Ethiopian running icon Kenenisa Bekele fell short of his target of running a 25km personal best at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K but he still dominated the race in the Indian city after breaking away from his rivals just after 18 kilometres before coming home in 1:13:48. Bekele had talked at Friday’s press conference about beating his best for the distance of 1:12:47.
(12/18/2017) ⚡AMP
Peter Kimeli Some lived up to expectations at the Shenzhen Marathon, winning the race in 2:14:49. While the men’s race was won by the pre-race favourite, Kyrgyzstan’s Viktoria Poliudina defeated some of the more favoured athletes in the women’s race to win in 2:33:25, her third personal best of the year.
(12/18/2017) ⚡AMP
TRAINING TIP: It is that time of the year when many runners have to deal with cold weather. The tendency is to put on too many layers of clothes. Layers is the way to go but if you can, warm up inside and get your blood flowing. If you can manage to break a sweat before you head out the door, you won’t be as chilly on your run. Outside is always the best. Much better than doing your run on a treadmill. However, there are times that the treadmill is the best option.
(12/17/2017) ⚡AMP
WHY DO WE RUN: Dean Karnazes says - “Running is cleansing for the soul. Some days I come home feeling overwhelmed by the heaviness of everyday living. Then I go running and everything changes. The problems are still the same, but the way I look at them is different, lighter.†Dean is an ultra Marathoner and author. In 2005 he ran 350 miles in 8 hours 44 minutes without sleep.
(12/17/2017) ⚡AMP
Taiwanese long-distance runner Hsieh Chien-ho set a national record for the women's half marathon on Sunday, clocking 1:15:05 as part of the Taipei Marathon, missing the entry standard for the World Half Marathon Championships 2018 by five seconds.
The 30-year-old runner clinched the gold medal in the half marathon with more than 27,000 entrants taking part in the marathon and half marathon events, including 3,200 from 51 countries and regions.
(12/17/2017) ⚡AMP
Mick Iacofano from Median, Ohio won the Jacksonville Marathon on Saturday in 2:18:39. The 23-year-old won his first attempt in near course-record time at the 35th annual Ameris Bank Marathon with his father joining him for a rare two-generation top-10 finish. “I started feeling really good and confident about my time coming into this week,†said Iacofano, whose time was just four minutes off Jerry Lawson’s course record of 2:14:33 from 1992. Michael Iacofano, Mick's father placed 7th.
(12/17/2017) ⚡AMP
Sharlet Gilbert (66) from Richmond CA does all sorts of races and does them well. She was first in her age-group at the New York City Marathon, Boston and second at Big Sur. She better her time at Pikes Peak by over an hour. Last night she was honored for her first place finish for 2017 Double Racing Leader Board. Double Racing is a two stage race created by MBR founder Bob Anderson. Dawyne Spencer won the Male division. Both are running the Christmas Double Road Race (15k - 10+5) today.
(12/16/2017) ⚡AMP
Many of the most successful athletes from this month’s European Cross Country Championships in Slovakia will test themselves against a United States team in the Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh XCountry on January 13 in Edinburgh. In the absence of the now biennial World Cross Country Championships in 2018, the event is the biggest cross-country meeting of the winter.
(12/15/2017) ⚡AMP
Bob Podkaminer, a veteran international race official, said USA Track & Field added a new rule: "A fellow competitor can help you stand up, but no one can help you make forward progress," said Podkaminer by phone from his home in Northern California. "When you are in distress, then it is no longer sport. That's one of the reasons why this particular rule came into effect. The well-being of an athlete is paramount. That's why I think it's a good thing that happened [at the Dallas Marathon]."
(12/15/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR UNIQUE RACES: Running and travelling can be the perfect partners – whether that’s an early morning exploratory jog on a business trip or a dedicated holiday built around a multi-stage race. New routes, scenery and challenges can help enliven one’s love of running, while seeing the world on foot offers an enhanced perspective.
