Running News Daily

World Record for Women-Only Half Marathon was Smashed today

The women-only half marathon world record was improved to 1:06:11 at the IAAF/Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia 2018 but not by race favorite Joyciline Jepkosgei, who owns the mixed-race standard of 1:04:51, but by slightly surprising Ethiopia’s Netsanet Gudeta. Gudeta – with the name Kebede on her bib in reference to her extended family name but who appears in vast majority of race results and is better known by solely her father’s name – made a decisive move at the 14th kilometer mark. There she shake off both Jepkosgei and her little-known Kenyan compatriot Pauline Kamulu and was never challenged again. She reduced Lornah Kiplagat’s world and championship record, which had stood since the 2007 edition, by 14 seconds – as well as slicing 1:15 off her own personal best set in Delhi last November. (03/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Geoffrey Kamworor wins third straight World Half title

The weather at the IAAF 2018 World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain today was challenging. It was 63 degrees at the start with winds as strong as 26mph. But that did not stop Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor for winning his third straight title in 60:02. With the wind in their faces a group of about 30 passed the 10k mark 29:28. But things started changing and the wind helped pushed Geoffrey to an amazing 27:16 split from 10k to 20k. In fact according to Paula Radcliffe who was following the race for the IAAF, “he just ran 13:01 5k split! Could that be right?l”. It appears it was right. 24 men ran under 62 minutes and considering a slow start, this is outstanding...Netsanet Gudeta Kebede from Ethiopia set a new women only WR earlier (they started 25 minutes before the men) posting 1:06:11. (03/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Jemal Yimer ran 59 Flat in his first Half, Next Up is the World Half this weekend

It usually takes young Ethiopian runners time to warmup and agree to interviews, especially when their most recent performance makes them a favorite for an upcoming major championships. Jemal Yimer is one of the key athletes to watch in the fight for the men’s title at the IAAF/Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia 2018 following his scorching 59:00 debut for the distance at the RAK Half in the UAE last month. The 21-year-old finished second there in the fastest debut half marathon performance ever. “Jemal does not like to talk much about his performances, nor show off or boast about his achievements,” his agent Malcolm Anderson says. “He is grounded, patient, and listens to the various people who support his athletics.” (03/22/2018) ⚡AMP

American’s Elite Women Marathoners Are Just About Ready To Race In Boston

The Boston Marathon is just a little more than three weeks from now. 2011 Boston Marathon runner-up Des Linden says, "I can't wait...It's the best group of Americans ever," Women's Marathon pioneer Katherine Switzer says, "We can run with the Kenyans and the Ethiopians. I think that there's a lot of heart now in the women who are running Boston." The 2018 elite American women's team assembled by John Hancock is the most impressive ever. There are savvy race veterans like Linden and Shalane Flanagan, and there are up-and-comers like Molly Huddle and Jordan Hasay. One thing that stands out was Flanagan's 2017 victory at the New York City Marathon which has set the stage for even bigger things. "It raises the bar for everyone," Linden said of Flanagan's triumph. "It makes it more attainable. It's really hard, but it's doable." Flanagan said of her win, "I think it allows Americans specifically, the ability to dream a little bigger now." Her dream has always been to win her hometown race. Shalane placed in the top 10 in each of her three previous Boston Marathons, and her 2:22:02 finish in 2014 set the record for the fastest time ever by an American woman on the Boston course. Her victory in New York renewed her confidence as she was thinking of retiring and raising a family. "I don't know if Boston will be my last or not..." But right now her focus as well as the other America's elites is on one thing...winning the Boston Marathon, period. (03/20/2018) ⚡AMP
by Bob Anderson

Kenya's Wilson Erupe Loyanae wins for the 4th time at Seoul Marathon

Kenya’s Wilson Erupe Loyanae became the first man to win four times at the 74th annual Seoul Marathon that was held early Sunday (18) in Seoul, South Korea. The 29 year-old first won in the Korean capital in 2012, clocking a course record of 2:05:37. He won again three years later in 2:06:11 and then successfully defended his title in 2016 in 2:05:13, an improvement on his course record. Loyanae beat a strong field that included Marius Kimutai who on paper had the fastest time of 2:05.47 that he ran in Amsterdam in 2016. Kimutai won both of his marathons last year, clocking 2:06:04 in Rotterdam and 2:08:33 in Ljubljana. In between those runs, he also set a half marathon PR of 1:00:07. Loyanae broke the tape in 2:06.57. He was followed by Mark Korir who crossed the line in 2:07.03 with Benson Kipruto closing the podium three in 2:07.11. Kimutai finished 4th in 2:07:45...The women's race saw a group of eight running together through 20 kilometers in 1::08:06. Then Ethiopian Damte Hiru made a decisive break. The 24-year-old finished unchallenged in 2:24:08. There were over 20,000 participants. (03/19/2018) ⚡AMP

Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi is very versatile winning marathons in both Cold and Hot conditions

Yuki Kawauchi won the New Taipei City Wan Jin Shi Marathon, an IAAF Silver Label road race, on Sunday. It was 75 degrees and 85% humidity so running a good time became less important than winning. However, Yuki clocked 2:14:12, identical to the time he ran in this race two years ago, but this time he was the first across the line. Yuki lead from the gun, opening with a nine-second lead after five kilometers, he extended it to 37 seconds at the 10K point before reaching the midway point in 1:04:44, more than two minutes clear of his nearest pursuer, Kenyan Johnstone Maiyo. Maiyo made up some of that ground in the second half, but couldn't challenge Kawauchi, who went on to win by 28 seconds. Maiyo clocked 2:14:40 in second with Aredom Degefa of Ethiopia third in 2:14:54. The heat and high humidity slowed everyone down the second half. Normally Yuki runs negative splits but not Sunday. "I was the runner-up in 2016, so this time I really wanted to win the title,” said Kawauchi, who clocked his 2:08:14 lifetime best in Seoul in 2013. (03/18/2018) ⚡AMP

Ben True is the first American to ever win the NY City Half Marathon

Ben True out sprints Dathan Ritzenhein to win the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon this morning. Running his first half marathon Ben posted a 1:02:39 beating 35-year-old Ritzenhein who finished three seconds back.

True said after the race that he questioned whether he could hang with Ritzenhein after the 35-year-old made his move. It wasn’t until the last mile of the race when True, 32, felt confident that he could prevail.

“When Dathan pulled away, probably around mile 10, I wasn’t quite sure I was going to be able to reel him back in,” True said.

“And even when I started reeling him back in, I didn’t know if I was then going to be able to get around him. It really wasn’t until the very end that I was like, ‘All right, I can get this.’”

The real challenge of the day was the weather, 29 degrees and headwinds up to 14mph. The women’s race was also a sprint to the finish. Ethiopian Buze Diriba (1:12:23) out kicking America’s Emily Sisson by just one second.

True's first place finish in the men's open division represents the first time an American man won the open division in the event's history.

(03/18/2018) ⚡AMP

The best Half Marathon time in the last 12-months on US soil is 1:00:04. Can that change Sunday?

Kenyan Olympic 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot said that she expects to run a fast time at the New York Half marathon on Sunday. The elite men's field looks strong. Kenyans Wilson Chebet (59:15) and Stephen Sambu (60:41), Ethiopia's Teshome Mekonnen (60:27) with Dathan Ritzenhein (60:00), Abdi Abdirahman (60:29) leading the American charge and also Ben True who will be running his first half. But it is the women's race that has the real top names. Cheruiyot, 34, is stepping up her campaign in marathon after graduating from the track competition and will be using the race in New York as part of her preparations for the London marathon on April 22. "It is always a pleasure to race against some of the world's best runners because it brings out the best in you. I know the organizers in New York have assembled a big team of elite runners and I am excited to run the New York Half Marathon this Sunday,” she said before her departure on Thursday night. She will face Ethiopians Mamitu Daska and Buze Diriba and her compatriot Betsy Saina. (03/16/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan Erick Kiptanui wins at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon

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

Sekine 3rd in Nagoya Women's Marathon Debut

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(03/11/2018) ⚡AMP

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

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

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

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

Jerusalem Marathon guest of honor was Haile Gebrselassie

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

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

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

Only seconds separated the top three in Mo Farah’s first race in six months

Callum Hawkins did most of the leading at the first London Vitality Big Half this morning, particularly from 10 miles onwards. He was clearly trying his best to pull away and take the sprint finish out of his legendary compatriot. However, Mo Farah looked comfortable and the crowds waiting at the finish alongside the Cutty Sark were treated to the customary sight of the British half-marathon record-holder sprinting to the line. It was the slowest of Farah’s 11 half-marathons, but he can take confidence from beating Wanjiru, a 2:05 marathoner who will be among his toughest opposition in a strong field back at the London Marathon on April 22. “I thought the race would be a bit faster than that,” Farah said. “It was nice to feel comfortable in myself. I know I’m in shape.” Farah winning time was 61:40, London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru (61:43) and Callum Hawkins (61:45) in a thrilling sprint finish. Having just spent six weeks training in Ethiopia, Mo believes he is set to perform well in London over the marathon distance next month. (03/04/2018) ⚡AMP

