Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
7/25/2020
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Irish marathon runner Stephen Scullion reconsiders rash retirement announcement
Scullion has said that he “couldn’t retire in peace” with the Tokyo Olympics on the horizon and is reconsidering his shock decision to quit the sport.
Scullion, 31, posted a short tweet last night which said: “Today was my last race, I’ve decided to retire. For reasons I’ll talk about in future.”
But the Belfast athlete clarified his intentions this afternoon and said that the announcement was “a rash decision”.
Scullion ran a personal best time of 2:11:52 to finish fifth in the Houston Marathon last January, a result that saw him achieve the 2020 Olympic qualification standard.
“Anybody who listens to [my] podcast will know it’s been an up and down experience during Covid. Last night it caught up with me that I should be in training camp in Tokyo, preparing for the Games,” Scullion explained.
“Things got a little too much for me and I made a rash decision to announce some form of retirement. Retirement isn’t that easy and I didn’t speak to anybody about it.
“I’ve found training solo tough and I’m used to training camps with coaches, physio and friends around me 24/7. The answer might be that I don’t retire but try my best to relocate to somewhere I can have that company/support.
“From the messages I’ve received it’s really lovely to hear that I’ve inspired people and you’ve enjoyed following my career until now. It’s never bloody straightforward with me and having read all the tweets and messages you’re all so right and I couldn’t retire in peace knowing how close we got to the Olympics and bigger things ahead.”
(07/20/20) Views: 166
Recovered Michael Kibet is focusing on the Olympic Games
Ndalat Gaa cross country champion Michael Kibet has set his sights on a ticket to the postponed 2020 Olympic Games after missing out on the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar despite winning the 5,000m race during the national trials.
Kibet and second place finisher Daniel Simiu failed to meet the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) anti-doping threshold for the world show thus derailing their debut at the international stage.
They were replaced by third place finisher Africa cross country junior champion Nicholas Kimeli and and another junior runner Africa 5,000m silver medalist Jacob Krop.
Kibet says the disappoint from last now over and has his eyes set on ensuring that he does everything right to make the national team to Japan.
Kenya last won the 5,000m men's Olympic title in 1988 through John Ngugi and Kibet, who was not born then, feels he has what it takes to deliver.
Born on 3rd September 3, 1999, Kibet wants to become the only Kenyan to win the title since the country debuted at the Games in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia.
“Right now my focus is to run and bring the elusive Olympic Games 5,000m title," said Kibet, following an individual training session in Kericho County.
"It hurt so much to miss the World Championships and especially flying out of the country for the first time in Kenyan colours but that is behind me now."
Last year, he won the Palio Della Quercia 5,000m race, edging out Ethiopia's Mukta Idris in a 1-2 Kenyan podium finish alongside Erick Kiptanui in a meet record of 13:11.08 to better Hayle Ibrahimov's 13:11.34 set in 2012.
“I want to bring the title to Kenya by breaking the jinx. I am sure 2021 will be a great year for me in athletics,” he said.
With the government directive in gathering, the two times Tuskys cross country champion trains in split groups that also has Geoffrey Koech, Sheila Chelang’at, national cross country champion Faith Koech and Naomi Chepkirui.
He observes that the disappointments of last year were only bettered by the support he got from family, friends and training mates and has now ensured that he is tested whenever Doping Control Officers visit him. He has so far been tested six times and expects more when the world opens up for sports.
(07/17/20) Views: 148Emmanuel Sabuni
Organizers of the Altötting Half Marathon have announced its plans to allow the race to still go ahead in compliance with strict safety regulations
“In close coordination with the [state] health department, we have developed a hygiene concept that allows up to 1000 participants on the routes of the 21.1 km and 6km race on September 13,” said the race organizers. There will be no fun run.
Everything is slimmed down: no award ceremony, no changing rooms, no showers. The advertised medals or participant gifts will not be issued but there will be replacement medals for the 1000 approved participants.
Registration will close after 1000 entries have been received. There will be no late registrations.
The registration deadline is moved forward by one week (to 30 August) to have time to send start numbers by post. The increase in registration fees due from 1 July has been withdrawn due to the cutback in services. An option for clothes storage in emergencies (e.g. for runners arriving by rail) is still to be discussed.
