Running News Daily

Is there a conflict of interest - Nike just dedicated a building to Sebastian Coe

Yesterday Nike dedicated a building on their Global Campus to Sebastian Coe. A little more than three years ago Coe severed his ties with Nike. The Nike Oregon Project is still part of an on going doping investigation, but the sportswear giant announced they would name a new building after the president of the IAAF on the same Nike Campus where Alberto Salazar coaches. In November 2015, Coe terminated his agreement as a $140,000-a-year ambassador for Nike in the face of accusations that a conflict of interest existed over the controversial award of the 2021 athletics World Championships to Eugene, Oregon. Maybe Nike named a building in his name because of what he did as an athlete? Sebastian Coe is a two time Olympic gold medalist (1,500 meters, 1980, 1984) and Olympic silver medalist (1980, 1984, silver medalist 800 meters). Very impressive and of course he is the current President of the IAAF. (03/13/2018) ⚡AMP

Nesbitt will make her Commonwealth Games debut for Wales

Welsh half marathon champion Jenny Nesbitt will join a talented group of welsh women’s distance runners in Australia, that includes Eli Kirk, Caryl Jones and Melissa Courtney. “I couldn’t believe it when I was told that I’d been selected, and I am just so, so happy to be given the opportunity to represent Wales on the Gold Coast,” said the Worcester based athlete after receiving the last minute selection last week. Following the last minute call-up to Gold Coast 2018, Nesbitt will fly out to Australia on Monday for the Commonwealth Games. Her best Half Marathon is 1:12:54. (03/13/2018) ⚡AMP

Is Todd Williams 15k American Record he set in 1995 unbreakable?

Todd Williams ran the Gate River Run in 1995. His crowning achievement, is a still-standing American Record of 42:22 for the win. By 5k he was at 13:47; he came through 10k at 28:07. This split — in a non-paced, solo road effort — was less than 30 second slower than his fastest track 10,000m at the time. And that was with another 5k and a monster hill to go. He finished with a new American Record 42:22, Williams was only about 8 seconds off of Paul Tergat’s world record at the time. That’s lofty company to be in. In fact, this record remains one of the more untouchable American distance records today. In 1993 he ran a 60:11 Half Marathon in Tokyo. The retired professional runner personal bests are 13:19.50 5000m and 27:31.34 10,000m. He ran his marathon best of 2:11:17 in the 1997 Chicago Marathon. (03/13/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan Geofrey Kamworor will be the man to beat at World Half Championships

Kenyan star Geoffrey Kamworor will be running the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia March 24. The long-legged Kenyan has, arguably, proved the most versatile distance runner of his generation. Besides his twin success at the biennial World Half Marathon Championships he has also scooped back-to-back World Cross Country titles, claimed 2015 world silver on the track over 10,000m and proved a formidable competitor over 42.2km as evidenced by his victory in November’s New York City Marathon... “I have run 58 minutes for the half-marathon, I always believe in myself. I am focused and want to win,” he says. Boasting an impressive half-marathon record of eight wins and three second places from 12 international races over the distance, Geofrey will be the man to beat in Valencia later this month. (03/13/2018) ⚡AMP

How come you think everything is funny? Just seems funny to me!

"I can always count on Gary Fanelli Sr. to see the humor in my FB posts," says Bob Anderson. "It is refreshing." I asked him about this.

He says, "Growing up I had an unusually keen sense of humor... it runs in my family on my Mom's side aka Irish wit . I saw humor in just about everything. It got me in trouble in school. Sometimes my Mom would ask "Gary, how come you think everything is funny?"

I'd answer "Well I don't know, it just seems funny to me." He was one of the first to wear a costume in a race. After running 25 flat in a five mile race as Elwood Blues his next stop was the New York City Marathon.

He said, "Fred Lebow liked the idea...The reaction at NYC was fabulous... I enjoyed so much running races as Elwood Blues.

"I felt I was truly entertaining people." Gary started racing in 1961 as a 10 year old in the Philadelphia area. Gary kept on running until he reached World Class level.

He participated in two US Olympic Marathon Trials and has a marathon best of 2:14:15 set in 1980 in Montreal.

(03/12/2018) ⚡AMP

A Chance Encounter with Rupp and Salazar on a Roman Holiday

Carla van Kampen posted this Saturday on FB, "Had a chance encounter with lifelong running idol, the great Alberto Salazar and his Olympic silver and bronze medal athlete Galen Rupp! Galen had just finished an easy three mile run and was doing exercises as Salazar showed up from his two mile run.

After a quick dash into their hotel to get a change of sneakers for Galen for his 100 meter strides, Salazar measured the distance by his steps and used a broken pair of glasses on the road as his marker.

