Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
1/10/2026
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Ruti Aga Sora Headlines a Powerful Women’s Field at the 2026 Xiamen Marathon
The international road racing calendar turns its focus to Asia as Ethiopia’s consistent and battle-tested marathoner Ruti Aga Sora arrives in China for the 2026 Xiamen Marathon, scheduled for January 11 in the coastal city of Xiamen China. Known for her ability to deliver strong performances year after year, Sora enters the race carrying both experience and expectation in one of the deepest women’s elite fields seen at the event.
With a personal best of 2:16:34, Sora stands as the fastest athlete in the line-up. Beyond the numbers, her greatest strength lies in how she manages championship races—patient in the early stages, composed through the middle miles, and decisive when fatigue begins to shape the outcome. That racing intelligence could prove decisive on a course that often rewards control as much as speed.
She will be challenged by a powerful group of elite runners, led by fellow Ethiopians Megertu Alemu (2:18:09) and Meseret Abebayehu (2:19:50), alongside Fikrte Wereta Admasu (2:21:32). Kenya’s challenge is equally compelling, with Helah Jelagat Kiprop (2:21:27), Stacy Jepkemoi Ndiwa (2:23:29), and Mercy Jerop Kwambai (2:23:58) all capable of influencing the race if the pace remains honest deep into the final kilometers. On paper, the depth suggests a controlled opening followed by an increasingly tactical battle as the field thins.
The race will start at 7:30 AM local time in China, which corresponds to 2:30 AM in Kenya and 3:30 PM Pacific Time in the United States, allowing fans across multiple continents to follow the action live. Xiamen’s growing reputation as a fast and competitive marathon makes it an ideal setting for elite athletes seeking both performance and prestige.
As the kilometers unfold along Xiamen’s coastal roads, experience will collide with ambition. East Africa’s dominance in women’s marathon running once again takes center stage, but the outcome will be decided not by reputations or personal bests, but by resilience after 30 kilometers. When the finish line finally comes into view, only one athlete will claim victory—but every contender will be pushed to the limit.
(01/06/26) Views: 433Erick Cheruiyot for My Bestruns.
Houston Reloaded: Star-Studded Men’s Field Sets the Stage for a Wide-Open 2026 Half Marathon
With no defending champion, no American record holder, and a reshuffled elite lineup, the January 11, 2026, Houston Half Marathon is shaping up as one of the most open and unpredictable men’s races the event has seen in years.
A Reset Year in Houston
When the gun goes off on Sunday, Houston will once again showcase one of the fastest half-marathon courses in the world—but without the familiar faces that dominated the podium last year. None of the top five finishers from 2025 return, creating a rare reset for a race long associated with records, breakthroughs, and Olympic-cycle statements.
What remains is depth, intrigue, and a compelling blend of proven performers and ambitious newcomers ready to write a new chapter.
Vincent Ngetich: Speed Meets Staying Power
Kenya’s Vincent Ngetich enters as the fastest man in the field on paper, owning a 59:09 personal best from 2022. His half-marathon credentials are formidable, but his reputation soared after a stunning 2:03:13 runner-up finish at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, behind Eliud Kipchoge.
Houston offers Ngetich the opportunity to reassert himself over 21.1 km and test his speed against a deep American contingent on a course that rewards bold, aggressive racing.
Hillary Bor Leads the Returners
Kenyan-born American Hillary Bor is the top returner from last year’s race after finishing sixth in 1:00:20. His 59:55 personal best, set at the NYC Half Marathon, underscores his sub-60 capability—even if that performance came on a non-record-eligible course.
Bor arrives with consistency and experience on his side and will be keen to capitalize on a field without a clear dominant force.
Galen Rupp Back in the MiX
Few names carry the weight of Galen Rupp in American distance running. The two-time Olympian owns a 59:47 personal best from 2018 and returns to Houston after finishing 12th in 1:02:37 in 2024.
While Rupp is no longer chasing records, his race intelligence, experience, and ability to manage fast early pace could prove influential in a race likely to unfold aggressively from the start.
Rising Americans and International Depth
The American contingent is deep, with several sub-61 runners including Sam Chelanga, Biya Simbassa, Andrew Colley, Alex Maier, and Reed Fischer, all bringing strong recent road or cross-country form into the season.
