reached in 27:27 – a national record for the Norwegian on the roads. His rivals strode ahead and although he stopped a couple more times, Ingebrigtsen did continue to the finish and clocked 1:03:13.

After letting Sawe take the lead for a spell, Kiplimo was back in front at 15km, passed in 41:17. From there it was a battle between the trio of Kiplimo, Sawe and Lasoi. They were together through 20km in 55:13, before Sawe took control in the closing stages and went on to win in a time that improves his own world lead and is just four seconds off the race record, which was a world record when it was set by Geoffrey Kamworor in 2019.

Having won his world half marathon title in Riga last year, Sawe will have the opportunity to return to Copenhagen in 2026, when the city hosts the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

Another athlete who could be there is his compatriot Kipkemboi, who secured silver in Riga. This time in Copenhagen she ran as part of a group that reached 5km in 15:22 and she had Kemboi, Amanang'ole, Chelangat and Zeray for company through 10km in 30:52. The race was down to Kipkemboi and Kemboi by 15km, which they reached in 46:14, 15 seconds ahead of Amanang'ole. 

Kipkemboi then made her break and ran the final section of the race alone, getting to the 20km mark in 1:01:42 and extending her advantage to win in 1:05:11.

On Sunday, May 19th, Kenyan runner Judy Jelagat Kemboi set a new course record for the women’s half marathon at the Rimi Riga Marathon, finishing in one hour, seven minutes, and 13 seconds (1:07:13). Kemboi improved the previous record set last year by her compatriot, Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, by 12 seconds (1:07:25).

With her victory in Riga, Kemboi confirmed her status as the pre-race favorite, having the best personal record among the participants. Kemboi’s result in Riga is the 26th best in the world for 2024.

Ethiopian Dibabe Beyene Debela finished second with a time of 1:09:53, while Kenyan Agnes Keino claimed the bronze medal, finishing in 1:10:33.

In the men’s competition, Kenyan Samwel Nyamai Mailu took first place, finishing in one hour and 21 seconds (1:00:21). Mailu, who won a bronze medal at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga last year, achieved the 39th-best result in the world this year for the half marathon distance.

He was followed by fellow Kenyan Collins Kipkurui Kipkorir, who finished in 1:00:47, while another Kenyan, Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei, took third place with a time of 1:01:57.

Kenyan athlete Daniel Ebenyo has expressed sadness over how injury has stopped him from becoming the first man to successfully defend an Okpekpe 10km International Road Race title.

The Kenyan top runner is also lamenting his inability to be the first man to break 28 minutes at the race after setting a 28:28 course record in 2023.

The 28-year-old won the men’s title last year and had promise to return to Nigeria this year but an injury he sustained in training means he will not be in Okpekpe to defend his title.

“I had a dream to be the first man to defend my title and and run another course record but definitely I can’t again,” wrote the Kenyan in a message to the Okpekpe race media.

Ebenyo, like the good sportsman that he is, is wishing the athletes who will compete for honors this year all the best.

“I am  hereby wishing all the runners all the best and may the best athlete win,” said  the  defending champion.

Ebenyo also has nice words for the organizers of the world-class, gold label 10km road race.

“Okpekpe is always a bridge and a mother to all races in Africa. God bless Okpekpe and God bless the organizer of the race. See you next year,” wrote Ebenyo who made the podium at both the World Athletics Championships in Budapest and World Athletics Road Running championships in Riga after emerging Okpekpe race champion last year.

This year’s race is the 10th in the series and organizers have assured of another world-class event come May 25 in Okpekpe in Edo State of Nigeria.

The race is the first road race in Nigeria to have its course measured by a World Athletics’ certified measurer  and the first in West Africa to be  granted label status to depicts its world-class status.

This weekend, the Rimi Riga Marathon will host world-class running stars who have stood atop the podium at prestigious marathons in Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Doha, Vienna, Hamburg, Dubai, Seville, and other prestigious events. The biggest competition for a spot on the podium this year is expected in the half marathon, where an especially strong field of runners will compete on the same course where world champions in the half marathon were crowned last October.

An intense battle is also anticipated among Latvia’s leading runners, who will compete not only for the Latvian championship medals in the road mile and the marathon, but also for high-quality results in the 5km and 10km distances. Because of the strong lineup of participants, we anticipate that in several distances we’ll see the Rimi Riga Marathon course records, and possibly even Latvian records, broken.

The Rimi Riga Marathon, the Baltic’s most magnificent mass sports event, on May 18 and 19, will not only bring together over 30,000 running enthusiasts from nearly 100 countries worldwide but also top elite runners from Latvia and around the globe.

FOREIGN FAVORITES IN THE HALF MARATHON WILL AIM TO BREAK THE RIMI RIGA MARATHON COURSE RECORDS

The most intense competition is expected in the half marathon at the Rimi Riga Marathon, where participants will attempt to surpass the time of 59:10 set by Sebastian Sawe, the winner of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga last October. In the men’s elite competition, several accomplished Kenyan runners will compete this year, including last year’s World Athletics Road Running Championships bronze medalist Samwel Nyamai Mailu, Solomon Kipchoge, who ran under one hour – 59:37 in 2023, and Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei who triumphed in the Milan Marathon in April this year and holds a half marathon personal best of 59:44 set back in 2022.

Among the international elite women in the half marathon, there are also several representatives from Kenya and Ethiopia. Among them, Judy Jelagat Kemboi, a Kenyan runner who set an impressive personal best in the half marathon on May 5 this year – 65:45, clinching victory in the Geneva Half Marathon. She will face competition from her compatriots – Valary Jemeli (personal best of 66:14 set in 2019), who triumphed in the Doha Marathon this February, and Gladys Jemaiyo, who set her best time of 68:18 in 2022. On the course, we’ll also have the opportunity to see Ethiopian Gebru Azmera Hagos, whose personal record in the half marathon from 2017 stands at 70:40.

To break the records of the half marathon course, which belong to the Kenyan Sebastian Sawe (59:10) and the acclaimed Kenyan runner and the reigning Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir (67:25) since the World Athletics Road Running Championships 2023 in Riga, organizers encourage Riga residents and visitors to actively support the leaders on the streets of Riga on the morning of May 19.

ON THE MARATHON COURSE, THE LATVIAN CHAMPIONS WILL BE DETERMINED

Determined to become the Latvian marathon champion this year is Dmitrijs Serjogins, the national record holder in the half marathon and the holder of the highest marathon personal best among Latvians. Also lining up at the starting line will be the podium finishers of the Latvian Marathon championship 2023 – the reigning champion Aleksandrs Raščevskis, vice-champion Renārs Roze, and bronze medalist Kristaps Vējš-Āboliņš.

In the marathon course, several strong foreign runners have also registered, including the Kenyan Rodgers Maiyo, who boasts an impressive personal record in the half marathon – 61:56 (2015), and multiple-time Georgian champion and holder of the national record Davit Kharzishvili (2:11:46, 2023), both of whom will be aiming to be the first to cross the finish line in Riga.

In the women’s competition, for the Latvian championship medals will compete last year’s medalists – Amanda Krūmiņa, who won the gold medal, Anna Kļučņika, who secured the silver, and one of the holders of the all-time highest marathon results and the 2023 bronze medalist, Anita Siliņa (PB 2:39:57, 2014).

Worth remembering is that the Rimi Riga Marathon record holder for men is the Ethiopian Andualem Belay Shiferaw, who won in 2019 with a time of 2:08:51. However, in the women’s marathon Ethiopian Birke Debele Beyene’s time remains unbeaten from 2019 – 2:26:22. Meanwhile, the fastest Latvian runner results in the Rimi Riga Marathon are the Latvian record set by Valērijs Žolnerovičs in 2017 with a time of 2:14:24, and the 2:40:23 result set by Ariana Hilborn in 2015.

