Running News Daily

Canadian International Justin Kent To Race TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

While the international field for the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has rarely been stronger the number of elite Canadian entries continues to grow.

Justin Kent, who represented Canada at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, has now added his name to the medal contenders for this Canadian 

Championships which are run concurrently within this World Athletics Elite Label race.

Kent says he has prepared well and is looking to beat his personal best time of 2:13:07, recorded while finishing 10th in the 2023 Prague Marathon. That race led to his call-up for a place on Canada’s 2023 World Championships team with his long-time training partner, Ben Preisner (2:08:58 personal best).

“Budapest was definitely a memorable experience,” Kent remembers, “Having my team-mate Ben there, and we ran kind of side by side which was really cool. It was pretty special. You get to wear that Canadian singlet longer than in any other event.  It was awesome.

“It was hot so Ben and I had pretty strict orders to run conservatively the first half then swallow up as many bodies as we could in the second half. I still have this sensation of us - it felt like we just hopped into the race that last ten kilometres as we were going by guys that were just zombies because they were so depleted. We were like 80th at halfway and we ended up 27th (Preisner) and 29th.”

he will be in Toronto alongside his friend as he has offered pacemaking duties.

The pair will no doubt bring that commonsense approach to the race taking the weather conditions into account. During this buildup Kent has been encouraged by the fact both coach Richard Lee and Preisner have seen workouts that indicate Kent is more than capable of running around 2:10.

Only nine Canadians have gone under 2:11 and just four have beaten the 2:10 barrier.

“I don’t necessarily want to get ahead of myself. I have definitely learned the hard way of being too ambitious,” Kent says. But I know, definitely, I am the fittest I have ever been. It depends on the weather and the pacing.

“There is a pace group (going for) 2:10 I’d like to be maybe a little bit quicker the first half and see what I can do that would set me up well to run in the 2:10’s. That’s easier said than done.”

Kent will also be accompanied in Toronto by his wife of two years, 800m runner Lindsey Butterworth, who represented Canada at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and their four-month-old daughter, Willa.

With a family to support Kent continues to do coaching work with Mile2Marathon which he views as a chance to connect to the running community. His main source of income, however, is working as a marketing specialist for a Vancouver-based startup company called Stoko, which manufactures supportive apparel used to overcome injuries.

“I am in the office four days a week. They are flexible with my hours to get my training in or sneak out early to get my training in,” he explains. “I have been with the company for just coming up to a year.”

Meanwhile Butterworth is on maternity leave from her job as a community health specialist for Fraser Health Authority. She is back running and will, in fact, compete in the Toronto Waterfront 5km.

As for his objectives with this year’s Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Kent recognizes that a national championship offers bonus World Athletics points used in the qualification for next year’s World Championships in Tokyo. The automatic qualifying standard in the men’s marathon has been lowered to 2:06:30

“Definitely I think with the new standard of 2:06:30  a lot of guys are going to be trying to get bonus points at races,” he concedes. “I think that is more my aim this whole build is to win a national championship. I think the (fast) time will come with that.

“I haven’t thought too much beyond October 20th. I know if I can run well it would give me a great opportunity to make the team next year. But the main goal is still to come away with a national title or at least contend for one.”

SA champion Cian Oldknow gears up for the Cape Town marathon

Her marathon journey in 2024 began with victories in the Dis-Chem Half-Marathon, Johnson Crane Hire Marathon, and the national marathon.

Oldknow also achieved a 32nd-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games in August, making her the highest-placed South African runner at the event.

Earlier in the year, she qualified for the Olympics with a strong performance at the Seville Marathon.

"I'm feeling good, feeling strong, I'm doing Cape Town Marathon in three weeks time so preparing for that so I would say I'm in a healthy position at the moment. It's another race on home soil and I think doing the home races and the local races are really good. It's good for us as athletes and it's good for the community, I think,” Oldknow said.

“We are so quick to go overseas and do the international marathons because we can get fast times and stuff but I think we can get fast times here too and just take a little bit of pride in our local races and help support those."

Oldknow enters the Cape Town Marathon as the reigning South African champion and one of the top local contenders, though she's focused on not placing unnecessary pressure on herself.

"I am quite confident going to the race. I know Glenrose [Xaba] is doing her debut there and she has run some amazing times this year so I'm really excited to see what she can do on the marathon. I think it could be quite a good healthy competition but I think it will be a good experience," she added.

Despite only starting to compete in marathons this year, Oldknow has already achieved significant success.

However, she acknowledges that there's still much to learn from elite runners across the continent.

Three workouts to fire up your half marathon training

Sick of the same stale workouts? Whether you’re training for your first half-marathon or aiming for a PB,  it’s time to shake things up with some fresh, effective training sessions. Half-marathon training doesn’t have to be repetitive or dull—mixing in varied sessions can help you stay engaged while building the endurance, strength and mental grit needed to succeed on race day.

These three strategic workouts focus on sharpening different aspects of your performance, helping you boost stamina, dial in your pacing and finish stronger than ever before.

1.-The pyramid push

This pyramid structure gradually builds intensity and then brings you back down, challenging both speed and endurance, while the changing intervals keep things dynamic and fun.

Warm up with 10 minutes of easy running, followed by some dynamic stretches (high knees, leg swings, butt kicks).

Run 1 minute hard (around a 5K effort) followed by a 1 minute recovery jog

Run 2 minutes hard, followed by a 1 minute recovery run.Continue with 3 minutes hard with 1 minute recovery, 4 minutes hard with 1 minute recovery, 3 minutes hard with 1 minute recovery, 2 minutes hard with 1 minute recovery, 1 minute hard with 1 minute recovery.

Cool down with 10 minutes of easy running and mobility exercises.

2.- Threshold + kick combo

This workout builds your stamina for holding your target race pace, then simulates those late-race surges when you need to kick it into high gear.

Warm up with 10 minutes of easy running followed by 5 x 20-second strides (accelerations).

Run 2 x (10 minutes at half-marathon pace followed by a 3-minute easy run recovery).After the second set, finish with 5 x 30-second hard kicks (mile pace) with 30 seconds of easy recovery running in between.

Cool down with 10 minutes of easy running followed by foam rolling or gentle mobility exercises.

3.-Tempo to track burnout

This workout will help you target both speed and endurance, preparing you for the specific demands of a half-marathon; switching it up mid-session also keeps things interesting and challenges your legs (and brain) to adapt.

Warm up with 10 minutes of easy running followed by drills or mobility exercises (think hip circles, lunge variations).

Run 5K at tempo pace (just below race pace), followed by 6 x 400 meters at 5K effort, with a 1-minute walk/jog recovery after each interval.

Cool down with a 10-minute walk/jog.

Remember to always follow a harder training or speedwork day with a recovery day or some very easy running, and to hydrate well, even in cooler temperatures.

Sutume Kebede: Inspired by former training teammate Kelvin Kiptum's historic win ahead of 2024 Chicago Marathon

After missing selection the for Paris 2024 Olympics, the reigning Tokyo women's marathon champion - and fastest marathoner this year - is set to compete in Chicago on Sunday October 13th. You can watch the race on the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com.

As a world-leading marathoner, Sutume Kebede has accumulated training volumes of up to 700 hours weekly on forest paths and dirt roads around the world.

But there are some brief stints of her workouts that have stayed with her over the last few months.

The Ethiopian chose Chicago, where she trained last year in a group that included the late world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum. It was a routine experience that is now etched forever in her memory.

She is hopeful that the utterly incredible run that changed the men’s marathon can inspire her to achieve her greatest marathon win.

“After seeing what my teammate Kelvin Kiptum did last year, I want to come to Chicago to do something great,” she said on setting her sights on winning a first World Marathon Majors in the U.S.

The fastest woman over the marathon distance this year headlines the Chicago Marathon on Sunday  October 13, looking to continue making history with every stride.

Sutume Kebede looks to extend her strong form in Chicago after Tokyo win

When Kebede chose to race competitively, she looked up to one of the greatest track distance runners ever, Tirunesh Dibaba. She based herself at the legend’s Athletics Training Academy, training as a 5000m and 10,000m athlete.

And when she was ready for the international stage, the budding Ethiopian runner, who grew up as one of ten siblings, decided to forego the track and head straight to the roads.

In May 2015, the then 21-year-old achieved the world's best performance in the 25km with a time of 1:21:55, which was also an Ethiopian record.

This was a pivotal moment that gave her the courage to stay on the roads and make her debut at the Dubai Marathon in 2016.

A few years, and lots of half marathons and several marathons later, Kebede, now 29, has carved her name among the best marathoners. She is coached by her husband Birhanu Mekonnen, a retired roadrunner who prematurely ended his career to fully support hers. She is always quick to credit him as one who helped her reach this position.

Kebede has achieved a new level this year. She ran the fastest women’s half marathon on US soil when she won in Houston last January, beating a strong field that included Olympic silver medallist Hellen Obiri. Her unexpected victory of 1:04.37 set her up for her biggest win yet.

She returns to Chicago to run again, though with a heavy heart, but at the pinnacle of her career after winning the 2024 Tokyo Marathon in 2:15:55, the eighth-fastest woman of all time.

“I am extremely happy to come back to Chicago and run on a course that has proven to be very fast,” said Kebede, who is motivated to try again in Chicago, where she last met Kiptum. They were both managed by Marc Corstjens at Golazo Talent. The flashbacks of their training sessions around the Windy City and their ensuing races are still very fresh in her mind.

It’s been a year of highs and lows for the East African runner. As the fastest woman marathoner this year, she was banking on being an automatic pick for the Paris 2024 Olympics. But after missing out on selection, she opted to give the Chicago Marathon another shot. She was 15th last year when Olympic champion Sifan Hassan raced to the second-fastest time of the year.

"All the races I've won bring me joy, but my victory in the Tokyo Marathon, one of the world's major marathons, stands out as a highlight,” she told Ethiopian press.

She will face a strong field led by the two-time Chicago Marathon winner Ruth Chepngetich, runner-up last year, and 2021 London champion Joyciline Jepkosgei, who is coached by her husband Nicholas Koech and trains with American Betsy Saina. Saina is among the local stars tipped to shine alongside former American marathon record holder Keira D’Amato.

The races will also be broadcast live on Olympics.com in a number of territories.

Can nasal strips elevate your race day performance?

Nasal strips, those small adhesive Bandaid-like strips worn across the nose, are often seen on runners and athletes (and, interestingly, even horses), but do they really help improve performance? While originally designed to reduce snoring, they’ve been adopted by many in the running community with claims that they help open up the nasal passages, improving airflow and aiding endurance.  Are the strips just a placebo, or the secret to better breathing on race day?

How nasal strips work

Nasal strips work by mechanically lifting the skin on the nose, expanding the nasal passages to allow for easier breathing. For people with congestion or those who experience restricted airflow due to narrow nasal cavities, this can potentially create a noticeable difference. The idea is that by allowing more air in through the nose, athletes can reduce the need for mouth breathing, which tends to be less efficient during steady-state exercise.

Nasal strips and performance

The key question: does this extra airflow translate to better performance for runners? Research has shown mixed results. A recent study in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology found no significant difference in performance or oxygen uptake between athletes using nasal strips and those without. However, another study published in the Journal of Sports Science suggested that nasal strips can reduce perceived exertion, meaning athletes feel like they’re breathing easier, even if their physical performance hasn’t improved.

For runners with nasal obstructions, such as a deviated septum, the extra airflow might make breathing more comfortable, but for the average runner, the impact on oxygen intake and endurance is likely minimal.

When nasal strips might be useful

While nasal strips may not turn you into an elite runner, they could still be useful under certain conditions. For instance, runners battling mild congestion from colds or allergies might experience some relief with strips, allowing for smoother airflow when nasal passages are blocked. Some runners also report that strips can help them focus better on rhythmic breathing, something that is useful for some runners in maintaining a steady pace during long runs.

Myth or must-have?

So, are nasal strips going to help you hit that finish line faster? For most people, the answer is no. While they may help with comfort and ease breathing for those with minor nasal obstructions, there’s little scientific evidence to suggest they dramatically boost performance. However, if you find yourself breathing easier with one on, the placebo effect can still play a role in boosting your confidence and comfort during a run. In the end, the best way to improve your running performance is through proper training, hydration and pacing—not necessarily what’s stuck to your nose.

Jepkosgei donates world title singlet to Museum of World Athletics

Kenyan running legend Janeth Jepkosgei made a historic contribution to the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA), donating the singlet she wore on 28 August 2007 when winning the 800m title at the World Championships in Osaka.

It was the first ever world title won by a Kenyan woman in a middle-distance event, paving the way for eight more titles claimed by her successors in subsequent editions up to 2023.

Jepkosgei, who is now head coach of the U20 Athlete Refugee Team, made the donation to the MOWA during the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24, presenting her singlet to World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon.

‘Inspiring the sport of running’

“I’m very happy to present my 2007 World Championships singlet to the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA),” said Jepkosgei. “When it is displayed in the online museum and exhibited around the world, I hope it helps to inspire and promote the wonderful sport of running, which, in my role as head coach for the U20 Refugee Team, I know is a powerful force for good.”

Ridgeon added: “Thank you to Janeth for her work with the Athlete Refugee Team and for the enormous generosity she has shown by donating her 800m world title-winning uniform to our museum’s collection. The support and encouragement of champions like Janeth is crucial to the success of our heritage programme, which helps preserve and promote our sport’s inspiring history to athletes and fans alike.”

From world champion to global role model

Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, born in 1983 in Kabirirsang village (Rift Valley Province), was one of the most consistent 800m runners of her decade. Her journey began as a hurdler, but after transitioning to middle-distance running, she won the world U20 800m title in 2002.

Known for orchestrating races with fast starts, Jepkosgei stood on a major championship podium every year from 2003 to 2011, earning the 2007 world 800m title, 2008 Olympic silver, and two more world silvers in 2009 and 2011.

Off the track, Jepkosgei was deeply involved in her community, serving as the Kenyan team captain at numerous championships, sponsoring students, and supporting local projects. After the birth of her daughter Becky Olympia Jepchirchir and her retirement in 2016, Jepkosgei became even more involved in the sport’s development by hosting training camps and becoming one of the few female coaches in the athletics world.

She notably discovered young Emmanuel Wanyonyi, whom she coached to his world U20 800m title in 2021, and then mentored alongside her former Italian coach, Claudio Berardelli, to his Olympic title in 2024.

Since 2022, Jepkosgei has also been the head coach of the U20 Athlete Refugee Team (ART), a women-driven programme based near the South Sudan border in East Africa. She has embraced a mentorship role, passing on her vast experience to the next generation, a journey marked by her iconic victory in Osaka in 2007.

A soaring victory in Osaka

In Osaka, Jepkosgei astonished everyone as early as the semifinals, with a world-leading time and Kenyan record of 1:56.17, also the fastest prelim in 800m history.

In the final, she set a blistering pace right from the start, exiting the first turn with a three-metre lead and hitting the 100m mark in 13.0, an unprecedented achievement in a championship.

Neither the efforts of Belarusian Svetlana Usovich, Russian Olga Kotlyarova, Mozambican Maria Mutola, nor Moroccan Hasna Benhassi could keep up with the Kenyan’s solo race, as she easily won in 1:56.04, further improving the best time of the year.

Jepkosgei’s winning singlet will sit alongside the shoes and clothing of other world 800m champions in the Heritage Collection of MOWA, including Ana-Fidelia Quirot, Maria Mutola, Willi Wülbeck, Wilson Kipketer and David Rudisha.

Canadian hip-hop artist runs 42.2 kilometres for 100 consecutive days

Inspired by ultrarunner Ryan Keeping, Toronto-based artist Dillan Ponders ran a marathon every day for 100 consecutive days to raise awareness for men's mental health.

Dillan Ponders, a 32-year-old independent hip-hop artist from Toronto, has completed an incredible challenge: running 42.2 kilometres—the marathon distance—every day for 100 consecutive days. Starting on June 17 and finishing on Sept. 24, Ponders covered a total of 4,358 kilometres, shining a spotlight on an often-overlooked issue—men’s mental health.

Ponders undertook this marathon mission both as a personal challenge and to raise awareness about the silent struggles many men face. “I used to be a drug addict; I was homeless. Now, I am three years sober,” Ponders shares. He says his journey from addiction to sobriety has been life-changing, with running playing a key role in his recovery. “Running saved my life. So many men are battling with mental health and trying to find their purpose.”