International depth adds further intrigue, with athletes such as Cam Levins, Alex Masai, Patrick Kiprop, and Mohamed El Yousfi all capable of factoring into a fast-moving lead pack.
The Debutant to Watch: Habtom Samuel
One of the most compelling storylines belongs to Habtom Samuel, the 2025 NCAA cross country champion, who is set to make his half-marathon and road-racing debut. Samuel recently clocked 13:05.2 for 5000 meters at Boston University, signaling sharp fitness as he transitions from the track and cross country to the roads.
Houston has a long history of rewarding fearless debutants, and the University of New Mexico standout fits that mold perfectly.
A Race Built for Breakthroughs
With no defending champion, no American record holder, and a deep field eager to make a statement, the 2026 Houston Half Marathon promises fast early splits, tactical uncertainty, and genuine breakthrough potential.
On one of the world’s most trusted fast courses, opportunity—not reputation—may prove to be the real favorite.
2026 Houston Half Marathon – Men’s Elite Entrants (with Country)
1. Vincent Ngetich — Kenya (KEN)
2. Galen Rupp — United States (USA)
3. Hillary Bor — United States (USA)
4. Cam Levins — Canada (CAN)
5. Biya Simbassa — United States (USA)
6. Sam Chelanga — United States (USA)
7. Andrew Colley — United States (USA)
8. Alex Maier — United States (USA)
9. Marcelo Laguera — Mexico (MEX)
10. Reed Fischer — United States (USA)
11. Rory Linkletter — Canada (CAN)
12. Ryan Ford — United States (USA)
13. Alberto Mendez — Guatemala (GUA)
14. Alex Masai — Kenya (KEN)
15. Peter Lynch — Ireland (IRL)
16. Patrick Kiprop — Kenya (KEN)
17. Aaron Bienenfeld — Germany (GER)
18. Mohamed El Yousfi — Morocco (MAR)
19. Kengo Suzuki — Japan (JPN)
20. Haimro Alame — Israel (ISR)
21. William Amponsah — Ghana (GHA)
22. Daniel Michalski — United States (USA)
23. Bran Barraza — United States (USA)
24. Aaron Gruen — Austria (AUT)
25. Robert Warner-Judd — Great Britain (GBR)
26. Habtom Samuel — Eritrea (ERI) (half-marathon debut)
27. Casey Clinger — United States (USA) (debut)
28. Isai Rodriguez — United States (USA) (debut)
29. Graydon Morris — United States (USA) (debut)
30. Dylan Schubert — United States (USA) (debut)
31. Merga Gemeda — United States (USA) (debut)
32. Hunter Christopher — United States (USA) (debut)
(01/06/26) Views: 348Robert Kibet
Women’s Marathon Power by Nation: What the Fastest Times Ever Reveal About Global Depth
When we talk about greatness in the women’s marathon, records and medals often dominate the conversation. A world record here, an Olympic podium there. But those moments, as extraordinary as they are, don’t always tell the full story.
A deeper question matters just as much:
Which countries consistently produce elite women marathoners—year after year, athlete after athlete?
To answer that, analysts have stepped away from single seasons and headline performances and instead examined historical depth. The result is a ranking based on the average of the 10 fastest women’s marathon times ever recorded by each country, compiled as of December 31, 2025.
This is not about who ran best in 2025.
This is about who has built lasting excellence.
How the Rankings Were Calculated
For each country:
• All women’s marathon performances in the historical record were reviewed
• The 10 fastest marathon times ever recorded by women from that country were identified
• Those ten times—regardless of year—were averaged
• The resulting figure represents that country’s all-time marathon depth
The year a performance occurred does not matter. An athlete needed only to run a marathon once to be included, as long as the time ranked among the nation’s fastest ten ever.
This approach shifts the lens from short-term form to long-term system strength.
A Dead Heat at the Top
At the summit of women’s marathon history sit two familiar giants—and they are inseparable.
Ethiopia and Kenya, both averaging 2:17:10, are tied at the top.
This is not the work of a single superstar. It reflects ten separate performances from each nation that, when averaged, would place comfortably on the podium at nearly any major marathon in the world. It is dominance built on depth—high-altitude environments, strong road-racing cultures, and generations of knowledge passed forward.