Main coronavirus precautions:
· Use mouth protection in the warm-up area (Dultplatz is available, observe distance rules).· Running without a mask, but the mask must be put on again in the finish area. We provide masks in case someone loses theirs while running.· Delegation of monitoring personnel (e.g. dispersing groups)· Start numbers will be sent by post.· Flying start / no mass start, or small groups. As a result, strong equalization. Only approx. 500 runners each on the half marathon or 6km route.· Reduce stations in the forest to 2. No catering for 6 km. Dispensing of packaged water (bags), dispensing on tables etc. at least 3-4 meters apart, only one bag per table, then refill. There is no electrolyte, no bananas etc. Personnel with MNS and gloves. Dropped bags will be destroyed (after contact with the runner).· The address etc. of the participants must be made known via the registration system. For reports about companies / schools, this can easily be requested (or must be specified as a required field when registering)· Do not bring accompanying persons· All participants will be informed about the rules (e-mail, homepage)
Information to all participants via facebook and e-mail: Each participant must meet the following requirements:
There are no health restrictions or symptoms of illness. There was no contact with an infected person for at least two weeks. The hygiene measures (keep your distance, regular washing and disinfecting your hands) are observed.· Awarding of medals at the finish: medals are placed on a table where the runners take them themselves (supervision by staff)· Finish line arrangements: There is no electrolyte. Delivery of fruit, energy bars and water in a bag. The runner has to keep moving and cannot sit down. No banks etc. Due to the strong equalization at the start and the strong reduction in the number of participants no crowds are to be expected.
Atmospheric mile:
music bands etc. only in the outside area, so as not to attract spectators.· Urinal: yes, but max. 3 people at a time. Staff supervision, also to disperse groups forming when queuing· Toilets in the three adjacent schools.· No late registrations· No award ceremony· No showers· No hand in of clothes· No sports fair· No childcare· No warm-up program· No pasta party· No stilt walkers etc .· No changing rooms· no children’s run· no balloons· no Dixi toilets· No massages at the finish· no meals in the registration area
(07/20/20) Views: 75
Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, was voted in as a member of the International Olympic Committee on Friday
Sebastian Coe, the two-time Olympic 1,500 meters champion for Britain who became head of athletics' world governing body in 2015, was blocked from membership as recently as December over a conflict of interest.
But Coe changed his role at the marketing company he is currently running as managing director to a passive position, thus paving the way to IOC membership.
Coe's belated entry into the IOC club is significant because he has been mentioned as a potential future president of the Olympic movement.
Voting at the IOC Session, held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, saw 85 valid votes with six abstentions: 77 voted to approve Coe's membership, with eight voting against.
"Thank you to all of you who voted for our sport, our federation today," said Coe.
"I look forward, our whole sport looks forward, to working even more closely with all of you in performing and building upon all sports because at this time, of all times, the need for community in elite sport to thrive and flourish is probably never more important.
"Thank you very much for the position today."
As Coe signed his IOC oath, IOC president Thomas Bach let slip a greeting."Finally, welcome!" Bach said.
Also approved for individual IOC membership were Princess Reema Bandar al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, former Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) board member Maria de la Caridad Colon Ruenes and acting Mongolian National Olympic Committee president Battushig Batbold.
(07/18/20) Views: 72
For the first time in Olympic history, the women’s and men’s marathon victory ceremonies will both be held during the Closing Ceremony at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Inclusion of the marathon medal presentations in the Closing Ceremony will cap the 10-day athletics programme unveiled today, which follows the timetable previously announced for the 32nd Summer Olympic Games prior to their postponement in March.
The programme commences on Friday 30 July, 2021 with the opening round of the men's 3000m steeplechase and concludes on the final day of the Games, Sunday 8 August, with the men's marathon in Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. In between, competition will be spread over 16 sessions at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium.
Athletics figures prominently in both of the Games' 'Super Saturdays', with three finals - the men's discus throw, women's 100m and the inaugural mixed 4x400m relay - scheduled for 31 August. Another seven athletics titles will be decided on Saturday 7 August, among 34 event finals scheduled for that day, the highest single day number during the Games. 'Golden Sunday' on 31 July, will include 25 medal events in all, capped by the men's 100m final.
As announced in October, Sapporo will host the marathons and race walks as part of a wide range of measures taken by Tokyo 2020 organisers in consultation with the IOC and international federations to mitigate the effects of the high temperatures which may occur in Tokyo.
As announced in June, the Tokyo 2020 qualification system already in force was adapted to fit the new dates of the Games.
The qualification principles remain unchanged with athletes able to qualify through entry standards and then the World Athletics World Rankings.
Athletes who have already met the entry standard since the start of the qualification period in 2019 remain qualified and will be eligible for selection by their respective Member Federations and National Olympic Committees, together with the other athletes who will qualify within the extended qualification period.
Due to the uneven training and competition opportunities around the world during the coronavirus pandemic, World Athletics announced on 7 April that the qualification period (for all events) was suspended from 6 April to 30 November 2020.
On 25 June, World Athletics launched 'Road to Tokyo', an online tool to help athletes, media and fans track the qualification process for next year's Olympic Games.
Searchable by discipline, country and qualification status, the tool will provide a real time view of each event over the course of the Tokyo 2020 qualification period which ends on 29 June 2021.
