Running News Daily

Here’s the Story Behind the New Wooden Sculpture of a Runner on Heartbreak Hill

Heartbreak Hill is one of the most iconic marathon sections in the world, challenging runners on a long, steady uphill around mile 20 of the Boston Marathon. Now, runners will have something new to greet them after they get through that rough part of the race.

A new wooden sculpture of a runner has been built out of what used to be a large maple tree situated at the top of the hill.

Mark Proctor and Charlotte McKee have owned a house on Heartbreak Hill, at the corner of Commonwealth and Grant Avenues, since the late 1990s. They’ve spent many Patriots’ Days hosting marathon watch parties in their front yard, next to that large maple tree that could be seen from a ways down the hill.

But in 2013, they found out the tree was dying. For seven years, Proctor and McKee did their best to keep it alive, even putting steel cables on it to keep it up. Unfortunately, in 2020, the tree became diseased; it killed vegetation around it, and chunks of the tree fell off. Instead of removing the tree entirely, Proctor had an idea to give the tree a second life.

“We had seven years to think about it, and we love the marathon,” Proctor told Runner’s World. “I can’t say where the spark was, but we have a house in New Hampshire, and people make tree carvings up there, so I had the idea of possibly making a runner out of the tree. Not an identifiable runner. Just a runner.”

They considered a few other ideas, such as the Greek god Hermes and a puma, like the brand logo. However, they ended up going with a generic runner.

“It was Mark’s vision from the beginning,” McKee told Runner’s World. “He had the have the courage of his convictions because I was originally not on board. But I’m glad he persisted.”

Proctor and McKee searched the internet for a wood sculptor, and they found Ken Packie, who lives in Otis, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires. When the tree came down in September, leaving only an eight-foot-tall section, the owners told Packie he had total creative control. In November, Packie made the two-hour trek to Boston with his tools and began to chainsaw the runner to life.

“The pose was dictated by the tree,” Packie told Runner’s World. “I had to knock everything peripheral off and see what meat I had left. Like most of my carvings, I wing it, and I knew I had to fit this into what the tree allowed me to do.”

While shaping, he also had to think of structural integrity, which meant the ankles had to be thicker to support the sculpture above—the back leg was especially tough, until an idea came to him from the wood.

“I had a huge chunk of wood under the back leg that I was going to cut off,” Packie said. “I looked at it, and it looked like a heart, and I thought, that should be a broken heart for Heartbreak Hill. It makes sense, and it’ll give the back leg structural integrity.”

As Packie worked with chainsaws, chisels, and blowtorches, people passing by started to show appreciation for the project as it took shape. Cars beeped all day and neighbors McKee and Proctor had never met started giving them positive feedback about the sculpture.

These are such crazy times and people are so stressed, and from hearing from people who are coming by is that people are so happy,” McKee said. “They’re looking for something to make them smile and this can be one of those things.”

In total, Packie estimates the carving took about 25 to 30 hours. On November 20, the final wood seal was put on, which will have to be replaced every year to keep the sculpture from wearing away.

The final product is a male runner with a singlet and shorts with a broken heart under the back leg.

“I hope this will become an inspiration for people to keep pushing,” Packie said. “Twenty miles into a race going up hill is a tough spot, and if this can help them push forward, I want them to see it. This is not a super lean runner. He’s the every man’s runner, and if he can do it, you can. Hopefully Heartbreak Hill won’t be a heartbreak for them.”

McKee and Proctor initially only planned to keep it around for one iteration of the Boston Marathon. But after seeing the positive reaction and watching people come to their neighborhood just to see or run past the new landmark, they think they’ll make it a permanent part of their yard and something for Boston Marathon runners to look forward to for years to come.

“It was so tough after the bombings and there was uncertainty about if it would return,” McKee said. “It gave people hope, and people were so happy when the marathon came back. Now, not having the marathon because of the pandemic, people are want to look forward to something. Hopefully, this will be a symbol of how we all got through this.”

Nick Willis Set a Record by Running a Sub-4 Mile for the 19th Straight Year. Here’s How He Did It

On January 19, Nick Willis wrote himself into the record books when he ran a 3:58.63 mile. His time marked the 19th consecutive calendar year that the 37-year-old Kiwi runner has clocked a sub-4-minute mile.

A middle-distance specialist, Willis has sub-4 miles every year since 2003—and even the two years before that, he clocked a 4:01 and 4:02. It wasn’t until 2019 that the record of consecutive years running a sub-4 mile even came onto Willis’s radar. Someone had mentioned that he was one year away from tying fellow countryman and running legend John Walker, who ran sub-4 miles for 18 consecutive years from 1973 to 1990.

When he tied the record in 2020 at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston, Willis realized he could get the obscure record if he could find a race—something made far more difficult because of COVID-19.

With some research, Willis found the Orange Winter Classic #1 in Orlando, Florida on January 19.

“I’m 37,” Willis told Runner’s World. “I’d rather try in January than in August when I’m eight months older.”

Because of the possibility of not having consistent track access at home in Michigan because of weather or the pandemic, Willis prepared for the event by spending the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas in Flagstaff, Arizona, training aggressively at altitude. A week before the race, back home in Michigan, Willis did a 1200-meter time trial that gave him confidence.

Normally, Willis said, the first race of the season is a bit rusty, but everything lined up right for his record attempt.

“I never felt comfortable, like I was on the edge of the red line the whole way,” Willis said about the race. “We were still able to do it though thanks to good pacing from pacemaker Victor Palumbo, who became the first American to run a sub-4 on an outdoor track in December on U.S. soil. He got us through three laps and did an incredible job.”

In the final 200 meters, Willis wasn’t able to get on the shoulder of eventual winner Mason Ferlic, but he hung on for second and a 3:58.63—good enough to grab the record from Walker. His splits were 1:01.64, 59.02, 59.30, and 58.68 on his way to breaking Walker’s record.

“[Walker] is very involved in local council now, so I’m sure he doesn’t care about this as a record at all,” Willis said. “Besides, he had the real mile world record [from 1975 to 1979].”

Willis’s longevity in the sport is unexpected. Over the years, he’s faced four surgeries, five stress fractures, pulled muscles, strained tendons, and countless minor injuries that have caused him moments of doubt.

He credits his coach, Ron Warhurst—also the head coach at the University of Michigan—and his wife, Sierra, for sticking with him through the highest and lowest times during his nearly two decades of competition.

“A lot of times, I would’ve walked away from the sport satisfied with what I achieved and they always thought there was more left in the tank,” Willis said. “What I did on Tuesday night was not without the unwavering support of them encouraging me. They are the ones who deserve the recognition.

As Willis has gotten older, he says the moments of motivation waver more than before. His motivation was at 90 percent most of the time in his younger years. As it has become tougher to compete with age, he says that number starts to waver toward 80 or 70.

“Tuesday was the first time I felt a lot of satisfaction crossing the line in the last few years,” he said. “I’ve felt frustrated because it doesn’t come as easy as it used to. Someone who finishes strong with a kick is what I’m known for and it’s been a struggle with why I can’t do that. I’m holding myself to unfair expectations. At 37, I can take a step back and look at it with a more relative perspective. Four minutes was the goal. I’m not a 3:50 miler anymore.”

The day after his record, Willis did what many great champions do and went to Disney World with Sierra and their two sons. He’ll be there for seven days while also squeezing in another race—an 800—on January 22. He has five races on tap in the coming weeks.

Because of the pandemic, he’s not sure how many races, especially indoor track races, will happen. However, he is hopeful to compete this winter, to make another New Zealand Olympic team, and to compete in some of the newly-formed Pro Track Series events this year. He also said he plans to ski and skateboard more.

As for his sub-4 streak, he’s not totally sure yet if it’ll continue.

“It seems like a crime to stop at 19,” Willis said. “I have a lot of other things these days. I’m working with Tracksmith now which has been a transition from just a pro running career to a corporate role. But if everything lines up, and I can still have some ski trips out west, I’ll definitely give it a shot.”

Jim Walmsley Shatters the 100K American Record, But Misses the World Record by 11 Seconds

The king of Western States came so close at the Project Carbon X 2 race.

After more than six hours of running, Jim Walmsley crossed the finish line 11 seconds short of his ultimate goal—the world record in the 100K. 

At the Hoka Project Carbon X 2 100K race on January 23, held in Chandler, Arizona, Walmsley ran 6:09:25, shattering the American record of 6:27:44, set by Max King in 2014. But the world record (6:09:14, set by Nao Kazami in 2018) continues to elude him.

“Definitely feels like one of the more special runs I’ve had,” Walmsley said, in his post-race interview. “Really felt like I got everything out of myself today, dug real deep, and fought all the way to the line. I don’t feel like I gave up, but it was tough to see the seconds tick by. It’s a little bittersweet, but definitely awarded with an American record today, and those don’t come very often. I don’t get to do things like this in my home state very often, so it’s extremely positive. A 45-minute PR. It was a pretty amazing day.”

Nineteen men and women were chasing national and world records in the 100K distance in Saturday’s race. Walsmley was the men’s favorite to set both the world record and the American record, while Camille Herron was favored for the women. Herron was forced to drop out of the women’s race with a hip injury.

Walmsley started the race in a pack with five other runners, running conservatively to keep his legs fresh. But the other four runners faded behind him, leaving Walmsley to chase the record alone. His pacing picked up over the final 30K, as he raced the clock with everything he had.

Around the 3:30 mark in the race, Walmsley clipped his left shoulder on a course sign, and he was visibly bleeding for the next two and a half hours. At water stops, he’d fuel and treat his wound as best he could while keeping his stride.

The race came down to the final 10K, as Walmsley needed to run 37:58 or faster over the final miles. Those watching the race on the live stream could see the fatigue and pain set in over that final stretch. He let out a loud “C’mon, Jim” scream with a little more than 5K to go, fighting the clock with everything he had.

As he entered the drag strip to the finish, he had just over a minute to cover the final hundreds of meters. He got on his toes, repeatedly checked his watch, and ran as hard as he could to beat the clock that was now in his sights. Ultimately, he watched the clock tick past 6:09:14, finishing 11 seconds later. 

“We’ll have to try it again,” Walmsley said in his post-race interview. “We’re in the right ballpark and on the right track and we have a shoe to compete with this and we’re knocking on the door. I don’t think I’m done with the 100K. Fortunately, unfortunately, there’s likely another one down the road.”

The remainder of Walmsley’s year is uncertain, because of the pandemic. He told Runner’s World before the race that he’s looking at first are the Comrades Marathon and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. In the near future, he’s hoping to do the Black Canyon 100K three weeks from this weekend on February 13.

The Flagstaff, Arizona, native wasn’t the only runner with a notable day out on the course. Rajpaul Pannu took second in the men’s 100K in his first-ever attempt at the distance. Pannu is a math teacher in addition to being a pro runner who finished 63rd at the Olympic Marathon Trials in February 2020. 

In the women’s race, the United Kingdom’s Carla Molinaro and the United States’s Camille Herron led for the first half of the race before France’s Audrey Tanguy slowly made her way past both runners early in the second half of the race. After that, Herron was forced to drop out after six of nine laps due to a hip injury. 

Tanguy, the reigning and two-time champion of the Ultra-Trail Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS), captured the lead and ran away with the race for the win in 7:40:35, unofficially.

American Nicole Monette did move close to Tanguy late in the race and took second, finishing less than three minutes behind the winner. 

Dina Asher-Smith back on track and could go to European Indoor Champs

Dina Asher-Smith will return to competition next week for the first time since becoming world 200 meters champion more than a year ago.

On the day the British Indoor Athletics Championships were cancelled for the first time since 1961, the nation's fastest ever woman was confirmed for the Gold Series meet in the German city of Karlsruhe.

Asher-Smith will contest her first 60m for three years on Friday in a race also featuring Poland's European indoor champion Ewa Swoboda.

Pandemic-permitting she will then move on to Dusseldorf and another indoor race two days later.

Given the limited opportunities for competition ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, Asher-Smith could even take part in the European Indoor Championships in Poland on the first weekend of March. Her management have not ruled out the possibility.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese government have categorically denied a report that this summer's Olympics and Paralympics are to be cancelled.

“This is exhausting,” Paralympic star Stef Reid said in response to the ever-changing speculation.

Five-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft agreed: “This is our livelihoods being played with.

"We’re all aware there’s a chance the Games might not go ahead, but until an official decision is announced, please leave us to work and dream!”

Molly Seidel and Aisha Praught-Leer have signed with Puma

Two U.S. athletes recently announced they have signed sponsorship agreements with Puma heading into the 2021 Olympics: Olympic Marathon Trials second-place finisher Molly Seidel and Olympian and 2018 Commonwealth Games steeplechase gold medallist Aisha Praught-Leer.

Seidel surprised everyone with a second-place  finish in her debut marathon at the Olympic Marathon Trials last February. She completed the race a time of 2:27:31, earning her a spot Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics. The following October, she lowered her PB during the elite-only London Marathon, finishing in sixth place in a time of 2:25:13.

After her first sponsorship deal as a professional athlete with Saucony came to an end, she officially announced on January 22 via Instagram that she has signed a new contract with Puma. This new sponsorship comes on the heels of a fantastic year for the Turkey-Trotting runner, and should the Olympics go forward as planned, we look forward to seeing what Seidel can do.

Jamaican-American Praught-Leer competed for Jamaica in the steeplechase at the 2016 Olympics, won gold in the event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and holds the national record at the distance. She had been sponsored by Under Armour since 2017 but announced via Instagram on January 1 that her partnership with the company had come to an end.

Since that day, runnin fans everywhere waited to see where she would be going next, and on January 18 she made the official announcement that she would be partnering with Puma for the next few years. She and Seidel will be joining other notable Puma-sponsored athletes, including Canadian sprinter Andre Degrasse, two-time world record-setter in the 100 metres Asafa Powell and of course nine-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt.

Jim Walmsley, Hayden Hawks Going for 100-km World Record at Project Carbon X 2 in Arizona

A group of top ultra runners will gather in Chandler, Ariz., with hopes of breaking the World Athletics records for 100 kilometers on the road. The event, called Project Carbon X 2 and staged by Hoka One One for the benefit of their athletes, will start and finish at the Wild Horse Pass Motor Sports Park and will use some of the same roads as The Marathon Project which was held with great success last month.

“I’m incredibly excited,” said Hoke One One president Wendy Yang on a video conference today with reporters. “Also feel super fortunate that the team was able to bring this event together.”

The pandemic has meant dramatically fewer competitive opportunities for road running athletes, especially ultra runners who specialize in distances longer than the standard marathon distance of 42.195 km, or 26.2 miles. However, since most ultra runners train alone or in very small groups, the pandemic has given them a chance to put in long blocks of uninterrupted, COVID-safe training and improve their strength and fitness. Tomorrow’s race will offer them a chance to show off their work.

We wanted to give our athletes the chance to compete,” Yang continued. “We felt like our athletes really needed this chance.”

