Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
9/18/2021
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Kenyan Vibian Chepkirui: From sleeping on the floor in Doha to triumph in Vienna City Marathon
The 38th edition of the Vienna City Marathon delivered a great comeback for major international city marathon running during the pandemic. One of the stories of the day written in Austria’s capital was that of Vibian Chepkirui, who won her debut marathon in 2:24:29.
The 27 year-old Kenyan was clearly not among the hot favorites when she arrived in Vienna. She had never run a marathon before and in the past twelve months Vibian Chepkirui was only able to compete in a single international race due to the corona pandemic. It was a 10,000 m track event in Stockholm, where she finished eighth with a personal best of 31:09.42.
„It was a tough time because of Corona. I tried to qualify for the Olympics in Stockholm, but I did not manage. After that I decided to concentrate on a marathon,“ said Vibian Chepkirui, whose half marathon PB of 69:09 did not indicate either that something spectacular might be on the cards for her in Vienna.
Additionally she had to cope with a major obstacle on her way to Vienna. Flying via Doha from Nairobi Vibian Chepkirui and a group of Kenyan runners - among them Vienna’s men’s winner Leonard Langat as well - missed their connecting flight. The plane from Kenya had been delayed. „They were stuck in Doha and the airline did not care. So they had to sleep on the floor,“ explained Vibian Chepkirui’s coach Julien di Maria. „Obviously this is not ideal two days before a marathon.“
Despite all this Vibian Chepkirui ran a brilliant marathon debut and dominated a strong field. At 30 k she was well in the lead and her split time of 1:40:37 pointed towards a 2:21:30 finish, well inside the course record of 2:22:12. „I was surprised to win the race, but I started to believe by the half way mark. Of course this is the biggest win in my career,“ said Vibian Chepkirui, whose husband Wesley Kangogo was her pacemaker. „The heat was a problem though. In cooler conditions I could have run at least two minutes faster. Additionally I got problems with a calf muscle with around four kilometres to go.“ She finally finished in 2:24:29.
It was only in 2020 when Vibian Chepkirui ran her first international races. She clocked her half marathon PB in Prague, the home of her management group Ikaika. In Kenya she trains in Iten and one of her training partners is the three-time winner of the Vienna City Marathon and course record holder Nancy Kiprop. Vienna’s record winner could not return to the race due to a back injury. „Nancy gave me advice on Vienna. I was trying to break her course record,“ said Vibian Chepkirui, hoping that both of them will be on the start line at the next Vienna City Marathon on 24 April 2022. One thing is sure: They will avoid flying to Vienna via Doha.
(09/13/21) Views: 189
Nike has launched the most sustainable performance shoe
On Monday, Nike launched the Air Zoom Alphafly Next% Nature, which will provide runners with the same benefits as the original Alphafly, but it is more sustainable.
The Next% Nature is a part of Nike’s Move to Zero promise, which is the brands’ journey toward zero-carbon manufacturing.
Manufactured materials make up about 70 per cent of Nike’s total carbon footprint, and right now they are innovating and scaling to lower their use of carbon material. Nike plans on taking a circular approach to achieve its goal, by focusing on eliminating waste and creating products that are better for our planet and athletes.
The midsole of Next% Nature is constructed of 70 per cent of recycled foam, and the propulsive, stiff Flyplate is made of 50 per cent recycled carbon fibre. The upper is made of Flyknit, which features at least 45 per cent recycled polyester (through a process that reduces waste by 60 per cent compared to a traditional upper).
Nike athletes logged 600 kilometres of product testing simply to examine every aspect of this shoe and found that it will continue to make a big impact on their performance, while significantly reducing runners’ impact on the environment.
Each of the adjustments they made during the production of the Air Zoom Alphafly Next Nature move Nike closer to its goal of diverting 100 per cent of the waste it sends from landfills back into our extended supply chain, with at least 80 per cent recycled back into Nike products by 2025.
The Alphafly Next% Nature will be released with Nike’s full running line on Sept. 13.
(09/13/21) Views: 160Marley Dickinson
Tirop and Teferi smash world records in Herzogenaurach
Kenya’s Agnes Tirop took 28 seconds off the long-standing women-only world record for 10km*, while Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi set an outright world 5km record of 14:29* at the adizero Road To Records event in Herzogenaurach on Sunday (12).
Tirop, the world 10,000m bronze medallist, put in a decisive surge with little more than two kilometres to go in the 10km, breaking away from fellow Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui before eventually winning in 30:01.
Teferi, the 2015 world 5000m silver medallist, ran away from her opponents after the first kilometre with an incredible solo effort, winning the 5km in 14:29.
