Running News Daily

Join Andre De Grasse in Race With Me! virtual challenge

Canada’s Andre De Grasse is not only known for being quick on his feet, but also for working to empower youth through the Andre De Grasse Family Foundation. Last year, Canada’s fastest man co-authored a children’s picture book titled RACE WITH ME! to inspire youth through his story. And now, kids across the country can join the Olympic sprinter in an eight-week running challenge designed to encourage young Canadians to get moving.

Last year, thousands of kids across Canada participated in the first-ever Race With Me! challenge. This powerful movement helped fuel the Olympic spirit, propelling De Grasse to Olympic gold in the 200m in Tokyo. The Race with Me! challenge raised over $25,000 for Kids Help Phone and made a difference in the lives of many families.

The challenge was created by the 15-year-old Jesse Briscoe of Montreal, Que. After his sports clubs were cancelled during the pandemic, the teenager grew tired of sitting at home and playing video games. Briscoe was inspired by the Olympic champion and his dedication to encouraging young Canadians, so he contacted De Grasse’s management team, and the RACE WITH ME! virtual challenge came to fruition. Briscoe says the challenge has inspired him and his whole family to get out and run or exercise.

How does the challenge work?

The challenge started on May 1 and continues until June 25. During that time, Canadian kids can run 400m at their local track or measure it out on a sidewalk, road, park or other green space. Children and parents are then encouraged to record their times and videos from their races and upload them to www.racewithme.ca, where they will find leaderboards, prizing and other interactive content.

Throughout the challenge, De Grasse and his other Olympic-bound teammates will be sharing tips and words of encouragement through the challenge’s social channels and on the website. Registration is free, and the first 1,000 participants to sign up will receive a free challenge T-shirt. Families may also donate to the challenge, with the proceeds going to youth mental health charities, such as the Kids Help Phone, through the Andre De Grasse Family Foundation. 

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand is set to hang up her spikes after competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Dutee Chand, who has represented India at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, announced her decision to retire in an interview with ESPN after losing the 200m race to teen sprinter Priya Mohan at the Khelo India University Games. 

“I'm growing old, I'm not as fast as I used to be,” the 26-year-old Dutee Chand, who won silver medals in 100m and 200m races at the Asian Games in 2018, admitted. “I'll pull along for two-three more years if my body cooperates.”

Despite losing the 200m sprint to the 19-year-old Priya Mohan, Dutee Chand managed to win two medals at the Khelo India University Games. She successfully defended her title in the 100m sprint earlier in the Games.

However, Dutee Chand clocked only 11.68 seconds in the 100m, far from her personal best and national record of 11.17 seconds she achieved at the Indian Grand Prix in Patiala last year.

“My body is becoming slower and I began training quite late this season,” Dutee Chand reasoned.

Dutee Chand is also yet to meet the qualification standards set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for the Commonwealth Games (11.31s) and the Asian Games (11.36s), scheduled to be held later this year. 

For qualifying for the World Athletics Championships in July, Dutee Chand will need to better her personal best and clock 11.15s to make the cut in the 100m event.

“I've already participated in five events this year to make the cut for these international events… I'm confident of hitting my peak in June-July before the international circuit begins,” Dutee Chand reckoned.

Dutee Chand, who shot to fame after winning the 100m under-18 nationals in 2012, went on to become one of India’s most successful sprinters after PT Usha. 

In 2014, Dutee Chand won the 200m gold medal at Asian Junior Athletics Championships and in 2016, she set a 60m national record (7.28 seconds) at the Asian Indoor Championships to clinch the bronze medal.

After winning two silver medals at the Asian Games in 2018, Dutee Chand became the only Indian to win the gold medal at World University Games in 2019. 

Dutee Chand’s 200m silver medal at the Asian Games was also the first Indian medal in the category since PT Usha’s gold medal in 1986.

In 2022 so far, Dutee Chand won her 100m run at the national inter-university championships in 11.44 seconds in February followed by gold at the Federation Cup in 11.49 seconds in March.

Dutee Chand also made clear her plans to open up 'Dutee Chand Athletics Speed Academy' in Odisha after her retirement to train aspiring sprinters.

BMO Vancouver Marathon delayed by ‘suspicious device’ on course

Vancouver’s 50th BMO Marathon got off to a rocky start Sunday morning when the event was delayed due to a suspicious device found along the course near Science World. CTV News reports that Vancouver police feel “the device was ‘strategically placed’ to disrupt the BMO Vancouver Marathon Sunday morning, but has been ‘rendered inert.'” Due to the incident, the race started an hour behind schedule.

Police think the device, which was spotted just after 5 a.m. by a volunteer, was planted to cause panic and disrupt the event. 

Thankfully, it was a false alarm and the 18,500 runners were able to race safely. 

In elite results, Chris Balestrini took the win for the men in 2:23:56. On the women’s side, 2020 Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky won in a new course record of 2:34:30, surpassing Kim Doerksen’s 2:37:00 from 2014. Also under the former record was 2016 Olympian Lanni Marchant, who was second in 2:36:42. Post-race, Pidhoresky said, “It was a bit of a rollercoaster, mentally. Lanni and I were together for most of the first half of the race. She’s a tough competitor, so in no way did I ever think that I had it in the bag. I was working hard the whole time.”

Of his win, Balestrini mentioned the incredible views: “It’s so scenic and so fun. Going along the seawall is just amazing.”

In the half-marathon, Justin Kent and Olympian Ben Preisner crossed the finish line together in 1:04:54. Preisner, who was the top Canadian performer in the men’s marathon in Tokyo, has run consistently well since his first Games.

Post-race, Kent said he’s thrilled to see the running community back together: “It’s always a top-notch event. I heard that there are 3,000 volunteers–it’s amazing–we are super appreciative just to be here.”

In the women’s race, 2:28 marathoner Leslie Sexton continued her winning streak, taking the title in 1:14:56. Sexton, who has currently run the fastest marathon time within the qualifying period, has her eye on the World Championships marathon this summer. Olympian Natasha Wodak was also entered in the half on Sunday, but this time in the role of pacer. She helped her friend Julie Pelly to a personal best of 1:30.

Flying Pig Marathon Weekend Celebrates Hometown Marathon Winners

The 24th running of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon powered by P&G celebrated two Greater Cincinnati runners earning their first Flying Pig marathon wins.

The men’s division winner was 29-year-old Zac Holtkamp of Alexandria, Kentucky, in a time of 2:27:18. Holtkamp won this year’s Heart Half Marathon and in 2020 finished second in the Mesa Marathon with a time of 2:22:29. “I waited until after the Heart Half to sign up for the Flying Pig,” said Holtkamp. “After the Heart Half I thought, OK I can do it.”

This was Holtkamp’s first Flying Pig after moving back to the area from Arizona. “I held off for years doing the Flying Pig,” he said. “So many people out there cheering me on, people that I knew, people that I didn’t know at all. For me, personally, that’s what keeps me going, every person who cheers for me, it’s like a mini aid station, it keeps me going.”

Second in the men’s division was 24-year-old Will Cadwell of Covington, in a time of 2:28:11. Cadwell won last October’s Fall Flying Pig Toyota 10K and also won the FCC 3 in July 2021. Third was 37-year-old Jeremy Wysocki of Miamisburg, Ohio with a time of 2:35:19.

In the women’s division, 34-year-old Grace McCarron of Loveland, Ohio won with a time of 2:50:00 in her first Flying Pig. McCarron won the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio in 2021. “The atmosphere, the crowd, is just amazing. Often when you do a marathon there are some quiet spots, but here people are cheering all the time,” she said. “You’re out there, you’re working so hard, and to hear those cheers makes all the difference.”

Second in the women’s division was 26-year-old Madeline Dawson, who won the Heart Half Marathon earlier this year. Her time in the marathon was 2:52:51. Pacing third was two-time Flying Pig Marathon winner Anne Flower of Covington, who finished in 2:54:04. Flower won the Big Sur Marathon in California just last weekend.

In the Paycor Half Marathon, Cincinnati native Caitlin Keen, a two-time winner of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (2018, 2021), won her first Paycor Half Marathon in a time of 1:21:08. The 29-year-old ran a half marathon in Waco, Texas, near her home in Fort Worth, last weekend, but because of a wrong turn, the course was shortened by two miles for the leaders. She made a last minute decision to return to Cincinnati this weekend for the half.

“The experience here is something I never expected. People stop me on the street here and say, ‘You’re Caitlin, I know you, congratulations on winning the Pig.’ I want to be here because that’s how much the people here mean to me.”

Second in the women’s division was 28-year-old Katarina Smiljanec from Covington in a time of 1:24:57. She also placed second in Friday night’s Fifty West Mile elite division. Third in the half was 24-year-old Aimee Piercy from Cincinnati in 1:25:53, who was third in Friday’s Fifty West Mile.

On the men’s side of the Paycor Half Marathon, 43-year-old Josh Whitehead from Huntsville, Alabama, won in a time of 1:12:14. Whitehead has made a remarkable recovery from a bicycle accident in 2020, when he was hit by a car and suffered a broken back, dislocated shoulder and partially collapsed lung.

Second in the men’s division was 30-year-old Eric Gruenbacher of Loveland, Ohio in 1:12:56 and third was 28-year-old Kyle Klingler of Cincinnati in 1:13:14.

The 24th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend powered by P&G began Friday night with sub 5:00 miles in the newly-configured Fifty West Mile, part of the TQL Beer Series.

This year the elite “dash for cash” mile started inside Cincinnati’s Transit Tunnel off Pete Rose Way and ended at the traditional finish line on Mehring Way. The fastest male among the elites was 22-year-old Andrew Taylor of Hilliard, Ohio, in 4:23. In a near photo finish, second place was 23-year-old Jack Cordonnier from Morrow, Ohio, in 4:25 and third was 28-year-old Charlie Michel of Cincinnati in 4:26.

Among the female elites, 27-year-old Gina McNamara from Washington D.C. won in a time of 4:59. Second among the elites was 28-year-old Katarina Smiljanec from Covington, Kentucky in 5:04 and third was 24-year-old Aimee Piercy from Cincinnati in 5:11.

Saturday’s slate of events began with the Toyota 10K, won by two-time Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon winner Jack Randall of Cincinnati. The 27-year-old won in a time of 31:45. In another close finish, second place was 29-year-old Logan Barrett of Jeffersonville, Kentucky, just one second behind at 31:46. Third was 23-year-old Walter Ramsey of East Lake Center, Georgia, in 35:46.

In the women’s division of the Toyota 10K, 42-year-old Shawanna White of Columbia, South Carolina, won in a time of 39:35. Second was 31-year-old Ashley Case of Angola, Indiana, in 40:45 and third was 31-year-old Kaitlin Budke from Blue Ash, Ohio in 40:51.

In the sold-out Tri State Running Company 5K, 24-year-old Jakob Mueller from Monroe, Ohio, was the winner in 16:07, with 31-year-old Anders Ludvigsen of Cincinnati second in 17:04 and 38-year-old Bryan Wagner of Lawrenceburg. Indiana third in 17:22.

For the women, 22-year-old Meredith Grace Gieske from Fort Mitchell was the winner in 18:57. Second was 45-year-old Amy Parker of Dublin, Ohio, in 19:26 and third was Abby Mace in 19:32.

Also held Saturday was the First Watch Flying Piglet, Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile, PigAbilities presented by Goodwill Industries, and the Flying Fur.

Mo Farah says his elite track career could be over

Multiple Olympic and world champion Mo Farah admitted his elite track career could be over after he finished runner-up in the Vitality London 10,000 on Monday on his return to action.

Farah, who completed the 5,000 and 10,000 meters double at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, was racing for the first time since June after failing to qualify for last year's Tokyo Games.

The 39-year-old Briton finished a minute outside his best time at the London road race, which came in 2010, as he was out-sprinted by 26-year-old club runner Ellis Cross, who finished four seconds ahead with a time of 28min 40secs."In terms of the track, that's it, I think," Farah said. "Your body has to be ready. You have to be in the right frame of mind and compete with the guys. I love the sport and what I do, I've had a long career.

"The reality is that it has been so, so long. In my career, I've never been out that long before... Today was tough and Ellis did well to beat me."

Farah, who has won the London race seven times, confirmed he would definitely miss the World Championships in Eugene in July.

However, he was noncommittal when asked if he would run at the Commonwealth Games or European Championships in August.

"Right now, no," Farah said. "In three, months, two months...We've still got time.

"There's no secret to this, you've got to put in the miles, you've got to put in the work. If my body allows me to continue to do it then maybe.

"The World Championships are not on my radar at the minute... Because I've been there and done it, unless I can compete with the guys and be competitive, you've got to be honest and make that decision."

Eilish McColgan motors to victory in the Vitality London 10,000 in 30:23

Eilish McColgan came within two seconds of Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing British and European 10km record at the Vitality London 10,000 on Monday (2) morning.

After a frantic sprint finish, McColgan stopped the clock at 30:23 to miss the record by a tantalising margin. However, Eilish did relieve her mother and coach Liz of yet another family record as she improved her Scottish record of 30:38 which had stood since 1989.

This was McColgan’s second near-European record in just over a week, proving the European 5000m silver medallist is back in top shape after testing positive for coronavirus in March. In Malaga last week, McColgan clocked 14:45 for 5km to fall one second short of Sifan Hassan’s European standard bearer.

At twice the distance eight days later, McColgan came within touching distance of Radcliffe’s 10km mark of 30:21 from 2003 which also stood as a world record for more than a decade. However, the European all-time list is headed by Lonah Chemtai Salpeter’s 30:05 clocking from Tilburg in 2019 although that time was not ratified for record purposes.

“I am gutted to have missed the British record by a couple of seconds. I probably didn’t believe I could do it, so I went into the race thinking I’d be happy to run 31:40, but I’m in much better shape than I give myself credit for,” said McColgan.

McColgan passed through halfway in 15:15 - by contrast Radcliffe rocketed through 5km in 14:48 when she clocked 30:21 - and despite mustering up some of her track speed in the last 200 meters, McColgan couldn’t quite revise the record books. 

“I only saw the clock when I turned the corner towards the finish line, and I thought: ‘Oh my god, I could make it in time. I think I probably ran a 200m PB in the push for the finish line. I was so desperate to get the record but hopefully there will be another opportunity to go for it again later this year,” said McColgan who holds the European 10km record in a women’s only race at 30:52.

McColgan won the women’s race by more than one minute from fellow Olympian Jess Piasecki in 31:28 with Samantha Harrison third in 31:44.

In the men’s race, British international Ellis Cross achieved a significant victory over multiple Olympic, European and world 5000m and 10,000m champion Mo Farah who was racing for the first time in almost one year due to a stress fracture. 

Cross broke clear of Farah in the last two kilometers for victory in 28:40 to Farah’s 28:44. "I’m lost for words – I did not expect this in a million years. Honestly, I know it’s a cliché, but I couldn’t believe it. I just felt very good from the get-go. Obviously, I knew Farah had a finish, so the last 2K I thought I’d try and wind it up a bit – try to sting his legs a little bit to hold him off,” said Cross.

18-year-old U.S. sprint star Erriyon Knighton becomes fourth fastest man over 200m

On Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge, La., American Erriyon Knighton, who last year, at age 17, broke Usain Bolt’s junior sprint records, shattered his U20 world record in the 200m at the LSU Invite to become the fourth-fastest man in history over 200m. 

Knighton clocked 19.49 seconds, which is the fastest time recorded since the 2012 Olympics, where Usain Bolt clocked 19.32 at age 25. Knighton now only trails Bolt (19.19s), Yohan Blake (19.26s) and Michael Johnson (19.32s) on the all-time list.

The 18-year-old sprint star lowered his personal best and U20 record from 19.84 seconds, which he set at last year’s U.S.Olympic Trials. He went on to finish fourth in Tokyo, becoming the youngest U.S. male track and field runner to reach an Olympic final.

Knighton turned pro last year as a high school junior, signing a professional contract with Adidas. He is now the second-fastest American 200m runner after Johnson’s then-world record of 19.32 at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

He will next have his eyes on the U.S. Outdoor Championships in June and the World Championships in July, which are both in Eugene, Ore., where he ran his previous PB of 19.84 seconds last summer.

Another world U20 record was broken on Saturday at the Gaborone International Meet, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting in Botswana. U20 world champion Letsile Tebogo became the first man from Botswana to break 10 seconds for 100m. The 18-year-old pulled away from an experienced international field to win in 9.96 seconds (+1.9m/s), taking 0.01 off Trayvon Bromell’s world U20 record of 9.97 set in 2014.

Beginners: use this tip to increase your distance

Learning to run isn’t easy. Running takes plenty of motivation, courage and determination to push your boundaries. The goal for every new runner is to get more comfortable running, but when you’re starting, you are more prone to injury by overtraining or increasing your distance too quickly.

If you are stuck on trying to increase your distance in your learn to run program, we have just the tip that can help you reach your goal. Instead of forcing yourself to do more, try to do less by limiting your rest/walk time.

Beginners will commonly use the 5 and 1’s or 10 and 1’s method, which involves five minutes (or 10 minutes) of running and one minute of walking. If you are struggling to get past running for a certain distance or time, try cutting down your walk rest to 30 seconds.

Your heart rate (on average) decreases by 20-30 beats per minute (bpm) within one minute of stopping your run. Introducing a 30-second walk rest instead of one minute will bring your heart rate down while gradually increasing your endurance as you are limiting yourself to less rest.

This 30-second rest tip is perfect for beginners who are looking for an easy trick to increase their distance without doing more of it. Using the 30-second walk rest tip will eventually get you more comfortable running a particular distance without stopping, which is the goal of every new runner.

Kenyan runners Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich Set Course Records at 2022 Pittsburgh Half Marathon

Rainy conditions Sunday morning in the City of Champions did not slow down Kenyan runners Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich from breaking course records and taking home the first prize of $10,000 at the 2022 UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon.  

In the men’s race, Kiptoo and James Ngandu took an early lead in the first mile. They stayed neck and neck until the final stretch when Kiptoo broke the finisher’s tape clocking 1 hour, one minute and twenty-five seconds. Ngandu took home second, finishing only two seconds later. U.S. Olympic marathoner Jared Ward finished third in 1:03:37.

