Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
3/20/2021
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Tips for running in March
The weather this month can get weird — here's how to deal with it.
We’re about half-way through March, and depending on where you live, you’re (hopefully) beginning to see the first signs of spring. Of course, in some parts of Canada, winter is still in full-force, in others, April showers have already begun, and some places seem to experience all four seasons in one day.
This can make it pretty hard to figure how to prepare properly for a run, so here are our best tips for running during a Canadian March.
Check the weather
In the summer, you can safely assume it’s going to be hot and dress for the occasion. In the winter, you pretty much always know you’re going to need a hat, gloves and at least a couple of layers of clothing. The same cannot be said about March. As we gradually make the transition into spring, the temperature from one day to the next can vary significantly, so always check the weather before heading out so you know what you’re in for.
Consider more than just the temperature
Ambient temperature is important, but if that’s all you look at, you might be in for an unwelcome surprise once you get outside. For example, 10 C on a sunny, windless day will feel very different than 10 degrees on a rainy day with gusting winds, so always pay attention to the ‘feels like’ temperature, wind, rain and any other factors that might affect your run.
Watch out for wind
Not only can wind make your run feel a lot colder, it can also make it more dangerous. Strong winds can blow things like tree branches, recycling or garbage bins and other loose items onto your path as you’re running, so if you choose to go running on a particularly windy day, make sure you stay vigilant, and avoid running through a residential neighbourhood on garbage day.
Dress for the rain
A rainy run in the middle of July can be a refreshing relief from the constant heat, but rain in March is just downright cold. If you’re running in the rain this month, make sure you invest in a good water-resistant jacket to keep you from getting soaked, and don’t hang around in your wet clothes too long once your run is over.
Check the trail conditions
With the weather starting to warm up and the days starting to get longer, many runners will be itching to get back on the trails. If you decide to do this, try as best you can to get an idea what the trail conditions are like before you head out.
As the ground starts to thaw, the trails could be pretty slick, and at this time of year, a warm few days followed by another cold snap can make them icy as well. Additionally, if you start out on the trails and the conditions are looking treacherous, you’re better off turning around and trying again another day.
(03/17/21) Views: 72Brittany Hambleton
BMW Dallas Marathon Festival Moved to December 10-12 due to pandemic
The Board of Directors and Staff of the BMW Dallas Marathon announced the postponement and new date of the running of the 50th Anniversary of the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival, from April 30 – May 2 to the weekend of December 10-12, 2021.
“Unfortunately, due to the continuance of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to host the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival this spring in a manner that our participants and guests have come to expect and enjoy from our organization” said Paul Lambert, President of runDallas, a nonprofit organization that raises money for Scottish Rite for children through hosting the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival.
Stated Mark Rybczk, Chairman of the Board of Directors “the health and safety of our runners, walkers, volunteers, partners and all guests are of the highest priority while we continue to navigate through this pandemic.”
In addition, “while we are very disappointed in postponing the event, we look forward to hosting our 50th Anniversary in December in the right environment to safely celebrate the running of the 50th Anniversary of the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival.”
Registered runners have these three options to select from during the month of March:
- Take no action and their registration will defer to December- Convert their registration to do the 50th Anniversary Virtual event in May
- Elect to run in both events by entering the BMW Pegasus 50th ChallengeNonregistered runners can register in the month of March for the BMW Pegasus Challenge or the 50th Virtual in May, or through December 10th for the 50th Anniversary in person event.
The BMW Pegasus 50th Challenge is comprised of two 50th Anniversary themed events, the May virtual event (5 individual event distances to choose from) and the 50th Anniversary of the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival in December (10 event distances to select from).
Runners and walkers who participate in both events will receive 50th themed amenities specific to each event distance, plus a bonus 50th running cap, as well as double their chance of winning the 2021 Special Edition BMW car.
All participants who registered for the Virtual event in December of 2020, the Virtual event for May of 2021, and or the in-person event for December of 2021, will be entered into the sweepstakes to win the BMW car to be drawn at the start line of the Marathon on Sunday, December 12th.