The idea for 100 marathons in 100 days was inspired by Nova Scotia’s Ryan Keeping, who ran across Canada earlier this year in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Like Keeping, Ponders organized a meet-up on the final day of his challenge, where many Toronto runners joined him to celebrate his achievement.

The road to recovery

Ponders recalls the turning point when he gave up alcohol during his birthday weekend in 2021, at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic: “I was drinking a 26-er every day for over two years, and I’d had a problem with alcohol since graduating high school,” he admits. “I had stopped hard drugs, but still leaned heavily on alcohol. I was overweight, deeply depressed, drinking myself into a downward spiral, and even throwing up blood. I knew I needed to make a change.”

Running became his tool for overcoming addiction. Every time his mind craved alcohol, he laced up his shoes and went for a run instead. “Some days, I was running three or four times a day,” Ponders recalls. “It was tough, but it helped.”

After two months of consistent running, Ponders started noticing major changes in his health and well-being. “I began to see physical improvements. I was getting stronger, sleeping better, and had more energy,” he says. In six months, he lost 90 pounds. He ran his first marathon at the Toronto GoodLife Marathon in the spring of 2022, and hasn’t looked back.

The connection to music

Running hasn’t only transformed Ponders physically and mentally—it’s also had a profound impact on his music career. “I’ve gone through a lot of change over the past five years, and so has my music. I feel like I’m making the best music I’ve ever made,” he says. “I’m currently the highest-streamed independent hip-hop artist in Canada. Running has given me more clarity in the studio, and I now feel comfortable speaking about my traumas in my music.”

Balancing his rigorous running routine with his music career, Ponders has been consistently producing and releasing new songs. His music is available on all major streaming platforms, and he credits his music career with giving him the freedom to pursue his running goals.

Although his 100-marathon challenge has ended, a new goal awaits: in three weeks, Ponders will line up for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he hopes to beat his previous marathon time of 3:30.

Toronto’s Andrew Alexander to Debut at TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Organizers of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon are once again excited about the upcoming marathon debut of a young Canadian runner.

The lure of winning a Canadian championship title - the national marathon championships being run concurrently with this World Athletics Elite Label race - has brought 25-year-old Andrew Alexander to the fight.

“I want to be the first Canadian to cross the line,” says the Toronto native. “I want to be at least one one-thousandth of a second ahead of the second Canadian. If the (fast) time comes with that I will be happy. But for the first marathon it’s just get this out and, if it goes well, focus on time chasing after that.”

Considering this graduate of Notre Dame University won the 2023 Canadian indoor 1,500m and 3,000m titles and then claimed the national 10,000m gold in May of this year, racing the marathon is one giant leap. Still, he has a lot of support for this challenge.

Coached by former Canadian 1,500m record holder, Dave Reid, and current Canadian 3,000m steeplechase record holder, Matt Hughes, that potential was clearly demonstrated when he won the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon in 62:44. He has also run 10,000m on the track in 28:17.24, not world class, but encouraging for a marathon runner.

“Since I started working with them they said they thought my event would be the marathon as much as it’s painful to hear that,” he recalls with a laugh. “I thought there was no better time than now. I had completed the Olympics trials (1,500m) last summer and didn’t really have the result I was looking for. I haven’t done a marathon so let’s give this a go!

“Toronto is as great a place as any other to start my marathon journey just because it’s home and I am familiar with it, and I have tons of people support. I am looking forward to it.”

With both Reid and Hughes often accompanying him on their bikes he has increased his training volume to around 160km a week. Whereas his longest run a year ago might be roughly 28 kilometres during this buildup for Toronto Waterfront he has added some Sunday runs of 40-43 kilometres.

“The big challenge has been getting used to the fluids and nutrition intake kind of taking it in right,” he reveals. “After the first few workouts while practicing nutrition I threw up immediately after.

“I remember thinking to myself ‘Oh my God what have I signed up for? ’Practicing that over the last few weeks I have honed in on that and it’s going well.”

At the beginning of 2024 Reid and Hughes helped arrange a six-week altitude training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona for their athlete - his first experience at high altitude. Alexander stayed with the Under Armour Dark Sky Group and called it a ‘gut punch’ as the acclimation took some time. Still, he believes it helped lay a base for the upcoming season.

Alexander attended Neil McNeil High School in Scarborough, Ontario - an institution where the late comedian John Candy also studied - and while running for the school he earned a place on Canada’s team for the 2017 World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda.

After he had won the Ontario High School championships (OFSAA) for Neil McNeil he accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame University. Five years with the ‘Fighting Irish’ led to him coming home with a Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and a Master’s in Business Management. For the moment he is focusing on his running career and has temporarily delayed a career that would utilize his education. Working part time in a specialty running store together with an online apparel store provides income.

Turning his attention once again to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon he eventually concedes having thought of a time goal for his debut - a couple of minutes on either side of 2 hours 10 minutes would be sufficient he says. But being a Canadian champion is the primary motivator.

“The national championship side of it definitely excites me,” he explains. “I have heard there is more depth on the Canadian side this year which I am super excited about. I just love the competition and competing against our Canadian guys.

Defending champion breaks course record to win Loch Ness Marathon in Inverness

Moray Pryde became the fastest ever champion in the history of the Loch Ness Marathon as he set a new course record to successfully defend his title.

The 29-year-old from Broxburn retained his crown as he claimed victory in a time of two hours 19 minutes and 26 seconds.

The Lothian Running Club athlete broke the course record by 47 seconds which was previously 2:20:13 by Simon Tanui from Kenya back in 2009.

Inverness athlete Shaun Cumming, representing both Highland Hill Runners and East Sutherland Athletics Club, was in second place in a time of 2:31:15 with Tom Charles from Chorlton Runners in third place with 2:31:58.

Pryde won the 2023 Loch Ness Marathon in a time of 2:22:08 and in May also claimed victory in the Edinburgh Marathon winning in a time of 2:23:14.

Pryde says it was ideal conditions for racing, and was proud to break the course record which he was confident he could target after setting a quick pace early on.

He said: “Three of us went out for the first five miles and then someone dropped off.

“We flew through the first 10 miles, but at mile 14 Tom had dropped off, and then from mile 14 to the finish I didn’t really look behind me. I was chasing a car for 12 miles.

“I dropped bang where I wanted to be at a sub 2:20 pace and it was squeaky bum time from there until the end to make sure to get some time back.

“It was a nice feeling on the final straight and everything went to plan.”

Speaking about breaking the record, Pryde said: “I thought it was on after 2:22 last year. It was three minutes this time so we will see what we can do next time.

“I have been fortunate as the racing has been going my way and hopefully I can keep that luck going. I used to play football three times a week but stopped doing that. Lothian Running Club have given me a lot of support and long

was delighted to move up a place from finishing in third last year to take second this year. He managed to catch Charles in the final straight of the race to claim the silver medal.

“I didn’t know until the last half mile that I was close to second place,” he said.

“He looked like that he was flagging and I was in the position to take him.

“There was a battle in the first half of the race where I hung back and worked together with others. After Dores we managed to pull away and at half way there was about five or six of us.

“It is nice to be on the podium, I looked around at the start of the race and I thought it would be a well earned place, so to get second I am happy with that.”

America’s most prominent marathoner weighs up career in coaching after recent struggles

US marathon great Galen Rupp has not ruled out a career in coaching after experiencing it first-hand as a volunteer as he continues his recovery from surgery.

US marathoner Galen Rupp is not ruling out a career in coaching once he finally hangs his spikes as he comes to the end of his storied journey in track and road races.

America’s most prominent marathoner in the last decade has been struggling to produce his form of old with injuries also making his life difficult.

Rupp had surgery in April which has kept him out of action since them but as he continues his recovery, he seems to have found a love for coaching after joining his coach Mike Smith at the University of Arizona to work as a coach on volunteer basis.

“That’s TBD [to be decided], but definitely during cross country,” Rupp, who has been coaching men’s and women’s team at UNA told Flagstaff Running News.

“I was down here training and this just seemed like a good opportunity. It’s been really fun. The kids are amazing to work with,” he added, while revealing that he plans to continue coaching throughout the cross-country season.

Asked if the experience has got him thinking of a career in coaching when he finally retires, the 2017 Chicago Marathon winner said: “Yes, absolutely. I’m having a lot of fun doing it now.”

Rupp is coming off a difficult season when he missed out on the Paris Olympics after finishing 16th at the US Olympics trials in February in what would have been his fourth appearance at the Games.

His previous Olympics appearances yielded a silver medal in 10,000m at the 2012 London Games before clinching marathon bronze in Rio 2016.

The 38-year-old has, however, been waning in his powers and there are still doubts whether he can regain his form of old and win major marathons again.

What does “trust your training” really mean?

Learning to trust your training can boost your confidence and help you crush your next race.

Trust your training” is a phrase runners hear often, but what does it actually mean? We’re here to explain why trusting your training matters and how you can learn to do it.

For many, it’s easier said than done, especially when doubts creep in before a big race. Trusting your training isn’t just about following a plan or completing workouts; it’s about building confidence in the process and believing in yourself. Jeff Gaudette, a track and field coach and professional runner from Biddeford, Maine, recently shared how not trusting your training can sabotage even the best-laid plans, and his mistakes can help you succeed.

Have faith in your fitness

One of the biggest challenges runners face is doubting their own fitness, especially on race day. Gaudette recalls his own struggle before an important 10K race, when, despite months of solid preparation, he lost faith the night before his event. Looking at the list of elite competitors, his confidence evaporated. Instead of sticking to his strategy, he panicked and abandoned his plan mid-race, resulting in his slowest 10K finish ever.

The lesson here? Believe in the work you’ve put in. As Gaudette explains, to consistently perform well, “you need unwavering belief in your fitness and your race plan.” When doubts arise, don’t let others’ fitness or race-day nerves derail your strategy. Trust the miles you’ve logged, the hard intervals you’ve done and the plan you’ve created for race day, to bring you success.

Trust your training plan or coach

It’s not just your own fitness you need to trust—it’s your coach or training plan too. Many runners, as Gaudette notes, get caught in the trap of thinking more mileage or faster workouts will yield better results. But this mindset can backfire. After a disappointing race, Gaudette’s coach recommended he take time off to recover. Instead, Gaudette ignored the advice and kept pushing. The result? A string of poor performances and deep frustration.

The takeaway is clear: if you’ve committed to a coach or a structured training plan, trust the process. Runners often get distracted by advice from friends or online forums, but Gaudette reminds us that most reputable plans are backed by solid physiological principles. Overtraining or adding extra workouts is a recipe for disaster. Let go of the fear that you’re not doing enough and trust that your coach or plan is setting you up for success.

Believe in yourself

Perhaps the hardest part of trusting your training is trusting yourself. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of thinking that being tough means pushing through every run, even when your body is tired or on the verge of injury. But, as Gaudette learned the hard way, this mentality can be damaging. While preparing for the 2008 Olympic Trials, he ignored his body’s signals, trying to train through illness. Instead of taking time to recover, he kept pushing—and ended up too injured to perform well.

The lesson? “Trust yourself to listen to your body when it’s tired or injured,” says Gaudette. Recovery is as important as training, and taking a few days off won’t ruin your fitness. In fact, it’s a sign of mental strength to recognize when you need a break. Don’t become a slave to your training schedule—be flexible, and trust your body to guide you.

Trusting your training is more than just a mantra—it’s an essential part of running success, whether it’s believing in your fitness, your coach or yourself, having faith in the process will help you stay calm and focused when race day arrives. The next time you toe the line, remember: you’ve done the work, and now it’s time to trust it.

Eliud Kipchoge predicts bright future in marathon as he hints at where his next race will be

Eliud Kipchoge believes the future of marathon running is promising, with athletes motivated to achieve faster times and carry forward the legacy as he looks forward to more races in 2025.

Five-time Berlin Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has explained the reasons behind his bold prediction about marathon running in the future.

Eliud Kipchoge is yet to think about where he will run next but is confident that even with his absence on the starting lines, athletes still have the hunger to run well and post faster times.

The four-time London Marathon champion added that people are still investing most of their time in training with the hope of making a great impact in running, insisting that he has already achieved a lot and it might be time for other people to continue from where he left.

“Tokyo is next year and I always plan my things…but I’ll know in the next one month. The future of marathons is great, the future of marathons is actually sweet enough to inspire people. People still have anger to run very fast, still have anger to win races, still have anger to motivate and to go for training,” Eliud Kipchoge said.

The marathon legend revealed his proudest moment in athletics, noting that he changed the mindset of a lot of people concerning marathon running.

Eliud Kipchoge also believes his ability to run under two hours was an eye opener to many, young and old and changed the perspective of the world.

“My proudest moment in athletics is running under two hours, trying to unlock the thinking that no human being can run under two hours. That’s my best moment ever that I feel that the whole team and I were successful to get a mark under two hours and above all, inspire many people and tell people that they could run under two hours,” Eliud Kipchoge said.

“Dare to dream and dare to do it and now many people are having the mentality that they can do their best and push themselves to the limit.”

When You’re Sidelined, Cross-Train Your Way Back to Health Before a Goal Race

Here’s how Liza Corso made the podium at the Paralympic Games by making her bike and swim workouts as intense as her running regimen.

Leading up to the 2024 Paralympic Games, Liza Corso was pedaling furiously on a stationary bike parked on the patio of her condo in Nashville, Tennessee. In the brutal summer heat, the two-time Paralympian closed her eyes while visualizing the women’s 1500-meter final.

She imagined the purple track at Stade de France and the uniforms of competitors she’s faced before in the T13 classification (athletes with vision impairment). With pop music blaring in her headphones, Corso pedaled faster in anticipation of the biggest race of her career.

On August 31, Corso’s visualizations finally came to fruition. After spending six weeks cross-training while healing a stress fracture in her left femur, the Lipscomb University senior earned bronze in 4:23.45, just over a second behind two-time Paralympic champion Tigist Mengistu of Ethiopia and silver medalist Ezzahra El Idrissi of Morocco. After the race, the athlete from Newmarket, New Hampshire, shared on Instagram she only ran eight miles over the course of six weeks in the lead-up to the event in a brutal buildup that tested her mentally and physically.

So, how did the 21-year-old pull off winning a Paralympic medal while healing from an injury and not being able to run? In an interview with Runner's World, Corso shared the many highs and lows of the cross-training regimen that helped her safely prepare for a standout performance on the world stage.

July 1-July 26: Processing the Injury

About three weeks before the U.S. Paralympic Trials on July 18-20, Corso started feeling pain in her left quad. She went to see the doctor and got an MRI in the area where her quad meets her hip, which showed she had tendonitis. After recovering from a stress fracture in her tibia during the indoor track season earlier this year, the diagnosis was a relief for Corso. “I didn’t want tendonitis, but I was scared of something [in the] bone so I was like, this is the best case scenario. I can keep running through it,” she said.

Though the pain continued to get worse leading up to the national championship in Miramar, Florida, Corso still managed to compete in the women’s 1500 meters and earn a spot on Team USA. But with the pain intensifying, Corso

Though Corso struggled to feel like she was building the same level of fitness, seeing her heart rate reach 160 beats per minute for 90-minute sessions and hover between 175 to 180 for hard workouts ended up being a source of encouragement. “My coach said, ‘Your heart doesn’t know the difference between if you’re running or if you’re biking,’” Corso said.

Late July to August 31: Monitoring the Pain

In the first two weeks after the Paralympic Trials and following her diagnosis, Corso’s main priority was to walk pain free. Working with her physical therapist, she focused on limiting any weight-bearing activity, using crutches when she wasn’t cross-training for the first three days post-diagnosis. While gradually using the crutches less and less, Corso was able to walk pain free without them about two weeks after the diagnosis.

Corso also incorporated blood flow restriction (BFR) into her training. The method involves the application of a cuff (tourniquet) proximally to the muscle that is being trained. The cuff is inflated to a specific pressure with the aim of blocking the blood vessels. The idea is to help strengthen muscles and promote healing, Corso said. She usually put the

“To be able to prove to myself that I didn’t let those [negative thoughts] win, and I chose the harder path—to keep a positive mindset and work through some pretty lonely and draining cross-training sessions—it all ended up being worth it,” she said.

Looking back on her experience this summer, Corso hopes other runners can find their own hard-fought victory amid the healing process, knowing how powerful team support and mental tools can be in difficult situations.