The top targets for tomorrow’s race are the ratified World Athletics 100-K records of 6:33:11 for women, set by Japan’s Tomoe Abe in 2000, and 6:09:14 for men, set by Japan’s Nao Kazami in 2018. Both records were set at the same event, the Lake Saroma 100-K in Hokkaido, Japan. The women’s record works out to a pace of 3:56 per kilometer, which means running two 2:46 marathons back-to-back plus another 15.6 kilometers at the same pace. The men’s record pace of 3:42 per kilometer translates to running back-to-back 2:36 marathons plus the extra distance.

“You never know what can happen in an ultramarathon,” said Hayden Hawks one of the top contenders in the men’s division. Hawks smashed the course record at the venerable JFK 50 Mile (80.5 km) in Maryland last November, clocking 5:18:40. His pace at that event, which included rugged trails and some steep climbs and descents, worked out to 3:58 per kilometer. He said he’s been practicing on flat, loop courses to simulate the conditions in Arizona, and that with his strength and mental toughness he has a chance at the record.

“My greatest strength is probably just my stubbornness,” Hawks said. He added: “I feel like I have this mental strength to push through a lot of pain.”

Hawks’s main rival tomorrow will be ultra star Jim Walmsley, the man whose record he broke at the JFK race. Walmsley is best known as a trail runner, and is the course record holder for the impossibly difficult Western States 100-Miler in Auburn, Calif., where he ran 14:09:28 in 2019 (he also won in 2018). Walmsley already holds the world best for 50 miles on the road of 4:50:08. Using the popular Riegel Formula, that’s equivalent to 6:05:51 for 100-K, comfortably under the 100-K world record by more than three minutes.

Note: Walmsley was on the LetsRun.com Track Talk Podcast this week where he talked about his 100-k world record attempt, his big plans for 2021 and his cancelled 2020. Highlights here.

“I’m really looking forward to improving on my past performances in the 100-K,” Walmsley said today, admitting that he hasn’t yet perfected his approach to that distance yet. He continued: “I think I’m bringing a more mature approach of being more patient.”

If they don’t eclipse the world record, both men could surpass Max King’s USA record of 6:27:44 set in 2014.

On the women’s side, Camille Herron is the top entrant, and she rated her fitness at “80 to 85 percent.” Like Hawks, the holder of the world best for 24 hours on both the road and the track recently won the JFK 50-Miler. She played down the possibility of getting the world record, but said she was in about the same shape as when she won the famed Comrades Marathon in South Africa in 2017 over a distance of 86.73 kilometers. She allowed that a personal best (sub-7:08:35) was possible, despite only doing a six-week build-up.

“I’m definitely confident in my fitness,” said Herron who recently switched sponsors from Nike to Hoka One One and who will be doing her first race in Hoka shoes. She added: “I’m getting fitter every week. I have a pretty good idea of what I’m capable of.”

Also competing in the women’s division is Irish Olympic marathoner Caitriona Jennings, 40, who will be making her 100-K debut. Jennings will be taking a cautious approach to the race because she is 12 weeks pregnant. She said that there will be plenty of ice and fluids available on the course so that she can keep her core temperature in check.

“It wasn’t a decision I took lightly,” she said emphasizing that she had consulted with her doctor before agreeing to compete. She added: “I think (the water and ice on the course) will help with hydration and keep my temperature down.”

The athletes will start and finish on the race track, and will run about nine laps of an 11-kilometer circuit (Walmsley estimated that each full lap would take him about 41 minutes). The course was measured by two World Athletics “A” measurers, Joe Galope and Jay Wright (an “A” measurer must be used in order for a course to be eligible for a World Athletics record). The event will have in-competition drug testing done by the USA Anti-Doping Agency, also a requirement for setting a world record.

All of the competitors will be wearing the new Hoka One One Carbon X 2 shoe. Colin Ingram, Hoka’s director of product, called the new shoe “one of our sharpest tools in the box.” He explained that the shoe had been improved over its predecessor by incorporating “swallow tail construction” to improve deceleration on the foot strike, and lowering the carbon plate to get it closer to the ground.

“It allows for a more natural gait,” Ingram said.

While Hoka One One has not disclosed the cost of the event, it is significant, especially making it as safe as possible from the coronavirus. Mike McManus, Hoka’s director of global marketing, said that every athlete had at least three antigen PCR tests in the last week, and that masks and social distancing were required at all times except when the athletes are on the course. An industry insider contacted by Race Results Weekly estimated the cost of COVID mitigation for the event was around $60,000.

“It’s been a huge challenge for us to make this event happen in a very safe way,” McManus said.

The race will be streamed live and free at hokaoneone.com beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

2021 Edinburgh Marathon, organizers remain optimistic event can go ahead in May

Edinburgh Marathon Festival organizers remain optimistic the events can go ahead as planned in May despite the coronavirus crisis.

Those who have signed up to participate were issued an update this week which said that all being well the festival will take place as planned on May 29 and 30.

Scheduled for the weekend is the full 26.2-mile marathon, the EMF half marathon, relay race, 10k, 5k, junior 5k, junior 2k, junior 1.5k and kids' kilometre.

Entrants were told that a number of measures have already been implemented to allow the event to take place should it be permitted.

As well as an increase in hygiene stations, organisers say there will be a 50 per cent reduction in participant activity to allow for social distancing, and personalised information packs giving detailed guidance which must be followed by those taking part.

Should Covid-19 scupper the festival then virtual events will take place across the weekend instead and participants will be given a voucher for a percentage of their entry fee which can be used towards other events up until 31 December. They'll also be given the option of deferring to the 22 event if they don not wish to take part virtually.

Regular updates will be given to runners in the coming weeks, and a final decision will be made by the first week of March.

Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday that there were reasons to be cautiously optimistic in the ongoing battle against Covid-19.

She said: "Our figures suggest that the lockdown is starting to work. This is the first day in a long time that test positivity has been as low as 6.9 per cent. Under 7 per cent.

"So we are starting to see some cautious grounds for optimism that what we are doing right now is working. But we can’t be complacent about that against a virus that has learned to transmit more quickly."

However the First Minister did warn we perhaps shouldn't expect to see any large-scale events taking place across the country this summer.

Winter Running Tips from Some of the Coldest Places on Earth

Winter has fully arrived, filling many runners with dread. Slick roads, stingy daylight, numb extremities, ungodly treadmill miles: I know I'm not the only one who contemplates a move to the tropics at least once a year.

But like most things that are hard, there's a lot to be gained from training in tough conditions. There are also ways to get fit, stay healthy, and maintain motivation, even in the harshest of climates. To learn how to embrace the season, we sought advice from the experts; elite runners from Minnesota, North Dakota, Switzerland, and Finland.

Here are their best tips for making it through the winter strong and primed for a fast year ahead.

Invest in Good Gear

Proper gear is essential come winter, and each runner has his or her sworn-by ensemble. Swiss steeplechaser Astrid Leutert keeps it simple. Her getup includes a headband, gloves ("a must!"), a running light, long sleeves. and running tights. Antii-Pekka Niinist, who trains in Paavo Nurmi's hometown of Turku, Finland, adds ankle warmers, a mask on extreme days (below -5F), and studded running shoes when the roads are slippery.

For long distance runner Maddie Van Beek out of Fargo, North Dakota, a good windproof jacket is critical; when combined with thermal tights and a wool base layer, she can get through almost anything. A thermal vest on top of her jacket helps keep her core warm too. And Saint Paul, Minnesota-based miler Heather Kampf stays toasty with wool socks, warm mittens with wind block and "a nice snot-wipe spot," plus a hat or balaclava.

Though it can be hard to imagine, Van Beek and Kampf warn that overdressing is possible. As a rule of thumb, Kampf advises runners to wear enough layers that they're a little cold for the first half mile or so, but not so much that when they get warm they overheat. "You don't need to feel like the Abominable snowman or Randy from A Christmas Story before heading out to run," echoes Van Beek.

Those who grew up in cold climates - like PodiumRunner editor Jonathan Beverly from Maine - often use the "20-degree rule." Add 20 degrees to the current temperature, then wear the level of clothes on your run that you would put on if sitting outside at that temperature. For example, if it is 40F out, dress like you would while watching a football game at 60F

Try to Make it (Cautiously) Social

Winter training can be gloomy, lonely, and monotonous; and training partners are usually clutch. Leutert, who balances running with full-time work as a pharmacist, tries to run with friends or a running club as much as possible. She also finds group spin classes to be motivational, fun, and a nice change of pace.

Kampf encourages runners to find friends to get out there and suffer with. Misery loves company, after all - and so does the surprise moments of magic. She also credits her husband Ben - who logs at least 10 miles a day outside, polar vortex and all - with getting her out the door into the Minnesota winter. "There's no such thing as bad weather, just weak people," Ben chimes in.

Obviously, social winter running has become more of a challenge in the winter of 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic. But there are still ways you can connect with others during your run so long as you take precautions. You could Facetime someone and "virtually run" together on a treadmill. Or, you could mask up and run with one or two friends while keeping a safe distance.

Warm Up Strategically

Getting your body warm and ready to go can be tricky in extreme conditions. The best approach is also highly individual. Van Beek is religious about doing her prehab exercises indoors before venturing out into the North Dakota tundra, and she's also not afraid to start off with a super slow first mile. Niinist, who does most of his training outside, knows he needs extra time to warm up too.

Kampf, on the other hand, takes the opposite approach. After a standard warmup jog, she does less stretching, drills, and strides than when it's warm outside, knowing how quickly her body gets cold and digits lose feeling. "Better just to start slowly for the beginning of the workout and warm into it as you go," she believes.Don't Stress About Pace

If ever there was a time to detach from your watch, winter is it. Van Beek purposefully ignores her pace on runs when the surface is dicey or conditions brutal. "The effort is often much higher than what my watch shows," she says. So rather than letting unhelpful metrics dictate her run, she tunes into her body and practices running by feel.Kampf, too, finds the positive in winter's forced slowdown. "Tough weather forces us to take our time, patiently plodding through base training and longer workouts without getting ahead of ourselves," she says. As a result, she's able to avoid injury and overtraining more easily than runners who train hard year-round in more moderate climates.

Appreciate the Beauty

It's easy to lose sight of your surroundings when all you can think of is how cold you are, how hard you're working and how many layers you'll soon have to wash. But it's called a winter wonderland for a reason. Wherever you are, soak it up!

Niinist, who trains in way tougher conditions than most of us ever will, still recognizes that "Finland is really beautiful in winter months," going so far to call Lapland - further north than Turku, with almost no sunlight - "magical."

Van Beek is also energized by her surroundings: Frosty trees, fresh snow, and the occasional deer or other animal. She also finds the winter conditions calming: "Seeing your breath and hearing your footsteps in the snow - nothing else - can be a good reminder of why I'm out training in the first place."

Embrace the Mental Benefits

When mile after mile in the cold makes it hard to appreciate the magic of the winter wonderland, remind yourself that it certainly is character building. All four of the athletes I spoke with cited mental toughness as both motivation and reward.

Niinist, who does most of his workouts in the dark thanks to Finland's position on the globe, has trained himself to keep a positive attitude, knowing that he's getting stronger every time he steps out the door. Leutert similarly believes that "it's all about the mindset," and focuses on the toughness she's building, along with the increased energy and productivity she'll feel for the rest of the day.

Thanks to Fargo's extreme weather fluctuations, Van Beek gains confidence from having trained through just about every weather condition imaginable. She reminds herself that when she races in good weather, she'll be ready. And when she races in bad weather, she'll be even more ready!

Likewise, Kampf says, "I can't even say how many days I finish a workout and think, 'Wow, I can't believe I did that out there. If I can run that in terrible conditions, just imagine how good it's going to feel to run free - unencumbered by so many layers, bad footing, wind gusts, and more.'"

As a Last Resort: Take Advantage of Treadmills

All four runners rely on treadmills to some degree. Some, like Kampf, use them as a last resort, either when the footing is bad or when temperatures plunge below -10 Fahrenheit (meaning the wind-chill feel is around -25-30F). Others, like Leutert, prefer a blend, running many morning runs and workouts on treadmills, heading outside when conditions allow, and incorporating some cross-training to keep things interesting.

And a smaller subset of runners, Van Beek included, does the majority of its winter training on a treadmill. "It's been one of my most important training tools," she says, having run every speed workout leading up to her debut marathon on one. To get through long grinds in one place, Van Beek curates "a dope playlist," cranks it up, and stares at the wall, knowing that the mental training will pay dividends in races to come.

Stroke survivor: 'running saved my life

When you’re in the middle of a tough training block or trudging through seemingly endless miles in the dead of winter, it’s easy to forget what a privilege it is to be able to go out and run. It’s not until that privilege is taken away from you that you appreciate it for its full value. This is the lesson Perry Cook learned when, after a massive stroke, he was not only unable to run, but he couldn’t walk, talk or speak. This is his story.

Prior to his stroke, the 55-year-old Vancouver resident was an avid runner and all-around fitness lover. He completed three half-marathons in 2018 and also enjoyed activities like speed skating, hiking and cycling. He had been planning on running several other races in 2019, including his first marathon. During a trip to California, his entire life changed, when, on November 5, 2019, Cook suffered a massive stroke that left the entire right side of his body paralyzed.

Cook was admitted to a hospital in California, where his blood pressure was found to be 225/120. The doctors told him had that number reached 230/120, he certainly would have died. He spent the next three weeks at the hospital in California before he was transferred to the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver. There, he spent the next three months recovering and re-learning how to do basic tasks like walking and talking.

The first time Cook tried walking, he needed two people to hold him up. He persevered, and in early February 2020, he finally went for his first run. It was only 10 metres, but it was a start. The following November on the anniversary of his stroke, he completed his first 10K run. It was slow and brutal, but he was determined. Today, he runs 10K every two days, and he has even worked his way to running up to 15K one day per week

“Doesn’t matter the weather. Rain, shine — who cares?” he said. “I can barely tie my shoes up but running gets me out there no matter what the weather is, and I am alive.”

While Cook is far better than he was a year ago, his recovery process is ongoing, and the lingering effects of what he calls his “California Accident” creates unique challenges when he’s running. He has to focus intently on how his body is moving, his posture and on keeping his right arm in the correct running position. This makes his runs exhausting for both his body and his brain.

“When I run, physically and mentally I’m done after,” he explained, “because I have to make sure my form is good, make sure my arm heals, my shoulder heals.”

Cook has big plans for the future, including finally running that marathon he was going to do back in 2019. When asked if he feels he’ll be ready for it, he just laughs.

“What’s the worst that could happen? I could die? I already almost did.”

When Cook had his stroke, the doctors told him that it was his running and previous fitness level that saved his life. Since then, he says he is throwing himself into the “stroke and running concept,” and wants to encourage other stroke victims to get out and walk or run. He is part of a support group called Young Stroke Survivors, in which he meets on Zoom with 30 other stroke sufferers from across Canada, and he is planning on volunteering with the Stroke Recovery Association of Britsh Columbia

Are you experiencing a COVID-related injury?