Salazar told him to run them in 14 seconds.....and Galen did just that." ...The next day Galen ran the second fastest Half Marathon ever run by an American...59:47.

(03/12/2018) ⚡AMP
by Carla van Kampen (in Rome)

Mother-of-four to undertake the ultramarathon across Sahara Desert

A mother-of-four will undertake one of the toughest physical challenges of her life when she tackles a 251-kilometre ultramarathon this April. Sabrina Humphreys, 40, has signed up for the notoriously Marathon Des Sables which takes place in southern Morocco. She will run for six days across the baking hot Sahara Desert with the event taking place from April 6 to 16. The race is completely self-sufficient and is become known as the "toughest foot race on Earth." Sabrina will be running in aid of Allsorts, a Gloucestershire-based (UK) charity that gives support to families who have children with disabilities. This charity is very close to Sabrina’s heart as her niece Destiny, eight, and nephew Kyle, 15, have varying forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. (03/12/2018) ⚡AMP

Is the 2021 World Championship going to be in Track Town USA?

USA Track and Field has placed its president, Vin Lananna, on temporary leave to avoid potential conflict of interest concerns over an investigation into the awarding of the 2021 world championships to Eugene, Oregon. The Department of Justice is investigating possible racketeering, money laundering and fraud charges related to the awarding of both the Eugene championships and the 2019 championships to Doha, Qatar. Lananna has long served as president of TrackTown USA, the nonprofit that hosts events in Eugene. He led Eugene's efforts to land the championships, which were awarded without a bid process. USATF chairman Steve Miller said nobody at the federation believes Lananna committed wrongdoing, but the move was made to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. On March 8th the IAAF says there might be a scheduling issue in Eugene to hold the World Championships there, the first time in the US. Stay tuned... (03/12/2018) ⚡AMP

Only 32 people have finished the Arctic Ultra Race Ever

Romanian endurance athlete Tibi Useriu has “a commanding lead” in this year’s Arctic Ultra, one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world. Useriu won the Arctic Ultra in 2016 and 2017 and is now the only Romanian still competing in the race, after Avram Iancu, Polgar Levente, and Florentina Iofcea all had to drop out. “As this report is written, Tibi Useriu, previous champion and all round legend, has a commanding lead on the ice road having passed through Mid Peel River check point and well on his way to Aklavik." The race takes place in extremely harsh conditions, at temperatures ranging between -50 and -30 degrees Celsius. Throughout the nine editions of the race, only 32 participants made it to the finish line. The race started on March 9 in Yukon. It will end at Tuktoyaktuk, on the banks of the Arctic Ocean (03/12/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

Kenyan Erick Kiptanui wins at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon

Battling high winds, Kenyan Erick Kiptanui and Etagegn Woldu of Ethiopia prevailed in their respective races at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon. Despite the wind and rain, the men's race still witnessed deep results with the first 12 running under 61 minutes. The challengers tried to make up ground at different points in the waning different stages, but they couldn't catch Kiptanui who closed with a 2:47 final kilometre end route to 1:00:05 victory in his debut over the distance. "I’m really happy with this result," said Kiptanui, whose biggest career win came at the San Silverstre 10km in Madrid last New Year's Eve. "I must thank the organisation for inviting me and trusting that I can run at this level. I think I could have achieved a better result if there were no strong wind. (03/12/2018) ⚡AMP

Sekine 3rd in Nagoya Women's Marathon Debut

Hanami Sekine took a step toward appearing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Sunday, when she led the Japanese runners at the Nagoya Women's Marathon, finishing third behind winner Meskerem Assefa of Ethiopia. In her marathon debut, Sekine clocked 2 hours, 23 minutes, 7 seconds, while Assefa cut the tape at Nagoya Dome at 2:21:45 for a personal best ahead of Kenya's Valary Jemeli, who was second in 2:22:48. By being one of the top three Japanese, Sekine booked a spot in next year's marathon Grand Championship, Japan's qualifying race for 2020. (03/12/2018) ⚡AMP

Galen Rupp runs first sub 60 to win 44th annual Roma Ostia Half Marathon

Galen Rupp ran a personal best to win the 44th edition of the Roma-Ostia Half Marathon on Sunday (March 11, 2018).

The US distance runner won the Rome race in 59:47 as he went sub 60 minutes for the first time and takes 43 seconds off his 2011 best.

He had Ryan Hall’s 2007 US record in his sights and came very close only missing Hall’s time by four seconds.

However, if he had dipped under the 59:43 mark it would not have stood as an American record however because the course is a point to point race and not record-eligible....