Japan and the United States: Different Systems, Similar Results
Behind the East African leaders, Japan (2:23:14) and the United States (2:23:39) stand out.
Japan’s strength comes from a uniquely structured system: corporate teams, deep domestic racing calendars, and an enduring cultural reverence for distance running. The consistency is remarkable.
The United States, by contrast, reflects a more decentralized model—athletes emerging from NCAA programs, professional training groups, and a growing focus on marathon specialization. The result is increasing depth at the elite level, even without a single dominant pipeline.
Europe’s Collective Strength
Europe does not produce women’s marathoners in quite the same numbers as East Africa, but its breadth is unmistakable.
Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and others cluster tightly in the mid-2:20 range. No single nation dominates the continent, but together they form a strong competitive core, driven by improved sports science, professional racing opportunities, and increased global exposure.
Expanding Global Reach
One of the most telling aspects of this ranking is how widely excellence is distributed.
From Australia to China, from Bahrain to Peru, competitive women’s marathon running is no longer confined to a handful of regions. National programs, migration, dual citizenship, and professional opportunities have reshaped the global map.
Even countries lower on the list demonstrate something important: producing ten world-class marathon performances is no longer rare—it is becoming achievable.
Why This Ranking Matters
This list is not meant to replace medals, championships, or seasonal rankings. Instead, it complements them by answering a different question:
Who has built a system capable of producing elite marathon performances over time?
By focusing on all-time best performances rather than a single season, the rankings reward:
• Development, not just talent
• Consistency, not just peaks
• Depth, not just stars
In the modern era of women’s marathon running, that depth is what sustains greatness.
The Bigger Picture
The women’s marathon has never been deeper, more global, or more competitive than it is today. And as more countries invest in athlete development, the next reshuffling of this list may come from unexpected places.
What will not change is the lesson this ranking makes clear:
Greatness in the marathon is not built in one race or one year—it is built over generations.
Countries Included in This Ranking (with Average Times)
The following countries are represented in the women’s marathon depth analysis, based on the average of their 10 fastest women’s marathon performances ever recorded, compiled as of December 31, 2025:
• Ethiopia — 2:17:10
• Kenya — 2:17:10
• Japan — 2:23:14
• United States — 2:23:39
• Bahrain — 2:24:34
• Great Britain — 2:25:28
• Australia — 2:25:53
• China — 2:26:31
• Germany — 2:26:43
• Morocco — 2:26:43
• Netherlands — 2:27:56
• North Korea — 2:27:29
• France — 2:28:04
• Spain — 2:28:13
• Russia — 2:31:18
• Peru — 2:32:25
• Canada — 2:33:19
• South Korea — 2:33:19
• Poland — 2:35:01
• Sweden — 2:35:16
(01/03/26) Views: 160Boris Barron
From the Hills of Keiyo to the World’s Clock — A Journey Etched in Endurance
Long before his name was stitched onto race bibs and printed in record books, Wilson Kipsang learned to run on earth that burned his feet. In Kenya’s Keiyo highlands, mornings began with urgency. A young boy sprinted to school barefoot, not chasing ambition but trying to arrive on time. Footwear was rare, comfort rarer still. Every step across dust and stones quietly hardened him for a future no one had promised.
His days were shaped by necessity. Livestock had to be guided, distances had to be covered, chores could not wait. Without knowing it, endurance settled into his body like instinct. There were no training plans, no watches, no applause — only movement, repetition, and resilience. Life did not encourage him. It demanded strength.
Adulthood brought heavier burdens. Kipsang drove taxis, burned charcoal, and worked until exhaustion became normal. He was one of many, unseen and unnamed, surviving day by day. In those moments, success felt distant, almost unreal. Yet even then, running remained his constant. Not as performance, but as identity. It was how he breathed.
Opportunity finally found him when he joined the Kenya Police Service. Structure replaced uncertainty. Discipline sharpened his focus. What had always lived quietly inside him now had direction. Each race became a statement, each stride an answer. Observers began to notice a runner whose pace carried urgency, whose presence felt inevitable.