How to Find Out Many Calories You Should Burn a Day

If your body is an engine, calories are the fuel. Here's what you need to know about how it all works.

CALORIES MIGHT BE among the most misunderstood aspects of our health and the ways our bodies work. Are calories an enemy to be abstained from at all times? Why is there so much fixation on "burning" them? Do you even need them at all?

Make no mistake, calories—the units of energy that power every single one of your bodily functions—are essential. How many you need and the way you use them depends on a confluence of factors, primarily, your age, height, weight, gender, activity levels, and exercise routine. One pertinent question for anyone who has spent any time around popular fitness culture: How many calories you should burn a day?

To find a concrete answer to this nuanced question, we consulted Leslie Bonci, RD, a sports dietitian and owner of Active Eating Advice, whose clients include the Kansas City Chiefs. The good news for you is that finding out how many calories you should burn isn’t difficult. Once you have the answer, however, it’s up to you to work toward your goal.

How Many Calories Should You Burn?

You're constantly burning calories, just by existing. How many calories you should burn daily depends on your body weight, goals, and activity levels. The short answer, depending on the most basic goals, will be…

To lose weight: Create a daily caloric deficit of 350 to 500 calories. For most people, this means you should aim to expend more energy.

To maintain weight: Eat at your maintenance levels (see How to Calculate Your Calories below to understand what this means for you) and keep your activity levels about the same.

To gain weight: Create a daily caloric surplus of 250 to 500 calories and either decrease or maintain your current activity levels.

Bonci suggests losing half a pound to three-quarters of a pound per week if your goal is to decrease your body fat. “It is important to understand that weight loss is not continuous,” she says. “If one is too restrictive, it is too hard to maintain; consistency, awareness, and aiming to be 70 percent compliant [on your diet] is more sustainable.”

How to Calculate Your Calories

Calculating your caloric needs is fairly easy and can be done in three quick steps:

Find

Based on the steps above, a 180-pound, 5’11” man who trains five times per week needs 2,650 calories daily to maintain his weight and would eat 2,275 calories per day to lose three-quarters of a pound weekly.

How to Estimate Your Calorie Burn

Determining how many calories you're burning isn't an exact science. Everyone's body is different, and multiple factors contribute to the way your body uses fuel. But there are some methods to estimate how many calories you'll burn for specific types of exercise and common types of movements, like household chores.

Understanding your basal metabolic rate is the first step. The second is to understand metabolic equivalents, or METs. These are a measure of your working metabolic rate versus your resting metabolic rate. METs are scaled.

<3 METs for light activity,

3 to 6 METs for moderate activity,

and >6 for vigorous activity.

One MET is the amount of energy you expend at rest, which equals one calorie per kilogram of body weight per hour. Our 180-pound (81-kilogram) man burns 81 calories every hour he just lounges around.

Your METs will multiply based on the activity you’re engaging in. Different forms of exercise performed at different intensities yield different METs. You can find an exhaustive list of these estimates for different activities here. Once you know your MET estimate, you can determine the total by using this formula: METS x 3.5 x BW(KG) / 200 = kcal per minute. So, if the 180-pound man were to go on a jog (7.5 MET value), that would look like this: 7.5(3.5)(81kg)/200 = 10.63 kcal/minute.

To make things even simpler, you can also use tools like this calculator to get an idea of how many calories you burn during

Protein: (2,275 x .25) / 4 = 142 grams

Carbohydrates: (2,275 x .5) / 4 = 284 grams

Fat: (2,275 x .25) / 9 = 63 grams

Tips For Managing Your Calories

Whether you’re gaining, maintaining, or losing weight, these four tips can help you stay on track and expedite your progress.

Increase your NEAT

“Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is calories burned over the day [unrelated to their planned workouts],” explains Bonci. “Say someone works out for an hour but then sits on their ass all day; their body is not very efficient versus walking more over the day.” The solution is simple: “move more”, says Bonci. “Through walking, fidgeting, dancing.”

Let’s stick with walking as an example. If you’re already accumulating 5,000 steps daily, try increasing your daily step count to 10,000. Our 180-pound man would, theoretically, burn roughly 225 extra calories per day by upping his daily step count from 5,000 to 10,000 daily. That means he’ll burn half a pound of additional fat per week or the same amount of body fat while allowing himself to fuel his body with a more comfortable amount of food while still reaching his weight loss goals.

Lift Weights

If you want to build muscle, then

Live a Little (Within Reason)

As long as you eat your prescribed number of calories, you’ll gain, lose, or maintain weight, regardless of the foods you consume. Pizza, burgers, and chips aren’t off the table. That said, because these foods pack a lot of calories and do little to satiate you, they’re not the best daily options, especially if you’re eating in a deficit.

Instead of planning a cheat meal where you sit down to gorge yourself on an entire pizza, Bonci suggests letting your “off-plan” meals occur naturally, whether you find yourself at a company happy hour or a friend’s birthday party. “Be in the moment when you choose those higher-calorie foods; slow down and savor them,” she says. Yes, you’ll need to exhibit discipline to reach your goals, but it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing affair. “One meal does not derail a consistent eating pattern, so rather than thinking ‘I blew it, so I may as well eat everything.' Enjoy it and move on.”

Mengesha and Ketema claim Berlin Marathon crowns

Milkesa Mengesha and Tigist Ketema achieved an Ethiopian double at the BMW Berlin Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on Sunday (29).

Racing at the 50th edition of the event, held on a sunny morning in Germany’s capital, Mengesha kicked away from Cybrian Kotut in the closing stages to win the men’s title in a PB of 2:03:17, while Ketema solo ran her way to a 2:16:42 triumph in the women’s race.

Kenya’s Kotut finished five seconds behind Mengesha, securing second place in 2:03:22, with Ethiopia’s Haymanot Alew third in 2:03:31. Ketema led an Ethiopian top four in the women’s race, winning by more than two minutes ahead of her compatriots Mestawut Fikir (2:18:48), Bosena Mulatie (2:19:00) and Aberu Ayana (2:20:20).

After a fast start Mengesha, who finished sixth in the World Championships marathon last year, was part of a lead group of 11 that followed the pacemakers through the halfway mark still on sub-2:02 pace, in 1:00:57.

Kenya’s former world half marathon record-holder Kibiwott Kandie was to the fore as the pacemakers stepped aside just after 25km. The group had reduced to eight and was bunched together by the time 30km was reached in 1:27:21, and seven were still in contention – including Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, the fastest man in the field – as they passed the 35km mark in 1:42:14.

Kandie, Takele and Ethiopia’s Dejene Megersa couldn’t hold on and the race was down to Mengesha, Kotut, Kenya’s Stephen Kiprop and Alew with around 5km to go. They reached the 40km mark in 1:56:59 before Mengesha and Kotut strode ahead.

Mengesha dropped his rival with the Brandenburg Gate finish line in sight, crossing it to win in 2:03:17, the third fastest time in the world so far this year and a PB that improves the previous best he set in Valencia in 2022 by more than two minutes.

He dropped to his knees and was followed over the finish line by Kotut in 2:03:22, also a PB by more than a minute.

Ketema was a dominant winner of the women’s race. The 26-year-old, who ran 2:16:07 when making her marathon debut in Dubai in January, is a training partner of Tigist Assefa, who set a world record of 2:11:53 when winning in Berlin last year.

This time Ketema was in control and she was joined by her compatriot Azmera Gebru and a group of men’s race runners as 5km was reached in 16:06 and 10km in 32:14.

Ketema was 12 seconds ahead at halfway, which she hit in 1:07:53, and she only increased her advantage from there. She reached 30km in 1:36:59, by which point Gebru had been overtaken, with Ketema’s closest challengers being Mulatie, Fikir and Ayana who were running together 1 minute and 53 seconds back.

Ketema continued to forge ahead and she reached 40km in 2:09:24, with a gap of 2 minutes and 20 seconds. While Fikir closed slightly, Ketema was well clear and she won in 2:16:42, the third fastest time in the women’s race at the Berlin Marathon.

Fikir was second in 2:18:48, a PB by almost two minutes, while Mulatie was third in 2:19:00, taking almost eight minutes off her previous best set on her debut in Houston in January.

12,000 runners on the course at the 20th Einstein Marathon

In the best conditions, around 6,000 athletes took to the track for the 20th Einstein Marathon on Sunday. The weekend before, 6,000 children and young people took part in the youth runs in the Donaustadion. The winner of the marathon course for men was Oliver Tzioppe from Erlangen in 2:34:20.9 hours. In the women's race, Hristina Kozareva from Varna won in 3:01.50.3 hours.

This year, teams from 240 companies from the Ulm region and far beyond took part in the 20th Einstein Marathon. 4,600 participants took part in the Beur half marathon. There were 890 registrations for the Sparkasse Marathon. Along the route, which led through Ulm, Neu-Ulm and along both banks of the Danube, numerous friends and family members cheered on the runners who more or less easily ran the 5,000 meter, 10,000 meter, half marathon and marathon distances .

The Nordic walkers ran the half marathon or the 10 kilometers. For most people, the time was secondary, what was more important was being there and a personal triumph when the goal at Münsterplatz was achieved.

Ed Sheeran serenades runner from canal boat in London

he chances of you getting serenaded by a pop star during your run are low, but never zero. This particular runner went on her Tuesday run along Regent’s Canal in London when English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran (you may have heard of him) floated by on a boat and asked her for a song request–to which she responded, “Tenerife Sea.” The pop star, 33, immediately began strumming his guitar and singing as the jogger slowed to a walk alongside the boat.

Sheeran posted a video to his Instagram. “I was filming a video on the canal today, and played a request. If anyone knows the runner lemme know so we can have their POV video for the lols.”

After he finished the performance, Sheeran gave the runner a thumbs up and said “Have a good rest of your run!”

The jogger was later identified as Nikki Atkins, when her perspective of the private concert was shared on her Instagram story. Multiple cameras can be seen in the boat filming Sheeran. “This was so unexpected and so so beautiful. Thank you thank you,” she wrote in the caption. “This is why we run, girls,” she added.

“It was so randomIf you were ever looking for motivation to go on your run, this should be the “Perfect” reason.

The Strange Saga of Ultrarunner Camille Herron and Wikipedia

The husband of runner Camille Herron admitted to having altered the Wikipedia biographies of prominent ultrarunners. The revelation came after a Canadian journalist launched an investigation.

On September 24, Conor Holt, the husband and coach of American ultrarunner Camille Herron, admitted to altering the biographies of Herron, Courtney Dauwalter, Kilian Jornet, and other prominent runners on the website Wikipedia. Holt’s edits boosted his wife’s accolades but also downgraded those of the other prominent ultrarunners.

“Camille had nothing to do with this,” Holt wrote in an email sent to Outside and several running media websites. “I’m 100 percent responsible and apologize [to] any athletes affected by this and the wrong I did.”

The confession brought some clarity to an Internet mystery that embroiled the running community for several days and sparked a flurry of chatter on social media and running forums. Herron, 42, is one of the most visible ultrarunners in the sport, and over the years she has won South Africa’s Comrades Marathon and also held world records in several different events, including the 48-hour and six-day durations. But the Wikipedia controversy led to swift consequences for Herron—her major sponsor, Lululemon, parted ways with her on Thursday morning.

The entire ordeal sprung from an investigation led by a Canadian journalist who spent more than a week following digital breadcrumbs on dark corners of

Marley Dickinson, a reporter for the website Canadian Running, began looking into the Wikipedia controversy in mid-September after receiving a tip from someone in the running community. The tipster told Dickinson, 29, that someone was attempting to delete important data from the Wikipedia entry for “Ultramarathon.”

The person had erased the accomplishments of a Danish runner named Stine Rex, who in 2024 broke two long-distance running records—the six-day and 48-hour marks—which were previously held by Herron. At the time, the sport’s governing body, the International Association of Ultrarunners, was deciding whether or not to honor Rex’s six-day record of 567 miles.

“The person making the edits said the IAU had made a decision on the record, even though they hadn’t yet,” Dickinson told me. “Whoever was doing it really wanted to get Rex’s run off of Wikipedia.”

Wikipedia allows anonymous users to edit entries, but it logs these changes in a public forum and shows which user accounts made them. After an edit is made, a team of volunteer moderators, known as Wikipedians, examines the changes and then decides whether or not to publish them. The site requires content to be verifiable through published and reliable sources, and it asks that information be presented in a neutral manner, without opinion or bias. The site can warn or even suspend a user for making edits that do not adhere to these standards.

Dickinson, who worked in database marketing at Thomson Reuters before joining Canadian Running, was intrigued by the bizarre edits. “I’ve always been into looking at the backend of websites,” he told me. “There’s usually a way you can tie an account back to a person.”

The editor in question used the name “Rundbowie,” and Dickinson saw that the account had also made numerous changes to Herron’s biography. Most of these edits were to insert glowing comments into the text. “I thought whoever this person is, they are a big fan of Camille Herron,” Dickinson said.

Rundbowie was prolific on Wikipedia, and made frequent tweaks and updates to other biographies. The account had removed language from the pages of Jornet and Dauwalter—specifically deleting the text “widely regarded as one of the greatest ultramarathon runners of all time.” Rundbowie had then attempted to add this exact language to Herron’s page. Both attempts were eventually denied by Wikipedians.

After examining the edits, Dickinson began to suspect that Rundbowie was operated by either Herron or Holt. Further digital sleuthing bolstered this opinion. He saw that the Rundbowie account, which made almost daily edits between February and April, abruptly went silent between March 6-12. Those dates corresponded with Herron’s world-record run in a six-day race put on by Lululemon in California.

But Dickinson wasn’t done with his detective work. He saw that in March, Wikipedia had warned Rundbowie on its public Incident Report page. The reason

A final Internet deep dive convinced Dickinson that he was on the right track. The IP address—a string of characters associated with a given computer—placed Temporun73 in Oklahoma, which is where Herron and Holt live. Then, on a forum page for Oregon State University, which is where Herron attended graduate school, Dickinson found an old Yahoo email address used by Herron. The email name: Temporun73.

“To me, this was a clear sign that it was either Conor or Camille” Dickinson said.

Dickinson published his story to Canadian Running on Monday, September 23. The piece included screenshots of Wikipedia edits as well as Dickinson’s trail to Herron and Holt. It started off a flurry of online reactions.

A thread on the running forum LetsRun generated 360 comments, and several hundred more appeared on the Reddit communities for trail running and ultrarunning. Film My Run, a British YouTube site, uploaded an immediate reaction video the following day. Within 12 hours, more than a hundred people shared their thoughts in the comments section.

It’s understandable why. Lauded for her accolades in ultra-distance races, Herron is also one of the most visible ultrarunners on the planet. She gives frequent interviews, and has been an outspoken advocate for the anti-doping movement, for smart and responsible training habits, and for the advancement of women runners.

“I think we’re going to continue to see barriers being broken and bars raised. I want to see how close I can get to the men’s world records, or even exceed a men’s world record,” she told Outside Run in 2023.

Herron has also spoken and written about her own mental health. Earlier this year, she began writing and giving interviews about her recent diagnosis with Autism and ADHD.

“Although I knew little about autism before seeking out a diagnosis, my husband, who observed my daily quirks and often reminded me to eat, drink, and go to bed, would jokingly speculate that I might be autistic,” she told writer Sandra Rose Salathe on the website FloSpace in July.

Dickinson told me he had a very positive image of Herron from his short time at Canadian Running. He joined the website in 2021.

“She’s always been super nice and welcoming,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson says he reached out to Herron and Holt via email and social media, but did not receive a reply. On Monday afternoon, a user on the social media platform X asked Herron about the story. “It’s made up,” Herron’s account replied. “Someone has an ax to grind and is bullying and harassing me.”

Herron’s social media accounts were deactivated shortly afterward—Holt later said he took them down.

Some online commenters questioned if the story was legitimate—something I did too, initially. Following Dickinson’s arcane trail through Wikipedia’s backend required a careful read, and a strong knowledge of the encyclopedia’s rules and regulations.

After speaking to Dickinson, I sent my notes to a Wikipedia expert named Rhiannon Ruff, who operates a digital consulting firm called Lumino that helps clients navigate the online encyclopedia. Ruff examined the story as well as the Wikipedia histories of Rundbowie and Temporun 73, and said that the evidence strongly suggested that both accounts were operated by the same person. But, since Wikipedia allows for anonymity, you cannot make the connection with 100 percent certainty.