“Today was my professional road racing debut,” Kiptoo said. “I will remember this race and the City of Pittsburgh forever. I’d like to thank the organizers and race sponsors for inviting me and for making it all possible.”

In the women’s race, Rotich smashed the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon course record by 34 seconds finishing in 1:09:30. U.S. Olympic marathoner Aliphine Tuliamuk, who previously held the course record, took home second in 1:09:54, and Sarah Sellers finished third in 1:11:51.  

“It feels great to win my first race ever in Pittsburgh,” Rotich said. “It was so great seeing all the people on the course and cheering despite the rain. I can’t wait to be back!”

Lisa Weightman shatters master's 10k record at Sydney10

In glorious running conditions the 2022 Sydney10 saw record fields and performances. In the women’s, four-time Olympian Lisa Weightman, ran the fastest women’s 10km road time ever in Australia, while in the men’s there was a breakthrough and surprise for Brisbane’s Kieren Perkins.

WOMEN 10KM

In her last race, eight months ago, Lisa Weightman placed a magnificent 26th. In Sydney this morning, Lisa Weightman just carried on from her last race, her fourth Olympic marathon eight months ago in Japan, with a stunning 31:20 10km time. It fell just three seconds short of the Australian record set by Benita Willis in Manchester in 2006, however it was the fastest time ever on Australian soil. It sliced 30 seconds from Lisa’s previous best.

“I’m very pleased and especially after a break and reset post-Olympic Games,” she said. “I would have been happy to get anything with a 31 in-front of it, but to get that close to Benita national record is great.”

Lisa setup the performance on the first lap.

“I passed 5km in 15:30, a PB, and was feeling good and knew I was on for a good run.”

She finished in 32:20, ahead of a tremendous run by Leanne Pompeani clocking 31:43.

The result confirmed some training adjustment are working for Lisa.

“I felt strong from the work I done on the Melbourne university track with the boys.”

Secord placed Leanne Pompeani also entered the record books. Her time of 31:43, was a 43 seconds PB and was the third fastest in Australian history.

She ran hard from the gun and was trailing Lisa.

“After passing 5km in about 15:30, Lisa started to put the foot down and I knew I couldn’t go with that pace,” said Leanne.

“Towards the end, I was definitely feeling it, like you want to stop, but knew I was on for a PB so pushed on. I had ‘banked’ time early as I had run quicker than expected.”

The battle between NSW-based pair of Aynslee van Graan and Jess Noble was terrific. For much of the race Aynslee held the lead, but Jess was able to pass her in the last kilometres to take third in 33:31, from Aynslee with 33:36.

Both claimed satisfying PB. For Jess it removed 80 seconds from her previous best and for Aynslee 16 seconds.

Jess, a fourth-year physiotherapist from Newcastle was very happy.

“I felt I had the potential to run that time,” she said.

“I felt good in the race, except for a 4-5km patch.”

Jess was watching Aynslee closely, knowing she was a threat.

“I could see her most of the way, she is super quick.”

It has been a tremendous 12 months of progress for Jess which she puts down to ‘such a good and positive training group’ under coach Ben Toomey.

But as Jess is still so young, still 20, it does raise the question of how far can she go in the sport?

“I’m not one to think too far ahead,” she said. “I never thought I could run these times.”

Aynslee van Graan only arrived back in Australia from South Africa on Thursday morning after travelling home to see family and friends.

The women claimed the following places on the event’s all-time list: Lisa Weightman #1, Leanne Pompeani #2, Jess Noble #24 and Aynslee van Graan #28.

MEN 10KM

There was a surprise in the men’s 10km with Brisbane’s Kieren Perkins, 29, continuing his amazing rise over the last couple of years. He destroyed his PB clocking 28:57 to destroy his previous best mark of 29:29 set at Launceston in December. Just four years ago he was a 34-35 minute 10km athlete, but under the coaching of Bert Squad led by Peter Bracken, has had enjoyed an amazing rise in the last few years. He has also received some help with his track sessions from Jayden Russ, which assisted him under 14 minutes in the national 5000m championship.

“I shocked myself,” is how Kieren described his performance. “I felt good early and ran with Jacob Cocks (from SA) for 2-4 km, then put my foot down and pull away.”

After he had broken away, defending champion, who had not run for a few months, Kieren Tall was the only remaining danger.

“I felt he (Tall) was there and if I knew if gave him a sniff he could be a problem, so I kept the pressure on.”

“With 2km to go I kicked away. I didn’t want him near with 400m to go should he have I kick.

“I felt strong mentally and physically and felt I could keep pushing throughout.”

Kieren also felt the cool weather in Sydney assisted him.

Can he explain his improvement over the last few years?

“I think taking athletics more seriously and a new squad and positive culture.”

Kieren is an Army logistics officer and has he is full-time runs around 5am daily. No surprise he has little trouble with the six monthly 2.4km Army fitness test.

Defending champion Kieren Tall (Run Crew), was returning to racing and pleased with his second place in 29:16.

“It was better than I expected,” he said. He was a little conservative early ‘so I wouldn’t blow up’.

Next for Kieren is a big training block ahead of concentrating on some road races later in the year.

Third was Queensland’s Liam Boudin in a one second PB time of 29:21, holding off SA’s Riley Cocks (29:25) and Bendigo’s Nathan Stoate (29:30).

The men claimed the following places on the event’s all-time list: Kieren Perkins =#2, Liam Boudin #8, Jacob Cocks #11, Nathan Stoate #13.

The second-ever Cocodona 250 will kick off on Monday, May 2nd, with an alternate course beginning in Prescott, Arizona, and ending in downtown Flagstaff

Over 200 runners will have roughly five days to cover over two hundred miles of some of the Southwest's most beautiful and challenging terrain. 

The race takes place on the current and historic homelands of many Indigenous groups, including the Jumanos, Yagapaiv Apache, Hopitutskwa, Pueblo, Zuni, Hualapai, Hopitutskwa Hualapai, and Hohokam. 

Here's what you need to know about the 2022 Cocodona 250, which athletes to watch for, and how to follow along.

Course Changes for 2022

Due to the Crooks Fire, which started on April 18, race officials rerouted nearly a quarter of the course after the Prescott National Forest was placed under an emergency closure through May 3, for ease of firefighting efforts. As of April 26, the Crooks Fire was 16% contained and burning around 6,400 acres south of Prescott in the Bradshaw mountains.

The new course will start in Prescott, Arizona, rather than Black Canyon City. 

"[The fire] basically broke out less than a mile from the mile 63 aid station," said Jamil Coury, owner of Aravaipa Running and one of the Cocodona organizers. "We've been able to do a reroute of the first 70 miles of the race courseand we're going to be running about 60 miles and then we'll merge back with the course and we'll make up the rest of the miles later on in the race."

As a relatively new race, Coury says there are still some challenges to work through with an event as long as Cocodona. The last-minute course changes proved particularly challenging, but he hopes the event will continue to settle into a routine over the coming years.

"We're trying to work out the kinks for sure. You know, a lot can happen in this length of race," he says. "Everything else is mostly kind of like last year. We're looking to do a livestream of the event again on our YouTube channel until at least the top female podium comes in and we'll see from there, we might try and do some bonus broadcasts with some of our finishers in the last couple of days. It's more like we're trying to test a couple more ideas for the course. We'll get feedback from those and then maybe settle into a more long term route."

Runners to Watch

In its first-ever running last year, Cocodona featured 176 runners, 108 of whom finished. This year the field is considerably larger, with 234 registered runners. Twenty-one of those are finishers from last year's inaugural event: 17 men and four women. 

Those 17 men include 2021 champion Michael Versteeg and three other top-10 finishers (Joshua Locke, Tod Bachman, and Mark Vogel). The women's field includes only two returners from last year's top 10, fifth place finisher Sarah Ostaszewski and ninth place finisher Jodi Semonell.

But alongside those returners comes a strong contingency of newcomers who will look to challenge both the men's and women's course records of 72:50:25 and 85:30:38, respectively.

"For the women, I think the biggest name on the list would be Annie Hughes from Leadville. She won the Moab 240 last year, Leadville 100 last year, and then Coldwater this January," says Coury. "Briana Grigsby from Tucson was fifth at the Black Canyon 100K this year and second at the Javelina 100K last year. And then Sarah Ostaszewski. She finished last year, and she'll be returning."

Hughes, at just 24, will seek to remain undefeated at the 200+ mile distance. She's been training for Cocodona with shorter ultras since winning the Moab 240 in October. She won the Coldwater Rumble 100 in January and the Staunton Rocks Running Up For Air 12-hour event in February. At that race, she racked up 56 miles in just under 11 hours and beat all the other competitors, regardless of gender. She then celebrated her 24th birthday on March 13 by running for 24 hours around her home in Leadville, Colorado, covering nearly 120 miles.

"I feel like with 200s, there's just so much time to go through highs and lows, and you just kind of have to ride the highs when you're feeling good and just go with it," said Hughes. "You can't really plan for these things, so I'm just kind of going into it looking at it as an adventure."

After Cocodona, she will continue a full racing schedule through the summer with three 100s: High Lonesome in July, Run Rabbit Run in September, and Javelina in October, back in Arizona. For Cocodona, she'll focus on carefully scheduling sleep and nutrition, seeing the experience as an opportunity for adventure.

"I think it's really cool that [200s] are becoming more popular and that a brand new race as amazing as this one is now available for runners," said Hughes. "I'm really excited to be a part of this race in one of the first years it's ever been run, because I think it's going to become really big." 

On the men's side, Coury will be watching for 200+ veteran Michael McKnight, who DNF-ed last year's race due to heat struggles, and last year's winner Michael Versteeg, as well as backcountry guide, coach, and pro Brooks athlete Joe McConaughy, who will take his first crack at the 200+ mile distance. McConaughy currently holds the fastest known times (FKTs) for the Arizona Trail (supported), Long Trail in Vermont (self-supported), and Appalachian Trail (northbound, self-supported).

"[McConaughy has a] strong thru-hiking, kind of FKT background," says Coury. "Also really fast at short distance and then even at like the 100-mile distance, he's got some really fast times. He has this interesting mix of super long and short and fast."

McConaughy also brings recent experience with running fast in the area where Cocodona takes place.

"I'm stoked. It's an awesome route. [Aravaipa is] an awesome race organization. There's lots of great runners. So it's kind of like everything you want from an effort," says McConaughy. "I did the Arizona Trail last year and I did it right around the same timeSo it's really cool thinking I did the Arizona Trail and now coming back for another big section of trail. And adventuring in Arizona is really exciting. I just love the desert and the vibes and the whole area. It's just a very, very lovely, fun state."

MEN

Michael McKnight (32, Smithfield, UT): two-time champion of the Triple Crown of 200s (which includes the Moab 240, Tahoe 200, and Bigfoot 200), his record on those three combined races is the fastest ever by nearly 45 hours (162:00:51). He has multiple wins at both Bigfoot and Moab.

Michael Versteeg (Prescott, AZ): Last year's winner, also won the 2020 Fuego y Agua 100K and was fourth at the 2019 Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile

Chad Trumbo (39, Columbus, OH): Won the Fuzzy Fandango 50K in November, sixth at the Mohican 100 Miler in 2021.

Joe McConaughy (30, Seattle, WA): Third at Gorge Waterfalls 100K earlier this month, fourth at the 2021 Javelina Jundred, holds numerous thru-hiking FKTs.

Cole Crosby (33, Cranston, RI): Fifth at the USATF 50K championships in 2020, recent wins at the Manchester to Monadnock 55 Miler and MCW Westfield Ultra 9 Hour.

Eric Senseman (33, Flagstaff, AZ): 2017 JFK 50 Mile winner, with top-three finishes at the 2019 and 2021 Black Canyon 100K.

WOMEN

Annie Hughes (24, Leadville, CO): Recent wins at the Leadville 100, Coldwater Rumble 100, and Moab 240.

Rhoda Smoker (35, Elverson, PA): Recent wins at the Conquer the Wall Endurance Challenge 47 hour run, Dogwood Ultras 12 hour, and Green Monster Trail Challenge 50K.

Brianna Grigsby (34, Tucson, AZ): Recent wins at the Sinister Night Runs 54K and McDowell Mountain Frenzy 50K, plus top-five finishes at the Black Canyon 100K and Bandera 100K earlier this year.

Lee Conner (49, Cleveland, OH): Top-five finishes at the Forget the PR Mohican 50K, Run Lovit 100 Miler, Outlaw 100, and Cloudsplitter 100 - all in the last 8 months!

Jodi Semonell (49, Omaha, NE): Second at the 2020 Moab 240, ninth last year at the inaugural Cocodona 250, recent wins at the Dizzy GOAT 12 hour run and Hitchcock Experience Endurance Runs 100 Miler.

Sarah Ostaszewski (30, Beaverton, OR): Fifth at last year's Cocodona, with recent wins at the Bristow 24 hour run, Mogollon Monster 100 Miler, and Across the Years Marathon, plus a top-10 finish at the Javelina Jundred in October.

Life Stress, Work Stress, Training Stress-Your Body Can't Tell the Difference

Jen Yoshida was used to telling people that running two miles a day is what got her through law school. "Once the run was over, I would tell myself that the hard part of the day was over. It made the difference between feeling optimistic about the day and maybe fearing what was coming next."

Yoshida was frustrated then that she didn't getting the same mental or physical boost once she was a practicing intellectual property lawyer and had added swimming and biking to become a triathlete.

"Work is so much more stressful now, so I should be fine with my increased training, right? I thought I was meeting one big challenge with another. Exercise is good for mental health, so I assumed more exercise would be better."

Yoshisa was confused when her increased training schedule wasn't making her more able to confront work-related stress, plus she was running out of steam during workouts. "I was exhausted at work and my fuse was getting shorter. When I completely forgot a meeting with a client, that was the last straw. I knew something had to change."  

Except for the few elites among us, most athletes must perform extraordinary balancing acts between work, family, relationships, sleep, nutrition, finances, and training. All of these aspects of life incur stress, but many of us assume that the physical stress from training is different from the psychological stress incurred from everything else.

We have been told that exercise is an excellent stress-reliever, without context or qualifiers, and therefore assume that there is a never-ending dose-response. If some exercise is good for mental health, then why wouldn't more be better? It's All Stress to Your Brain and Body

Whether it's because you've got a huge work project to complete, are going through a tough time in your relationship, or ran a tune-up marathon last weekend, the stress that you are experiencing is all the same. We might be surprised to know that it doesn't matter if one type of stress is more enjoyable than the other or if you perceive one to be "healthier" than the other.

Research shows that all forms of stress are additive and, taken together, will alter the functioning of the body to compensate for the total load. Those compensations can look like anything from fatigue from a few days of pushing your limits, all the way up to osteoporosis from a combination of high stress and low progesterone resulting from months or years of overdoing it. 

Those compensations can also look like snapping at your partner out of nowhere or even feeling deep depression or pervasive anxiety. Most of us may be able to connect those feelings with family or work stress but are unlikely to connect that with our training. In fact, many of us will double down on training, thinking that we are doing the right thing to cope or because we are in need of escape.

In those moments, we are not thinking about the research that demonstrates the huge amount of physical stress that training causes because we do not perceive the activity to be psychologically stressful. Unfortunately, our perception is not reality.Stress: The Vicious Cycle vs. the Optimal Curve

Adding more training to manage stress is like adding more wood to a fire you're trying to extinguish. In a review article, John S. Raglin, a professor in the psychology department at Indiana University, Bloomington and a pioneer in groundbreaking studies of mood and endurance sport, clearly states that increasing exercise can also increase stress and negatively affect mental health.

He notes that intention is irrelevant since stress increases either through necessary training or an abuse of training and his overall body of work points to a trend toward greater mood disturbance with increasing amounts of exercise. If we continue to increase overall stress by increasing training, research shows that this chronic physical and mental stress without adequate recovery can cause disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis leading to dysfunction of the endocrine system and yes, overtraining syndrome. 

The Yerkes-Dodson CurveHarder to accept is the fact that there is an optimal level of training and life stress for each body. The Yerkes-Dodson curve above illustrates the fact that zero stress will not result in positive gains, but huge amounts of stress will also not result in positive gains. Research shows that the idea of there being a "sweet spot" where stress on the system results in excellent performance without causing overwhelming detriment is fundamental to almost everything we do. 

For example, we know that zero water causes dehydration and too much water causes hyponatremia, but we are well-hydrated and healthy somewhere in the middle. We can apply this logic to everything we do and everything around us-there is a perfect amount for everything in nature. However, we must learn to accept the same logic when it comes to stress. There is a perfect amount of training and life stress for every body and mind, where we are alert, engaged, energetic, and thriving. We just have to find it. 

Training Doesn't Subtract from Stress Load-but Rest Does

But, isn't exercise a stress reliever? Multiple studies show that exercise certainly does provide a certain amount of stress relief, but it's important to understand that this research is typically conducted for the general population of the USA, which tends to be quite sedentary. Therefore, the study populations are non-athletes and designed to convince people that 20-30 minutes of low-level aerobic exercise 5 times per week is a good idea for general health.

These studies are not designed to address the stress relief needs of high-performing, high-volume athletes trying to fit fifteen hours of training on top of a full-time job.The solution is to take a look at which stresses we have control over and which we do not. We then need to take control by making adjustments, some of which may require us to battle with our own deeply held assumptions about our relationship with training.

For example, we likely can't change our work responsibilities, school schedule, or certain family commitments. However, we can probably do our best to get a bit more sleep, try some time-saving tactics like meal-prepping, and yes, we can skip a workout. We have to challenge the assumptions that we can't cope without training, that training is the only remedy, and that skipping or cutting a session short will detrimentally affect our performance. On the days when we need to decrease the pressure, the best training we can do is no training at all. 

While there is no evidence that taking a bit of physical rest will increase stress and promote disease in athletes, there is plenty of evidence that increasing training can do all of that and more.

If you find yourself unable to back off given the clear evidence that you might be heading for trouble, a mental health care practitioner can help you get control before you burn out. Finding and respecting your own sweet spot will ensure that you get to enjoy your runs - for life.

Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon in Verona: Alfred Kipchirchir and Meseret Gola win

The Dermasphere Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon and Avesani Monument Run 10k experienced another historic day of great international sport and strong solidarity with the A Casa far from Home project "Emergency Sick Children of Ukraine - We help sick little ones on the run"They traveled half the world to come to Verona starting from the endless African highlands to become the new champions of the Dermasphere Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon.

The 'Romeo' of 2022 is Kenyan and bears the name of Alfred Kipchirchir, he is the winner of the 15th edition of the Verona half marathon where he crossed the finish line in 1h00'57 ".

The 'Juliet', on the other hand, is very shy but when she runs she has grit and class to spare, her name is Meseret Gola and she comes from Ethiopia. He took the success in 1h10'09 ".

Two excellent performances, even if both failed to beat their personal bests or even to beat the records of the course. It is difficult to do so at this point of the season that sees the great road racing competitions finish. The satisfaction of winning the prestigious Verona race was nevertheless great.A great event as usual was the one organized by the organizers of Gaac 2007 Verona Marathon Asd, in collaboration with the Municipality of Verona, which maintained organizational standards of excellence, confirming the Gold Label Fidal.

Official start complete with a gunshot entrusted to the mayor Federico Sboarina and for the following waves also to the Sports Councilor Filippo Rando present at the start to greet the thousands of Italian and foreign participants.

Surprise second in the standings was placed by the Polish Ada Nowicki in 1h02'51 ", delighted at the arrival for having established a new personal best. He beat his 1h03'11 "which he had done at the Napoli City Half Marathon last February. Place of honor again for the colors of Kenya with Bernard Musau Wambua with 1h02'57 ". First of the Italians is the South Tyrolean Hannes Perkmann (Atl. Valli Bergamasche Leffe), sixth in 1h05'03 ".  Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) athlete Peter Njeru finished fifth clocking 1h03'53 just 30 seconds back of 4th place.  

Female podium completed by the Kenyan Lilian Lelei (Atl. Castello), second in 1h14'04 "and third the Ethiopian Meseret Ayele (G.s. Il Fiorino) with 1h15'25". Holding the Italian flag high is Arianna Lutteri, the current Italian marathon champion, who ran in 1h21'40 ". Avesani Monument Run 10k, real 9.7km, which was won by Alessandro Comai (Venus Triathlon) in 29'19 ", while among women the success of Claudia Andrighettoni (Us Quercia) in 34'23". Hundreds of people also participated in the non-competitive Avesani Monument Run 10k.

Gianni Pistis, coach and runner of the Charity Partner A Casa Away From Home, engaged in the project "Emergency Sick Children of Ukraine - We help sick little ones on the run" has more than hit the target.

Leaving last, Gianni had the task of overcoming a minimum of a thousand athletes, for each of which a company from Varese, which wishes to remain anonymous, will donate a thousand euros. Gianni honored his commitment by finishing in general position 204 with a time of 1h28'18 "and thus surpassing over 2 thousand athletes.

Eugene Marathon was gone but not forgotten as record number of runners will mark race's return

It’s been three years since the Eugene Marathon and Half Marathon held a live race.

It’s been even longer since the finish line was inside Hayward Field.

Both are back this weekend as the longtime local road race returns Sunday morning to the streets of Eugene and Springfield.

The traditional finish line had to be moved to Autzen Stadium in 2019 due to the construction of the new Hayward Field. The race was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, then went virtual in 2021 as the pandemic continued.

“On some days I can’t believe it’s been four years,” race director Ian Dobson said. “And on some days it feels like it’s been forever, like it’s hard to remember it almost.”

Hard to remember, maybe, but hardly forgotten.

Registration for the 15th Eugene Marathon and Half Marathon and Saturday morning’s Eugene 5K and Kid’s 1K Duck Dash — which both start outside Hayward Field and end on the track and the finish line — has reached record-setting numbers.

According to Dobson, approximately 9,700 have signed up for one of the four races. Broken down, they expect 4,000 for the half marathon, 3,200 for the marathon, 1,500 for the 5K and 1,000 for the Duck Dash.

The race has essentially reached capacity.

"Actually, we don’t even know what it is because we’ve never had to explore that," Dobson said with a laugh. “We’re limiting registration because we want to make sure we can do a great job for the people that are registered, not because we can’t fit more people on the roads.”

The marathon’s previous best year was 2013 when it had 8,561 registered participants.

“We’re really, really excited about that,” Dobson said. “I think some of it is genuine enthusiasm for the event, and a lot of it is also people who are, ‘It’s time to get back to doing stuff.’ ”

The 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon courses will closely resemble what they were in 2018 with only a few minor changes. 

The most obvious is where the marathon and half-marathon participants split off from each other. That point is now on the south side of the Willamette River's Knickerbocker Bridge instead of the north side. 

That change eventually redirects marathon runners through downtown Springfield and keeps them off Centennial Boulevard.

“Which I think is a gift to everyone,” Dobson said. “Traffic control, law enforcement, runners, everybody.”

The Eugene Marathon and Half Marathon has always been largely a community event, though professionals and other runners with larger goals have also participated in the race. This year is no different.

There are 80 “elite” runners entered in both races, a designation given to men who have recorded marathon times of 2 hours, 25 minutes or 1:08:00 for the half marathon, and women who have times of at least 2:53:00 or 1:20:00, respectively, since May 1, 2019.

The 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying window opened in January and hitting the standard of 2:18:00 for the men and 2:37:00 for the women is certainly on the agenda for many.

For the rest of the runners, the race weekend marks the long-awaited return to road racing. Dobson said at least one-quarter of the registrations have been rolled over from people who initially signed up in 2020 or 2021.

“I think there’s a real excitement to be back to something familiar," Dobson said. “It just feels good.”

Eugene Marathon and Half Marathon

Start: 7 a.m. Sunday at 17th Avenue and Agate Street

Finish: Inside Hayward Field

89-year-old Bylahalli Raghunath Janardan hopes to complete 4th World 10K

As Bengaluru prepares to get back to large participatory running events, an 89-year-old retired Railways officer Bylahalli Raghunath Janardan, is setting his eyes on his 4th World 10K, scheduled to be held on May 15.

Even though he hasn't fully recovered from a spine injury, he incurred a few months ago, Janardan is determined to take part in the Bengaluru running festival with a back support belt, "I haven't taken part in any marathon in the last two years because of various problems and that's why I am really looking forward to the World 10K. However, I won't be running at my absolute best as I am currently recovering from a spine injury, but I will run slowly and walk intermittently with a back support belt."

When asked about the exciting aspects of a mass participatory running event, the 89-year-old said, "It's great to run with a crowd and especially youngsters. I get inspired to train hard when I see them run and I feel they get inspired by me as well."

Speaking about the importance of exercise in his life, Janardan said, "In 1995, I had to go through a difficult time. While I was travelling with my family to find a prospective match for my daughter, I fainted in the car. Later, I was diagnosed with Major Epilepsy and I was told that I have to take medications for the rest of my life. When I started taking the medications, I had a tough time dealing with the side effects. I felt lazy and lethargic. However, after nine months, I decided to give up medicines and start exercising."

Janardan also spoke about the turning point in his life, "Once my son was selected to play the sitar at a cultural event which was hosted at a place 30km away from my home. Just like that, I decided to get on a cycle and ride to the event venue. And I also came back home the same day. After that day, I started cycling regularly and became a very active person. I have not touched the Epilepsy medicines again and I have also never had an Epilepsy attack. That is the difference an active lifestyle has made in my life."

The USD $210,000 World Athletics Elite Label Race will witness some of the world's finest distance runners on the roads of Bengaluru as well as thousands of mass participation competitors from across India. For the first time, the event will be conducted in two formats: on-ground and a virtual app-based run.

Grooming Future Champions in Thika Kenya

The Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) is barely eight months old since it was officially opened September 2021. (Founder and executive director Bob Anderson flew over from California USA for the opening.)

KATA's presence in Thika and Kiambu County is being felt widely after our pioneer athletes have gone flat-out to inscribe the name of the Academy in the region.

During the last two seasons, nearly 90 per cent of our trainees have participated in both Cross Country and Track with positive indicators.

Competing at County level and getting selected to represent the unit at regional level is a positive indication that with time, the future champions in Kenya’s Central region will be the products of the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA).

In addition to winning slots to regional championships, all our athletes have posted their Personal Records in their individual events, again proving that KATA is attaining its objectives of seeing upcoming and young runners improving their times.

All this is because of the well-thought out Program in the Academy that combine a high level of discipline, hard-work, and self-realization among the current crop of our learners.  The on-site management team make it all work: Florence Kimiti (manager), Elam Wangwero (operations) and Joseph Ngure (head coach).  All report to Bob Anderson daily who works from his office in Mountain View, California.  

Our day’s Programe begins with morning workouts between 06.15 and 08.00am with easy morning run covering 12 to 18Km on alternative days before breakfast in our Olympic Dining Hall at KATA.  

After breakfast, cleaning and maintenance of the Academy is the duty of the day for everybody.  We feel this is one of the processes of making these future champions responsible and useful members of society. Some go to nearby colleges to acquire skills that will come in handy after retiring from their active sporting career.

Currently we have our most improved athlete Zakariah Kirika (29:54 10k) pursuing electrical wiring, Fredrick Kiprotich is studying Agriculture and Boniface Mungai is studying accounting at a local university.

During three training sessions daily (not including Sunday), our second training session takes place between 9:00am and 11am and is mainly for agility, coordination exercises and speedwork.  The last training session begins at 16:30 pm to 17:30 pm. This is easy jogging mainly around the Academy.

In addition to daily and weekly training, the athletes focus on short-term goals that is tested during our monthly 10Km time-trial that is held usually every third Wednesday of each month. (Eight have been held so far.) These trials are open and several athletes from our neighbouring training camps have joined our team in testing their training too.  We charge no entry fee and pay no prize money.  But we offer internet exposure to all our finishers. (All results, a story and photos are posted timely on the My Best Runs website which currently have over 100k visitors monthly.)

It is from this time-trial that those who meet the target get the opportunity to compete in Europe through their respective management. Three of our athletes have had the privilege of going to Italy last year and this year since February, Peter Mwaniki Njeru and Lucy Mawia are in Europe now and are posting remarkable results. This is a big motivation to our KATA team!  

Apart from training and keeping the Academy clean, our athletes’ trains on the use of computers and each has to post his or her work-out on My Best Runs where our editorial team, under the stewardship of Elam, Okata and Eston Mwangi, update races on a daily basis.  (My Best Runs also have editorial people (all runners) in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bend Oregon, Chandler Arizona and Mountain View California.)

As the season moves on, we are expecting good performance in Road Races in Kenya beginning with the inaugural Uhuru marathon classic on May 8th in Kenya where four of our athletes will be flying the KATA flag.  

Lucy and Peter have already done well in races in Europe and will be racing again May 1 in France and Italy.  Lucy clocked a 31:20 10000m on the track in Italy and most recently Peter placed second on a tough 15k course in Istanbul clocking 46:33. Lucy is racing in France and Peter a half marathon in Italy on May 1. 

With a lot of potentials in the region, our next target will be young talents in our neighbouring schools and our technical arm will be visiting 2-3 institutions to help in training the school kids as they prepare for their inter-schools championships next month.

We are overwhelmed by the number of new athletes who want to join our Academy.  But then the opportunities are many. 

How Sport Sampling Can Unlock Your Running Potential 

Cross-training as we know it might soon become a thing of the past. Not because it's no longer worth your time, but the opposite: switching up your routine could be so advantageous that there's no sense in drawing any line between training on and off your feet. 

The term "cross-training" carries its fair share of baggage. Images of injured runners grinding away on a bike or racking up laps in the pool come to mind, ushering in an all-too-familiar sense of dread for the next time you find yourself sidelined.

It implies that we're stuck doing something lesser while we count down the hours until we're running again. Even those that include regular strength training or alternative cardio days in their schedule usually see it as a box to check off for injury prevention. 

But the idea that other activities should always take a backseat to running as the main source of fitness isn't doing runners any favors. Expanding our definition of what counts as training for running, not just in the absence of running, gives runners permission to reap a much wider range of benefits from moving their bodies in other ways. 

The Norwegian Method

Take a look at one of the most decorated countries in the recent Winter Olympics: Norway. 

The nation's "Joy of Sport for All" model prioritizes variety over specificity. Championships don't come into the picture for young athletes before the age of 13. This gives kids the chance to sample a variety of athletic options before even thinking about committing to one. They're not raised to limit their athletic exploration. 

Norwegian competitors may achieve such unparalleled success because of a few clear benefits to expanding your athletic horizons: multi-sport exploration wards off injury, burnout, and complacency, no matter what your primary sport. 

The Scientific Benefits of Variety in Training 

In sports like running, repetitive motion presents a serious risk. Brett Mueller, DPT and Sports Clinical Specialist, explains that "doing the same activity at a high frequency exposes your body to the same stresses." 

Think about how many times you pump your legs forward and backward over the course of a short run. Fluctuating trail terrain breaks up the monotony, but the same basic motion still forms the base. "In contrast," Mueller counters, "variety in sports exposes the body to different stresses. The body is able to rest from one while experiencing different stresses from another." 

From a mental standpoint, "switching between sports challenges your mind to grow, learn, and adapt to the various mental demands of each sport," according to Dr. Brian Zuleger, Professor of Sports Psychology at Adams State University and a Certified Mental Performance Coach. "In a sport like trail running where the landscape, weather, and extent vary so much, the ability to be adaptable is key. Participating in other sports challenges you to be more resilient to change." 

Being able to transfer skills and adjust your mindset across athletic outlets comes in handy when exploring unfamiliar routes, braving inclement weather, or attempting an intimidating distance. 

Sarah Strong, ultrarunner and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Fireweed Counseling in Colorado, offers a therapeutic argument for branching out as well.

"Strong social support is tied to positive mental health outcomes," she says, "so an athlete can enhance their circle of support simply by engaging in a number of activities." 

That wider circle of support can then show runners how far their worth extends beyond any one aspect of their identity - which can come back around when injuries or other struggles pull running away from center stage.

More Than a Consolation Prize

After falling from a cliff during a race in 2017 and breaking fourteen bones, ultrarunner Hillary Allen begrudgingly turned to cycling. 

"When we're told we can't run, it can feel like a consolation prize to do anything else," Allen reflects. "I wasn't sure if I would be able to return to running again, so when I got on a bike I almost felt disappointed because it wasn't the same. I had this negative connotation: I'm biking, sure, but I'm not running." 

Since that injury, Allen has returned to running in full force. But the accident that threatened her life and her career - combined with a second setback after breaking her ankle the following year - set her on a new path that changed the way that she functions as an athlete. 

"Because of the injuries I've sustained, I can't train like a lot of ultrarunners do," Allen says. She needed to accept that her body couldn't handle the same volume and intensity on foot that it used to, or that others in the sport may be able to.

That reality has given Allen the chance to find value in other sports as a complement to running instead of just a placeholder. You'll find her on the bike nearly as often as on foot - not only as a way to respect the limitations of her resilient body, but also to maximize her overall training capacity. 

"There Is No Such Thing as Cross Training - Only Training!" 

Allen believes that she wouldn't be able to reach her running potential without cycling.

"It helps me to feel my best physically while getting in the endurance that I need," she says. "I can still put in big back-to-back days without worrying about the physical impact on my body." 

Adam St. Pierre, Allen's coach, believes that "there is no such thing as "cross-training" - there is only training!" That attitude directs their efforts together as they harness the benefits of each type of training.

"The fitness gained from cycling has been huge for Hillary's improvement as an ultrarunner. It has allowed her to train more total volume and do high intensity workouts more regularly than she could if she only ran."

Allen has proven those claims on paper, too. She reached a peak of only 15 miles on her long runs before going on to win the Cortina Trail 48k as her first race back from injury. 

"That race holds a lot of value for being the 'aha' moment that made me realize how the bike was making me super fit even while I couldn't run," Allen says.

Partners in Adventure

Allen focuses on gravel cycling to give her the same sensations of solitude and exploration that she finds in trail running, which adds an important emotional component on top of the physical benefits.

Her new partnership with Pinarello as a member of the Scuderia Team has given the passion she's found for cycling a firm foundation to stand on and grow from.

She's part of the "Adventure Tier" of the team, which features crossover athletes who have cultivated an appreciation for cycling alongside their main competitive outlet. Fellow team members Jamie Bestwick, a BMX racer, and skier John Collinson also demonstrate how different sports enrich one another. 

Allen's companions and mentors on the Scuderia Team also remind her that the trail community she loves isn't restricted to just running. "The worlds are so parallel . . . The fact that the gravel community feels so much like the trail running community is what first drew me to gravel."

Back to the Beginning 

Allen encourages athletes to dip their toes into other sports with the intention to "enjoy the experience for what it is," without comparison to what you already know from running. She's wrestled with the discomfort of giving yourself permission to be a beginner at something again, back when she first dabbled in gravel cycling. 

But you're not just a pawn on a chess board. You're the queen of your own game, free to move in any direction. Starting fresh in a different sport doesn't mean starting over - it's more like a step to the side into another plane. Lateral movement adds new depth to the athletic branch of your identity, as proof that we're more than just the sum of our runs. 

Incorporating Sport Sampling Into Your Training

Substitute one of your weekly training runs for a spin, swim, or ski. Here's how to find common elements across any discipline: 

Rely on RPE. Neither mileage nor heart rate translates seamlessly across different sports, so your Rate of Perceived Effort is the best guide. Easy days should be a 5/10, moderate and tempo days at an 8/10, and hard workouts at a 9 or 10/10. The same applies on the bike, in the pool, or on skis. 

Stay Focused. Whether you're in for an easy day, long haul, or hard workout, your efforts in another discipline should reflect similar intentions for the best carry-over. 

Ease In. Remember: the same effort level will likely result in lower output in the new activity. Part of being a beginner is giving yourself time to adjust to a different type of movement. Start with an easy or recovery day to keep the pressure low, and build up to higher intensity options as you adapt. 

Add Time. Not only will giving yourself extra time during your session in the new activity keep you from feeling rushed or stressed while you're learning, it'll also balance out any dip in intensity with an increase in duration. 

Mess up. This is your opportunity to start from scratch, and some of our best lessons come with failure. Mistakes are sometimes our best teachers. Figure out what works best for you by leaving behind what doesn't through an ongoing process of elimination. 