In 2013, on Berlin’s wide streets far from his rural beginnings, Kipsang delivered a performance that reshaped the sport. He crossed the finish line in 2:03:23, faster than anyone before him. The numbers told one story; the journey told another. A boy who once ran without shoes had outrun history itself.
The global stage never dimmed his resolve. At the London 2012 Olympic Games, under immense pressure, he claimed bronze — a medal built from patience and perseverance. Major cities followed. London twice, Frankfurt twice, New York with authority, Tokyo with calm control. Across continents, his consistency spoke louder than celebration.
There is a quiet truth in his journey: strength often grows unnoticed. Like a river carving its path through stone, Wilson Kipsang became powerful by continuing forward. From rural paths to world records, his story reminds us that greatness is not sudden — it is earned step by step.
(01/04/26) Views: 143Erick Cheruiyot for My Bestruns.
He Let the Finish Line Go — and Gave the Sport Its Soul
The final meters of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race are designed to reward the relentless. On May 25, 2019, in Edo State, Nigeria, they became something else entirely.
Kenyan runner Simon Cheprot was still racing — lungs burning, legs heavy, eyes fixed on the finish — when he noticed movement on the road ahead. Another athlete had gone down. It was Kenneth Kipkemoi, a fellow Kenyan, his body finally overwhelmed by the strain of elite competition. He tried to rise. He couldn’t.
Around them, the race did what races always do. Runners streamed past. The clock kept ticking. The finish line waited.
Cheprot slowed. Then he stopped.
In a sport where hesitation costs careers, he turned back. He reached down, lifted Kipkemoi, and wrapped an arm around him. With every step, Cheprot dragged his exhausted compatriot forward, not toward victory, but toward safety. The sprint was gone. The podium was gone. So was the prize money that so often defines survival in professional road racing.
What remained was a choice.
Cheprot knew exactly what he was giving up. A top placing in a World Athletics–labelled road race carries more than prestige; it brings financial relief, future invitations, and validation. By stopping, he erased all of that in seconds. Yet there was no drama in his decision, no gesture for the cameras. Just urgency, effort, and care.
Spectators sensed it immediately. The noise shifted — from cheers for speed to applause for humanity. Officials and medical staff moved in as Cheprot ensured Kipkemoi was no longer alone on the road.
In those moments, the finish line lost its power.
The images traveled quickly, cutting through a sports world conditioned to celebrate only winners. Here was something rarer: an athlete refusing to step over another’s pain for personal gain.
Cheprot finished far back in the results, his name absent from headlines that usually list times and places. But the act itself became the story. Not because it was emotional, but because it was honest.
Athletics often speaks about respect, solidarity, and fair play. On that day in Okpekpe, Simon Cheprot lived those words. He reminded the world that behind every bib number is a human being, and that the true measure of sport is not how fiercely we compete — but how we respond when competition asks us to forget our humanity.
The clock kept running.
The race moved on.
But something far more important stopped — and was remembered.
(01/07/26) Views: 143Erick Cheruiyot for My Bestruns.
Mengesha and Loibach Conquer the World’s Longest Sea Bridge at Zhuhai–Macao Half Marathon
Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha delivered a commanding performance to claim the men’s title at the 2026 Zhuhai–Macao Bridge Half Marathon, stopping the clock at 1:01:27 as elite runners battled wind and exposure on one of the most extraordinary road courses in the world.
Staged on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, the longest sea-crossing bridge on the planet, the race offered a rare blend of speed, spectacle, and sustained mental challenge. Athletes surged onto wide, open tarmac suspended above the Pearl River Delta, facing long straightaways, gentle undulations, and uninterrupted views of open water stretching in every direction.
Mengesha remained patient through the early kilometres as a tightly packed lead group controlled the tempo. He broke clear late in the race, asserting his strength when conditions began to bite. Kenya’s Patrick Mosin stayed close throughout but settled for second in 1:01:30, just three seconds back, while fellow Ethiopian Haftu Teklu completed the podium in 1:02:54.
A Course That Tests Rhythm and Resolve
Unlike traditional city courses lined with spectators, the bridge route is defined by exposure. January brought cool temperatures and steady coastal winds—ideal for fast running but demanding precise pacing. With little shelter on the open deck, runners were forced to manage rhythm and energy as gusts disrupted stride patterns and pack dynamics.