(12/15/2017) ⚡AMP
The Miami Marathon is a big-city race with a super-relaxed party vibe. It’s the perfect escape from a Canadian winter. In cities like Boston, Chicago and even New York, the streets are eerily quiet on the eve of a marathon. Thousands of locals and visiting runners opt to lay low, eat a quick pasta dinner and get to bed early. This is not the case the night before the Miami Marathon.
(12/15/2017) ⚡AMP
Marblehead native Shalane Flanagan says she “felt such a sense of validation†after winning her first major championship at the New York City Marathon in November. “It took seven years, if not a lifetime, to achieve that one moment,†Flanagan said. Flanagan was back in Boston Tuesday. She is the headliner on John Hancock’s elite American team for the 2018 Boston Marathon; arguably, the best American field assembled since Hancock became the race’s principal sponsor in 1986.
(12/15/2017) ⚡AMP
Gary Patton of the United States became the first runner older than 70 to break 5:30 for an indoor mile on Dec. 7. The then 71-year-old covered 1,609m in 5:29.81 to break a 30-year-old record, according to the World Masters Athletics record book, at the New York Road Runners Night at the Races. For comparison, the mens outdoor mile world record for M70 is 5:19.75, according to the World Masters Athletics records.
(12/14/2017) ⚡AMP
27 Best Moments for Women In 2017 decided by the editors of Cosmopolitan magazine. "Record breaking box office runs, historical firsts, and other big moments for women in a tumultuous year." Their 19th pick was when Shalane Flanagan won the New York City Marathon. As they said, it was an extremely feel-good moment. When she won in 2:26:53, she became the first American to win the race since 1977.
(12/14/2017) ⚡AMP
Sabra Harvey had a very good 2017. The 68-year-old packed her schedule with a series of road races that made her a quadruple national champion, winning her age group and overall age-graded title in every USATF Masters championship event she entered: the mile, 5K, 10K, and 15K. One of her best times for the year was her 19:50 5K.
(12/14/2017) ⚡AMP
High Five Events, one of the largest privately owned event production companies in the United States, announces the continuation of the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee (AOSCC) elite runner exchange for the 2018 Austin Marathon. Daichi Tanaka and Junko Sakamoto will represent Japan and compete in the Austin Marathon on Feb. 18, 2018.
(12/14/2017) ⚡AMP
Sir Mo Farah will be running the Ooredoo Doha Half Marathon January 12 in Qatar's capital city, Doha. It will be his first race under his new coach, Gary Lough, who coached women´s marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe.
This will also be an important step towards the London Marathon in April 2018 where Farah will do battle with the Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge. "I am looking forward to the event to test myself on the fast and flat run along Doha´s Corniche," says Farah.
(12/14/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR UNIQUE RACES: The Big Five Marathon is a marathon race situated on the savannahs of South Africa. The race gets its name from the famous animals of Africa referred to as The Big Five Game: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. The course of The Big Five Marathon runs through the private game reserve Entabeni in the Limpopo Province, situated between Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park. The Big Five Marathon was started in 2005, and has been held annually since then.
(12/13/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR FAST FACT: Jock Simple was just doing his duty at the 1967 Boston Marathon. He organized the Boston Marathon for more than 30 years, and he had a passion for running and following the rules. "Jock was all about running and following the rules" says Bob Anderson Founder of Runner World. Kathrine Switzer crossed the finish line of the 1967 Boston Marathon, it was remarkable because she was a woman — the first to run the race as an official entry. Roberto Gibb ran unofficially in 1966.
(12/13/2017) ⚡AMP
Betty McHugh wasted little time breaking an age group marathon world record shortly after her 90th birthday. The Canadian ran 6:47:31 at the 2017 Honolulu Marathon, taking more than two hours off Mavis Lindgren's previous record of 8:53:08 set in 1997. The Honolulu Marathon has long been BJ's favorite race, and has become a family affair (pictured). She was joined by her son Brent, grandson David and grand-daughter Ava. Betty has set more than 30 world records over the last 25 years.
