Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
12/21/2024
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
UT Southwestern student Travis Dowd wins 2024 BMW Dallas Marathon in his debut
Win a marathon on your first time running the distance? That’s exactly what Travis Dowd did Sunday morning at the 2024 BMW Dallas Marathon.
The current UT Southwestern medical student and Rice alumnus broke the tape in a time of 2:26:08, beating second-place finisher Al Maeder by just over four minutes.
“I’m just so blessed, I ran in college and never had a race with this much support. Every single time I felt like I was about to die, I went by a crowd [gesturing for crowd support] and they’re all screaming for me,” Dowd said.
A rain-soaked Dowd soaked in the crowd as he crossed the finish line at Dallas City Hall Plaza. He fell to the ground shortly after finishing due to exhaustion, before making his way to the side, out of the oncoming traffic from runners finishing the half-marathon.
It was 57 degrees at the start of both the half and full marathons, rising to 65 by the time the winners crossed the finish line. However, the over 80% humidity and light rain throughout created some adverse conditions for runners.
After a standout prep running career in Austin at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Dowd was a key member of Rice’s track and cross-country teams. He said he drew upon his experience training in the Houston heat during his marathon debut Sunday.
“I know the weather wasn’t ideal for a marathon, but I loved it. I came from Houston, nice and humid and hot. I felt good right away and felt like I was walking the first 10 miles,” Dowd said.
Woodward wins women’s marathon
Almost exactly 20 minutes after Dowd crossed the line, Arkansas physical therapist and elite runner Erin Woodward won the women’s marathon in 2:46:51.
“I’m very grateful. It was my second-ever marathon. My first one was about 11 months ago and I’ve changed a lot of things with life and training. It’s an affirmation that I’m going in the right direction,” Woodward said.
Woodward saw the course visibility and conditions as advantageous.
“I love the fog. I felt like I was in a movie. It helped me also to not focus too much on the people in front of me because you couldn’t see them and just focusing on running my race,” Woodward said.
(12/16/24) Views: 129Kellen Bulger
Kenya's Catherine Reline stamps authority with Abu Dhabi Marathon win to pocket Ksh. 6 million
Catherine Reline claimed victory at the 2024 ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, earning a $50,000 prize.
Catherine Reline has successfully conquered the marathon in her second attempt this year, claiming top honors at the 2024 ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon.
Reline clocked a spectacular time of 2:20:34 to claim top honors and walk away with a prize purse of US$50,000. Eritrea’s Dolshi Teklegergish came in second in the race, clocking a stunning 2:23:47 with another Kenyan, Aurelia Kiptui sealing the podium in 2:26:48.
The Kenyan made her full marathon debut at this year’s London Marathon but failed to finish the race. Her win in Abu Dhabi displays her resilience and hard work as she did not give up on herself and continued competing and training hard.
She started her season with a third-place finish at the Sirikwa Classic Cross-Country Tour before heading to a sixth-place finish at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon.
Catherine Reline proceeded to the London Marathon where she could not finish the race and quickly switched to the track where she finished seventh in the 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic which acted as trials for the Athletics Kenya team to the Paris Olympic Games. Prior to the Abu Dhabi Marathon, she finished an impressive third at the Copenhagen Half Marathon.
The 22-year-old showcased her mastery with a tactical race in Abu Dhabi and she is certainly destined for greatness.
Meanwhile, the men’s race saw Ethiopian Chala Ketema Regassa claim the win after shaking off competition from his challengers.
The Ethiopian road running ace clocked 2:06:16 to smash the previous course record, crossing the finish line first ahead of Ibrahim Bouh and Kenyan Wilfred Kigen who challenged him fiercely in the last 10km.
Ibrahim Bouh finished second in a time of 2:06:33 as Kenya’s Wilfred Kigen rounded up the podium in 2:06:47.
(12/14/24) Views: 109Abigael Wafula
Kipkorir, Jemal win this year’s Taipei Marathon
Brimin Kipkorir of Kenya and Amid Fozya Jemal of Ethiopia won the men’s and the women’s categories, respectively, in the annual Taipei Marathon yesterday, which drew about 28,000 participants.
Kipkorir finished the 42.2km run in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 41 seconds, which was about 2.5 minutes off the event’s record of 2:09:18 set by his countryman Paul Lonyongata in 2020.