We are also announcing today a partnership with Kendra Scott to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Starting today, participants can purchase a specialty priced 50th Anniversary gold necklace with proceeds benefiting the Scottish Rite for Children.
(03/12/21) Views: 71
Athletics Ireland confirm positive Covid case in team that returned from European Indoor Championships in Torun
Athletics Ireland have confirmed that a member of the Irish team returned a positive test for Covid-19 on Thursday morning after competing at the European Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland at the weekend.
As a result, all team members have been personally contacted and close contacts of the positive case in the travelling party are now self-isolating for a period of 10 days, from last Monday, in line with public health guidelines.
Athletics Ireland is liaising with all relevant authorities to manage this matter and continues to follow all protocols as agreed with the Sport Ireland Expert Advisory Group and the HSE.
Athlete Darragh McElhinney was a late withdrawal from the team after the 3,000m runner returned a “weak positive” prior to departure, despite several negative tests either side of it.
The entire British athletics squad have been also forced to self-isolate after a member of the support staff returned a positive lateral flow test for Covid-19.
British Athletics confirmed the 46-strong squad, who won a total of 12 medals at the Championships, must undertake a period of 10 days in isolation in line with UK government guidance.
Despite strict protocols, all competing athletes required to test negative upon arriving in Poland and again in Torun, as well as submitting to further tests every five days, several positives cases impacted on events.
Poland’s men’s 4x400m squad, fancied to win gold, had to withdraw following an outbreak , and Belgian sprinter Eline Berings also criticized the testing procedure after she was forced to withdraw from the semi-finals of the 60 meters, claiming it was due to a false positive.
(03/12/21) Views: 67Ian O'Riordan
Lifestyle changes that will help you lose weight
Losing weight is the top priority for millions of folks out there today. And rightly so. While aesthetics is an integral part of everyone wanting to have a slim, toned profile, being overweight or obese puts you at the risk of several health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, to name a few.
Here are a few lifestyle changes that will help you shed those pounds and achieve lasting weight-loss success.
Get Moving
Your marathon workouts may not be good enough if you spend the rest of the day sitting. Start by establishing a daily jogging routine. It could be as short as half an hour, but it will help you become more physically active. Find any other activity that moves or stretches your muscles. That could also include cycling, dancing, playing with your dog, going up and down the stairs. If your errands are within a mile away, walk to do them instead of using a car.
Ultimately, the goal is to indulge yourself in anything that gets your heart rate up, and you start feeling somewhat breathless. Even adopting changes as minor as taking the stairs instead of a lift can go a long way in your journey to lose weight in the long run. Remember, sitting for extended periods is one of the leading causes of obesity and other chronic health conditions.
Get Enough Sleep
While this may be the last thing on your mind, one of the leading factors that may be hampering your weight loss is not getting enough sleep. Besides eating right and exercising, getting quality sleep each night is an integral part of weight maintenance and a healthy lifestyle. A bad sleep-wake cycle significantly changes the way the body responds to food and thus causes weight gain.
Studies have found that sleep deprivation sets our brain to make bad decisions, leading us to make unhealthy choices throughout the day, like choosing high carb, high fat, sugary foods and indulging in midnight snacking. Not getting enough sleep can also up your stress levels which can increase your likelihood of weight gain. Therefore, make it a point to go to sleep earlier and aim for at least 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
Start Exercising
This one may not come as a surprise, but exercising is the key to maintain good health and lose weight along with a healthy diet. Along with a reduced-calorie intake, exercising creates a calorie deficit in your body by boosting your metabolism, leading to weight loss.
The good news is that you do not necessarily have to necessarily go to the gym and have a brutal workout, as there are plenty of exercises you can do at home without any equipment and achieve the desired results. If that interests you and you are unsure where to start, then we suggest checking out the Play Store. There are plenty of fitness apps that can guide you with customized workouts and nutrition plans.