For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily routines dramatically. Instead of heading into the office, we’re working from home. Rather than running with friends, we’re logging all our miles solo. Without gyms to go to, we’re trying to work out in our houses and apartments. These lifestyle changes are starting to show up in our bodies, and physiotherapists are beginning to see these changes reflected in the types of injuries showing up in their clinics. We spoke with Lindsay Scott, runner and physiotherapist at the Runner’s Academy in Toronto, to find out what types of COVID-related injuries runners are experiencing, and what they should do to avoid them.

Scott explains that many of us are spending hours huddling over computers, working from couches or beds and losing the small amounts of daily movement that come with leaving the house. Coupled with a sudden change in access to gym facilities, these lifestyle changes initially caused things like headaches, neck and jaw pain and lower back pain.

She says they’re now seeing two trends: beginner runners or those who have increased their mileage significantly, and runners who are just simply burnt out. Runners in the first group have increased the demand on their bodies faster than they can adapt, and this is leading to an increase in complaints like shin splints and patella-femoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee)

For runners in the second group, burnout can translate into all kinds of injuries, including bone stress injuries, pain in the SI joint area, plantar fasciitis, Achilles issues and the return of previous injuries. Scott says one reason for this is because stress of all kinds can increase our risk for injury.

“Any stress, whether it’s physical, mental or emotional, will play into our resilience on therun,” she says. 

Additionally, she says that without any races on the calendar this past year, many runners didn’t take any downtime or plan to have a recovery season the way they would after a race. It is not possible to be at peak fitness all year, and it isn’t sustainable to continue to train without taking a period of intentional rest. The issue, of course, is that many of us use running as a way to relieve stress, and so taking time off during such a difficult time doesn’t seem all that appealing.

"As we use running as a coping strategy, an anchor in our daily routine, and a reason to leave the house for some fresh air, we’re seeing the effects of insufficient recovery in the form of more injuries,” Scott says

Scott uses the visual of a hurricane to explain the factors that contribute to injury: at any given time, you have a number of factors swirling around that are contributing to your health (like good technique, good coping mechanisms and a supportive environment) and factors swirling around that are detracting from it (like poor mobility, stress, fatigue or unhealthy ideas about training). Every day, the pull of a given factor may be more or less than the previous day.

“In the event that the factors that drive you towards injury begin to outweigh the healthy factors, you move closer and closer to a tipping point, at which point, you begin to experience symptoms,” she explains. “So while it may seem as though something as simple as neglecting your post-run routine after that last workout created symptoms, the reality is that you had likely been building towards that tipping point and that one change was simply the final straw.

If you’re experiencing pain that lasts more than a few runs, or that seems to be getting worse, Scott recommends seeking out a physiotherapist or other healthcare professional, particularly one who has experience with runners. Even during the lockdown, many healthcare practitioners have been deemed essential and remain open to support runners. She adds that virtual care is also an excellent option for those who can’t or don’t feel comfortable with an in-person appointment, and can still produce similar results as face-to-face care

Scott’s guidelines for running during COVID-19

First, Scott advises runners to adjust their expectations around running based on the positive and negative factors that contribute to their ability to tolerate the demands of running. If your stress levels are rising and you feel the need to head out for a run, first check to make sure that it is the right thing for your body. Second, she reminds runners to give their bodies plenty of time to recover and to build up mileage and intensity gradually.

Scott also advises runners to think about what it looks and feels like when they’re running through fatigue, and to be aware of those signs of overtraining and burnout. You should also keep up with a regular mobility practice and strength training program to keep your body moving well. She says this is also useful as an early indicator if something isn’t moving well long before symptoms develop.

Finally, if you’re someone who tends to get competitive with others or yourself, Scott suggests muting or turning off tools like Strava or the ‘productivity’ feature on your Garmin

“Clinically, I see many runners who ignore warning signs from their body in order to keep up with these often arbitrary indicators of success on the run. Both of those tools can have immense value to runners in certain circumstances, but they can also push you to enter dangerous territory if you lose sight of the need to listen to your body.”

During already stressful times, the last thing you want is to add an additional stressor into your life in the form of an injury. Listening to your body, backing off the volume or intensity when necessary and taking a few days off if you need them will ensure that running can continue to add something positive into your daily life

Japanese officials deny as categorically untrue, report Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled

 Japanese officials on Friday vehemently denied a newspaper report suggesting that the Olympic Games, due to be held in the country this summer, could be cancelled.

The Tokyo Olympics originally planned for 2020 were delayed 10 months ago following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The local Olympics organizing committee said in a statement that the games would go forward as planned and had the support of Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Another statement from the Cabinet Secretariat on behalf of Japan's government also dismissed the report.

"Some news reports circulating today are claiming that the Government of Japan has privately concluded that the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will have to be cancelled. This is categorically untrue," the statement said.

Adding that all involved, including the Swiss-based International Olympic Committee (IOC), were "working together to prepare for the successful Games this summer" and would "implement all possible countermeasures against Covid-19."

The denials come after a British newspaper, The Times of London, citing an anonymous source that it said was a member of the ruling government coalition, reported that the games could be cancelled. It also said the government was seeking a way to announce the cancellation amid efforts to ensure Tokyo as a future host.

Manabu Sakai Japan's deputy chief cabinet secretary and an ally of the prime minister also shot down the story. "There is absolutely no truth to this report," he told press on Friday.

While Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike went further, calling for possible action against the newspaper.

"I don't even know how this is being reported or how this information was obtained. In fact, I think we should lodge a complaint. That is how I feel," she said during her regular news conference Friday.

Mo Farah set to defend Antrim Coast crown as Half Marathon granted elite world status

Sir Mo Farah will be back to defend his Antrim Coast Half Marathon title - that is the bold prediction of elite race organiser James McIlroy after the contest was granted elite world status.

Former Olympian McIlroy is confident the four-time Olympic gold medallist will return for another crack at the title he won in stunning style last September - hopefully with gold No.5 in his back pocket if the Tokyo Games go ahead.

"Fingers crossed Mo will be back this year. The 2021 race really will be amazing when you think we will have the best runners in the world running on one of the most beautiful roads in the world while also welcoming the masses back, who not only will get to race with some of their heroes returning from the Tokyo Olympics but, due to the out and back nature of the course, they'll also get a great view of the elite race - which we hope will be a record-breaking race like last year," said McIlroy, close friends with Sir Mo - who is coached by Larne man Gary Lough - since their time together in Team GB.

"We also should be in a position to welcome the American and African competitors confirmed for last year's race but who unfortunately, due to restrictions, were unable to travel."

The race is the first in Ireland to be elevated to the prestigious series of IAAF Road Race Label events, and only the third in the UK - joining the London Marathon and Cardiff Half Marathon.

The Antrim Coast Half Marathon now sits alongside events in Barcelona, Rio, Houston, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Seville, Valencia, Dubai, Istanbul, Naples and Shanghai on the prestigious roster. The IAAF have already indicated they will be sending a delegate to the race.

Sir Mo won the first ever Antrim Coast Half

Marathon - a revamped version of the long-running and highly-successful Larne Half Marathon - in a time of one hour and 27 seconds, while Lily Partridge took the women's race in 71.36, both all-comers records.

Larne man McIlroy is sure the race will be the first ever sub-60-minute men's and sub-70 women's half marathon in Ireland.

The event, which starts and finishes in Larne, had been scheduled to take place last March but due to the pandemic was postponed until September - with no mass participation race and spectators urged to stay away due to Covid - and this year's showdown will take place on August 29. Around 10,000 runners are expected to take part.

2021 British Athletics Indoor Championships cancelled due to the pandemic

The British Athletics Indoor Championships due to be staged in Glasgow next month has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The competition was the qualification event for the European Indoor Championships, which is scheduled to be held in Torun, Poland, from March 5-7.

British Athletics says smaller Covid-19-compliant event qualification opportunities for the European Championships are now being explored.

Confirming the cancellation of the February 20-21 event at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena, a British Athletics statement read: “The decision was taken in light of the ongoing pandemic to ensure the safety of all those due to participate; athletes, coaches, technical officials, volunteers, event and venue staff as well as protecting the Glasgow community.

“At the present time, the process of testing all those attending the Championships from across the UK, seen as an essential measure, would not sufficiently mitigate the risks.

“British Athletics recognises our wider social responsibility to reduce Covid-19 transmission and to not overburden the NHS.

“Whilst elite sport has been granted the privilege of an exemption to enable training and competition to continue, the logistics of safely staging a national championships comprising approximately 500+ attendees based across the UK and overseas need to be balanced with the risks to those involved, the local community, and the current medical climate.”

On selection for the European Indoor Championships, the statement added: “British Athletics acknowledges that the cohort of athletes vying for GB & NI team selection will need competition to enable qualification.

“Therefore, alternative provision that enables smaller, COVID-19-compliant event qualification opportunities is being explored and will be confirmed to eligible athletes by British Athletics in due course.”

2021 Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon will be cancelled for a second year in a row due to the pandemic

The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon will be canceled for a second year in a row due to the pandemic, but stay tuned for a possible running event in September.

Committee members were notified Wednesday morning that the marathon event set to take place April 29-May 1 is off due to the current state of the pandemic.

“Nobody will be surprised by that,” said Co-Director Jan Seeley.

Up next is exploring what kind of event may be possible for Sept. 9-11, she said.

Seeley said the University of Illinois and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics calendars are clear for a new running event for those three days. The football team is scheduled to play at Virginia on Sept. 11, creating an opening at Memorial Stadium, which has served as the finish line for past marathons.

“Obviously, we couldn’t have any kind of running event in town if there is a football game going on,” she said.

Registration for the 2021 marathon had gotten underway in June, and by the time it was paused in September, 5,600 participants had already signed up, Seeley said.

What a possible September 2021 running event would look like isn’t clear at this point, Seeley said, but organizers are excited about the opportunity to expand race offerings.

“We are not saying that the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon is going to happen Sept. 9, 10 and 11, but we have been given those dates to explore for doing some kind of event,” she said.

With COVID-19 vaccinations well underway and the potential for herd immunity in the community, Seeley said, “we would want to put on what is possible.”

The 2019 marathon event drew about 14,000 participants, Seeley said.

That was down from the former average 16,000 to 17,000 participants per marathon as the running boom has leveled off and more races have been added, “so all of the races have seen their numbers drop over the years,” Seeley said.

Illinois Marathon organizers plan to give another update for a 2021 event no later than April 1, she said.

What’s possible for a fall running event will continue to depend on the state of the pandemic and what the state permits for the 21-county Region 6, which includes Champaign, Douglas, Ford, Piatt and Vermilion counties.

The region has moved down from more restrictive Tier 3 COVID-19 mitigation restrictions to Tier 1 and could potentially move down another notch in restrictions, to Phase 4 reopening under the Restore Illinois plan, as soon as Friday.

Under Phase 4, 5K and 10K races would be permitted, but the 50-person gathering limit would apply along with required staggered start times and different locations for finish points.

The state and/or individual regions won’t be in full reopening mode until the final Phase 5.

Irish Olympic marathon runner Jerry Kiernan passed away at the age of 67

Irish athletics and the wider sporting community has been deeply saddened by the death of Jerry Kiernan, the 1984 Olympian and two-time winner of the Dublin marathon, who also coached several Irish champions in more recent years.

Kiernan was aged 67 and had been unwell in recent months. A native of Listowel in Kerry, he lived most of his adult life in Dublin, where he died on Wednesday night.

Among his many lasting achievements in athletics was winning the Dublin marathon, first in 1982, which the curly-haired Kiernan completed near solo in a cracking 2:13.45 and which for years after stood as the course record, and winning again 10 years later in 1992.

He also finished ninth in the 1984 Olympic marathon in Los Angeles, considered one of the best marathon fields ever assembled, the spotlight on that fine achievement naturally taken away by John Treacy’s silver medal-winning run. Kiernan ran his lifetime marathon best of 2:12.20 in early 1984.

A former Irish record holder over 3,000 metres on the track and 10 miles on the road, Kiernan also became the 10th Irish athlete to run a sub-four minute mile when he ran 3:59.12 in June of 1976.

A lifelong member of Clonliffe Harriers AC, and a retired national school teacher, in recent years he coached the likes of Joe Sweeney, Maria McCambridge, Ciara Mageean and John Travers to national titles on the track and in cross-country, staging regular training groups around the UCD campus. He was also a straight-talking panel member of RTÉ’s athletics television coverage.

In all, Kiernan represented Ireland 17 times between 1975 and 1993, including seven times in world cross-country championships, and won five Irish titles, from the 1,500m to the marathon, and also national inter-club and inter-county cross-country titles.

London Marathon is planning for 100,000 people to take part in its 2021 event, split between mass race runners and virtual participants

Virgin Money London Marathon hopes to host a record 50,000 runners on the traditional course and another 50,000 in a virtual event in October.

While last year’s event saw elite-only races take place in the UK capital as well as the inaugural virtual edition, organisers are hopeful that the action on October 3 can include a mass race featuring a record 50,000 participants on the traditional course from Blackheath to The Mall, an increase of more than 7000 on the previous finisher record.

A further 50,000 places will also be available in the second Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon, which will see participants take on 26.2 miles over the course of their choice between 00:00:00 and 23:59:59 on race day.

A total of 37,966 participants completed the 2020 virtual event and it has been awarded a Guinness World Records title for ‘most users to run a remote marathon in 24 hours’.

“With a national vaccination programme underway, we hope to see an unprecedented 100,000 people take part in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 3 October,” said event director Hugh Brasher.

“The London Marathon is a wonderful example of sport as a force for good while raising millions for charity. It’s all about communities and people coming together and one of our founding pillars is ‘to have fun and provide some happiness and a sense of achievement in a troubled world’.

“The world record-breaking success of the virtual event in 2020 and the incredible stories from participants across the globe showed how the world’s greatest marathon brought light and hope in the darkness of the pandemic. We want to offer that again and we have also accelerated the plans we have been working on for some years to increase the number of finishers on the streets of London to 50,000.

“People can run wherever they are in the world, they can run for charity, they can run for their mental or physical health or run for the sheer enjoyment of it – whatever the reason, they will be part of a unique day in the history of the London Marathon on Sunday 3 October.”

Also returning to the streets of the capital on October 3 is the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon alongside the Virtual Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon for primary schools nationwide. More than 110,000 schoolchildren took part in the first virtual event last year.

Ballot results for the 2021 London Marathon are set to be released on February 8. Unsuccessful applicants will then have an exclusive window to enter the virtual event.

General entries, costing from £28, will open on February 16 on a first-come, first served basis.

Antrim Coast Half Marathon has been added to World Athletics' Road Race Label series

This year's Antrim Coast Half Marathon added to World Athletics' series of Road Race Label Events.

Won last year by Sir Mo Farah, which will take place on August 29, it is the first time an Irish race has been included in the series.