Beatrice Chepkoech will be pitted against two Ethiopian youngsters in the women's 1500m at the ORLEN Copernicus Cup, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting.

Ethiopian youngsters Diribe Welteji, and Freweyni Hailu will be up against Beatrice Chepkoech in the women’s 1500m field at the ORLEN Copernicus Cup, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting, in Torun, Poland, on February 6.

21-year-old Welteji set a world record when winning the mile at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga in October, as she clocked 4:20.98 as her compatriot Hailu finished second with Faith Kipyegon completing the podium.

Welteji and Hailu will team up again in Torun where they will be up against the world 3000m steeplechase record-holder Chepkoech. Other strong opponents in the field include Ethiopia’s world indoor 1500m bronze medallist Hirut Meshesha and Uganda’s 2019 world 800m champion Halimah Nakaayi.

Welteji has proven to be a master in the 1500m and she also doubles up as the World 1500m silver medallist, having finished runner-up to Kipyegon in Budapest in August. She will surely be the one to watch when the race begins.

Meshesha has the quickest short track PB of the quintet, having clocked 4:02.01 in Lievin last year, finishing second and one place ahead of Hailu who set a PB of 4:02.47. Chepkoech ran her national record of 4:02.09 in 2020.

Meanwhile, multiple US record-holder Grant Fisher will take on the already announced world champion Josh Kerr in the two-mile race at the Millrose Games, also a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event.

The race on February 11 is set to be paced with the world indoor two-mile best of 8:03.40 as the target. Joining them on the start line will be USA’s Joe Klecker, Cooper Teare, and Dylan Jacobs. New Zealand’s George Beamish, Australia’s Morgan McDonald, and Ky Robinson will also be in the mix and will be joined by Britain’s Matthew Stonier, Japan’s Keita Satoh, Ethiopia’s Samuel Firewu and Addisu Yihune, and Sam Parsons of Germany.

For as long as he can remember, Jemal Yimer has been a student of the sport. 

The 27-year-old grew up in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, without any running background in his family, but that didn’t stop him idolising the greats. “Haile Gebrselassie,” he says quickly, when asked about his childhood heroes.

Yimer began running at school, juggling football and athletics in his teenage years before deciding to give the latter his full focus. Since 2016, it has consumed him and when he’s not running twice a day – which he does every day except Sunday – one of his hobbies is to watch documentaries about the greats of the sport. 

“Sometimes it’s (Eliud) Kipchoge, Gebrselassie, or Kenenisa (Bekele) – we see the life history of strong athletes, their races,” he says. “That is the backbone of me; it’s motivation for me.”

Yimer earned his first international vest in 2016, finishing fourth at the African Championships over 10,000m. The following year he hit a new level, finishing fourth at the World Cross Country Championships in Uganda, helping Ethiopia to team gold, and he went on to finish fifth in the 10,000m at the 2017 World Championships in London, clocking 26:56.11. 

In 2018, there was another near-miss at a major podium, Yimer finishing fourth at the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, just one second behind the bronze medallist. Later that year, he returned to Valencia and performed like a man possessed, winning in a then Ethiopian half marathon record of 58:33. 

As his focus turned from the track to the roads, he also changed coaches, coming under the guidance of Getamesay Molla, who works with a number of Ethiopia’s best marathoners. Molla had been a good athlete himself, if not quite a champion, and he’d trained alongside many of the country’s best, such as Kenenisa Bekele, before turning his hand to coaching in 2010. 

He began working with Yimer in 2019 and has long been impressed by his protege. “Jemal is a very strong athlete, and he’s versatile,” says Molla. “He’s tough, especially for races. He’s confident in himself.”

They train at various venues on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, doing long runs at high altitude and dropping to medium altitude for faster interval sessions. Yimer typically runs about 200km per week. What impresses the coach most about Yimer?

“His consistency,” says Molla. “Every session, he does not miss.”

In 2020, Yimer made his long-awaited marathon debut. It was due to come at the Boston Marathon in April but after that race was cancelled due to the pandemic, it ended up being at the Valencia Marathon in December, but Yimer was unable to finish, having suffered an early fall. 

In 2021, Boston was back on the calendar and Yimer turned in a superb debut performance there, finishing third in 2:10:38, just one second behind Lemi Berhanu in second. “My expectation for him was winning,” says Molla with a smile. “But the podium was not bad; it was good.”

The transition to the marathon was “not difficult”, says Yimer, but given his stride was better suited to shorter distances, he “had challenges after 15km, 20km” on hard long runs. In 2022, Yimer returned to Boston and finished eighth in 2:08:58, and earlier this year he claimed victory at the Los Angeles Marathon in 2:13:13. In August he finished second at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in Northern Ireland in 58:38, teeing him up beautifully for a podium tilt at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23. 

The journey to Latvia proved an eventful one, with the Ethiopian team stranded in Germany for close to a full day just two days before the race. Still, Yimer wasn’t going to use that as an excuse. 

“This was not the first time for such a long journey; travelling is always up and down and that is not a reason for how I will perform in the race,” he said on the eve of the championships. “I will focus totally.”

That’s exactly what he did, with Yimer launching himself into contention at the key moment of the half marathon, when Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo surged to the front after 16km. Yimer was the only man to go with him, but he soon found the pace too hot to handle. 

Ebenyo also began to falter in the final kilometre, giving way to his teammate Sabastian Kimaru Sawe, but Yimer paid an even heavier price, dropping back to fourth. Try as he might, he was unable to summon the finish needed to overhaul Samwel Nyamai Mailu for the bronze medal, coming home fourth in 59:22. 

It was a sign of how hard he’d run that Yimer had to be assisted through the mixed zone by a medic afterwards, his very best coming up just shy of a medal on the day. Still, he has a chance to make amends soon. On November 5, Yimer will line up at the New York City Marathon against a top-class field. His PB of 2:08:58 ranks him 13th, though his rivals know that’s not a true reflection of his ability. 

“We can expect a good result in New York,” says Molla. “I expect he’ll be on the podium.”

A father to a two-year-old boy, Yimer will sometimes bring his son along to training and the toddler is starting to get a grasp on what his dad does for a living. Yimer knows a race like New York offers a golden opportunity to provide a better future for his family, which is part of his motivation. 

“First I focus on training, then I have many plans on the business end for the future,” he says. Yimer isn’t shy about making them public: “My goal is to run fast times, to run all the major marathons, and to win world and Olympic medals.”

For the first time in the 34-year history of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, the race has reached over 25,000 runners. Toronto has established itself as Canada’s premier marathon and has set a precedent in the global running community, with participants coming from 78 countries around the world for the marathon on Sunday, Oct. 15.

The elite field at the 2023 edition of the marathon looks significantly different from last year, and two new champions will be crowned on the men’s and women’s sides, as Ethiopia’s Yihunilign Adane and Kenya’s Antonina Kwamboi will not be returning. The 2023 elite field features up-and-coming stars, along with several American women aiming to achieve the Olympic standard of 2:26:50 ahead of the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials in February.

The race will also determine two new Canadian marathon champions, with compelling storylines on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Women’s race

Will we see an American winner?

It has been 22 years since an American woman last won the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon (Leslie Gold in 2001) but in this year’s field, two American elites could possibly end the drought. One of them, Emily Durgin, a road racing specialist based out of Flagstaff, Ariz. came to Toronto looking for redemption after a less-than-ideal marathon debut in NYC last year.

