Running News Daily

Indian team is ready for the Trail World Championships

Trail running in India received a much-needed boost from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) after the sports body selected six Indian ultra runners, up from two last year, to represent the country at the 2018 Trail World Championships to be held at Penyagolosa, Castellon in Spain on May 12 this year. The AFI selected team is Aakriti Verma, Kieren Dsouza, Ajit Singh Narwal, Ullas Hosahalli Narayana, Lokesh Kumar Meena, and Sampathkumar Subramanian for the Championships.  Ultra trail runner Ajit Singh Narwal says, “It’s a fantastic feeling to see the sport gaining traction in the country. And this is merely the championship team. The number of people starting to run trails has increased manifold in last few years in India, that’s great news. So excited for the future of the sport in India.”  (05/02/2018) ⚡AMP

Gina Whitmore donated a kidney to her father and now is ready to tackle Lincoln Half Five months later

There was no doubt in Gina Whitmore's mind. She would be a match for her father who needed a kidney. "If it was my place to do this, we would know," the Lincoln, Nebraska  woman said. Blood work and scans came back in the father-daughter duo's favor. Whitmore, 37, was a match and in December, she donated her left kidney to her father Wilton Schlecht. On Sunday, dad, fully recovered from the transplant, will be the one giving something to his daughter — a finisher's medal after she completes the Lincoln Half Marathon.  "That is something special," said Schlecht, who has a progressive kidney disease.  Whitmore will be among more than 12,300 runners tackling the 41st annual Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon. She and her father are both doing well after surgery. Schlecht, 71, has lived with kidney disease for about 30 years. Within the last five years, Schlecht's kidneys started to deteriorate.  Whitmore started running marathons about 10 years ago. This will be her eighth time running the Lincoln course. Now her dad has a new kidney and his daughter is running Lincoln Half marathon for him.   (05/02/2018) ⚡AMP
by Kelsey Stewart

Running can cure depression and anxiety!

Recent studies have shown a link between exercise and reduced depression. A 2011 survey of 11 previous studies, for example, found that exercise appeared to be a significant help to those with depression and suggested doctors begin incorporating it into treatment plans. “I view balanced exercise as an important component in treating anxiety, depression and other mental-health disorders,” she said. “If clients are depressed, I educate them that the two best self-help strategies are exercise like running and social support. For anxious clients, I teach them how exercise helps reduce worry, panic and other symptoms.” says Jennifer Carter, a clinical assistant professor of family medicine and the director of sport psychology at Ohio State University, (05/02/2018) ⚡AMP

David Luy goal is to run sub 2:20 this weekend in Eau Claire and qualify for the Olympic Trials

When the Eau Claire Marathon begins on Sunday, May 6, in Eau Claire Wisconsin, runners from 27 states, plus Canada and Malaysia, will be at the starting line. One runner to watch is David Luy but be sure to get there early. David Luy, 26, of Brookfield, Wisconsin is the defending two-time Eau Claire Marathon winner, having beat the field last year with a 2:25:57 finishing time — 23 minutes ahead of the next runner. He has an ambitious goal this year — to trim six minutes off that time and finish below 2:19:00 so he can qualify to compete at the Olympic Trials.  Avid runner Michael Olson said he’s thrilled that Luy is trying to reach this milestone at the Eau Claire Marathon. He said the city is perfectly placed for holding a marathon in early spring. “I think Eau Claire is getting noticed,” Olson said. “If we have someone hit the Olympic standard, that just boosts our race that much more.” To finish in under 2:19:00, Luy will need to run about a 5:18 pace per mile for 26.2 miles. Luy said he has been running all his life and ran at Brookfield East High School but wasn’t in the upper tier. He didn’t run for the UW-Madison team while attending school there. However, he continued to run and got faster. “I’d run the campus and go further and further,” Luy said. He decided to compete in the Chicago Marathon in 2012. “It was such a surreal experience, it just jump-started my passion for the sport,” he said. (05/02/2018) ⚡AMP

Time is already running out to get entered into the 2019 London Marathon

The ballot to enter the 2019 London Marathon is underway.   But you'll have to be quick, since the process will close at 5pm (London Time) on Friday, May 4, 2018. During that time anyone wanting to run has to visit the London Marathon 2019 ballot website and fill in their details. It costs £39 to enter, or £35 if you are a member of an athletics club. All those who enter the ballot will find out whether or not they have been successful in early October. Other ways to get a place include running for a charity or via the 'Good For Age' category, which is open to those who have already run a full marathon in a particularly fast time. The Queen started the 2018 race from Windsor Castle, which saw Eliud Kipchoge and Vivian Cheruiyot, both from Kenya, in the fastest combined winners time for a marathon.  It was hot for this year’s marathon but that is not the norm.  However, there still were many fast times in this bucket-list event.   (05/01/2018) ⚡AMP

The USATF finally realized they need to find a new host for the U.S. 2020 Olympic Trials

The USATF said today it has reopened bidding to host the 2020 Olympic Trials amid litigation surrounding the construction of a new stadium at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., where the trials were originally awarded. USA Track and Field hopes to reward the trials no later than June. The Los Angeles area college originally beat out Eugene, Ore., and Sacramento for the right to host the 2020 Olympic Trials, USATF announced last June Eugene hosted the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Trials. Sacramento hosted in 2000 and 2004. Mt. SAC previously hosted the 1960 Olympic Trials and annually hosts a popular relays meet in April.  “The USATF Board of Directors unanimously authorized the move amid continuing litigation surrounding construction of a new Hilmer Lodge Stadium at (Mt. SAC) in Walnut, California, and the resulting delays on planning for a successful 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials,” USATF said in a statement.  Mt SAC President William T. Scroggins said: “While we are disappointed, we accept that the terms of the agreement give USATF the authority to withdraw from this commitment.” (05/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Should Caster Semenya be forced to lower Testosterone levels to compete in Tokyo?

Caster Semenya is very much in the news lately. We have already published two stories about the new IAAF rule which will require Caster to take testosterone-lowering medication in order to compete on an international level. 

Per the report: "The IAAF, will reportedly announce the creation of a new female classification to be known as Athletes with Differences of Sexual Development, which includes those with Hyperandrogenism, such as Semenya.

"From November 1, 2018, athletes who fit into that classification will be forced to undergo testosterone-lowering treatment."  

Caster was born with this medical condition.  Caster is a South African middle-distance runner and a gold medalist and for sure could easily pass for a man on the outside. 

Last August Caster shared this story about her love story with her wife Violet Raseboya in a TV interview.  "We met in a restroom in 2007. She was a runner and was being escorted by doping officials.