It joins the London Marathon and the Cardiff Half Marathon as the UK's only three races on the global schedule.

Four-time Olympic champion Farah won in one hour and 27 seconds last year, with Lily Partridge the women's winner.

Farah headed the entry over a scenic course in and around Larne in last year's inaugural event which had to be confined to elite athletes because of the Covid-19 pandemic, .

Race organiser 2000 Sydney Olympian James McIlroy said this year's race promises to be an "amazing" event.

"We will have the best runners in the world running on one of the most beautiful roads in the world, whilst also welcoming the masses back," said the former 800m star.

"We also should be in a position to welcome the American and African competitors confirmed for last year's race but unfortunately due to restrictions were not able to travel."

Other cities to have a race on the Road Race Label Events calendar include Dubai, Tokyo, Istanbul, Barcelona, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

ACJ Peachtree Road Race Planned As Two Day, In-Person Event for 2021

What is usually the nation's largest 10-K with over 60,000 finishers, the AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta is planned as a smaller, two-day event for July 3 and 4, Atlanta Track Club (ATC) officials announced today. Safety is the top priority, officials said, not the size of the race.

"This year, the AJC Peachtree Road Race may not be the world's largest 10-K," said ATC executive director Rich Kenah through a media release. "Our top priority is for the Peachtree to be the world's safest 10-K."

That will be no small feat. Large, mass-participation running events like the Peachtree have all but shut down since the pandemic hit the United States in mid-March last year. All of the nation's biggest and most famous road races --the Boston Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Bolder Boulder 10-K, and TCS New York City Marathon, etc.-- were cancelled in 2020, or held as virtual events where participants ran on their own close to home.

In 2020 the Peachtree was first postponed from its traditional July 4, date to Thanksgiving Day, but was later cancelled as an in-person event and held virtually, instead.

To make the 2021 race possible, ATC officials will employ a wave start system, limit the size of the field, extend the amount of time runners can be on the course (to increase physical spacing), mandate face coverings both before and after competing, and use self-serve hydration stations to limit person-to-person contact. Runners who don't feel comfortable attending the race will also have the option to participate virtually.

"As planning continues, we will remain in constant communication with our medical team and the city of Atlanta to ensure all in attendance feel confident that their 4th of July celebration was both memorable and responsible," Kenah added.

A COVID-19 task force has been set up by the ATC and is led by Dr. Jonathan Kim, co-medical director of the race. The task force will regularly meet to assess current conditions and adjust event mitigation efforts, accordingly.

Also, the race will have an elite field this year with prize money for USA runners, only. There will also be an elite wheelchair race, one of the Peachtree's great traditions, supported by the Shepherd Center. The race will be broadcast live on Atlanta's NBC affiliate, WXIA-TV, 11Alive.

Registration for the event opens March 15, and will remain open until at least May 1. Runners may indicate whether they prefer to run on the 3rd (Saturday) or the 4th (Sunday).

Calum Neff ran faster than any other Canadian has over 50K, but Neff says he knows he can do better

Texas-based Canadian Calum Neff ran a 50K race in Houston over the weekend, posting a national record time of 2:51:27. He says he has had his eye on the Canadian record, which previously belonged to Andy Jones at 2:53:20 (a result that he ran at the same park in Houston where Neff ran on Sunday), for a couple of years.

After a failed record attempt in 2019, he had no trouble beating Jones’s time on Sunday, running to his first national record. 

Neff´s  previous 50K record attempt came at the 2019 50K world championships in Romania. “We unfortunately had a bit tougher of a course in Romania than I did in Houston,” Neff says. “There was some more elevation and it was very humid.” He fell well short of Jones’s record that day, although he managed to grab a 16th-place finish in a PB time of 2:57:58.

Even though Neff was four minutes off the record that day, he says he still believed it was within his reach.

Neff says his confidence grew even more after pacing Sara Hall at The Marathon Project in December. He helped Hall to a 2:20:32 finish (the second-fastest marathon ever run by an American) before crossing the line himself in 2:20:37, a PB of his own. “Having seen my marathon time come down, it all just lined up,” Neff says.

“After I paced Sara, I knew that day I could’ve gone another five miles and been under record pace.” 

while his felt as fit as ever, there was one glaring problem: Neff had nowhere to race. Refusing to let that stop him, he organized his own event, which was a new experience for him. “I’ve put on kids’ cross-country and track meets, but this was the first actual event I’ve race directed,” Neff says. Ensuring that the course was record eligible, he got it officially measured and certified by the USATF, and he was joined by about 20 other athletes (many of whom he coaches) on race day as well. 

The course followed a roughly 5K figure-eight loop that featured about one metre of elevation gain. “It was pancake flat and fast,” Neff says — much more ideal than the course in Romania. Feeling fit and ready to run, he says he was hoping to go a bit faster on Sunday, but he’s far from disappointed in his time. “I had targeted that sub-2:50 range, but I was just a little bit off my sharpness that I needed,” he says. “Still, I was able to take six minutes off my own PR and have one of those days.” 

After he crossed the line in record breaking, fashion, Neff stuck around to cheer on the other runners as they pushed for the tape. “As a coach to half of the athletes running, that was really special to have my finish happen then to turn around to watch my athletes finish.” Neff says several men he coaches ran under three hours for the first time, and multiple women ran times that qualified them for the American 50K team. “The U.S. mark is 3:33 for 50K. Two women went 3:19, one went 3:24 and another ran 3:25.”

He doesn’t have specific plans, and as much as he wants to race, he isn’t too eager to travel right now. With nothing set in stone, he says he does know that he wants to lower his record and break the 2:50 barrier in the 50K and run sub-2:20 in the marathon. “For now, I’ll just continue to focus on domestic races here in the U.S.,” he says. “Then play it by ear and see what opportunities come up in the future.” 

New Zealand´s Nick Willis made history on Tuesday night by breaking 4:00 in the mile for the 19th year in a row

Nick Willis Sets World Record by Breaking 4:00 in the Mile for 19th Straight Year.

Willis, 37, ran 3:58.63 to finish second behind Mason Ferlic (3:58.05) at the Orange Winter Classic #1 meet in Clermont, Fla., breaking a tie with fellow New Zealand legend John Walker, who broke 4:00 for 18 years in a row from 1973-90.

Willis broke 4:00 for the first time on February 8, 2003, at the Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Ind., when he was 19 years old, and has broken 4:00 every year since, with a personal best of 3:49.83 at age 31 in 2014. He has also earned two Olympic 1500m medals during that span — a silver in 2008 in Beijing, and a bronze in 2016 in Rio.

It’s also worth noting that Willis came close to starting his streak two years earlier, as he ran 4:01.32 as a 17-year-old in 2001 and 4:02.46 in 2002.

Just 300 runners will be allowed for 2021 Access Bank Lagos City marathon

To stay within the COVID-19 protocol globally, organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have decided to reduce the number of participants from its usual 100,000 runners to 300 for the 2021 edition, billed for February 13.

The event had over 50,000 runners at the first edition and 73,000 in the second. The number had since increased to 100,000 runners, but the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Company, Bukola Olopade, told The Guardian yesterday that the sixth edition holding on February 13 will only accommodate 300 runners.

But there seems to be lot of pleasure from foreign athletes, who want to use the silver label Access Bank Lagos City marathon to cement their qualification for other top long distance races across the globe.

Olopade hinted yesterday that of the 300 tickets available for the 2021 edition, foreign runners from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, United Kingdom and the United States of America would get 240 slots, while the remaining tickets will go to selected Nigerian professional runners and clubs.

“A lot of foreign athletes are mounting pleasure on us for tickets to enable them take part in this year’s edition. They want to use Access Bank Lagos City marathon to qualify for some other major marathon races across the world, but we cannot go more than the 300 number,” Olopade said. “We have gotten the approval from both Lagos State Sports Commission and Ministry of Health, and we must do it in accordance with the COVID-19 Protocol globally.”

Olopade, a former sports commissioner in Ogun State disclosed that only five journalists would be allowed to cover this year’s edition, just as he hinted yesterday that the 2021 Lagos City Marathon would be exclusive for the 42km race. “The 10km race and the wheelchair race won’t be part of this year’s edition. The health of the athletes and everyone who will attend the event is very important to us. The absence of the 10km race won’t take away the glamour of the event.”

Olopade also disclosed yesterday that apart from reducing the number of runners, they have also cut down on the number of personalities to be invited for the ceremony. “We won’t have more then 60 guests at the finish point, and everyone must wear nose mask and stay some meters away from one another. He commended Lagos State Government, particularly the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, for his support.

“Lagos State has become a sports tourist attraction because of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, so we are always happy to support and make sure that the Marathon happens and get better every year,” Olopade stated.

Joseph Gray, Lee Troop and many more will be inducted into the Colorado Running Half of Fame

Joseph Gray, Lee Troop, Deborah Conley, Lyndon Ellefson, Alan Lind, and Peter de la Cerda will be inducted into the Colorado Running Half of Fame. The Colorado Running Hall of Fame recognizes Coloradans for remarkable achievement and influence on the sport of distance running.  Each year nominees are accepted, and in January the inductee class is selected and notified.  In February the class is announced.  The year 2020 forced the delay of honoring the Class of 2020 in May 2020.  As a result,  this year we will celebrate the six 2020 honorees plus three additional members will be selected for 2021.

Joseph Gray is an American world champion runner who competes mostly in trail, mountain and snowshoe races.  He won the World Mountain Running Championships in 2016 and 2019.  He is the first Black American to not only make the Team USA World Mountain Running Team, but also the first Black American to win the USA National Mountain Running Championships and the World Mountain Running Championships.

Joseph has been a 31-time Team USA national team member.  He is the only Black American to be part of the U.S. Mountain Running Team at any level.  He is an 18-Time USA National Champion and is a 5-time Xterra World Trail Running Champion.

Lee Troop started out as a long-distance track runner and represented Australia in the 5000m at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and attended his first World Athletics Championships the following year.  He was a 4X national 10,000m champion and broke the Australian record in the 5000m in 1999.  He competed for Australia two times in the World Cross Country Championships and moved up to the marathon distance in 1999 with a 2:11 performance.

Deborah Conley is a Colorado native, and former University of Colorado runner.  She was a member of the first women’s Cross Country team to win a conference title.  As a master runner, she has been on multiple Cross Country teams that have medaled at USATF Cross Country National Championships and USATF National Club Cross Country Championships.

Peter de la Cerda lives with his wife and five children in Alamosa, CO, where he teaches 7th grade social studies and has coached at Alamosa High School (15 years XC and 7 years track). He is a 2X NCAA Individual National Champion (5000m Indoor ’93, 10,000m Outdoor ’93) and 11X All American.

Alan Lind’s 47 year career in running began at Poudre HS where he achieved a 13th place finish at the ‘76 Colorado State Cross Country meet and 6th in the mile at the State Track meet in the spring of ‘77.  At Colorado State University he lettered all four years and ran his 1st marathon in 1978 and followed this with a 2:37 effort in 1980 and ran 2:26 in the next three years.

Lyndon Ellefson lived an adventurous life ending tragically in mid stride as he fell through a glacier crevasse near Cervinia, Italy, 1998.  He was there as a member of the original, international Fila Skyrunners Team and was on a high-altitude training run in preparation for the Skyrunning Marathon.

Osaka Women's Marathon will be Run on 2.8 km Loop Inside Nagai Park

On Jan. 17 it was learned that the Jan. 31 Osaka International Women's Marathon will be run on a multi-lap loop course inside Nagai Park. Some of the athletes scheduled to run were notified last week of the likelihood of the change from Osaka's traditional road course, a change made as a result of the continued spread of the coronavirus.

It is the first time the race will be run on a circuit course in the years since its first running in 1982. 

Tokyo Olympics women's marathon team members Mao Ichiyama (23, Wacoal) and Honami Maeda (24, Tenmaya) had planned to try to break the 2:19:12 national record in Osaka, but the impact of the change on times run there remains unclear at this point.

Osaka organizers have recruited male pacers, a first for a domestic women's marathon, to help chase the record, but with the government's declaration of a state of emergency last week they had no choice but to make the last-minute course change. 

Most road races over the last year have been canceled or postponed. In the midst of those circumstances it was all but impossible for Osaka organizers to go ahead with their race as usual, and the field was cut back to just 99 athletes, about a fifth the usual number.

Despite calls for the public to stay home and watch the race on TV, it was inevitable that some fans would turn up along the course, and the logistics of the race's usual format meant the need for a large number of operations personnel for duties like traffic control and drink stations. Many of those tend to be elderly people.

The change to a circuit course helped to significantly reduce the number of people needed, mitigating the risk of spreading the virus. 

Over the last few months a number of other races have been held inside parks instead of on public roads. October's Hakone Ekiden Yosenkai half marathon was held on an officially-certified 2.6 km circuit course around the runway at Tokyo's Tachikawa SDF Airbase, with 46 university teams taking part. November's East Japan Corporate Men's Ekiden likewise took place inside a park in Kumagaya, Saitama, with 24 teams covering a total of 76.4 km on a 4.2 km loop.

Amateur races have been held using loop courses along riverbanks. Overseas, October's London Marathon was held on a 2.15 km loop.

Osaka's traditional course was certified by both the JAAF and World Athletics, but it remains to be seen what the status of the new course will be. Consisting of 15 laps of a flat 2.8 km loop followed by a track finish inside Yanmar Stadium Nagai, the possibility of running a fast time looks considerable, but first the new course must be officially certified. With just half a year left until the Tokyo Olympics this will all but definitely by the last pre-Olympic marathon for both Ichiyama and Maeda, but it's hard to see this as a good simulation of racing in Sapporo.

Following the forced relocation of the Olympic marathon from Tokyo to Sapporo and the postponement of the Olympics, Osaka's course change is the latest hurdle for both women to clear in their quest to compete with the best in the world.

Marathoner Aliphine Tuliamuk, gives birth

Aliphine Tuliamuk, who won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials last February, gave birth to a girl, her first child, she announced Monday morning.

"Our daughter Zoe Cherotich Gannon arrived on 1/13/2021 and she is absolutely perfect. Her dad and I are just so overwhelmed with joy love and gratitude, and we can't stop staring at her," she wrote on Twitter.

She made the announcement on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and noted on Instagram that her daughter was born just two days before the civil rights icon's birthday -- "so close!" In his memory, she wrote, "may we all be proactive and do the right thing."

The marathoner announced she was pregnant in early December, posting on Instagram, "[Partner] Tim [Gannon] and I always knew that we wanted to have a family, the goal was post 2020 Olympics, well as it turned out this year had other plans, by mid April we were convinced that there will be no more races this season, and the darkness ahead was too much, we created our own light at the end of the tunnel!"

Gannon and Tuliamuk, 31, got engaged earlier this year.

"Her journey to this world was relatively long but 'easy,'" Tuliamuk expanded on Instagram about her daughter's birth, adding with some emojis, "I was up and walking around a few hours after she arrived, like give me a race right now ...kidding."