(12/13/2017) ⚡AMP
Patrick Rizzo, four times Olympic trials qualifier! Colorado Springs runner is “The Runner Box†Colorado Runner of the Month. After running 2:17 at CIM Pat said, "The race was planned to be a “get back on my feet†race after a catastrophic 2015-16 racing. I knew I was really fit and my coach, Gary Staines, had reassured me as much. Still the plan was just to go out and run conservatively to get the standard out of the way and have a positive marathon finish again."
(12/13/2017) ⚡AMP
We're taking a bold approach to 2018, starting with early registration. Make your own bold move -- commit to running Minnesota’s signature marathon on Sunday, October 7. Registration is open for the 37th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. The 26.2 mile race runs from downtown Minneapolis to the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul. For a limited time, registration for the marathon is only $110.
(12/13/2017) ⚡AMP
Tennessee track legend, national champion and seven-time All-American Kathy Bryant died Friday at the age of 55. She was a four-time All-American in track and three-time All-American in cross country. Bryant was a member of the 1981 Tennessee women's track and field team that won the AIAW Outdoor National Championship. She earned All-America honors in the 5,000 meters, finishing sixth at the national championships with 16:31. After leaving Tennessee, she ran track professionally.
(12/13/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR UNIQUE RACES: First run in 1905, the Dipsea is the oldest trail race in America. It is run every year on the second Sunday in June. The scenic 7.4 mile course from Mill Valley California to Stinson Beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The stairs and steep trails make it a grueling and treacherous race.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
Jessie Haynes at Western States 100 about to cross the American River. It is that time of the year when the ultra and trail running aficionados go crazy at the prospect of another Western States Endurance Run (WSER) – the oldest 100-mile race in the USA and the one with the legendary story of Gordy Ainsleigh and a lame horse.
With 18.000ft of climb and 22.000ft of downhill, the race has in the past been full of incredible stories. This photo gives you the feel of the race.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR BEST 100: Tokyo Marathon will move its current date from the last Sunday of February to the first Sunday of March. The next Imperial succession is set to take place in 2019, meaning that February 23 will become the Emperor's Birthday national holiday starting in 2020. The race date is being moved to avoid any potential overlap since the finish area is in front of the Imperial Palace. There were concerns due to the large number of people in the area to celebrate the Emperor's birthday.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
MRB FAST FACT: Brent Weigner, 68-year-old from Cheyenne Wyoming, has run a marathon or ultra in 148 different countries as of Dec 2 according to the Country Marathon Club that keeps track of records. In 1979 Brent ran his best marathon (2:45:50) in Boston. By 1999 he had completed a marathon on all seven continents. At least 53 of the 148 were ultras including six 150 mile stage races. He ran his first marathon June 30, 1968 in 3:53 at the Whitewater Marathon in Wisconsin.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR PHOTO OF THE WEEK: "The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point course run on scenic CA Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel the last Sunday each April. Towering redwoods, crashing waves, coastal mountains and verdant pastures are featured on this bucket list course. The centerpiece of the course is the iconic Bixby Bridge, located at the halfway point of the race, where you’ll be greeted by a tuxedo-ed musician playing a Yamaha Baby Grand Piano." Beautiful and challenging!
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
Dame Dibaba talks about club running after his escape from prison in Ethiopia, the sea crossing from Libya, and the Calais camp known as the Jungle. That was more than two years ago, and since then, Dame Dibaba, a refugee from the Oromia region of Ethiopia, has been, in his words, a “ghost†in this country, albeit a ghost that runs like the wind. The current course record holder for the Beckenham parkrun (15 min 58 sec) looks stricken as he recalls the most challenging run of his life.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR BEST 100: Bank of America Chicago Marathon will welcome thousands of runners from over 100 countries again on Oct 7, 2018. That's in 298 days but it is already sold out. You have to plan ahead to get into these world class races. Last year's race was amazing. Galen Rupp won in 2:09:20 and 60-year-old Brian Pitcher ran 2:42:44. Plus there were so many other top times. The race’s iconic course takes runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR BEST 100: John Hancock announced its strongest U.S. Elite Team since its principal sponsorship began in 1986. The team, recruited to compete against an accomplished international field, will all be going for the coveted olive wreath on April 16, 2018. The US elite team: Shalane Flanagan, Galen Rupp, Sara Hall,Desiree Linden,Serena Burla, Shadrack Biwott, Abdi Abdirahman, Dathan Ritzenhein, Deena Kastor, Molly Muddle, Jordan Hasay, Scott Smith, Ryan Vail, Kellyn Taylor and Andrew Bumbalough.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
Keith Pierce, 37, of McKinney, Tex., led from start-to-finish on a brisk, sunny morning at the 2017 BMW Dallas Marathon, breaking the tape with a winning marathon time of 2:27:16. In successfully defending his title, Pierce – also the winner of the 2016 BMW Dallas Marathon – ran more than two minutes faster than his 2016 winning time in Dallas.
