Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
11/16/2024

Olympic silver medalist Koki Ikeda suspended for doping

The 26-year-old Japanese race walker Koki Ikeda, one of the world's top competitors in race walking and a leading figure in his national team, has been provisionally suspended this week by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which has detected unusual data in his biological passport.

As required by World Athletics protocol, this preventive measure is applied in cases where irregular figures are found, even when no direct violation has occurred in an anti-doping test that identifies a specific banned substance. Ikeda will now need to account for the unusual data in his biological passport to avoid a definitive suspension.

The Associated Press reported that Ikeda received the provisional ban for "suspected blood doping," quoting the AIU, which is based in Monaco. The anti-doping body stated on Friday that the issue relates to the "use of a prohibited substance/method." The biological passport can indicate markers of doping over time without an athlete testing positive for a banned substance. Investigators have not provided a timetable for the disciplinary case.

The race walker and the Japanese federation received this unfortunate news ahead of hosting their World Race Walking Championships in Tokyo in September 2025. Ikeda stated on Saturday that he is "completely bewildered" and pleaded his innocence. In a statement released to Japanese media, he expressed his intention to fight to clear his name. "For reasons that I know absolutely nothing about, I may not be able to compete in my next race, and I am utterly bewildered," he remarked.

He also mentioned that he would "strive for the truth to come to light and for a fair result." "From here on, I would be very grateful for your understanding and support," he added. The disciplinary proceedings are now underway.

Ikeda was the Olympic silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Games and took silver at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon. This season, he achieved a second-place finish in the mixed relays at the World Team Championships in Antalya in April, as well as winning gold at the Japanese National Championships, which earned him direct qualification for Paris 2024, where he finished seventh in the 20-kilometre race. He concluded the year in October with a bronze medal in the 10,000-metre event in Yamaguchi.

(11/08/24) Views: 123
Javier Carro

Greek runner offers $1,500 reward for stolen marathon costume

One man's tradition of racing the Athens Marathon could be up in flames after his costume was stolen just days before Sunday's race.

For seven consecutive years, Greek marathoner Kostas Hatzis has travelled to Athens from his home in the Netherlands to take part in the Athens Marathon. On Wednesday, his plans to participate in the 41st edition of the race (set for Sunday) came to a halt when his suitcase, containing his traditional Greek costume, matching shoes and Olympic Truce flag, was stolen from his vehicle. He now offers a reward of €1,000 (CAD $1,491) for anyone who returns his belongings.

“My world collapsed,” Hatzis wrote on Facebook. “My traditional Greek costume and matching shoes were snatched from me. My Olympic Truce flag, my running outfits and all I need for one week. I did not come all the way from my home in NL to eat, drink and sleep in Athens.”Hatzis’s traditional Greek costume is the distinctive uniform of Greek soldiers called Tsoliades–right down to the fustanella (a kilt-like garment) and the tsarouchis (flat shoes with pompoms). The Olympic Truce flag bears a drove with a traditional Olympic flame, symbolizing peace and human spirit.

The runner, who calls himself an “International Marathon Messenger“, runs to promote the Ancient Greek tradition of Olympic Truce, or Ekecheiria. The tradition acknowledges the signing of a treaty between three kings to allow safe participation in the Olympic Games for individuals from the Greek city-states–Elis, Pisa and Sparta–despite ongoing conflicts.

In October, Hatzis took part in passing the marathon flame at the Kosice Peace Marathon in Košice, Slovakia, to honour the 100th edition of Europe’s oldest marathon.

Sunday’s race was set to mark Hatzis’s eighth consecutive time competing in the Athens Marathon; his fastest time for the course is 5:17:26, which he ran in 2016. The runner has participated in countless other marathons since 2012, including the Barcelona Marathon, Paris Marathon, TCS Amsterdam Marathon and the HAJ Hannover Marathon.

(11/09/24) Views: 120
Cameron Ormond

Yemane Haileselassie And Fentaye Belayneh Win Chilly Boston Half-Marathon

Fentaye Belayneh of Ethiopia and Yemane Haileselassie of Eritrea won this morning’s 22nd Boston Half-Marathon on a sunny and near-freezing morning here.  Employing completely different tactics, Belayneh won in a pack-sprint to the finish in Franklin Park where the first three women finished in a span of just one second. Haileselassie won in a solo breakaway, dominating the final miles and winning by 15 seconds.  Both athletes won $12,000 in prize money.