Choose Healthy Snacks
It is crucial to stop stocking on junk food like chocolates, biscuits, candy, pastries, cookies, and potato chips. Packaged foods tend to be high in fat, sugar, and sodium and are high in empty calories providing you with no nutritional benefit in any way.
Therefore, you must limit or eliminate them from your diet and replace them with healthier alternatives such as nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or nut butter. While some of these foods may be high in fats, it is important to note that some fats are healthier than others. Monounsaturated fats can aid with weight loss and provide several other health benefits.
Stay Hydrated
Often, people confuse thirst for hunger, causing them to eat more food than needed. Therefore it is important to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking sips of water regularly to curb unnecessary snacking as it is one of the best natural appetite suppressants.
Many people also consume excessive liquid calories by drinking soft drinks, juice, coffee, or tea. While there are many options for what you can drink, water is by far the best liquid you can choose for yourself to quench your thirst. Replace these sugary beverages with water as it is the best energizing liquid for your body and is 100 percent calorie-free. Water not just keeps your body hydrated but also boosts metabolism and improves the digestive process while burning fat consumed from food and drinks.
Losing weight is a daunting journey for many that require long, intense workouts and a deprivation diet that leaves you feeling hungry. While exercising and consuming a healthy diet are the central elements of the process, losing weight does not revolve around these two only. Making small but sustainable lifestyle changes and ingraining some healthy habits can make a big difference and help you shed those pounds effectively.
(03/13/21) Views: 67Colorado Runner
The Best Ways To Stay Healthy And Fit Even If You Are Very Busy
When you are working it can be hard to fit in time to look after yourself. However, you need to make some time whenever you can, even when you are really busy. If you do not look after yourself now, and you do not follow a healthy diet and lifestyle then you can find that illnesses can quickly catch up with you and slow you down. So, it is important to make changes as soon as you can so that you can start to reap the rewards both now and in the long term.
Food and Diet are Key
It can be hard to cook and plan nutritious meals when you are constantly on the go. However, it is important to stop and eat properly when you can. It is not always possible, but to make it easier on yourself you could try batch cooking. When you cook and freeze meals in advance you always have something healthy and nutritious in the freezer waiting for you, all you need to do is reheat it. This is good for when you know you will be getting home eventually, even if do not know what time.
Supplements are essential
If you are not sure when you are getting home, or if you are even getting home then you need to use supplements. Your productivity levels, energy and concentration will all be affected if you do not get the goodness that you need. There are men’s vitamins and supplements tailored specifically to men’s requirements and needs, and these are what you should be taking.
They feature a natural blend of ingredients that ensure they will be easy on your stomach. In tablet or gummy form, they are easy to swallow even if you are on the go. Supplements also come in a handy size which is ideal to carry around with you, so you can take them with you even when you are away from home and on the move.
Exercise is a must
Any exercise that you get chance for is beneficial. Exercise makes you feel good as you release endorphins in the process. Exercise also keeps your body working efficiently and effectively. When you exercise you increase your heart rate and you strengthen your cardiovascular health in the process. Exercise, whether gentle or high octane gives you a way to release any excess energy you may have, or it can also give you a burst of energy to keep you going.
Rest and sleep are a necessity
You need to rest or you will not be able to sustain your work load. Even when you are super busy you still need to take (or create) some free time within your day to rest. You cannot keep going at the speed or pace you currently are, without heading for a breakdown, especially if you have not had adequate rest or sleep, so make time to rest. Remember that even short power naps can be better and more beneficial to you and your overall health than simply not sleeping at all.
(03/12/21) Views: 65Colorado Runner
2021 Boston Marathon set at 20,000 runners field size
The selection process will remain consistent with prior years: applications and qualifying times submitted next week will be verified and ranked based on the amount of time an athlete has run under their respective qualifying standard.
The qualifying window opened on Sept. 15, 2018. Any valid qualifying time run on or after that date may be used to submit a Marathon registration application.