(07/17/20) Views: 66World Athletics
Master 10,000m record-holder Kevin Castille receives four-year doping ban
Kevin Castille, an American masters runner, has received a four-year ban from USADA after testing positive for a steroid at the 2019 U.S. 10K Masters Championships. According to USADA, Castille, 48, tested positive for 19-norandrosterone following his first-place finish at the championships during an in-competition test. Norandrosterone is an anabolic steroid used to build muscle mass.
Castille is a former 5,000m masters world record-holder and multi-time U.S. masters record-holder. He owns personal bests of 28:49.11 for the 10,000m and 1:03:58 for the half-marathon, which he ran at 45 years old. Castille still holds the masters world record in the 10,000m at 29:44.38, which he set in 2017.
Castille was a standout runner in high school and was recruited by the University of Louisiana, but he didn’t run during his twenties.
During that time, he sold drugs and was arrested in 2001 for possession. According to The New Yorker, time in jail was his wakeup call. After being released, he took running much more seriously and made a name for himself in the masters community.
Castille initially appealed his case through the arbitration process until several days before his hearing, when he signed the sanction acceptance. He has also been removed from all competition results from April 28, 2019 forward and asked to forfeit points and prizes. His ban runs through 2023.
(07/17/20) Views: 65Madeleine Kelly
Athletics timetable for postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games released
For the first time in Olympic history, the women’s and men’s marathon victory ceremonies will both be held during the Closing Ceremony at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the updated athletics timetable reveals.
Inclusion of the marathon medal presentations in the Closing Ceremony will cap the 10-day athletics programme unveiled today, which follows the timetable previously announced for the 32nd Summer Olympic Games prior to their postponement in March.
The programme commences on Friday 30 July, 2021 with the opening round of the men's 3000m steeplechase and concludes on the final day of the Games, Sunday 8 August, with the men's marathon in Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. In between, competition will be spread over 16 sessions at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium.
Athletics figures prominently in both of the Games' 'Super Saturdays', with three finals - the men's discus throw, women's 100m and the inaugural mixed 4x400m relay - scheduled for 31 August. Another seven athletics titles will be decided on Saturday 7 August, among 34 event finals scheduled for that day, the highest single day number during the Games. 'Golden Sunday' on 31 July, will include 25 medal events in all, capped by the men's 100m final.
As announced in October, Sapporo will host the marathons and race walks as part of a wide range of measures taken by Tokyo 2020 organisers in consultation with the IOC and international federations to mitigate the effects of the high temperatures which may occur in Tokyo.
Download the timetable.
As announced in June, the Tokyo 2020 qualification system already in force was adapted to fit the new dates of the Games.
The qualification principles remain unchanged with athletes able to qualify through entry standards and then the World Athletics World Rankings.
Athletes who have already met the entry standard since the start of the qualification period in 2019 remain qualified and will be eligible for selection by their respective Member Federations and National Olympic Committees, together with the other athletes who will qualify within the extended qualification period.
Due to the uneven training and competition opportunities around the world during the coronavirus pandemic, World Athletics announced on 7 April that the qualification period (for all events) was suspended from 6 April to 30 November 2020.
(07/19/20) Views: 61World Athletics
Kenyans Brigid Kosgei and Lawrence Cherono, disappointed after Chicago Marathon cancelled
The cancellation of this year’s Chicago Marathon has left a number of Kenyan athletes disappointed.
This is the fourth Abbot Major Marathon race to be cancelled after Boston, Berlin and New York Marathon races were moved to next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The race was primed for October 11 with an estimated field of around 45,000 runners and wheelchair athletes.
Chicago Marathon has good memories for the Kenyan athletes with Brigid Kosgei shattering the world record by clocking 2:14:04 lowering Paula Radcliffe’s time of 2:15:25 in last year’s women’s edition of the race.
Kosgei broke the world record a day after Eliud Kipchoge made history by becoming the first man to run under two-hours in a race dubbed INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria leaving no doubt that Kenya is an athletics powerhouse.
The Kapsait-based athlete zoomed to victory after beating Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh (2:20:51) by six minutes, while her compatriot Gelete Burka was third in 2:20:55.
Kosgei is hopeful that she will able to defend her London Marathon in October 4.
“I had two options, but with the Chicago Marathon race cancelled, I’m left to train for the London Marathon race, which we are still crossing fingers will be able to proceed,” said Kosgei.
Lawrence Cherono, who won the men’s race last year in a sprint finish against Ethiopians, has also been left disappointed by the cancellation.
Cherono clocked 2:05:45 beating Dejene Debela, who timed 2:05:46 ahead of fellow countryman Asefa Mengistu who came in third in 2:05:48.