Ruff pointed out that Wikipedia’s internal editors strongly believed the two accounts had a biased with Herron, because the accounts had attempted to write in the same sentence. “Both tried to add details about her crediting the influence of her father and grandfather, and how she runs with a smile,” Ruff said.

Ruff also pointed me to the prolific editing history of Temporun73. Started in 2016, the account had made approximately 250 edits to

“I never got a chance to say anything to the Canadian Running website before they published it,” Holt wrote.

Holt admitted that he was the operator of the Temporun73 and Rundbowie accounts. But he said his Wikipedia editing was aimed at combating online bullies who had removed biographical details from Herron’s Wikipedia page in the past.

“I kept adding back in the details, and then they blocked my account in early February of this year,” Holt wrote. “Nothing was out of line with what other athletes have on their pages. Wikipedia allows the creation of another account, so I created a new account Rundbowie. I was going off what other athletes had on their pages using the username Rundbowie and copying/pasting this info.”

“I was only trying to protect Camille from the constant bullying, harassment and accusations she has endured in her running career, which has severely impacted her mental health,” he added. “So much to the point that she has sought professional mental health help.”

Outside asked Holt via email to provide further details, but we did not receive a response. In an email to Canadian Running, Holt said he was focused on Herron’s upcoming race, and would not be conducting interviews.

But the fallout from the admission came quickly. On Thursday morning Dickinson broke more news: apparel brand Lululemon, which has backed Herron since 2023, had ended its partnership. In a statement provided to several outlets, the brand said it was dedicated “to equitable competition in sport for all,” and that it sought

Get trail-strong with these tips from a pro

Pro trail runner and coach Hannah Allgood shares four exercises that target common weaknesses in runners.

If you want to be a strong trail runner, you’ll need more than just miles on your legs—you need to build strength that can take on the rugged terrain. Hannah Allgood, a Colorado-based pro trail runner for Dynafit, is here to help, sharing her four favourite exercises for athletes.

Allgood not only excels in the mountains (in July, she won the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100K), but also helps athletes build strength through her coaching with Freetrail, an online trail community and media outlet. With a background in exercise science and years of competitive experience across multiple sports, she has perfected the art of staying strong, fast and injury-free on the trails. “Strength training has always been an integral part of my career as an athlete,” Allgood explains. She knows firsthand how crucial lifting is to boost performance and prevent injuries, especially for trail runners tackling challenging mountain races.If you want to be a strong trail runner, you’ll need more than just miles on your legs—you need to build strength that can take on the rugged terrain. Hannah Allgood, a Colorado-based pro trail runner for Dynafit, is here to help, sharing her four favourite exercises for athletes.

Allgood not only excels in the mountains (in July, she won the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100K), but also helps athletes build strength through her coaching with Freetrail, an online trail community and media outlet. With a background in exercise science and years of competitive experience across multiple sports, she has perfected the art of staying strong, fast and injury-free on the trails.

“Strength training has always been an integral part of my career as an athlete,” Allgood explains. She knows firsthand how crucial lifting is to boost performance and prevent injuries, especially for trail runners tackling challenging mountain races.

If you want to be a strong trail runner, you’ll need more than just miles on your legs—you need to build strength that can take on the rugged terrain. Hannah Allgood, a Colorado-based pro trail runner for Dynafit, is here to help, sharing her four favourite exercises for athletes.

Allgood not only excels in the mountains (in July, she won the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100K), but also helps athletes build strength through her coaching with Freetrail, an online trail community and media outlet. With a background in exercise science and years of competitive experience across multiple sports, she has perfected the art of staying strong, fast and injury-free on the trails. “Strength training has always been an integral part of my career as an athlete,” Allgood explains. She knows firsthand how crucial lifting is to boost performance and prevent injuries, especially for trail runners tackling challenging mountain races.

Step-ups

Allgood suggests varying the height of your step to 12-18 inches, based on your height and current strength. “Step-ups are a great exercise because they allow for versatility to match the athlete’s needs (weight or no weight, increase or decrease height, increase speed or decrease speed),” Allgood explains.  “They help with not only strength on trails but functional day-to-day strength.”

Single-leg Romanian deadlift (with a cable or band, OR with weight)

“This exercise targets many different systems,” says Allgood. “The RDL changes your centre of mass, therefore working on your balance and coordination, which are highly beneficial for trail running. The row helps with rotational core stability, which is also vital for running, as it helps with balance and control across various terrains and helps with efficient force transfers from upper to lower body.”

Bulgarian Split Squat

Allgood explains that the Bulgarian split squat is another unilateral exercise that helps improve balance and core stability by using weights. “This move is also very helpful for improving leg power, which translates to improved force production, meaning you can get up the mountains faster.” She suggests adding in a soleus raise for an extra challenge.

Modified side plank with clamshells or hip abduction

“This is one of my favourite go-to glute exercises that also incorporates core stability,” Allgood says. “Adding a band around your knees will increase the challenge!”

If you’re adding strength training during your racing season, Allgood suggests focusing on 12-15 reps per set, aiming for two to three sets. “This will help build strength, but also not leave you too sore for running or other fun activities,” she says. “Strength training two to three times a week can be huge for your overall health and with preventing injuries.”

Chicago Marathon plans to honor late record-holder Kiptum

The Chicago Marathon plans to honor the late Kenyan marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum at next month's race, a year after he smashed the men's world record in the Windy City.

Kiptum was aged only 23 when he put on a performance for the ages to break the tape in two hours and 35 seconds. He died in a car accident four months later, cutting short his promising career.

Organizers have planned a moment of silence at the starting line to honor Kiptum and a brief exhibit celebrating his career at the pre-race expo, with memorial stickers available for all participants.

"He's still prevalent in everyone's thoughts," Race Director Carey Pinkowski told Reuters. "He's with us and it's our plan to celebrate his life."

While the Chicago race is known for its flat course and fast times - six world records have been set there - Kiptum's achievement nonetheless was astonishing as he became the first man to run a record-sanctioned marathon faster than 2:01.

Pinkowski was at the finish when Kiptum crossed the line in Chicago and said the race was etched forever in his memory.

"I was so impressed by his biomechanics and his ability was just effortless, it was like something I've never seen before. And I've seen a lot of the greats," said Pinkowski.

It was the second of two major titles for Kiptum, who won in London in a course record of 2:01:25 earlier in 2023, and the Kenyan ran much of the second half of the Chicago marathon by himself, with the chasing pack well behind him.

"It was him against history, him against the stopwatch, him against the clock, and, he just ran," said Pinkowski. "I knew he was a magnificent athlete. In my opinion, the best I've ever seen."

The 2024 Chicago Marathon will take place on Oct. 13.

Kibiwott Kandie draws inspiration from Paul Tergat as he eyes winning return in Berlin

Former World Half Marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie is poised for a major showdown at the Berlin Marathon and will be drawing inspiration from Kenyan legend Paul Tergat.

It is make or break for former world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie ahead of Berlin Marathon showdown on Sunday, September 29.

The marathoner is set to make a return to the grand stage after an absence since May 2023 following an injury that forced him to pull out of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The absence marked the second consecutive time the Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist missed out on the global showpiece.

Kandie is now poised for a make or break race as he gets back on the road for the first time since his injury.

The former world half marathon record holder has revealed he is in good shape, having kept to his training routine with the competition in mind.

“I carried on training knowing that one day there would finally be a race. I stayed in good shape," he told World Athletics.

Kandie is drawing inspiration from his hero and former long distance runner Paul Tergat ahead of his return.

“When I was young, I used to hear everyone saying, Paul Tergat, world records. This has stayed in my mind,” he revealed.

“He became a kind of role model and I used to think when I grow up I would like to be like him, I would like to run like him, I would like to do the things he has done. He still inspires me, he’s still a role model for me. The work that I am doing is because of him. I feel I can’t let him down.”

The Kenyan is one of only seven men to ever complete a half marathon in under 58 minutes, with his personal best of 57:32. He won the Valencia half marathon three times, including when he set the world record in 2020.

Olympic Champions Are Wearing This $200 Cooling Headband. Does It Actually Boost Performance?

A new study tests the performance claims of Omius’ unique looking headband worn by Olympic legends Sifan Hassan and Eliud Kipchoge.

As the best men’s marathoners in the world prepared to race in Paris last month, Jake Leschly was waiting at the 3K mark, peeping over the shoulder of the spectator next to him, who was streaming the race broadcast on his phone. Leschly is the CEO of a small three-person company called Omius, which makes a bulky, futuristic-looking headband that purports to keep you cool—and he was about to get a pleasant surprise: “They introduce Kipchoge,” Leschly recalls, “and I’m like, ‘Son of a bitch, he’s wearing it!’”

Omius’s headband first showed up in the triathlon world back in 2019. The fledgling company took a hiatus during the pandemic, but resumed sales in 2022. Triathletes have been enthusiastic: according to Leschly, 43 of the 53 pros at last year’s Women’s Ironman World Championship in Kona wore it, along with a third of the 2,000 age-group competitors.

But the headband’s conspicuous presence at this summer’s Olympic marathons—along with Kipchoge, other notables wearing it included Sifan Hassan and Hellen Obiri, the gold and bronze medalists in the women’s race, and Bashir Abdi, the silver medalist in the men’s race—brought it to a new audience. In the

The one simple trick that Omius relies on is to increase the surface area available for evaporation. The headband contains 20 cooling units, each of which consists of nine mini-towers of porous and heat-conducting graphite. Overall, this increases the surface area of the relevant patch of your forehead by a factor of five. The cooling units can be swapped in and out; Omius also makes visors and caps, and is developing other garments.

As long as you keep the headband damp and have airflow passing across it, water will evaporate from this large surface area, drawing heat away from your forehead and creating a cooling effect. Sweat can help moisten the cooling units, but in most situations you’ll need to periodically splash or spray them with water. You’ll generate enough airflow simply by running outdoors, but to use the headband indoors on a treadmill or stationary bike, you’ll need a fan. Leschly advises against cycling outdoors with it, because the cooling units don’t have appropriate impact properties.

The one simple trick that Omius relies on is to increase the surface area available for evaporation. The headband contains 20 cooling units, each of which consists of nine mini-towers of porous and heat-conducting graphite. Overall, this increases the surface area of the relevant patch of your forehead by a factor of five. The cooling units can be swapped in and out; Omius also makes visors and caps, and is developing other garments.

As long as you keep the headband damp and have airflow passing across it, water will evaporate from this large surface area, drawing heat away from your forehead and creating a cooling effect. Sweat can help moisten the cooling units, but in most situations you’ll need to periodically splash or spray them with water. You’ll generate enough airflow simply by running outdoors, but to use the headband indoors on a treadmill or stationary bike, you’ll need a fan. Leschly advises against cycling outdoors with it, because the cooling units don’t have appropriate impact properties.

You might think that the goal of sucking all this heat from your forehead is to cool your whole body down. That’s been the claim for some previous cooling devices, like palm-coolers that purported to lower your core temperature. But Omius isn’t going down that road. “It obviously does not change your core temperature,” Leschly says. “Nothing changes your core temperature.” Instead, he says, it’s a local effect that makes you feel cooler, enabling you to go faster. That’s not a crazy claim: one study, for example, found that applying a tiny amount of heat through a heat pad caused cyclists to slow down even though their core temperature didn’t change. But it makes Omius’s claims much harder to test.

Desroches’s study involved ten volunteers who completed a running test twice: once with the real headband and once with the sham headband. The test involved 70 minutes of running in a heat chamber set to 95 degrees Fahrenheit with 56 percent humidity at a predetermined moderate pace, followed by an all-out 5K time trial. The researchers measured all sorts of physiological data, including core temperature with a rectal thermometer, skin temperature with four different probes, and forehead temperature

It’s probably worth mentioning that the basic headband with cooling pieces currently costs $204. That’s considerably more than other cooling options like, say, pouring water on your head. As it happens, there’s another new study, just published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance by a team led by Samuel Chalmers of the University of South Australia, that explores the benefits of pouring water on yourself during hot runs.

While the details differ, the two studies are remarkably similar. In this case, 13 runners did a 10K time trial followed an hour later by a 60-minute moderate run, in a room set at 87 degrees Fahrenheit and 47 percent humidity. They completed this protocol twice; in one of the sessions, they poured two cups of water over their head, face, and arms every 2.5K or ten minutes. As with the headband, water dousing made them feel cooler and lowered their skin temperature, but didn’t change their core temperature. There is one key difference compared to the headband, though: they ran 1.0 percent faster in the water dousing time trial, which was a statistically significant benefit.

Because of the differences in protocol—the lack of a placebo trial

Is FKT Fever Coming to the Himalayas?

American runner Tyler Andrews just set the speed record on Manaslu, running from base camp to the summit while using an ultralight setup. Will more runners flock to the world’s highest peaks to prove themselves?

On September 19, 34-year-old American mountain runner Tyler Andrews ascended Nepal’s 26,781-foot Manaslu in a mind-bending 9 hours and 52 minutes. The time shaved more than two hours off the previous speed record on the peak, set in 2023 by Nepalese climber Pembe Gelji Sherpa. Before that, Francois Cazzanelli, an alpinist and guide from Italy, summited in 13 hours, in 2019.

Manaslu is one of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. These mountains have traditionally been the realm of mountaineers and professional high-alpine guides, not trail runners.

But Andrews believes that’s about to change. “I think we’re going to start seeing more mountain runners going this way,” Andrews told Outside from Manaslu base camp.

His belief stems in part from his own experience on the peak, and from changing dynamics he’s seeing in the world of ultrarunning and the pursuit of fastest known times. Andrews is part of a new generation of mountain runners seeking out increasingly bigger, more challenging, and more daunting speed records. “If you start with the Colorado fourteeners, then go to the Alps, then the Andes, the natural progression is to the Himalayas and the 8000ers,” he told Outside.

Instead, ascents on Nepal’s highest mountains, including those resulting in speed records, have historically been tracked by the Himalayan Database. But that’s changing, and Andrews is one reason behind the shift. He actually works part-time for Fastest Know Time as Regional Editor for Latin America and the Himalayas. Part of his job is to create routes and then help FKT track records on them.

“I think in the past, the team didn’t want to be trying to verify routes that required rock climbing because you can’t just use a GPS watch to track something that’s vertical,” Andrews says. “But Manaslu is not like that, so tracking it is really no different than other mountains on there, like Cotopaxi or Denali.”

When Andrews returns from Manaslu base camp—he’s currently supporting a friend attempting a ski descent—he will submit his GPX data to Fastest Known Time for approval. He also plans to submit his data to the Himalayan Database.

Manaslu and 26,864-foot Cho Oyu in Tibet are considered the easiest of the 14 8,000-meter peaks. On Manaslu, the nine-mile route from base camp to the summit requires less technical climbing than harder peaks, like K2 or Nanga Parbat. Still, Manaslu isn’t easy. The trail gains nearly 11,000 feet of elevation, requires the use of fixed ropes in many sections, and travels over steep sections of snow and ice. Climbers must also survive in what mountaineers call the “Death Zone”—elevations above 26,000—because there’s not enough oxygen for human beings to survive more than a day or two.

Andrews ran up Manaslu without using supplemental oxygen, and he did so with an extremely lightweight setup. He wore a pair of waterproof trail running shoes designed to shed snow, a puffy jacket, lightweight pants, and a windbreaker. He carried a 30-liter backpack containing bare essentials: harness, helmet, goggles, ice axe, water, snacks, and energy gels.

In 2013 he ran straight up 15,780-foot Mont Blanc, typically a two-day mountaineering ascent, in less than 5 hours while wearing shorts and a t-shirt. In 2017 he ascended Mount Everest twice in the same week.

Jornet’s ascents prompted some trail runners to take on similar challenges, setting off a flurry of mountain-top FKTs, and inspiring a new generation of endurance athletes.

Similarly, Andrews thinks the time is right for athletes to “push back on some of the conventional wisdom” for ascending 8,000-meter peaks. Instead of ascending Manaslu overnight, as is typical (“so you don’t get roasted by the sun”), Andrews did it mostly during daylight, which allowed him to use more conventional footwear, due to the warm temperatures.

Andrews also brought a stationary bike to base camp, which he said was “absurd.” But the device enabled him to get his heart rate higher than he would have while running.