Rupp launched his decisive attack between 15th and 16th kilometers when, after a tactic of waiting during which he vented his most credited opponents, he lengthened the pace by breaking the Kenyans Moses Kemei, second place in 1:00:44, and Justus Kangogo, third in 1:01:02....

The female race saw Ethiopian’s Hftamenesh Haylu in first with 1:09.02 and compatriot Dera Datta close behind in 1:09:21. Third place went to Kenya’s Rebecca Chesir, who finished in 1:11:04.

(03/11/2018) ⚡AMP

Bend Oregon ranks with any Town in America as a Trail running destination

This Pacific Northwest gem sports miles of trails and open road for runners.Situated in central Oregon on the eastern flanks of the Cascade Mountains, it has both numerous nearby trail running options around town and a seemingly endless array of long-haul routes at higher elevations. Because of its small-town convenience, adventure-oriented population and 300 days of sunshine per year, Bend ranks with any town in America as a trail running destination.“Bend is an amazing place to live as a runner,” says Max King, elite trail, road and track runner. “For me it’s the combination of trails right from town; an amazing outdoor community where you get runners that bike and swim and do everything; and two great specialty running stores with several events a week that tie everything together.” (03/11/2018) ⚡AMP

New Half Marathon Record for a Mom pushing a Triple Stroller with three kids onboard

Ashlee Eskelsen set a new world record for pushing a triple stroller with her 3 sons on board in Saturday’s Montgomery Half Marathon.

“We had some hard hills out there,” says Eskelsen. Her motivation? She ran in last year’s Boston Marathon. “I was 14 weeks pregnant with my little son and it’s always been a dream of mine to do it and once I did I was looking for something else,” she said.

The previous Guinness world record was 1:47:59. The combined stroller and kids weighed about 150 pounds. But she still was able to beat the old record with a time of 1:47:29.

“Those last few miles were hard. I don’t know if I have ever had miles that hard before. I had to stay strong mentally... no one else was allowed to touch the stroller,” says Eskelsen.

(03/10/2018) ⚡AMP

Huddle and Korir ran away from the fields at the River Gate Run this morning

In her final race before next month’s Boston Marathon, Molly Huddle put on a dominating display in the women’s race at the USATF 15 km Championships (River Gate Run in Jacksonville Florida) while fellow Olympian Leonard Korir repeated as men’s champion Saturday morning. With the women starting six minutes ahead of the men, with an equalizer bonus on the line, Huddle and fellow frontrunners Jordan Hasay and Molly Seidel shot to the lead, running by themselves well ahead of the rest of the field. With the finish in sight, Huddle raised her arms in victory, crossing the line in 47:50. Running her own Boston Marathon tune-up, Hasay came in second with a mark of 48:40, well ahead of Seidel, who earned third in 49:20. (03/10/2018) ⚡AMP

Tips on battling depression from a legendary ultra runner who exercises to avoid the next attack

After suffering her first serious case of depression at 22, Nikki Kimball found that distance running was not just something she was good at – she needed it to survive.

Now she teaches others how to combat depression though exercise. Extreme physical effort triggers massive production of dopamine, a natural painkiller that the body needs to pull through the pain. After the pain is gone, the cells are still flush with dopamine.

This causes the euphoric “runners’ high”, which is also one of the most effective cures for depression. Kimball needs these regular injections of extreme physical and mental shock to vaccinate herself against the next episode of depression.

As she has learned over the years, these may suddenly arrive unannounced and with overwhelming force, enough to confine her to a fetal position in bed for 18 hours a day.

(03/10/2018) ⚡AMP

Why don’t Kenyans run ultramarathons? Is it lack of prize money or what?

Kenyans, along with their neighbors in Ethiopia, dominate the world of long-distance running in distances up to and including the marathon. But not beyond the marathon. Why? Asking people at the center of the Kenyan running world, in the town of Iten, about ultrarunning brings mostly puzzled looks. What is this thing you speak of, they ask? Running further than a marathon? Is that possible?The big barrier to this is, of course, was money. In Kenya, there are no managers looking for ultrarunners, no one willing to pay for a plane ticket to a race in the hope of cashing in on a share of the winnings. This is because the winnings are small or non-existent. Money is a key motivator for many Kenyan athletes: running offers them a way to change their lives, to escape poverty and to help their families and communities.Yet, as the sport of ultrarunning grows, so do the opportunities to earn money. A handful of top ultrarunners now have agents securing them big sponsorship deals and a few races are putting up big cash prizes in the hope of luring the top competitors (03/10/2018) ⚡AMP

Did 4200 Marathoners cheat to get the medal or did the timing company screw up?