The out-and-back layout added another tactical layer, allowing athletes to measure themselves directly against the field. The turnaround point became a revealing moment, separating those with reserves left for the return leg from those already on the edge.
Loibach Leads Kenyan Sweep in the Women’s Race
In the women’s contest, Kenya’s Grace Loibach Nawowuna underlined her rising status on the international road circuit, claiming victory in 1:07:56 after a fiercely contested race among a deep Kenyan contingent.
She was followed closely by Sheila Chelangat (1:08:06) and Viola Chepngeno (1:08:09), with the top four women finishing within half a minute of one another—a reflection of both tactical racing and the course’s unforgiving nature.
Loibach’s winning time marked an improvement on last year’s performance, highlighting both favourable conditions and the increasing depth of competition the race continues to attract.
A Step Forward From Last Year
In the previous edition, winning times were marginally slower, shaped by cautious early pacing. This year’s performances—particularly at the front—reflected a shift toward more assertive racing, aided by calm early conditions and strong international fields from East Africa and Asia.
The Zhuhai–Macao Bridge Half Marathon is rapidly establishing itself as a destination race for elite and sub-elite runners alike, offering genuine speed potential on a course unlike any other on the global road calendar.
For many competitors, it was more than a race for time or position—it was an experience of running between sea and sky, where concentration, patience, and strength mattered as much as raw speed.
RESULTS – ZHUHAI–MACAO BRIDGE HALF MARATHON
Men
1. Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) — 1:01:27
2. Patrick Mosin (KEN) — 1:01:30
3. Haftu Teklu (ETH) — 1:02:54
4. Weldon Langat (KEN) — 1:02:57
5. Luke Kiprop (KEN) — 1:02:57
6. Negasa Dekeba (ETH) — 1:05:03
7. Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) — 1:07:52
8. Chong See Yeung (HKG) — 1:09:44
9. Man Ho (HKG) — 1:10:36
Women
1. Grace Loibach Nawowuna (KEN) — 1:07:56
2. Sheila Chelangat (KEN) — 1:08:06
3. Viola Chepngeno (KEN) — 1:08:09
4. Gladys Chepkurui (KEN) — 1:08:23
5. Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) — 1:08:54
6. Miriam Chebet (KEN) — 1:09:59
7. Daisy Jepkemei (KAZ) — 1:10:08
8. Megertu Mideksa (ETH) — 1:11:41
9. Ying Chu Lo (HKG) — 1:16:45
10. Shiu Yan Leanne Szeto (HKG) — 1:20:15
(01/04/26) Views: 133Robert Kibet for My Best Runs
From Village Paths to the Open Road: Habtom Samuel’s Houston Half Marathon Debut
The University of New Mexico Lobo takes his first steps into professional road racing, carrying years of endurance, resilience, and determination.
Running Was Life Before the Track
Before Habtom Samuel ever set foot on a formal track, he was running to school—seven kilometers each way—books in hand, racing the clock to arrive on time. Growing up in Debresina, a small village in Eritrea, running was not a sport. It was part of daily life. It was necessity. And in its quiet way, it revealed a talent that would one day carry him onto the international stage.
Samuel’s childhood, like that of many young athletes in rural Africa, blended joy with hardship. The second-born of eight siblings, he learned responsibility early, helping his family and neighbors with farming and daily chores. Life was often difficult, but it shaped a resilience that continues to define him today.
Discovery and Early Talent
Running emerged naturally from routine—long walks to school, informal football matches with friends, and sprints home when village responsibilities made him late. Endurance came long before structure.
“I noticed I could run long distances without getting tired,” Samuel recalls. “That’s when I realized running was something special for me.”
Those unplanned miles built a foundation well before formal training arrived. His breakthrough came in 2021 at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, where he earned a bronze medal in the 3000 meters. The race was tactical and fast, stacked with Kenya’s top under-20 athletes. Samuel managed surges carefully, conserving energy before finishing strongly. The podium confirmed more than talent—it confirmed belief.
Just one month later, he lined up at the Absa Kip Keino Classic against an elite senior field. Finishing fourth, ahead of several seasoned competitors, he left motivated rather than discouraged. “Running with elite athletes showed me I belonged,” he says. “It made me believe I could do even better.”