The B.A.A. says that achieving a qualifying time does not guarantee acceptance into this year's race. Since 2014, some runners who have met their qualifying standard were unable to be part of the field due to the surge of interest in the race.
That year, nearly 2,000 runners were shut out because a cutoff time of 1 minute, 38 seconds faster than qualifying times was set to allow a cap of the field.
The number of runners who missed the cutoff time of 4:52 for the 2019 Marathon grew to 7,384, leading to the B.A.A. to make qualifying times 5 minutes faster.
Because of the coronavirus, the B.A.A. last March decided to move the 2020 edition from its normal Patriots Day slot to Sept. 14. On May 28 last year, the Hopkinton-to-Boston race was scrapped entirely for the first time and the 124th Marathon became a virtual event.
The race was last run in 2019, when the entry field was 30,234.
Registration for this year's race will begin next Tuesday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Registration is not first-come, first-served and applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Eastern on Friday, April 23.
In prior years, registration was held over the course of two weeks, with the fastest qualifiers registering first. Due to the shorter timeline this year, all qualifiers may register at any point during the registration week window.
Anyone interested in running for a member of the Boston Marathon Official Charity Program may apply to a team beginning on Tuesday, April 20.
For the second year in a row, the B.A.A. is also hosting a virtual Boston Marathon. The event will take place over race weekend (Oct. 8-10), and will be open to the first 70,000 registrants.
Registration for the virtual race will open on Tuesday, March 30 at 10 a.m. Eastern through the B.A.A.’s Athletes’ Village. Applicants who are not accepted into the in-person Boston Marathon and want to run virtually will have the opportunity to register for the virtual event.
(03/16/21) Views: 60
China is offering vaccines against covid -19 to Olympic and Paralympic athletes
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach announced recently that the Chinese Olympic Committee has offered COVID-19 vaccine doses to athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, as well as the 2022 winter Games in Beijing.
According to the BBC, Bach said that the IOC will be paying for these additional vaccines set aside for the athletes.
“For each of these doses, the IOC will pay for two doses more which can be made available to the population in the respective countries,” he added.
Exactly how many vaccine doses that will require is unclear, because the pace of the vaccine rollout in some countries may be fast enough that their athletes will have already received the vaccine before the Games begin. This could be the case, for example, in the United States.
“The broad base of athletes may have access to the vaccine sooner than we thought initially possible,” said Sarah Hirshland, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee chief executive.
Some critics believe that China offering to immunize athletes ahead of the Games is nothing more than a PR stunt in response to increasing calls to boycott next year’s Winter Games because of political reasons. Still, the opportunity to vaccinate at least some of their citizens will be a welcome relief in countries where vaccine programs have been very slow.
Despite China’s offering, Olympic committees in countries like the U.K., the United States and Germany have said that their athletes must wait in line like everyone else to receive their vaccinations.
The IOC has made it clear that they’d prefer as many athletes as possible to arrive in Tokyo with both doses, but maintain that it is not mandatory in order for them to compete and are not asking governments to change their vaccination rollout plans.
(03/12/21) Views: 59Brittany Hambleton
World records could be the order of the day at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon as Ethiopia star Yalemzerf Yehualaw confirms spot
World records could be the order of the day at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon with four-time Olympic gold medallist and defending champion Sir Mo Farah set to be joined by Ethiopian distance sensation and second fastest woman of all time Yalemzerf Yehualaw.
Elite race organiser James McIlroy - who himself reached the 800m semi-finals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics - has swooped to sign up Yehualaw for the August 29 showpiece and the athlete's agent has made clear that the opportunity to break the world record of 64 minutes 31 seconds on what is a very fast course is one of the main attractions drawing her there.
The 21-year-old boasts a PB of 64.46 and the Antrim Coast Half Marathon will be one of only four events she will contest this year and the first after the Tokyo Olympics.
Yehualaw's agent Daan van den Berg said: "Yalemzerf will only do two half marathons this year - Istanbul and the Antrim Coast Half - along with two 10,000m before the Olympic Games.