Tirop and Chepkirui were part of a five-woman lead pack during the early stages of the 10km and passed through 4km in 12:07. A couple of minutes later, Tirop and Chepkirui had broken away from the rest of their opponents, reaching the half-way point in 15:00 after coving the fifth kilometre in a swift 2:54.
Chepkirui then moved in front of her compatriot and tried to force the pace but was unsuccessful in making a break. The duo continued to run side by side for the best part of three kilometres, but Tirop started her long run for home with about six minutes to go.
Tirop, who won the senior world cross-country title as a teenager back in 2015, passed through 9km in 27:07 with a comfortable lead and was still comfortably inside world record pace. She didn’t ease back for the final kilometre, though, and covered it in another 2:54 to reach the finish line in 30:01.
Chepkirui finished second in 30:17, also inside the previous mark of 30:29 set by Morocco’s Asmae Leghzaoui back in 2002. Nancy Jelagat was third in 30:50.
“I’m so happy to have broken the world record,” said Tirop. “I felt the pace was good and Sheila assisted me a lot. The course was very good too.”
Teferi, contesting the final race of the day, ensured the event ended on a high as she smashed the world 5km record with 14:29, winning by 25 seconds from Ethiopian teenager Melknat Wudu.
Six weeks after her sixth-place finish over 5000m at the Olympic Games, Teferi ran with the pack for the first kilometre, covered just inside three minutes. Then, sensing that the pace wasn’t quite fast enough to challenge the world record, set off on her own and covered the second kilometre in 2:49.
By 3km, which she reached in about 8:43, Teferi had an eight-second lead over the chase pack. She continued to forge ahead, passing 4km in 12:07 and then ended with a 2:52 final kilometre to cross the finish line in 14:29.
Not only did it break the women-only world record of 14:44 set by Beatrice Chepkoech and the 14:43 outright world record set by Sifan Hassan in a mixed race, she also bettered the fastest 5km clocking in history of 14:32, set by Joyciline Jepkosgei before the distance became an official world record event.
“I'm so happy,” said Teferi. “After the Olympics, I knew I was ready to go after this world record. I'm so happy.”
Wudu, a double medallist at the World U20 Championships, took second place in 14:54, just ahead of compatriot Nigisti Haftu.
In the day’s other races, world record-holder Rhonex Kipruto won the men’s 10km in 26:43, the fourth-fastest time in history, while recently crowned world U20 champion Tadese Worku was second in 26:56, an Ethiopian U20 record.
Abel Kipchumba was a convincing winner of the men’s half marathon in 58:48 with fellow Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao taking second in 59:20, and Brenda Jepleting added to the Kenyan success with a dominant 1:06:52 victory in the women’s race.
Jacob Krop won the men's 5km in 13:06, breaking away from two-time world 5000m champion Muktar Edris in the second half to finish three seconds ahead of the Ethiopian.
Leading results
WOMEN
5km
1 Senbere Teferi (ETH) 14:29
2 Melknat Wudu (ETH) 14:54
3 Nigisti Haftu (ETH) 14:54
4 Agnes Jebet Ngetich (KEN) 15:02
5 Dawit Seyaum (ETH) 15:10
10km
1 Agnes Tirop (KEN) 30:01
2 Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 30:17
3 Nancy Jelagat (KEN) 30:50
4 Betty Chepkemoi (KEN) 31:09
5 Dorcas Kimeli (KEN) 31:22
Half marathon
1 Brenda Jepleting (KEN) 1:06:52
2 Besu Sado (ETH) 1:08:15
3 Brillian Jepkorir (KEN) 1:08:28
4 Tgise Haileselase (ETH) 1:08:30
5 Irene Jepchumba (KEN) 1:09:02
MEN
5km
1 Jacob Krop (KEN) 13:06
2 Muktar Edris (ETH) 13:09
3 Hosea Kiplangat (UGA) 13:13
4 Geoffrey Kimutai (KEN) 13:22
5 Daniel Kinyanjui (KEN) 13:27
10km
1 Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) 26:43
2 Tadese Worku (ETH) 26:56
3 Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) 27:09
4 Nicholas Kimeli (KEN) 27:22
5 Bayelign Teshager (ETH) 27:24
Half marathon
1 Abel Kipchumba (KEN) 58:48
2 Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) 59:20
3 Amos Kurgat Kibiwot (KEN) 59:34
4 Raymond Magut (KEN) 1:00:00
5 Phenus Kipleting (KEN) 1:00:08
(09/12/21) Views: 115World Athletics
Vienna City Marathon winner disqualified for wearing shoes that are one centimetre too thick
Derara Hurisa is disqualified after winning the marathon by three seconds for wearing shoes not sanctioned by the event
Vienna is where Eliud Kipchoge ran his sub-two hour marathon
The winner of the Vienna City Marathon has been disqualified for wearing shoes that do not fit the race rules. Derara Hurisa ran the race in two hours, nine minutes and 22 seconds, but was stripped of his title when it was discovered the soles of his shoes is 5cm thick. It is one centimetre thicker than allowed in the race.