Japan’s Project Exceed Program has Japanese Runners hyped up...next chance to be a millionaire is Sunday

The Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon (men only) on Sunday in Japan (Saturday night at 7:30pm PST) promises to be a good one. This is a Project Exceed approved race too which means $93,000US bonuses will be paid out to any Japanese men who go sub-2:08. Defending champ Ezekiel Chebii (Kenya) and fellow 2:06 men Tadesse Abraham (Switzerland) and Abera Kuma (Ethiopia) are there to spur the fastest Japanese men on. Also running in his debut sub-61 half marathoners Jake Robertson (New Zealand) and Macharia Ndirangu (Kenya/Aichi Seiko) likely to be a part of the lead group. Warmer than usual temps may make it hard for a 2:06 race to materialize, but the best bet for a Japanese man to be in it at that pace is Kenta Murayama (Asahi Kasei), twin brother of 10000 m national record holder Kota Murayama and a sub-61 half marathoner doing his second marathon after an aggressive but ultimately unsuccessful 2:16:58 debut in Tokyo two years ago. Yuta Shitara is not running but his twin brother, Keita will be. Race info from Japan Running News (03/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenya´s Olympic champion Cheruiyot leads New York Half Marathon

Kenyan Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will compete in the New York Half Marathon on March 18 in the build-up to the London Marathon. Cheruiyot, who is the Frankfurt Marathon champion, is the third fastest in the field with a best time of 67:44 behind Ethiopians Mamitu Daska (66:28) and Buze Diriba (66:50). It will be Cheruiyot's first race this year. Her last race was in October last year when she raced to victory in Frankfurt clocking in 2:23:35. "I have a solid training program and will be hopeful it will withstand the challenge of New York. It is always good to see how the body responds in competition so that you can adjust before going to the main marathon competition," Cheruiyot said on Wednesday. (02/28/2018) ⚡AMP

Morocco’s Kaoutar Boulaid breaks course record in seville

Kenya’s Dickson Tuwei and Morocco’s Kaoutar Boulaid triumphed at the 34th Zurich Maratón de Sevilla. Running in nearly ideal weather conditions, Tuwei clocked 2:08:18 while Boulaid’s winning time of 2:25:32 broke the course record by more than half a minute. “Honestly, I didn’t expect a 2:25 clocking but a time in the 2:27-2:28 region,” said Boulaid, who is based in Spain. “I went out fast but managed to maintain the pace in the second half and beat the Ethiopians.” (02/26/2018) ⚡AMP

Dickson Chumba wins the Tokyo Marathon again...six Japanese Runners under 2:09

Kenya’s Dickson Chumba (the 2014 Tokyo and 2015 Chicago champion) opened a nice gap as they approach 38km and went on to win in 2:05:29.

At 40k Japan’s Yuta Shitara takes another swig from his festive bottle and grits his teeth as he hunts down and passes Amos Kipruto.

This is a man on a mission! Yuta Shitara did not let up and accomplished the following: 1. Ran a Japanese marathon record of 2:06:11 2. Finished 2nd in the Tokyo Marathon (highest finish ever by a Japanese man at a World Marathon Major) 3. Won 100 million yen for setting the NR. That's $936,000US.

Wilson Kipsang dropped out at 15k...Amy Cragg finished third in the women’s race taking five minutes off her PR. (2:21:42). Ethiopian’s Birhane Dibaba won the female race in 2:19:51.

This year’s race was the biggest field ever with 35,500 starters.