(12/12/2017) ⚡AMP
Sara Hall confirmed today that she is going to be running the 2018 Boston Marathon. Sara Hall is a professional track athlete and the wife of Olympic marathoner Ryan Hall. She won the California International Marathon which also was the USATF National marathon championships in Sacramento on December 3rd.
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
Boston Marathon title sponsor, John Hancock announced today that New York Marathon winner and four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan will be running the 2018 Boston Marathon. She had said she might retire after winning New York but she had also said "Boston's always in my heart." She has run Boston three times. Her best performance came in 2013 when she placed fourth. The competition is going to be tough. As already reported defending champion Edna Kiplagat will be on the starting line too.
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
MRB FAST FACT: Jon Sutherland (67) started his running streak May 26,1969. As of today he has run at least one mile for 17,732 days (48.55 years). He established the American consecutive-days record three years ago, when he eclipsed the mark of 45 years set by his former cross-country teammate Mark Covert. “It was Mark who inspired me to begin this. I always looked up to him—and at his back during races—and he told me in 1969 that he had run every day for a year. So I thought, Why not?â€
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR BEST 100: Both the men’s and women’s course records came tumbling down at the 45th Honolulu Marathon Sunday morning when Lawrence Cherono and Brigid Kosgei broke the finish line tape in Kapiolani Park in 2:08:26 and 2:22:14, respectively. Improbably, the Kenyan duo demolished the previous race records by a combined six minutes and 17 seconds, and each athlete earned $50,000 in prize money and incentive bonuses.
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
The best running shoe is whichever one feels the best, right? But shoe companies are claiming that certain shoes—especially Nike’s $250 Zoom Vaporfly 4%— can save you energy and can actually make you faster. We finally have data to answer that question. It looks like Nike isn’t bluffing. Alex Hutchinson reports at Outside Online: Results show that runners needed less oxygen, which means they weren’t working as hard. That translates to saving energy that you can use to push yourself to go faster.
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
Shalane Flanagan was voted the 2017 New York Road Runners Pro Performer of the Year by the public and the media after becoming the first American woman to win the TCS New York City Marathon open division in 40 years in November. The NYRR Pro Performer of the Year award recognizes the top athlete for his or her outstanding achievements at NYRR races over the entire year.
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
B.A.A. announced its campaign for the 2018 Boston Marathon, the “Year of Service." They will celebrate the altruism that bonds country, mission, and community leading up to the Boston Marathon. Tom Grilk, CEO B.A.A. says, “Some of the more meaningful stories that embody our event come from those who have served; military, police, fire, or the dedicated volunteers that bring endless enthusiasm each year. Our theme will help showcase and celebrate the spirit that these stories symbolize.â€
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR FAST FACT: On October 16, 2011, Fauja Singh became the first 100-year-old to finish a marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8:11:06. He still runs for pleasure and charity at age 106. Singh says running has given him purpose and a sense of peace. "Why worry about these small, small things? I don't stress. You never hear of anyone dying of happiness."