She thought I was a boy and said 'What is a boy doing in here?'" "I'm not a boy. You think I'm lost? You think I can just walk in here?" It took a while for them to start dating and Caster said it was her that told Violet about her feelings for her. 

"We were in denial. She had a past. She had a boyfriend. (She) was trying to deny being in love with a woman"  They got married in 2017.  

This is a tough situation for the IAAF.  Seb Coe just wants the competition to be fair.  However, this is a medical condition a person is born with. Penalizing  an athlete for a natural trait of her body does not seem right.   

(05/01/2018) ⚡AMP
by Bob Anderson

USA 25K Open Championships has a strong field, $112,400 in prize money and fun for all

The Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K coming up May 12 in Grand Rapids, Michigan is also the USA 25K Open Championships with prize money of $112,400. Competing again will be two-time champion Aliphine Tuliamuk going after a third win. The 29-year-old from Santa Fe, New Mexico, dominated last year's race clocking 1:24:34. She finished 36 seconds ahead of Neely Gracey to take the $10,000 first prize for the women's event, along with another $2,500 for being the first to cross the finish line in the staggered start "race within the race" against the men.  Greg Meyer, the elite race coordinator, announced Tuesday, "Three notable names are missing on the men's side. Christo Landry, who won in 2016 and was second last year and in 2015, will miss the race due to an Achilles' injury. Likewise, Jared Ward, who won in 2015 and was second in 2016, is out with a hamstring injury. Also, defending champion Dathan Ritzenhein will not be back. He is recovering from an injury suffered just before he was to run the Boston Marathon early last month. Without them, the top returner is Parker Stinson, who finished third last year (1:15:03).  He's a nine-time All American at University of Oregon who most recently was sixth at the 12K U.S. Championships."   Other notable runners include:   Samuel Kosgei, former Kenyan and now U.S. citizen who ran a 2:13 marathon and was fifth at the U.S. Marathon Championships. Tyler McCandless, who finished second at the U.S. Marathon Championships in 2:12, and finished seventh in the 2014 River Bank Run.  Scott Fauble, "My dark horse in this race," Meyer said of the 26-year-old who ran a 2:12.35 in his marathon debut in Frankfurt, Germany last October. Sam Chelanga, Meyer called him "the man to beat" with a 60:37 best in the half marathon and holder of the NCAA 10,000-meter record (27:08). (05/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Elite 10K field is set to go after the $112,000 purse at the Okpekpe 10K in Nigeria

Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn and Kenya’s Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei will lead a truly world class elite field at the IAAF Silver Label sixth annual Okpekpe International 10km road race scheduled for May 12 in Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo State of Nigeria. Walelegn is the third fastest man over the 10km race over the last year clocking 27:37 seconds he ran last March to win the Laredo 10km road race in Bilbao Spain.  He also clocked a 59:50 half marathon in Istanbul April 8 of this year.  He will be challenged for the $20,000 top prize money for men by the Kenyan trio of Timothy Kiplagat who came third (27:52) behind the Ethiopian at the Laredo race, Josphat Kiprono Menjo who came fifth (28:28) at the Valencia 10km road race in January and holds the fourth fastest time of all-time (27:04) and 2016 winner Simon Cheprot, who will be coming to chase history as the first man to win two Okpekpe titles.  For the women, Kenya’s Tuei will be the athlete to beat. She is the fastest woman over the distance so far this year clocking 30:57 at the  Valencia 10km road race in January.  Her time is the 36th joint fastest on the all-time list and she will be hoping to become the fourth Kenyan woman to win the title. Tuei will be hotly challenged for the top prize of $20,000 by compatriot Mary Waithera who won the Laredo 10km race last March with 31.48,the ninth fastest time in the world over the last 12 months. Also in with a chance is 2016 winner Paulline Njeku Wanjiku who, like Cheprot will be seeking a slice of history as the second woman to win two Okpekpe titles. (05/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Alberto Salazar still holds one American Road Record which he set in 1981

DID YOU KNOW: The American Road Record for 8K is 22:04.  It was set over 37 years ago.  On January 4, 1981 Alberto Salazar ran that time in Los Altos, California at the Runner's World Five Mile Invitational (5 miles is 154 feet longer than 8K). 

It is a distance that is not run very often but that is a long time for the record to still be on the books.  That same year Alberto won the New York City Marathon in 2:08:13 as he did the following year and 1980 as well. 

He also won Boston in 1982 in 2:08:52.  A race that would be known later as the "Duel In The Sun." 

Dick Beardsley and Alberto (photo) battled right up to the end.  Alberto was born in Cuba in 1958 and immigrated to the United States as a child with his family.  Salazar currently is the head coach of the Nike Oregon Project in Portland, Oregon.

(05/01/2018) ⚡AMP
by Bob Anderson

Boston Marathon director gives out medals that say, My next goal is to earn my own medal

Every time I give a speaking appearance, I asked who has not run in a race before but would like to someday. I then pick one person from the audience and give them a medal. The medal says “my next goal is to earn my own medal."  I then tell them when they run a race and get their own medal they have to mail this one back to me so I can someday give it to someone else. I have received hundreds of these medals back in the mail. The idea is that when they raise their hand and I give them the medal, it is a reminder of their “commitment” to pursue this goal and the medal actually encourages them and incentivizes them to actually do it. Of all the medals I have given away over the years, I probably have received 90% of them back, meaning that they actually did make the commitment and eventually participated in a race and received their own medal. Pretty cool. Just received another one in the mail yesterday! (05/01/2018) ⚡AMP
by Dave McGillivray

Sarah Sellers focus is now to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics after Boston

Sarah Sellers who came out of nowhere to finish second at the Boston Marathon, is turning her attention to trying to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Sellers, an Ogden (Utah) High School and Weber State graduate, initially wanted to hit the 'A' standard Olympic qualifying time of 2 hours, 37 minutes earlier this month in Boston.

As soon as she saw the weather — wet, windy and miserable — she abandoned that goal, but still hit the 'B' standard with her time of 2:44:04 (the 'B' standard is 2:45:00).  

"I still don't feel like it's quite a reality yet, but I'm really excited because it's definitely very motivating to try really hard and to train smart, because there's a lot of really good marathoners in the U.S.," she said.

Sellers, a nurse anesthetist at Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, qualified for the Olympic trials, which will be held Feb. 29, 2020.

"I don't know what my potential is there, but I think I'm definitely motivated to do everything I can to do the best I can at the trials," she said. Sellers is taking it easy for a while to help her body recover from the marathon. She will try to incorporate things like strength training and biking, but doesn't anticipate running a race for awhile as she recovers.