But Andrews cautions that Himalayan ascents aren’t for untested trail runners. “I didn’t just step off the track and onto an 8,000-meter mountain,” he says. Andrews has been mountaineering for 15 years, and much more seriously in the last five. In recent years he’s ascended 22,841-foot Aconcagua in Argentina, 19,347-foot Cotopaxi in Ecuador, and 22,349-foot Ama Dablam in Nepal, among other peaks.

He lives and trains at high altitude, splitting time between Flagstaff, Arizona and Quito, Ecuador. And Andrews has extensive experience running at higher altitudes in the Andes.

Prior to Manaslu, Andrews ran dozens of trails above 16,000 feet in the Himalayas. His FKT on Manaslu was his second attempt on the mountain in two years. He didn’t summit the first time. “I got my ass kicked,” Andrews says. “But I learned a lot.” Both times, he hired expert local outfitter Dawa Steven Sherpa of Asian Trekking to manage logistics.

For 2025 and beyond, Andrews hopes to add more Nepali trails to the Fastest Known Times database. “There’s an absolute smorgasbord of mountain trail running here,” he says. “Really epic beautiful routes that most people do in a few days to a few weeks that

5 track stars we'd love to see on Dancing with the Stars

With Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars well underway, we’re seeing Olympic athletes like Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher and gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik (aka “pommel horse guy”) tear up the stage in a new way. Eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard and two-time Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola are also surprising the audience with their stellar footwork in a very different type of competition. It makes us wonder—which track athletes would dominate the dance floor?

In Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) history, 12 elite athletes have been crowned champion and taken home the Mirrorball Trophy—but the only track and field athletes who have participated in the show are former U.S. 100m world record holder Maurice Greene and American sprint hurdler (and bobsledder) Lolo Jones. Considering how much track and field athletes enjoy their celebratory dances (sometimes walking the fine line between celebrating and showboating), we think these five personalities would thrive in the ballroom.

Usain Bolt

We all know our favourite world-class sprinter’s signature victory pose became iconic for a reason–Usain Bolt knows how to make a statement. He became the 100m and 200m world record holder after coming from a 400m background, proving that he can be good at everything he tries. The confidence and vibrant energy Bolt brought to every track event throughout his career makes us certain he’d bring that same spirit to the dance floor.

If knowing Bolt’s captivating and charismatic personality when performing in front of a crowd isn’t already enough, here’s a video of him samba dancing after a press conference at Rio 2016. Clearly, he’s already a pro.

Alysha Newman

Canada’s Alysha Newman went viral for her celebratory dance after winning the bronze medal in the women’s pole vault at Paris 2024. The Canadian record holder cleared the bar, faked an injury–and started twerking. That’s exactly the energy they’re looking for when screening world-class athletes for potential dance skills. The technical expertise required in pole vaulting also gives Newman an edge when it comes to executing lifts or more challenging moves.

Newman got both positive and negative attention on social media from the victory twerk, but stayed confident and was true to herself–once again demonstrating that she is a qualified candidate for the show.

Noah Lyles

We’re sure the first person that came to mind when thinking of an athlete with a television personality was Team USA’s Noah Lyles. The 27-year-old, already a star on Netflix’s docuseries Sprint, exudes confidence and drive in each and every race he appears in. To say that Lyles is a competitive athlete might be an understatement–the 100m and 200m sprinter has quickly become popular for his bold moves even before races, in an attempt to rile up the crowd.

We’ve also seen this Olympic champion and six-time world champion dancing on TikTok. A character like Lyles could win over the audience on DWTS, and with those kinds of moves, he might even be a contender for the trophy.

Sha’Carri Richardson

Another major sprint personality we simply cannot leave out is Sha’Carri Richardson of the U.S. As you may know, the cast on DWTS gets dressed up glamorously for each show, and Richardson is the definition of glam. With her hair, nails, and lashes on race day, we know the 24-year-old would fully embrace the sparkly, embellished outfits worn during DWTS performances. Look good, feel good—right? Not to mention, like Lyles, this 100m world champion exudes confidence in every performance, a quality that would take her far in the ballroom.

Aaron Brown

Canada’s four-time Olympian Aaron Brown is not only a newly-minted Olympic gold medallist, but also an influencer. The 100m and 200m sprinter posts a mix of inspirational and humorous videos on his YouTube channels–showing off his fun and driven personality. With the current DWTS cast using TikTok and Instagram as a platform to build a fan base and earn more votes, Brown earns extra points as a potential candidate for already being experienced in that domain. We’ve yet to see his dancing abilities put to the test, but if put up against a rival like Lyles, we’re sure we can expect nothing but sensational moves from the four-time Canadian Olympian.

Honourable mention: Jakob Ingebrigsten

If he can bring these moves back, you can expect a nomination from us to get Ingebrigtsen on the next season.

Emma Bates will return for the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

American marathoner Emma Bates will return for the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon after finishing 13th in last year's race.

Bates finished 13th in last year's Chicago Marathon, running 2:25:04. However, she partially tore her plantar fascia in the process of that race, setting her back and forcing her to withdraw from the U.S. Olympic Trials in February.

Bates' bounceback from her plantar fascia tear has been solid. She's run one race since then, finishing 12th in the 2024 Boston Marathon in April. She ran 2:27:14 and finished as the top American in the race.

This will be Bates' fourth Chicago Marathon of her career. She finished fourth in 2019, running 2:28:19. In 2021, she finished second, running 2:24:20.

Her marathon best comes from the 2023 Boston Marathon, where she ran 2:22:10; Bates is the second-fastest woman in Boston Marathon history.

Ketema and Takele head entries for 50th Berlin Marathon

Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema and Tadese Takele start as the fastest in the fields and will be hoping to lead the way when they line up for the BMW Berlin Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on Sunday (29).

Ketema, previously better known as an 800m and 1500m specialist, made her mark in the marathon in Dubai in January as she ran 2:16:07, a time that places her ninth on the women’s world marathon all-time list. She then ran 2:23:21 to place seventh in London in April and Berlin will be her first race since then.

“I have prepared for a personal best and plan to run the first half on Sunday in around 68 minutes,” she said. “I hope it won't be too cold because I prefer to run in slightly warmer weather.”

Ketema is one of three women with sub-2:20 PBs on the entry list, as her competition includes her compatriots Genzebe Dibaba and Yebrugal Melese, who have respective PBs of 2:18:05 and 2:19:36.

Dibaba ran that PB on her debut in Amsterdam in 2022 and she clocked 2:21:47 in Chicago a year later. “I saw Haile Gebrselassie run two world records in Berlin on TV and since then I've always wanted to run in Berlin,” she said. “Now the time has come. It would be a success for me if I ran a personal best.”

Another eight women on the entry list have dipped under 2:22 for the marathon in their careers so far, including Mestawot Fikir (2:20:45), Azmera Gebru (2:20:48), Sisay Gola (2:20:50), Fikrte Wereta (2:21:32) and Aberu Ayana (2:21:54), as well as Japan’s Mizuki Matsuda (2:20:52) and Ai Hosoda (2:21:42). 

Germany’s Melat Kejeta is also part of that group, having clocked 2:21:47 in Dubai in January. She placed sixth at the Tokyo Olympics but was unable to finish the Olympic marathon in Paris due to stomach problems. 

A total of 13 world records have so far been set in the Berlin Marathon, the most recent being the 2:11:53 by Tigist Assefa – a training partner of Ketema – in last year’s women’s race.

The men’s title on that occasion was won by Eliud Kipchoge, as he claimed a record fifth victory.

Kipchoge does not return this year but Takele does, following his third-place finish in last year’s race in a PB of 2:03:24. That was his most recent race due to injury, but he says he is now fit and ready to run. “I’ve trained very well,” he said, “and expect to run a strong race.”

Another four men to have dipped under 2:05 feature on the entry list, including Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut, who ran his PB of 2:04:34 when finishing second in Amsterdam last year, and Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros and Bazezew Asmare, who respectively clocked 2:04:41 in Paris in 2021 and 2:04:57 in Amsterdam in 2022.

Kenya’s former world half marathon record-holder Kibiwott Kandie races the marathon for the third time and will be looking to build on the PB of 2:04:48 he set in Valencia last year as he hunts for a first win over the distance.

They will be joined by athletes including Kenya’s Samwel Mailu, the world half marathon bronze medallist who set a course record of 2:05:08 to win the Vienna City Marathon last year and continues his comeback after injury, and Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha, who finished sixth at the World Championships last year and has a best of 2:05:29.

Elite fields

Women

Tigist Ketema (ETH) 2:16:07

Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) 2:18:05

Yebrugal Melese (ETH) 2:19:36

Mestawot Fikir (ETH) 2:20:45

Azmera Gebru (ETH) 2:20:48

Sisay Gola (ETH) 2:20:50

Mizuki Matsuda (JPN) 2:20:52

Fikrte Wereta (ETH) 2:21:32

Ai Hosoda (JPN) 2:21:42

Melat Kejeta (GER) 2:21:47

Aberu Ayana (ETH) 2:21:54

Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR) 2:22:17

Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) 2:22:54

Lisa Weightman (AUS) 2:23:15

Betelihem Afenigus (ETH) 2:23:20

Veronica Maina (KEN) 2:24:46

Bosena Mulatie (ETH) 2:26:59

Alisa Vainio (FIN) 2:27:26

Sonia Samuels (GBR) 2:28:04

Nora Szabo (HUN) 2:28:25

Philippa Bowden (USA) 2:29:14

Pauline Esikon (KEN) debut

Men

Tadese Takele (ETH) 2:03:24

Cybrian Kotut (KEN) 2:04:34

Hailemaryam Kiros (ETH) 2:04:41

Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 2:04:48

Bazezew Asmare (ETH) 2:04:57

Samwel Mailu (KEN) 2:05:08

Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) 2:05:29

Haymanot Alew (ETH) 2:05:30

Philimon Kipchumba (KEN) 2:05:35

Josphat Boit (KEN) 2:05:42 

Dejene Megersa (ETH) 2:05:42

Enock Onchari (KEN) 2:05:47 

Oqbe Ruesom (ERI) 2:05:51

Justus Kangogo (KEN) 2:05:57

Haimro Alame (ISR) 2:06:04

Ashenafi Moges (ETH) 2:06:12

Asbel Rutto (KEN) 2:07:04

Samuel Tsegay (SWE) 2:06:53

Yohei Ikeda (JPN) 2:06:53

Stephen Kiprop (KEN) 2:07:04

Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) 2:07:14

Kento Kikutani (JPN) 2:07:26

Melaku Belachew (ETH) 2:07:28

Godadaw Belachew (ISR) 2:07:45Y

uhei Urano (JPN) 2:07:52

Guojian Dong (CHN) 2:08:12

Filimon Abraham (GER) 2:08:22

Haftom Welday (GER) 2:08:24

Sebastian Hendel (GER) 2:08:51

Olonbayar Jamsran (MGL) 2:08:58

Haftamu Gebresilase (ETH) debut

Olympic heptathlete found safe after two-week disappearance

The two-time Olympic heptathlete Odile Ahouanwanou of Benin has returned home "safe and sound" after missing for 17 days.

Olympic heptathlete Odile Ahouanwanou of Benin has been found safe in France after disappearing for two weeks. The 33-year-old was last seen on Sept. 10, after dropping her child off at a daycare center in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France.

According to a report from Le Parisien, Ahouanwanou returned home on the night of Sept. 26. However, the details surrounding her disappearance remain unclear and police are continuing to investigate.

Ahouanwanou’s sudden disappearance was a mystery in France and Benin, where she is a prominent figure in the sport of track and field. She is a double gold medalist at the African Championships and the Beninese national record holder in the heptathlon.

On Sept. 18, Ahouanwanou was placed on the wanted persons list. Investigators looked into her lifestyle habits, interviewed members of her inner circle, and reviewed data from her mobile phone and bank accounts. French police are still considering the possibility of a voluntary disappearance. The investigation is still ongoing.

Despite intensive searches and public appeals, the exact reason behind her disappearance has not yet been disclosed. 

Ahouanwanou placed 15th in the heptathlon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and finished eighth at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. Her best score of 6,274 points is the national record for Benin.

The Legend of Cliff Young: The potato farmer who miraculously won a 544-mile marathon at age 61

At the start of the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon, Cliff Young quickly fell behind and seemed on track to finish last. But while the others stopped to sleep, Young kept running at his tortoise pace for five days straight — and won.

In 1983, a 61-year-old Australian potato farmer entered the first ultramarathon between Sydney and Melbourne. Few bet on the farmer winning the race.

Not only did Cliff Young have a strange, slow running stride resembling a shuffle, but he’s said to have shown up to the race wearing work boots and overalls. During the event itself, rather than wearing sleek running clothes like the other competitors, Young donned a cotton t-shirt and long trousers, explaining that it was important to reduce his risks of skin cancer.

But Young had a secret weapon.

“I grew up on a farm where we couldn’t afford horses or tractors,” Young said in an interview, according to Adventure Journal. “And the whole time I was growing up, whenever the storms would roll in, I’d have to go out and round up the sheep. We had 2,000 sheep on 2,000 acres.”

Rounding up sheep gave Young a taste for long-distance running.

“Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I’d always catch them. I believe I can run this race.”

In less than six days, Cliff Young ran 544 miles and won the ultramarathon — and broke the previous record by two whole days. His unorthodox style and surprising victory shocked the world. How did a 61-year-old farmer win one of the most challenging races in history?

Cliff Young’s Real-Life Tortoise And The Hare Story

From the starting gun, it looked like Cliff Young would be at the back of the pack.

When the ultramarathoners left Sydney, Young quickly fell behind. With his slow signature shuffle, Young could barely match the pace of the other racers. But everything changed the first night of the race.

Although he’d fallen far behind the other runners at the end of the first day, by dawn on the second day Young had a massive lead. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that that was thanks to Young’s trainer, Wally Zeuschner. Known for his tough tactics, Zeuschner reportedly told one athlete that he could take a break when his eyes started bleeding.

In fact, Zeuschner’s eyes helped Cliff Young win the ultramarathon. Young turned in to sleep the first night and Zeuschner set the alarm. But because of his poor eyesight, Young’s trainer set the alarm for 2 a.m., several hours earlier than the planned wakeup call.

When the alarm rang, Young leaped up and began running. It took the groggy racer some time to realize that it was still dark.

Those hours of early morning running put Cliff Young at the head of the pack. And Young turned that accidental advantage into a strategy. Instead of stopping to sleep at night, he kept running.

“I’m just an old tortoise,” Young told reporters during the race, according to The Age. “I have to keep going to stay in front.”

Cliff Young also had an unusual running style. The press dubbed it the “Young-Shuffle,” because Young seemed to shuffle rather than run.

But the shuffle-step gave Young a significant advantage during an ultramarathon. By conserving his energy, Young was able to run longer without rest. His shuffle was also more aerodynamic than other running styles, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Not long after the ultramarathon, other runners adopted Young’s signature style. In fact, three subsequent winners of the Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon took first place using the Young-Shuffle, according to Elite Feet.

Fans and reporters tracked Cliff Young as he inched closer and closer to Melbourne. During days and nights of running, someone asked Young what he planned to do first when he reached the finish line.

“I’m going to the toilet first,” Young declared.

As the days passed, Young remained at the head of the pack. At dawn on the sixth day, Melbourne was in sight. But it would take Young several more hours of running to officially win the race.

When he reached Melbourne, Young barely stopped for the cameras — they had to wait outside while he went to the toilet.

Sharing The Prize Money

In the final leg of the ultramarathon, runner Joe Record thought he might catch Young. As reported by The Age, Record, 41 years old, boasted, “I think I can catch old Cliff. He says he’s a tortoise but I think the old bastard is a hare in disguise.”

But Cliff Young carried the day, reaching Melbourne in the record time of 5 days, 15 hours.

At the end of the race, Cliff Young walked away with $10,000 in prize money. Instead of keeping it for himself, he gave away most of the money to his competitors.

“Joe Record and I had a pact before we ran that if either of us won we would split the prize money between us,” Young told the New Vegetarian and Natural Health magazine in a 1997 interview. “I forgot about Joe and started giving it away left, right and center. I gave $4,000 away to the other runners.”

Luckily, Record didn’t mind when Young handed him $3,000.

Later, when asked about the highlight of the ultramarathon, Young said, “The prize money of ten thousand dollars! Now that’s a helluva lot of potatoes.”