Meanwhile, Jemal — who also won the New Taipei Wan Jin Shi Marathon in March — finished with a first-place time of 2:32:47, about seven minutes behind the race’s women’s record of 2:25:55.
For winning the race, Kipkorir and Jemal will each receive a first-place prize of US$67,500, organizers said.
The fastest Taiwanese runner in the men’s category was Chou Ting-yin, who set a personal best time of 2:21:17.
In a post-race interview, Chou said he had fared poorly in the Chicago Marathon in October despite entering the race in peak condition.
After returning to Taiwan, he had struggled with training, only to surprise himself yesterday by setting a personal record, he said.
In the women’s category, Hsieh Chien-ho finished first among domestic competitors with a time of 2:51:12.
The Taipei Marathon was established in 1986, and, following a multiyear hiatus due to the construction of the Taipei Metro, has been held annually since 2001.
The marathon begins at Taipei City Hall and follows Renai Road west toward the Presidential Office and Ximen. It then continues up Zhongshan N Road and crosses the Keelung River, which it follows east to Nangang Exhibition Center, before looping back and ending at Taipei Municipal Stadium.
The marathon is one of two World Athletics Gold Label Road Races in Taiwan. The other is the New Taipei Wan Jin Shi Marathon.
(12/16/24) Views: 104
Gift Guide for Runners: What Not to Buy This Holiday Season
Before you head to the running store for your holiday shopping, here’s a friendly reminder: even the most thoughtful gifts can sometimes miss the mark for the Runner in your life.
Don’t get me wrong—I appreciate any gift! After all, it’s the thought that counts. But when it comes to holidays and birthdays, I can’t help but worry that my friends and family might waste money on things I don’t actually need or want as a runner. Sure, there are plenty of runner gift guides (we’ve written many of them), but an equally useful article might be a guide on what not to gift runners. So, at the risk of sounding like a grumpy Grinch, I’ve decided to write one myself. Here are some of the worst gifts for runners, in my humble opinion:
1. Shoes
Just don’t buy me shoes. Unless we’ve had a long conversation about a specific pair I’m craving, or you’re replacing the exact same model that I’ve worn to the bone and I’ve raved about it repeatedly, it’s best to avoid. Runners are particular about their shoes, and everyone’s foot shape and running gait are different. Not all shoes fit the same. Instead, consider a gift card to your local running store, so your runner can pick out exactly what they want—no guesswork involved. Plus, you’ll be supporting a local business!
2. Novelty Running Items
This might just be a “me” thing, but I’ve received my fair share of “Eat, Run, Sleep” T-shirts, and they’re currently gathering dust in the back of my closet. Perhaps I’d have worn an “I Run For Wine” shirt a few years ago, but now, I can’t help but cringe at anything in that category—and I’m not alone. If you’re gifting running apparel, aim for something timeless, like a sleek, functional piece of gear that could be worn on any occasion. And make sure it’s made with running-friendly materials like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. It’s a much safer bet than a “Running BC Therapy is Expensive” cotton long sleeve.
The same goes for running-themed non-running items. I have a Chicago Marathon mug I adore, but do I need another dozen mugs that say things like “Fueled by Miles and Coffee”? No. The same logic applies to wine glasses, dish towels, posters, etc.
3. (Bad) Socks
One thing many people don’t realize is that there’s a big difference between regular athletic socks and running socks. Sure, you might find tons of ankle-length Nike socks at big box stores, but running in cotton socks is a recipe for blisters, chafing, odor, and discomfort. Some runners are loyal to specific brands and materials, so buying socks can be tricky. If you’re unsure, though, aim for running-specific socks made from moisture-wicking materials like polyester, nylon, spandex, or wool. And if your runner cares about being stylish, make sure they’re crew-length. If you’re playing it safe, opt for fun, everyday socks (you can never go wrong with cat socks).
4. Sports Nutrition
As you browse the aisles of the running store, you might be tempted by the shiny stock of gels, drink mixes, energy cubes, and waffles. But before you buy, remember: if you don’t know exactly what your runner likes, don’t cave to temptation. Everyone’s stomach is different, and finding the right nutrition for long runs can take a lot of trial and error. Instead, consider gifting some high-quality dark chocolate or their favorite candy.
5. Cheap Fitness Watches (Yes, we mean Fitbits)
Many runners love their tech, but you can’t really find “cheap” alternatives to the high-performance fitness watches by brands like Garmin, Coros, and Apple. A Fitbit just isn’t the same as a running watch. It has limited metrics, less accurate GPS, and shorter battery life. If you’re set on buying a fitness watch, make sure your runner doesn’t already have one, and be prepared to invest in a quality model that meets their needs.