"The Antrim Coast coming three weeks after the Olympics is perfect timing, and we know if the Irish crowd get behind her she can break the world record as last year's race looked brilliant, with 35 out of 62 runners recording personal bests."
Yehualaw finished third at last year's World Championship after leading for most of the race before tripping on the finishing straight mat, and will be joined at the Larne event by Ethiopian team-mates Yitasyish Mekonnen and Tsehay Gemechu.
The African stars will be joined by early confirmed British internationals Jo Pavey, Sam Harrison, Tracy Barlow and Kirsty Longley.
The men's race will be one of the greatest half marathon fields ever assembled in the UK or Ireland. Race organisers have made no secret of attacking the 60-minute barrier and already have a strong international line-up, with four sub-60 runners already confirmed.
Making their first appearance ever in Ireland will be the African quartet of Tesfahun Akalnew (59.22), Victor Kiplangat (59.26), both from Uganda, Abrar Osman (59.47) of Eritrea and up and coming Kenyan Daniel Mateiko, all of whom will be attacking Sir Mo's course record 60.27 from last year.
It is hoped Sir Mo - coached by Larne-born Gary Lough, who is married to distance legend Paula Radcliffe - could be coming to Larne with Olympic gold number five tucked safely away after Tokyo.
(03/13/21) Views: 59Frank Brownlow
The 44th annual Gate River Run will take place this weekend with little changes prompted by coronavirus pandemic
Race Director Doug Alred said the race will be a little different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re going to have a lot of social distancing guidelines in place,” Alred said.
The field is limited to 8,000 runners for the 15K. There will also be two different start lines. One start line will be at the corner of Duval and A. Phillip Randolph streets. The second start line will be at the corner of Adams and A. Phillip Randolph streets. The runners will merge just before the Main Street Bridge. Masks are required except while running.
“It’s requiring a lot more things,” explained Alred about the preparations. “We’ve been doing some smaller races and we’ve been kind of using some of the guidelines that we would use at the River Run and see how they go, so those things have worked really well.”
Despite the changes, Alred said runners will still feel a sense of tradition.
“We’re going to have hands on the course. Most of the water stations will still be there, they’ll be run a little bit differently, and the finish line is going to look exactly the same,” said Alred. “As long as people cooperate and wear their mask when they’re supposed to, I think it’ll go great. It’ll be a safe event for everybody, and most people who come will feel like this is a traditional run.”
The Gate River Run said it is expecting one of the best elite fields in recent years because of the limited number of races last year.
(03/16/21) Views: 58Jennifer Ready
Kenyan Florence Jepkosgei Chepsoi sentenced for forging documents
Kenyan long distance runner Florence Jepkosgei Chepsoi has received a one year community service sentence for faking documents as part of her defence on a doping charge, the Anti-Doping Association of Kenya (ADAK) announced.
She becomes the first Kenyan athlete to be found guilty in a criminal court.
The verdict was handed down after the trial in Eldoret following an investigation lasting a number of years.
The 36-year-old marathon runner was banned for two years in 2017 for using performance-boosting drug Prednisolone.
She was found guilty of providing false medical records from Eldoret's Uasin Gishu Hospital to support her defence case when she appeared before the Kenyan Sports Disputes Tribunal.
"The Uasin Gishu district hospital confirmed that those medical documents had been forged, and that the athlete had not been treated at the said hospital," ADAK said in a statement.
Over 60 Kenyan athletes have been suspended in the last five years for doping offences, including whereabout failures, a violation of the World Athletics anti-doping rules.
Kenya's 2016 Olympic women's marathon champion Jemima Sumgong is serving a lengthy ban after she was found to have falsified medical documents in an attempt to tamper with a positive test for EPO.
Sumgong, the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic marathon, tested positive for the blood-booster in an out-of-competition test five months after winning gold in Rio.
(03/13/21) Views: 57