Mexico City Marathon officials disqualified 4200 runners after an investigation revealed widespread cheating at their August 2017 race.

There were 28,260 finishers. There were Facebook posts showing runners allegedly cheating by taking shortcuts, beginning the race along the course (officials are now saying most everyone crossed the starting line?) or even allegedly boarding trains (this was never confirmed).

Marathon Investigation reported that most of the cheaters did not do so in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Rather, Derek Murphy wrote, they did it for the collectible medal. Or was this a timing company technical issue.

"I think if it turns out to be a timing error and they disqualified a bunch of runners for an error on their end, that would be really bad for them," Murphy said.

For the 2018 race the director says, “We are not handing over any medals at the end of the marathon, until we have thoroughly reviewed that [all runners] have completed the full race course,” De La Vega says.

He believes that one of the major reasons for concern is runners' desire for completing the word "Mexico." Since 2013, the medals feature a different letter from the word. This year's event will complete the letter "O."

(03/10/2018) ⚡AMP

Study says that under training for a race can lead to injuries

For the past 11 years, a team of physicians and researchers at Mayo Clinic has been collecting data from athletes in an attempt to predict and prevent running injuries. “The most common injuries runners experience are lower extremity injuries – mostly knee pain, hip pain, and foot and ankle pain. In the early years, we obtained a lot of data on runners with race-related injuries and we found that under training for a race can lead to injuries during the event.” (03/10/2018) ⚡AMP

A London Marathon win will ensure Dibaba a Marathon Majors Win and $500,000

Three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba has been named the Ethiopian Airline Brand Ambassador... She made her marathon debut in London in 2014, finishing third in 2:20:35 before returning last year and coming second behind Mary Keitany in an Ethiopian record of 2:17:56, putting her third on the world all-time list behind Paula Radcliffe and Keitany. She returned to the track last summer to win a silver medal in the 10,000m at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 before picking up her first marathon win at the Chicago Marathon in October (2:18:31). That victory put her joint top of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XI leader board which started with last year’s London Marathon and concludes after this year’s race, counting the results of the World Championship marathon plus the marathons in Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Boston. A win for Tirunesh in London this year will ensure she would secure the AWMM Series XI title. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Hasay and Huddle are going after Shalane Flanagan’s national 15k Record Saturday

In the women’s race, at the Gate River Run this Saturday, the key number is 47. That’s the time, in minutes, of Shalane Flanagan’s national record 15K time from 2014 (47:03). If everything falls into place with the expected high-octane showdown of Jordan Hasay (photo) and Molly Huddle, the race director believes that mark could go down. Hasay, 25, used last year’s victory as a stepping stone to success at April’s Boston Marathon. There, she placed third with the fastest-ever time (2:23:00) for an American woman in her marathon debut. Her chief challenger is Huddle, who finished second here in 2012 and now enters in the best form of her career. The 33-year-old from Providence, R.I. broke the American half-marathon record on Jan. 16 in Houston, running 1:07:25. That surpassed Gate River Run legend Deena Kastor, whose mark of 1:07.34 had stood for 12 years. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Last year's Gate River Run men's finish was the closet in race history

For the first time since 2014, both reigning champions - Leonard Korir for the men, Jordan Hasay for the women - return to defend their crowns at the Gate River Run Saturday March 10. “People always like to pull for the winners,” race director Doug Alred said. History leans against a Korir-Hasay double repeat, something that’s happened at the Gate River Run only in 1986-87 (Arturo Barrios and Grete Waitz) and 2001-03 (Meb Keflezighi and Deena Drossin). Given Korir’s current form, though, he’s the clear men’s favorite. A 31-year-old U.S. Olympian who was born in Kenya and now runs with the U.S. Army Distance Project, Korir made his First Coast debut a memorable success last year by edging Shadrack Kipchirchir last year in the closest finish in race history. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Eritrea´s Tadese chasing fourth Lisbon Half Marathon victory

World record holder Zersenay Tadese will be gunning for a fourth victory at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label road race. Once again, the Eritrean, who set the 58:23 world record on this course in 2010, is the principal name on the long elite entry list. But he can expect strong opposition from eight athletes who have covered the distance in under one hour, along with 2012 Olympic and 2013 world marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda, who has never run under 61 minutes --his PB is 1:01:15-- but is this weekend aiming to join the sub-60 fraternity. On the list of favourites, we can include Kenyan Sammy Kitwara who as the winner in 2016 is quite familiar with the course and with a 58:48 lifetime best, capable of fast times. His compatriot Stanley Biwott, the winner of the 2015 New York Marathon, is also part of sub-59 club with a 58:56 lifetime best. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Galen Rupp is going to be racing half marathon on Sunday in Italy

The IAAF has confirmed that "Galen Rupp will be in the spotlight at the 44th edition of the Huawei Roma-Ostia Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label road race, on Sunday March 11 in Rome, Italy."