Tommy Rivs' Cancer-Free Return to the Boston Marathon Was Beautiful

Alternating bouts of running and walking, Thomas Puzey-widely known as "Tommy Rivs" or simply "Rivs"-made his way along Boylston Street toward the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 18. Flashing a wide smile and waving to the crowd, the Arizona-based runner celebrated his return to the site of his fastest marathon.

Five years ago, Puzey ran the race of his life here, averaging 5:17 per mile as he covered the hilly course in 2:18:20 to place 16th overall. This year, he utilized a run-walk method throughout and averaged just under 15 minutes per mile, reaching the finish line in 6:31:54. Officially, he was 24,799th out of 24,918 finishers.

Few, however, covered the course with as much joy and gratitude or received so much support and goodwill. The 37-year-old is a far different runner now than he was in 2017, after a near-death battle with a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.

"I know I am one of the lucky ones, to still be alive," he says.

This time around, Puzey's 26.2-mile journey was a celebratory benchmark of progress on his new athletic quest, where the primary goal is to be fit enough to battle cancer if-or, more likely, when-it returns. His blood and chest scans have been cancer-free for the past 15 months-after he completed six rounds of chemotherapy-but doctors have told him the rare form of cancer still has a high probability of relapsing.

"You hope that never happens, but I'm still in the bunker." he says. "It's not over for me yet. I'll always be looking over my shoulder. It's all hovering just out of sight or circling above me."

In June 2020, Puzey returned home to Flagstaff from a routine training run in the Grand Canyon feeling exceptionally fatigued and disoriented. He initially assumed he was suffering from heat stroke or severe dehydration; later, he thought it might be COVID-19. But when he ultimately checked himself into a hospital two weeks later, doctors diagnosed him with a rare form of cancer and discovered his lungs had been almost completely overtaken by invasive nodules. Suddenly fighting for his life, he was airlifted to the Scottsdale hospital in late July and was eventually sedated into a medically induced coma

Five months and multiple surgeries and treatments later, Puzey was released from the hospital, weighing in at a gaunt 95 pounds and unable to cross a room without the aid of a walker. But he was alive.

Thousands of followers, who had come to know Puzey as much for his soulful posts and coaching wisdom as for his athletic achievements, poured out support as he candidly shared his experiences and emotions on social media during the long, slow recovery process.

Today, Puzey has regained much of the muscular physique that made him stand out in a field of lanky elite runners as much as his bushy reddish-brown beard and array of tattoos. But it's always been his relentless determination that has defined him as an athlete and helped him earn podium finishes in ultramarathon trail races, triathlons, and marathons.

That determination has been evident as he's slowly rebuilt his health. Last November, Puzey had just enough physical and aerobic strength to walk the New York City Marathon in about nine hours. Since then, he's been able to start a running routine again. These days, he says, he runs at a 10-to-12-minute per mile pace for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of easy walking. He had been doing a routine of running 60 seconds, then walking 60 seconds, but that proved too ambitious, leaving him excessively fatigued.

On most days, Puzey, who continues to be sponsored as an elite athlete by Craft Sportswear, says he is out the door by 5 A.M. for four to five miles alternating running and walking. He bikes to school with his three daughters before continuing solo for a two-to-four-hour ride, keeping the pace "slow and methodical." Later in the day, usually after a nap, he'll try to get in another hour-long run-walk session before getting back on his bike to pick up the girls at school. Throughout the day, he'll do dozens of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and planks to build general strength. Occasionally he'll get in a swim.

"He's still pushing his body more than most people do," says his wife, Steph Catudal. "That's the only way he knows how to exist, just forward movement, being outside and being on his feet."

Still, Puzey's adaptability impresses Catudal. "It's just so beautiful to see him embrace that and not be frustrated and not be angry and bitter that he's not where he was a couple of years ago," she says. "It's so inspiring for me to see that he is happy where he is right now and coming to terms with it all, and that he's accepting that 30 seconds at a time is what it is, and that's OK."

The hardest adjustment, Puzey says, is how long it now takes to build fitness. "The process is exactly the same now-stress, rest, and replenish-it's just a lot more gradual trajectory, and progress comes much more slowly."

No matter how hard he works, Puzey's oxygen capacity will likely never be remotely close to what it was two years ago. His pulmonary and critical care specialist Dr. Seth Assar says his lungs are like Swiss cheese, replete with holes and scar tissue from where the cancerous nodules had been.

His passion for endurance sports, however, had never been about race results but about the pursuit of excellence within the bounds of his potential. That passion holds true now. "Satisfaction and happiness in life don't come from sitting around and doing nothing," he says. "It comes from working really, really hard at something and actually accomplishing it from time to time. That is where happiness is found, in that struggle."

And Puzey recognizes the opportunity he's been given and the responsibility that comes with it. "This has been really rough, but it could have been much worse and much different," he says. "I'm one of the lucky ones, with the gift of having another chance, and because of that, I feel morally obligated that there is a responsibility to test the limits of this new potential. I owe that to my family. I owe that to myself. I owe that to my physicians and my nurses. And I also owe that to the tens of thousands of people who have supported me and my family. If I don't seek out that potential, then it's a mockery to the people that supported me, and it's also a mockery to the people who don't have this opportunity."

While his rare type of leukemia/lymphoma has a very high recurrence rate, Assar says Puzey has exceeded expectations every month since his release from the hospital, and that gives hope for sustained remission. In the event that it does come back, Puzey's renewed strength and fitness will be an asset.

"I don't see Tommy as living with a dark cloud over his head," Assar says. "He's gone on with his normal life. He's pushing himself every day. He's not living under the fear and the burden that this disease is just going to go ahead and sweep him up one day. Tommy is living."

What better way to affirm that you're still living than running Boston? "Running a marathon is a time stamp in which we're able to declare 'I am here.'" Puzey says. "So, I am here. This is where I am right now. It's not where I want to be, it's not where I want to be forever, but it is where I am right now."

Elite runner leading Hamburg Marathon fumbles bottle, goes back to get it

Last weekend at the Haspa Hamburg Marathon in Germany, Abraham Kiptoo of Kenya was leading the race when he fumbled his hydration bottle at a water station. Instead of moving on, Kiptoo turned around and ran back to get it, while being passed by 10 or so runners.

We aren’t sure how much time this would’ve cost Kiptoo, but a sudden change in movement can certainly affect your rhythm and cadence. Kiptoo ended up finishing the race eighth, in a personal best time of 2:06:59. Cyprian Kotut of Kenya won the marathon in a course record time of 2:04:47, in a thrilling sprint victory over compatriot Stephen Kissa (2:04:48), whose time set a Ugandan national record.

On the other hand, Kiptoo obviously knows how important hydration is for optimal performance. Who’s to say he didn’t gain back what he lost, by making sure he salvaged his bottle? If you can constantly maintain your hydration, it will optimize your performance and might help you avoid a trip to the medical tent. It’s important to balance how much fluid your body loses through sweat and how much fluid you drink during a hard effort like a marathon or long run.

The incident happened between 25 and 30 km into the marathon, a point in the race where hydration is particularly important as your body becomes fatigued. Usually, at larger marathons, water/aid stations are available every two to four kilometres.

Although the young 23-year-old Kiptoo lost time, he managed to catch back up to the lead pack, to only drop off around the 35 km marker, as Kissa and Kotut surged on.

Kiptoo is an elite runner who trains with Eliud Kipchoge and Geoffrey Kamwaror of the Ineos NN Running Team based in Iten, Kenya.

How to Choose a Running Partner

Choosing a running partner is similar in many ways to choosing a mate.  Compatibility, chemistry, and ability to get along are very important. 

A running partner will experience you during your best, and worst, times, and will be expected to be there for you through thick and thin.  Finding a good running partner is no easy task, and there are a number of considerations that should be made when looking for a good fit. 

Pace

One of the most important considerations when choosing a running partner is the pace that each runner prefers to run.  If one runner is significantly faster than the other, the faster runner should be honest about whether or not he or she is comfortable slowing down.  In turn, the slower runner should not take offense if his or her pace is too slow.  Occasionally, a faster runner will agree to join a slower runner during an easy or recovery day. 

These types of situations work very well, because the faster runner can benefit from being held to a slower pace, while the slower runner may be forced to run slightly faster than normal.  For beginning runners, however, finding someone very close to their goal pace is highly recommended. 

Compatibility

Choose a running partner who is compatible with your lifestyle.  For instance, if you are only available to run in the morning, finding a runner partner who is only available in the evenings will not work.  Also seek someone who has the same tendencies as you.  If you like to talk while you run, someone who prefers only the sound of his or her footsteps will not be a good partner. 

Goals

A factor that can make having a running buddy indispensible is choosing someone with a similar goal as you.  For instance, if your goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon, finding another runner with a similar desire can help keep you motivated and on track.  Running partnerships that mix two people with drastically different goals often fail due to resentment. 

For instance, if one person is simply running for fun while the other person is running competitively, each party may feel frustrated with the other person’s level of commitment. 

Opposites Attract

While compatibility is a great quality for a running partner, bear in mind that running with someone who has certain opposite features can also be good.  For instance, if you are good at long runs but not very good at speed workouts, seeking a running partner who is great at speed but not so good at distance can benefit both of you. 

Attitude

Always look for a running partner who has a similar attitude as your own.  If you are an overwhelmingly positive person, you will not enjoy the company of a pessimist, and vise versa.  Some of the best running relationships have been ruined because one runner sees the world through rosy colored glasses while the other prefers to think that every glass is half empty. 

Amputee runner Jacky Hunt-Broersma completes 102 marathons in 102 days

As Forrest Gump in the Oscar-winning 1994 film of the same name, lead actor Tom Hanks abruptly trots to a halt after more than three years of nonstop running and tells his followers, "I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now."

Jacky Hunt-Broersma can relate. On Thursday, the amputee athlete achieved her goal of running 102 marathons in as many days, setting an unofficial women's world record.

And she can't stop/won't stop, saying she will run two more for good measure and wrap up her challenge Saturday with 104.

"I might as well end April with a marathon," she told The Associated Press.

Britain-based Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. Guinness lists the men's record for consecutive daily marathons as 59, set in 2019 by Enzo Caporaso of Italy. It can take up to a year for the organization to ratify a world record.

"I'm just happy that I made it. I can't believe it," Hunt-Broersma said. "The best thing was the incredible support I've received from people around the world who've reached out, telling me how this has inspired them to push themselves."

Hunt-Broersma, 46, began her quest Jan. 17, covering the classic 26.2-mile marathon distance on a loop course laid out near her home in Gilbert, Arizona, or on a treadmill indoors. Since then, it's been "rinse and repeat" every day for the South Africa native, who lost her left leg below the knee to a rare cancer and runs on a carbon-fiber prosthesis.

Her original goal was to run 100 marathons in 100 days so she would beat the record of 95 set in 2020 by Alyssa Amos Clark, a nondisabled runner from Bennington, Vermont, who took it on as a pandemic coping strategy. But earlier this month, after nondisabled British runner Kate Jayden unofficially broke Clark's record with 101 marathons in 101 days, Hunt-Broersma realized she would need to run at least 102.

On foot, day in and day out, she has covered 2,672 miles -- the equivalent of running from her Phoenix suburb to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, or from New York City to Mexico City.

Along the way, Hunt-Broersma gained a huge social media following and raised nearly $27,000 to help fellow amputee blade runners get the expensive prostheses they need. Health insurance typically doesn't cover the cost, which can exceed $10,000.

Hunt-Broersma, who ran her 92nd at this month's Boston Marathon, hopes her quest will inspire people everywhere to push themselves to do hard things.

What's next for the endurance athlete? A 240-mile ultrarace to be staged over mountainous terrain in October in Moab, Utah.

Multiple U.S. record holder Molly Huddle and partner Kurt Benninger welcome their first baby

On April 26, Olympian and American-record holder Molly Huddle and her husband, Kurt Benninger (who is Canadian), welcomed the birth of their first child, Josephine Valerie Benninger. The couple met during their undergrad years at Notre Dame University in Indiana. 

Huddle’s pregnancy was extremely well documented. Returning to elite competition after pregnancy remains poorly understood, and Huddle wanted to do her part by giving other women a peek behind the curtain. Huddle posted weekly updates to her Instagram, letting her followers know what she’d done for training and how it made her feel.

“Week 31: A lot of track and treadmill. It’s easier to stay flat and I can keep a water bottle nearby. Modifications are the name of the game at this stage. Made some adjustments to the core routine to avoid “the doming” happening on exercises that were fine only a few weeks ago,” she writes. 

Beyond keeping followers up to date with her training, Huddle also provided tips and outlines things that, in retrospect, she wishes she’d done differently. 

This year, Huddle, along with NCAA champion Sara Slattery, co-wrote their first book, How She Did It. The two women wanted to outline their paths from high school to becoming NCAA champions, to Olympic start lines.

Beyond detailing their own stories, they compiled advice from more than 50 female runners, to help demystify the process for the next generation. The book features runners as diverse as Joan Benoit Samuelson and Raevyn Rogers, and shares their insights on the sometimes winding route to success.

Huddle and Benninger relocated from Phoenix, Ariz. to Providence, R.I. in 2021. 

Five things you wish you had known before your first race

If you are preparing to tackle your first road race. Whether it’s a 5K or 42.2K (or something in between), we are here to help you out with what you wish you had known before your first race.

Here’s what fellow first-time racers had to say:

1.- “Have fun!”

Having fun is the most important thing all runners should remember to do going into their first race. There’s no need to put any pressure on yourself; have fun with the race, and take in the entire experience. Enjoy the music, the crowds and the general fun aura that builds around races. 

2.- “Rest up in days prior”

It’s important to make sure you’re well-rested three to five days before the race, as the excitement may prevent you from having a good sleep the night before. Don’t partake in any strenuous activity you normally wouldn’t do the day before your race. Another thing one runner recommends is not to drink too much the night before. One or two drinks won’t hurt you, but any more than that are likely to impact your performance. 

3.- “Don’t go out too fast”

It’s obvious that you’ll feel best at the beginning of the race. But with all the emotion of the start, it’s tempting to sprint off. But if you do this, you’ll pay the price later when you run out of gas.

4.- “Don’t try anything new on race day”

Avoid eating anything you wouldn’t normally eat before going for a run. That applies to anything, not just food–including shoes and clothing. It’s better to go with things your body has been comfortable with during training.

5.- “Go to the bathroom before the start”

Even if you feel like you don’t have to go, GO. We cannot stress enough that there is no worse feeling than having to halt your run for a porta-potty stop. If you go before the start, you can (hopefully) avoid needing to go again mid-race. Avoid lineups by going 15 to 30 minutes before the start of the race. 

How to dress for spring running, if anything is certain, it's the uncertainty of spring weather

If anything is certain in the spring, it’s the uncertainty of the weather. Cold, windy mornings can give way to sunny, warm afternoons. It’s often cold enough to make rain especially miserable, and in many places, snow remains a serious possibility until late spring.

It’s easy to remain either underdressed or uncomfortably warm from wearing too much clothing. The following tips will help you make the best choices for what to wear on your springtime runs.

Create your own ‘feels like’ temperature

Your body produces a lot of heat when you run, so add about 10 degrees to the ‘feels like’ temperature of the weather report. For example, if the weather says it’s 12 C outside, but feels like 8 C, you can assume that once you’re warmed up, it’ll feel more like 18 C, so plan to be comfortable at this temperature. If it’s raining, only add about five degrees to the forecasted feels-like temperature.

Of course, some people are much more sensitive to the cold, so understanding how your body reacts to various temperatures is important.

Layers still apply

You may think that the days of layering are over when the spring arrives, but don’t be too hasty. No matter how seasoned you are with spring running, you’ll still likely over or underdress some of the time. If you decide to wear a T-shirt but the weather’s dicey, tie a jacket around your waist in case you’re not warm enough. You can always take it off again if you get too warm.

Get a windbreaker

As we’re making the transition from winter to summer, the winds in many parts of the country can get pretty gusty and can make what should be a warm day feel a lot cooler. A lightweight windbreaker will help you control your body temperature, and if you get one that’s waterproof, you can also prevent those spring showers from soaking you to the bone.

Try some half-tights

Too cold for shorts but too warm for tights? Half tights or capris are the answer.

Get a hat

Nothing’s worse than going for a run and having the rain pelt you in the eyeballs the entire time. A ball cap will keep the rain off your face so you can actually see where you’re going. (Glasses-wearers especially appreciate a ball cap when it’s raining.)

Double down on the shoes

Having more than one pair of shoes is a good idea regardless of the season, because it can prolong the life of your shoes. In the spring, having a second pair serves a double purpose, because if your shoes get soaked or muddy one day, you have a dry pair to wear the next day while they’re drying. If getting two pairs of shoes isn’t an option for financial reasons, remove the insoles and stick them in a sunny area of your house (or better yet, outside in the sun) to dry more quickly.

French steeplechaser Claude-Boxberger receives four-year ban for positive EPO test

French steeplechaser Ophélie Claude-Boxberger, who tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO in 2019, has had her doping suspension extended to four years, according to France’s highest administrative court, le Conseil d’Etat.

Claude-Boxberger initially received a two-year suspension, but both she and the country’s anti-doping agency appealed the initial decision. Claude-Boxberger denied wrongdoing, while the French anti-doping agency believed the two-year ban was too lenient and requested an eight-year ban.

Claude-Boxberger tested positive for EPO during an out-of-competition test carried out on Sept. 28, 2019, before the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar in October. Afterward, she revealed that she was romantically involved with the French team doctor, Jean-Michel Serra.

Claude-Boxberger is a five-time national champion in the 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase and is the fourth fastest French steeplechaser in history, with a personal best of 9:35.56. She represented France at several European Championships and the 2019 World Championships, where she was eliminated in the heats of the 3,000m steeplechase.

She was suspended for two years in March 2021, retroactive to her positive test in 2019; she was allowed to compete until the latest decision. The current ban will run until April 2024, which means she will likely be able to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris.