The Legacy Of Cliff Young

When he won the first Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon, Cliff Young became a hero in Australia. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know about the potato farmer who ran 544 miles.

Reporters pestered Young to learn more about his diet. An avid vegetarian, Young explained how eating grains and fruit powered his runs. “The secret to a long life is preserved pears and jogging,” Young told the Sydney Morning Herald. “It sure beats having a drink in the pub.”

Young also had advice for fellow older runners.

“Get out of your wheelchairs and start doing a few laps, if you can,” he told the New Vegetarian and Natural Health magazine. “If you don’t get any exercise your joints start seizing up like a rusty engine.”

Young never retired from running. He returned to the Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon the next year, 1984, and came in 7th. In his 70s, Young attempted to run around all of Australia. He only stopped when his support crew member fell ill. In 2003, Cliff Young died at the age of 81.

Cliff Young inspired generations of runners. So did Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. And don’t forget to check out more uplifting stories from history.

Delhi Half Marathon: Joshua Cheptegei to headline elite field

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, which is part of the World Athletics Gold Label Road Races, will be flagged off from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, October 20.

Ugandan sensation Joshua Cheptegei and Kenya’s former Half-Marathon World record holder Peres Jepchirchir are all set to light up the streets of Delhi!

Joshua is the current world record holder for both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters and holds the world’s best time over the 15-kilometer distance. He is the reigning Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters and won the gold with a new Olympic record of 26:43.14.

Joshua is also a three-time World champion in the 10,000 meters and claimed gold in both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Notably, Cheptegei is only the tenth man in history to simultaneously hold the 5000-meter and 10,000-meter world records, both of which he set in 2020.

Interestingly, Cheptegei made his international debut in India at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2014, finishing second. His return to India for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon promises to be a highlight of this year’s race.

Speaking about his return to India Joshua said, “This country holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I made my international debut in 2014. It’s been a good season for me, and I am certainly looking at a course-record timing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The energy and passion of the Indian running community are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of this prestigious event.”

Kenya’s former Half-Marathon World record holder and three-time world half-marathon winner Peres Jepchirchir will lead the women’s contingent. Peres won the London Marathon 2024 with a time of 2:16:16 secs, breaking the women’s only Marathon world record. She also won the 2021 New York City and 2022 Boston Marathons.

Among the other notable participants, Asian Championship Bronze Medalist Sanjivani Jadhav stands out in the women’s category. Sanjivani, who won the 10,000-meter Portland Track Festival in the USA with a personal best of 32:22:77, recently claimed a silver medal at the 5000-meter event at the National Open Athletics Championships in Bangalore.

She has previously won gold at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in 2018 and 2022 and took silver in 2016 and 2020. Defending champion Kavita Yadav will provide Sanjivani with tough competition in pursuing the title.

“This will be my third Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, and my aim will be to win this race once again. I have been training hard and I will try my best to break and create as many records as I can,” said Sanjivani Jadhav.

In the men’s category, Defending Champion and talented youngster Abhishek Pal, who recently won the 10,000-meter title in the National Open Athletics Championships 2024 in Bangalore, will take the lead. He will face tough competition from another youngster, Asian Games 2023 silver medalist in the 10,000 meters, Kartik Kumar.

He recently triumphed at the 10,000-meter USA Championship Track Fest 2024 with a remarkable time of 28:07:66. Kartik is also the VDHM 2022 and 2023 editions silver medalist.

“I am aiming to break the national record in what will be my fifth Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I have won the competition, but while I am once again, my mind is set on breaking the national record and going under 60 minutes,” said the defending champion Abhishek Pal.

Betsy Saina the fastest American marathoner this year, is set to race Chicago Marathon

Besty Saina, the fastest American marathoner this year, is racing in the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Saina set a new marathon personal best in the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, running 2:19:17 and taking gold. Her time represents the third-fastest time in American history and the fastest this year.

Saina, 36, has won four of her last six races, including the River Bank 25-kilometer run, the Sydney Marathon (2:26:47), the USA 25-kilometer Championship (1:24:32) and the Seville Half Marathon (1:08:23).

She didn't initially take to the marathon distance in her career. She dropped out of her first two attempts in 2017. In her third attempt at the 2018 Paris Marathon, she won, running 2:22:56.

Five mistakes new trail runners can avoid

New to trail running? Welcome to the wild side. But before you lace up and charge into the woods, let’s save you from a few rookie moves that could make your first trail race a comedy of errors.

Sure, you’ve got rugged shoes and maybe even a hydration vest, but the terrain demands more than just gear. Here are five unexpected (and often hilarious) mistakes new trail runners make—and how to avoid them.

1.- Don’t be the trail DJ

Picture this: you’re cruising through a peaceful forest, birds chirping, wind rustling the leaves… and suddenly, you hear someone blasting their playlist on speaker. (Which instantly kills that trail-joy vibe.) Sure, running to music can be motivating, but this isn’t a marathon on city streets (and even then, most people aren’t going to appreciate you sharing your tunes). Part of trail running is connecting with nature—and–fun fact–most people don’t want to hear your music wafting through the wilderness. If you need tunes, grab some earphones (safely) and keep the forest soundtrack serene.

2.- The jostle-sprint: you’re not at a track meet

We’ve all seen them—the over-excited newbie who approaches passing another runner as if they’re sprinting for Olympic gold. Here’s the thing: you’re not Josh Kerr chasing Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the 1,500m final. It’s a trail, not a track meet—trail runners tend to be a laid-back crew, and aggressively shoving past someone while you breathe down their neck like a rhino is just poor form. Slow your roll, politely announce yourself, say excuse me and ease by. You’ll pass them soon enough without making anyone feel like prey.

3.- Downplaying the downhill

Everyone dreads the uphill grind, but let’s be honest, the downhill is where the real fun (and chaos) begins. For new trail runners, it’s either full-speed-ahead with no brakes, or they lock up tight, like every step could be their last. The sweet spot is somewhere in between—and mastering that balance can be the difference between feeling like a trail wizard and wiping out on a banana peel, cartoon-style. Yes, caution is key (no one wants a surprise somersault mid-run), but being overly timid? That’ll do your pace no favours. Loosen up, spread your arms for balance and embrace the momentum, while keeping things controlled.

4.- The classic snack underestimation

Trail running requires a little more fuel than a short jaunt on the road. Think you’re fine with just water? You’re about to face a (potentially dangerous) reckoning. That 10K trail loop can take much longer than expected, especially with some rooty, rocky climbs. Proper fuelling is as essential for trail training as it is for trail races. Bring snacks—and opt for real sustenance over gels to keep your tastebuds happy (although gels are a great option if you prefer your snacks simple and squeezable). Halfway through, that peanut butter sandwich (or whatever your chosen delight) will feel like a Michelin-star meal. Make sure you overestimate your fuelling needs when you’re hitting the singletrack, and start taking in calories early and often.

5.- Thinking you’re better than the dirt

Here’s a heads-up: you’re going to get dirty. Mud, dust and puddles are part of the package. Newbies often cling to the fantasy that they’ll stay spotless. Spoiler: they won’t. At some point, you either embrace the mess or spend your run doing awkward hopscotch like you’re dodging landmines. Own it. By the end, those mud splatters will feel like badges of honour. And look at the pros—they’re not crossing the finish line looking ready for a laundry commercial, either.

Trail running isn’t just road running with more rocks. It’s its own world, with unspoken rules and quirks that make it uniquely fun. Embrace it, laugh at your own mistakes (we’ve all been there), and for the love of all that’s sacred in the woods, leave the speaker at home.

Koech eyes Amsterdam title in third attempt

Two-time Hamburg Marathon champion Bernard Koech returns to the Netherlands on October 20 hoping to win the Amsterdam Marathon title on his third attempt.

In 2021, Koech finished second in a personal best of 2:04:09 behind Ethiopia’s Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola (2:03:39) and ahead of Leul Gebresilase (2:04:12).

On his debut in 2013, he was third in 2:06:29 behind Wilson Chebet (2:05:35) and Ethiopia’s Birhanu Girma (2:06:04). 

In April, he defended his Hamburg Marathon title in 2:04:24, 15 seconds slower than in 2023.

The 31-year-old’s impressive resume features runners-up finishes from the 2014 Rotterdam Marathon (2:06:08) and the 2012 Lille Half Marathon (59:10).

He finished second at the 2023 Copenhagen Half Marathon clocking 59:13 behind Edward Cheserek (59:11).

He placed fourth at the 2022 Chicago Marathon (2:07:15) in a race won by Olympic bronze medalist Benson Kipruto (2:04:24) with Ethiopia’s Seifu Tura (2:04:49) and John Korir (2:05:01) completing the podium.

Koech placed fourth at the 2014 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 59:46.

He recorded a Did Not Finish at the 2013 World Championships.

Koech's main competition will come from the Ethiopians led by the 2023 Frankfurt Marathon third-place finisher Guye Adola.

Adola boasts a personal best of 2:03:46 set during the 2017 Berlin Marathon when he placed second behind two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge (2:03:32).

The Ethiopian holds victories from the 2021 Berlin marathon (2:05:45), the 2014 New Delhi Half Marathon (59:06) and the 2017 Ostia Half Marathon (59:18).

He will be joined by Tsegaye Getachew, who claimed the Amsterdam title in 2022 in 2:04:49.

The 2024 Hamburg Marathon runner-up Winfridah Moraa and 2014 World Half Marathon bronze medalist Selly Chepyego lead the Kenyan charge in the women's race.

Moraa has a personal best of 2:18:25 from Hamburg and has notable wins from the 2022 Madrid (1:07:22) and Arezzo (1:07:58) half marathons.

Chepyego, with a PB of 2:20:03 from her second-place finish at last year’s Barcelona Marathon, is no stranger to the podium.

She claimed gold at the 2001 World Youth Championships in the 3,000m (9:09.95) and bronze at the 2014 World Half Marathon Championships (1:07:52).

In-form athlete Xaba excited but relaxed ahead of marathon debut

Glenrose Xaba is not putting any pressure on herself as she prepares to make her highly anticipated 42km debut at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon next month.

Xaba again showed her superb form over the weekend, winning the Spar Grand Prix 10km race in Gqeberha in 31:22.

She was just 10 seconds outside the SA record (31:12) which she set at the Absa Run Your City race in Durban in July.

Running from the front in excellent conditions, Xaba shook off a strong field to extend her Grand Prix series lead, with 18-year-old Ethiopian athlete Diniya Abaraya finishing second in 31:33 and Tadu Nare taking third spot in 31:48, one week after winning the Mpumalanga Marathon.

Her latest victory added to a long list of wins picked up by Xaba this season, including the national 5,000m and 10,000m titles on the track and the SA 10km and 21km titles on the road.

Though it had been a long year for the 29-year-old athlete, Xaba was all set to make her maiden appearance over the classic 42km distance in the Mother City on 20 October.

“My long runs have gone well and I’ve been able to adjust in training,” Xaba said,

“I know it’s a big step for me but I’m very excited to try something new.”

Assessing her marathon potential

The field in Cape Town also includes Cian Oldknow, who set a personal best of 2:25:08 in February, and with a local battle on the cards, Gerda Steyn’s SA marathon record (2:24:03) might be in danger.

Xaba, however, insisted she was not concerned about challenging Steyn’s record in her first attempt at the marathon distance. Instead, she hoped to give herself an indication of whether it might be worth making a more permanent step up in distance.

“The national record is not my focus. If it comes, I will be happy to achieve that, but it’s not my focus,” she said.

“I want to try a marathon and see what time I will be able to achieve in future, and see if I’m strong in the marathon or if I need to focus on 10km and 21km.”

Joyciline Jepkosgei is set for returning to the Chicago marathon

Joyciline Jepkosgei, the fourth-place finisher from the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, is returning for the event.

Jepkosgei's most recent race was the 2024 London Marathon, where she earned a new personal best time of 2:16:24. She finished third.

A two-time Abbott World Marathon Majors Champion, the Ethiopian came into the marathon scene with a strong debut when she won the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon.

She followed that up with a second-place finish at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. Following that race, she won both the Berlin Half Marathon (1:05:16) and the London Marathon (2"17:43) in 2021.

Paris bans plastic bottles from races

On Monday, Paris City Hall announced a ban on single-use plastic in all its races, including the Paris 20 km in mid-October and the Paris Marathon.

Didn't get to crisscross the Paris asphalt during the Paris 2024 Olympics' Marathon pour Tous ("Marathon for Everyone")? You'll have a chance to make up for it on October 13, with one of the many races taking place in the capital, the 46th annual Paris 20-kilometer race.

But don't forget your water bottle. At the press conference presenting the event on Monday, September 23, Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris responsible for sports, confirmed that the ban on single-use plastic bottles would come into force.

"In Paris, you won't be able to organize a race if you use plastic bottles, it's as simple as that," assured the 44-year-old former rugby player, in remarks reported by sports paper L'Equipe. "It was one of the objectives of the Olympic legacy. We have to reduce the use of single-use plastic in our daily lives, and sport has to get on board. It's an evolution, and even a revolution for the organizers."

No fewer than 13 races will be held in Paris between now and December 31, for a total of some 50 events a year – including the Paris Marathon and Half Marathon, which attract around 50,000 runners. In these races, particularly the longer ones, over a million bottles are used each year to rehydrate runners – "who generally only take two or three sips before throwing it away.

I know because it's happened to me too when I used to take part in races," insisted Rabadan. So that's the end of the individual bottles cans, or cartons, which are to be replaced instead by reusable water bottles and reusable cups. The City of Paris has invested in a stock of 100,000 of these cups, which it can lend to race organizers.

Target 'zero single-use plastic' for the Olympics

During the Olympic marathon, however, competitors were granted a dispensation to continue using bottles – to avoid the risk of contamination, or even doping, according to the organizing committee – and elite athletes could continue to benefit from such policies. "It's all about the masses and all the other participants who aren't gambling their season on a race," said Paris's deputy mayor for sports.

Drawing inspiration from initiatives in Munich, Amsterdam and San Francisco, but above all from the refill London campaign (2018) across the Channel and the Brussels 20 km, the city has been working since 2019 to achieve the goal of "zero single-use plastic," for the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which have claimed to be the greenest in history. This is a legacy that must live on.

Nevertheless, through the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) game of "world" sponsors, the American giant Coca-Cola – the world's leading "plastic polluter" according to the NGO Break Free from Plastic's 2023 ranking – was entrusted with the exclusive distribution of drinks at the 2024 Olympics. Numerous associations, including France Nature Environnement, Zero Waste France and No Plastic in My Sea, awarded the IOC partner the greenwashing medal.

The soda producer promoted its fountains, returnable cups and glass bottles. But over 40% of the total drinks distributed were poured into an eco-cup from... a plastic bottle. The kind of bottle that should no longer be seen at Parisian races.

How to survive the marathon taper

Sometimes running less is harder than you think.

The hardest part of marathon training is behind you. For the past 12 weeks, you’ve dedicated yourself to preparing physically for race day. Now, it’s time to focus on the mental aspect and successfully navigate the taper. On paper, tapering may seem easy—reducing your training volume and intensity to give your body the rest it needs before the big day. But after 12 weeks of hard work and increasing mileage, the taper can feel unusual and even hard.

Tapering allows your muscles to repair, replenishes glycogen stores and sharpens your mental focus, enhancing your race performance and minimizing injury risk. It typically lasts one to three weeks, depending on your race distance and training plan.

Many forget that the taper is a shift in focus from mileage to recovery. It’s crucial to ensure you’re getting enough rest—whether that means going to bed earlier or adding naps to your day—and continuing to eat well. Stick to the healthy habits that have fuelled your training to keep your body primed for race day.

The goal of tapering is to recover from the accumulated fatigue of training while maintaining your fitness level so you can perform at your best on race day. Runners typically reduce their mileage by about 60 per cent during the taper, while still including shorter, faster workouts to stay sharp. With less running, you’ll have more free time on your hands. Use this opportunity to catch up on things you may have missed during your training—whether it’s meeting friends for a drink, attending a concert, or simply unwinding with your favourite Netflix show.

If cutting back on running feels strange, don’t worry—it’s completely normal. Just remind yourself that resting is part of the process. Trust in your training and enjoy the chance to relax; you’re on the right track!

Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2025 opens doors to Kenyan runners

Nagoya Women’s Marathon invites Kenyan runners to join its 2025 race, offering virtual participation and luxurious finisher awards.