The women’s race got out slowly, and the first mile was completed in just 5:41, a comfortable training pace for athletes at this level.  Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery was at the front.  She said that she felt good taking the lead and wanted to work on some of her racing skills.

“I felt good doing that,” Hauger-Thackery told Race Results Weekly.  “I was practicing not being set in a set pace.  I’ve got to practice surging… not be afraid to put in a five minute mile here and there.”

The first real move happened just before 5-K where Ethiopia’s Mestawut Fikir, who was fifth at this race last year, put in a surge.  The field responded immediately, and Kenyan’s Veronica Loleo and Daisy Jepkemei, and Ethiopians Melknat Wudu and Mebrat Gidey followed her single file.  They passed through 5-K in 17:17 and four miles in 21:45.  The downhill fourth mile was passed in a fast 5:05.

Fikir’s mini-surge only brought the lead pack down to 12.  Although the second, five-kilometer segment was faster (16:27) it wasn’t enough to dwindle the field further.  Fikir decided to go again just after the 10-K mark, and that move sent Hauger-Thackery and Australia’s Lauren Ryan several steps back.  Kenya’s Mercy Chelangat was also having trouble holding on.  Mile-8 went into the books at 5:10, and the serious racing had begun.

But after that, none of the women were keen to open up the race further, and the pace slowed enough that Chelangat managed to catch up.  Remarkably, eight women were still together as they ran back to Franklin Park for the finish.  Indeed, the race would not be decided until the final 200 meters when Belayneh, who had not led one step of the race, jumped the field and broke for the tape.  She was ready for that kind of move.

“I prepared very well and I knew Boston was a good course,” Belayneh said with the help of a translator.  “I prepared very well.”

Fikir and Senayet Getachew, another Ethiopian, were right on Belayneh’s heels as she bolted for the tape, but they just couldn’t catch their speedier rival.  She broke the tape, arms raised with a huge smile, in 1:10:26.  Fikir was given the same time, and Getachew was just one second back.  Loleo got fourth in 1:10:29, and Wudu was fifth in 1:10:30.  The first seven women finished in just a six-second span.

“At the end, I decided at the end,” Belayneh said when asked when she knew that the time was right for her final move.  “It was a rough race, but I knew I could hold on and push.  I had some little (energy) left over.  I used that.”

Farther behind, Chelangat finished eighth in 1:10:43 and Hauger-Thackery was ninth in 1:10:49.  The two women, both former NCAA stars who know each other from training in Flagstaff, embraced at the finish line.

“It was fun, it was good,” said Hauger-Thackery, who plans to run the California International Marathon in December with her husband, Nick.  She added: “This was a good race to go for it, get the blood flowing.”

Unlike Belayneh, Haileselassie did not want to wait for the final sprint.  In the ninth mile, he and Isaac Kipkemboi of Kenya and Haimro Alame of Israel pulled away from the field. Haileselassie was on the front, and kept pressing.

“Actually, when I lead in mile-nine I give them a little bit gap,” Haileselassie told Race Results Weekly.  “I looked over my back, I had little bit gap.  I know they can’t touch me.”

The Eritrean crossed to the finish line alone in 1:01:46.  Kipkemboi was a clear second in 1:02:01, but Alame faded in the final miles and only finished sixth in 1:02:12.  Taking the final podium position was Canadian miler Kieran Lumb, who was making his half-marathon debut.  Lumb, who made the Paris Olympic 1500m semi-finals, was timed in 1:02:03.  He was happy with his race, a good fitness test before the Canadian Cross Country Championships later this month, even if it hurt a little.

“It was hard,” said Lumb.  “Honestly, it was pretty hard early on.  I would say, like 20 minutes in, I didn’t feel amazing.  I did not sleep well last night, either.  I slept like four hours.”

Today’s event was the third and final race in the 2024 Boston Athletic Association’s Distance Medley which included the Boston 5-K on April 13 and the Boston 10-K on June 23.  About 6500 runners finished today’s race.

(11/11/24) Views: 113
David Monti ,

Robots are taking over marathons in China

Would you trust a robot to pace your race?