Tuliamuk, who was born in Kenya and became an American citizen in 2016, according to NBC Sports, is still planning to compete at the Tokyo Olympics, should they be held this summer.

Her running accomplishments includes national road titles over 25k, 20k and 5k, according to New York Road Runners, and she finished 12th for women at the 2019 New York City Marathon and second at the 2015 Pittsburgh Marathon.

"It's not like in the past where women were told, well, you can just race until you're done racing, and then you can start a family," she told NBC Sports in December. "You can do both of them."

The Royal Victoria Marathon name is back

The original Royal Victoria ­Marathon logo featured a crowned king running in robes. If it were to be revived, it might fittingly feature a picture of Michael J. Fox superimposed because the event is going back to the future.

It will again be titled the Royal Victoria Marathon, its name of 31 years, before it became the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon in 2011. ­Losing its title sponsor does not threaten the event, say ­organizers.

“We have stability and are well managed,” said race ­director and general manager Cathy Noel. “Participants won’t notice an impact.”

The split was amicable.

“It has been an honour to be title sponsor of the Victoria Marathon for the last decade,” said David Patchell-Evans, GoodLife Fitness founder and CEO, in a statement.

“While GoodLife will not retain title sponsorship this year, our affinity and belief in this event, the organizers, runners and the community of volunteers who make it possible, is unwavering. The Royal Victoria Marathon will always hold a special place for myself and the entire GoodLife family and we look forward to being part of the event in the future.”

Noel added: “We are extremely grateful for [GoodLife Fitness’] support over the years.”

The biggest question facing the Victoria Marathon Society, following the 2020 cancellation due to the pandemic, is not whether the race will go ahead in 2021 but in what manner on Oct. 10. With all Canadians who want a vaccination likely to have one by the fall, live sports is projected to return by late summer and fall.

“[But] it’s not like flipping a switch,” said Noel.

These events take months of planning and a decision will be made in the “early spring” whether to go live or virtual, or some combination thereof, for the 41st Royal Victoria Marathon.

“The question will come down to what can we do at that point of the year?” said Noel.

“The question will come down to what can we do at that point of the year?” said Noel.

Nine months out, that question simply can’t be answered at this time. It’s part of the over-arching split sport faces this year due to the vaccine rollout timeline. Winter and spring events and leagues are in trouble but summer and fall events and leagues stand a far better chance of taking place. Case-in-point is the other big Victoria annual running festival that bookends the season — the Times Colonist 10K — which will have to go virtual this year because it is a spring event in April.

“What we do know is that people want to get out there and be active,” said Noel. “And we will keep them motivated throughout the year.”

Noel said a monthly Zoom speakers’ series will begin Jan. 25 featuring prominent individuals in the running world.

It is a victory, say organizers, that a race can be contemplated at all in 2021.

Two runners from Boulder Colorado dominated the 32nd Naples Daily Néws Half Marathon

A returning champ and a first-time participant, both from the same town, took home the titles at the 32nd Naples Daily News Half Marathon on Sunday morning.

And both did it with ease despite not being in tip-top shape.

Parker Stinson and Lindsay Flanagan, both of Boulder, Colorado, won the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, in the 13.1-mile race through downtown Naples. Stinson, 28, crossed the finish line more than a minute before the second-place runner. Flanagan, 29, was nearly eight minutes faster than the women’s runner-up.

Stinson won his second NDN Half Marathon title in his return to Naples, winning Sunday in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 33.03 seconds. His time was 1.36 seconds faster than when he won in 2018.

Parker Stinson of Boulder, CO, won the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Runners had a great morning to run in the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Masks and social distancing rules were used to make the race a success.

Parker Stinson of Boulder, CO, won the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Runners had a great morning to run in the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Masks and social distancing rules were used to make the race a success.

“I just wanted to win,” Stinson said. “When I was out there all alone I thought, ‘I just really want to break 1:04.00.’ … There’s nothing like breaking the tape and finishing first. That’s why I came here, I wanted to win again.”

Sunday’s race had a limited field and new protocols due to the coronavirus pandemic. Organizers capped participation at 1,000 runners (it's usually between 1,500 and 2,000). The elite runners started together at 6:55 a.m. The rest of the field was started in five waves, one every five minutes from 7 to 7:20 a.m., to limit the amount of people in one space.

Victory was especially sweet for Stinson because he was competing in his first race in 15 months. The American record holder in the 25-kilometers, Stinson had knee surgery in July after dealing with pain in the joint for months.

Despite soreness in the knee Sunday morning – which happens every morning, he said – Stinson was able to start fast. He raced ahead of the pack of 30 elite runners at the start of the race and led the entire way.

“The knee felt good,” Stinson said. “I was really happy with how fast I was able to start. It was perfect weather today, couldn’t have been any better. Today was perfect, everything I could have asked for.”

Flanagan, the women’s champion, said she getting back into shape for long distances after spending the cold Colorado winter working on strength. She also didn’t decided to run the Naples half marathon until a few weeks ago.

Lindsay Flanagan of Boulder, CO, was the first woman to cross the finish line. Runners had a great morning to run in the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Masks and social distancing rules were used to make the race a success.

Lindsay Flanagan of Boulder, CO, was the first woman to cross the finish line. Runners had a great morning to run in the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Masks and social distancing rules were used to make the race a success.

In her first time in Naples, the former NCAA All-American runner for Washington ran the third-fastest women’s race in the event’s 32 years. Flanagan’s time was 26.3 seconds off the NDN Half Marathon record (1:09:57.6) set in 2011 by Belainesh Gebre.

“For where I am, coming off the winter, this was a great fitness test to see where I’m at,” Flanagan said. “It feels great to kick off the 2021 season with a win.”

Steven Martinez of August, Georgia, finished second overall in 1:04:35.91, followed by Nick French of Nashville, Tennessee, in 1:05:21.56.

Naples High School graduate Kurt Roeser finished sixth with a time of 1:06:19.17.

Roeser, 33, has been training and working as a physical therapist in Boulder since he finished running at the University of Florida. The 2005 Naples grad finished Sunday’s race three minutes faster than last year when he took seventh at the same event.

Runners had a great morning to run in the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Masks and social distancing rules were used to make the race a success. Runners could take off their mask after the cross the start line.

Runners had a great morning to run in the Naples Daily News Half Marathon. Masks and social distancing rules were used to make the race a success. Runners could take off their mask after the cross the start line.

“This is the best I’ve ever run here by about a minute,” Roeser said. “I was lucky to run a race about six weeks ago and have a big (personal record) there (1:04.40). … I’m in the best shape, the best fitness I’ve ever been in in my life.”

Naples resident Aubrey Aldy was the top local finisher, taking 12th over all in 1:13:20.35. Aldy won the men’s masters division (40 and older).

Alexandra Gardino was the top finisher among local women. She was ninth in the women’s race with a time of 1:31:15.08.

World Steeplechase Champion, Emma Coburn Joins COROS Pro Athlete Team

COROS Wearables Inc., makers of innovative performance GPS watches is introducing World Steeplechase Champion, Emma Coburn, to its Pro Athlete Team. This partnership solidifies the brand’s commitment to all runners, irrespective of distance or surface. COROS is dedicated to creating a comprehensive training platform in order to support our athlete’s wildest dreams – and there is arguably no greater competitive aspiration then the pursuit for Olympic gold.

On her signing with COROS, Colorado based Coburn said, “I am excited to partner with COROS and have the best watch in the game. The data I get from my watch during and after training is crucial for my performance. Whether I am using the watch for time on an easy run or doing a hard workout requiring accurate GPS and heart rate data, I know I can count on COROS,” added Coburn.

I love finishing my run and checking out the synced data on my phone. One of the best parts about the watch is its battery life as I can run a 95-mile week without ever having to charge it! I’m looking forward to many, many miles in my COROS.”

“Emma is a world class athlete who has a multitude of options when it comes to GPS wearables. We take great pride in our product and are proud she has chosen to use COROS as she prepares for the Olympic games,” said COROS CEO Lewis Wu. Wu continued, “We are so excited to welcome Emma to the COROS family. Her feedback is paramount to ensure our watches are meeting the needs of the running community.

Her extensive use and constructive critique surrounding key features such as the COROS track run mode and training features will ultimately improve ease of use and functionality for runners around the world.”

COROS has a range of watches to meet all of Coburn’s needs. Whether going for a long run at 9,000 ft, or racing at sea level, COROS has a spectrum of GPS watches to support every aspect of her training. Emma’s primary watch will be the COROS PACE 2, the lightest GPS watch on the market. 

With 2021 Millrose Games cancelled, The Armory track will become a COVID-19 vaccination center

Officials from The Armory Track have announced that the facility will be used as a COVID-19 vaccination center for the remainder of the indoor season.

Located in New York City, the Armory is the site of the storied Millrose Games and so many other meets, and it is one of the most well-known tracks in North America.

While officials acknowledge that this news may be disappointing for athletes, they note that the health and safety of New Yorkers is far more important than the rest of the indoor track season, and they are excited to help with the city’s vaccine rollout. 

No more meets

The armony track hosted more than 20 meets throughout the first half of the indoor track season, but any events scheduled beyond mid-January have been cancelled. The Millrose Games were originally scheduled to run on February 13, but organizers announced in December that the event had been cancelled due to COVID-19.

"Canceling the iconic Millrose Games was a very difficult decision,” meet director Ray Flynn said in a statement, “but with all the health concerns surrounding an event of this complexity, rather than risking the athletes, officials, meet personnel, media and others, we have decided to wait until February 12, 2022, for the next edition of the Millrose Games.” The 2021 event would have been the 114th edition of the Games, but that will have to wait until next year. 

An Armony tradition

As noted on the Armony website,  the facility has played an important role in New York City for more than a century, and not just because of its track. It was originally built in 1904 for the New York State Militia, who worked to protect the state’s citizens. Decades later in the 1980s, it became a homeless shelter, providing close to 2,000 beds to New York City‘s homeless population for 10 years. 

Now it is of course a track, and  it hosts more than 100 meets each year, welcoming hundreds of thousands of athletes. For the rest of the 2021 season, though, it will be used for its original purpose, protecting New Yorkers and helping them through these tough times before hopefully hosting more meets next winter. 

2021 Prague half Marathon has been postponed until September

The racing season in the Czech Republic usually starts with the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in March but this year, because of lingering safety issues, it is postponed until September 5, 2021.

That weekend will be made into a Running Festival called “The Running Games”.

In addition to the Half Marathon there will be 5 km and 10 km races. Further information to follow.

The Volkswagen Prague Marathon and other spring races,will be assigned a date on the full 2021 running calendar soon, which will be available from the middle of February.

World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 2021 has partnered with ASICS to launch a global running initiative designed to allow runners to participate and interact with each other

Due to the global pandemic, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, have been postponed until 19 February 2022, but the local organisers have launched a Global Challenge event that is open to all runners and will coincide with the original dates in 2021.

The World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 2021 Global Challenge is open for entries for individuals and teams now. The global virtual event starts on 1 February and runs until 21 March 2021, which will celebrate 1 year to go to the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, in Bathurst on 19 Feb 2022.

The Global Challenge is a public event open to all age groups regardless of ability. It is about celebrating taking part, with categories from 7 to 70+ and rankings that will give participants the chance to see how they compare in their country and internationally.  A World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 2021 Global Challenge medal will also be available to competitors. 

Following completion of the Global Challenge, the top ten participants in their category, across the world, will receive an invitation to compete in the exclusive Global Challenge Final event in April 2021.

This major cross-country event focuses on delivering age-appropriate distances, category champions and provides opportunities for athletes of all fitness levels to compete against each other, on a global scale, using developments in technology to enhance the user experience. 

Participants will ultimately compete to win a VIP trip of a lifetime to Australia, to experience the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, live in 2022 and to receive worldwide recognition of their achievements.

World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe believes this initiative will grow the sport and inspire people across the world.

‘With a little more than one year to go to the main event in Bathurst, the local organising committee has created an interactive virtual experience for the global running community to celebrate the first World Athletics Cross Country Championships to be held in Australia,’’ World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said.

“I invite everyone to join our running community and experience the power of our sport to unite people around the world.”  

This event encourages runners to complete their individual challenge anywhere at any time with distances for individuals aged 7 to 70+. 

Runners are encouraged to upload their race performance to the results hub, with participants from around the world able to see how they measure up to their peers and other countries.

Jeopardy! contestants stumped by running question-We'll take "what is the 1,500 metre" for $100,000

Most of the time the contestants on Jeopardy! leave us in awe of their seemingly endless knowledge of random facts, which is why there is no better feeling than knowing an answer that none of them gets right. In last night’s episode (with Ken Jennings as the new interim host in place of the late Alex Trebek), runners everywhere finally had their moment when all three contestants on the show demonstrated their extreme lack of knowledge of track and field (and well, distances in general). We know our sport is more niche than football or hockey, but this was just embarrassing.

The question that made runners everywhere shake their heads was:

“Hicham El Guerrouj holds the world records in the mile and this metric track distance that’s just a bit shorter.”

The answer is (obviously) the 1,500m, but before we get into the contestants’ hilariously bad answers, let us first say that we understand Americans don’t use the metric system, so maybe that’s where some of the confusion came from. Still, take a minute to consider they got questions like this right:

“Something ridiculously small such as an apartment may be compared to this sticky item, which is often 0.87 x 0.98 inches.”

Seriously?

(The answer was a postage stamp.)

OK, so on to the answers. It’s obvious that none of these contestants have any running friends, because they’ve clearly never had to sit and listen as we regale them with our running stories, or talk their ear off about track stats. Or they did, but they tuned us out, which, if we’re being honest with ourselves, is kind of fair.

Instead of listing their answers in order, we’ve decided instead to rank them from bad, to worse, to worst:

Liz Fitting’s answer: “what is the 500 metre?”

This answer was at least in the realm of possible track distances (there is, after all, a 600m indoors) so we’ll cut her a bit of slack. But in what world is 500 metres “a bit shorter” than a mile? It’s less than half the distance! Clearly she’s never experienced the pain of being 1K away from a finish line.

Lucy Ricketts’ answer: “what is the 10 metre?”

This answer is just plain ridiculous. The 10 metre? Is she going to track meets for hamsters? (Actually that might be kind of fun to watch.)

Brett Moore’s answer: “what is the 10,000 metre?”

Did he panic and just blurt out the first thing that came to his head? It’s possible. Is this another case of confusion over the use of the metric system? Maybe. Or maybe poor Brett has been claiming he can run an eight-minute 10K his whole life because he was legitimately confused.

So there you have it, runners of the world — when you’re talking to all your friends about your running accomplishments, you can add this one into the rotation. Now we’re going to go find out if hamster Olympics are a real thing…

Survey finds 80 per cent of Japanese people want Tokyo 2020 cancelled or postponed

A Kyodo News survey has found around 80 per cent of Japanese people want this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo to be cancelled or postponed.