“Winner disqualified: The initial winner of the Vienna City Marathon had to be disqualified for wearing shoes which are not compliant with the rules. Ethiopia’s Derara Hurisa crossed the finish line first after 2.09:22,” the race Twitter account said.
“The sole of road running shoes has to be no thicker than four centimetres. Hurisa was running with a model that has a sole thickness of five centimetres.”
“Kenya’s Leonard Langat is now the winner of the Vienna City Marathon with a time of 2.09:25,” the account posted.
Hurisa, 24, made a name for himself last year by setting the Mumbai Marathon record, in 2.08:08.
Running shoes have been the centre of debate in the athletics world. Nike were the first to add a carbon plate into their sole, which in theory helped spring athletes forward. Fans and commentators alike wondered if getting an additional boost from shoes is within the ethos of running, where it is a test of fitness and not technology.
Since Nike’s invention, other brands have followed suit. Many records, including Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two hour marathon, which was run in Vienna, have been set in carbon plated shoes.
The so called “technology doping” prompted the Olympics to set out guidelines for shoes allowed. In January 2020, the Olympics announced shoes with more than one carbon plate were banned, and so were soles thicker than 4cm.
live stream of event
https://live.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/vienna-city-marathon.html
(09/12/21) Views: 99
Hamburg Marathon 2021 recap
After a two and a half year break, the Hamburg-Marahton could finally take place again on September 12, 2021.
Today at 9:00 am, the starting signal for the 35th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg was given. Over 10,000 runners had registered for the event this year - many of them also over the half marathon distance and the relay marathon.
The distance
The fast route led past many sights and beautiful spots in the city of Hamburg. In addition to the marathon, there was also a relay marathon. The half marathon, which was held for the first time in 2018, was also part of the event.
In the footsteps of Eliud Kipchoge
In Hamburg, by the way, none other than Eliud Kipchoge holds the course record. In 2013 he ran 2:05:30 hours as a rather little-known runner. He is now a world record holder and the first marathon runner to cover the marathon distance in under two hours. Two years ago, the Ethiopians Tadu Abate (2:08:25 hours) and Dibabe Kuma (2:24:41 hours) won the race.
This year, only people vaccinated against Covid-19 were allowed to take part in the Hamburg Marathon. These measures caused horror among many interested parties in the run-up to the event.
The winners in 2021
A total of 5,157 runners competed this year, 2,417 of them over the marathon distance, 1,668 over the half marathon distance and 1,072 relay runners. There were only a few international top runners due to the requirements. A total of five runners and two runners with ambitions to win had come from Ethiopia and Uganda.
The fastest over the marathon distance was Martin Musau. The athlete from Uganda won his marathon debut with a time of 2:10:14 hours ahead of Masresha Bisetegn and Belay Bezabh (both Ethiopia). Benjamin Franke was the best German with 2:32:21 hours in 7th place. In the women’s category, the Ethiopian Cadise Demissie achieved a superior victory with 2:26:19 hours. She was more than 17 minutes ahead of the Swede Camilla Elofsson. 4th place went to the best German Angela Moesch (2:58:15 hours).
Carsten Hoenig (1:14:25 hours) and Stephanie Strate (1:16:47 hours) won the half marathon.
(09/12/21) Views: 83
One of the largest mountain marathons in the world celebrated its comeback
After the cancellation last year, several thousand runners were again at the start of the Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland.
The route was adapted for this year by the organizer: Of course, nothing has changed in the fantastic panorama. The course led from Interlaken Airport to the Eiger Glacier. The runners passed Böningen, Iseltwald, Wilderwil, Zweilütschingen and Lauterbrunnen, among others. The eponymous four-thousander "Jungfrau" was, just like the mighty Eiger north face, in the immediate vicinity and in the field of vision of the athletes.
Fight for the 3-hour mark and victory
For the 42.195 kilometer marathon route with around 2,000 meters of altitude, top times of around three hours were to be expected. The winner of the last edition two years ago was the Briton Robbie Simpson, who at the time cracked the 3-hour mark in wintry conditions with 2:59:30 hours. For women, Simone Troxler is the defending champion from 2019.