(04/30/2018) ⚡AMP

Johannesburg's Sports Minister says IAAF new rule is very sexist, racial and homophobic

The Sports and Recreation Minister, Tokozile Xasa in Johannesburg, South Africa believes that Caster Semenya is being targeted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for her continued success on the track. Semenya made history at the recent Commonwealth Games held on Australia’s Gold Coast by winning gold medals in the 800m and 1 500m races, and setting a new 1 500m record of 4:00.71. Last week, in a surprise decision, the IAAF announced that women athletes who compete in 400m, 800m, 1 500m and mile events, would in future have to take medication that would decrease their natural testosterone levels. Xasa complained that this was a “targeted approach”. “We see this as a targeted approach by the IAAF,” she said. “This new initiative comes after she (Semenya) broke records at the Commonwealth Games. “It is also Africans that are participating in long-distance races, therefore we view it as a target,” the minister said. “To compound the argument, she’s also a woman, hence this becomes sexist. This should have come a long time ago, not only when she wins medals as a way to discourage her. “We take this as very sexist, racial and homophobic. “We are angry and we want the entire country to rally behind us. Since Africans are doing well in these races, there are now a lot of questions that are surrounding them, thus we are very disappointed.” Now in the prime of her career, as a result of her physique, Semenya has also had her sexuality questioned by the IAAF. She has already taken tests for gender traits to check whether she is female or male.  Caster married her longtime girlfriend in January 2017. Same-sex marriage has been legal in South Africa since 2006. (04/30/2018) ⚡AMP

Kate Landau win's Eugene Marathon after being forced to drop out of Boston

Two weeks after hypothermia forced her to drop out of the Boston Marathon, Tacoma's Kate Landau added another big win to her resume. Landau, 41, won the Eugene Marathon on Sunday morning in a personal-best time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, 44 seconds. Her time was the second best for a woman in the 12-year history of the event.  She beat the second-place woman (Becki Spellman of Ohio) by more than six minutes. Only six of the more than 800 male runners were faster than Landau. Landau's time earned the top qualifying standard for the 2020 Olympic Trials in Atlanta.  Eugene's historic Hayward Field seemed like a fitting place for Landau to accomplish this goal. It was there in 1996, that she finished second in the 10,000-meter race and sixth in the 5,000 at the NCAA championships while running for Georgetown. She went on to compete at the trials for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.  (04/30/2018) ⚡AMP

Five family members coming together to run the One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon

"One day (four years ago) we were up with my grandparents in Michigan and I just decided I wanted to go out for a run," said 14-year-old Gabe Lingenfelter.  28 races later, he hasn't stopped. He never lacks for encouragement. Kris, his mom, is a serious runner too, as is his grandfather. He's been running the mini marathon for years. You might say it's in the family DNA. When the Lingenfelters showed up for the OneAmerica 500 Mini three years ago, they showed up three generations strong. "The first year that Gabe and my dad and I all ran it, it was really neat. We had a sign that said three generations of mini runners and that was kind of a special thing to see, my dad there running it with my son," said Kris. This year, they add more family members to the race. Kris' 11-year-old daughter Bella made a pact to run the mini with her grandmother. "Last year we did the 5K together, and this year when she said she wanted to do the mini," Bella said. "I decided I would do it with her as well." If you're keeping track, that makes five family members coming together for the One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon. "I don't know too many 14 and 11 year olds who want to go out and run 13 miles with their mom and grandparents," Kris said. "They're quite special kids." And they're building a bond that goes far beyond the first Saturday in May. (04/30/2018) ⚡AMP
by John Stehr/ 13 WTHR

Nicole’s daughter could run six miles faster than she could walk 3/4 of a mile, that prompted her to lose 92 pounds

Nicole Klan used to enjoy cheering on her children and husband as they competed in cross country, track and field and road races. On Sunday, however, Klan will lace up her running shoes and run in the half-marathon at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. It will be the second half-marathon Klan has completed in the year and four months since she tackled a weight-loss program on which she has lost 92 pounds. “I’ve tried literally everything to lose weight, multiple times,” said Klan, 47.  But a turning point came in October 2016, when Klan traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to watch her daughter, Tricia, compete in the Columbus half-marathon. In the time it took Klan to walk three-quarters of a mile to see Tricia at mile 6, her daughter had already passed that point. “She was faster running six miles than I was walking three-quarters of a mile, and then after walking there and back I couldn’t walk for three days,” said Klan. She also had grown concerned about her health – her blood pressure and cholesterol levels were high. On Jan. 7, 2017, Klan walked into a Weight Watchers meeting, committed to losing weight. She was shocked when she stepped on the scale and saw she weighed 255 pounds. There, one of the instructors told her she would be more successful if she participated in a physical activity she enjoyed. “All of my family members are runners – my dad ran his first marathon at 60 and they always seem like they’re having a good time, so I thought I’d give it a try."  She began walking, and when she was able to walk 45 minutes without pain, she started Couch to 5K, a program designed to help beginner runners run a 5K in nine weeks. It took Klan a little longer – five months – but in July 2017 she completed the Whiskey Rebellion Run/Walk. (04/30/2018) ⚡AMP
by Karen Mansfield/ Observer-Reporter

Let's understand how fast 18-year-old Phonex Kipruto ran today in Central Park

From the starting horn at the 14th UAE Healthy Kidney 10K run in Central Park in New York City today April 29, two runners—Kenyan training partners Rhonex Kipruto and Mathew Kimeli—set off to chase the bonus prize money, in addition to competing for the $10,000 first-place prize.

Passing the 5K split in approximately 13:39, the two were on track to break the event record, and they would only pick up the pace from there. 

On the fourth mile, the 18-year-old Kipruto began to pull away from Kimeli, and he reached the 8-kilometer checkpoint in a world-best time of 21:45, breaking the previous mark by 17 seconds. Kipruto would then lower the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K event record by 27 seconds, crossing the finish line in 27:08; that time is also the fastest in the world this year to date, the fastest road 10K ever run in the United States on a record-eligible course, and the seventh-fastest road 10K of all-time (also on a record-eligible course). Kimeli would finish second in 27:19. 

This is a New York Road Runners event.  Prior to this race, Phonex finished 3rd at the Birell 10K last September in Prague clocking 27:13.