In the telephone poll, 35.3 per cent of those surveyed called for the cancellation of the Games and 44.8 per cent said there should be another postponement.

The survey was conducted as Japan struggles with a resurgence of COVID-19.

Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba entered into a state of emergency on Friday (January 8) due to the increase in cases.

The Japanese capital recorded 1,494 new coronavirus infections today, the sixth day in a row the daily number of cases has exceeded 1,000.

In an address to mark the start of 2021, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vowed to hold a "safe and secure" Olympics in 2021 despite rising concern over the infection rate.

Critics have since claimed Suga was too slow in enacting a state of emergency, however, and the Kyodo News survey found a disapproval rate of 42.8 per cent for the Prime Minister.

The approval rate was found to be 41.3 per cent, down nine percentage points from the previous survey in December.

In addition, the declaration of the state of emergency was viewed as "too late" by 79.2 per cent of respondents, while nearly 78 per cent claimed it needed to be expanded to other areas.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, with the Paralympics due to follow from August 24 to September 5.

Organisers have previously claimed the Games would be cancelled outright if they can not take place this year.

If competition does go ahead, a host of COVID-19 countermeasures will be implemented in Tokyo.

This includes frequent testing, the mandatory use of face masks and social distancing, and a reduced stay in the Athletes' Village for competitors.

Athletes may also be vaccinated to ensure the Games can be held safely.

Senior International Olympic Committee member Richard Pound suggested prioritising athletes for the COVID-19 vaccine would be the "most realistic way" of ensuring Tokyo 2020 is held this year.

The IOC has expressed its commitment to having as many foreign participants as possible vaccinated for COVID-19 before the Games.

The organisation repeatedly said it supports priority access for high-risk groups and healthcare workers.

How To Come Back After A Break

Sometimes life happens and we can get a little off track. Family commitments pop up, sickness kicks in, or you get stuck with overtime at work. Then all of a sudden your exercise routine goes from regular to non-existent.

I know what it’s like to have a really good routine and then something unexpected happens. You miss a few workouts and then all of a sudden you’re in a rut. So the question is—how do you get back into routine?

The first thing to remember is that it happens to all of us. All the time. And no matter how daunting it might feel to get back into the swing of things, it is possible to restart your exercise routine. All you need is a little support and a few small steps to make it happen.

Here’s How to Start Exercising Again After Some Time off

If you have found yourself a little off track, here are some of my tips on how to restart your exercise habit and get back into a healthy routine.

1. Start with something easy

If you are really struggling to get back into exercising and feeling totally overwhelmed by it all, sometimes it can be useful to just start with something easy. If going to do a big weights session at the gym is too much, then get outside and go for a brisk walk or a light jog, just to get moving. As soon as you start with something small and feel good from that, you’ll want to continue on and get back into your healthy habits.

2. Stick to the “five-minute rule”

A lot of times when you’re just getting back into the swing of things, the idea of doing a full 30-minutes or hour-long workout can be incredibly daunting. Which, often leads people to give up before they even get started.

So, if a long workout feels overwhelming, commit to just five minutes. If you start working out and after five minutes you just don’t have the energy to keep going, then you can be done for that day. More often than not, once you are up and moving you will feel good and want to keep going. But just start with five minutes and see where you end up.

3. Remember how good it makes you feel

Sometimes we focus too much on the effort of it, rather than the outcome. The thing with a workout is while it can be hard in the moment, very few people will say they don’t feel better afterwards.

So, if you find yourself struggling to lace up and get out the door, it’s okay to acknowledge that you need something to help you refocus and motivate you, just remember that post-workout high. Aside from some sore muscles, you will never regret a workout.

4. Schedule it

If even in the back of your mind subconsciously you are looking for an excuse to not workout, you will typically find an opportunity for a distraction to deter you from your plan. That’s why it’s important to make time specifically for your daily exercise.

Schedule a time that you won’t get easily distracted. There’s no “perfect time” to workout, it’s truly about your personal schedule and preferences. If you know that you get caught up at work in the evenings, then schedule your workout in the mornings. If mornings are too busy, then schedule your workout in the evenings. If you know it’s going to be a crazy busy day, then just commit to a quick fifteen-minute HIIT session, as doing something is always better than doing nothing.

5. Prep the night before

Exercising in the morning used to be your thing, but now you struggle to get up early? Put guard rails around your morning routine to help make it easier to get back into a rhythm.

Prepare your gym bag the night before and lay it next to your bed. Put your alarm on the other side of the room so when it goes off, you will have to get out of bed to turn it off. Once you are out of bed and your gym bag is already packed, you may as well get up and go.

For those of you who typically exercise after work, the same rule applies in terms of packing the night before. Have your gym bag ready and place it next to your desk. This will act as a good reminder of what you have committed to and you will be less likely to back out.

6. Commit to a one-month challenge

If you want to start making exercise a habit again, then try taking on a short one-month challenge to kick-start your routine. Lots of gyms, yoga studios and boot camps offer one-month challenges. By having it broken down into a smaller time frame, it won’t feel so overwhelming.

If even 30 days feels daunting, try lowering the barrier even further by committing to a two-week challenge. (Like our two-week treadmill challenge.)

The key to these challenges are the same: They aren’t about jaw-dropping results, they’re designed to help remove that overwhelming “I don’t know what to do” feeling by providing a clear and distinct plan to follow, while at the same time increasing consistency and compliance.

7. Find an exercise buddy

It’s very easy to pull out of your workout if it’s just yourself you have to answer to. Having a friend, work colleague or family member to workout with is a great way to boost motivation, hold each other accountable and stick to your workout routine. It also adds a social aspect, which brings a little more fun back into working out.

8. Think outside the gym

Going to the gym every day is not a requirement. Being fit and healthy can look a lot of different ways. Especially when you’re struggling to stay consistent with your workout routine, being more flexible with the mode of exercising can help you stick with it and feel better in the process.

Find ways to mix up your workouts and incorporate other exercises that you enjoy into your routine. Picking up social sports, going for a jog on the beach, or simply walking the dog are all great ways to stay fit and healthy.

9. Do it for yourself, not anyone else

This may be the most important rule to remember. I always say, “Don’t workout for anyone else but you.” Being fit and healthy should be about making yourself feel great, having confidence and aiming to be your best. Remember to do this for you, not for anyone else or for how they think you should look. Each time you exercise, know that you have done something good for yourself and celebrate that.

Remember habits are created by the consistent daily activities we chose to put our time towards. So the more consistent you are with your exercise routine, the easier it is to form healthy habits. Once it’s a habit, you just go on autopilot and exercising is part of your daily life.

Process Goals Are The Keys To Performance

5 DAYS - 3 COUNTRIES - 590 MILES - 113 PEAKS - OVER 100,000 FT ELEVATION After completing the Barkley Marathons, legendary ultra-runner John Kelly asked himself 'What do I do now?' Join John on a discovery of what he can achieve as he enters his 'Goldilocks Zone' with his self-devised Grand Round challenge

Those are process goals. Given that many, including elite athletes, are not clear as to what they are, here are definitions of three kinds of goals:

Process goals are weekly tasks like those above to focus on as you strive for performance or outcome goals. Process goals are under your control.

Performance goals, by contrast, are performance standards that are independent of others. Performance goals might be to run the 400 meters in under 58 seconds or a 10K in under 40 minutes.

Outcome goals are competitive goals that involve competition with others and are not under our control. Winning a gold medal or wanting to finish in the top ten of an age division are examples.

Process goals are essential for performance. In the 1960s industrial psychologists Drs. Edwin Locke and Gary Latham found that setting process goals increases motivation and enhances productivity by 11% to 25%. Their studies included 40,000 employees in industry. Goal setting encouraged them to be resilient-to persist through obstacles-and also to develop strategies to achieve goals.

Research on excellence in the 1990s by Dr. K. Anders Ericsson shows that deliberate practice, a kind of process goal, is critical to world-class performance. Deliberate practice is practice done repeatedly, focused on weaknesses as well as strengths, performed with feedback from a coach, and then tweaked. At times deliberate practice is not fun. It's work. It's been found to be key to high performance in fields as diverse as music, chess, and athletics.

Writing and Sharing

Still more research on process goals shows that we should take them seriously if we're intent on training for an important event. My doctoral research in the late 1990s on over 100 national- and world-class masters runners found that 94% of them wrote down their process goals. Ninety percent of them had a coach who provided feedback.

More recent goal-setting research published by Dr. Gail Matthews from Dominican University found that the combination of writing down goals, writing action commitments for them, sharing commitments with a friend and sending weekly progress to a friend predicts goal achievement much more than just saying goals out loud and not including specific follow-up plans.

Dr. Matthews divided her subjects (people who were setting all kinds of goals, including finishing projects and starting new routines) into five groups. The groups were assigned five different levels of commitment. As an example, the least committed group was asked just to think (not write) about their goals. The most committed group was asked to write down goals, write action commitments for each one, share the written goals and action commitments with a friend, and send weekly progress to a friend. Of the original 267 participants, 149 completed the study.

At the end of the study, only 43% of the least committed group achieved their goals as compared with 76% of the most committed group. Sending weekly progress reports to a friend mattered. In addition, those who sent weekly reports were 12% more likely to achieve their goals than those who just wrote down their goals and action commitments.

Picking Positive Peers

Other research suggests that process goals are easier to achieve if you live with others who have habits which you admire. UCLA neuroscientist Dr. Marco Iacoboni, author of Mirroring People: The Science of How We Connect to Others, has done extensive research on mirror neurons, brain cells in the premotor cortex and inferior parietal cortex.

Mirror neurons, said Dr. Iacoboni (Scientific American, July 1, 2008), "are the only brain cells we know of that seem specialized to code the actions of other people and also our own actions. They are obviously essential brain cells for social interactions When I see you smiling, my mirror neurons for smiling fire up, too, initiating a cascade of neural activity that evokes the feeling we typically associate with a smile."

So if your process goals include strength training a few times a week, you're more likely to achieve them if you are around others who also strength train a few times a week. Those mirror neurons are watching all kinds of behaviors around you.  Are you aware of others' habits and if so, do you spend time with those whose habits you emulate?

What steps might you take if you're not lasered in on process goals?

Ideally set process goals with a coach over a short time period. My practice focuses on successive six-week goals for weekly review and tweaking. (A 2007 study by psychologist Richard Wiseman showed that 88% of people who make New Year's resolutions fail. The reason? No structure. No follow-up.)

And if you don't want a coach, find a similarly committed friend. It's more important that your friend is committed to a process than that the friend is an athlete. An artist, executive, chef anyone can be a powerful goal setting partner. (If only pets could talk.)

We studied mental toughness in ultra-marathon runners. Mind over matter is real — but won’t take you all the way

For most people, running a marathon sounds like a lot of work — and they probably wouldn’t even consider completing more than one within 24 hours.

The will to go the extra mile is what lies at the very heart of ultra-endurance events (and that’s exactly why they’re called “ultra”).

These events are for athletes who go beyond the typical marathon distance of about 42km, or engage in physical exertion for more than six hours. They’re generally performed via biking, swimming or running, but can also be held in activities such as kayaking.

Our new research published in the journal PLOS One looks at the role of “mental toughness” in the performance of ultra-endurance runners. Our findings suggest mind over matter is a real phenomenon — but can only get you so far.

The nitty-gritty of ultra-endurance events

On-foot ultra-marathons are notoriously challenging, with distances starting around 56km and going upwards of 150km. They’re often held in remote mountainous settings and almost always involve unpredictable course conditions and massive shifts in altitude.

Unsurprisingly, research on ultra-marathon runners has found this unique population experiences a range of difficult circumstances during these events.

The most common physical reasons for withdrawal include nausea, vomiting, blisters and/or muscle pain. Alongside extreme physical pain and discomfort, it’s also common to experience intense fatigue, unpleasant emotions and negative thoughts.

Is it really mind over matter?

“Mental toughness” is usually associated with the ability to either remain consistent in the face of challenges, or to quickly recover from setbacks and adversity.

We wanted to investigate what motivates ultra-endurance athletes to keep going despite obvious physical and mental challenges. To do this, we focused on a group of 56 ultra-marathon runners who competed in the Hawaiian Ultra Running Trail 100, or HURT100.

This 160.1km endurance run is a difficult five-lap course in the mountains above the city of Honolulu, Hawaii. The track has little clear running space and runners spend most of the course navigating through tree roots and crossing streams. Topping it off is about 7,500m of cumulative elevation gain and loss over the course.

The elite athletes in our study completed two questionnaires, from which we found mental toughness didn’t seem to predict performance within the group.

Thus, we conclude there may be a “threshold” level of mental toughness one must overcome to even be able to prepare for, and compete in, such an event. But beyond this, other psychological, physical and logistical factors appear to have a greater impact on performance.

We also compared our group of ultra-marathon runners to athletes in other sports including hockey, tennis, professional football, high performance male athletics and mixed martial arts. We discovered the runners had significantly higher levels of mental toughness.

In terms of which specific characteristics led to greater mental toughness, such as confidence, commitment, personal responsibility or control over one’s thoughts — “self-efficacy” scored high.

This refers to an athlete’s belief in their ability to execute a task. For example, whether they believed they could complete the HURT100 distance within the 36-hour cut off time.

Traversing the human mind

Our research has practical implications for athletes, whether they want to increase their own mental toughness, or know what it takes to run in an ultra-marathon event.

Having advanced knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning mental toughness (such as self-efficacy) could also help sport psychologists and coaches create more effective and targeted training programs.

That said, our findings do open doors to more questions. What other factors could predict performance in ultra-marathon runners? How wide is the range of characteristics that can be linked to mental toughness? And can these be learned by anyone?

Some may argue people are just born with greater levels of mental toughness and it’s in their genes. Others claim this can be developed over time as a result of individual experiences. It seems the age-old nature versus nurture debate persists.

The science behind the runner’s high

Recent research suggests endorphins may not be behind the mood-boosting effects of running

As runners, we all know there’s no better feeling than the runner’s high — that mood-lifting, exhilarating sensation that occurs only after a hard run that seems like your brain’s way of rewarding you for a good effort. While there’s no doubt that this feeling is real, the reason behind it is less certain. For years, scientists have pointed toward endorphins as the main cause of the runner’s high, but more recent research has suggested this may not be the case. Instead, some researchers believe it could be linked to our ancient biology, and a class of chemicals called endocannabinoids may be the real reason running makes us so happy.

Running — it’s in our DNA

In a paper titled Endurance running and the evolution of Homo, biologist Dennis Bramble and paleoanthropologist Daniel Lieberman hypothesized that our ability to experience the runner’s high is linked to the lives of our earliest ancestors. More specifically, Bramble and Lieberman suggested that the feel-good chemicals released in early humans’ brains originally served as a reward to motivate them to continue hunting and gathering.