Colombians triumph
The Colombian Jose David Cardona was in a class of his own that day. He was able to break away from the last pursuers after less than half of the race and clinched an undisputed victory with 3:05:01 hours. More than five minutes behind followed Stephan Wenk after a great race to catch up.
Laura Hottenrott lived up to her role as a favorite for women. The German professional runner was over 13 minutes ahead of Georgina Schwiening after 3:27:30 hours.
(09/11/21) Views: 78
Great North Run 2021: Thousands take part as event returns
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Tyneside for the 40th staging of the Great North Run.
Last year's event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and organisers changed the half-marathon's route this year to aid social distancing.
Participants started and finished in Newcastle rather than making their way to South Shields.
Staggered timeslots replaced the traditional mass start for the world's biggest half-marathon.
About 57,000 people were registered to take part - raising millions of pounds for charity, The Great North Run Company said.
The new route saw runners cross the Tyne Bridge twice and make their way through Newcastle city centre before finishing on the Great North Road.
BBC commentator and former winner Paul Radcliffe said the event's return had been "emotional".
"Looking down the road and seeing all the runners, a lot of hard work has gone into making this happen.
"It was so needed just to see this step back towards people getting together, having fun and connecting."
Four NHS workers were invited to start the race in recognition of the health service's efforts during the pandemic.
Speaking afterwards, occupational health worker Deborah Southworth said it had been "absolutely amazing" and a "privilege".
Jade Trewick, a nurse who also helped get the event under way, said it came after a "difficult but really rewarding" 18 months treating coronavirus patients.
Sir Brendan Foster, who helped launch the event in 1981, said it had been "a tough task" organising this year's run but it had turned into an "incredible" success.
"It's been really difficult. For the last 18 months, the whole nation and world have had awful times.
"The pandemic has separated people, but the Great North Run is all about being together.
"When the vaccine came around we started thinking maybe we can [stage it this year] so we made all kinds of contingency plans.
"Here we are. It's different. It's a one-off."
The elite women's race was won by Kenyan Helen Obiri in a time of 1:07:42, ahead of Great Britain's Eilish McColgan, who was six seconds behind.
Scotland's McColgan was aiming to repeat her mum Liz's three victories at the event in the 1990s. Great Britain's Charlotte Purdue finished in third.
Marc Scott, also of Great Britain, was victorious in the men's elite race, clocking a time of 1:01:22 to finish nine seconds ahead of Kenya's Ed Cheserek.
Galen Rupp of the United States was a further 20 seconds behind in third place.
Sean Frame won the men's wheelchair race in 49:52 with fellow Briton Shelly Woods first across the finishing line in the women's event in 57:01.
The elite wheelchair and women's races began at about 09:20 BST, with the elite men and first of the staggered starts at 09:45.
(09/12/21) Views: 68
2021 Marine Corps Marathon live event sells out
More than 13,000 runners from all 50 US states and the District of Columbia are now set to run live during Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Weekend.
The reduced number of participants is part of the COVID-19 precautions taken by the Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO) to safely execute a live event for runners in 2021.
Runners ranging from ages 7 to 86 in 28 countries around the world will be running the popular MCM events live on October 31. All participants who complete the live event will receive the official event shirt, a commemorative bib, a personalized digital finisher certificate and an impressive finisher medal. Runners will also have access to a digital event program, Track your Runner and MapTrack.
“This year marks the 46th anniversary of the race and we couldn’t be more excited to host the live event on Halloween,” said Rick Nealis, director of MCMO. “Coming out of the pandemic, this will be a treat, not a trick. Runners enjoy yourselves, be strong, adapt and overcome whether you run live or virtually.”
Virtual entries are still available for the 46th MCM, MCM50K and MCM10K. Interested participants can register here. Runners previously registered for any of the MCM Weekend events can still secure the MCM Trifecta by entering the other two virtually. This challenge rewards finishers with a stunning challenge coin in addition to the corresponding finisher medal.
(09/15/21) Views: 66
GöteÂborgsvarvet and the race week in SepÂtemÂber 2021 is canceled
Göteborgsvarvet 2021, which was to be arranged on September 11, is canceled. Both the classic 21km race and the other races during the race week are canceled, this due to covid-19 and the increased spread of the disease in the region.
This is extremely sad for the organization as well as for all participants, but with great respect for the pandemic, which unfortunately still is increasing, we had to make this decision, says Jahja Zeqiraj, chairman of the Gothenburg Athletics Association.
After the cancelation of Göteborgsvarvet last year, hard work has been going on for over a year in order to arrange Göteborgsvarvet 2021 in a safe way. More than 35,000 participants were registered for this year's edition.