“I am very happy to run in Rome, I have heard great things about this race,” Rupp said. “My goal is to run a fast time in my preparation for the Boston Marathon.”

“I like the Roma-Ostia course as it is flat and it will give me the chance to fulfill my potential. I think it will be a high-level race, where I will run to win. I am aiming to run my personal best. If I am fit I can attack the US record.”

That mark in 59:43, set by Ryan Hall in Houston in 2007. Rupp’s lifetime best in 1:00:30 set in 2011. However, since this is a point to point course it would not count as an official American Record.

(03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Pioneering marathon runner Switzer to race London Marathon

Kathrine Switzer will compete in the London Marathon for the first time in April, 51 years after becoming the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon. Women were barred from running the Boston Marathon before Switzer challenged the ban, competing under her initials in 1967. She ran in Boston with the bib number 261, gained widespread recognition for completing the race, in a time of 4:20, despite an official’s attempt to remove her from the course. “The streets of London have been an important part of women’s running history as well as women’s rights,” She said in a statement released by London Marathon organizers. Switzer helped stage the Avon International Women’s Marathon in London in 1980, which helped convince the International Olympic Committee to sanction the women’s marathon at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Jerusalem Marathon guest of honor was Haile Gebrselassie

Kipkogey Shadrack, 27, of Kenya won the Jerusalem Marathon in 2:21.26. The guest of honor at the marathon was Olympic medalist and long-distance running world champion Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia. Gebrselassie holds two Olympic gold medals in 10,000-meter running and four world titles for that same distance, and he was the first in the world to break the 2:04 time for the marathon. International runners came from 72 countries — including China, the US, Germany, Poland, Portugal, and Lithuania. The city of Hong Kong sent the greatest number of runners from outside Israel, followed by Los Angeles, Beijing and London. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan´s Chesum returns to defend title in Barcelona

Jonah Chesum returns to defend his title at the Zurich Barcelona Marathon, an IAAF Bronze Label road race. Chesum was a pacesetter last year who went on to win the race in 2:08:57 in his debut over the distance. Later in the season the 29-year-old took fifth in the Gold Coast Marathon clocking 2:10:47. To help remember his surprise victory last year, Chesum spent part of his earnings from the race to buy a cow for his farm in Iten. “Of course,” he said with a laugh, “I named her ‘Barcelona’. Now she is pregnant and the calf will be named ‘Messi’.” (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Jake Robertson going for repeat win at Crescent City

Jake Robertson from New Zealand won the Crescent City 10k last year in 27:55. In many of past this year’s was dominated by runners from Kenya. Jake is returning this year and wants to again cross the finish line first. (03/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Olympic medalist Ethiopia's Kebede ready to break course record at Zurich

The 40th edition of the Zurich Marathon of Barcelona , which will be held March 11 in Barcelona, ​​will have a strong elite African participation, led by the Ethiopian marathoner Tsegay Kebede, 31 years old and with a personal best of 2 hours 04 minutes 38 seconds (Chicago 2012), bronze medal in the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008 and the 2009 World Cup in Berlin. Kebede will attempt to break the course recrod, which is held by the Kenyan Jackson Kotut in 2:07:30, since March 7, 2010. (03/08/2018) ⚡AMP

U.S. Rabbis to run 10K at Jerusalem Marathon to raise funds

This is the second consecutive year ten American rabbis will run the 10-km. at the annual marathon this weekend, via a program called RabbisCanRun launched by not-for-profit organization Kav L’Noar across North America. The organization helps youth at risk in Israel and their families build the relationships and skills they need to secure a more positive future. The participating rabbis have thus far raised $78,000 for the organization. Aside from supporting and raising awareness about a worthy cause, the initiative also seeks to encourage rabbis to improve their health. (03/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Ireland's team is set to run the World Half Marathon Championships

Paul Pollock and Kevin Seaward are among five Northern Ireland athletes named for the Ireland team for this month's World Half Marathon Championships. They will be joined by Stephen Scullion in the men's race in Valencia with Fionnuala Ross and Laura Graham both in the women's event. "This is perfect timing with regards to the Commonwealth Games," said Pollock. The Holywood man finished a superb 14th at the World Half in Cardiff in 2016. "When I looked ahead before last Christmas, the World Half was definitely a goal," added the 31-year-old medical doctor. "I know some of Northern Ireland's athletes will go out to Australia the week before then but I was really pleased Athletics NI recognised that it would be really beneficial for Kevin and me to go to Valencia." (03/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Comrades Marathon medalist passed away Friday at age 28 - not sure why?