This would have been very important for the survival of early humans because traveling all day for the purpose of finding or capturing food required large amounts of energy, which is a caloric risk when there’s no guarantee that your efforts will be rewarded. For this reason, early humans (and today’s humans, for that matter) were more predisposed to conserving energy and so needed some other form of motivation to exert themselves physically. It is possible, then, that early humans got ‘high’ from running to prevent them from starving.

The runner’s high: will the real culprit please stand up?

Yes, endocannabinoids are the same chemicals that are mimicked by cannabis, which both alleviate pain and improve your mood. In fact, brain scientists often refer to endocannabinoids as the “don’t worry, be happy” chemical. Recent research has revealed that these compounds, instead of endorphins, are more likely the cause of the runner’s high because of their size. Endorphins are released into your bloodstream during exercise, but they’re too large to cross the blood-brain barrier, so they can’t cross over into your brain. Endocannabinoids, on the other hand, are small enough to cross over and act on specific receptors in your brain

The test is theory runners on a treadmill at varying intensities and measured the endocannabinoid levels in their blood both before and after. He found that walking slowly for 30 minutes had very little effect, and neither did running at maximum intensity. When participants ran at a moderate pace, their endocannabinoid levels tripled — and they felt really good afterward. He speculates that this moderate intensity would have been similar to the effort put forth by our ancient ancestors when they were hunting and gathering.

What does this mean for runners?

The endocannabinoid high can be achieved not just through running, but also cycling, walking on an incline and hiking. In truth, the ‘runner’s high’ is not really caused by running, but by persistence. All you have to do is exercise at a moderate intensity for at least 20 minutes to unlock the mood-boosting benefits.

And guess what? The endocannabinoid high also helps us connect with others, which is why you feel particularly good after running with a friend or group. This good feeling carries through the rest of your day, and studies have suggested that when people exercise they have more positive interactions with others around them

Finally, as you exercise more, your brain actually increases its density of endocannabinoid binding sites, which makes your high even better. The more regularly you run, the more you get rewarded for it. So the next time you’re struggling with motivation to go out for your run, perhaps chasing that high will be enough incentive to get you out the door.

New York-Presbyterian Opens COVID-19 Vaccine Site at Armory in Washington Heights

New York City, once the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, is now rapidly expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines for more New Yorkers. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, NewYork-Presbyterian opened a large vaccination center at the Fort Washington Armory in Washington Heights on January 14. At this time, individuals over the age of 65 with scheduled appointments may obtain the vaccine at this site.

“COVID-19 has taken a tragic toll on our communities,” Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian said. “Now, after nearly a year on the front lines, we are finally taking the fight to this deadly virus. We are proud to be working with Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as possible and begin to restore the health and vitality of the city we all love,” he said.

The sprawling vaccine site in the 65,000-square foot indoor track and field complex at 216 Fort Washington Ave. (at the corner of 169th Street) will have approximately 70 vaccine stations. Dr. Laura Forese, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NewYork-Presbyterian, noted there will be enormous demand, but that the hospital hopes to accommodate as many people as possible. The vaccine site was made possible by a collaboration with New York State, NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

“Our communities have overcome incredible challenges, even as we have been devastated by this deadly pandemic and suffered tremendous loss,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, whose congressional district includes upper Manhattan. “I’m grateful to NewYork-Presbyterian and all the front line workers, who have been here for our community through this pandemic, and I am thrilled they will be able to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to people 65 and older, a significant step in stopping the spread of this virus.”

How to Register

People who are eligible can schedule their appointment through Connect, NewYork-Presbyterian’s online patient portal. To sign up, simply click here, fill out the required information, and create a username and password. As vaccine supplies may be limited, patients will receive a notification through Connect when appointments become available. The site will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week but will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. day on Monday, January 18.

For more information or to register for Connect, please visit VaccineTogetherNY.org or call 646-697-VACC. Appointments are required and need to be made through Connect.

Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray, Now Directing Mass Vaccination Sites

With mass-participation running events on hold, longtime Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray has shifted his event-organizing skills to perhaps the most important race of the 21st century: getting every American vaccinated against COVID19. McGillivray's event management company, DMSE Sports, is now working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, CIC Health, the New England Patriots, Fallon Ambulance and Mass General Brigham Hospital in standing-up a mass vaccination site at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots. The goal is to vaccinate a whopping 7,000 people a day.

"What we have now committed to is arguably our greatest mission ever, that is, saving lives and keeping people healthy," McGillivray said in a letter to friends. "Yesterday was opening day as we conducted a 'soft' opening and vaccinated many first responders and medical personnel. Eventually, it is our collective goal to be vaccinating over 7,000 people a day. We will be working seven days a week, 12 hours a day for perhaps six months –-nonstop-– with the goal of seeing everyone in the Commonwealth vaccinated."

DMSE Sports has been retained as the overall operations coordinator of the Gillette Stadium site, McGillivray said.

"It is amazing how our event management skill set can be applied to running a massive vaccination site. And, to think this all came together in only a few short weeks. Matt West is leading the charge for us and doing a great job. Supporting cast is Ryan McGillivray, Aaron Nemzer, Tom Maglio, Tim Barry, Chris Troyanos and Andy Deschenes, so far. As we scale up, we may need to engage additional DMSE personal who have worked our race events for years."

McGillivray said that his firm will also be setting up a mass-vaccination site at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, soon.

Separately, Jean Knaack, the executive director of the Road Runners Club of America, called for more road race organizers to be involved in vaccine distribution. Knaack wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday:"You know who is really good at managing details and keeping people organized? RACE DIRECTORS. I think states and counties need to hire race directors to organize mass vaccination events. Race directors are the people with the skills needed to get this done quick and orderly, like a smoothly run packet pick-up. The event industry has skills that are being underutilized and should be accessed as part of the much needed mass vaccination process."

Like most event organizers, McGillivray's business has been crushed by the pandemic. The work he is doing on the mass vaccination sites is also a lifeline for him and his employees.

"I've always felt that what DMSE Sports does was special, that is, we help raise people’s self-esteem and self-confidence by giving them an opportunity to set a goal, accomplish it and then go home feeling good about themselves," McGillivray wrote. "Unfortunately, the pandemic temporarily put all of that on hold. As a result, we almost went out of business but we are better than that. Instead, like many others, we pivoted."

McGillivray directs the Boston Marathon on behalf of the race owner, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). The date of the 2021 Boston Marathon, traditionally the third Monday in April, has not been set. The BAA has said that they would like the race to take place in the fall.

The 2021 Lincoln marathon being planned as in-person event with virtual option

Registration for the 44th annual Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon opens Friday for runners who paid for last year’s cancelled event. The race is scheduled for Sunday, May 2, and it is being planned as an in-person event, with a virtual option.

The Lincoln Track Club announced that paid registrants from the 2020 Lincoln Marathon/Half Marathon will receive a discount on entry fees and will be notified of early registration, opening at noon on Jan. 15 – Jan. 31 at 6:00 p.m. General registration will open on Feb. 1.

LTC said there will be a cap on registrations this year to accommodate COVID-19 related health and safety requirements. Runners will be required to wear a mask before and after the race. There will be an extended start chute for social distancing purposes and limited water stops. A virtual option has been added for those who want to challenge themselves but aren’t comfortable competing in person due to health considerations.

Race organizers said they are monitoring the changing COVID-19 situation and will release more details on the event in the coming weeks and months.

Reese Witherspoon starts a month-long running challenge

The actor is using Instagram to update her followers on her progress and encourage others to get active

With gyms, yoga studios and other fitness centres closed for much of the year, many people have turned to running to stay fit. It seems that celebrities are also jumping on the trend, including actor and producer Reese Witherspoon. On Dec. 1 the 44-year-old best known for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde took to Twitter to ask her followers to join her in a month-long run/walk challenge

The challenge appears to be very informal, allowing participants to set their own daily goals. The main objective is simply to motivate people to get active. Throughout the challenge, the star has updated her followers on her progress, and even shared her 30-minute treadmill interval routine to avoid running in the cold. The routine involved alternating between three minutes of walking and two minutes of running.

Witherspoon also shared her daily foam-rolling routine on her Instagram page, with the caption, “I thought I would share my daily roll out routine courtesy of @kadeefit 🏃🏼‍♀️ (Because it’s important to stretch!)😁 Hope you have a great workout!”

To keep you motivated during your runs, the actor shared her favourite workout playlist, “Pure Motivation,” which is available on Apple Music. You can also follow the Witherspoon on Strava, but she has yet to share any of her activities on the app.

If you’ve fallen out of your regular running routine this year, perhaps Witherspoon’s challenge is just the thing you need to motivate you to get back out there. Even if this is not the case for you, her foam-rolling routine might be worth adding into your regime to keep you healthy and injury-free as you head into the new year.

‘Breaking Bad’ star Bryan Cranston talks running in podcast interview

The Emmy-winning actor touched on his days of marathon running, a sport he stumbled into rather randomly

In a recent interview on the SmartLess podcast, actor Bryan Cranston talked about his history as a runner. The Emmy-winning star of the past hit shows Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle is well known in the entertainment world, but many people will still be surprised to learn that he was an avid marathoner once upon a time. Cranston said he raced four marathons (two of which were at the New York City Marathon), posting sub-four-hour results on each occasion.

Jason Bateman, one of the hosts on SmartLess, asked Cranston what people would be shocked to learn he was great at. Likely in an attempt to be humble, Cranston responded with a joke, saying, “Loading the dishwasher. I’m an excellent loader of a dishwasher.” After a gentle nudge toward a real answer, Cranston brought up running. “I used to run marathons,” he said. “I was a marathon runner.”

Impressed by this, Bateman continued to ask questions about the marathon, although his phrasing made it clear that, while Cranston was a runner, Bateman probably isn’t. “Did you do the Boston?” Bateman asked. “Because you’ve got to do a sub-four.” To his credit, Bateman at least knows the term “sub-four,” but calling the race “the Boston” just sounds funny, as true runners opt for either “the Boston Marathon” or just “Boston.” Also, running sub-four hours isn’t how you qualify for Boston. For some age groups, that time will get you in, but for others, you need to run much faster. Anyway, we’ll let it slide.

“I never did Boston,” Cranston responded. “[But] all four of my registered times were under four hours.” His PB at the distance (at least as far as we can tell based on listed results) was an impressive 3:20:45, and Cranston ran this time just one year after getting into the sport, which he sort of just stumbled upon when he saw people running the New York City Marathon in 1984.

“I stayed there for five and a half hours,” he said. “I’m watching this sea of humanity run. I heard myself say, ‘I could never do this.’ And then I stopped and I went, ‘Why couldn’t I do that?'” The next year, he took part in the race. While he doesn’t run anymore, he took the sport seriously for a few years, and we’re willing to bet he’ll do well if he ever gets back into it. Who knows, maybe he’ll even be able to qualify for the Boston.

Five Things We Learned from Alexi Pappas’ Memoir, Bravey

Pappas crafts a tradition of mentorship by passing along the lessons she’s learned.

After surviving a gritty, jaw-clenching 2020, Bravey feels like a giant exhale. In her memoir, Alexi Pappas, the 2016 Olympic 10,000-meter runner representing Greece, explores the corners of her mind to acknowledge what and who have made her who she is. In the writing you see her background as an improvisational actor take the reins as she learns and grows, adding on a piece of herself to every bit of advice she receives in a “yes, and” fashion.

“Like a buffet. I want all the shrimp, all the pasta, and all the chocolate fondue. I don’t have the one person; I have every person,” she writes. “My selections might not all make sense on a plate together, but I crafted this meal; it is mine, and I love it.”

And in turn, we the readers get to learn about creativity, achieving, grieving, and womanhood as we meander Pappas’ wise and beautiful writing. Here are five things we learned from reading Bravey by Alexi Pappas:

Don’t wait for your defining moment.

It won’t come.

In between every chapter of the book, Pappas inserts a poem that adds a splash of color to the point she is making. This poem says it all: “I admire pickles because there is no one moment / that makes a pickle / a pickle, it is a thing that happens over time. / pickles are patient.” There won’t be one moment where you are transformed into who you are meant to be. You are already that person and every step you’ve taken has brought you here.

Welcome your nervous energy.

“I realized that it was OK to be nervous about the Olympics ending,” writes Pappas in reflection of a deep depression she went into after the 2016 Rio Olympics concluded. “Nerves are cousin to excitement, and excitement is cousin to gratitude. Pay attention to your nerves: If you feel nervous, it’s a sign that a Very Big Thing is unfolding. Be nervous for how good that thing can be.” Don’t shove those nerves aside and pretend they aren’t there. Embrace and learn from them.

The best way to achieve your goals is to say them out loud.

“Sharing your goal in this way puts you in the brave but vulnerable position of admitting that you want something. The goal is now out in the world, breathing open air and growing into something real. Once the goal is real, you will undoubtedly become more accountable to it,” writes Pappas.

Pay attention to what motivates your ambition.

After working hard on her mental well-being, Pappas realized she had been “motivated by running away from failure instead of running toward opportunity.” She adds that “being motivated by fear of failure is the surest way to fail, especially in the athletic and creative worlds.” Are you running toward your next PR or away from a bad finishing time? Next time you’re setting goals, try exploring why you want them.

But be mindful about how you talk about your experiences.

“How you talk about your experiences will dictate how you feel about them,” writes Pappas. “Reframing our goals and rewriting our stories are powerful tools. Nobody can tell us how to feel about something. We can make our shortcomings into something beautiful if we want to. How we label an experience can completely change how we perceive it.” Pappas gives the personal example of when she ran her first marathon after the Rio Olympics. At about mile 10 a previous injury began to flare up and she began to realize that she was not going to keep up her target pace. But in her own mind she was able to reframe her goal to just reaching the finish line. And while afterward the press prodded to get her to admit disappointment in her finishing time, she could only be genuinely happy that she reached her goal of finishing.

108K California FKT falls three times in 11 days to ring in 2021

Trail runners have had a busy couple of weeks near Malibu, Calif., on the Backbone Trail. The women’s fastest known time (FKT) for the route, which runs through several state parks west of Los Angeles and north of Malibu, has been lowered three times since December 30 (along with several FKTs on the men’s side since the start of December). Celia Stockwell started the streak of records, closing out 2020 in style by running the 108K route in 13 hours, 28 minutes. Just two days later on New Years Day, Shelby Farrell rang in 2021 in the same (although slightly faster) fashion as Stockwell, setting the FKT at 13 hours, 25 minutes. Finally, a week into the new year, Brianna Sacks set the current route record, running 12 hours, 56 minutes to close out a wild and impressive 11 days of running.

A three-woman chase

The main excitement on the Backbone Trail in the past couple of weeks is thanks to the three women chasing the supported FKT for the route. (A supported run means they had a crew with them to help out with anything they might have needed.) On her Strava file for the FKT, Stockwell, who hails from Colorado, wrote that the 108K trek was the farthest she has ever run. Despite this fact, she performed exceptionally, shaving 16 minutes off the previous FKT from 2017. Stockwell, who was crewed by her mom and husband, didn’t get to enjoy the record for long, though, as just a couple of days later, Farrell beat her time by three minutes.