Not to Be a Scrooge
I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer. There are plenty of fantastic, runner-friendly gifts out there, and I’m sure your runner will appreciate whatever you choose—just keep these common pitfalls in mind to make sure your gift hits the mark!
(12/15/24) Views: 103
Two newcomers to Double Racing were the winners at the 12th Christmas Double 15k
The 12th Christmas Double 15K (10K + break + 5K) took place this morning (Dec. 14) in Palo Alto, California, despite challenging weather conditions, including rain and wind gusts up to 50 mph. Double racing first-timers emerged as the winners: 25-year-old Ethan Phelps finished as the top male with a total time of 50:45, while 29-year-old Taryn Cordain claimed the top female spot with a time of 59:35. The event also featured the Bob Anderson’s Kids Mile, which set a record with 70 entries, as well as 10K and 5K races.
60-year-old Jean Pommier, a world-class ultra runner ran a very strong 84% age-graded performance clocking 1:00:44. (Third photo) Jean was our Double Victory Cup Winner. The runner with the best age-graded score.
“The weather forecast was really bad the day before,” said Bob Anderson, the creator of Double Racing in 2012. “It was challenging, but it wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be. Our positive thinking worked, I guess.” Indeed, it was a good morning of racing, with nearly 350 participants registered.
In the Double the winner of the first leg (10k) wears the yellow jersey for the second leg. This way everyone knows who they need to beat to be the overall winner. In this case, both winners of the first leg also won the second leg. The next Double 15k is March 22 in Brisbane California.
(12/14/24) Views: 103
Doha Marathon by Ooredoo wins World Athletics Gold Label for second time
The Doha Marathon by Ooredoo has been awarded the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label designation, marking its second consecutive year of receiving this honour and reaffirming its position as one of the elite global road races.
The highly anticipated 13th edition, scheduled for January 17, 2025 is poised to be the largest ever, with over 15,000 participants expected.
The Gold Label designation reflects the marathon’s commitment to excellence, meeting the rigorous standards set by the World Athletics Label Road Races programme.These include world-class event organization, featuring advanced timing systems, anti-doping compliance, and comprehensive race amenities such as hydration stations, medical support, and recovery facilities.
In addition to adherence to safety protocols, and the participation of elite international athletes.With this recognition, the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo stands as a world-class road race offering runners numerous benefits, such as access to certified courses, and opportunities to earn global ranking points.The event also provides qualification opportunities for major international competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympics, while attracting significant global media coverage, enhancing visibility and prestige for participants.
Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo Committee at Ooredoo Qatar, commented: “Earning the Gold Label designation for the second year in a row is a significant milestone for the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo and a testament to our commitment to excellence.
This Marathon has grown into a world-class event, uniting international elite athletes and local talent in a shared celebration of health, fitness, and community spirit. It not only enhances the prestige of the event but also further elevates Doha’s standing on the global sporting stage.”The race will feature an iconic route along Doha’s scenic Corniche, starting and finishing at Hotel Park, and will host world-renowned athletes such as Shura Kitata, Solomon Mutai, Roza Dereje, and Joan kipyatich.The event includes four race categories — 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km — ensuring opportunities for runners of all ages and abilities.
Competitors with disabilities can join races of up to 21km, with free registration available.The popular ‘Al Adaam’ category will also return for its third year next month, offering special cash prizes to encourage local athletes.
Since its inception in 2013, the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo has grown exponentially, reflecting Qatar’s thriving health and fitness culture and its status as a premier destination for major sporting events.
The event has become a local and regional landmark, attracting runners from around the world and contributing significantly to Qatar’s global sporting reputation.
(12/13/24) Views: 101Gulf Times
Tigist Assefa tipped for victory at Sunday’s Bangsaen21
Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa headlines the Bangsaen21 Half Marathon women’s elite field, a World Athletics Platinum Label event, in Chon Buri on Sunday (15).
She will be joined by Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya and other elite athletes from across the world.
For Tigist Assefa, the race in Chon Buri is her first as an Olympic silver medalist. The former world marathon record-holder, who clocked 2:11:53 in Berlin last year, was a narrow second to Sifan Hassan in the Olympic marathon in Paris in August and prior to that she finished second in the London Marathon in April in 2:16:23.