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
Chandler Self was the first woman to cross the finish line at the 2017 Dallas Marathon, clocking 2:53:55. Self staggered, and at some points fell, throughout the final 50m of the Texas road race. High school runner Ariana Luterman, who was running in the event’s relay, aided Self over the final stages of the race and ultimately across the line.
(12/11/2017) ⚡AMP
Nick Symmonds, the IAAF World Championships 800m silver medalist, ran the Honolulu marathon today. This is what he posted afterwards, "The problem with having a 3:00:35 marathon PB is I now have to run another one to break 3. Looking for a spring marathon with a very flat course. Any suggestions?" As one follower posted, "Welcome to the dark side (Kelly Calway) and Scott Olberding posted "Hate to break it to you but it doesn't stop at 3."
(12/10/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR FAST FACT: Rich Karlgaard became an editorial assistant at Runner's World in 1977 after graduating from Stanford, his first real job. Rich was a track and cross-country star in school. In 1998, he was named publisher of Forbes magazine. In 2004, he wrote his first book, Life 2.0. The book made The Wall Street Journal business bestseller list. Recently Rich and RW founder Bob Anderson ran into each other in their hometown of Los Altos, CA at this little Mexican restaurant 40 years later.
(12/10/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR FAST FACT: The Fastest Marathon ever run by a United States President is 3:44:52. Former president George W Bush ran that time in 1993 at the Houston Marathon. During his time in office he ran regularly and in fact it was reported that he could run three miles at six minute pace. Bush now 70 says, “Exercise is so important that corporate America should help its employees make time. A healthy workforce is a more productive work force.†The 2018 Houston Marathon will be held January 14.
(12/10/2017) ⚡AMP
24-year-old Rahma Tusa of Ethiopia won the Guangzhou Marathon today. She built up a comfortable lead after midway and trimmed more than two minutes from her personal best to wrap up the third marathon title of her career in 2:25:12.
Tusa’s winning mark also beat the course record of 2:26:46 set by Mulu Seboka back when the race was started 2012.
It was Tusa’s third marathon in 2017. She arrvied in Guangzhou with high spirits after successfully defending her title at the Rome Marathon in April.
(12/10/2017) ⚡AMP
Camille Herron breaks the American Women’s Open 100KM Track Record with 7:36:39 - previously set by Ann Trason in 7:50:08 from 1991. Lots of other records set in Phoenix at Desert Solstice on Saturday Dec 9.
(12/09/2017) ⚡AMP
This book is currently 7th on the NY Times best seller list. A good read from NY Marathon winner and four time Olympian Shalane Flanagan and chef Elyse Kopecky comes a whole foods, flavor-forward cookbook that proves food can be indulgent and nourishing at the same time. Finally here’s a cookbook for runners that shows fat is essential for flavor and performance and that counting calories, obsessing over protein, and restrictive dieting does more harm than good.
(12/09/2017) ⚡AMP
When Lauren Totten finished CIM last Sunday in Sacramento in 2:35:33, she and her husband Seth broke an apparent American record.
Combined, the Tottens ran the CIM in 4:55, breaking a record believed to have been set by Tim and Lindsay Tollefson in 2013 as the fastest aggregate marathon time for an American married couple in the same race on the same day. Great performances but far short of the world best which is 4:27:05 set in Paris 4/9/17.
(12/09/2017) ⚡AMP
MBR PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Eliud Kipchoge posted this photo and quote on Twitter this week. The spirit captured by this photo says it all. His spirit along with a lot of hard work is why Eliud is one of the best runners in the world. Each week MBR will be searching for an inspirational photo of the week. If you see or have taken an image that should be published, contact us at bob@mybestruns.com
(12/08/2017) ⚡AMP
More people than ever before tuned in last summer to watch the world’s top athletes compete for the Diamond Trophy, as 2017 saw increased viewing figures across the world. 2017 saw a total of 282 million viewers across the 14 meetings, an increase of around 60 million on the previous year. Many of those were watching in China, where 23 million more viewers tuned in compared to 2016. In Europe and the USA there was an also an increase, with nine million more Americans watching the IAAF meets.
(12/08/2017) ⚡AMP