(02/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Some bold predictions at the Tokyo Marathon press conference Friday

After stepping up to the big leagues last year with course records in the 2:03 and 2:19 range, the Tokyo Marathon hopes to go one better this year. Men's course record setter Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) is back, stepping up from a 2:03:50 prediction for Tokyo in January to a 2:02:50 world record prediction at Friday's pre-race press conference. The top-ranked woman is Ruti Aga (Ethiopia), coming in hot off a 1:06:39 win last month in Houston and turning heads at the press conference with a boldly mumbled 2:18:00 prediction. Alongside Aga's brash 2:18:00 prediction, Amy Cragg (USA) said she hoped to run 2:22:59 with the caveat that while she'd like to run a fast time her priority would be placing in the top three. (02/23/2018) ⚡AMP

Ethiopians Assefa and Debebe lead the elite field at the Zurich Marathon

Ethiopians Fikre Assefa and Zinash Debebe will be among the favourites at the Zurich Marathon de Sevilla. The race, which boasts one of the flattest courses worldwide, will also serve as the Spanish championships for the distance which has attracted the local crème.Assefa seems to be the field’s most in-form runner as he finished last year on a high by setting a career best of 2:08:36 in Kosice for second, his first ever sub-2:10 clocking.The women’s event features a fine Ethiopian contingent including Zinash Debebe, who set her career best of 2:30:38 in Beirut last November. (02/23/2018) ⚡AMP

America’s Amy Cragg wants to PR at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday

Most of the talk about the Tokyo Marathon has been focused on the men’s race. Tad Hayano, the Tokyo Marathon Race Director says, “In women’s race, the 2015 world marathon silver medallist Hellah Kiprop and Purity Rionoripo, who clocked her personal best of 2:20:55 to win Paris Marathon last year, are the only Kenyans in the race. They will face Ethiopia’s two-time Olympic 5,000m champion Meseret Defar, who is making her marathon debut after being out of action for two years. The other Ethiopians in the line-up include Shure Demise, Ruti Aga and Birhane Dibaba, who makes her fifth consecutive appearance in Tokyo Marathon.” World marathon bronze medallist Amy Cragg (USA) has said her main goal at the Tokyo Marathon is to improve her 2:27:03 PR. (02/22/2018) ⚡AMP

Ethiopian´s Meseret Defar, To Make Marathon Debut In Tokyo

2-time Olympic 5000m champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia will make her marathon debut at the Tokyo Marathon on February 25th. Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar is the leading name in the women’s field. A winner of 2 Olympic 5000m titles, 2 world 5000m titles and 4 world indoor 3000m titles, the 34-year-old has spent the past few years – when not injured or pregnant – making a gradual transition to the roads. She has won three half marathons on US soil and finished second at the 2013 Great North Run in 1:06:09. With track PBs of 8:23.72 for 3000m, 14:12.88 for 5000m and 29:59:20 for 10,000m, athletics fans will be keen to see what Defar manages on her marathon debut. (02/19/2018) ⚡AMP

Kipsang looking at running a flying fast time at Tokyo Marathon

Kenyan's Wilson Kipsang said on Friday he is confident he is going to retain his title and improve on the course record he set in his victory last year at the Tokyo Marathon. Organizers have also said the course has been changed and is flatter and faster. "Don't be surprised if the world record went down in Tokyo. I have my eyes on the target. Winning Tokyo Marathon in a flying fast time," Wilson Kipsang said. His main competition is Tesfaye Abera from Ethiopia whose best time is 2:04:24 and Feyisa Lilesa, the Olympic marathon silver medalist and Dickson Chumba. (02/17/2018) ⚡AMP

This Ethiopian runner career was cut short when he was tortured for peacefully protesting

Demssew Tsega Abebe was a famous marathon runner in Ethiopia and was expected to be on his country’s Olympic team. But his career was cut short when he was tortured for peacefully protesting his government’s policies. His heels and feet were so severely lashed he could not run for more than a year. He fled to the Washington area in 2016, and he has been trying to bring his wife and two children to the United States ever since, in part to get medical care for his 5-year-old son, Dagmawi, who cannot speak. Until today, Abebe had never met his 2-year-old daughter, Soliyana, as his wife was pregnant with her when he fled. Last week, Abebe learned that his family had won a humanitarian immigration petition to join him. (02/17/2018) ⚡AMP

Ethiopia team ready for IAAF Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships

Ethiopia’s fastest man and woman over 13.1 miles this year have been named on the national team for the IAAF Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia 2018. Men: Dawit Fikadu, Betesfa Getahun, Getaneh Molla, Jiksa Tadesse, Jemal Yimer Women: Ruti Aga, Meseret Belete, Bekelech Gudeta, Zinash Mekonnen, Zeineba Yimer (02/16/2018) ⚡AMP
Ethiopia Running

Abebe Bikila had only run two marathons before winning and running a PR by over six minutes in Rome

DID YOU KNOW? Abebe Bikila was a member of the Imperial Bodyguard, and was a last-minute addition to the Ethiopian team but caused a sensation by running barefoot through the streets of Rome and winning gold, at the 1960 Olympic Games.