Durgin said during Friday’s elite press conference that she felt the pressure to hit times and perform during her debut and ended up dropping out of the race before 30 km. “I learned a lot from New York and my build for Toronto has been different,” said Durgin. “As for a goal time, I want to run in the low 2:20s and be competitive.” The 29-year-old marathoner hopes to use Toronto as a stepping stone for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February 2024 in Orlando. Durgin was able to qualify for the trials from her time at the 2022 Houston Half Marathon where she finished 6th overall, clocking the seventh-fastest half-marathon in U.S. history with 67:54. “I came to Toronto to be competitive and contend for the the podium, as that’s what it will take to qualify at trials come February,” she said.

Another U.S. name in the women’s elite field to watch is Molly Grabill, who is running her sixth career marathon in Toronto on Sunday. Grabill told the media that she has similar plans to her compatriot Durgin and hopes to bounce back after, in her words, falling short of her goals in her last marathon in Hamburg earlier this year. Although Grabill ran the second-fastest marathon time of her career in Hamburg, she said she was disappointed as she took a swing and missed, struggling in the second half. “The goal in Toronto is to control the second half of the race better and gain strong momentum heading into the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials,” said Grabill. The 31-year-old from Boulder, Colo., is coming off a top-15 finish in 69:53 at the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia, earlier this month, which she says has given her a lot of confidence for Sunday.

Eyes on the course record?

Outside of the American duo, two other international athletes to watch are the Ethiopian duo of Afera Godfay and 2023 Ottawa Marathon champion Waganesh Mekasha. For Godfay, Toronto is her first marathon in three years after giving birth to her daughter. Her last marathon came in 2020 when she ran 2:26:43 to place third overall at the Xiamen Marathon in China. In her first two races back since becoming a mother, Godfay has run respectable half marathon times of 70 and 71 minutes but has not yet returned to her previous form. She said at Friday’s press conference that she hopes to come through the half mark in 1:11 and feels well-prepared for her marathon return. A glimpse of hope for Godfay is that she currently trains alongside the new women’s world record holder Tigist Assefa in Ethiopia. So, who knows what she is capable of?

The favourite in the women’s race is Mekasha, who is coming off a win in the scorching heat at the 2023 Ottawa Marathon in May. Mekasha is targeting the Canadian all-comers’ women’s marathon record on Sunday of 2:22:16, set four years ago by Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai at this race. Mekasha holds a personal best of 2:22:45 from the 2019 Dubai Marathon and said that she expects around a similar time on Sunday. “If the pacemaker runs a good pace, I hope to break the course record,” says Mekasha.

The Canadian contingent

Two of the top three Canadians from last year’s race have returned to the 2023 field, with Malindi Elmore, the reigning Canadian marathon champion, opting to run Berlin, where she clocked the second-fastest time in Canadian history (2:23:30). Returning are second and third place Canadian finishers Dayna Pidhoresky and Toronto’s own Sasha Gollish. Pidhoresky had an iconic moment here in 2019, when she raced just under the Olympic standard at the Canadian trials, winning in 2:29:03–qualifying her for the marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Although the Olympic marathon didn’t go as planned for Pidhoresky, she was able to bounce back at this event last year to place seventh overall (second Canadian) in 2:30:58. 

“Growing up in Windsor, Ont., I came to Toronto for so many races,” said Pidhoresky on tackling on her fourth Toronto Waterfront Marathon. “I feel I know the course very well, which is helpful in a marathon, and it’s great to have a high-quality field that’s close to home.” Pidhoresky told the media that this build has not been smooth but she is still confident she can run a personal best Sunday. “This course is advantageous, and I need to be smart and just run my race,” she said.

It is a similar story for Gollish, who is running in her second consecutive TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, less than eight weeks after her last marathon at the 2023 World Championships in August. Gollish told Canadian Running at the press conference that she wants to go into this race with a similar mindset that she had in Budapest. “It feels like a privilege to be here, and I am not putting any pressure of a personal best on myself,” says Gollish. “For the longest time, I avoided this race because I felt there would be pressure to perform, but why not run something in your backyard fuelled by a community that has done so much for me?” Last year, Gollish surprised herself with a personal best time of 2:31:40 after a short marathon build. Could she do the same on Sunday?

A few other Canadian marathoners to watch are Emily Setlack, Toronto’s Liza Howard and Kim Krezonoski of Thunder Bay, Ont. It has been four years since Setlack has last touched the marathon, but with a personal best of 2:29:48 from the 2019 edition of this race, her potential to finish as the top Canadian should not be ignored. Setlack has had a quiet 2023 season but has strung together solid performances, winning Toronto’s historic Sporting Life 10K and placing eighth overall at the Canadian 10K Championships in May.

Howard has a personal best of 2:35:29 (Chicago 2022) and was the top Canadian finisher at the 2023 Boston Marathon (37th overall) in cold, wet and windy conditions. Krezonoski moved to Toronto within the last year and has been studying the course thoroughly in the hope of crushing her marathon personal best come Sunday. She ran her personal best of 2:37 at the California International Marathon last year but has dropped her half-marathon PB by nearly four minutes since. The spots on the domestic podium are up for grabs, and each of these three women could break through. 

Men’s race

The rise of Elvis 

The absence of Adane opens the door for several East African men hoping to establish their marathon careers in Toronto. One of these men is Kenya’s Elvis Kipchoge, who may already lay claim to the title of the best running name. This Kipchoge is a little less well-known than the former world record holder but boasts a faster half marathon personal best of 59:15, which earned him third place at the 2022 Barcelona Half Marathon. However, this Kipchoge has not had much luck in the marathon. At the young age of 27, he ran 2:10:21 at the Vienna Marathon earlier this year. He hopes to turn things around on a fast and flat Toronto course. Kipchoge has ties to the race, training alongside women’s course record holder Magdalyne Masai in Iten, Kenya. 

While there is no relation between Elvis and Eliud Kipchoge, besides sharing the same last name and initials, Ethiopian athlete Adugna Bikila hopes to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, Worku Bikila. Worku was a world-class 5,000m runner who finished sixth in the 1992 Olympic 5,000m final in Barcelona and took fourth place at the World Championships the following year. Bikila enters Toronto with the fastest time in the field, holding a personal best of 2:05:52 from the 2022 Seville Marathon, where he finished fourth.

All the East African men will be aiming to break the Canadian all-comers record and course record of 2:05:00, held by Kenya’s Philemon Rono, set in 2019. The weather forecast for Sunday indicates cool and favourable conditions for both the men’s and women’s fields, which should make both course records vulnerable.

Who’s next for Canada?

A new men’s Canadian champion will be crowned Sunday, and for the first time since 2016, their last name will not be Levins or Hofbauer. The 2023 men’s field is full of up-and-coming Canadian talent on the precipice of breaking into the elite scene. Mississauga’s Sergio Raez Villanueva returns to Toronto after a stunning 2:18:04 debut last year, which earned him top-five Canadian honours. Challenging Raez Villanueva is Ottawa’s Blair Morgan, who was the second Canadian at the hot and humid Ottawa Marathon in May, running 2:19:50. Morgan ran his personal best of 2:18:29 at the 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon but is looking for a sub-2:18 result this time around.  

Challenging Raez Villanueva and Morgan are debutants Thomas Broatch of Vancouver and 4:01 miler Kyle Grieve. Broatch is coming off a win at the Vancouver Eastside 10K where he beat three-time Toronto champion Trevor Hofbauer. “Winning the Eastside 10K was a huge confidence booster for me,” says Broatch. “Whenever you take the start line the objective is to win and run fast.” The 24-year-old software engineer told Canadian Running that he has ambitious goals to run under 2:15 on Sunday and that his marathon build has gone near perfect.