A New Life with the Lobos
That belief carried Samuel thousands of miles to the University of New Mexico. He was searching not just for competition, but for growth—athletically and personally. Adjusting to a new language, culture, and academic system during his freshman year was challenging, but he found support within the Lobo program.
Wearing the Lobo uniform and competing for a team rooted in tradition and values fuels him daily—on the track, in cross country, and in the classroom.
Academically, Samuel explored public health and exercise science, drawn by a desire to understand the human body. When prerequisites prevented formal entry into exercise science, he found his stride in Liberal Arts and Integrative Studies. “It allows me to take a variety of classes and keep growing academically and personally,” he explains.
Motivation Drawn From the Past
During the hardest training days, Samuel looks backward to move forward.
“I think about where I come from,” he says. “I went through many struggles as a child and always dreamed of a better life. When I look at where I am now, I feel proud. Many people never get these opportunities, and that pushes me to work harder. This is my moment. I feel lucky—but luck means nothing without hard work.”
Debuting on the Roads
This weekend marks another turning point: Samuel’s debut at the Chevron Houston Half Marathon.
Until now, his focus has been cross country and track. Road racing remained unexplored—until winter break offered the opportunity to step outside the collegiate circuit and test himself against seasoned professionals.
The half marathon represents more than a distance change. It is a test of endurance, pacing, strategy, and mental resolve.
“What excites me most is standing on the start line with top professionals,” he says. “I want to see how fast I can run in my debut and what I can learn.”
He approaches the race with curiosity rather than pressure—an opportunity to learn, adapt, and understand his potential beyond the oval.
Looking Ahead: Lessons Beyond the Finish Line
Samuel’s Houston debut marks an important milestone. It allows him to explore a new distance, apply lessons learned from village paths, cross-country courses, and track races, and take a measured step toward a possible professional future on the roads.
More than times or placements, Samuel hopes to be remembered for how he races—and how he lives.
“I want people to remember me as someone who was never afraid to challenge himself,” he says. “As a person, I hope to be remembered for staying hopeful, working hard, and turning every opportunity into something positive.”
From the paths of Debresina to the roads of Houston, Habtom Samuel’s journey as a Lobo is a story of endurance, courage, and gratitude—a reminder that every mile carries a story, and every challenge offers a chance to grow.
(01/08/26) Views: 115Robert Kibet for My Best Runs
Bashir Abdi Targets European Record and Third Rotterdam Crown in 2026
After an injury-disrupted 2025 season, Bashir Abdi, who represents Belgium, is resetting his sights on a bold and ambitious 2026 campaign—one centered on Rotterdam, records, and redemption.
The two-time Olympic marathon medalist has confirmed his intention to return to the NN Rotterdam Marathon on April 12, where he will seek an unprecedented third victory and renew his pursuit of the European marathon record.
“It’s a special marathon,” Abdi told Sporza.be. “I’ve already run 14 marathons, four of which were here in Rotterdam. It won’t be easy to win here, as there will be a strong field. But I’m especially looking forward to running with a good feeling.”
That “good feeling” has been central to Abdi’s career—one built on patience, consistency, and an unusually long peak for a modern elite marathoner.
Born in Somalia, Abdi moved to Belgium as a child and later emerged as one of Europe’s most reliable championship performers. While many of his contemporaries built their reputations on a single breakthrough race, Abdi distinguished himself through durability across courses, conditions, and competitive formats. He has repeatedly delivered on the biggest stages, including Olympic Games, World Championships, and major city marathons.
In 2021, just two months after winning Olympic bronze in Tokyo, Abdi produced the defining performance of his career in Rotterdam, winning in 2:03:36 to set a European marathon record. The run confirmed him not only as a medal contender, but as a time-trialist capable of matching the world’s fastest marathon specialists.
Two years later, he returned to Rotterdam and nearly surpassed his own mark, winning again in 2:03:47—just 11 seconds shy of the European record. That performance reinforced his unique connection to the course and his ability to execute under pressure.
Now 36, Abdi is acutely aware that the margins are tightening.
“I feel many athletes are getting close to that record,” he said. “If I want to hold on to it for a few more years, I have to go faster. Whether it’s in this edition or another time, I don’t know. But my ambition is to break that European record.”