Four years later he retained the title, this time wearing shoes. On both occasions he clocked world best times... Abebe participated in a total of sixteen marathons, winning twelve and finishing fifth in the 1963 Boston Marathon.

In July 1967, he sustained the first of several sports-related leg injuries which prevented him from finishing his last two marathons.

On March 22, 1969, Abebe was paralyzed as a result of a car accident. Although he regained some upper-body mobility, he never walked again. He died at age 41 on October 25, 1973, of a cerebral hemorrhage related to his car accident. He had only run two marathons before Rome and there he set a PR by over six minutes.

(02/13/2018) ⚡AMP
Olympians

Erekiel Chebii Returns and is the one to beat at Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon

Defending champ Ezekiel Chebii (Kenya) returns to lead the field for the Mar. 4 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon. Chebii is one of three men in the field with recent 2:06 times, his 2:06:07 in Amsterdam 2 years ago leading Tadesse Abraham (Switzerland) and Abera Kuma (Ethiopia) to form a clear trio of favorites. Making up the second pack are 4 current sub-2:10 Japanese men, 2017 Gold Coast winner Takuya Noguchi, Rio Olympian Satoru Sasaki, and Sasaki's teammates Takuya Fukatsu and Fumihiro Maruyama. (02/13/2018) ⚡AMP
Japan Running

Wasihun breaks course record in Barcelona and Wanders sets new Swiss Record

Ethiopia’s Mule Wasihun took an overwhelming victory at the eDreams Mitja Marato Barcelona, winning the IAAF Gold Label road race comfortably in a course record of 59:44 on Sunday. The 24-year-old took 20 seconds off the previous course record set five years ago by Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge. Bahrain’s Tejitu Daba confirmed her status as pre-event favourite in the women’s race to win in 1:08:36, one second ahead of Ethiopia’s Dibabe Kuma, who took 41 seconds off her career best. Switzerland's Julien Wanders, 21, who has been training in Kenya finished second this morning in a Swiss record and European U23 record of 60:09! (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

Kiprotich, Herpha win 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Frenchman Abraham Kiprotich has won the third edition of the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 42km race. while Ronny came second in time of 2:13.26 while Victor Benjamin completed the Kenyan domination coming in the third position in 2:13.29. For the women category, Ethiopia’s Guta won the race in 2:38.25 while compatriots Girma Getachew and Ayelu Hordofa were second and third in 2:38.36 and 2:38.41. Ethiopian Tanui Rodah was the 2017 winner of the category. (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP

Half Marathon World Records were just missed by seconds at RAK

The RAK Half Marathon in UAE delivered. In the women's race Fancy Chemutai from Kenya just missed the world record by two seconds. She ran 1:04:53 just beating out Mary Keitany (1:04:55) and Caroline Kipkirui was third in 1:05:07. In the men's race Kenya's Bedan Karoki set a new course record in 58:42, just 19 seconds off the world record. In second running his first half was Jemal Yimer from Ethiopia (59:00) and third was Alex Kibet 59:06. Seven men broke one hour. RAK indeed delivered. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

Kenya’s Olympic Marathon Champion has ruled out pushing for a new world record in London

“I will not be going for the world record but I intend to run a fast race. Should the world record fall then be it, but I am not focused on it at the moment,” Eliud Kipchoge told a reporter Thursday in Eldoret. He ran 2:03:05 in 2016 in London, the course record, to make himself the second fastest marathon runner and was just eight seconds shy of the world record set by compatriot Dennis Kimetto (2:02:57) in Berlin in 2014. Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, who ran 2:03:03 in 2016 in Berlin, will be running in London on April 22 together with defending champion Daniel Wanjiru, two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui, Mo Farah and Stanley Biwott. (02/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Tefera breaks world U20 indoor 1500M Record