(04/29/2018) ⚡AMP

The first High School Runner to run a sub four minute mile in 1964, Jim Ryun is 71 today

DID YOU KNOW:  Today is Jim Ryun’s 71st birthday.  Jim was the first prep runner to run a sub-4:00 mile which he did in 1964 in 3:59.0. His 1965 time of 3:55.3 stood as a high school record for 36 years. A three-time Olympian in 1964, 1968 and 1972, Jim won the Silver Medal in the 1968 Olympic 1,500 meters in Mexico City, set World Records in 1966 of 1:44.9 for 880 yards (1:44.3 for 800m en route) and the mile (3:51.1). In 1967 he set World Records of 880 yards indoors (1:48.3), mile (3:51.1) and 1,500 meters (3:33.1), he tied Tom O’Hara’s indoor mile WR of 3:56.4 in 1971, was five-time NCAA champion at the University of Kansas, at Wichita East High School was three-time Kansas State mile champion, was 1966 Sports Illustrated ‘Sportsman of the Year’, 1966 Sullivan Award honoree, 1966 ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year, and Track and Field News 1966 and 1967 Athlete of the Year.  Jim was one of my heroes that got me started running in 1973 and remains one of my heroes.  Last summer Jim was awesome to be my milestone 100th interviewee at Gary Cohen Running. (Click on link to read the interview.) (04/29/2018) ⚡AMP
by Gary Cohen

Bruce Tulloh, the original barefoot runner and world class runner has died at age 82

Bruce Tulloh, European 5000m champion in 1962, one of Britain's best and most popular runners of the 1960s, trans-America record-breaker, and an ongoing influential figure in British athletics as a coach and writer, has died aged 82. 

In 1969, Tulloh ran 2876 miles across America from Los Angeles to New York City in 64 days. This is described in his book Four Million Footsteps, published by Pelham Books in 1970.  

"I read Four Million Footsteps many times," said Bob Anderson.  "It was a wonderful account of his journey across America.  Bruce was a super friendly, inspiring runner and he will be missed." 

Bruce told Simon Freeman (editor at Like the Wind Magazine). "Bruce Tulloh says he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t running. His mother was a runner and — according to Tulloh — she never lost a race. His whole family were active, sporty people, including the perceptive grandfather, an international tennis player." 

He told Simon in 2015, "There’s nothing nicer for me than to go out to a lovely bit of grass or on to the beach and run,” he says.

“Even though nowadays I’ll be running a bit, walking a bit. It’s just a natural human activity.” And it is possibly thanks to his decision to not wear shoes that Tulloh will be best remembered.

However, it would be a mistake to think that there wasn’t science and planning behind the choice to go barefoot.  He was the originial barefoot runner. 

(04/29/2018) ⚡AMP

The world’s fastest 10k on the roads was run this morning in New York City, Phonex Kipruto clocked 27:08

Kenya’s Phonex Kipruto, just 18 clocked the fastest 10K on the roads in the world over the last 12 months and runs the fastest time ever on US soil.  He ran 27:08 in New York City this morning at the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K.  This is an annual race organized by the New York Road Runners, with support from the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC, to benefit the National Kidney Foundation. Phonex hit the 5K mark in 13:38, 8K at 21:43.  His second 5k was run eight seconds faster than his first.  Mathew Kimeli placed second in 27:19.  Buze Diriba (ETH) out sprinted Aselefech Mergia (ETH) to win the women's race by one second.  Her time was 32:04. (04/29/2018) ⚡AMP

Sandy Gage traveling the world running Marathons and Beyond, 101 so far

Sandy Gage got excited about running again, nearly 35 years after she competed with her high school track team.  

Never did she imagine it would lead to traveling the world competing in marathons, 100 in total to be exact. The 61-year-old married mother of four adult children hit the 100-marathon mark April 7, and it wasn’t a standard 26.2-mile race, but a 100-mile ultra marathon at the 4,500-foot elevation mark in the mountains of Idyllwild in Riverside County, California. 

“I wanted to run the 100-mile race to commemorate my 100th marathon,” said Sandy, a senior vice president at Merrill Lynch in Brea. “A lot of my family came out to watch and supported me the entire way.”

She finished the race in about 33 hours, taking a few hours off in the middle of the race to drain some blisters. She has no plans to stop running marathons now that she’s reached the 100-marathon mark. In June, she’ll compete in a standard 26.2-mile marathon in Machu Picchu, Peru, a race that takes runners to an elevation of 17,000 feet in the Andes Mountains.

There are several more on her schedule.   She’s run the Boston Marathon twice, the Los Angeles and Huntington Beach Surf City marathons five times apiece, San Antonio, New York, Chicago, San Francisco marathons and marathons in Tokyo, Great Wall of China, Antartica, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Berlin and London. And there will be many more to come.  

(04/28/2018) ⚡AMP
by Josh Thompson/ Chino-Chino Hills Champion

World half marathon record-holder Jepkosgei will represent Kenya at the African athletics championships in Nigeria in August

Joyciline Jepkosgei, who suffered the residual effects of a bout of flu to finish fifth (1:06:46) at the Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates in February, says she is back in top form and hopes she will compete in the 10km road race before heading to Assela, Nigeria for the continent's premier track and field competition. "It is always hard to make Kenya team and that is why I have started my preparations early. Nobody respects the records you may have because everyone is hungry to win and Kenya has many upcoming athletes so I do not want to be surprised," she said on Saturday in Mumias, Western Kenya. Jepkosgei holds the world half marathon record at 1:04:51 and was relieved when compatriot Fancy Chemutai missed it by one second in Ras al-Khaimah. But she knows it is a matter of time before the mark is smashed and she wants to have the chance to defend it. But for now, running at the African championships is her main focus. "This is my first track competition of the year," said Jepkosgei after competing at the national athletics championships series in Mumias. "I want to prepare well for the August African championships in Nigeria. I shall compete in the 10,000m, but first I shall focus on the June 20, Kenya Defense Forces championships so that I can book my ticket," said Jepkosgei, who won the 5,000m at the Kenyan Army Championships in 16:28.7. Kenya dominated the middle and long distances at the last African athletics championships in Durban, South Africa, winning 24 medals -- eight golds, eight silvers and eight bronzes -- to finish second behind the host country who had a total of 32 medals. Nigeria was third with 16 medals. (04/28/2018) ⚡AMP

Grandma’s Marathon Confirms course changes for upcoming Marathon and Half

Runners participating in this year’s Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth Minn. will notice a slight change of scenery along the race course. The race course has been modified through downtown Duluth due to the Superior Street construction project. Marathon officials say the reroute will be in effect for the 2018-2020 race seasons and is contingent on the phases of Duluth’s reconstruction plan for the Superior Street project. The modification will take place as follows: The modification only affects a small portion that will temporarily be rerouted during Mile 11 of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and Mile 24 of Grandma’s Marathon. Details of the changes can be found on their website.  The course reroute has been measured and certified by USA Track and Field and poses virtually no impact on the start or finish line locations. (04/28/2018) ⚡AMP