Sir Mo Farah will be targeting his eight victory at the Vitality London 10,000 as his first race back since picking up an injury last year

More than 16,500 people will take part in the Vitality London 10,000 on Bank Holiday Monday May 2, headed by elite races that will see Sir Mo Farah returning to racing for the first time since June 2021 and the event debut of in-form Eilish McColgan, who could threaten Paula Radcliffe’s 19-year-old British and European 10K record.

Sir Mo is the most successful athlete in the history of the Vitality London 10,000, with seven victories to his name, and the multiple world and Olympic champion will use this year’s event as his first race back since picking up an injury last year while trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The 39-year-old will face his long-time friend and adversary Chris Thompson, as well as Phil Sesemann, the first British finisher at last year’s London Marathon. Andy Butchart, however, has had to withdraw from the race.

McColgan comes into the elite women’s race in red-hot form having smashed the British 5K record in Malaga, Spain, last Sunday (April 24). The Scottish star is already the owner of the women’s only British 10K record (30:52), which she set at the Great Manchester Run last year.

Only two British women have ever run faster over 10K than McColgan: Radcliffe, whose European and British record stands at 30:21, and McColgan’s mum, Liz Nuttall (formerly McColgan) who is the Scottish record holder with her personal best of 30:39 set in Orlando in 1989.

McColgan said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my 2022 season than to set a new British 5K record in my first race. Now I’m really looking forward to coming back to the UK and running the Vitality London 10,000 and seeing what shape I am in over 10K.”

Joining McColgan in the elite women’s field is two-time Vitality London 10,000 champion Steph Twell and Jess Piasecki, the sixth fastest British woman of all time over 10K. Charlotte Purdue, who was ninth at The Boston Marathon earlier this month and was due to race, has had to withdraw due to illness.

A record 18 wheelchair athletes will take part this year, with the field led by Paralympic stars David Weir and Shelly Woods.

There will be 10 start waves at the Vitality London 10,000, including a Run for Ukraine wave, where the 2,000 entrants are encouraged to wearing blue and yellow and fundraise for the Ukraine relief effort. One hundred per cent of the discounted £15 entry fees for this wave will be donated by organisers London Marathon Events to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Anthony Seddon, 40, from Brighton, is one of those who will be joining the Run for Ukraine wave, as part of a 1,569-mile fundraising challenge to raise money for a cause that means so much to him.

Anthony’s wife Anna is Ukrainian and he is running 10 kilometres for as long as it takes to complete 1,569 miles – the distance between the football grounds of Brighton and Hove Albion, the club he supports, and Anna’s favourite football team in her home town of Dnipro.

Anna’s mother has fled Ukraine to live with the couple in Brighton, but the remainder of her family remain in the war-torn country.

Anthony said: “Anna has many friends and family still in Dnipro, some unable to leave but most wanting to stay in their homes.

I met Anna while watching England play football at the Euro 2012 tournament. As it was football that brought us together, I have committed to run those 1,569 miles, the distance from Brighton’s Amex Stadium to the Dnipro Arena by way of running events like the Vitality London 10,000 and other half and full marathons until I complete the distance.

“Between our fundraising page and money donated by friends and family beforehand we have managed to send more than £16,000 of aid so far and we hope we can send so much more. Every penny we raise is spent solely on medical aid.”

After a successful first edition in 2019, the Celebrate You wave returns to this year’s Vitality London 10,000 to promote the mental health benefits that regular exercise delivers.

The wave of 1,000 participants will be led by Celebrate You co-founder, journalist and author Bryony Gordon who will be running her 10th consecutive 10K as part of her ‘10 days of 10Ks’ challenge to promote the importance of activity for mental health and the peer support group Mental Health Mates that she founded in 2016.

Also running in the Celebrate You wave are theatre star Carrie Hope Fletcher, body positivity influencers and models Shareefa J and Jade Seabrook and Helen Thorn, one half of the comedy duo Scummy Mummies.

The Vitality Westminster Mile, staged in partnership with Westminster City Council, takes place on Sunday 1 May, with thousands of participants taking on a series of mile events throughout the day from 10:00 to 14:30.

Among the 15 waves on the day are the #RunforRuth wave for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, led by Sir Andrew Strauss, and a Special Olympics GB Unified Mile. There are also nine family waves, a parkrun wave and a junior wheelchair athletes wave. Parents or guardians have been able to register children under-12 for free.

The free Vitality Wellness Festival takes place in Green Park on both days, featuring exciting free activities for children on the Sunday and the chance to run on the Vitality Tumbleator, a giant treadmill, on both days.

The events share one of the most stunning Start and Finish Lines in sport, with The Mall providing the setting for an iconic start and Buckingham Palace as the backdrop for a stunning finish.

The Vitality London 10,000 will be broadcast live on BBC Sport Online, iPlayer and Red Button, as well as the Vitality London 10,000 Facebook page, from 09:45 to 11:45.

What not to do after a long run

Sometimes, you actually have to do the wrong things to know what doesn’t work for you. To confirm it’s not just a thing people say to not do, but a thing people say for a reason. For me as a runner, this means knowing what works (and what doesn’t) the afternoon after a marathon training long run.

Sadly, this post could alternatively be called: ‘A list of things I’ve done after long runs and later come to regret.’

What Not To Do After A Marathon Training Long Run

I do more of these things than I should admit.

Consider this post a case of do as I say, not as I do.

Be A Couch Potato

It will be tempting to do nothing after a long run. After all, you’ll be tired and you’ve earned some rest, right?

Not so fast!

If you sit on the couch and don’t move, your muscles will tighten up.

You will really regret it when you have to move again.

After your run

Stretch and cool down properly.

Keep moving through the day so your muscles stay loose.

Foam roll or use The Stick later in the afternoon.

Take a walk around the neighborhood or an easy bike ride the afternoon after a long run. Nothing too strenuous, but keep your body and your muscles moving, at least a little.

Not Refuel or Rehydrate

I’m often not very hungry when I finish running. By the time I finish stretching and cooling-down, I’ll often forget to eat.

This is bad.

After your run, your body will be depleted. Even if you’ve fueled well on the run, your body’s stores of carbs, glycogen, protein, and water will all be running low.

In order to rebuild the muscles that you’ve broken down on your run, refuel.

After your run

Eat something with a carb to protein ratio of 3:1 (think peanut butter toast) within 20 minutes of finishing.

Eat a full meal within 3-4 hours.

Drink water all day.

Stay in Running Clothes

My apologies for TMI, but I am a super sweaty runner. I could run 100 yards in near freezing temps and I’d likely break a sweat. Can you imagine what I look like after a long run?

I’m often far from home for my long runs, or running with a group where we may socialize or brunch after we’re done running.

All that to say, I often find myself staying in my running clothes way longer than I should.

It can be very bad to stay in sweaty running clothes when you’re done running. It creates all kinds of bacteria and fungus issues.

Staying in damp clothes can also make body temperature issues worse. After a long run, how can I be freezing and roasting at the same time? I have no idea, but staying in damp running clothes doesn’t help.

After your run

If you are at home, get out of running clothes and shower ASAP.

If you are out and about, do a wet wipe shower and change into dry clothes in your car or a nearby bathroom

Ignoring Rest And Recovery

This one has never been a problem for me personally, but I know some people struggle with it: after a marathon training long run, you need to let your body recover.

The day after a long run should be a rest day or an easy run/active recovery day. Don’t do an intense or difficult workout the day after a long run.

Leave the track work and speed work for a few days after a long run.

Rocket Science Or Brain Surgery

OK, not those things exactly, but anything requiring brain power.

Runner’s Brain is a very real thing. The glycogen that fuels your body also fuels your brain. As you run (and your glycogen is depleted) your brain may get a little fuzzy.

I can usually feel myself starting to get stupider around mile 14.

After your run, your brain may stay a little fuzzy while your body refuels.

After your run

Don’t make any important decision, or anything requiring major brainpower, the afternoon after a long run.

Refuel (but you are already doing that from above, right?)

Be easy on yourself and arrange your day (and your to-do list) accordingly.

Have That Important Conversation

Related to not doing brain surgery, don’t do anything that requires (or potentially requires) emotional control or restraint.

Again, you’ll be emotionally and physically exhausted. When that happens, it can be hard to control your emotions.

You don’t want to have to apologize for something you said to your spouse while exhausted after a long run.

After your run

Make sure your family/loved ones know what to expect.

Try to notice if or when you are losing your patience or temper. This is good advice for always, but especially on long run days, when you’ll have a (much?) shorter trigger.

Don’t Give In To Cravings

Marathon Training long run days can be a dangerous one-two punch:

You’ll be tired, so your brain may crave fatty, high-calorie foods (even more so than usual); and

You’ll have done a really hard workout, so you may be more inclined to treat yourself.

There is even a name for this: hedonic compensation. Rewarding yourself for doing something virtuous.

I can’t in good conscience advise you to not treat yourself.

I know the ‘right’ fitness advice is to not use food as a reward for fitness accomplishments, but I know, after years of trial and error, it is one of the few rewards that consistently works for me, so I do it.

Rare is my long run that isn’t rewarded by pizza, a can of coke, and/or a cupcake.

That’s right, I said ‘and.’

I’m not ashamed.

After your run

Don’t use food as a reward for fitness accomplishments (sorry, I still had to include it. It’s good advice, even if I don’t follow it myself).

If you are going to reward yourself with food, plan it out in advance. Don’t buy a dozen cupcakes and tell yourself you’ll only have one after the run. One will lead to two, which will lead to three (not that I know that from first-hand experience or anything).

Reigning world champions Muktar Edris and Hellen Obiri headline World 10K Bengaluru 2022

After a three-year hiatus enforced by the pandemic, with the last edition of the World Athletics Elite Label Race taking place in 2019, race promoters Procam International have pulled out the stops to bring the very best athletes in the world to India’s technology capital.

Edris, from Ethiopia, is the two-time defending world champion over 5000m on the track and will be using the Bengaluru race as part of his preparations to become just the second man to win three consecutive titles in the event at this summer’s World Athletics Championships in Eugene, USA.

He is no stranger to India having made his half marathon debut in the 2020 Delhi Half Marathon, where he finished fourth in the stunning time of 59:04.

His arrival in Bengaluru fulfils a promise he made after that run. “And when I come back to India, I will certainly be aiming to win and make a bigger impression,” said Edris in November 2020.

Edris will have some strong competition if he is to fulfil his ambition.

Also announced for this year’s TCS World 10K is the former holder of the world half marathon record Kibiwott Kandie, from Kenya, who has a 10km personal best of 26;51 from last year, almost a minute faster than the course record in Bengaluru.

Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku, who is still only 20, is another man with a 10km best inside 27 minutes, having run 26:56 last September just a few months after he won the world U20 3000m title on the track.

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Obiri will be making her Indian racing debut next month.

Like Edris, she has also won the 5000m at the last two editions of the World Athletics Championships and took silver medals over the same distance at the last two Olympic Games in Rio and Tokyo.

Into the bargain, Obiri can also claim two other world titles to her name after having won the world indoor 3000m crown back in 2012 and, more recently, she was the 2019 world cross country champion.

Both Edris and Obiri will have the TCS World 10K course records as their targets on 15th May.

Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor ran the men’s record of 27:44 in 2014 while the late Agnes Tirop, also from Kenya, set the women’s course record of 31:19 in 2018. Tirop also won the TCS World 10K in 2019.

Joyce Tele comes to Bengaluru having won the Agnes Tirop Cross Country Classic in February – a memorial race in her honour after her tragic death in October 2021 shocked the world – and has produced some outstanding half marathon times since the start of 2021. Tele ran a personal best of 1:05:50 to finish second in the Berlin Half Marathon earlier this month.

A third Kenyan to watch out for in the women’s race will be the 2017 world cross country champion Irene Cheptai, who also triumphed at the 2017 TCS World 10K a few months later.

Cheptai has been in good form recently with two strong second-place finishes in the prestigious New York and Prague half marathons in the last six weeks.

The TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2022 has a total prize fund of US$210,000, with the men’s and women’s winners taking home US$26,000. “It’s a true pleasure to be able to bring some of the world’s leading distance running stars to Bengaluru. The pandemic has meant this race has not happened since 2019 but we were always determined that, when conditions allowed, we would once again stage world-class races for elite runners and amateurs,” commented Vivek Singh, joint managing director of race promoters Procam International.

“Our commitment to getting India running again and helping people pursue a healthy lifestyle has never wavered and now we are back with a bang in Bengaluru,” he added.

In addition to the TCS World 10K for elite runners, there is an Open 10K, the Majja Run (5km) the Senior Citizens’ Race and the Champions with Disability Race (both 4.2km).

The Open 10K and the Majja Run can also be participated in virtual run. See the event website https://tcsworld10k.procam.in/ for details.

Five tips for muddy trails, as the snow melts and the trails thaw out, here are some ways to make muddy running fun

As the snow melts and the trails thaw out, sunshine, cool temps, birds twittering in the trees–what could be better than spring trail running?

Spring brings muddy, wet trails, with puddles and water flowing on the downhills. It can slow you down, affect your footing, comfort and (obviously) cleanliness. Mud’s a part of trail running, though, and with a few tips, you can make it fun.

1.- Choose the right shoes

For muddy runs, use your shoes with the deepest lugs on the outsole. Lace up tight, in case you end up fighting the suction power of deep mud. (And by the way, don’t wear white socks.)

2.- Shorten your stride

Take short, quick steps to prevent slipping. Pay attention to your shoulders, don’t slump or arch your back, and relax your body. All of this will help you be more aware of your surroundings. It will also be easier to recover your balance if you do slip, in which case you should slide with it until you slow down before correcting your direction of travel.

3.- Read the ground ahead

Trails on south-facing hills or in the sun dry out more quickly. The same goes for higher, more exposed trails, or rocky ground. Your favourite midsummer trail may be a mud pit. Once out on the trail, keep your eye on the terrain ahead and anticipate how it will affect your footing.

4.- Embrace the mud

Well, not literally, but don’t avoid every puddle or a muddy section, which widens trails–a significant problem in trail maintenance everywhere. You won’t be setting any PBs, so just slow down and enjoy the kid-like fun of splashing in puddles.

5.- Après-mud basics

You will be quite, well, muddy, so bring a towel to wipe off before you get in the car, fresh socks and a place where you can put your muddy shoes. Dirty shoes wear out faster than clean ones, so hose down your shoes when you get home, or clean them in a bucket before you use them again.

Boston Marathon's unique running history honored with World Athletics Heritage Plaque

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), which organizes the B.A.A. Boston Marathon (1897), the world’s oldest annual marathon, officially unveiled the World Athletics Heritage Plaque awarded to the race in 2019.

The World Athletics Heritage Plaque is a location-based recognition, awarded for 'an outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track and field athletics and of out-of-stadia athletics disciplines such as cross country, mountain, road, trail and ultra-running, and race walking'.

The official presentation of the plaque by World Athletics Heritage, which had been on hold due to the pandemic, took place in the race museum at B.A.A.’s HQ on Dartmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts, where the plaque will be permanently displayed, and is adjacent to the finish line of the race.

The plaque was unveiled by Thomas S. Grilk, B.A.A. President & Chief Executive Officer, and World Athletics Heritage Director Chris Turner, in the company of Jack Fleming, B.A.A. Chief Operating Officer, and fellow colleagues from the B.A.A. organization.

The tough one

Boston’s notoriously demanding course, with its final incline ‘Heartbreak Hill’ 20 miles into the race that has gone down in marathon folklore, has floored many a world beater.

Amby Burfoot, the 1968 Boston Marathon champion, confirmed on Boston.com that the challenge is also “the downhill from the top of Heartbreak Hill to Cleveland Circle. This is called ‘Cemetery Mile’ for two good reasons: Evergreen Cemetery to the runners’ right, and the way the steep downhill deadens the legs, specifically the quadriceps muscles.”

Notably, despite the stature of the race, only five Olympic champions have ever managed to win in Boston.

Four women, firstly two-time Boston victor Joan Benoit (1979, 1983), who won the 1984 Olympic title in Los Angeles, and two three-time winners in Ethiopia's Fatuma Roba (1997, 1998, 1999), the Atlanta 1996 champion; Portugal's Rosa Mota (1987, 1988, 1990), who took the Olympic title in Seoul in 1988; and Kenya's 2022 Boston winner Peres Jepchirchir, who was the Olympic victor in Tokyo.

The sole male runner so far to accomplish the rare double is Italian Gelindo Bordin (1990), the Seoul 1988 Olympic champion, who took first place in Boston two years later.

The ‘American Marathon’

The racing singlets, running shoes, medals and trophies and hundreds of pieces of historic memorabilia in the B.A.A.'s museum pay tribute to the city’s famous marathon, which was inspired by and founded a year after the running of the inaugural Olympic marathon at the 1896 Games in Athens.

The B.A.A. itself had been established 10 years before. It was one of the association’s members, John Graham, who, as USA team manager at those 1896 Games witnessed the marathon race, proposed creating a similar long distance race in Boston.

The race, originally called the American Marathon, has an annual Monday date which makes it unique among elite international marathons. The Boston Marathon has always been held on the holiday commemorating “Patriots’ Day”, which since 1969 has become officially recognized as the third Monday in April.

The B.A.A., which has a mission to promote a healthy lifestyle, especially through running, has its HQ and museum virtually located at the finish line of the marathon.

Running treasure trove

The plaque, which is mounted on a wall in its own showcase in the museum, has joined a verifiable treasure trove of distance running artefacts associated with the race’s storied history.

The B.A.A.’s collection of memorabilia and its archive is always growing. In fact, they recently received a gift of a rare finisher medallion from the 1903 Boston Marathon. The competition bib number of last week’s Boston winner Jepchirchir is the very latest acquisition.

The perpetual Champions’ Trophy, which the winners receive immediately following the Boston Marathon, and the second place award (mounted plaque) from the first B.A.A. Boston Marathon in 1897 are standout exhibits.

Poignantly, the 2013 champion's medallion won by men’s victor Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia was gifted back to the City of Boston in the summer of 2013, shortly after the notorious bombings which occurred on marathon day that year.

The collection, which contains hundreds of artefacts and thousands of images, has recently been renamed as the Gloria G. Ratti Collection in posthumous recognition of their long-time archivist and historian. Ratti was a B.A.A. Vice President on the Board of Governors.