“It’s really demoralising because all the races I was to compete in this year have since been cancelled and that has left me to just do my work as we focus on next year and hope the virus will be contained,” said Cherono.
Cherono was to race in the Boston Marathon as well as the now postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games.
“I have been working on my farm because there is no race I can participate in this year, but at the same time I’m waiting for the management to communicate if there will be any other small race that I can do as we wait for next year,” said a disappointed Cherono.
So far Tokyo Marathon remains the only successful major marathon that was held back in March. Toronto Marathon, which was scheduled for October 18, has also been cancelled.
(07/18/20) Views: 60Bernard Rotich
Think you're not made for running? These runners say think again
Step by step, you can get there from here.
If there’s one piece of advice Latoya Shauntay Snell wishes she had received at the beginning of her running journey, it’s this: “You don’t have to look or run like a gazelle to be a runner.”
Even without that advice, the 35-year old Brooklyn-based runner persevered from her first, few tentative strides back in 2013, and today, she’s got a list of over 200 running event finishes to her name. Snell makes a living inspiring others through her freelance writing and star influencer status, blogging under the handle the Running Fat Chef. “I came to the sport for weight loss, but it took reframing my mindset to stick with it,” she said.
Mirna Valerio, 44 — aka the Mirnavator — got into running with the goal of feeling better following a 2008 health scare. She had run in high school but like many adults, fell off her fitness regimen as a busy lifestyle took over. Her return to the sport began with just one mile. “It was hard and painful both physically and emotionally,” she admits. “But I met myself where I was and one mile became two, and then I built from there. If you want to be a runner, you have to run.”
Like Snell, Valerio has now run hundreds of races — and the longer, the better. Both women will tell you they found their love of running one step at a time. “You need to be patient with yourself and practice loving yourself,” said Valerio. “Running is an expression of self love and taking a holistic approach will lead to a better experience.”
Morgon Latimore, whose Latitude Pure Coaching business comes with the tagline “empowering all athletes,” agrees with this approach. “We want our athletes to have a healthy mind, healthy body and happy life,” he said. “Too many people are intimidated by running, looking at marathoners, Ironman finishers and really fast athletes. Instead, look at your own life and start where you are.”
Ready to run? Get started with these 3 tips
If you’ve never thought of yourself as a runner, Snell, Valerio and Latimore are here to say give it a try. They’ve got three tips to make the experience more enjoyable and less intimidating.
1. Build slowly.
Focus on the moment you are in, not where you want to go. “You will get there,” said Latimore, “but pace yourself and be patient.”
Sometimes that means pulling back. “Give yourself permission to take breaks if you need them,” said Snell. “I’m a sponsored athlete and yet, due to the stress of the pandemic, I didn’t run for several months because I couldn’t motivate. Take breaks and do something else if you come up against a road block.”
Valerio adds that it’s ok to take walk breaks if you need them. “Start at a conversational pace,” she said. “If you need to walk, walk. Then start back up again, and the next time, try to go a minute or two longer.”
2. Embrace the suck.
Even the most experienced of runners will tell you, not all runs are going to feel good. “I’d say there are about three of seven days when I think it sucks,” admitted Snell. “There are going to be rough days.”
When you first get started, you might be a bit overzealous and then hit a wall. “Your mind will get tired and you’ll get burned out,” Latimore cautioned. “You’ll tell yourself you’re not good enough, that it’s too painful, that you don’t want to go on. Prepare for that wall.”
3. Mark the small goals.
Even if you get knocked down by a bad run or two, getting up and back at it is important. “It takes a couple of weeks to notice the benefits,” said Valerio. “But pay attention to small things — you’re less winded, or you’re sleeping better, for instance.”
Latimore agreed. “You have to celebrate along the way,” he said. “Notice your progress in pace, or maybe you hit seven days in a row of training.”
Wherever you are on your journey, take heart that with patience and grace, you can reach your goal and become the runner you never thought you’d be. said Snell: “Breath by breath and step by step. You’re capable of doing anything and remember that you’re an athlete if you show up.”
(07/18/20) Views: 57
The 2020 Financial Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis will go virtual this year, organizers announced Friday
The marathon, which organizers say is one of the largest in the United States, typically attracts runners from all 50 states and over 25 countries, according to a news release.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the November event will now be all virtual. Organizers said they worked with city officials and medical providers to come to the decision.
"Beyond Monumental is fortunate to have a significant support system in place, and we feel a deep responsibility to keep everyone involved as safe and healthy as possible," the new release states.
Registrants have the option of going virtual, deferring to 2021 or donating their entry to the Monumental Kids Movement.
Organizers are still reviewing in-person options for the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben scheduled for Oct. 3.
(07/18/20) Views: 55Elizabeth DePompei