For Grieve, who grew up and still resides in Toronto, this marathon has always been on his bucket list. “I’ve been wanting to try a marathon for a few years and have just kept putting it off,” says Grieve, who got married in the summer. “Canada Running Series is a big reason I am still competing today, so it was never a question of where I wanted to run my first marathon.” His goal is to be competitive against a strong Canadian field and let the time come along with it.

How to watch?

Marathon fans from around the world will have the opportunity to watch the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon live on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET with a pre-race introduction followed by the introduction of the elite field. The gun for the men’s and women’s elite field fires at 8:45 a.m. ET. All race action can be followed on torontowaterfrontmarathon.com or CBCsports.ca /CBC Gem or AthleticsCanada.tv.

For elite amateur marathoners, qualifying for the Olympic Trials is the ultimate life goal. Bakline’s McKirdy Micro Marathon removes the challenges of running a fast 26.2.

When it comes to trying to run a fast marathon, Zacch Widner knows that bottle service isn’t a luxury but a necessity. No, not tableside bottle service at a nightclub, but the ability for marathon runners to easily identify and grab their own hydration bottles off of a table every 5K or so on course while running at an extremely fast pace.

At the Berlin Marathon on September 23, the 32-year-old aspiring elite runner from Lansing, Michigan, was on the verge of running the race of his life. But because his bottles weren’t readily available at each aid station, he wound up grabbing only one of his eight bottles and suffered the consequences.

Although running the race without optimal calorie and hydration intake led to frequent cramping, he still finished in 2:20:02. That’s the second-best time of his career, but still two minutes short of his goal of breaking the U.S. Olympic Trials men’s qualifying standard of 2:18:00.

Widner is one of dozens of American runners—most of whom work nine-to-five jobs—still hoping to earn the standard (or 2:37:00 for women) by the December 5 deadline, in order to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon on February 3 in Orlando.

For Widner, it’s much more than a personal goal. It’s a commitment to a friend and former teammate. “It was a bummer,” says Widner, who works full-time as an IT analyst for the state of Michigan. “I know I’m capable of running faster. I didn’t capitalize on taking fluids, so when it came to running all out, I just couldn’t do it. I think the stress of it is actually what caused the cramps, because every time I missed a bottle, I just stressed out more…just mentally started destroying me.”

Three weeks later, Widner is ready to take another shot at the OTQ standard, this time at Bakline’s McKirdy Micro Marathon on October 14—a unique elite-only race that will be held about 30 miles north of New York City. Set on a nine-loop course at Rockland Lake State Park, the no-frills race will provide bottle service to each of the 180 entrants who met a stout qualifying standard (2:25 for men, 2:45 for women) to register.

“It’s got everything you need,” he says. “You have a lot of tough, fast runners. You have pacers and a flat course with a well-organized system for everyone’s fluids. I’m ready to go.”

In 2020, when running races were shut down because of COVID-19, athlete agent Josh Cox and Ben Rosario, founder and head coach of the Hoka NAZ Elite team, developed an elite-only marathon in Arizona that gave about 100 athletes from around the world the chance to run a highly competitive race on a USATF-certified course amid the still-pervasive coronavirus.

Known as The Marathon Project, the race was held in Chandler, Arizona, on December 20, 2020. Seven U.S. men ran faster than 2:10, while 12 American women finished under 2:30—the first time that’s ever happened. Martin Hehir, a fourth-year medical student who was coming off weeks treating COVID-19 patients, won the race in a personal best 2:08:59, while Sara Hall was the women’s winner in a personal best of 2:20:32, at the time the second-fastest marathon ever run by an American woman.

Several runners who trained under Flagstaff, Arizona coach James McKirdy and his online platform McKirdy Trained were in the race, and they performed well. He was so impressed by the concept that he quickly went about replicating it by hosting small regional marathons around the U.S. for a wider range of runners in early 2021.

At one of the McKirdy Micro Marathon races held at Rockland State Park, Denver-based runner Alex Burks won the race and lowered his personal best from 2:23:47 to 2:16:52. Dozens more earned personal bests and Boston qualifying (BQ) times.

“We really liked that idea and thought we could develop that concept for the masses, and they went off without a hitch,” McKirdy says. “The athletes had a great time and many runners—I think close to 150—earned a BQ from our races. So when the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying standards were released two years ago, we felt we had the chops and experience to provide a marathon that would provide full on-course support for runners trying to qualify.”

Bakline’s McKirdy Micro Marathon will be held on a nine-lap, 26.2-mile course that will start with one 2.63-mile partial lap, followed by eight successive laps on a 2.945-mile circuit. Runners can have up to eight hydration bottles that will be set up on a series of well-marked, eight-foot tables 20 feet apart.

While the majority of runners will be aiming for the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying standards, others are shooting for faster times. McKirdy and co-organizer Heather Knight Pech have enlisted pacers to guide runners to three different goal times for men (2:10:00, 2:11:30, and 2:18:00) and two for women (2:29:30 and 2:37:00).

The men’s field is headlined by Tsegay Tumay, an Eritrean runner with a 2:09:07 personal best who trains in Flagstaff under McKirdy. Tiidrek Nurme is an Estonian runner who is coming off a 31st-place, 2:15:42 at the World Athletics Championships on August 27, in Budapest. American runner Ben Blankenship, who finished eighth in the 2016 Olympic 1,500-meter finals in Rio de Janeiro, is making his marathon debut. Another OTQ hopeful is Hosava Kretzmann, a 29-year-old member of the Hopi Tribe from Flagstaff, Arizona, who finished sixth in his debut at the Los Angeles Marathon earlier this year in 2:19:58.

Among the runners who should be at the front of the women’s race is newly signed Nike athlete Calli Thackery, a British runner who just placed seventh in the half marathon at World Athletics Road Running Championships with a 1:08:56 personal best. American Makenna Myler has a 2:40:45 personal best, but is shooting for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon qualifying standard just seven months after giving birth to her son in mid-March. (In 2021, she placed 14th in 10,000 meters on the track in the U.S. Olympic Trials seven months after giving birth to her daughter.) She had originally registered and was onsite for the October 1 Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis, but that race was canceled because of extreme heat.

Other runners include Monica and Isabel Hebner, identical twins who most recently competed for the University of Texas, who will be making their marathon debuts with hopes of running in the 2:34-2:35 range, and Maura Lemon, a mother of three from Dayton, Ohio, who owns a 2:42:57 personal best but is aiming for the 2:37 OTQ standard.

Many U.S. runners on the cusp of the OTQ times ran the Chicago Marathon on October 8, while others are waiting until the California International (CIM) Marathon on December 5.

What the McKirdy Micro Marathon aims to do is eliminate the challenges that runners face at other races—difficult travel, congested race expos, crowded race courses, and, perhaps most importantly, a lack of bottle support on the course. Plus, it offers a spectator friendly circuit where family, friends, or coaches can cheer for runners on every loop.

“This gives them that chance to run fast,” Knight Pech says. “There’s still  a lot of runners out there—a lot of women and a lot of men—who are sitting on the cusp of the qualifying standards. And they should have the opportunity to be able to swing large and take a moonshot. We believe this race gives them a real chance to get it done here in a way that I don’t think other races offer them.”

While the top three men’s and women’s finishers in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon will represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympics, just getting to the Olympic Trials is a lifetime goal for many runners. It’s the deepest and most competitive domestic marathon in the U.S., but it only happens every four years. While a tiny portion of the qualifiers are sponsored professional athletes, most of the runners have already moved on to full-time jobs.

For Widner, there is more at stake than just running a fast time. He’s forever running to honor Jeremiah Hargett, a former teammate at Oakland Community College in suburban Detroit who dealt with ongoing mental challenges. One day back in 2011, Hargett called Widner and told him how much he believed in him as a runner and as a friend, and how they’d both eventually make it to the U.S. Olympic Trials. Sadly, Hargett took his own life the very next day. Widner has more or less dedicated every race to Hargett since then.