Organizers of the Nagoya Women’s Marathon have extended a special invitation to Kenyan runners encouraging them to participate in the highly anticipated 2025 race.

Recognized by Guinness World Records for hosting over 20,000 participants, the event is set to take place in Nagoya, Japan, with an online virtual marathon for international participants unable to travel to the race site.

Registration for the virtual marathon opens on October 18 and will remain available until October 31 allowing 500 entrants to join the race from their home countries.

With Kenya’s rich history of marathon champions, the invitation is expected to draw considerable interest.

“We will be delighted to open entries to international runners for Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2025, recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest women’s marathon in the world with over 20,000 participants,” the Marathon’s Race Director said.

“As a sport, running has the ability to bring together people from different countries, backgrounds and cultures, and we look forward to opening our doors to runners from Kenya, which has a world-famous runner community."

Kenyan athletes have long dominated the world stage in distance running, with runners like Brigid Kosgei and Peres Jepchirchir consistently achieving impressive marathon victories.

With this invitation, the organizers of the Nagoya Women’s Marathon hope to add a new level of competition and excitement to the event by allowing Kenyan women to compete alongside elite Japanese and international athletes.

For those who may not be able to make the journey to Japan, the event’s organizers are offering a virtual alternative for 500 women worldwide.

The Nagoya Women’s Online Marathon 2025, which will take place between February 9, 2025, and March 31, 2025, allows runners to complete the full 42.195 kilometers on a smartphone application, providing an opportunity to compete from any location.

“We recognize the importance of sustainability and accessibility in modern sports,” the Race Director explained.

“This virtual race option, born during the travel restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, allows women from around the world to engage with the event, even if they cannot physically attend in Nagoya. We believe this alternative offers a world-class platform for women to shine, no matter where they are."

All participants, whether competing in person or virtually, will receive the same prestigious finisher prizes, including a special commemorative tumbler from Baccarat, a French luxury lifestyle brand.

To mark its 260th anniversary, Baccarat has collaborated with the Nagoya Women’s Marathon to provide a unique gift, celebrating the success of every runner.

The elegant tumbler’s design, kept under wraps until now, will be unveiled at the Marathon Expo the day before the race.

The Nagoya Women’s Marathon, launched in 2012, has become a symbol of excellence in women’s running, featuring elite athletes from around the world.

It holds a World Athletics Platinum Label designation, attracting top-tier competitors and fans alike.

Last year, Yuka Ando made headlines by becoming the first Japanese winner in three years, setting a personal best time of 2:21:19.

The organizers are optimistic that the inclusion of Kenyan athletes will add an exciting layer of competition to the race, further elevating its international reputation.

50th BMW Berlin-Marathon Sunday: Deep fields promise fast and exciting races in Berlin’s jubilee marathon

The 50th edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon promises fast and exciting elite races. Deep fields will be assembled with 14 men who have already run sub 2:06:00. While there is no strong favourite among them it is different with the women: Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema heads the list with her stunning 2:16:07 debut time, which makes her the ninth-fastest marathon runner ever.

Ten more women have personal bests of sub 2:22:00. Thirteen world records were broken in the history of the BMW Berlin Marathon, many more than in any other marathon. The jubilee edition of Germany’s most spectacular road race will have a record number of around 50,000 participants. 

Men’s field

Without Kenya’s superstar Eliud Kipchoge, the winner of the past two editions, the fastest on paper is Tadese Takele. The Ethiopian was third in Berlin a year ago when he improved to 2:03:24. Since another fast race is expected Takele will probably have to run quicker to be in contention for the prestigious marathon victory at the Brandenburg Gate.

Fellow Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie could well challenge for his first triumph over the classic distance. The Kenyan is the former world half marathon record holder (57:32) with great potential. Germany’s Hendrik Pfeiffer leads a group of strong domestic runners. He improved to 2:07:14 early this year in Houston.

Women’s field

Tigist Ketema stormed to a sensational victory in Dubai at the beginning of the year, clocking an unofficial world debut record of 2:16:07. Coming to another very fast course now the training partner of Tigst Assefa, who smashed the world record here with 2:11:53 a year ago, might look to improve her personal best.

The women’s field includes a former world record holder as well, but at a much shorter distance: Genzebe Dibaba ran 3:50.07 in the 1,500m in 2015. When she switched to the marathon she ran a fast debut with 2:18:05 in Amsterdam two years ago.

Unfortunately, Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru had to cancel her start due to injury. But Germany’s Melat Kejeta is a late addition to the field. She dropped out of the Olympic Marathon early because of stomach problems and now hopes to bounce back in Berlin with a personal best. Kejeta might well try to become the second German woman after Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19 in Berlin in 2008) to break 2:20:00.

MEN

Tadese Takele ETH 2:03:24

Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:04:34

Hailemaryam Kiros ETH 2:04:41

Kibiwott Kandie  KEN 2:04:48

Bazezew Asmare ETH 2:04:57

Samwel Mailu KEN 2:05:08

Milkesa Mengesha ETH 2:05:29

Haymanot Alew ETH 2:05:30

Philimon Kipchumba KEN 2:05:35

Josphat Boit  KEN  2:05:42 

Dejene Megersa  ETH  2:05:42

Enock Onchari  KEN  2:05:47 

Oqbe Ruesom  ERI  2:05:51

Justus Kangogo  KEN  2:05:57

Haimro Alame  ISR  2:06:04

Ashenafi Moges  ETH  2:06:12

Asbel Rutto  KEN  2:07:04

Samuel Tsegay  SWE  2:06:53

Yohei Ikeda  JPN  2:06:53

Stephen Kiprop KEN  2:07:04

Hendrik Pfeiffer  GER 2:07:14

Kento Kikutani JPN 2:07:26

Melaku Belachew ETH 2:07:28

Godadaw Belachew  ISR 2:07:45

Yuhei Urano  JPN 2:07:52

Guojian Dong CHN 2:08:12

Filimon Abraham GER 2:08:22

Haftom Welday GER 2:08:24

Sebastian Hendel GER 2:08:51

Olonbayar Jamsran  MGL 2:08:58

Haftamu Gebresilase ETH Debut

WOMEN

Tigist Ketema ETH 2:16:07

Genzebe Dibaba ETH 2:18:05

Yebrugal Melese ETH 2:19:36

Mestawot Fikir ETH 2:20:45

Azmera Gebru ETH 2:20:48

Sisay Gola ETH 2:20:50

Mizuki Matsuda JPN 2:20:52

Fikrte Wereta  ETH 2:21:32

Ai Hosoda  JPN  2:21:42

Melat Kejeta GER 2:21:47

Aberu Ayana  ETH  2:21:54

Calli Hauger-Thackery GBR 2:22:17

Bekelech Gudeta  ETH  2:22:54

Lisa Weightman  AUS  2:23:15

Betelihem Afenigus  ETH  2:23:20

Veronica Maina   KEN  2:24:46

Bosena Mulatie ETH 2:26:59

Alisa Vainio FIN 2:27:26

Sonia Samuels  GBR 2:28:04

Nora Szabo  HUN 2:28:25

Philippa Bowden USA 2:29:14

Pauline Esikon KEN Debut

Former world record holder Kimetto to headline Cape Town race

Former World Marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto will spearhead an attempt on the Cape Town Marathon course record when he lines up on October 20.

The current course record in the men’s race is 2:08:32 set by 2016 Africa  10,000m silver medallist, Stephen Mokoka during his triumph in 2018.

This year’s edition has drawn a massive 21,000 participants, with race director Barry Van Blerk highlighting the impressive elite field assembled for the men's race.

“This year’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon boasts the strongest elite line-up ever seen on African soil. With a substantial prize pool, we anticipate fierce competition and if conditions allow, course records will likely fall,” Van Blerk remarked.

Kimetto set a world record during the 2014 Berlin Marathon after clocking 2:02:57, to become the first man to crack the 2:03 barrier.

His record stood for four years before two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge shattered it during the 2018 Berlin race when he clocked 2:01:39.

Kimetto brings a wealth of experience to the field including triumph from the 2013 Chicago Marathon (2:03:45), ahead of compatriots Emmanuel Kipchirchir (2:03:52) and Sammy Kitwara (2:05:16).

He also holds wins from the 2012 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (1:00:40), 2012 Berlin Half Marathon (59:14) and 2013 Tokyo Marathon (2:06:50).

Kimetto is a runner-up from the 2012 Berlin Marathon, where he clocked 2:04:16, behind Geoffrey Mutai (2:04:15). However, he will face tough competition from defending champion Adane Kebede of Ethiopia.

Kebede clocked 2:11:28 to win last year’s race, edging out Mokoka (2:11:33) and Bernard Kipkorir (2:11:51).

The Ethiopian finished third at last year’s Rabat Marathon clocking 2:09:44, behind Yassine El Allami (2:09:27) and Mustapha Houdadi (2:09:34).

Also in the race is 2019 world champion Lelisa Desisa. The Ethiopian claimed the 2019 world title in a time of 2:10:40, edging out Mosinet Geremew (2:10:44) and Amos Kipruto (2:10:51).

He is also a silver medallist from the 2013 edition in Moscow (2:10:12) behind Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich (2:09:51).

His resume also includes triumphs from the 2018 New York Marathon (2:05:59) as well as two Boston Marathon titles 2013 (2:10:22) and 2015 (2:09:17).

Desisa is also a runner-up twice at the Boston Marathon thus —2019 (2:07:59) and 2016 (2:13:32) as well as the 2014 New York Marathon (2:11:06).

A prize pool of Sh6.5 million ($50,000) has been set for the podium finishers with the champions bagging Sh3.3 million ($25,000). Second and third-place finishers will receive Sh1.9 million ($15,000) and Sh1.3 million ($10,000) respectively.

2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Athlete: Ashete Bekere is looking to make Chicago her first finish and potential victory in the United States

Bekere is searching for her first marathon victory in the United States.

Ashete Bekere has never won a marathon in the United States but hopes to check off that box at the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Bekere won her most recent marathon in April, taking the victory in the Rotterdam Marathon with a 2:19:30 finish.

Bekere is looking to make Chicago her first finish and potential victory in the United States. In 25 marathon finishes since 2013, Bekere has never finished below ninth place.

She's won Rotterdam (twice), Berlin, Valencia, Lanzhou, the Košice Peace and the See Genezareth Tiberias Marathon.

Barnaba Kipkoech and Natasha Cockram take the spoils as over 6,000 runners enjoy Belfast Half Marathon

Kenya’s Barnaba Kipkoech and Great Britain’s Natasha Cockram took the honors in emphatic fashion at Sunday’s Moy Park Belfast Half Marathon, leading home over 6,600 competitors in the largest event of its kind in Northern Ireland.

30-year-old Kipkoech was in world class form following a sub two hour and 11 minute marathon run in Rotterdam. He also ran under 63 minutes in the recent Malaga Half Marathon.

On a beautiful Belfast morning, Kipoech repeated this form from an early stage producing a sizzling pace to leave the opposition in his wake. He shattered the course record by over two minutes with a time of 63 minutes and 48 seconds. This was over three minutes ahead of North Belfast’s Finn McNally who took the runner-up spot in 67.04. The Brighton based runner is the current Northern Ireland Cross Country champion .

Annadale’s Brhane Gebrebrhan - the Northern Ireland 5,000 metres champion - took third place in 68.24 ahead of Spain’s Abdenasser Oukhelfen. Only two seconds further back was CNDR’s Conor Gallagher. Newcastle’s Robert Hagen ran a personal best of 70.22 to finish sixth.

In the women’s event US-based Cockram wasted little time in showing her dominance over last year’s winner Anne Marie McGlynn.

Cockram competed for Great Britain in the last World Championships, and has a marathon personal best of two hours and 26 minutes.

She forced the pace from early to finish in 72 minutes and 47 seconds. This was over a minute ahead of Letterkenny’s McGlynn who was also well ahead of third placed Monica Silva of Portugal in 74.59. Ivana Anderson was fifth with 79.29 followed by Sarah McNutt on 80.49.

Runners, you need to try bounding

Bounding isn't just for kids on the playground; it's a simple way to boost power and efficiency.

Bounding might look like a fun playground activity, but it’s actually a powerhouse move that can seriously elevate your running game. This dynamic drill is about more than just hopping around; it’s about building explosive strength, refining your running form and giving your legs the boost they need to power through tougher workouts. Adding bounding to your routine can unlock new levels of speed and efficiency, and the best part? It’s easy for any runner to start, no matter your experience level.

A science-backed power boost

Bounding, an explosive running drill where you take exaggerated, powerful strides, mimics the mechanics of running but adds an exaggerated element of power and height. The act of bounding forces the legs to generate more force than usual, recruiting fast-twitch muscle fibres that are crucial for speed and explosive movement. Research shows that plyometric exercises like bounding can increase muscle stiffness, which, in turn, improves your body’s ability to store and release energy during a run, making you faster and more efficient.

Bounding also works the muscles in your hips, glutes and calves—important areas for maintaining a strong stride and reducing injury risk. By working on these muscle groups, runners can help prevent the fatigue that often slows them down in the later stages of a race or long run—it also improves ground contact time, meaning less stationary time and greater efficiency.

Why bounding is perfect for all runners

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marathoner, bounding is an accessible way to improve running economy. Its versatility means it can be done almost anywhere—on a track, a trail or right in your backyard. Because it doesn’t require special equipment, it’s easy to incorporate into your regular training routine. Bounding doesn’t just add power; it also increases your range of motion, helping you develop a longer and more efficient stride.

How to get started

Make sure to begin with a thorough warm up that includes a few minutes of easy running. Start with three sets of 10 bounds, focusing on form. Drive your knee up, push off powerfully with your back leg and land softly on the balls of your feet. Make sure to stay tall and controlled, allowing your arms to swing naturally with each bound.

Jessica McClain And Biya Simbassa Capture USATF Road Titles At Great Cow Harbor 10k

That’s what Jessica McClain shouted as she broke the tape at the Great Cow Harbor 10-K here this morning where she won her first-ever national title.  The 32 year-old from Phoenix, who finished fourth at the 2024 USA Olympic Team Trials Women’s Marathon last February, stopped the clock at 31:40, a new course record by 13 seconds.

She’ll leave this picturesque seaside town on Long Island with total race winnings of $10,500: $8,000 for first place and $2,500 for setting a new course record.  Her time was also a championships record, bettering Marla Runyan’s 2002 mark of 31:46 set in Boston.

“It was so fun,” an elated McClain told Race Results Weekly just after finishing.  “I was literally out here just to race and have a good time before New York (City Marathon), and the motivation now is just head-down training, staying in Phoenix the next six weeks.”

McClain was part of a strong lead pack in the first mile which included Natosha Rogers, Erika Kemp, Emma Grace Hurley, and Amanda Vestri.  Keira D’Amato, Annie Rodenfels, and Katie Izzo ran together about six seconds back.  The quintet ascended the steep James Street Hill in the second mile, then ran together towards the 5-K mark, unable to appreciate the breathtaking views of Northport Harbor to their left.  Rogers got the $500 5-K prime, but McClain held back.  She was thinking instead about the overall title.

“I knew some of the women would be motivated by the 5-K bonus,” McClain explained.  “So I was like, just tune-out and stay in the mix until then, and then just feel it out.  When I felt comfortable enough, make a move and make it definitive.”

Her legs full of strength from marathon training, McClain pulled away in the fourth mile. She ran the mostly downhill second half of the race in a snappy 15:42, much faster than the second-place Rogers (16:03).  Spurred on by the hundreds of spectators who lined both sides of the course, the Brooks-sponsored athlete sailed to the finish line on Main Street alone.  She was particularly pleased with her tactics today.

“I’ve been really bad about getting out and making half-assed moves,” McClain admitted with a chuckle.  “I was really trying to get to a point where I was antsy and just go.”

Despite suffering from a badly upset stomach in the final mile, Rogers was a clear second in 32:00.  Hurley, the overall leader in the USATF Running Circuit points race, took third in 32:05 and Kemp, who won here in 2021, got fourth in 32:10.  D’Amato, who will run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in three weeks, completed the top-5 in 32:13.

Her legs full of strength from marathon training, McClain pulled away in the fourth mile. She ran the mostly downhill second half of the race in a snappy 15:42, much faster than the second-place Rogers (16:03).  Spurred on by the hundreds of spectators who lined both sides of the course, the Brooks-sponsored athlete sailed to the finish line on Main Street alone.  She was particularly pleased with her tactics today.