A surprising number of robots have been spotted participating in marathon events in China in just one week. At the Yizhuang Half Marathon in Beijing on Sunday, Tiangong the Humanoid Robot was spotted cheering on participants before joining the race with 100m to go, crossing the finish line and earning a medal. At the Hangzhou Marathon in Hangzhou, China, on Nov. 3, two quadruped robots acted as official pacesetters and cheerleaders while running alongside participants.

Tiangong is the world’s first full-sized fully-electric humanoid robot, weighing in at 43 kg and standing at 163 cm. Its functions included waving, shaking hands and posing, according to Global Times.

The quadruped robots, Go2 and B2, were showcased in Hangzhou with different roles. Go2 provided runners with music, messages of encouragement and safety tips along the race course. It is also reportedly capable of shaking hands and performing backflips and handstands.

B2 set out at a steady pace for the half-marathon, providing runners with a reliable gauge of their pace. Tests were conducted to assess the machine’s ability to respond to humans and obstacles on the course. During the race, B2 wore bunny ears to emphasize its role as a pace-setting rabbit.

The robots’ abilities are not limited to running and maintaining steady paces. The machines can reportedly provide runners with real-time feedback on factors such as temperature and heart rate. The androids are also useful for upholding and enhancing safety measures during the event, facilitating real-time monitoring and detection of security or medical emergencies–even transporting medical supplies quickly across the venue when needed.

The benefits of the two- and four-legged robots suggest their prevalence at marathon events will continue to increase in coming years.

(11/12/24) Views: 112
Cameron Ormond

Ontario runner signs pro contract with Under Armour

On Thursday, Rosseau, Ont., native Gracelyn Larkin announced her contract with Under Armour’s pro running club, Dark Sky Distance, which is based in Flagstaff, Ariz. The 5,000m Canadian outdoor champion from 2022 is a recent graduate of Northern Arizona University (NAU), and formerly competed for the University of New Mexico (UNM) from 2019-2023.

Already located in Flagstaff following her graduation, Larkin will continue training at altitude under coaches Shayla Houlihan and Stephen Haas. The Canadian will be among former UNM teammate and Olympian Weini Kelati and 2022 New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi, who also represent Under Armour.

The 23-year-old boasts personal bests of 15:23.63 in the 5,000m and 32:32.61 in the 10,000m. A successful collegiate career saw Larkin earn All-American status seven times, before she went on to represent Canada in the 5,000m at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Over the summer, Larkin chased a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. At the Harry Jerome Classic 5,000m in Burnaby, B.C., in June, she clocked 15:25.83 to claim fifth place in a quick race; the time was just two seconds off her personal best. Later that month, Larkin competed at the Canadian Olympic Track and Field Trials in Montreal, placing fourth in the women’s 5,000m final with a time of 15:36.41. The UNM graduate was less than three seconds behind the winner, Gabriela Debues-Stafford. Despite strong efforts, Larkin fell short of qualifying for Paris 2024.

“I’m very grateful to be joining such an amazing group of hard-working individuals,” Larkin said in the announcement post on Instagram. “Working with Under Armour is an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to represent them over the upcoming years. I look forward to learning from my teammates and coaches while I develop as a professional athlete!”

(11/08/24) Views: 107
Cameron Ormond

Kenyans take action against gender-based violence

In the wake of the murders of Agnes Tirop and Rebecca Cheptegei by their intimate partners, Athletics Kenya launched a movement on Monday to fight back against gender-based violence (GBV). A new hotline was unveiled for athletes to confidentially report cases of GBV, while an engagement campaign moves across Kenya to encourage athletes to speak up and to raise awareness for financial exploitation.

Tirop, World Championships 10,000 bronze medalist, was murdered by her husband in 2021, giving rise to the creation of Tirop’s Angels, an organization fighting GBV. High-profile female athletes, however, continued to fall victim to men; in September 2024, Cheptegei, who ran the Paris 2024 marathon, died after reportedly being set on fire by her ex-partner.

Working in conjunction with the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), Athletics Kenya addresses how lack of communication has been a significant obstacle in the fight against GBV. The hotline will allow athletes to call for help when in danger of GBV, while a chatbot will enable them send an SOS.

“We will fight it the same way we are doing with doping.”