The South African running community is mourning the death of 28-year-old Comrades Marathon medallist Siphiwe Ndlela. Ndlela finished top 10 in the Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans in 2016 and 2017. The medallist was in the Drakensberg over the weekend for a training camp when he fell ill. Ndlela complained about abdominal pain, sweating and vomiting during the camp and passed away suddenly on Friday evening. Comrades Marathon chair Cheryl Winn says his death has come as a huge shock. “We’re devastated to hear of the passing of such an incredibly promising and rising star, and our sincere condolences to his family and friends.” (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Running can help you combat forgetfulness

Running may be the answer to jogging your memory as new research reveals it strengthens signals in the brain. Exercise has long been known to help combat stress, but a study by Brigham Young University suggests that it can also help combat forgetfulness. The researchers found that running helps protect against the negative effects of stress on the hippocampus - the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. 'It's empowering to know that we can combat the negative impacts of stress on our brains just by getting out and running,' the study's senior author Jeff Edwards, PhD, said. (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Dathan Ritzenhein running NY Half ahead of Boston

Dathan Ritzenhein was interested in competing in a half marathon ahead of the Boston Marathon, and he found one of his favorites. Dathan and more than 22,500 other people are running the 2018 United Airlines NYC Half this weekend. Ritz has run the NYC Half four times previously, having finished on the podium twice. The race in NY will be a big one for Ritz as it comes four weeks before he returns to the marathon at the 2018 Boston Marathon for the first time since having to drop out of the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon after pulling his plantar. Boston will also represent Ritzenhein’s first marathon as a member of the Hansons-Brooks team. The Rockford resident will use the race in preparation for his second appearance at the Boston on April 16. Last time he raced it, in 2015, he finished seventh in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 20 seconds and was the top American finisher. (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP

A journey Into The Fabled World Of Japanese Distance Running

Six Japanese runners finished the 2018 Tokyo Marathon in under 2hr 9min. That might not mean much to you but to put it into context, in the history of British running only five men have run under that mark, and only eight Americans have done it. That strength in depth is a result of Japan being one of the most running-obsessed nations on Earth, especially long-distance running. In this fascinating book (The Way of the Runner), journalist Adharanand Finn explores the unique running culture in Japan... Thousands of professional runners compete for corporate teams in some of the most competitive races in the world. Adharanand spent six months immersed in this unique running culture to discover what it might teach us about the sport and about Japan. Published in 2015, The Way Of The Runner offers us insights on what did happen three years later. (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Recommended Books

Kenyan´s Aiyebei ready to make history at Nagoya Marathon

The 2016 Barcelona Marathon champion Valarie Jemeli Aiyabei has promised to break the jinx by winning the 2018 Nagoya International women’s Marathon set for this weekend in Japan. The Sunday race will see Aiyabei, the 2015 Kass Marathon champion, try her luck in the race that has never been won by a Kenyan athlete since inception in 1980."This will be my first time to compete at Nagoya but I want to win the race that no any other Kenyan runner has won in the 38 years of history,” said Aiyabei. The road queen, who won Valencia Marathon in 2016 with a course record of 2:24.48, is optimistic of winning the race as part of her 2018 resolution before embarking on other world marathons, hopefully the World Marathon Majors. (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Marathon Olympic champion Kiprotich ready for Hamburg

At the 33rd edition of the Hamburg Marathon on April 29 London Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda) wants to run again for the victory. The best time of the world champion from 2013 and last year's second from Hamburg is 2:06:33 hours. One of Kiprotich's strongest competitors is Kenya's Sammy Kitwara, whose personal record time is 2:04:28. (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP

‪Ditch the road and hit the trails running with these tips for beginners!‬

There’s some ridiculously fast trail runners out there. It’s like they glide over rocks and roots. I am not one of those people. You will run slower on trails than on the road, especially as a beginner. It takes time to build up your speed. Base your runs on how you feel rather than what your pace is. Going for time rather than mileage is also a good place to start. If it takes you 45 minutes to run 5 miles on the road, aim to run for 45 minutes on the trail. You may not make it to 5 miles but the effort will probably be the same. Pay Attention to the Trail: It’s very tempting to look around at all the beauty that’s around you while on the trails but once you do, you’ll probably end up doing a face plant. Look down at the ground and a few feet in front of you to pick your path of direction. And be sure to pick your feet up. No shuffling! If you do, you’ll be face planting non stop. Use your Arms: Of course we use our arms in road running but even more so in trail running. By keeping your arms out a little wider, it will help with balance as you change direct or if you need to hop over something...Whatever you do, have fun! There’s bound to be a trail system near you no matter where you live from urban to rural. Give it a try and maybe you’ll be a believer in the saying, “The road to hell is PAVED!” (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP
by Happy Fit Mama

Is Atlanta going to be the site of the 2020 US Olympic Team Marathon Trials?