Although his best time in the 1,500-meter run (3:53.90) fell well short of the Olympic Trials qualifying standard on the track, Widner hasn’t given up his pursuit for Hargett. Amid the rigors of working full-time for the past eight years, he’s continued to improve as a long-distance runner.

Despite what he calls a disastrous marathon debut at the CIM in 2018—where he went out way too fast and wound up struggling to finish in 2:45:39—he’s still chasing that goal. In 2022, he had a breakthrough race at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota, lowering his personal best to 2:19:54. In January, he lowered his best time in the half marathon to 1:05:52 in January, but that was still nearly three minutes off the half-marathon OTQ of 1:03:00.

He’s continued to add mileage—he’s averaged about 94 miles per week this year—executed better workouts, and improved his fueling strategy, especially since McKirdy started coaching him in March. Now he’s on the cusp of reaching that magical qualifying mark once again.

But it’s as much for Hargett as it is for him.

“That’s the reason I keep running,” Widner says. “It’s the closest thing to my heart. Every time I run, I think about him and his family. When that happened, mentally, it changed me. After that, I bounced up and started running much better.”

“Running taught me how to be patient, and it is teaching me that life is the exact same way,” Widner adds. “It’s all about being patient, and when things go wrong or things seem to not go the way you were expecting, to just stay relaxed and understand that it could change for the better. I’ve been able to use that for everything in life—all my connections, and then have that thought in my mind to make the Olympic Trials, just like he agreed that we would do together.”

Last weekend, American middle-distance runner Sam Prakel faced a challenging decision: choosing between love and representing his country at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia.

Prakel had originally planned to marry his long-time partner Katie Landwehr on Sept. 30. However, when he received an invite to join Team USA for the World Athletics Road Running Championships on Oct. 1, he made the difficult choice to postpone the wedding.

During a pre-race press conference, Prakel shared, “It’s a tremendous honour to represent the U.S. […] they have the world’s best track team. I even had to reschedule my wedding for a week later so I could be here for this event. It’s wonderful to be here and represent the U.S.”

The tough decision appeared to pay off for Prakel as he clinched the bronze in the men’s road mile with a time of 3:56.43, earning a prize of USD $3,500. Prakel finished third, with his compatriot Hobbs Kessler securing gold in his senior national team debut with a time of 3:56.13. Great Britain’s Callum Elson also earned his first world championship medal, narrowly beating Prakel for silver with a time of 3:56.41.

Prakel revealed that he was able to reschedule the wedding for the following week, which raised questions among track fans about why Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen did not make a similar decision, considering the circumstances of winning another world championship medal. Ingebrigtsen married his longtime partner Elisabeth Asserson on Sept. 23 and celebrated their honeymoon in the Maldives the past week.

Perhaps the bonus will help fund an unforgettable wedding and honeymoon for Prakel and his future wife.

Fresh from leading Kenyans to a clean sweep of the podium in the 21km race at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia, Sebastian Sawe has shifted his focus to the 2023 Valencia Half Marathon.

Sawe, who finished sixth at last year's edition of the Valencia race in 59:06, is hoping to improve on both time and position when the race goes down on October 22.

Nandi-based Sawe, who is the national cross country champion, said he wants to replicate his Riga form in Valencia.

"The experience in Riga was good. I want to try my best and improve on my time and position from last year,” said the reigning Berlin Half Marathon champion.

In Latvia, Sawe clocked 59:10 to edge Daniel Simiu to second in 59:14 as Samuel Mailu completed a Kenyan podium sweep in one hour. This was the third time a team swept the podium after 1995 and 1997.

In 1995, Moses Tanui, Paul Yego, and Charles Tangus swept the podium in France after clocking 61:45, 61:46, and 61:50 respectively. In 1997, Shem Kororia (59:56) led Tanui (59:58) and Kenneth Cheruiyot (60:00) to another sweep.

Meanwhile, Sawe said he also has an eye on next year's Olympic Games, where he will seek a ticket for the 10,000m.

“I will be targeting the 10,000m since I am not ripe for marathons. I only run in half marathons and 10km,” said the Seville Half Marathon champion.

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir underlined her status as one of the all-time greats by claiming a third world half marathon title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 on Sunday (1), the 30-year-old utilising her fearsome finishing speed to take gold in 1:07:25.

She was followed home by compatriot Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi in 1:07:26, with Catherine Reline Amanang’ole completing a 1-2-3 for Kenya in 1:07:34.

“I wanted to win three times and make history, and thank God I have made it,” said Jepchirchir. “It was my birthday this week and I told my husband I would work extra hard to get the win.”

Jepchirchir led Kenya to a decisive victory in the team title, their first since 2016, when they also swept the medal positions. Their top three had a cumulative time of 3:22:25, with Ethiopia second with 3:27:55 and Great Britain and Northern Ireland claiming bronze with 3:29:15.

“I am so happy for team Kenya,” said Jepchirchir. “I knew we would sweep this as a team because I trust my colleagues so much.”

On a cool, sunny afternoon in the Latvian capital, Jepchirchir once again played a very patient game, the Olympic marathon champion and women-only half marathon world record holder content to let the pace remain steady through much of the race, knowing she possessed a gear no one else could live with when it counted most.

The early pace was relatively pedestrian, with a group of 22 hitting the 5km mark clustered together, led by Britain’s Samantha Harrison in 16:25. But that pack began to whittle soon after, with a group of eight passing 10km in 32:19.

Jepchirchir, Chelimo Kipkemboi and Reline Amanang’ole took turns at the front soon after, with British duo Harrison and Calli Thackery also putting in a shift in the breezy conditions. But in the third quarter, Harrison and Thackery began to lose contention while the Kenyans started to apply pressure up front, Amanang’ole passing 15km in 48:33 and six athletes left in the battle for the podium positions.

That was soon down to five, with Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray dropping away. Jepchirchir ran at the back of the pack as they approached 20km, marking her opponents’ every move. But as they ran through the old town and back towards the finish, alongside the River Daugava, Jepchirchir began to take closer order, with just one Ethiopian, Tsigie Gebreselama, sandwiched among the four Kenyans.

The 20km mark, reached in 1:04:20, was Jepchirchir’s cue to make her first big effort, surging to the front and quickly checking the effect on her rivals, with only her compatriot Irine Jepchumba Kimais dropping away. But with Kipkemboi soon taking up the pace, the Kenyans swiftly had what they wanted – with Gebreselama dropping off the leading trio.

Leading into the wind in the final kilometre, Kipkemboi began to veer around the road, hoping for assistance from those behind, but by then it was every woman for themselves, Jepchirchir smartly sitting in her teammate’s slipstream until she drew inside the final 400 metres, at which point she unleashed that renowned change of pace, surging to gold.“When I saw the tape, I started celebrating,” said Jepchirchir, who admitted she couldn’t sleep the night before as she was worried about the race. But with another global title in the bag, she has big plans for the year ahead.

“Next month I’m going to run the New York City Marathon,” said Jepchirchir, who will then train her sights on retaining her Olympic marathon title. “That’s my prayer; I pray to God for good health to get that chance. I will try my best.”

Silver medallist Chelimo Kipkemboi said: “It was great to run with Peres today. I am always proud to run for Kenya. I was fourth at the World Championships on the track so to get a medal today is very special. It’s very nice to see that I’m progressing and next, I will race the Valencia Half Marathon.”

Amanang’ole was content with her bronze, saying: “It was a very tough race but I’m super excited because it is my first time running this event.”