“GBV is totally unacceptable in our society as well as in athletics,” Athletic Kenya’s Chief Administrative Officer Susan Kamau said. “As Athletics Kenya, we are totally committed to eradicating GBV and we will fight it the same way we are doing with doping.” In 2023, the Kenyan government committed to rebuilding their anti-doping program and increased the frequency of random drug testing. Athletics Kenya hopes that a safe and confidential channel for reporting GBV incidents will encourage women and girls to speak up.

The awareness campaign, already in motion, has been moving across the country all week, hosting forums at athletics camps. The program allows runners to share their stories and suggestions to stop GBV, and features female leaders as speakers to educate athletes.

Raising awareness of financial exploitation, as well as GBV

High-profile athletes, including two-time 800m world champion and 2007 Olympic silver medallist, Janeth Jepkosgei, have also highlighted the connection between financial exploitation of athletes and GBV. “Be wary of predators who pretend to be coaches and get into a relationship with young athletes who are the same age as their daughters,” Jepkosgei said, speaking at Thursday’s forum in Kapsabet, Kenya.

Speaking at an earlier event, Lucy Kabuu, 2006 Commonwealth Games champion and two-time Olympian, emphasized the same message. Recently, the athlete has been defending herself in court against her ex-husband and coach, who is trying to claim her earnings. “When you start running and making money, be careful not to fall into the trap of unscrupulous coaches and managers,” Kabuu said. “You should buy properties in your name and not in any other person’s name. Get a financial adviser to help you invest wisely. Learn from me and what I am going through; do not wait to learn from another person.”

1997 World 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio echoed Kabul’s advice. Other successful runners that are actively raising awareness for GBV include seven-time World Marathon Major champion Mary Keitany, six-time World Marathon Major champion, two-time world champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist Catherine Ndereba, 2013 world champion, Diamond League champion and Olympic medallist Milcah Chemos and 2021 TCS New York City Marathon silver medallist, Olympian and founder of Tirop’s Angels, Viola Cheptoo. 

(11/08/24) Views: 107
Cameron Ormond

'He made me eat cleaner & work harder' - Justin Gatlin on how Usain Bolt shaped him into becoming a better sprinter

Justin Gatlin has heaped praise on his long-time arch-nemesis Usain Bolt, thanking him for making him the athlete he ended up becoming after returning to the sport.

American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has revealed the profound impact Usain Bolt had on his career, acknowledging how the Jamaican legend pushed him to reach new heights.

 Known for a rivalry that defined an era of sprinting, Gatlin and Bolt clashed in numerous unforgettable races, showcasing contrasts in style and personality. Yet, despite the fierce competition, Gatlin now reflects on their encounters with admiration, crediting Bolt for inspiring him to be his best.

“Competing against someone like him, he brought the best out of me,” Gatlin said on The Higher Perspective Talks.

 His comments came just over a week after Bolt himself recognized Gatlin as his toughest competitor. Gatlin expressed that Bolt’s presence on the track forced him to elevate his approach to training, nutrition, and overall athletic dedication.

“He made me wanna train harder. He made me wanna be a different athlete. He made me eat cleaner, work harder, compete harder because that was an athlete that represented a standard, one that I always wanted to get to,” Gatlin explained, underscoring the high benchmark Bolt set with his relentless speed and unwavering confidence.

Reflecting on their head-to-head races, Gatlin noted that he was always ready to face Bolt, eager to test himself against the reigning champion. “When I banged against him, I was ready any time. I wanted to race him every day if I could,” Gatlin shared. His words highlight not only the intensity of their rivalry but also the motivation he found in trying to match Bolt’s prowess.

Usain Bolt also had kind words for Gatlin during a recent appearance on John Obi Mikel’s Obi One podcast. “I think Justin Gatlin, I have to give my hats off to him,” Bolt said. “The last five, six years of my career, it was me and him every season. He kept me on my toes throughout, and I loved the competition.”

Bolt recalled a particularly memorable exchange when he saw a video of Gatlin confidently declaring his intent to win gold.

 “I remember I’m just on Instagram scrolling, and someone sent me a video,” Bolt recounted. “He [Gatlin] was like, ‘Justin, I’m gonna win, don’t worry, and I’m going to wear the gold medal around my neck.’ And I’m like, ‘What? Alright, let’s go then.’”