The last couple of weeks with the increased spread of Covid-19 in the region made it impossible to arrange a safe competition with start and finish around the area of Slottsskogsvallen. The decision applies to all races planed in September.
The decision was made at an extra board meeting last night after dialogue with the disease prevention and control authorities and representatives from the health care in the region.
We have for a long period of time planned and hoped to arrange Göteborgsvarvet and our other races in a safe form this fall, and the earlier dialogue we have had with authorities and healthcare has been positive. Which made this a hard but necessary decision, we still have a strong determination and will to fight for both Göteborgsvarvet and the Athletics Association with its’ 50 track and field clubs in Gothenburg to live on. In this, we need support from Gothenburg to get through these challenging times together. We are now looking forward to 2022. A long-awaited restart of society is on everyone's agenda, including ours.
Claes Mangelus, medically responsible doctor for Göteborgsvarvet
- We have had a good dialogue with authorities, the Police and the healthcare system all the way. The forecasts for the races to be arranged have been good, but with today's reality and the recent negative development make it untenable to arrange an event of this size. The pandemic is ongoing, the spread of infection is increasing again and the burden on the public healthcare remains high, so we all agreed that the decision to cancel this year's edition is the right one.
All registered participants for Göteborgsvarvet and Göteborgsvarvet Marathon will still be able to participate digitally. Digital participation gives a medal and an official result which is approved as qualifying time for Göteborgsvarvet 2022.
- Once again, we must switch from a physical to a virtual race. We know that there will be many questions from our runners and we ask you to please bear with us as we work through the details. Our goal and ambition is still to create a memorable running event even if we cannot be in the same place, says Jahja Zeqirai.
(09/11/21) Views: 65
Retired nurse Dorothy Strand 81, reigns as only athlete to run all 25 Surf City Marathons
Dorothy Strand has never been the fastest of runners. But what she lacks in speed she makes up for in consistency.
On Saturday, Sept. 11, Strand will tackle the 25th annual Surf City Marathon/Half Marathon. It’s her 25th as well.
“She’s the only athlete on planet Earth who has participated all 25 years,” said Surf City Marathon spokesman Dan Cruz.
At 81, and battling back pain, Strand will walk this year rather than trot. And instead of completing the full marathon she will settle for half.
Strand, a retired nurse who lives in Orange, said she’s getting inspiration from the friends in her running group. “I might have opted out this year if not for them. There was no way they were letting me miss my 25th year. I felt that pressure of, ‘I’m a “legacy.” I’ve got to do it.’”
Originally known as the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, the city’s first race was held in 1997. Traditionally, it takes place the morning of Super Bowl Sunday. But coronavirus concerns pushed this year’s event forward seven months. Organizers hope to return to the usual routine in February of 2022.
Cruz said Strand will be celebrated at both the start and finish lines. “She is our celebrity runner this year.”
In normal times, the race attracts more than 17,000 participants, including some of the world’s best distance runners. But this year the lingering pandemic has cut that number to about 13,000 runners, who will participate in several different events: marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K. Almost all will be from Southern California, Cruz said.
John Strand, 87, came mighty close to sharing in his wife’s glory. However, about 15 years ago he missed a Surf City Marathon when he was off running in another state.
The Strands developed their passion for long-distance running in the 1980s when their two sons ran cross country and track at Orange Lutheran High. “It became a family thing,” Dorothy Strand said.
“My husband was a natural, but I’m not,” she added. “Some of my friends would run with me in the back. Gradually, I got better.”
She’s run in 46 marathons, with her fastest time (so far) 4:57 in 1999, in Dublin, Ireland. “It’s not great, but it’s great for me,” Strand said.
By then, the couple had started traveling to run in marathons. Now retired, physician John Strand visited all 50 states and seven continents chasing his hobby. He’s run in 118 marathons, total, with a personal best of 4:04.
When she started running, Dorothy Strand recalled, “I didn’t have much competition in my age group. Women weren’t really out there competing as much.”
John Strand also has health problems now, so his plan for Saturday is to stroll in the 5K.
“That’s life,” he said. “I can’t do everything I used to do, but I very much enjoyed that chapter of my life.”
Before he started running, Strand said, he was a “couch potato.”
“Running made me more outgoing, more of an extrovert,” he said. “Healthy body, healthy mind. Because of running, I’ve seen so many beautiful trails and met so many great people.”
Icing on the cake: His wife has shared his passion.
“It’s been wonderful to have a partner with me, to have something we can do together,” Strand said.
For her part, Dorothy Strand said running made her more adventurous.
(09/10/21) Views: 62Susan Christian Goulding