How to talk running with non-runners, runners are a unique breed, and sometimes ordinary people just don't understand

We’ve all been at a party or family gathering where someone says “oh so and so said you’re a runner […] do you do marathons?” Runners are a unique breed, and ordinary people don’t understand why you are putting in eight hours of run-specific training weekly for a 5K fun run three months away. 

Whenever I tell someone I run, their first question is “oh, how many marathons have you done?” And then I disappoint them with the number “zero” and reply, “I run track.” They instantly feel the need to tell me all about how they came fifth in the 200m in Grade 5. 

People who don’t run (or follow the sport) don’t understand, nor generally have any interest. It would be like someone with a passion for stamp collecting trying to talk to me about perforations and cancellations. It could be the bee’s knees for them, but outside of the “what’s your favorite stamp?” question, I am stumped.

Next time you are around a group of non-runners, here are a few conversation tips to keep them engaged.

1. Dumb everything down to 5K references

Most people have either walked or run a 5K. It’s a distance people can understand and imagine running (even if they haven’t). Questions like: “Have you ever done any races?” are easy conversation starters when chatting with people who you’re not sure are runners.

2. Avoid chatting about your mileage

Regular people don’t understand (or will think you are a lunatic) if you start chatting about how you run 10K every day, so avoid chatting about mileage. The conversation will go nowhere, and will be mystified as to why you torture yourself by running 70+ kilometers a week. They’re likely to respond, “I don’t even drive 80 km a week in my car.” Fair enough.

3. Weather is a hot topic

Even if they don’t run, bringing up the subject of  “trying to exercise in bad weather” is something everyone can relate to. (Running in the snow isn’t as bad as trying to play some other sports in the snow. Like golf.)

4. Compare your training to common relatable things

No one will understand your fartlek runs, but you can help them understand by comparing them to something relatable, like learning a new language or playing an instrument. “Fartlek training is like rapid-fire on Duolingo when learning Italian, then taking a short break and repeating.” 

5. Be sympathetic and positive

If they told you they ran 5K once, don’t trash their time or ask them why they quit running. Be sympathetic.  Ask them what they enjoyed about training. Positivity can go a long way toward inspiring a non-runner to get back out there or to chase another goal. 

Kenyan Maurine Chepkemoi runs Enschede Marathon record

The 75th anniversary of the oldest marathon in the Netherlands – the Enschede Marathon – was marked with a women’s race record of 2:21:10 by Maurine Chepkemoi, while her fellow Kenyan Julius Tuwei won the men’s race in 2:07:43.

Chepkemoi triumphed in the World Athletics Elite Label road race ahead of her compatriot Philomena Cheyech (2:23:53) and Ethiopia’s Bezabeh Alemtsehay (2:24:42), while Tuwei gained his title ahead of Kenya’s Enock Onchari (2:07:52) and Ethiopia’s Deme Tadu Abate (2:07:59).

After passing half way in 1:10:06, Chepkemoi broke away with Cheyech and they clocked 1:39:19 at the 30km point. After passing 35km in 1:56:01, Chepkemoi began to edge ahead and built a lead of more than a minute over the next 5km, clocking 2:13:24 at 40km. She went on to win in 2:21:10, claiming victory by more than two and a half minutes.

In the men’s race, Tuwei was joined by Onchari and Abate in a lead group that passed half way in 1:03:23. That trio remained together through 35km in 1:45:39 and 40km in 2:01:08 before Tuwei kicked to victory, winning by nine seconds in 2:07:43.

Munyao and Omare triumph at Gifu Half Marathon

Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao set a men’s course record and Dolphine Nyaboke Omare claimed a clear women’s race win at the Gifu Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, in Japan on Sunday (24).

In a close finish, Munyao clocked 59:56 to win by just seconds ahead of his compatriot Benard Kibet (59:57) and Emmanuel Moi Maru (59:58).

Omare, meanwhile, ran 1:08:13 to win by 47 seconds ahead of Australia’s Sinead Diver, whose 1:09:00 is a world W45 record. Japan’s Haruka Yamaguchi was third in 1:09:50.

In the men’s race, five athletes ­– Munyao, Kibet, Maru, Joseph Karanja and Charles Karanja Kamau – remained together through 15km, which was passed in 42:52. By 20km, reached in 56:51, it was down to just Munyao, Kibet and Maru.

From there, Munyao kicked to victory to lead his compatriots under the course record of 1:00:02 set by Bedan Karoki in 2014 and the one-hour mark.

Karanja was fourth in 1:00:12 and Kamau fifth, 10 seconds behind him.

Omare had built a 31-second lead by 10km in the women’s race, passed in 32:20. Diver was just ahead of the chase group by that point, with her compatriot Eloise Wellings four seconds back from her.

Omare reached 15km in 48:46 and 20km in 1:04:40 before crossing the finish in 1:08:13. Behind Diver and Yamaguchi, Wellings was fourth in 1:10:42, one second ahead of Japan’s Reia Iwade.

Experts nutrition tips for runners

If you are a runner, food acts as fuel and it plays a critical role in determining your performance and energy levels. Whether you prefer short jogging distances or you are a marathon runner, you must know the right type of food to consume, and when to eat it, in order to improve your overall performance. Check out these expert nutrition tips for avid runners.

Understand Nutrition Basics

When you run, your body will burn more calories, and you will need to replace them. If you are an avid runner, make sure your diet has these three macronutrients; – carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy in the body, and they are broken down into sugar glucose. 

Fat stored in your body provides fuel when you run long distances. Protein helps your body rebuild muscles, prevents injury, repairs tissues, and facilitates the production of red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen. You can consult your nutritionist about the specific foods items to include in your diet to ensure a constant supply of these nutrients.

Use Supplements

In addition to a balanced diet, you can also include supplements to improve your performance. Experienced nutritionists at https://kimuraathletic.com/ explain that among all supplements available, creatine is the most popular and science-backed nutrient that can play a pivotal role in helping you achieve your fitness and athletic goals. This supplement has no match, and it is safe to use. However, before you start looking into taking supplements, ensure you consult your physician.  

Micronutrients

You need a diet rich in micronutrients since exercises like running are strenuous to the body. Some of the critical nutrients to include in your diet are as follows. 

Calcium – is responsible for muscle contraction and bone health. It is mainly obtained from leafy greens and dairy products.

Vitamin D – is ideal for bone health, and it comes from the sun and other sources.

Iron – is vital for the development of red blood cells. 

Antioxidants – reduce cell damage and come from foods like fruits, nuts, vegetables, and seeds.

Maintaining a diet consisting of whole foods will help you get sufficient micronutrients. 

Timing

The timing of your diet depends on factors like the distance you want to cover, body tolerance, goals, and experience. If you intend to run for fewer than 60 minutes, you can exercise without eating or you may need a carbohydrate-rich snack. For a session that is more than 60 minutes, you will need a small meal rich in carbohydrates. 

For marathon distances, you will need a strong meal rich in carbohydrates. You can include yams, potatoes, multigrain bread, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice. During your run, you can consume micronutrients rich in carbohydrates. After the race, you can prepare a meal consisting of basic nutrients.

If you are an ardent runner, you must know the right nutrition to include in your diet to improve your overall performance. Food acts as fuel and it gives the body energy that will sustain you when you run long distances. Your basic diet should include carbohydrates, protein, fat, as well as micronutrients. You should also be cognizant of the most appropriate times to consume the different types of food before hitting the road.

The Best Stretches Before and After You Run a Race

Stretching before running is almost a universally known rule, probably because it’s drilled into us at school from a young age. We are taught that if you don’t stretch you’ll probably pull a muscle and end up injured.

We completely agree that stretching is important, but you might be surprised to know that the type of stretching taught in schools is known as static stretching, and can actually hinder your running performance.

Because of this some people question whether or not stretching is required before a race, and it’s actually a commonly debated topic.

For one perspective, check out this video by Expert Village for their view on why and how to stretch before and after a run.

So what’s this dynamic versus static stretching all about?

Basically, the stretching technique you engage will determine if your muscles become dynamic and activated (ready for a run), or static and relaxed (when you want to cool down).

The last thing that you want to do before running, or any form of strenuous exercise, is to tell your muscles to relax. You want your muscles to become activated, warmed up, and prepped for activity.

A pre-running Static Stretching Study carried out by researchers in Brazil and summarized by Runner’s World concluded that “static stretching results in “a reduced capacity of the skeletal muscle to produce explosive force” which translates into a slower starting speed during the race.

Basically, runners that stretched using static methods beforehand performed worse in the beginning of the run in comparison to those who used dynamic stretching techniques.

So now we know why dynamic stretching is better for you, but what does it involve?

Here are the main points from Expert Village.

How to Stretch BEFORE a Run

Dynamic stretches basically involve moving through a full range of motion but in an active movement.

The first example provided by Expert Village is the Straight Leg March, where you move through a full leg motion kicking you toes up towards the ceiling. Your leg during this kick is to be as straight as it can.

This will elongate the back of the thigh muscle, stretching it but keeping it activated.

The other major muscle in your thigh to be targeted is the ones at the front known as the quadriceps (or the quads).

This can be done by doing a Walking Quad Stretch, which is lifting your foot towards your buttocks while keeping your knees side by side.

You alternate legs by taking releasing your foot, taking a step forward (being active) and then raising the other leg.

Living Strong recommends stretching all the major muscle groups that’s are used in running, so this means the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals, and hip flexors while incorporating other movements that warm up the abdominal, back and calf muscles.

How to Stretch AFTER a Run

Stretching after a run is important, particularly if you feel any tightness or pain as the movements will help to relax your tired muscles.

This is where static stretching comes in, whereby you hold the stretch for a longer period of time and often repeat the stretch.

Static stretching is key in maintaining the flexibility of the muscle and releasing the tightness often experienced by pounding the pavement.

Exercises recommended by Expert Village include the Straight Leg Hamstring Stretch, where you sit on the floor with one leg elongate, using your hips and not allowing your back to curve, you then bend your chest over your leg to stretch your hamstring. 

You’ll probably see a lot of people doing these stretches before a big race, but as we mentioned previously, that’s big no no.

For relaxing your quad muscles, try lying on the floor on your side, then lifting your foot to your buttocks whilst keeping your knees aligned. This is similar to the Walking Quad Stretch, just on the floor, and the stretch is held for a period of time.

Jordon Trof defens his title at Big Sur Marathon

Six days after running a career-best for a marathon in Boston, 21 days after surviving a 150-mile ultra-marathon in the Sahara Desert, Jordan Tropf treated himself to a trip to the California coast.

A mini-vacation with his wife, though, would not be complete without a little competition – or in this case, returning to defend his Big Sur International Marathon title.

“I’m just happy my schedule allowed me to get back out here and feel the energy of this crowd,” said Tropf, an orthopedic surgeon at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center just outside Washington DC.

Still, on an adrenaline rush from clocking a career-best last Monday in Boston, Tropf went out and fed off the crowd down the stretch Sunday to comfortably win the 26-mile, 385-yard Big Sur Marathon in two hours, 26 minutes and 51 seconds.

The time was a record for an individual who ran both Boston and Big Sur one week apart. Tropf ran the Boston Marathon in 2:24.42. The overall meet record for Big Sur was set in 1987 by Brad Hawthorne, who ran 2:16:39.

“I’ll take it,” said the 30-year-old Tropf, who lives in Silver Spring, Maryland and is taking his wife to Yosemite Monday for hiking and sightseeing. “That is so cool.”

Anne Flower made her Big Sur debut memorable, jumping out in front early in capturing the women’s division in 2:49.49 – the only woman to break three hours.

Tropf is building a resume worth nothing, defending his title from 2019 – the last time the Big Sur Marathon was held before the pandemic shut it down the past two years.

Tropf has challenged himself over the past year in his training with 3:30 a.m. runs while becoming a surgeon.

Last year he entered the Guinness Book of World Records after running marathons in Baltimore, Chicago and Boston in three straight days, averaging 2:30 per marathon.

“My fitness is off the charts,” Tropf said. “But with all the miles I’ve logged of late, I was able to keep it together over the final 6 miles.”

The Naval Academy graduate Tropf asserted himself from the start, taking the lead early.

“I tried to keep him close,” said five-time winner Adam Roach of Pacific Grove, who took third. “He was going too fast for my pace in the first mile. I hoped I might be able to reel him in.”

Instead, Tropf set a blistering pace that he maintained over the hilly and at times windy course, averaging 5:36 per mile.

“I just went out early and took the lead,” Tropf said. “I felt good. With how my spring is going, all marathons are different.”

This was Tropf’s seventh marathon of the year, along with his 150-mile, six-stage run through the African desert four weeks ago.

Fast times at the Meta Time Trials in Malaga

Eilish McColgan has set a UK 5km record of 14:45 at the ASICS META:TIME:TRIALS in Malaga.

She bettered her own 5km mark of 14:48 from the UAE back in February and Paula Radcliffe’s 14:51, set at Hyde Park in 2003, while McColgan is also close behind Sifan Hassan’s European 5km record of 14:44.

Fast times were the target and many were achieved at Sunday's META: TIME : TRIALS by ASICS, a World Athletics Label event in Malaga, with Ethiopia’s Tsegay Kidanu quickest in the men’s 10km with 27:14 and Britain’s Eilish McColgan among the national record-breakers in the 5km.

The event was specially organised to showcase the new METASPEED™+ Series footwear and McColgan, the 2018 European 5000m silver medallist, was among the athletes to go quicker than ever before. She led the women’s 5km in 14:45 to improve the official British record and finish ahead of Kenya’s Naomi Chepngeno with 14:57.

In the men’s race, Olympic finalist Mohamed Katir ran 13:20 to miss Jimmy Gressier’s European record by just two seconds. Felix Bour of France was second in 13:41.

Kidanu impressed on his 10km road race debut, running 27:14 after passing half way in 13:42. That saw the 2019 world U20 cross country fifth-place finisher win by nine seconds ahead of Kenya’s Boniface Kibiwott with 27:23.

Kenya’s Vicoty Chepngeno, winner of the Houston Half Marathon in January, was this time racing over 10km and claimed top spot in 31:39, 16 seconds ahead of Sweden’s Sarah Lahti with 31:55.

Three athletes dipped under the hour in the men’s half marathon, led by Morocco’s Olympic marathon 11th place finisher Mohamed Reda El Aaraby with 59:54.

That saw him break the hour barrier for the first time, improving on his previous best of 1:00:17 set when finishing 13th the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia.

Kenya’s Wilfred Kimitei and Alfred Kipchirchir were just two seconds behind him, both clocking 59:56, while their compatriot Vincent Ngetich clocked exactly an hour.

Ethiopia’s Yeshi Kalayu Chekole claimed a clear win in the women’s half marathon, running a PB of 1:07:30 to finish 38 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Sharon Kemboi with 1:08:08.

Aleksandr Sorokin breaks 100K world record, Sorokin ran 6:05:41, averaging an insane pace of 3:39 per kilometer

The 100-mile and 24-hour world record holder, Aleksandr Sorokin of Lithuania, has added another world record to his resume by running 6:05:41 over 100K at the Centurion Running Track 100 in Bedford, U.K. on Saturday. Sorokin broke Japan’s Nao Kazami’s previous 100k world record of 6:09:14 from 2018 by almost five minutes.

The pace of Sorokin’s new 100K world record is three minutes and 39 seconds per kilometer, which is equivalent to running back-to-back marathons in 2:32:33. According to his Strava activity, his goal was to go out at 3:40/km pace, but he found that he felt good 70 kilometers in, picking up the pace to 3:30/km. 

Sorokin also hit the 50K mark in 3:01:50 to set a new Lithuanian national record, breaking his previous 50K record of 3:02:39 from July 2021. The world’s fastest ultrarunner already owned three world records before this: 100 miles in 11:14:56, 12 hours (170.3 kilometers) and 24 hours (309.4 kilometres).

Leading up to his 100K world record attempt, Sorokin spent several months training at altitude in Kenya’s Rift Valley, running upwards of 250 to 300 kilometers a week (43 kilometers per day).

According to Ally Beaven on Twitter, Sorokin’s 50-mile split of 4:53:41 was the fourth-fastest ever, only three minutes behind Jim Walmsley‘s world record of 4:50:08.

It may not be too long until we see the Lithuanian ultrarunner go for his fifth world record over the 50-mile distance.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw runs sensational 2:17:23 marathon debut in Hamburg and Kipchoge’s course record was shattered in men’s race

Yalemzerf Yehualaw won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, producing a sensational marathon debut. The 22 year-old Ethiopian clocked 2:17:23 which is the fastest time by a debutant ever. So far Paula Radcliffe’s time of 2:18:56 from London in 2002 was the fastest debut time by a woman.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw became the sixth fastest women in the history of marathon running, broke the course record and set a German Allcomer record. Fikrte Wereta took second in 2:26:15 and Bone Cheluke made it an all-Ethiopian podium with 2:26:23 for third place. 

In the men’s race Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:05:30 course record from 2013 was broken by fellow-Kenyan Cybrian Kotut. He clocked 2:04:47, just edging Uganda’s debutant Stephen Kissa who crossed the line one second behind the winner. Ethiopia’s Workineh Tadesse followed in third place with 2:05:07. 

A total of 20,000 entries from 68 nations were registered by organisers for the 36th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, including shorter running events on Sunday. Around 10,500 of them competed in the marathon. Additionally 9,000 children participated in a 4.2 k run on Saturday. 

“That was a great spring comeback for us. We presented a stunning race on the streets of Hamburg and we are proud of the extremely strong results including two course records and a unique debut by Yalemzerf Yehualaw,“ said chief organiser Frank Thaleiser.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw came in late on Thursday and missed the pre-race press conference, but she took centre stage on Sunday when it mattered. In sunny but windy conditions and temperatures around 10 Celsius Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw dominated the women’s race from the beginning and constantly increased her lead.

She ran past the half marathon mark in a super fast 68:30. At this point she was already over two and a half minutes ahead. At the end of the race the gap between her and the second runner was almost nine minutes. “The race went well for me considering this was my first marathon. The fast Hamburg course suited me and the spectators helped me a lot,“ said the winner.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw was around four and a half minutes faster than former Hamburg course record holder Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia (2:21:54 in 2016). Additionally she broke the German Allcomers record of Kenya’s Gladys Cherono who ran 2:18:11 in Berlin in 2018.