“I’ve been really bad about getting out and making half-assed moves,” McClain admitted with a chuckle.  “I was really trying to get to a point where I was antsy and just go.”

Despite suffering from a badly upset stomach in the final mile, Rogers was a clear second in 32:00.  Hurley, the overall leader in the USATF Running Circuit points race, took third in 32:05 and Kemp, who won here in 2021, got fourth in 32:10.  D’Amato, who will run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in three weeks, completed the top-5 in 32:13.

Is UTMB doing enough to support women athletes?

Sophie Power, a British ultrarunner and advocate for women’s participation in the sport, recently shared a disappointing experience during her 150km TDS race. In a social media post, Power detailed how she found no tampons at several aid stations, despite UTMB’s promise. She also encountered male supporters entering the only female toilet at a large aid station, undermining the “safe space” that had been promised.

In 2023, UTMB made strides toward better supporting female athletes by committing to key initiatives such as providing period products at aid stations, establishing female-only toilets and ensuring equal media coverage for the women’s race. While improvements were made in race coverage, Power’s experience highlighted some serious shortcomings the organization needs to tackle. “It is not enough to promise. In fact, it is worse as we rely on those promises,” Power explained. Despite raising concerns with aid station staff, little was done to address the issue during Power’s race.

Why the shortcomings matter

Power’s frustrations highlight a broader issue: women runners rely on promised resources and facilities to ensure they can focus on their performance. When these commitments are not upheld, it becomes more than an inconvenience—it’s a matter of fairness and safety. After 18+ hours of racing (or at any time), having essential period products and private changing spaces should not be a luxury, but a standard. “It is not an excuse to say “it was in the operational plan,” ” Powers said. “It has to be delivered.Tampons can easily be centrally purchased and “no men” signs distributed if aid station volunteers can’t be relied on.”

In her race, the lack of enforcement around female-only spaces became particularly problematic, and when Power approached the man running the aid station the situation was shrugged off. “He said there weren’t enough male toilets and he couldn’t police it. I said these were supporters and they could go outside,” she explained. Power underscored the need for better education and clearer boundaries for all race participants. “Sadly, male athletes need to be briefed about not entering female-only areas too.”

The path forward

Power’s advocacy extends beyond social media. She is the founder of SheRACES, a nonprofit that works to remove barriers for women in races. SheRACES collaborates with events like UTMB to improve policies that support women, and Power herself is well-known for her remarkable endurance feats (most recently setting a Guinness World Record running across Ireland) including the viral moment when she breastfed her 3-month-old baby during the 106-mile UTMB in 2018. Her foundation pushes for more equitable treatment in races worldwide, ensuring that women’s participation is valued equally.

When asked to comment, UTMB had not responded at the time of publication. However, they did make some immediate changes after the TDS race, such as improving visibility for women athletes at the CCC start line. But the question remains: is that enough, or should UTMB—and the broader ultra-running community—do more to ensure female athletes are supported equally?

Snowden and Wigfield claim wins at Vitality Westminster Mile

Katie Snowden and Joe Wigfield produced stunning runs to take respective victories at the Vitality Westminster Mile (September 21).

Both Snowden and Wigfield beat the previous course records in London but produced their wins in slightly different ways.

Snowden, who finished fifth over 1500m the UK Athletics Championships and ninth at the European Championships, ran 4:23 for the mile outside Buckingham Palace.

The 30-year-old dominated and won by 25 seconds, with Lilly Hawkins and Hannah Kinane clocking 4:48 and 4:56 for second and third.

It was Snowden’s first road mile since her ninth place finish at last year’s New York Fifth Avenue Mile.

Her time of 4:23 shouldn’t be a surprise as the Brit’s personal best for the distance is 4:21.19, set at last season’s Millrose Games.

“I really enjoyed it to be honest,” said Snowden. “I haven’t done a road mile since New York last year but I haven’t raced at the Vitality Westminster Mile since 2017. I obviously wanted to run quicker than I did then [4:36]!

“It’s just been so much fun. I got here quite early and it was nice to get a feel for the event. I couldn’t believe the amount of people that have come out here. Looking at the young kids in the waves was just really inspiring.”

Joe Wigfield became the first ever person to run a sub-four minute mile on the current Vitality Westminster Mile course.

The 24-year-old clocked 3:59 and, in a pulsating race, won by two seconds to James Young and Jacob Cann.

During the summer, in an incredibly competitive domestic 1500m field, Wigfield finished seventh in his heat at the UK Athletics Championships and was also sixth over 3000m indoors.

The Brit also recorded personal 800m and 1500m bests of 1:46.11 and 3:36.09 this past summer and will no doubt look to lower those once again in 2025.

Wigfield’s previous mile best was 4:34.2 but that was all the way back in 2017.

It’s also worth noting that even though Wigfield’s 3:59 is the course record, the best mark on the old Westminster Mile course was Steve Ovett’s 3:56.1 from 1986, set in an international field that included Steve Cram.

Earlier on in the day, Clare Elms took an astonishing 12 seconds off her own UK W60 mile record with an incredible run of 5:21 at the Westminster Mile.

That run was also an unofficial world best over the distance and Elms, who has set a myriad of domestic and world age group records this season, continues to go from strength to strength.

“I am really delighted,” said Elms. “The atmosphere, having all the people around, and perfect conditions really helped as well. It was super warm and there was hardly any wind. That is definitely a British record, and I think it is a world best as well.

“It means a lot. I’ve had a bit of a niggle so I’ve been cycling this week. I wondered whether my legs might be a bit heavy so, without running this week, I was delighted. Maybe it gave me a rest. I am super happy and I couldn’t ask for more today.”

Elsewhere, Kirstie Booth set a W45 UK mile record and Mark Symes recorded a UK M55 mile record.

McColgan and Rowe win Vitality London 10,000 races

Eilish McColgan won the Vitality London 10,000 women's race, while Jack Rowe claimed victory in the men's event.

McColgan, who was 15th in the 10,000m at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, finished in a time of 31 minutes 36 seconds.

Lucy Reid (32:17) was second and Lily Reid (32:37) third.

Rowe crossed the line in 29:14, with Seyfu Jamaal second in 29:42 and Tewelde Menges third in 29:55.

David Weir won the men's wheelchair race in 22:13, while Martyna Snopek triumphed in the women's wheelchair event in 38:37.

The 10km race is held in central London on a route that passes famous landmarks including Nelson's Column, St Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament before finishing at Buckingham Palace.

Yves Nimubona (Atletica Casoni Noceto) and Sara Nestola (Calcestruzzi Corradini) are the winners of the 24th edition of the Udine City Half Marathon

Yves Nimubona (Atletica Casoni Noceto) and Sara Nestola (Calcestruzzi Corradini) are the winners of the 24th edition of the Udine City Half Marathon, which took place this morning, Sunday 22 September. The Rwandan and the Italian completed the 21.097 km of the Friulian race in 1.00’56’’ and 1.12’16’’, adding their names to the roll of honor of the event organized by the Udine Half Marathon Association for the first time.

Completing the men’s podium are the Italians Yohanes Chiappinelli (Carabinieri) and Pietro Riva (Fiamme Oro), reigning European team champions over the distance. The former completed the race in 1.01’00’’, while the latter, individual continental vice-champion, stopped the clock at 1.01’55’’. Among the women, behind the Italian Nestola, the Kenyans Teresiah Omosa Kvamboka and Sharon Chebichiy close, capable of a time of 1.14’35’’ and 1.25’47’’ respectively.

The men’s race is exciting, with Riva in the lead in the early stages. Pulled by the hares, the policeman from Alba passes in 14’31’’ at 5 km and in 29’04’’ at 10 km, to then remain in the lead together with the duo formed by Chiappinelli and Nimubona. The trio runs at a pace of 2’50’’ until the sixteenth km, when the first turning point of the race is recorded. Riva loses contact with the two rivals, who take the lead of the race maintaining the pace of 2’50’’ per km. It’s neck and neck until the twentieth kilometer, when Nimubona (born in 1998) accelerates and manages to leave the Carabinieri standard-bearer behind him.

Thus, the African, 21st at the Paris Olympic Games in the 10,000 meters, raises his arms to the sky in the heart of Udine. Behind him, the two Italians, at the start of the Friulian race in preparation for the Valencia marathon on December 1st.

Among the women, the favorite of the eve, Sara Nestola, arrives in front of everyone, also in Friuli to carry out a test in view of her debut in the marathon, scheduled in Valencia. The race run by the student of Stefano Baldini is of great importance: the Italian, always in the lead, passes in 34'09'' at 10 km and in 51'03'' at 15 km, arriving at the finish line in a time one minute less than her personal best of 1.11'16''. The girl from Emilia, born in 2001, 35th at the European championships over 21.097 km, is the first Italian to win in Udine six years after the last time (in 2018 Sara Dossena won).

Great performance also for the Friulians Steve Bibalo, of Altetica Buja, who ranked tenth (1h 08'01"), and Mariangela Stringaro, of Keep Moving (1h 30'01"): they were awarded the Faustino Anzil Prize, a gold medal introduced in 2023 to honor the memory of the late Professor Faustino Anzil, a leading figure in regional and national sport - in his role as dean of athletic trainers of Friuli Venezia Giulia - as well as councilor, with the delegations for education and sport, in the Municipality of Udine: Anzil was, among other things, one of the most convinced supporters of the "Udine Half Marathon project".

A thousand participants in the Udine half marathon, which as always put on a show. 

Among the half marathon runners, this year too, was the scientist from Udine Mauro Ferrari, at his fifth participation in the Half Marathon.The youngest athletes were 18-year-olds Tamer Al Halabi and Nicole Cos, the oldest were Giorgio Zuzzi, 77, and Graziella Minetto, 68. Fausto Finocchiaro turned 35 on the day of the 2024 Half Marathon; 174 teams competed. The largest was Run Card, with 291 participants.

The most represented nations were (in order of participants) Italy, Austria, United Kingdom, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Belgium, United States, Israel.Among the members of the StraUdine (about 600) were the two actors - Daniele Fior and Marco Rogante - busy these days, at the Teatro S. Giorgio in Udine, in the rehearsals of the show "Maratona di New York", the new version of the famous text by Edoardo Erba, translated into Friulian by Paolo Patui and directed by Rita Maffei. On stage they run and act for 65 minutes: therefore they could not miss the city race, to continue the long training before the debut, scheduled for 11 and 12 October in the Season Teatro Contatto.

This At the StraUdine the largest group was the Mostro Run (18 participants); the youngest member was a six-month-old baby, the oldest Aderina Kraghel, 87 years old; the sympathy award went to a little girl who ran with a cast.

THE CLIMB OF THE CASTLE. The weekend of the Half Marathon, never so long - the first of the many events scheduled took place on Thursday evening -, came to life, at a competitive level, with the always spectacular men's and women's invitation time trial "Salita del Castello Autotorino": the speed record on the ramp that leads to the top of the hill was set by Lorenzo Brugnizza (San Marino Athletics Academy), with a time of one minute and 6 seconds; second place for Andrea Lamparelli (Atletica Malignani Libertas Udine), who arrived in one minute and 9 seconds, third for Alessandro De Marco (1 minute and 10 seconds), of the Atletica 2000 team.

First among the women was Miriam Sartor (of Atletica Ponzano), who climbed the hill in 1 minute and 27 seconds; silver for Lisa Rivetta, of Trieste Atletica (1 minute and 28), bronze for Emily Grace Campanelli (also Trieste Atletica), with 1 minute and 1 minute and 32.

Bethwell Biwott Yegon, winner of the Buenos Aires Marathon

The Buenos Aires International Marathon has come to an end, with a new edition of the South American Championship for that distance taking place. The winner was Kenyan Bethwell Biwott Yegon, after a time of 2:09:04. The podium was completed by Isaac Kipkemboi Too, in second place, and Eliasa Kibet, in third.

This was the marathon with the largest number of participants in Latin America, with 15,000 runners. This was achieved after having surpassed last year's record of 11,500 participants. Among the thousands and thousands of runners, almost five thousand of them were foreigners. On the other hand, the Marathon had no less than 16 long-distance runners from African powers.

The first South American to reach the finish line was the Peruvian Ulises Ambrocio. Then, the Argentine Ignacio Erario and the Paraguayan Derlys Ayala, respectively. In the women's category, the first was the Ethiopian Yenenesh Tilahun Dinkesa.

ETHIOPIAN MUKTAR EDRIS AND ASAYECH AYICHEW DEFEATS ALL FAVORITES AT THE NN DAM TOT DAMLOOP

With Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei at the starting line, a world-class athlete was present at today’s NN Dam tot Damloop. However, at the end of the 10-mile race from Amsterdam to Zaandam, a surprising winner stood on the podium.

Muktar Edris impressively outpaced all the major favorites. He won the 38th edition of the NN Dam tot Damloop in 44:51 minutes, the fastest time in the world this year. Asayech Ayichew also shocked the field with her victory. The 19-year-old athlete ran a smart race and finished as the first woman in 51:18 minutes.

The best Dutch performances came from Filmon Tesfu (47:48) and Maureen Koster (54:32).On this beautiful late summer day, the women started 6 minutes and 4 seconds ahead of the men. As is tradition, the women kicked off the race from the Prins Hendrikkade in Amsterdam and ran towards the finish in Zaandam.

In the IJtunnel, which was specially illuminated for the first time this year, the women’s group quickly split into two. Diana van Es and Maureen Koster briefly managed to keep up with the pace of the African runners but soon decided to run at their own rhythm.At that moment, the men’s race also started, and the chase began. Three-time World Champion and Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters, Joshua Cheptegei, set the pace alongside last year’s winner, Mathew Kimeli.

A leading group of nine runners formed, with Filmon Tesfu being the only Dutch runner among them. After just 4 kilometers, Muktar Edris made his move, disregarding the two favorites. He surged ahead at a blistering pace, opening up a significant gap. Cheptegei briefly closed in after 11 kilometers, momentarily bringing tension back into the race. However, Edris’ lead was too large to overcome.

At Dam Square, about 600 meters before the finish, Edris even had time to wave to the cheering crowd, which had gathered en masse for the race’s final stretch. After a final sprint, he finished with a time of 44:51. Although this was the fastest time of the season for this distance, Leonard Patrick Komon’s sharp course record from 2011 (44:27) remained unthreatened.

After the race, Edris thanked the spectators for their support: “After a long injury, this was my first race back. Thanks to all the encouragement, I was able to keep pushing throughout the race. The atmosphere was fantastic.” Cheptegei could not meet the high expectations today and had to settle for second place (45:18), while Kenyan Ismael Kiprono claimed third place (45:44).Filmon Tesfu impressed as the best Dutch runner with a time of 47:48 and was pleased with his seventh-place finish overall:

“I expected to perform at this level. For the first 3 kilometers, I kept up with the lead group, but then I switched to my own pace and managed to overtake more runners towards the finish. Being the top Dutch runner here is nice, but my main goal is the TCS Amsterdam Marathon next month, where I’ll be making my marathon debut.” Richard Douma finished as the second Dutchman (48:38), followed by Gianluca Assorgia in third (48:44).

The man-vs-woman competition remained close for a long time, but Edris eventually overtook Asayech Ayichew after 15 kilometers. By that point, Ayichew had already been running solo towards the finish, having smartly let the favorite, Gladys Chepkurui, lead for much of the race. Ayichew crossed the finish line shortly after Edris on Peperstraat with a time of 51:18.

Chepkurui followed closely behind (51:36), and third place went to Mebrat Gidey (52:17). The Dutch women's podium consisted of Maureen Koster (54:32), Jasmijn Lau (54:42), and Silke Jonkman (55:04).

2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Athlete: Daniel Ebenyo will make his long-awaited marathon debut

Kenyan long-distance runner Daniel Ebenyo will make his long-awaited marathon debut at the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Ebenyo has yet to run a competitive marathon. But in his most recent race, he won the 2024 Berlin Half Marathon, running a scorching 59:30.

Ebenyo, 29, is the reigning World silver medalist in the 10,000-meter run and in the World Championship Half Marathon.

He's a three-time Kenyan national champion in the 5,000-meter run; he competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the same event, finishing 10th.

He's run a slew of half-marathons. His best time of 59:14 came from the World Athletics Running Championships, where he took second place.