47-year-old Portland Marathon cancels 2018 race, will dissolve organization

The Portland Marathon board of directors has canceled the 2018 race and plans to dissolve the 47-year-old Portland Marathon organization, according to an open letter the board sent Friday to The Oregonian/OregonLive.  “There will be no Portland Marathon in 2018," began the letter, attributed to board members Richard Busby, Julian Smith, Andy Ritchie, Jim Schaeffer and Gina McVicker.  The same letter was sent to the City of Portland at 11:30 a.m. Friday.  The move comes more than a week after former Portland Marathon event director Les Smith reached a settlement with the Oregon Department of Justice. Smith was found to have illegally borrowed money from the Portland Marathon and was required to repay $865,000, of which $50,000 would go to the Oregon Department of Justice to cover the cost of the investigation. In Friday's letter to The Oregonian/OregonLive, members of the new Portland Marathon board, assured the 2,500 people already signed up for the run that they would get a full refund, through the race registration platform, Active.com. "Our decision was based on a number of factors, including a decline in race registrants for 2018 and the Board's understanding of the City of Portland's desire to move in a different direction," wrote the board. (04/28/2018) ⚡AMP

His goal is to raise One Million Dollars for a coworker battling Tonque Cancer

A man is using the deep rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys to help a coworker diagnosed with cancer.

When Texas school assistant principal, Bruce Hermans, learned the school's choir director, Allison Hartzell, was battling Stage 4 tongue cancer, he wanted to do something for her.

As an avid runner, Hermans decided to help raise money for Hartzell's treatment by running his first full marathon in his hometown of Green Bay. 

Pitting Packers fans against Cowboys fans, the Run4Allison campaign's goal is to raise $1 million by asking fans to donate in the name of their favorite team.

Which ever team raises the most money, is the jersey Hermans says he will wear crossing the finish line at Lambeau Field during the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. 

(04/27/2018) ⚡AMP

My Legs got so numb in Boston, it felt like I didn't have shorts on says Shalane

Shalane Flanagan posted this today, "That time I ran the Boston Marathon and my legs got so numb from the cold that it felt like I didn't have shorts on.  And apparently...it looked like I didn't have shorts."  Some of her fans comments: "But those muscles." "If my legs looked like that I probably wouldn't wear pants/shorts ever." “You needed ski pants that day." "Ha ha, at least you can laugh about it now! You lived to tell the tale! Superstar."  Shalane kept running and finished in 7th place. (04/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Boston Marathon Champion, Desiree Linden is returning to Boston for BAA10K

The BAA announced today that 2018 Boston Marathon champion Desiree Linden will return to Boston for June's BAA10K, presented by Brigham Womens. You can join Des and some of the world's fastest runners as the BAA kicks off summer at this fun race through the Back Bay. This year's event will be held on Sunday, June 24, and will have a maximum field size of 10,000 entrants. The women's course record was set by Shalane Flanagan in 2016.  She clocked 30:52 which is also the American Record. (04/27/2018) ⚡AMP

80-year-old marathoner Sydney Wheeler says he limits his mileage to 1000 miles annually due to his age

80-year old Sydney Wheeler has been a member of the Chepstow Harriers Running Club (Wales) for 30 years and will be running his 210th marathon on Sunday at Newport's first marathon. He is the oldest entered.  Chepstow said: “I was inspired to start running marathons after the first London marathon in 1981. “I watched the winners arm in arm crossing the finish line and the sportsmanship really inspired me. I started running from then.” Sydney says as he trains every other day, but limits to running 1000 miles a year as he needs more time to recover due to his age. “I am better at running longer distances than I am shorter distances. So that’s why I started doing marathons,” he said. The pensioner says he may be in last position on Sunday, but he doesn’t mind and says he is lucky he doesn’t suffer any injuries.  “My only worry is I will hold everyone up as they are all volunteers and they are all waiting for me.” (04/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Galen Rupp is set to hit the streets of Prague May 6 and do battle in the Marathon

Galen Rupp is set to hit the streets of Prague just 20 days after cold, windy, and rainy weather and his resulting respiratory problems forced him out of the 2018 BAA Boston Marathon. His prior record in marathons found him on the podium four times in four starts (including two victories and a Bronze medal in the Olympics) and he will be looking to return to that form with a redeeming run in the 2018 Volkswagen Prague Marathon on May 6th.   This will be Rupp’s second visit to the city after the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in 2017 which he used as a tune-up for his second place finish in the 2017 Boston Marathon. “I’m excited to be running in Prague. I’ve done a lot of great training in the last few months and I’m looking forward to the race on May 6,” said Rupp.   The American will face strong competition trying to beat him to the tape. Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma who ran 2:04:08 earlier this year in Dubai will be wearing the No. 1 bib. Rupp did defeat Lemma in the Chicago Marathon in 2017 with a fast final 10 kilometers.    Amongst the invited African, European, and Japanese runners there will be many others looking to claim the win including the 24 year old Barselius Kipyego a 59:14 half marathoner. Kipyego’s win in the Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon last September bodes well for a faster finish than his current marathon personal best of 2:13:06.   (04/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Mutai says he is healthy again after suffering stomach problems and ready to race Hamburg Marathon

More than 25.000 athletes have registered for the Haspa Marathon Hamburg. Germany’s biggest spring marathon and since 1986 the first one to paint the blue line on the roads. Hamburg is fast (2:05:30), the metropolitan city (1.8 million residents) lets the euphoric atmosphere spill over and carries you to the finish.  Upfront the elite field is set to take on the Marathon. Kenyan's Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai, one of the best marathon runners in the world will be running for the first time in Hamburg. In 2014 he ran 2:03:13 in Berlin but finished second behind his compatriot Dennis Kipruto Kimetto, who finished in 2:02:57, a new world record. In 2011 Mutai won the prestigious London Marathon in 2:04:40, his biggest success so far. In the following years he was slowed down by chronic stomach problems.  After his arrival in Hamburg he said, "healthy again and fully resilient."  Five years ago Mutais countryman Eliud Kipchoge (33) set the course record in Hamburg at 2:05:30.   The favorites besides Mutai are: Sammy Kitwara (Kenya /2:04:28), Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda /2:06:33), 2012 Olympic champion, and Stephen Chebogut (Kenya /2:05:52). "But you can not plan a course record, it depends on many factors," says the athlete manager. An important aspect is the cooperation among the runners. "If we stay together from the start to km 38 or 40, no one pulls out, a quick time can come out," says Sammy Kitwara, who won the Valencia Marathon in 2:05:15 hours last year. Cooperation would pay off for everyone in the end. But “It all depends on the weather," says Kitwara, "if it rains from the start, it'll cost us two to three minutes." (04/27/2018) ⚡AMP