She last raced a half marathon in 2022 and her PB of 1:07:28 dates back to April of that year.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Nibret Melak, Leul Gebresilase and Bazezew Asmare are also strong candidates for victory.
African 10,000m champion Nibret Melak, who finished seventh in the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships last year, has a best of 59:06.
(12/14/24) Views: 99Fana Broadcasting Corporate
Can Running to Holiday Music Improve Your Splits?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for ‘music doping.’ Feliz Navi-dash your way to happier, faster runs with Christmas carols.
There are countless studies surrounding the impact of holiday music on our mental health, with both positive and negative effects proven. While you may enjoy bopping along to The Jackson 5’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” when it plays on the car radio, or always crank up the volume when Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” comes on at your holiday party, these classic carols may actually be most useful when you’re out dashing through the snow, if you know what I mean.
Indres Viskontas, a neuroscientist, professor at the University of San Francisco, and author of How Music Can Make You Better, has analyzed and compiled copious amounts of research pertaining to music and psychological impact. For example, one study had 20 male participants perform two six minute running tests, one with and one without music. Researchers measured mean running speed, blood lactate, total distance covered, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion. The results concluded that runners who listened to their music of choice were significantly faster and had lower blood-lactate concentrations.
Viskontas says amateur athletes specifically will benefit from running to music they enjoy—emphasis on the word “enjoy”. It might be obvious to some, but benefits like improved mood, release of endorphins, and overall performance won’t be as strong if you’re listening to songs that you don’t enjoy.
All that to say, elite athletes won’t necessarily improve by listening to music.
“This is where the studies split and stop showing results,” Viskontas says. “When you’re at the far end of the spectrum of skill, it’s sort of moot. For example, a marathoner who sits at the front of the pack is probably not going to run faster if they are listening to music—they’re already going as fast as they can. For the average runner, however, there are significant benefits.”
How ‘Music Doping’ Works
Music affects the brain on a chemical level. Viskontas cites a few mechanisms surrounding music and how we perceive it. The first is that music raises the arousal levels in the brain. An example of this can be seen in dementia patients who, according to their CT scans, don’t show much brain activity due to the disease. But studies show that if you play music that
Another mechanism is called the analgesic effect, or the endorphin effect. This is when music raises levels of neurochemicals, like dopamine and hormones,that play important roles motivation, especially when it comes to movement.
“Music can wake us up, synchronize our brain activity and movements, and raise neurochemicals that allow us to run faster and stronger with less pain,” Viskontas says.
‘Run Rudolph Run’
Given all this research about the correlation between endurance performance and music, we wondered how Christmas carols, one of the most polarizing genres, fit into these studies. For some people, holiday tunes can have a lot of negative associations, while others experience heightened senses of happiness.
“One of the reasons Christmas music has such an emotional impact is because it comes at a time when we either celebrate with family, or are reminded of family we lost,” Viskontas says. “We only hear it during one part of the year, and that happens to be a time where we’re making a lot of memories, either happy or sad.”
She adds that, as humans, we are highly influenced by sounds in the world. It’s why, for example, we shy away from abrupt noises like a car backfiring or
Hannon is of the opinion that the research regarding music—jolly or not—can be divided into two schools of thought: It enhances your running performance or it alleviates pain, making you feel better overall during your workout but not necessarily producing better results.
“There isn’t actually as much research as you’d think on this,” she says. “It’s hard to get a whole bunch of people to show the same effects because there are so many factors that influence your performance on any given day.”
In any case, there’s a short window of opportunity for these benefits, if you reap them. Listening to Christmas music before the 25th can spur excitement of what’s to come, whereas hearing your favorite merry tunes in January can seem sort of…depressing.
As for Viskontas, she says she grew up singing in the choir in school, so there’s some Christmas music she can’t listen to without crying—a sort of melancholy nostalgia. But other carols, more modern tunes, bring about more positive associations.
“I listen to them while I’m trimming the tree or doing something else holiday-related,” she says. “But going for a run while listening? I’ve never tried. But, you know what
O Come, All Ye Faithful, Pentatonix
Carol of the Bells, Mykola Dmytrovych and John Williams
(12/15/24) Views: 97
London marathon champion eyes season-ending glory in Thailand
The 2024 London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao is hoping to cap off his season with an emphatic victory as he takes on the Bangsaen Half Marathon in Thai- land this Sunday.