The USA Track and Field site selection committee visited Atlanta Tuesday to see the Atlanta Track Club’s proposed accommodations and course for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon. Atlanta is one of four sites being considered for the 2020 marathon trials hosting honor ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics along with Austin, Chattanooga and Orlando. The selection committee, which has already visited Chattanooga and will travel to Austin Tuesday night, concluded their tour under the Olympic rings and Atlanta Olympic Cauldron Tower in downtown Atlanta with a surprise visit by four-time Olympian and 2004 silver medalist Meb Keflezighi. The retired Keflezighi, 42, surprised the committee to advocate on behalf of Atlanta— a city that catalyzed his passion for the Olympics. The 2020 Olympic Trials will be held between January and March of 2020. The winner of the bid will be announced by USA Track & Field at the end of March 2018. (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Marathon monks trade their robes for running shoes

Swapping their maroon robes for running shoes, seven Buddhist monks take off at a sprint across the hills surrounding their remote village in the foothills of Nepal’s Himalayas. They are aspiring ultra-marathon runners, hoping the sport will put their remote village on the map and provide the funds needed to rebuild homes destroyed by a massive earthquake nearly three years ago. “We found out that we can get many opportunities through running and hope to do something from our monk team - make a name for our village and bring development here. That is why we are running,” says Man Bahadur Lama, 21, the fastest of the group. (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

California’s oldest trail marathon is the 41st Annual Catalina Island Marathon

On Sat., Mar. 10, Catalina Island Conservancy will host this challenging and eventful marathon, beginning Catalina Harbor and ending at Sumner at Arcade Entrance. Considered a “bucket-list” marathon for runners, some of the challenges participants will encounter are rugged terrain and climbs, not to mention the beautiful scenery experienced darting across Catalina Island. (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Sea Coe says the IAAF takes the fight against doping very seriously

"Give athletics some kudo, my sport is not in tatters," IAAF President, Seb Coe response to the DCMS committee report on combating doping. "I sat in front of the select committee for well over three hours when I was asked to appear, going through the processes by which we, the IAAF, follow such procedures. We’ve made a set of wide-sweeping reforms to revamp the governance of the sport, made 200 changes to its constitution and set up the aforementioned integrity unit. Plus, there is the ongoing suspension of the Russian Member Federation. So, frankly I didn’t see athletics in tatters at the World Championships in London last summer nor did I at the World Indoors in Birmingham the past week." The IAAF World Half Marathon Championships takes place March 24 and they are enforcing the anti-doping program. This year’s event will be the 23rd edition of the championships and the second time it has been held in Spain. (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Uganda's Moses Kipsiro going after third consecutive Gold in Gold Coast

Uganda's Moses Kipsiro will be going all out to defend his 10,000m title at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia this April, as he seeks a third consecutive gold in the event. "It is always a good feeling going back to the Commonwealth Games where I have run well in the past," Kipsiro said. Kipsiro will be among the 23 Team Uganda athletes in Australia. Further good news for the Ugandan team is the availability of Solomon Munyo Mutai, who has recovered from injury in time for the Games. The 2015 World Championship bronze medalist had been out of action for over two months. "Mutai ran in a half marathon in Morocco last month and since his body was responding well, he declared he can now make the team since he had already qualified (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Nikhil ran with two numbers at the Little Rock Half in memory of one of his patients

Completing the Little Rock Half Marathon was more than an athletic feat for Nikhil Meena, M.D.; it was a symbolic gesture as well. For the second year in a row, the UAMS interventional pulmonologist wore two numbers on the 13.1-mile course: one for himself and one in memory of a patient. “I want to let the families of my patients know that even though they are gone, they are not forgotten,” said Meena. She ran the March 4 race in memory of Grover West III, a lung cancer patient who died Nov. 20, 2016. Meena was part of the lung cancer team that treated West and remembers him as an upbeat person who always greeted her with a smile. “He knew he was very sick, but he had such a good spirit,” she said. (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Allie Kieffer is back from Kenya and ready to Race the NYC Half

This year’s women’s open division is highlighted by last year’s runner up Emily Sisson racing against Olympic Champion Vivian Cheruiyot, TCS NYC Marathon podium finisher Mamitu Daska and rising American star Allie Kieffer who placed 5th at the NYC Marathon in 2017. Allie has been running over 100 miles weekly in Kenya over the last seven weeks. Sisson had the fastest-ever debut by an American on a record standard half marathon course with a time of 1:08:21. For the men's race Ritzenhein has two podium finishes and, along with Abdirahman, is the most successful American male ever in this event with a PR of 60 minutes flat. (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Shalane Flanagan Has captured the hearts of so many after winning New York

“Focused, determined, and stubborn. Let’s crush this week,” posted Shalane Flanagan last week on Instagram.