Recognizing Gatlin’s fierce resolve, Bolt added, “Listen, Gatlin is going to show up. He is that guy in a Championship; no matter what is going on, he is going to show up.”

Their rivalry may have seen Bolt take the lion’s share of victories, but the respect they have for one another transcends competition.

As Gatlin reflects on his journey, it’s clear that Bolt’s influence left a lasting mark, inspiring him to push beyond his limits in pursuit of excellence. Their rivalry brought unparalleled excitement to the sport, and their mutual respect continues to exemplify the power of elite competition.

(11/08/24) Views: 105
Mark Kinyanjui

Asbel Kiprop: Fame, loss and the redemptive journey of a running legend

After a social media post where Asbel Kiprop blamed a woman for wrecking his family and career, friends and mentors intervened helping him refocus seek support and rebuild his life.

A man is often judged by how he faces his battles whether they are on the field, in the boardroom or within himself.

For Asbel Kiprop, Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion, life was initially a straight sprint to greatness—a journey of triumphs, gold medals and untold success.

However, when the cheers faded, Kiprop found himself confronted by challenges far more daunting than any he had faced on the track.

In 2018, Kiprop's world came crashing down with a doping scandal that shocked the athletics world.

His name, once revered, was suddenly associated with disgrace and scandal as the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) imposed a four-year ban after a positive test for the blood-boosting drug EPO.

“I did not know what he was talking about. He said media was reporting that I had been banned for doping. I developed a running stomach. I was shaking…speechless...My heart felt like someone had plucked it," he recalled in a past interview with The Standard.

The news broke him in a way he could never have anticipated, triggering a spiral of sleepless nights, isolation and bitterness as he fought to reclaim his reputation.

The societal expectations placed on Kiprop, like many men, shaped his journey.

As a world-class athlete with a clean record and a respected status in his community the fall from grace was brutal.

Despite his accomplishments, he suddenly felt alone, misunderstood and scrutinized by a world that once cheered him on.

“People I thought knew me were not standing with me. I got very bitter. I wanted someone who would understand my pain; of how I had trained so hard and now I am banned,” he confesses.

It is a sentiment many men can resonate with—the feeling of isolation when life’s challenges intensify and the difficulty of finding true allies in a world where showing vulnerability is often seen as weakness.

In his darkest moments, Kiprop was left grappling not only with the scandal but also with the cost of fame. His career had come with privileges: financial success, fame and adulation from fans.

Yet, fame’s allure had drawn him into a whirlwind of distractions and poor choices, leaving him exposed to criticisms that ranged from accusations of promiscuity to allegations of reckless behavior.

Kiprop admits, “I made some mistakes in life, and I have always taken the consequences.”

For years, he found solace in the familiar: rigorous training, the support of fans, and, in his downtime, friendships that seemed unbreakable. But the scandal unveiled a new reality.

Friendships dissolved, his reputation crumbled and he found himself wrestling with 'depression'.

His struggles, like those of many men, were not immediately visible to the public eye and Kiprop’s cry for help went unheard until a social media post alarmed his followers.

In a raw moment, he hinted at desperation, expressing his pain in a message that prompted intervention from senior officials.

For Kiprop, it was a call to address his pain—a step many men struggle to take.

Now 35, Kiprop is working to regain his place in Kenyan athletics, setting his sights on the World Athletics Championships in 2025.

Kiprop’s message for men facing setbacks in their careers, relationships, or mental well-being is clear: a setback does not define one’s worth. Instead, it is a test of character and resolve.

“I want to start small and win for my employers, the Kenya Police, who diligently stood by me all the four years,” he says in an interview with RFI.

“It is going to be a hard time but… I want to post good times and progressively go up the ladder and qualify to represent Kenya again.”

This season, Kiprop returned to competition at the National Police Service Track and Field Championships, where he won his 1500m heat—a modest yet meaningful step in his quest for redemption.

His performance signals a new beginning for a man determined to rise again not as the prodigious young star he once was but as a seasoned athlete bearing the lessons of both victory and defeat.

(11/09/24) Views: 104
Festus Chuma

Does Yoga Count as Strength Training?