After a mixed year on the global stage, Munyao is determined to secure victory and build momentum for a demanding 2025 season.
“I am targeting a win in Thailand to close my season on a high note. This will motivate me for the busy 2025 calendar,” Munyao said.
For the 28-year-old, success in Thailand would provide a much-needed confidence boost, especially after finishing a disappointing 21st at the Paris Olympics with a time of 2:10:31.
However, Munyao remains wary of the tropical heat that awaits in Thailand, acknowledging it as a critical factor in his race strategy.
“The heat will be a big challenge on race day, with temperatures ranging from 23 to 30 degrees. I am not focused on clocking a fast time, as my goal is purely to win,” he emphasized.
Munyao admits his preparations for the race have been less than ideal, citing limited training time after competing in Japan’s 12 NIT- TAIDAI Challenge Games, where he clocked a 27:42.04 for a runner-up finish in the 10,000m in October.
“My training has been average since I competed in Japan. But I believe the work I have put in will suffice. I will do some light training before Sunday’s race,” he said.
Despite his confidence, he is mindful of the formidable competition.
“I expect tough opposition—it won’t be an easy race. But I’m confident I can pull off a win,” he said.
Munyao carries an impressive half-marathon record into the race, including victories at the 2020 Santa Pola Half Marathon ( 59:09 ) and the 2023 Kagawa Half Marathon ( 59:17 ).
He holds runners-up finishes at the 2020 Ras Al Khaimah ( 59:16 ) and 2021 Adizero Road to Records ( 59:20 ) Half Marathons.
In the women’s race, a titanic battle looms as 2023 Tokyo Marathon champion Rosemary Wanjiru faces off against Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, the 2024 Olympic marathon silver medalist.
The two are no strangers to each other’s tactics having clashed at the 2022 Berlin Marathon, where Assefa stormed to victory in a course record of 2:15:37, leaving Wanjiru in second with 2:18:00.
Wanjiru’s road credentials are stellar, highlighted by her 2023 Tokyo Marathon triumph in 2:16:28 and a runner-up finish in 2024, clocking 2:16:14 behind Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede ( 2:15:55 ).
Meanwhile, Assefa holds back-to-back victories in the Berlin Marathon 2022 ( 2:15:37 ) and 2023 ( 2:11:53 ), as well as runners-up finish at the 2024 London Marathon ( 2:16:23 ).
Joining the fray, is the 2023 Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon champion Gladys Chepkurui, add- ing depth to a star-studded field.
(12/13/24) Views: 92Teddy Mulei
Jack Rowe runs speedy 28:02 to win 10km in Telford
The British distance runner is now joint-fifth on the UK 10km all-time list after his run in the Shropshire town
Jack Rowe got the better of Phil Sesemann at the Telford 10km, shaving five seconds off his personal best with a time of 28:02 (December 14).
The Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete’s previous quickest mark was the 28:07 he clocked in Manchester three years ago.
Not only was Rowe’s 28:02 the fastest time by a Brit over 10km this season but it also put him joint-fifth on the UK all-time list over the distance.
This was Rowe’s fourth major win of the autumn road season after victories at the Big Half, Vitality London 10,000 and Manchester Half Marathon.
It’s been quite the season for Rowe, who’s recorded personal bests in the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m.
Sesemann meanwhile clocked 28:08 for second in Telford, just short of his 10km best of 28:26, set at the Corrida Pédestre Internationale de Houilles meet in France five years ago.
Kadar Omar was third in 28:34 with his Birchfield Harriers team-mate fourth Aron Gebremariam in 28:58.
It was Gebremariam’s first ever 10km and the English national cross-country junior champion performed well.
It was a much closer affair in the women’s field, with Amelia Quirk edging out Sarah Astin by just three seconds.
Quirk, who won the English national cross-country crown in 2020 and is a regular on British distance teams, clocked 32:40.
The Bracknell AC athlete races sparingly on the roads and this was only her second outing over 10km, with Quirk’s previous best mark being 31:53 from Valencia last year.
Natasha Phillips ran 32:56 for third place, a mark that put her top of the British under-20 rankings this season and fourth on the all-time junior list, after being pushed by Bournemouth based Ethiopian Atsede Gidey.
Teenager Holly Weedall also set a personal best of 33:21, improving on the 33:58 she clocked in Telford last year.
(12/17/24) Views: 91Martin Duff