As the international outdoor track and field season draws to a close, we now look forward to the feast of top-class road racing that will be on offer throughout the final four months of the year.

In just 11 days’ time, the focus of the sport will be on the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23, where the best distance runners on the planet will compete for global honours in the mile, 5km and half marathon.

The likes of world champion Faith Kipyegon, world record-holder Berihu Aregawi and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir are among the stars set to compete in the Latvian capital. Recreational runners from around the world, meanwhile, will run on the same courses as the greats when they take to the streets of Riga for the associated mass races.

There are also eight Platinum Label road races between September and December, the first of which was held last weekend with Betsy Saina and Othmane El Goumri winning the Blackmores Sydney Marathon. Of the seven other upcoming Platinum events, three of them form part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) series: the BMW Berlin Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York Marathon.

Platinum Label road races, Sep-Dec 2023

8 Oct – Chicago Marathon (WMM)

15 Oct – Amsterdam Marathon

5 Nov – New York Marathon (WMM)

26 Nov – Shanghai Marathon

3 Dec – Valencia Marathon

17 Dec – Bang Saen Half Marathon

The Chicago Marathon two weeks later will be highlighted by a clash between defending champion Ruth Chepngetich and London Marathon winner Sifan Hassan.

Two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese, the fourth-fastest marathon runner of all time, headlines the men’s field for the Amsterdam Marathon. Defending champion Evans Chebet will take on two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor at the New York City Marathon in November.

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Shanghai Marathon in late November will welcome an international elite field.

Just one week later, multiple global champion and world record-holder Joshua Cheptegei will make his long-awaited marathon debut in Valencia. In recent years the event has established itself as one of the highest-quality marathons in the world, and this year’s edition will surely be no exception.

Towards the end of the year, the Thai coastal area of Bang Saen will host one of the newest additions to the Platinum Label calendar, the Bangsaen21 Half Marathon. Since the pandemic, it has been largely a domestic affair, but it will be back with a bang this year with a high-quality elite line-up.

Hundreds of road races each year are granted a World Athletics Label, ranging from ‘Platinum’, for the top tier of road events, to Gold, Elite and Label. There are still more than 100 World Athletics Label road races due to take place between now and the end of 2023.

Canada’s marathon and half-marathon record holder Cam Levins has chosen to race close to home at the Royal Victoria Half-Marathon on Oct. 8, in his preparations for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 5.

Last week, Levins pulled out of the half-marathon at the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. Levins said he underestimated how significant the travel and recovery would be to and from the event. The championships would be a 20-hour trip for Levins each way with two layovers if he flew from his home in Portland, Ore. Levins and his coach Jim Finlayson decided the long trip would not be ideal in his build for New York. 

Canada’s marathon and half-marathon record holder Cam Levins has chosen to race close to home at the Royal Victoria Half-Marathon on Oct. 8, in his preparations for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 5.

Last week, Levins pulled out of the half-marathon at the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. Levins said he underestimated how significant the travel and recovery would be to and from the event. The championships would be a 20-hour trip for Levins each way with two layovers if he flew from his home in Portland, Ore. Levins and his coach Jim Finlayson decided the long trip would not be ideal in his build for New York. 

The half-marathon will be close to home for Levins, who grew up three hours north of Victoria in Black Creek, B.C., where his parents, Gus and Barb Levins, still reside.

The Royal Victoria Marathon weekend is experiencing a resurgence after being disrupted by the pandemic. Last year saw the long-awaited return of the marathon, with 7,934 participants coming back after the pandemic hiatus. This year, organizers are optimistic about the event’s growth, aiming to reach 10,000 participants.

In March, the 34-year-old broke his Canadian marathon record for the second time in less than a year, clocking an impressive 2:05:36 for fifth place at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon. This was also the fastest time ever recorded by a North American, surpassing American Khalid Khannouchi’s 2:05:38 from the 2002 London Marathon.

Levins’s remarkable run in Tokyo not only met the Olympic standard of 2:08:10 but also secured his spot on Team Canada’s marathon squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics next July. His journey to the 2023 New York Marathon in November is all in preparation for his pursuit of Olympic glory in Paris, which is expected to be one of the most difficult Olympic marathon courses to date.

Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich broke the women-only world 10km record* at the Trunsylvania 10km, clocking 29:24 at the World Athletics Elite Label road race held on Sunday (10) as part of the Brasov Running Festival in Romania.

In an impressive solo running display, the 22-year-old showed her intent from the start and covered the first 5km in 14:25 – four seconds faster than the women-only world record for that distance.

She had a lead of 10 seconds over her compatriot Catherine Reline at that point.

Racing on the loop course, Ngetich went on to pass 6.5km in 18:54 and 8.5km in 24:56 before crossing the finish line in 29:24 to record the fastest ever 10km in a women-only race, improving on the 30:01 set by the late Agnes Tirop in Herzogenaurach in 2021.

As well as being the fastest women-only 10km, Ngetich’s time is the third-quickest by a woman in history, behind only the 29:14 run by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw in a mixed race in Castellon last year and the 29:19 Yehualaw clocked in Valencia earlier this year.

“The world record is a surprise to me,” said Ngetich, who started the 2022 race in Brasov as the pacemaker but went on to finish second in 30:30. “I didn’t expect to get the world record. I just wanted a PB, low 30 minutes to break the course record, but a world record is really a surprise.”

The race started at a fast pace right from the gun with Ngetich, Reline and Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek leaving the pacemaker – who had been asked to lead the runners through 5km in 15:00 – quickly behind.

The trio sped through 1500m in 4:12 and Cheptoyek started to lose contact with the Kenyan pair a kilometre later. Ngetich and Reline went through 3km in 8:32 but it was only a few hundred metres down the road in the Coresi district on the outskirts of the Transylvanian city that the latter started to drift back. From then on, Ngetich was out on her own.

Ngetich, who claimed bronze at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst in February and then finished sixth in the 10,000m final at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 last month, set a women-only world 5km record with her split of 14:25, improving on the 14:29 achieved by Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi in Herzogenaurach on the same day that Tirop set her 10km mark.

By 7km, Ngetich had built up an 18-second lead over Reline and the gap just kept on widening.

As Ngetich passed the 8.5km checkpoint in 24:56, Reline was second in 25:29, and the leader continued to fly over the final section of the three-lap course before gaining her second world record of the morning.

“I started the year with the World Cross, which was perfect, so I wanted to close the season with a good result,” explained Ngetich, who achieved that aim in sensational style.

Reline held on to finish second in 30:14, while Cheptoyek placed third in 30:34.

The men's race was won by Weldon Langat, who completed a Kenyan double in 27:05.

A group of seven athletes went through 5km in 13:30, with another four just two seconds further back at the halfway point.

Surges in the sixth kilometre by Kenya’s Amos Kurgat and Dennis Kibet saw the pair pull away, with Langat being towed along comfortably in their wake.

Kibet continued to regularly push the pace over the course of the next three kilometres but with just over one kilometre to go, he started to pay for his service at the front.

As Kurgat and Langat embarked on the final kilometre, the latter used that as a signal to change gears and made a decisive move that took him to victory just over two-and-a-half minutes later.

Kurgat took second place in 27:12, while the 2018 world U20 5000m champion Edward Zakayo Pingua came through strongly over the final kilometre, firstly overtaking the tiring Kibet and then almost catching Kurgat to complete an all-Kenyan podium in third place with 27:14.

Mile wins for Van Riel and Mechaal

The Trunsylvania 10km took place on the second day of the Brasov Running Festival, with Saturday (9) offering elite mile races.

Robin van Riel of the Netherlands and Turkiye’s Emine Hatun Mechaal claimed victories in the European Road Mile, winning in national records of 4:05.5 and 4:41.7, respectively.