Ethiopian teenager Samuel Tefera provided the unexpected highlight of the Meeting Elite en Salle de Leure in Val de Reuil, when he broke the world U20 indoor 1500m record with a world-leading 3:36.05. Tefera, who represented Ethiopia at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 after winning their national trial race, was competing in the first indoor race of his burgeoning career. But his youth and relative inexperience proved no barrier as he comfortably beat 2012 world indoor champion and 2015 world bronze medallist Abdalaati Iguider. (01/29/2018) ⚡AMP

Matsuda Dominates in Osaka Women´s Marathon debut

Mizuki Matsuda caught and passed Honami Maeda with 12 kilometres remaining of the Osaka International Women’s Marathon before going on to win in 2:22:44 on her debut at the distance. The lead pack of two pace makers, three Japanese – Mizuki Matsuda, Honami Maeda, Yuka Ando – and Ethiopian Goytatom Gebreselassie covered the first half of the race in 1:11:59. Gebreselassie fell off the pace just after half way and it soon became clear that there would be a Japanese winner. (01/29/2018) ⚡AMP

Dubai Marathon winner only entered just Days Before

Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew won the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon with a course record of 2:04:00 in one of the most thrilling finishes in marathon history.

The 27 year-old, who entered the race just days before, sprinted across the finish line followed by four more runners within eight seconds.

In all, seven runners clocked sub 2:05.00 with six of them no slower than 2:04:15. In near perfect weather conditions, the leading group ran a very consistent pace. After a half marathon split time of 61:36, the world record of 2:02:57 was still in reach at 30k, which was passed in 1:27:35.

However, after the last pacemaker dropped out, the pace fell and the athletes focused on winning the US$200,000 first prize.

(01/28/2018) ⚡AMP

The finish of the Dubai Marathon was the most exciting Marathon finish ever

MBR PHOTO OF THE WEEK: The finish of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday looked like the end of a fast 10k. Seven men all finished under 2:05. First four were within six seconds. Never before has there been so many runners run so fast in a Marathon. The group of Ethiopian Runners were on world record pace up to the 35k mark. (01/28/2018) ⚡AMP

At Dubai Marathon Seven Men Break 2:05 and four Women Break 2:20! Best Ever!

Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew set a new Dubai Marathon record when he sprinted clear from a large group of his compatriots to claim victory in the 10th fastest marathon time ever on Friday. The 25-year-old crossed the line in 2:04:00, two seconds ahead of Leul Gebresilase with last year's winner Tamirat Tola four seconds back. Ethiopians filled the first 10 places. Roza Dereje won the women's race in 2:19:17, also a new record and personal best for the Ethiopian, ahead of compatriots Feyse Tadese, Yebrgual Melese and last year's winner Worknesh Degefa. (01/25/2018) ⚡AMP

Powerful Elite Field Set For Battle at Marathon in Dubai Friday

Defending Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon champions Tamirat Tola and Worknesh Degefa will face a powerful elite field of Olympians and major city marathon winners when they line up for the IAAF Gold Label road race on Friday (26). Last year, the Ethiopian pair dominated in Dubai with Tola setting a course record of 2:04:11 – currently the 10th-fastest marathon time in history – and Degefa recording one of the fastest debuts in history with her winning time of 2:22:36. (01/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Dibaba and Wanjiru added to London Marathon Fields

Organisers of the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon have confirmed that Tirunesh Dibaba and defending champion Daniel Wanjiru will return to the race on 22 April. Dibaba has twice appeared in London before and has improved with each performance. She made her marathon debut in London in 2014, finishing third in 2:20:35 before returning last year and coming second behind Mary Keitany in an Ethiopian record of 2:17:56, putting her third on the world all-time list behind Paula Radcliffe and Keitany. (01/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Ethiopian double triumph at the Tata Mumbai Marathon

Ethiopian double triumph as Solomon Deksisa and Amane Gobena win at the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018. It was a double triumph for the Ethiopian runners as Solomon Deksisa and Amane Gobena took the honours at the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018, winning in 2:09:34 and 2:25:49 respectively on Sunday. Deksisa, the fastest man in the field, arrived in the Indian city as the pundits' preferred choice for the men's race, based on his career best of 2:06:22 set at the 2016 Rotterdam Marathon. (01/22/2018) ⚡AMP