In her post-run report, Farrell — who lives in Redondo Beach, Calif., not far from the trailhead — said she and her pacer got lost early on in the run, and she estimates that cost her about 20 minutes. In the final stages of the run, she had her husband by her side to pace her. “I hung on with all my might. I opened up my stride, engaged my core … I knew I was within range of calling this course record mine.” She eventually made it to the finish, crossing the line with only a few minutes to spare.

Finally, it was Sacks’s turn to run the Backbone Trail. As she noted in her own post-run report, her January 9 run was her second FKT attempt on the route in 10 days. This time around, she made it through, smashing Stockwell’s and Farrell’s times by half an hour. Sacks lives in Los Angeles, and she wrote that she grew up running on the Backbone Trail. In fact, it was the site of her first ultramarathon. “Backbone is a beautiful beast,” she wrote. “It’s the best kind of ‘hurts so good.'”

Other Backbone FKTs

While Sacks, Farrell and Stockwell provided the main source of entertainment on the Backbone Trail over past few weeks, several other athletes have also recently tackled the route. A woman named Mac McIntosh set the women’s self-supported FKT on December 19, running the route in 15 hours, 45 minutes. Dima Sokolovskyy ran the men’s self-supported FKT on New Year’s Eve with a time of 14 hours, 26 minutes, and earlier in December, Avery Collins ran the men’s supported record in 10 hours, 19 minutes to smash the previous FKT by close to an hour.

Ultrarunner falls and breaks nose, carries on to win Bandera 100K

American ultrarunner Katie Asmuth had a race to remember at the Hoka One One Bandera 100K in Texas on Saturday. She won the race, which is noteworthy enough, but she did so after falling and breaking her nose about two thirds of the way through the run. Instead of calling it quits and dropping out of the race, she shared a laugh with everyone around her, stuffed a tampon up her nose to slow the bleeding and carried on to run the final 35K or so. She crossed the line in 9:25:00, taking the win by more than 10 minutes over second place. In the men’s race, Texas runner Ryan Miller ran to the win in 8:10:08 in the first ultramarathon of his career.

Taking a tumble 

“Wasn’t the most glamorous or graceful of races, but we got it done,” Asmuth wrote on Instagram after the race. Luckily for her, ultrarunners are rewarded for their grit rather than grace, which is why she came away with the win. As she noted in another Instagram post, the Bandera course is “super rocky and technical in parts,” which led to her unfortunate (but, as she said, memorable) trip and tumble, which occurred at an aid station around 64K into the race.

“From cheers and cowbells to… silence,” Asmuth wrote. “And blood dripping from my face and knees. A volunteer saved my race [with] a tampon that I stuck up my nose for the next 20 miles.” She said she took the event motto of “No whiners, wimps or wusses” to heart as she trucked through the final chunk of the race toward the win. 

The race was a huge success for Asmuth, but she almost didn’t go. She signed up for the run in June, but she wasn’t sure she would be able to run due to the consistently high COVID-19 numbers in California (where she lives) and across the U.S. Asmuth works as a nurse practitioner, and as she explained in her Instagram post, she told herself she would only go to the race if she got both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in time. “And miraculously, it happened,” she wrote

With her top result, Asmuth won a Golden Ticket to the 2021 Western States 100, which is set to take place in June. “The adventure is just beginning,” she wrote. “Now the real work begins.” 

An exciting debut 

A seasoned road runner (he has a marathon PB of 2:14:27 and qualified for the previous two U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials), Miller only started trail running in 2020, but he seems to have quite the knack for it. In November, he raced the USATF Trail Marathon Championships, finishing in eighth place

The Bandera was his debut ultra, and despite being about two and a half times farther than he had ever raced before, he crushed it to take the overall win and book his spot at the Western States 100 beside Asmuth. “Was today a dream?” Miller wrote on Instagram after the race. “Everything came together today in the most beautiful way I could have imagined.”

Grandma's Marathon organizers are gearing up for races this June, but the event will be capped at 10,000 participants

Grandma's Marathon is on, but only for half of racers. Organizers are planning for 10,000 runners, and registration is now full.

"Current state guidelines don't allow for even close to our current half-capacity limit, so we are operating in a gray area in which we don't know what June 2021 holds for us," said Shane Bauer, Grandma's Marathon's executive director.

"Because of that, we feel it's important to narrow our focus now on a defined participant number that allows us to fine tune our modified plan, giving Grandma's Marathon the best chance of holding an in-person event as safely as possible," he said.

The country's 12th-largest marathon typically brings 20,000 participants and thousands of other visitors to Duluth each year. It was canceled for the first time in the race's 44-year history last year because of COVID-19.

Registration for Grandma's Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K have filled up, but race organizers suggest those seeking a spot at the June 17-19 event contact one of their charity partners, who may have limited in-person entries remaining. Those registered can also transfer their entry to another runner for a fee using an online portal.

Runners can also sign up for virtual races with the option to race in competitive, recreational and incremental divisions.

Asics The New Title Sponsor of Falmouth Road Race

ASICS has committed to a multi-year title sponsorship of the Falmouth Road Race, one of America's most iconic summer running events. The 7-mile road race, held each August on a coastal route from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights on Cape Cod, had New Balance as its title sponsor from 2011 through 2019. The event was not held as an in-person road race in 2020 due to the pandemic.

"This partnership represents so much more than a sponsorship," explained ASICS Fitness Apps' general manager Alex Vander Hoeven through a statement. "It is a true example of how a world class event such as the Falmouth Road Race can collaborate with ASICS's global suite of products and digital services. We look forward to being on the course come race day and are honored to be part of the greater Falmouth Road Race community."

The Falmouth Road Race was founded in 1973 by the late Tommy Leonard, a bartender at the old Eliot Lounge in Boston. About 100 runners started that year in front of the Captain Kidd restaurant in Woods Hole and finished at old the Brothers 4 club in Falmouth Heights adjacent to Falmouth Heights Beach. Organizers use the same course today.

Some of the greatest distance runners in history have won the Falmouth Road Race including Khalid Khannouchi, Catherine Ndereba, Lynn Jennings, Benson Masya, Joan Samuelson, Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, and Grete Waitz. The 2019 champions were Leonard Korir of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sharon Lokedi of Kenya. The 2019 race had 11,534 finishers.

"Our partnership is new, but we have long played host to ASICS athletes who have added much to our events," added Scott Ghelfi, president of the Falmouth Road Race, Inc., board of directors. "We look forward to having ASICS as a title partner that shares our commitment to health, wellness, and giving back to our community."

The 2021 ASICS Falmouth Road Race is scheduled for Sunday, August 15, pending approval from the Town of Falmouth.

Two-month training in Ethiopian town of Sululta will enable Turkish athletes to qualify for Tokyo Olympics, say team leaders

Turkey's top-notch athletes have been training in one of Ethiopia’s high-altitude training sites, Sululta, with hopes to clinch the qualifying time required to compete in the marathon and 3,000 meters steeplechase in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The 2020 Summer Olympics Games, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are now scheduled from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, team leaders Bilal Arslan and Elvan Abeylegesse said Turkey has selected 12 athletes with the best time in the marathon and 3,000 meters steeplechase.

"For a marathon, we have ten athletes, of which six are female. Two women athletes are also training to compete in 3,000 meters steeplechase," said Arslan.

Abeylegesse said that the primary goal of the two-month training in Sululta was to prepare the athletes to compete in the championship at Trabzon, northeastern Turkey, which will take place in mid-February.

"These athletes will run to get the qualifying time required for the Tokyo Olympics in their respective fields," she said.

"We will be back to Ethiopia with those who qualified for Tokyo and do further preparation, maybe for five months," she added.

Located 12 kilometers (7 miles) north of the capital Addis Ababa at an elevation of 2,700 meters, Sululta is surrounded by mountains. It has been attracting internationally acclaimed athletes across the world.

"Sululta is an ideal place for training. Due to its high altitude, it helps athletes to gain endurance and stamina," said Arslan. "The town is plain and it provides a natural running track," he said.

Further, since dietary habits in Ethiopia are similar to that of Turkey, it helps athletes to adapt quickly.

"Everyone in the town wants to help, and the Ethiopian Athletics Federation and local officials are also assisting us," said the team leader.

According to Abeylegesse, the team has been working under a rigorous training regime over the past month and it will continue.

"We have been training with second-level young Ethiopian athletes, who helped us to learn more skills and discipline," she said.

"We are confident that we will achieve what we want," she added.

Busra Recep, a 24-year-old marathon specialist, said she was making progress in every aspect of long-distance running.

"I am doing my level best and hope to register the qualifying time for Tokyo Olympics and represent my country," she added.

Omer Alkan, a 29-year-old athlete engaged in the marathon race for the past 12 years, also hopes to hit the qualifying time, so he returned to Sululta for further training.

Olympic 100m hurdles champion Brianna McNeal could face eight-year ban

The Olympic 100m hurdles champion Brianna McNeal could face an eight-year ban after becoming the latest big-name athlete to be charged with an anti-doping violation.

In a statement, the Athletics Integrity Unit said that the 29-year-old American had been provisionally suspended after being charged with “tampering within the results management process”, but did not give any more details.

Under anti-doping rules, the standard sanction for a tampering charge is a four-year ban. However in 2017 McNeal was banned for a year by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after three whereabouts failures in 2016 - two of them after she forgot to update her whereabouts details when she was attending a fete of honour in her hometown and travelling to the White House to meet the president.

McNeal who led a historic USA sweep of the medals in her event in Rio, with Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin finishing second and third, was punished under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s code for failing to properly file whereabouts information on three occasions in a 12-month period.

The American Arbitration Association, which ruled on the case, described it as “a difficult case because it involves the imposition of a serious penalty on a brilliant athlete who is not charged or suspected of using banned substances of any kind”.

At that time, McNeal posted a statement to her Instagram account, which read in part: “I’ve always competed clean, and I am always happy to be tested to prove it. This is one of the most difficult times in my career, especially after having such a great 2016 season – all I wanted to do was capitalise on that but God has other plans.” Competing under her maiden name of Rollins, she also claimed the world 100m hurdles title in Moscow in 2013.

Last week it was revealed that the London 2017 world long jump champion, Luvo Manyonga – who made worldwide headlines when he recovered from a crystal meth addiction to become one of the faces of track and field – could face a four-year ban after being provisionally suspended for whereabouts failures. The current 100m world champion Christian Coleman was hit with a two-year ban in October for missing tests.

When runners should replace their shoes?

Your shoes are arguably the most important part of your running wardrobe, which is why runners spend so much time and money looking for just the right pair. Once you have found the perfect shoe, you should do your best to take care of them so they continue to provide the support you need throughout your training. This includes replacing them when they’re no longer in good condition.

But how do you know when it’s time to replace your shoes, and why is it so important? We spoke with avid runner and podiatric medicine practitioner Laura Desjardins to find out.

Desjardins says on average, you should replace your shoes after about 800 kilometers. That being said, how long your shoes last depends on their structure and durability. Lightweight shoes with soft soles, such as a racing flat, will wear much faster than a sturdier shoe with firmer soles.

For this reason, it is important to examine your shoes regularly to look for signs that they may need to be replaced. Desjardins told us that the soles of the shoe are the best indicator of wear. She explained that if the treads on the bottom are worn or if the foam is compressed unevenly on either side of the shoe, you should look into getting a new pair. According to Desjardins, most shoe soles are made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), which contains tiny, circular air bubbles.

Over time EVA will get thinner, causing those air bubbles to flatten or burst. Multiple wrinkles on the sole of your shoe are a sign that this is happening and your shoes need to be replaced.

Aches and pains may also indicate that it’s time for a new pair of shoes. This is because the compressed soles are no longer providing the same level of shock absorption, which increases the stress on your muscles, bones and joints while you run.

Why is it so important to replace your shoes?

According to Desjardins, worn-out footwear is often a contributing factor in almost all overuse injuries. This is because poor biomechanics can mold into your shoe, which then promotes that movement when you run.

For example, Desjardins explained that people who have weaknesses resulting in overpronation can actually mold collapsed forces into their shoes. If your footwear is contoured due to collapsing, it can encourage that form when running which can lead to injuries.

If you are trying to manage an injury or correct your running form, replacing your shoes is necessary for this reason. Even if you fall into neither of those categories, you should still avoid running in worn-out shoes to avoid injuries.

When you keep usisng the same pair of shoes every day, the foam in the soles doesn’t have enough time to bounce back, causing them to compress faster. Alternating between pairs every other day gives the soles a chance to rest and rebound. While buying two pairs is initially more expensive, you actually save money in the long run because each pair will last longer than they would have otherwise. For those who are able, Desjardins suggested having three pairs: a designated pair for easy mileage runs, a pair for workouts and a pair for long runs.

Of course, if you are not running every day, having multiple pairs of shoes may not be necessary. This is why the most important thing you can do is regularly check your shoes for signs of wear, and replace them as soon as your wallet will allow. Having a proper pair of shoes that are in good condition will help prevent injuries, so you can continue running and stay healthy. 

16-year-old sprinter Erriyon Knighton signs pro contract with Adidas

Florida high school sprinting sensation Erriyon Knighton has signed a professional contract with Adidas. With his decision to turn pro, Knighton, 16, will forego his remaining years of high school eligibility (he is set to graduate in 2022).

Since starting high school, Knighton has been the runner to beat in every event he enters, and he has won multiple gold medals at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games in the U.S.  

In 2019, Knighton won the 200m at the Junior Olympics, running 21.15 seconds. Last year, he improved on that performance, winning the 200m once again with a PB of 20.33 (an AAU and U.S. high school sophomore record) and adding 100m gold to his medal haul with a 10.29 PB performance. “Last year, when I joined AAU I got my confidence and thought I am pretty good at this and I will stick with it as another sport,” Knighton told DyeStat last spring. “I wanted to go 10.4 or 10.3, but my plans changed after Junior Olympics.” 

Knighton says his palns changed after his 10.29 run in 2020 because he is also one of the top young football prospects in the U.S. right now. He has reportedly already been recruited by some of the biggest NCAA programs in the U.S., including the University of Florida, and 247Sports lists him as a four-star wide receiver. With his decision to turn pro in track, he is officially leaving football behind. 

"knowing that I grew up around football my whole life, and receiving a lot of D1 offers, it was a tough decision, but it was also a no-brainer,” Knighton told USA Today. “In track, the success of my career is fully in my hands, and I know that I can do it.” Along with his Adidas contract, Knighton has signed with sports agency Stellar Athletics, where he will be represented by former professional sprinters Ramon Clay and John Regis.

"I know I can maximaze to the next level,” Knighton said after the deal was made public. “I’ve got to see what I can do. I want to win against the top athletes, but I know they’re not going to make it easy on me, so I’m going to have to train real hard.”