Mechaal was the first across the line as dusk started to fall over the Coresi district, after a well calculated run that saw the 2014 European U20 cross country champion pull away from her nearest rivals over the final 100 metres.

Romania’s Cristina Balan finished second in 4:43.0, while Greek 1500m champion Melissa Anastasakis was third in 4:44.0, both women also setting national records.

In the men’s race, runners in the leading pack were reluctant to go with pacemaker Stephen Masindet and they passed 1km in an unofficial 2:40.0, which made the anticipated sub-four-minute time and a world record highly unlikely.

In the end, Van Riel was able to outsprint his younger compatriot Stefan Nillessen in a thrilling duel as the finish line approached.

Van Riel clocked 4:05.5 to Nillessen’s 4:05.8, with Italy’s Giovanni Filippi third in 4:07.2.

Further elite mile action will be on offer in Riga next month as the World Athletics Road Running Championships hosts mile, 5km and half marathon races.

The winning times from this year’s US Road Mile Championships – 4:27.97 for Nikki Hiltz and 4:01.21 for Sam Prakel – have been submitted for world record ratification. Pending the usual ratification process – which includes doping control and shoe compliance – these performances will become the inaugural world records for the discipline.

The road mile became an official world record discipline as of 1 September. As announced after the World Athletics Council Meeting in November 2022, official recognition of a world record will require a performance of at least 3:50.00 (men) or 4:19.00 (women) between 1 January and 1 September 2023. If they were not met, the fastest recorded record-eligible performances will be recognised as the world records.

As such, the winning times at the US Road Mile Championships in Des Moines on 25 April proved to be the fastest eligible performances within that time frame.

There will, however, be a strong chance of these records being broken at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 on 1 October, where the road mile is being contested by dozens of the world’s best middle-distance runners.

Athletics fans will have the opportunity to see the world’s best milers, 5km runners and half-marathoners compete in a single day at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 under the revamped schedule announced today.

World Athletics and the Riga Local Organising Committee (LOC) have agreed to introduce a more compact programme, which will see the elite races and mass races held on the same day, October 1, at the championships.

The inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships was originally envisioned as a two-day event, with the new road mile and 5km road championships to be held on Saturday 30 September and the half marathon races on Sunday 1 October, but in a move to create a more exciting build up for fans, all events have been brought together with the mass races on one day.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “As preparations for the World Road Running Championships have evolved, it has become apparent that the event will work better as a single-day event in Riga, both for local organisers and for broadcast. It will also give recreational runners the opportunity to be fully immersed in the day, running before and after our elite runners, and will create the festival atmosphere that we want to see to celebrate road running at every level.”

The new timetable begins on the morning of 1 October with the mass races over 5km and the road mile to be followed by the elite races over the same distances. Then attention will turn to the half marathon distance with the elite races to be followed by the mass race.

This unique global running festival will not only crown the world road mile, 5km and half marathon champions, but is also expected to feature thousands of amateur runners, kids and families from up to 100 countries participating alongside elite runners.

Aigars Nords, Head of the Local Organising Committee, commented: “With three months to go to the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia, we have already attracted recreational runners from more than 50 countries all over the world. Saturday 30 September will see thousands of kids and families warm up for the championships during Kids’ Day, while Sunday 1 October will provide a unique opportunity for everyone to earn their mass race medals, not only in the road mile, 5km, and half marathon, but also in the half marathon relay, a new mass race, aimed at recreational runners not yet ready for the challenges of a half marathon.”

Any recreational runner who is ready for a challenge can register for any of the official mass races of the World Championships in Riga and earn a unique medal from the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

WRRC Riga 23 updated schedule

Saturday 30 September 202310:00 – 15:00 Kids’ Day

Sunday 1 October 202310:00 Mass race | 5km11:30 Mass race | Road mile11:50 Women | 5km12:15 Men | 5km13:00 Women | Road mile13:10 Men | Road mile13:30 Women | Half marathon14:15 Men + mass race | Half marathon | Half marathon relay (10.5km + 10.5km)

World Athletics, together with the International Athletics Foundation and members of the Diamond League Association, has renewed the Ukraine Fund established last year to support professional athletes affected by the conflict in their home country.

The Fund’s purpose is to ensure that elite Ukrainian athletes can continue to train, qualify for and participate in World Championship events this year, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

The fund currently has $190,000US available to assist athletes, their immediate family and key support personnel, and there will be a particular emphasis on purchasing pole vault equipment after the destruction through missile attacks of a key sporting complex in Bakhmut.

This year’s other priorities will be paying for travel and accommodation for elite athletes at training camps over the summer season, covering travel and accommodation for non-quota officials and athletes to participate at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 from August 19 to 27 and the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 from September 30 to October 1.

The Ukrainian Athletic Federation general secretary, Iolanta Khropach, explained that a large sporting complex in Bakhmut - an athletics stadium, an indoor arena, throwing fields, a medical centre and the Sergey Bubka Olympic Sports College - had been destroyed in the battle for Bakhmut in recent months.

"It was the only centre where athletes could conduct training camps at any time of the year," she wrote in a letter to World Athletics.

"This was very important because in cold winters we do not have enough arenas for training.

"It was also a very important training centre for pole vaulters.

Now there is nothing left in Bakhmut.

"We are grateful for all the help, support and understanding that you give us, but we ask you, if it is in your power, to contact the manufacturers of athletics equipment with a request to provide us with athletics equipment as humanitarian aid."

The federation reports that track and field facilities in Kharkiv and Chernihiv have also been badly damaged during the fighting.

World Athletics intends to work with equipment manufacturers to replace equipment that has been damaged or lost and ship it to training camps near Ukraine’s western border.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe added: "Last year the Ukraine Fund enabled the Ukrainian Federation to send a strong team to the World Athletics Championships Oregon23, where Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Andriy Protsenko won medals, and we want to make sure Ukrainian athletes have the same opportunity to compete and succeed this year.

"They have been put in a terrible situation following the invasion of their country.

"This year’s fund will provide further support to enable them to find stability and security as they prepare to represent their country this year.

"The deliberate destruction of Ukrainian athletics facilities and equipment is also a serious attack on the accessibility of our sport.

"We will do whatever we can to help athletics survive and recover in Ukraine."

The Ukraine Fund will provide financial assistance to the following two groups.

Group One includes athletes who are affiliated to the Ukrainian Athletic Federation and have qualified, or have a credible chance to qualify, to compete at any upcoming World Athletics Championships until Fund closure.

Group Two will cover Ukrainian Federation requests for funding for specific activities, such as the cost of training camps, purchase of athletics equipment, or travel and accommodation of out-of-quota Federation officials and support personnel to World Athletics Championships.

Funding for Group One involves enrolment, subsistence and accommodation, at training camps/temporary housing, welfare support, travel and accommodation to compete at qualifying events for World Championships and travel and accommodation to compete at World Athletics Championships if not otherwise provided.

Funding for Group Two involves enrolment, subsistence and accommodation at training camps to prepare for World Championships, travel and accommodation to accompany Group One athletes at qualifying events for World Championships, athletics equipment to replace lost or damaged equipment (for elite athletes and grassroots), support to general operations of member federations, officials and coaches.

It is expected that up to 100 members of the Ukrainian athletics community may require some financial support this year.

The fund can receive additional contributions from other athletics organisations at any time until its closure which is set for December 31 2023.

Potential beneficiaries can register for consideration by emailing UKRFund@worldathletics.org, while other athletics organisations who would like to contribute to the fund can do so by contacting the same address.

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

There’ll be three global championships in 2023, with ever-expanding one-day meeting circuits spread throughout the year. Rivalries will be renewed, and record-breakers will continue to push boundaries in their respective disciplines.