If you’ve ever been sore after a yoga class or felt your muscles aching while holding Warrior 2, you’re familiar with the strengthening benefits of yoga. Although many of us associate yoga with primarily increasing flexibility and calming one’s chaotic thoughts, yoga does build muscle. But how effective is it? Does yoga count as strength training?

Does Yoga Count as Strength Training?

The short answer is, it depends.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults should accumulate a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week plus at least two total-body strength training workouts per week. Strength training increases muscular strength and muscular endurance, which are two of the five components of health-related fitness.

Strength training, also known as resistance training, involves exercises that load your muscles. This not only builds muscle but increases bone density and helps stabilize joints to prevent injuries. Lifting weights or using resistance bands are two common options for strength training.

But they’re not necessarily the only options. Bodyweight training, in which you use your own weight as resistance, is another type of strength training. Some styles of yoga can be considered bodyweight training and can be ideal for anyone who either doesn’t have access to a gym or doesn’t care for or have time for traditional strength training exercises.

That said, there are two factors that largely influence the response to does yoga count as strength training.

1. Type of Yoga

Yoga is an extremely diverse practice with many different styles and ways to practice. Certain types of yoga and poses can strengthen muscles and potentially even build muscle.

2. Your Fitness Level

The other factor that plays a significant role in whether yoga functions as strengthening is your fitness level. Ultimately, it is more difficult to build muscle with yoga than it is with traditional resistance training using external implements such as dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands

In order to build muscle, you need to overload your muscles’ current capacity enough to induce some amount of damage to your muscle fibers. This microscopic damage triggers a process known as muscle protein synthesis, which repairs and rebuilds muscle and helps make your muscles stronger over time.

While it is possible to strengthen your muscles and potentially build muscle exclusively through bodyweight exercises, most people reach a plateau of body strength where some external resistance is necessary to continue strengthening and increasing muscle mass. In general, practicing yoga is not as effective as lifting weights.

However, anything that challenges you is strengthening your muscles. For example, chair yoga can be an efficient strength-training workout. Don’t compare yourself to others and meet your body where you’re at. Also, never push your body beyond your current fitness level or to the point of pain or extreme discomfort.

What Are the Best Types of Yoga for Strength Training?

Beginners often assume that classes for more experienced practitioners are inherently more difficult and better for strengthening than beginner classes. This isn’t necessarily true. These classes are often faster-paced and focus more on transitions between poses and less instruction from the teacher. This can increase the risk of injury for those who are still mastering the foundations and learning basic yoga poses. It can also shift the emphasis to the space in between the poses rather than the strengthening practice of holding the poses for a length of time.

It’s the style of yoga that plays a more important role in whether or not you will be strengthening your muscles or focusing on other aspects of fitness and health in your yoga class.

Some of the best types of yoga for muscle strength include:

Vinyasa yoga 

Power yoga

(11/10/24) Views: 104

Courtney Olsen Sets 50-Mile World Record of 5:31:56 at 2024 Tunnel Hill 50 Mile

American Courtney Olsen continues to make her mark on ultrarunning history, this time provisionally setting a women’s 50-mile world record of 5:31:56 at the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile in Vienna, Illinois, on November 9, 2024.

The previous record of 5:40:18 was set in 1991 by the iconic American ultrarunner Ann Trason. Olsen’s effort resets the world record by 8 minutes and 22 seconds.

Her performance represents an average pace of 6:39 per mile (4:08 per kilometer) over 50 miles (80.47 kilometers). Wow!

The Tunnel Hill 50 Mile is run as a double out-and-back on the Tunnel Hill State Trail, a rails-to-trails trail composed mostly of dirt. The event and trail are named after the tunnel through which the trail passes and was the location of a new men’s 50-mile world record in 2023. It is a USA Track & Field-certified course, and the event has an International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) Gold Label. The IAU governs the 50-mile distance for world records, and will be responsible for ratifying the record.

The 37-year-old hails from Bellingham, Washington, and appears to be amidst a big year in racing. Earlier in 2024, she took third at the Comrades Marathon. She’s also on Team USA, set to compete at the IAU 100-Kilometer World Championships in December, 2024. In 2022, the last time the 100k world champs took place, Olsen finished fourth and ran 7 hours and 15 minutes. Her marathon PR appears to be 2:36:21.

(11/09/24) Views: 102