A grandpa and grandson are running the Oklahoma Marathon for the 14th time

Thousands will run to remember at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon as runners reflect on the tragedy of April 19, 1995 when 168 were killed by the domestic terrorist bombing.  It's an event that has become symbolic for victims and survivors. It's also made a difference in the lives of Darrell Burnett and Benjamin Wilkins, a grandpa and grandson who are running in honor of a family member, for the 14th time. "It started when he was two. We decided that it would be a good thing and kind of like a tradition for us, and so we've tried to keep that going every year since then," said Burnett.  They say it doesn't matter how fast or hard you run, as long as the memory of those lost stays alive. "This isn't about running. You do not have to finish fast. You just have to remember them," said Wilkins. (04/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Last year's Pittsburgh Marathon Champion Wants to run faster this year

Two-time winner Clara Santucci and defending men’s champion Jacob Chemtai will be seeking repeats against top international fields at the 2018 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, set for Sunday, May 6. This year’s 26.2 mile race features a prize purse of $57,000, including $8,000 for each race champion. Jacob Chemtai, 31, of Kenya, who won the 2017 race in 2:15:25, wants to run even faster this year, but like Santucci, he will face a strong field of contenders. “Coming to the start line as the defending champion, I will already be motivated, and I will try not to disappoint,” Chemtai said. “I will try to push early while bearing in mind that I am competing against the world's best, so I will have to focus and run my race by not competing with anyone but time.” Challenging him will be several men who have clocked a marathon under 2:10, including Milton Rotich, who has a marathon PR of 2:08:55; Werkuneh Seyoum Aboye, who has a marathon PR of 2:09:27; and Fikadu Girma Teferi, who sports a marathon PR of 2:09:34. (04/26/2018) ⚡AMP

Peter Pressman known as the father of Nashville running will be remembered Saturday

On Saturday, as thousands of runners stand at the starting line of Nashville's biggest running event, Peter Pressman will be remembered. Pressman, a man known as the father of Nashville's running community, died last month while doing what he loved — setting up for a training run in preparation for the St. Jude Rock 'N' Roll Nashville Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. To honor him, Rock 'n' Roll marathon organizers have created wristbands and memorial flags and will hold a moment of silence before the race. "This race weekend, we will celebrate his life and what he loved to do and carry on his passion within our Rock 'n' Roll family," said Josh Furlow, managing director of the Rock 'n' Roll marathon. Peter Pressman, 'father of Nashville's running community,' died at age 72. (04/26/2018) ⚡AMP

Claudia Raven made it her goal to run 21 half marathons before she turned 21

By the time she turned 21, Claudia Raven had run 21 half-marathons, and now she's on her way to running 2018 kilometers in 2018. Raven, who reached her milestone birthday on April 2, first picked up her running shoes in 2013 when her class at Sacred Heart Girls' College had to run the 21.1km distance. "It kind of freaked me out with how far it was," she said. She completed that first half-marathon in 1 hour 52 minutes.  "It took me 21 half-marathons to get to my PB again." She got back into running halfway through her first year at Auckland University of Technology, planning to run every day for a month. Then it became six months, and then a year.  Raven says running gives her a break from studying without being stuck in a gym. Raven's current goal is to run 2018 kilometers in 2018, which is 40km a week. (04/26/2018) ⚡AMP

A double lung transplant recipient is training to run the Kentucky Derby half-marathon this year

Steve Lindsey underwent a double lung transplant after suffering extreme scarring from pulmonary fibrosis. Steve now uses his new lungs to the fullest, climbing 38 floors at the PNC Tower for the Fight for Air Climb. On May 7, 2015 Steve Lindsey received a set of new lungs after an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis turned his world around in 2013. “It does not matter whether you believe that when you die you go to the streets of gold or you fade into oblivion. You won’t need your heart, your lungs, your liver. Be a donor and save someone else’s life,” Lindsey said. “That’s what someone did for me. I’m trying to pay it back by doing as much as I can for others and living the life I’m living.” Now he is training to run in this year's Derby Festival Mini Marathon. (04/26/2018) ⚡AMP

A slew of Kenyans are ready to battle America’s Galen Rupp at Prague Marathon May 6

Stephen Kwelio Chemlany is leading a slew of Kenyan stars at this year's Prague Marathon on May 6. Chemlany has had a good performance in Asia, winning in China and South Korea at the Seoul Marathon. However, he seeks to dominate a new fortress as he heads to Europe, eying the Prague title against a top international lineup, which includes Chicago Marathon champion Galen Rupp. "It will have top names because the course there is good. But it is down to what you do in your preparations and then wait to see how the opponents perform against your running. I have no worries of injuries and am focused on doing the job right in Prague," Chemlany said on Wednesday from Eldoret, Kenya. Chemlany, who has been training in the USA, was runner-up at the 2011 Berlin Marathon and came fourth at the 2013 Berlin Marathon. (04/25/2018) ⚡AMP

Modesto Marathon is out $60,000 and over $2.5 Million of other entry fees collected by RacePartner are missing

The Modesto Marathon posted this Monday on their Facebook page by their race director Vickie Chu-Hermis. "It is with a heavy heart that I tell you the following news in regards to the Modesto Marathon. The race registration company that we originally were using for our marathon, RacePartner, failed to pay us for entries that were made on their platform for the months of November & December. There have been several attempts to collect on the owed funds to no avail. The company is currently under an FBI investigation. We have filed a police report and have been added to the FBI investigation but frankly don’t expect to be able to recoup the missing funds. We estimate our losses to be in excess of $60,000. As a nonprofit event, with all of the proceeds going to our Teens Run Modesto (TRM) program, we are extremely saddened by these turn of events. We’re continuing our hard work to put on the best experience possible for our participants, and are excitedly looking forward to an awesome 10-year anniversary event in 2019." RacePartner, based in West Palm Beach, Fla., and operated by Forte Interactive, not only owes $60,000 to the Modesto Marathon. It was also reported earlier this month, ten organizers of races across the country say more than $2.5 million in entry fees collected by Forte Interactive have disappeared according to the Modesto Bee. An email sent to RacePartner by The Bee on Tuesday morning, seeking comment, was not answered. In the meantime, the Modesto Marathon has moved on to I Am Athlete for its race registration. (04/25/2018) ⚡AMP