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

1. World Athletics Championships Budapest 23

More than 2000 athletes from about 200 countries will head to the Hungarian capital to compete in the world’s biggest track and field event of 2023. Taking place just 13 months after the last edition, it will be the shortest ever gap between two World Championships, so fans won’t have long to wait before seeing the best athletes on the planet re-engage in battle for global honours.

2. Pushing boundaries

World Athletes of the Year Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have elevated their respective events to new heights in recent years.

Both aged just 23, their progression and record-breaking exploits will most likely continue in 2023. The same applies to other dominant forces within the sport, such as world and Olympic triple jump champion Yulimar Rojas and marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.

3. New eras

The sport, as with everything in life, continues to evolve. Kenya, for example, dominated the steeplechase for years, but now the leading forces in that discipline are from Morocco, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan.

The women’s throws, meanwhile, are now the domain of North America. And Japan is a leading force in men’s race walking.

New faces and countries will likely emerge in 2023, changing the landscape of the sport.

4. Sprint showdowns

Gone are the days where the world’s leading sprinters avoid each other on the circuit. Multiple world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, for example, will often line up against fellow Jamaican stars Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson. And 200m specialists Noah Lyles and Erriyon Knighton have clashed frequently in recent years. No doubt there will be many more high-octane sprint duels in store in 2023.

5. World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23

The newest global event within the sport, the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 will unite elite and recreational runners in the Latvian capital on September 30 and October 1. The range of distances — mile, 5km and half marathon — means there’s something for all of the world’s best endurance athletes to sink their teeth into. The same applies to the thousands of runners who’ll take to the streets of Riga for the mass races as they race in the footsteps of legends.

6. Crouser vs Kovacs

They provided one of the greatest duels the sport has ever witnessed at the 2019 World Championships, and there’s no sign of the rivalry ending between Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs. The shot put giants have won numerous global titles between them. Crouser has been a dominant force in recent years, but Kovacs also hit an all-time career peak in 2022 with a lifetime best of 23.23m, taking him to No.2 on the world all-time list behind Crouser. No one would be surprised if either man broke the world record in 2023.

7. At the double

When the timetable for the 2023 World Championships was release a few months ago, it became clear that many popular doubles — such as the 100m and 200m, 800m and 1500m, 1500m and 5000m, 5000m and 10,000m, 20km and 35km race walk, women’s long jump & triple jump, and women’s 200m and 400m – would be doable in Budapest. The likes of Yulimar Rojas, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Fred Kerley and Sydney McLaughlin have all hinted at attempting major championship doubles in recent years, so it will be fascinating to see who enters more than one discipline in the Hungarian capital.

8. Continental Tour Gold expands

The global one-day meeting circuit will have 14 Gold level meetings in 2023, taking in new stops in Botswana, Grenada and Melbourne.

It means there are now Gold meetings in five different continental areas. The wider series has also expanded with 165 Continental Tour meetings currently on the calendar for 2023, 13 more than in 2022.

9. Distance duels

Endurance athletes are extra fortunate in 2023 because they will be able to compete at all three global championships, covering a range of surfaces. Letesenbet Gidey and Hellen Obiri provided one of the most thrilling clashes at the World Championships in Oregon, and there’s a good chance they’ll race one another again, either in Bathurst, Budapest or Riga.

World 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, meanwhile, could potentially line up against two-time world 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei in Budapest — or even on the circuit throughout the season.

There are four women active in the marathon — Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich, Amane Beriso and Tigist Assefa — with sub-2:16 PBs, all of whom could push one another to a world record. And in the race walks, the likes of Toshikazu Yamanishi and Massimo Stano could clash at either 20km or 35km — or both.

10. World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23

One of the first big highlights of the year will take place Down Under when Bathurst hosts the World Cross Country Championships.

Recent editions have been highly competitive and engaging, and that will no doubt be the case once more as hundreds of the world’s best distance athletes take to Mount Panorama. And, as is the case with Riga and Budapest, there are opportunities for recreational runners to be a part of the event too.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced another premium event to be canceled in China.

This time, the World Athletics Half Marathon, which was scheduled to be held in Yangzhou in November, has been called off.

The event was originally due to take place on March 27 but was re-scheduled for November 13.

A decision was made after the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA) and the local Organizing Committee mutually agreed that the Championships cannot be held this year after a lengthy discussion.

At the same time, the 2027 World Athletics Road Running Championships was granted to Yangzhou, which is set to be held in March 2027.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe conveyed his thanks to CAA and everyone who was involved in preparations for the World Half Marathon Championships.

"Unfortunately, the championships can’t be held this year, through no fault of the LOC, but our endurance athletes will have the opportunity to compete in Riga next year," Coe said.

"The Council’s decision to award another event to Yangzhou in 2027 indicates its faith in the organizing committee and willingness to return and stage a World Athletics Series road running event there at the first available opportunity."

The first Road Running Championships is scheduled to be held in the Latvian capital of Riga from September 30 to October 1 2023.

Plans to incorporate the Half Marathon Championships as part of the Road Running Championships in the future has been made with the world 5 kilometers championships set to be introduced as well.

China has strict COVID-19 policies with restrictions on international arrivals  and lockdowns.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games was held in February in a "closed-loop management" system with regular tests being carried out.

Recently, the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, initially scheduled to be held from September 10 to September 25, was postponed because of the pandemic.

The strong international interest in hosting this new event, which will combine elite and mass races in a unique format, is a ringing endorsement of a festival concept designed to unite the international road running community. 

The creation of the World Athletics Road Running Championships, incorporating the World Half Marathon Championships, was approved by the Council in December, and cities around the world were asked to indicate their interest in hosting the event.

The 2023 event will include elite races over both 5km and the half marathon, accompanying mass races, and a week-long festival of supporting events, including parkrun events across the host city, a global running conference, health and fitness expos and clinics.

Potential hosts will have to submit formal bids by 1 June and the World Athletics Council will select the host city in July.

World Athletics Continental Tour

The World Athletics Council has approved a greatly expanded Continental Tour calendar for 2021, including 85 Gold, Silver and Bronze meetings, after the new international series was launched successfully last year.

Despite the challenges created by the pandemic, 29 Continental Tour meetings were held last year, including seven Gold meetings (of the 10 that were originally scheduled).

This year’s calendar includes 15 Gold meetings, with two in Africa following the addition of a second meeting to join Nairobi, and three Gold meetings to be held in the United States. The venues for the new meetings will be confirmed shortly.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe welcomed the commitment of meeting directors and Member Federations across the six continental Areas to create new competition opportunities for the athletes.  

“We wouldn’t have chosen to launch a new global athletics tour on the eve of a pandemic, but the Continental Tour proved to be such a strong concept that it thrived even in these adverse circumstances,’’ he said.

“The tour has expanded substantially in 2021, and we’re delighted that it has been embraced so enthusiastically across the world. I’m particularly pleased to see that the US has stepped up to stage three Gold meetings as well as at least nine other Silver and Bronze meetings. These will provide new and vital competition opportunities and prize money for athletes and strengthen our sport both in the USA and internationally. We see the expanded US calendar as an early legacy of the decision to take our flagship event, the World Athletics Championships, to Oregon in 2022.

“We will continue to drive innovation and boost the competition opportunities available to our athletes around the world, with our immediate focus on the World Athletics Relays Silesia 2021, to be held in Poland in just six weeks’ time.”  

Competition dates

The Council confirmed the dates for the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships, which will be held in Cali, Colombia from 2-7 August, 2022, and the 2023 World Athletics Indoor Championships, which will be held in Nanjing, China from 17-19 March, 2023.