In the men’s race things looked a lot closer from the beginning. 17 men passed the 10k mark in 29:29. A major surge came late in the race with only four kilometres to go. Cybrian Kotut and Stephen Kissa, a debutant from Uganda, broke away from the leading group which included six runners at that point. Both delivered a stunning showdown right to the finish line.

In the final sprint Cybrian Kotut pushed himself to a close victory in 2:04:47, a second ahead of Stephen Kissa (2:04:48). Ethiopia’s Workineh Tadesse took third spot in 2:05:07. All three runners were within the former course record of Eliud Kipchoge which stood at 2:05:30. The Kenyan superstar set this record back in 2013 running his marathon debut in Hamburg. ’’I am very happy that I broke the course record.

The pacemakers covered me well from the wind. It was not easy with the wind, but overall the conditions were very good,“ said Cybrian Kotut.

The fastest German runner was Florian Röser. He ran a solid marathon debut in 2:15:03. ’’I’m very surprised to be the fastest German athlete. The race was not ideal for me but considering that this was my debut it was good,“ he said.

Kristina Hendel was the dominant German woman in the field. She finished the race in a strong fifth position with a  personal best of 2:27:29. “We had to fight against the wind from kilometer 8 till 31. On top of that I got cramps but they eased later in the race. I broke my personal best and I am very proud of that. I hope I will run in a German vest at the European Championships in Munich,“ said Christina Hendel.

The former Croatian gained German citizenship in 2021 but is not eligible yet to compete for Germany internationally. Deborah Schöneborn finished the race as the second fastest German woman in 9th place with a time of 2:29:51.

Men:

1.  Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:04:47

2.  Stephen Kissa UGA 2:04:48

3.  Workineh Tadesse ETH 2:05:07

4.  Victor Kiplangat UGA 2:05:09

5.  Abebe Negewo ETH 2:06:05

6.  Masresha Bere ETH 2:06:44

7.  Edwin Kiptoo KEN 2:06:52

8.  Abraham Kiptoo KEN 2:06:59

9.  Bazewe Asmare ETH 2:07:13

10. Bernard Ngeno KEN 2:07:27

Women:

1.  Yalemzerf Yehualaw ETH 2:17:13

2.  Fikrte Wereta ETH 2:26:15

3.  Bone Cheluke ETH 2:26:23

4.  Tseginesh Mekonnen ETH 2:26:29

5.  Kristina Hendel CRO 2:27:29

6.  Priscah Jeptoo KEN 2:28:48

7.  Rosa Chacha ECU 2:28:52

8.  Gadise Mulu ETH 2:28:37

9.  Deborah Schöneborn GER 2:29:51

10. Jana Soethout GER 2:34:28

Vibian Chepkirui defended her title and smashed the course record at the Vienna City Marathon.

The Kenyan Vivian Chepkirui won with 2:20:59 after a close battle with fellow-Kenyan Ruth Chebitok who finished second in 2:21:03. Sheila Jerotich made it an all-Kenyan podium, taking third place in 2:23:01. 

Cosmas Muteti won the men’s race with 2:06:53, which is the second fastest time in the history of the Vienna City Marathon. Fellow-Kenyan Leonard Langat was second in 2:06:59 and Eritrea’s Oqbe Kibrom followed in third with 2:07:25.

Although there was no course record in the men’s race the wider top results were the best ever in the history of the event. There have never been two results below 2:07before in Vienna. And seven times sub 2:10 is also a record for Austria’s prime road race. 

A total of 32,000 runners from about 100 nations had registered for the 39th edition of the Vienna City Marathon, including events at shorter distances. Around 8,000 of them competed in the marathon. The Vienna City Marathon is Austria’s biggest sporting event and a World Athletics Label Road Race.

Men’s Race

There was good pacemaking with an even pace in the men’s race for a long time although the 2:05:41 course record was never really threatened. A group of 17 runners including the three pacers passed half way in 63:21 and then went on to a 30k split time of 1:30:12. However when the pacers all dropped out at the same time right after the 30k point the race for victory was on immediately.

It was Oqbe Kibrom who surged ahead instantly. The fastest runner on the start list (PB: 2:05:53) seemed on course for a first Eritrean victory in the history of the race. However with kilometer splits of 2:54 and 2:51 for the 31st and 32k Oqbe Kibrom misjudged his potential and the picture changed.

“I knew he was strong. But I decided not go with him at 30k and run my own pace instead. I hoped to close the gap slowly,“ explained Cosmas Muteti, who soon realised that he did gain ground on the leader. With around five kilometres to go the Kenyan, who is partly coached by former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau and was fifth in Berlin last September, caught Oqbe Kibrom and then moved away from him. 

In the final stages fellow-Kenyan Leonard Langat took second place and made up some ground to the leader. “I knew that he was coming nearer, but I was sure to win as I would have been able to put in a sprint if needed,“ said Cosmas Muteti, who wrote history by becoming the 50th runner of the Vienna City Marathon to achieve a sub 2:10 finish.

“This is my biggest victory. I hope to be able to defend my title here next year and then may be break the course record,“ said Cosmas Muteti, who improved his former PB of 2:08:45 by almost two minutes. 

Austrian’s Lemawork Ketema was the best European runner in Vienna with a 2:15:42 finishing time in 13th place. However he missed the qualifying standard for the European Championships.

Women’s Race

In relatively good weather conditions but some wind the women’s race developed differently. Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui, who ran only her second marathon after her Vienna debut triumph in 2021, broke away after eight kilometres. At the 10k mark she had a split time of 33:11 which pointed to a 2:20 finishing time.

She was six seconds ahead of fellow-Kenyans Ruth Chebitok and Viola Yator. For an unexpected reason the 27 year-old was then not able to maintain this pace. “My husband and pacemaker Wesley Kongogo had a problem with his shoes and got a blister, so he slowed a bit,“ explained Vibian Chepkirui. While she had a lead of nine seconds at half way, which she passed in 70:38, she was unable to significantly increase it.

In contrast Ruth Chebitok, who had left behind Viola Yator after the half way mark, made up the deficit and was running right behind the defending champion at 35k. 

Vibian Chepkirui stayed ahead by a step in the final section and it was with around one kilometer to go at Vienna’s Opera House when she increased the pace again and secured her second Vienna marathon victory.

“I am of course very happy to have won again in Vienna. I want to come back next year and then my goal will be to improve to 2:18,“ said Vibian Chepkirui, who ran 2:24:29 in her debut last September in warm conditions. 

Slovenia’s Neja Krsinar was the fastest European runner in Vienna. She finished eighth in 2:35:30.

Results, Men:

1. Cosmas Muteti KEN 2:06:53

2. Leonard Langat KEN 2:06:59

3. Oqbe Kibrom ERI 2:07:25

4. Charles Ndiema KEN 2:08:12

5. Raymond Chose KEN 2:08:32

6. Edwin Soi KEN 2:09:10

7. Noah Kipkemboi KEN 2:09:55

8. Abdi Fufa ETH 2:10:32

9. Abraham Kipyatich KEN 2:10:51

10. Mike Chesire KEN 2:11:32

Women:

1. Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:20:59

2. Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:21:03

3. Sheila Jerotich KEN 2:23:01

4. Urge Soboka ETH 2:27:13

5. Caroline Kilel KEN 2:29:29

6. Viola Yator KEN 2:30:40

7. Teresiah Omosa KEN 2:31:44

8. Neja Krsinar SLO 2:35:30

9. Kellys Arias COL 2:38:28

10. Chaltu Marame ETH 2:38:34

Eight classic track and road workouts to build speed

Many runners are constantly on the hunt for that magical workout that will launch them to new personal bests, but the truth is, improvement comes from consistent hard work over time. These tried-and-true workouts aren’t magical or sexy, but ask any high-level runner and they’ll tell you: these are the sessions that will get you where you want to go.

Track workouts

With a little tweaking, these sessions can be done by both beginner runners and experienced athletes. If you have access to a nearby track, we highly encourage you to utilize it — a weekly track session can do wonders for your speed development.

For those who are new to the track, a standard track is 400m, so the 400m repeats are one lap of the track, the 800s are two laps, the 1K’s are 2.5 laps and the mile is four laps.

8-10 x 400m/1 minute rest @1,500m pace (beginners, start with 4 intervals and work your way up)

6-8 x 800m/2 minutes rest @3,000m pace (beginners, start with 4 intervals)

4-6 x 1K/3 minutes rest @5K pace (beginners, start with 2 intervals)

3-6 x 1 mile/3 minutes rest @10K pace (beginners, start with 2 intervals)

Road workouts

If you’re training for a road race, it’s important to do at least some of your speed work on the road, because it’s beneficial to train on the surface you’ll be racing on. A GPS watch will be helpful to keep you on pace for these workouts, but if you don’t have one, do your best to run these by feel (you could try using RPE) to make sure you’re running at the right intensity.

4-5 x 5 minutes/2 minutes rest @5-10K pace

6-8 x 3 minutes/1-2 minute rest @5K pace

10 x 1 minute/1 minute rest @1,500m-3K pace

15-30 minute tempo run at 10K pace.

Here's How How Evans Chebet of Kenya Won the 2022 Boston Marathon

He led a Kenyan podium sweep in the deepest Boston men’s pro field ever.

Thanks to covering the stretch between 35 and 40 kilometers in an astounding 13:55, Evans Chebet of Kenya won the 2022 Boston Marathon in 2:06:51.

Lawrence Cherono, the 2019 winner, and Benson Kipruto, the 2021 champion, made it a Kenyan podium sweep. Cherono placed second in 2:07:21. Kipruto took third in 2:07:27. 

Scott Fauble was the top American, placing seventh in 2:08:52. Fauble was also the top American in 2019, when he also finished seventh. Elkanah Kibet, ninth in 2:09:07, and CJ Albertson, 13th in 2:10:23, were the second and third U.S. finishers. All three set personal bests.

Here’s a full breakdown of the 2022 Boston Marathon men’s race, from how the race was won to the biggest surprise to the $$$. 

The Winner: Evans Chebet

Chebet, 33, has been near the top of world marathoning for the past few years. Only one man in the field has a better personal best than his 2:03:00, and before today he had placed first or second in 10 marathons. But his Boston win was still a big step forward in his career.

Chebet’s best races before today were in high-level marathons such as Valencia, Prague, and Seoul, not in World Marathon Majors. He placed third in Berlin in 2016, fourth in Tokyo in 2017, and fourth last fall in London. He started Boston once before today, in 2018, when he was among the one-third of elite entrants who dropped out during that year’s horrific wind, rain, and cold.

Certainly his momentum was heading in the right direction for today’s Boston. Other than that fourth in London in October, he has been on a winning streak, taking titles in Buenos Aries in 2019 and Lake Biwa and Valencia (where he set his PR) in 2020. Chebet will no doubt cherish but not be complacent about his new status among the world’s best. He likely knows that since 2009, only one man, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia (2013 and 2015), has won more than one Boston title.

Where the Race Was Won

Chebet covered the 22nd mile in 4:27. Or as Geay apparently thought, “4:27?!” The Tanzanian looked at his watch, either in disbelief or in regret about how much time remained in the race now that he’d opted to go with Chebet. Whatever the case, Chebet dropped Geay a couple of minutes later en route to a 4:26 23rd mile. Then he ran another 4:26 mile. 

Chebet’s 13:55 5K between 35K and 40K is good enough to win most open 5K road races. Cherono and Kipruto gave chase and overtook Geay in the process, but Chebet’s victory was never in doubt once he started his fabulous display of late-race speed. Chebet acknowledged as much at the postrace press conference, saying through an interpreter he was confident that his move would get him the win.

The Biggest Surprise

It was a fast, deep race. The 10th finisher, Kinde Atanaw of Ethiopia, ran 2:09:16. That’s 35 seconds faster than Benson Kipruto ran to win the 2021 edition.

Wait, that’s surprising? Wasn’t this said to be the best Boston field in years? Didn’t the postponement of the London Marathon to October funnel that many more elites to the start line in Hopkinton? And doesn’t everyone run fast in the super shoe era?

Well, there were super shoes six months ago when winner Kipruto was the only one to break 2:10. Also, despite what may have appeared to be the case on television, the weather was challenging. The wind was slight—usually no more than 5 miles per hour while the pros were racing—but not favorable. Des Linden, who won during the 2018 monsoon and knows from wind, said there was a persistent headwind. A weather team from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell who tracked conditions confirmed to Runner’s World there was an atypical easterly (i.e., in-their-race) wind throughout the race.

And, as we noted above, it’s become common at Boston for the men to not really start racing until the final five miles. Today, they happened to do so after an opening half of 1:03:24, almost three minutes faster than the main pack ran last year.

So, yes, a bunch of really fast guys ran fast today at Boston. But that outcome was neither predictable nor weather-enabled.

In recent years, the men’s race at Boston has often featured a large lead pack cresting Heartbreak Hill together, and then someone shattering the pack with an aggressive move soon after. That trend continued today.

Chebet was among a pack of 20 that hit halfway in 1:03:24. He occasionally appeared near the front of the pack as they moved through the Newton hills, looking eager to get going, then perhaps reminding himself it was too early, and disappearing back into the group.

Fifteen men came up and over the most famous hill in running together. With five miles to go, two-time New York City winner Geoffrey Kamworor and last year’s champ, Benson Kipruto, appeared at the front for the first time. Chebet looked around some more. Then he started to push.

Within a minute, the field was single file. Only Gabriel Geay of Tanzania went with Chebet. Kipruto and 2019 winner Lawrence Cherono ran together in third and fourth

Tidbits From the Top 20

In addition to runner-up Lawrence Cherono (2019) and third-place finisher Benson Kipruto (2021), there were two other former Boston champions in the top 20. Lemi Berhanu of Ethiopia, the 2016 winner, placed 11th in 2:09:43. Yuki Kawauchi of Japan, winner during the apocalyptic storm of 2018, finished 20th in 2:12:55. 

If sixth-place finisher Albert Korir and his knock-kneed gait looked familiar, that’s because he won the 2021 New York City Marathon in November. 

Besides Scott Fauble, Elkanah Kibet, and CJ Albertson, there were four other American men in the top 20: Matthew McDonald, 14thin 2:10:35 (a PR); Reed Fischer, 16th in 2:10:54 (also a PR); Mick Iacofano, 17th in 2:11:48; and Colin Bennie, 19th in 2:12:08.

The Prize Money

Evans Chebet, $150,000

Lawrence Cherono, $75,000

Benson Kipruto, $40,000

Fan-Favorite Molly Seidel Dropped Out of the 2022 Boston Marathon Between 25K and 30K of the Race

Molly Seidel hit her first racing setback as a marathoner when she dropped out of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18. In her Boston debut, the Olympic bronze medalist walked off the course between 25K and 30K. 

Seidel was running with the lead pack of elite women until the 9-mile mark, where 2020 Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir dropped the pace with a 4:59 split. The aggressive move broke up the front pack significantly, and Seidel was among the group of competitors who fell behind. 

At halfway, Seidel was in 11th place and running as the top American ahead of Nell Rojas. But in the following miles, she started to slow down. Her final split was 1:25:29 at 25K. She didn’t record a split at 30K. 

Boston is Seidel’s fifth marathon in about two years, which have been highlighted by incredible performances over 26.2. The 27-year-old made her debut with a runner-up finish at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta. She finished sixth in London (2:25:13) in 2020. On a blistering day in Sapporo, Seidel claimed the Olympic bronze medal at the Tokyo Games last summer. 

Thirteen weeks later, she followed up her historic Olympic run at the 2021 New York City Marathon, where she finished fourth in 2:24:42, the fastest time by an American on the course. The personal best was especially impressive given that Seidel broke two ribs about a month before the race. In the postrace press conference, she didn’t share what caused the injury, but said it was so painful that she considered not lining up at all. 

“It was hard coming off the Olympics and hard mentally getting back into that build,” she said after the race on November 7, 2021. “I’ve invested too much in this, I really want to do it. It means a lot to me to do it, regardless of what it turns out to be.”

Heading into the Boston Marathon, Seidel was considered a heavy favorite to make the podium. In addition to her accolades on the world stage, she came in with more experience than most on the prestigious course. 

Before moving to Flagstaff, Arizona, last April, she lived in Boston for almost five years. During the elite athlete press conference on April 15, Seidel said she’s done a lot of training on the Boston course after living in the Fenway neighborhood and running the route regularly. She also babysat for a family in Wellesley and trained near the halfway point, running to Heartbreak Hill and back for about 14 miles. 

Before the race, Seidel told Runner’s World that after a few “hiccups” in her training early on, including a hip impingement that curtailed her training for a few days, the last five weeks of her Boston buildup were “about as good as I could have hoped.” 

“You almost have to reconcile the marathon buildup you want with the one that you get,” Seidel said. “But I think we’re in a really good place now, not only for Boston, but for world champs in the summer, focusing on a lot of strength as we build for the rest of the year.”

Yehualaw runs 2:17:23 in Hamburg for fastest ever women's marathon debut

Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw made history in Hamburg on Sunday (24), running 2:17:23 for the fastest ever women’s marathon debut.

The 22-year-old won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg by almost nine minutes, breaking the Ethiopian record and German all-comers’ record, while just a second separated the top two in the men’s race. Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut clocked 2:04:47 to pip Uganda’s Stephen Kissa as the top four were all under the previous men’s course record of 2:05:30 set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2013.

Having broken the world 10km record with 29:14 in Castellon in February and with a half marathon best of 1:03:51 to her name, Yehualaw’s marathon debut was highly anticipated and she delivered in fine style.

Fast from the start, she ran with her male pacemakers through 10km in 32:39 and was on exactly 2:17 marathon pace through half way (1:08:30). Slowing only marginally in the second half, she went through 30km in 1:37:34 before running solo through 35km in 1:53:55 once her pacemakers had done their job.

The world half marathon bronze medallist continued on to eventually reach the finish line with 2:17:23 on the clock, well under the previous fastest ever women’s marathon debut time of 2:18:56 achieved by Paula Radcliffe in 2002.

The performance puts Yehualaw sixth on the women's world marathon all time list, topped by Brigid Kosgei’s world record of 2:14:04 set in 2019, and is the third-fastest time of the year so far.