New IAAF rule might slow Olympic 800m Champion Caster Semenya by seven seconds

The Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya could run up to seven seconds slower under new rules requiring her to lower her natural testosterone levels to race internationally, a prominent sports scientist has predicted. Under rules due to be announced on Thursday morning by the IAAF, the world athletics governing body, a separate female classification for an athlete with differences of sexual development (or DSDs) will be introduced. Such athletes, including Semenya, will have to reduce and then maintain their testosterone levels to no greater than 5nmol/L by November 1 if they want to compete in events ranging from 400 meters to a mile. The IAAF believes its new rules will “preserve fair and meaningful competition in the female classification” because women athletes with high testosterone have an advantage of up to 9% over women with normal levels of testosterone. (04/25/2018) ⚡AMP

96-Year-Old Mike Fremont Sets American Record at Grand Blue Mile

Ninety-six-year-old Mike Fremont of Ohio stopped running marathons when he was 90. On Tuesday, Fremont set his sights on setting a new American record in the road race mile--and he did it. Fremont finished the Grand Blue Mile in 13 minutes 55 seconds. Fremont will attempt a world record in his age group on Friday night in the 800 meters. That race takes place at Drake Stadium. (04/25/2018) ⚡AMP
Age-Group Running

The First paralyzed man on foot has completed the London Marathon

The first paralyzed man completed the London Marathon on foot crossed the finish line, but a day late to get a medal. Simon Kindleysides set off at 10am on Sunday alongside thousands of other racers and finished at 10:46pm on Monday - the last person to cross the line. The 34-year-old, a father of three was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder and a brain tumor in 2013, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. He walked the 26.2-mile marathon course using a ReWalk exoskeleton suit. He has been awarded the Spirit of London award, which the London Marathon gives to participants who "encapsulated the unique spirit" of the race. He is the first finisher from this year's race to be given the award. Simon was raising money for The Brain Tumor Charity and at the time of writing has raised £8,630.04 ($12,032US) just short of his goal of £10,000. (04/25/2018) ⚡AMP

Regular running makes people happier and more confident but we know this

According to academics researches, a survey of 8,000 runners found they enjoyed a sense of satisfaction and achievement, with events such as parkrun and social network Strava adding a sense of community. Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University carried out the study by interviewing 8,157 runners across the UK registered with parkrun, the nationwide weekly free 5K run, and fitness app Strava. Dr Emmanuelle Tulle, reader in sociology at the university, said: "Running gives you a feeling you have achieved something and a sense of tremendous satisfaction. It adds to a general sense of well-being, you feel good and it helps boosts your self-confidence. The combination of attending parkrun and being able to track your progress on Strava makes runners feel as if they are not on their own, it enables them to see the point of running. They are much more likely to maintain regular exercise as a result and reap the benefits. There is a combination of competitiveness and togetherness, which is extremely beneficial." 89% of those surveyed said running regularly has made them happier and has had a positive impact on their mental health and body image. (04/25/2018) ⚡AMP

Seven year old Lucas King loves to run and ran his first half marathon last fall

“I love to run,” says 7-year-old Lucas King, “just like my daddy and grandpa.” Lucas, a second grader in the UK has been training under head coach Eric Miller since cross country season began last fall. And it was that mentoring that inspired the elementary schooler to get started. “Coach (Miller) believed in me,” Lucas said. At 64 pounds and 52.5 inches tall, Lucas has been running workouts with the academy’s middle and high school students, but he is ineligible to compete for at least another two years. For now, he is considered an honorary member of the school teams. In the meantime, Lucas has participated in open races and has been pushing himself to improve. Often competing in the 14 and under age group against kids older than him, Lucas has learned to have patience.“When my time comes, I want to be ready,” he said. “I run for God, my country, my school and myself – in that order.” Lucas’ dad, Todd King, is also a runner and completed a 100K (62-miler) last fall at the Crooked Road 24 Hour Race. Last month, Lucas completed his first half marathon (13.1 miles) with a respectable 2:04:46 time. (04/25/2018) ⚡AMP
Kids Running

The Weather can be a challenge for Runners at the Boston Marathon and not just this year

There have been many years when the weather conditions at the Boston Marathon has been challenging. Let’s take a look. 1. 2018 had temperatures in the 30s with rain and wind. 2. In 2007, the area had powerful winds leading up to the race. 3. Five marathons were run in snow; latest in 1967. 4. In 1976 temperatures were so hot that the race was nicknamed “Run for the Hoses” as temperatures hit mid-90s. 5. In 2012, temperatures hit 89 degrees. 6. In 1905, temperatures topped 100 degrees. 7. In 1939, racers ran in the dark at the start of the marathon thanks to a storm and partial solar eclipse. 8. In 2002, the mist was so thick that helicopters covering the race were grounded. 9. In 2010, flights for runners heading to Boston were grounded because of a volcano in Iceland that was spewing ash into the sky that stopped air traffic in Europe grounded for weeks. (04/24/2018) ⚡AMP

How the Abbott World Marathon Majors $820,00 was dished out

Series XI of the Abbott World Marathon Majors concluded in dramatic fashion Sunday (April 22) at the London Marathon with a double win for Kenya. In the elite men’s series, Eliud Kipchoge destroyed the best men’s field ever assembled to take his third consecutive AWMM title, while his compatriot Mary Keitany destroyed herself in her bid to break the mixed-race women’s world record, failing in that quest but picking up the AWMM win as a consolation. Series XI kicked off at last year’s London Marathon with a new one-year format featuring a rotating start and finish for each of the six annual series races. A new prize structure was also introduced for Series XI, with prize money awarded to the top three men and women in both the open and wheelchair series, rather than just individual winner. The Series XI champions receive US$250,00 each with US$50,000 going to second and $25,000 to third, while the top wheelchair racers will get $50,000 each, with $25,000 and $10,000 going to second and third respectively. Kipchoge claimed his Series XI crown in stunning style, taking 25 points for his London win yesterday to add to the 25 he earned for his Berlin Marathon victory last year. After the disappointment of coming fifth in yesterday’s London Marathon, Keitany also took her third Abbott World Marathon Majors title thanks to the 25 points she earned in London last year and her second place in New York last November. Geoffrey Kirui with 41 points placed second. Yuki Kawauchi with his Boston win placed third with 25 points. For women Tirunesh Dibaba placed second with 41 points and Brigid Kosgei placed third with 32 points. Wheelchair winners were Marcel Hug and Manuela Schar with 100 points each. (04/24/2018) ⚡AMP