Then Friday it was announced that Carrie Underwood's new music video "The Champion," showcases a series of inspiring moments in history including footage of Shalane winning the New York City Marathon to Martin Luther King Jr. giving a speech....

Shalane Flanagan then posted, “The lyrics and imagery gives me chills and makes me want to go crush a run and cry at the same time.” Wow, how can you not love her? The Boston Marathon is now only weeks away. There is a lot of pressure on Shalane but one thing is for sure, she is going to give it all she has.

(This photo Jeff Cohen took shows a very determined woman. As they say “a photo is worth a thousands words.”)

(03/05/2018) ⚡AMP
by Bob Anderson

Why a World Record set in the Boston Marathon doesn't officially count

No matter how fast the 2018 Boston Marathon leaders reach the finish line, their time will not be a world record. Not officially, anyway according to the IAAF. Established in 1990, the IAAF marathon rules require several factors for a world record that the Boston course fails to meet. First, Boston is a “point-to-point” marathon. The IAAF rule: "The start and finish points on the course, measured along a straight line between them, shall not be further apart than 50% of the race distance." The second issue with Boston’s course is that it changes elevation. Despite the presence of several prominent hills, Boston runners drop 459 feet. The IAAF rule: "The decrease in elevation between start and finish shall not exceed an average of one meter per kilometer." Why does this matter? When men’s winner Geoffrey Mutai smashed the then-world record, running a 2:03:02 marathon at the 2011 Boston he was the beneficiary of a helpful south-westerly wind. According to the Boston Athletic Association, such milestones are considered “world’s best,” but not world records. (03/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Robert de Castella recalls his Commonwealth Games moment as one of his greatest memories

The 2018 Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth. It will be held April 4-15 on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia... In 1982 when the event was held in Brisbane, Australia Rob de Castella won the marathon in 2:09:18 just six seconds off the Games record of 2:09:12 set by Ian Thompson in 1974 in Christchurch. Robert recalls the moment as one of his “great memories” from a career that included four Olympic Games and three top 10 finishes. De Castella, now 61, said he cannot return to Brisbane without thinking about his captivating performance in 1982. "The 1982 Games was a launching pad for my career. Everything changed for me after that. The privilege of running a marathon in front of my countrymen and women was incredible." ABC commentator Tim Lane says, “It’s a performance to remember for all time," as he neared the finish line. “These days the crowd could get close to the runners...that Brisbane race is one of the great memories I have of my athletics." (03/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Tia Stone Runs Sub-3, Wins Little Rock Marathon

More than 12,000 runners took to the streets of Little Rock for the 16th annual Little Rock Marathon. Racers competed in the marathon, half marathon and wheelchair events. The 39-year-old Tia Stone of Searcy won the women's race in just under 3 hours, marking her third marathon win in a row. Stone previously ran cross country and track at Harding University and has a daughter who runs cross country in middle school.“This was my fifth Little Rock Marathon and this was my fastest time," Stone said. "I’m 39 and I really wanted to go sub 3:00. I love winning this race, but if I had to choose between winning it and running sub 3 hours, I’d choose sub 3. I saw my kids throughout the course, they have been cheering for me because they know how much I have trained for this.” (03/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Running legend Ron Hill, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease

Running legend Ron Hill has revealed he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Hill, aged 79, spoke with honesty and determination when announcing his condition, saying, “It won’t stop me in my tracks I’ll cheerfully carry on keeping active and, hopefully, this will give other people the impression that dementia is nothing to be frightened by.” One of the most popular figures in the running world, Hill won marathon gold medals at the European Championships in 1969 and the year after at the Commonwealth Games. He was the second ever man to break 2:10 over 26.2 miles, running a 2:09:28 in Edinburgh in 1970, and achieved a life-long goal of racing in 100 countries by the time of his 70th birthday. Until January, 2017 he ran at least a mile a day for 19,032 days. (03/05/2018) ⚡AMP
Inspirational Stories