44-Year-Old Former Barber Wins Hong Kong Marathon

When Bonsa Dida Direba was born in 1995, Kenneth Mburu Mungara was already 21 years old. But it was experience rather than youth that won the day at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Sunday. The 44-year-old Kenyan, a former barber who was only enticed to the sport in his 30s when he cut the hair of other runners, finished in 2:13:38, with Direba just five seconds back. Ethiopia’s Gulume Tollesa defended her title with a course record of 2:29:37. (01/21/2018) ⚡AMP

Bekele has Confirmed He Is Running The London Marathon

Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele has confirmed to run the 2018 London Marathon, joining Britain's Mo Farah and Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge on the start line on Sunday 22 April, organizers said here on Saturday. The trio of Bekele, Farah and Kipchoge have a combined total of eight Olympic gold medals. Farah, 34, is the most decorated with four Olympic gold medals while Bekele, 35, is the 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder (26:17:53), the second fastest marathon runner in history (2:03:03). (01/20/2018) ⚡AMP

Belachew will defend his crown at hong kong marathon

Melaku Belachew danced on the finish line after breaking the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon men’s record last year – and we could get to see some more of his moves on Sunday if all goes according to plan for the Ethiopian. “I feel good now, I will win this – again!” he finished the 2017 race in 2:10:31, said as he gave a thumbs-up sign. Belachew was feeling confident. “Yes, I will do it, I will break my course record,” he added. “I think everything will be OK, I am in good condition.” (01/20/2018) ⚡AMP

Belachew and Tollesa aim to retain their titles

Defending Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon champions Melaku Belachew and Gulume Tollesa are aiming to win back-to-back titles. The Ethiopian duo were unexpected winners in close races 12 months ago, but on Sunday they will line up for the race with the added weight of expectation. Belachew will be joined by fellow Kenyans Robert Kwambai and Joseph Aperumoi, who have set respective PBs of 2:08:14 and 2:08:26 within the past three months, 2016 Hong Kong winner Mike Mutai. (01/19/2018) ⚡AMP

Deksisa will face tough test in Mumbai

Ethiopia’s Solomon Deksisa leads a strong men's field for the Tata Mumbai Marathon, while Bornes Kitur will defend her title. Deksisa, whose best of 2:06:22 is more than two minutes quicker than the course record, is the fastest man in the field. The 23-year-old ran that time when finishing second at the 2016 Rotterdam Marathon and after a third-place finish at the Toronto Marathon last October, he will be bidding for his first marathon victory in Mumbai. (01/19/2018) ⚡AMP

Second fastest Marathon Time on US Soil

The 2:08:30 winning time at the Houston Marathon this morning is the second fastest on US soil over the last 12 months. The only Marathon winning time Faster was run in Honolulu 2:08:27. Experts predicted times for the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon would be fast due to the cold weather. Bazu Worku from Ethiopia won the men's division of Chevron Houston Marathon at 2:08:30. It's his third win in the Bayou City, having taken first place in 2013 and 2014 as well. (01/14/2018) ⚡AMP

Molly Huddle Sets a New Half Marathon American Record

Houston Half Marathon, Molly Huddle breaks Deena Kastor's previous 🇺🇸 record in 1:07:25 this morning in Houston. She went out with the leaders and pulled it off. The race was won by Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga, the 2017 Berlin Marathon runnerup, in 66:39. Molly said, “It means a lot. To be in the company of Deena Kastor, who had such a great marathon career, gives me a lot of confidence, and that’s a really special feeling. Deena has really set the bar high for us.” (01/14/2018) ⚡AMP

Top two women's seeds drop out of Houston Marathon

Mamitu Daska, and Abebech Afework Bekele had to drop out, both from Ethiopia, for medical and visa issues, respectively. Ethiopian women have won the Chevron Houston Marathon 11 years in a row, going back to Dire Tune in 2007, With them out, another Ethopian, Biruktayit Degefa, becomes the favorite on Sunday. (01/13/2018) ⚡AMP

Lilesa, descends on Houston Half Marathon

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa will be targeting a record third triumph on Sunday. The Olympic marathon silver medallist came close to achieving a hat-trick of titles last year, but was just beaten on the line by USA’s Leonard Korir. Korir won’t defend his title, but Lilesa – who set the course record of 59:22 in 2012 – still faces a formidable field which contains five other men with sub-60-minute PBs. (01/12/2018) ⚡AMP