Ahead of Rotterdam, Abdi will test his form in familiar surroundings at the Gent Half Marathon on March 8, using the race as a barometer after a year that never fully came together physically. For a runner whose success has been built on rhythm and continuity, regaining health may be the most important victory of all.
A Course Built for History
Rotterdam’s reputation as one of the world’s fastest marathon courses is long established.
In 1985, Portugal’s Carlos Lopes set a world record of 2:07:12 there. Three years later, Ethiopia’s Belayneh Dinsamo lowered the mark to 2:06:50—a time that stood for a decade. In the women’s race, Tegla Loroupe rewrote history in 1988 with a world record of 2:20:47, ending Ingrid Kristiansen’s long reign.
It is into this lineage of record-breaking performances that Abdi has firmly placed himself—and where he hopes to return once more in 2026.
Bashir Abdi’s 10 Fastest Marathon Performances
• 2:03:36 – 1st, 2021 Rotterdam Marathon
• 2:03:47 – 1st, 2023 Rotterdam Marathon
• 2:04:32 – 3rd, 2023 Chicago Marathon
• 2:04:49 – 2nd, 2020 Tokyo Marathon
• 2:05:19 – 3rd, 2022 London Marathon
• 2:05:23 – 4th, 2022 Rotterdam Marathon
• 2:06:14 – 5th, 2019 Chicago Marathon
• 2:06:47 – 2nd, 2024 Olympic Games (Paris)
• 2:06:48 – 3rd, 2022 World Athletics Championships (Eugene, Oregon)
• 2:07:03 – 7th, 2019 London Marathon
(01/08/26) Views: 78Boris Baron
The Hardest Gold in Athletics: Men’s 10km World Cross Country Championship Preview
The world’s toughest distance runners are converging on Tallahassee, Florida, where the men’s senior 10km race at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships will crown the next ruler of the sport’s most unforgiving discipline. On Saturday morning, January 10, cross country running returns to its rawest form — a test where tactics, terrain, weather, and sheer willpower matter far more than personal bests or stadium glory.
All eyes will be on Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the defending champion, who arrives carrying both confidence and expectation. Calm under pressure and devastating when the pace surges, Kiplimo understands that defending a cross country title is often harder than winning it. Every rival knows his strengths, every move will be marked, and any moment of hesitation could cost him the crown.
Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi comes to Tallahassee with unfinished business and revenge on his mind. One of the most consistent long-distance performers of his generation, Aregawi has conquered the track but still seeks ultimate validation on the grass and dirt. If the race stays controlled, his finishing speed could become lethal; if it turns brutal, his patience and efficiency may carry him through.
Kenya counters with depth, aggression, and hunger, led by the fearless Daniel Simiu Ebenyo. A natural racer who thrives in chaos, Ebenyo is at his best when the pace is relentless and the course unforgiving. With a powerful supporting cast behind him, Kenya’s strategy may be simple — make the race hard from the gun and dare everyone else to survive.
Europe arrives determined to break East Africa’s dominance. France’s Jimmy Gressier, the reigning 10,000m world champion, brings championship confidence and sharp race instincts, while Spain’s European cross country champion Thierry Ndikumwenayo is built for grinding, tactical battles where strength outweighs speed. If the race becomes a war of attrition, Europe’s challenge could grow stronger with every kilometer.
Danger also lurks beyond the favorites. Ethiopia’s rising force Biniam Mehary has the ability to follow any surge and strike late, while Tanzania’s Gabriel Gerald Geay, the reigning world marathon champion, brings enormous endurance and leadership to a discipline that often rewards resilience over reputation. Add in a deep and global field from the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, and beyond, and Tallahassee promises one of the most competitive men’s races in championship history.
When the gun goes, there will be no hiding. Mud, hills, surges, and tactical games will strip the field down to its strongest contenders. By the final kilometer, medals will no longer be decided by rankings or predictions, but by heart, courage, and the willingness to suffer when the body pleads to stop.
Cross country crowns no easy champions. In Tallahassee, only one man will rise above the chaos to claim global glory — and when he does, he will have earned it the hardest way possible.
(01/09/26) Views: 43Erick Cheruiyot for My Bestruns.