She led an Ethiopian top three, with Fikrte Wereta and Bone Cheluke clocking respective times of 2:26:15 and 2:26:23, also on their marathon debuts.

In the men’s race, Kotut and Kissa had broken away from a six-strong group that passed 35km in 1:43:38, and so began their fierce battle for the finish. They were together through 40km in 1:58:18 and with two hours on the clock Kissa kicked, looking for a win on his marathon debut, but his rival responded.

It was Kotut, last year’s Florence Marathon winner and a training partner of recent Boston Marathon winner Evans Chebet, who had the stronger finish and he edged Kissa at the end - 2:04:47 to 2:04:48.

It was a PB for Kotut, improving on his previous best of 2:07:11 from 2016, while Kissa was rewarded with a Ugandan record on his debut.

Joining them under the previous course record were Ethiopia's Workineh Tadesse with a 2:05:07 PB and Uganda's Victor Kiplangat with a 2:05:09 PB.

Improve your explosiveness with this sprint workout, canadian indoor 400m record holder Lauren Gale gives tips on how to build your speed

Although sprinting and long-distance running are different disciplines, there is obviously some crossover. Both require explosive strength and power, whether to pass someone or when sprinting to the finish line. Working on your explosiveness can also reduce your risk of injury during activities that involve high power outputs with quick acceleration, as in middle-distance running or sprint events.

Canadian indoor 200m and 400m record holder and sprinter for Colorado State University Lauren Gale correlates a lot of her success with explosive work on and off the track. “When you are training for explosiveness, the goal is to build your lactate threshold,” Gale says. (Lactate threshold refers to the point at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood during strenuous efforts, surpassing the body’s ability to flush/recycle it for energy production.)

The workout

Two to three sets of 300m, 150m, 80m, all off 90 seconds’ rest, with five minutes between sets

Before you start the workout, make sure you do a proper 10- to 20-minute warm-up with dynamic stretching. Each rep should be done at close to an all-out sprint pace, with 90 seconds of standing rest between reps and five minutes of standing rest between sets.

“The short rest mixed with the longer sprint reps will help build your speed for longer distances,” says Gale.

The purpose of this workout is to develop explosive power from your lower body. Each rep requires you to explode to top speed from a standstill position (like racing off the blocks), and you begin to accelerate by driving your lower body into the ground.

What should you eat and drink after a marathon?

Well, you did it–you endured endless hours of training and preparation and completed 42.2 km to the best of your ability, and now it’s time to celebrate. After crossing the finish line, there is a lot of temptation to rest or celebrate with a few alcoholic beverages and treats, but consuming the right nutrients after a marathon will go a long way in helping you to feel less sore in the days after.

Emma Stevenson,  professor of sport and exercise science at the University of Newcastle in the U.K., states that runners should try to consume 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrates within an hour of finishing the marathon, in either food or drink.

Consuming foods high in carbohydrates is necessary to restore your muscles and liver glycogen. What prolonged exercise does is deplete your glycogen stores. Therefore, when you finish a marathon there is a 30- to 60-minute window when the muscle is primed to take in the carbohydrates you consume and store them for recovery. 

It’s better to choose sources of carbohydrates that can be digested immediately to maximize muscle restoration, such as sports drinks, cereal bars, bananas or a bagel. Other good sources of carbohydrates are pasta, rice and bread for three to four hours after the race, helping replenish carbohydrate stores long term.

If you are unable to grab a sandwich or snack after you finish, set aside food to have after the race beforehand. This tip can be handy if you are travelling for a marathon.  

If you were to dabble in some post-run beverages, beer does contain carbohydrates and polyphenols (an antioxidant), which help aid recovery. The issue with beer is the alcohol, which may rob your body of essential nutrients and derail your metabolism. One or two beers can be beneficial toward recovery, but five or six could make more than your muscles sore. 

Although non-alcoholic beer doesn’t have the same thrills, it can be a great alternative for post-run hydration. There’s a way you can make beer more nutritious–by sprinkling in a little salt to replace the nutrients you sweat out. This trick may make your beer less enjoyable, which sort of defeats the purpose of a post-run celebration beverage.

After Years of Struggling With Anxiety, This Mom Turned to Running

“Running has, first and foremost, given me an outlet when I need to relax and just clear my mind.”

When I first arrived, I was shown to my bunk for the next couple weeks. I had a small spot to put my belongings, and shared a bathroom with six others. There was no air conditioner, so the windows stayed open at all times. It wasn’t the safest neighborhood.

There were bars on the windows, an electric fence surrounding the home, and a guard that stayed at the front door during the night. I was way out of my comfort zone.

Every morning a van dropped the volunteers off at their assigned location. I was with children at a local “daycare” that parents could take their children to for free. 

We would bathe the children, feed them their only meal of the day, and pour as much laughter and fun into them as we could before sending them back home for the evening. I saw the tiny one-bedroom homes that they would go to with only dirt on the ground and no running water. But the silver lining was seeing their pure joy at the simplest things. When I came home to America, I felt immense guilt for the lives of luxury most of us live in and take for granted. 

My anxiety really took root shortly after this trip when we lost our first pregnancy with twins. I became so bogged down with anxiety that I literally did not want to move from the couch. It was a horrible cycle because I knew my feelings were irrational, yet I couldn’t stop them. I would ruminate on something tiny, and in my head make it a really big issue. I then would find myself crying and spending hours on the internet trying to figure out what was wrong with me. 

After we were blessed with our first born in 2012, I knew I needed to get help for my still-lingering anxiety. I was missing out on things in this life that I didn’t want to miss out on. I would be in the moment physically, but not emotionally because my thoughts would be running all over the place. I was getting so frustrated with not being able to turn off my worries. 

I finally got the courage to go see an amazing doctor. I sat in the patient room waiting for him to come in, and the minute he did I started sobbing and asking what the heck was wrong with me. After sharing with him what I had been battling, he simply said, “You have generalized anxiety.” It’s like I could breathe all of a sudden. I had someone to tell me this is not uncommon, and that this is treatable.

I started running in 2015, after I had my second child. At that point, I had read up so much on anxiety, and the constant theme I kept coming across as a way to manage it was exercise. As a busy mom that didn’t have a gym I loved nearby, I decided I was going to do the easiest and most efficient thing I could. So I laced up some sneakers and went out for my first jog. To this day, I share the story that I literally thought I was going to die running one mile! But it ultimately became a mental challenge, and I just kept showing up. I would add 0.1 mile to every run. 

Eventually, I found the indoor running studio STRIDE, which has helped me with not only my running, but also with so many amazing friendships and an amazing community. 

After I was finally able to run 3 miles without thinking death was imminent, I told myself I was going to run a half marathon. My husband thought I was crazy, but I could tell how much running was helping me both physically and mentally. It was giving me time to listen to podcasts, music, think, be creative, and connect with my STRIDE community when I would take a class. So I set out to do something I never thought I would do. 

Now, I like to do strength training three times a week, two 5- to 6-mile runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a longer run on the weekends if my kiddos’ schedules allow. I’m coming off a stress fracture and I know the importance of taking care of our bodies and really listening when it says to slow down. 

I think so often the term “runner” is associated with those that only do half marathons, marathons, etc., but I would love to change that stigma. If you get out and run one mile, you are a runner. I actually don’t have any desire to do a marathon. My knee tends to yell at me more than I’d like right as I’m finishing a half, so I’ll stop there—it’s the right distance for me. 

Running has, first and foremost, given me an outlet when I need to relax and just clear my mind. I laugh when people say, “I only run when I’m running away from something.” Maybe that’s true though. I was running from anxiety that was holding me back in my life. Call it super corny, but I’d flip it today to say I’m now running towards my dreams. Running has brought some of the best friendships I could have asked for, introduced me to many amazing people, and pushed me to open up a business dedicated to helping people tackle both their physical and emotional goals. Running has allowed me to be the best wife and mom I can be. 

One of my favorite motivational expressions is: We will never meet the best version of ourselves in our comfort zone. Being uncomfortable is where growth truly happens, and it’s where we begin seeing versions of ourselves we didn’t know existed.

These three tips have made my running journey successful:

1. Strength train

Building strength is crucial for avoiding injury and ultimately leading to better runs and races. If you don’t want to strength train on your own, hop into a class that includes strength training like at STRIDE. There are so many options to get in your strength training.

2. Stretch and take rest days

Stretching is so important, yet we tend to neglect it (I know I have). Dynamic stretching preworkout and static stretching postworkout are a must. Resting is equally important. Listening to your body is crucial. Recovery allows for muscle growth and prevents injury among a long list of other things.

3. Get sleep

Your body needs sleep. There is a book called Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker—it may put you to sleep, but it’s chock-full of super good info that more people need to know! 

Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui hoping to run 2:20 in Vienna

Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui hopes to make another big step at the Vienna City Marathon, aiming to win her second race at the classic distance as well. The Kenyan believes she is ready to run a time of around 2:20 on Sunday. Such a result would not only smash her PB but the course record of 2:22:12 as well.

It was in September when Vibian Chepkirui won her debut marathon in Vienna with 2:24:19 in very warm weather conditions. While five women feature personal bests of sub 2:25 there are two men on the start list who have run below 2:06. Oqbe Kibrom of Eritrea is the fastest runner in the field with a PB of 2:05:53. 

Organisers of the 39th edition of the Vienna City Marathon have registered more than 31,000 entries including events at shorter distances. Around 8,000 of them are marathon runners. The Vienna City Marathon is Austria’s biggest running event and a World Athletics Label Road Race.

The Vienna City Marathon will be streamed live from 8.30 am on Sundayat: www.vienna-marathon.com There will also be English live reporting of the elite races on the event’s Twitter account, which is accessible through the website as well.

"I have very good memories of Vienna and I am happy to be back. It is a good course and the people are fantastic,“ said Vibian Chepkirui, with her manager Julien di Maria of Ikaika helping her to answer the questions during the press conference. 

"I have prepared well and because of my training I think that in good weather conditions a time of around 2:20 is possible for me.“ As Julien di Maria explained Vibian Chepkirui became more confident when she saw the result of her training partner Joan Melly last Sunday: She won the Seoul Marathon with a course record of 2:18:04. 

“Vibian and Joan always train together in Iten. And they are more or less on the same level. It was only during the final stages of some sessions when Joan was a little stronger than Vibian,“ explained Julien di Maria. Vibian Chepkirui has only run a single international race since her Vienna triumph in September and has fully focussed on defending her title in the Austrian capital.

The 27 year-old was fifth in Spain’s Santa Pola half marathon in January with 69:35. On Sunday she will again be paced by her husband Wesley Kangogo, who also acts as a pacemaker for the group when they are training in Iten. 

There are four women with faster personal bests than the defending champion on the start list of the Vienna City Marathon. One of them is Ruth Chebitok, who has run 2:23:29 in Toronto in 2018. “I had injury problems for some time, but then ran quite well in Berlin last year with 2:28:18. Now I am well prepared and confident that I can run a time around my PB again,“ said the Kenyan. 

The Vienna City Marathon is among a number of top road races that experienced an unusually high number of late cancellations. Goitom Kifle of Eritrea had to cancel his start because of an injury. He had been the fastest runner on the start list with a PB of 2:05:28. Another one who can not compete in Vienna is the defending champion Leonard Langat of Kenya.

There could still be a winner from Eritrea, which would be a novelty in the history of the race. Oqbe Kibrom is now the fastest runner on the start list with a PB of 2:05:53. The Eritrean, who held the national record for some time with his PB from 2020, looks ahead with confidence.

“I have trained well and hope to run a personal best on Sunday,“ said Oqbe Kibrom. The pace of the leading group will likely be perfect for him as it is planned to pass through half way in around 63:00. An attack on the course record would then still be possible. Ethiopia’s Getu Feleke holds this mark with 2:05:41 from 2014.

Cosmas Muteti might not be a pre-race favourite, but the Kenyan has developed very well recently. Coached by former world record holder Patrick Makau he improved to 2:08:45 in Berlin last year, where he took a fine fifth place in warm conditions. „Patrick is a good coach and I have improved under his guidance,“ said Cosmas Muteti, who targets his personal best on Sunday.

There is also an OPEC Fund Rookie Team competing in Vienna on Sunday. The idea is to give unknown African athletes a chance to compete internationally in Vienna and to support them to hopefully build a successful career. Victor Serem is the most experienced of the group. The Kenyan has a PB of 2:12:00 which he ran in Nairobi in 2019. “This will be my first marathon outside Kenya and I am grateful for the opportunity. I hope to improve to 2:10 on Sunday,“ said Victor Serem. The other three runners of the OPEC Fund Rookie Team are Kenya’s Dickson Kiptoo (PB: 2:23:56 in Eldoret), Fanose Tessema Gonfa and fellow-Ethiopian Chaltu Fikadu Marame.

Elite fields with personal bests

Men:

Oqbe Kibrom ERI 2:05:53

Abdi Fufa ETH 2:05:57

Raymond Choge KEN 2:08:11

Cosmas Muteti KEN 2:08:45

Weldu Gebretsadik NOR 2:09:14

Edwin Soi KEN 2:09:16

Charles Ndiema KEN 2:10:43

Lemawork Ketema AUT 2:10:44

Leonard Langat KEN 2:10:49

Noah Kipkemboi KEN 2:11:09

Victor Serem KEN 2:12:00

Anderson Seroi KEN 2:12:21

Mike Chesire KEN 2:13:28

Tomasz Grycko POL 2:13:30

Solomon Tesfamariam SUI 2:14:51

Abraham Kipyatich KEN Debüt

Timon Theuer AUT Debüt

Women:

Caroline Kilel KEN 2:22:34

Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:23:29

Sifan Melaku ETH 2:23:49

Sheila Jerotich KEN 2:24:15

Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:24:29

Esther Kakuri KEN 2:26:11

Urge Soboka ETH 2:28:10

Nataliya Lehonkova UKR 2:28:58

Kellys Arias COL 2:29:36

Viola Yator KEN 2:30:03

Teresiah Omosa KEN 2:30:12

Benny Cheruiyot KEN 2:34:18

Neja Krsinar SLO 2:35:44

Allyson Felix’s shoe brand Saysh to offer “intentionally sexist” return policy for pregnant women

Days after Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track and field history, announced 2022 would be her last season of competitive running, she also implemented an industry-leading return policy for her shoe company, Saysh. The policy allows women to return shoes, no questions asked, should their foot size change during pregnancy (which commonly happens). If they need a new pair of shoes, new ones will be sent free of charge, in the proper size.

“A huge turning point in my life was becoming a mother—it opened my eyes to so much,” Felix told Footwear News this week. “As a runner, I have to pay attention to every little change in my body, and I went through a lot of change during pregnancy. I didn’t even realize that my feet could grow that much. I was tired of begging brands to meet me where I was, as both an athlete and a mother, and I was tired of sacrificing comfort and style. So I decided to make my own rules,” she says. 

Advocating for all women, but especially athletes

Felix began actively advocating for pregnant women and athletes in 2019, when she spoke before the U.S. House of Representatives about the disparity in maternal mortality (which is significantly higher among Black women). Felix had serious complications while giving birth to Camryn, her daughter, in 2018, which moved her to outline the medical risks disproportionally experienced by African-American women.

Beyond advocating for better medical treatment for women, she also helped cause a pregnancy-policy reform across the sport of track and field when she spoke out against her former sponsor, Nike, in 2019. Felix said she felt pressure to come back to competing as soon as possible after giving birth, even though she had spent time in the hospital with preeclampsia (often characterized by high maternal blood pressure), and was not yet ready. 

Make your own shoes

Shortly after speaking out against Nike and their lack of support throughout her pregnancy, Felix signed with clothing company Athleta. A few months later, she launched her own shoe company, Saysh.

Saysh is a company that aims to put women front and center, Felix said in a Ted Talk this week, “I feared that I would be forced to choose between motherhood and being a competitive athlete [when sponsored by Nike]. Getting pregnant in track and field has been called ‘this kiss of death.'” She continued to say that her mission is to help people to not “have to choose between parenting and doing the work that they love.”

The Saysh One, the first shoe Felix has brought to market, is $150 USD and comes in three colors.

Seven reigning global medalists to renew rivalry in Eugene 100m

The medalists from the men’s Olympic 100m and 200m finals in Tokyo, plus the men’s world indoor 60m final in Belgrade, will all clash in a stacked 100m field announced for the Prefontaine Classic, part of the Wanda Diamond League series, in Eugene on May 28.

Reigning Olympic champions Marcell Jacobs and Andre De Grasse will go up against Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Noah Lyles, Marvin Bracy and Christian Coleman, as well as Olympic 100m fifth-place finisher Ronnie Baker, at Eugene’s Hayward Field.

They will all be looking to make their mark ahead of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 taking place in the same stadium in July.

“I am honored and excited to be part of this year’s Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon in Eugene,” said Italy’s Olympic 100m champion Jacobs, who also claimed the world indoor 60m title in Belgrade last month.

“It’s going to be my first race in the US since the Tokyo Olympics and the adrenaline is already pumping. I can’t wait to feel the track beneath my feet.”

De Grasse won the 100m at last year’s Prefontaine Classic, a few weeks after becoming a three-time Olympic medalist in Tokyo. The Canadian claimed 4x100m silver and 100m bronze in Japan along with his 200m title.

Kerley secured 100m silver between Jacobs and De Grasse in Tokyo, while Bednarek gained silver and Lyles bronze behind De Grasse in the 200m. At the World Athletics Championships Belgrade 22, Jacobs was joined on the podium by silver medalist Coleman and bronze medalist Bracy.

The men's 100m is the latest in a number of strong fields announced for the Eugene meeting. All three Tokyo Olympic medallists – Athing Mu, Keely Hodgkinson and Raevyn Rogers – will race in the 800m, while champion Mondo Duplantis will take on his fellow Tokyo Olympic medalists Chris Nilsen and Thiago Braz in the pole vault.

Michael Norman, Michael Cherry and Kirani James will race the 400m, while Rai Benjamin and Alison Dos Santos will go head-to-head in the 400m hurdles and the 100m hurdles will pit Keni Harrison against Jasmine Camacho-Quinn. Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Nicola McDermott will renew their rivalry in the high jump.