The all-time best marathoner in the world is Eliud Kipchoge and here’s why

The debate over who is the greatest marathon runner has been answered emphatically by Kenyan Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge. He does’t hold the official world record but he did run 2:00:25 in the special Marathon NIKE sponsored. The 33-year-old said on Monday after returning home in Kenya that he will not celebrate his win in London, the third in as many attempts, but rather will focus on the fact that his victory has inspired many to carry on in his footsteps. Despite missing the world marathon record by 80 seconds because of the hot weather conditions, Kipchoge remained cool. "I can't complain about the weather, it was the same for all 40,000 competitors. I don't think I will celebrate this performance, I have celebrated by inspiring many people," he said. It was Kipchoge's eighth marathon. He started his marathon career with a win in Hamburg, Germany in 2013 and lost his only race in Berlin the same year to Wilson Kipsang, who set a world record of 2:03:23. Kipchoge went on to win in Rotterdam and Chicago in 2014, London and Berlin in 2015, London and Rio Olympics in 2016 and last year he won in Monza in 2:00:25 under special conditions and Berlin in 2:03:32, missing the Dennis Kimetto world record (2:02:57) by just 35 seconds. "His record speaks for itself," says Bob Anderson. "He is the greatest Marathoner of all-time." (04/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Olympic Triathlon Gold Medalist Gwen Jorgensen is making her half-marathon debut May 6

Jorgensen joins U.S. top field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Sunday, May 6. Olympic Triathlon Gold Medalist Gwen Jorgensen will make her half-marathon debut in Pittsburgh next month at the 2018 USATF Half Marathon Championships, part of 10th annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events. The 31-year-old former professional triathlete announced her retirement last fall to focus on distance running, with the goal of winning gold in the 2020 Olympic Marathon in Tokyo, Japan. “I am very excited to be making my half marathon debut at the USATF Half Marathon Championships and look forward to testing my limits at this new distance” Jorgensen said. “I heard the course is fast with some inclines across five bridges, finishing with a tough climb. The course also goes past the Penguins stadium, and although I have never been to Pittsburgh, I am a Penguins fan.” At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Jorgensen became the first American woman to win Olympic Gold in the Triathlon. Later that year, she ran the New York City Marathon clocking 2:41:01, finishing 14th. (04/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Galen Rupp was so ready to run well in Boston but the weather got in the way, next up Prague!

Galen Rupp was so ready to run a fast time and win Boston Marathon but the weather won out. So now what?

Galen is going to run the 2018 Volkswagen Prague Marathon on May 6, race organizers confirmed today.

Rupp (in the black Nike hat) dropped out of the Boston Marathon just before 20 miles due to breathing problems and hypothermia as a result of the cold, wet, and windy weather.

The course record in Prague is Eliud Kiptanui‘s 2:05:39 from 2010 and the winning time has been under 2:09 in each of the past nine editions of the race.

Rupp’s personal best is 2:09:20, which he ran to win the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October. Before his DNF in Boston, Rupp had set a personal best in each of his first four career marathons.

(04/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Canada’s Andrea Seccafien is primarily a track runner but runs a solid Half Marathon

It has been a big year for Andrea Seccafien. The Ontario Canada native moved across the world from Toronto to Melbourne, Australia in September of 2017. Seccafien now trains with Melbourne Track Club, among some of the best female distance runners in the world. MTC is a club that consists primarily of Olympians, most of which are Olympics finalists. Seccafien has had a whirlwind two years on the track, making both the Olympic and World Championship teams, as well as achieving a personal best of 15:08.59 in the 5,000m. Australia seems to suit Seccafien. On Sunday (April 22) she ran her first half marathon at the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon in a time of 1:13:19. That is a strong debut, especially considering she is primarily a track athlete and it is still quite early in the season. The Canadian half marathon record is currently held by Rachel Cliff at 1:10:08. With focus she might be able to run that fast. (04/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyans dominate the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Madrid

Valentine Kipketer and Eliud Barngetuny clocked 2:30:40 and 2:10:15 respectively to secure a Kenyan double at the 41st Rock ’n’ Roll Madrid Marathon on Sunday. Kipketer’s mark took one minute and 24 seconds off the course record set in 2009 by Turkey’s Mehtap Sizmaz while Barngetuny’s performance was the second-fastest winning time ever in Madrid. In the men’s race, Nicholas Kirwa and Joseph Kiprono Kiptum led the main favorites in the opening stages, covering the first uphill 5km section in 16:39. They reached 10km in 30:45 with 12 men still in contention. After a 45:46 15km split, the clock read a promising 1:04:36 at halfway. By then no fewer than 10 athletes remained with winning chances. As expected, the second half proved to be much tougher than the first because of the course profile and the rising temperatures. The 35-km split of 1:47:41 made it clear that the course record (2:09:15) was not going to be broken today. Kibiwott began to falter with 2km to go, so the race became a two-man battle between Kiplagat and Barngetuny. The latter found an extra gear during the closing kilometre to finish in a PB of 2:10:15. In second, Kiplagat also set a PB of 2:10:24, while Kibiwott was third in 2:10:32. Once the pacemaker in the women's race dropped out at 37km, Kipketer ran the closing section on her own. The gradually rising temperature (20C by the end) and the closing uphill meters prevented her from finishing within 2:30, but she still managed an overwhelming win in 2:30:40, a course record. (04/24/2018) ⚡AMP

2020 Olympic USATF Marathon Trials will be held Feb 29, 2020 in Atlanta

Atlanta will host the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. The city, which hosted the 1996 Olympics, won out over Austin, Texas; Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida. USATF announced this Monday. "Atlanta's legacy in the sport, their creative commitment to athlete support, and the experience of their event management team were compelling. USATF looks forward to working with Atlanta Track Club, the City of Atlanta and the U.S. Olympic Committee on what promises to be an amazing Olympic Trials," said USATF CEO Max Seigel. The race is scheduled for February 29, 2020 and will take place the same weekend as the Atlanta Marathon. Though no course map has been released, USATF protocol calls for a loop-style course. Atlanta has a deep running and track & field legacy, Atlanta hosted the USATF Indoor Track & Field Championships from 1994-2001, while Atlanta Track Club has emerged as one of the running industry’s leading organizations. With 28,000 members, the Club has been part of the USATF Running Circuit since the circuit’s inception in 2002, regularly hosting the USATF 10K road racing championships in conjunction with the Peachtree Road Race. (04/24/2018) ⚡AMP