Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
7/21/2018

The Run The World Global Run Challenge team is one third of the way around the world

The Run The World Global Run Challenge team has logged in 8,138 miles so far which is almost a third of the way around the world in the first 14 days.  

These miles have been run in 21 countries.  The top ten counties based on miles logged are: 1. USA 2. Kenya 3. India 4. South Africa 5. Great Britain 6. Canada 7. Palau 8. Mexico 9. Japan 10. Costa Rica.

“We wanted this to be a Global event and that is what it has become,” says Bob Anderson who created the event.  70-year-old Bob Anderson has logged in 76 miles himself since the start date of July 4.  

“Our Mission is to celebrate running, motivate our team, inspire others and complete our goal of logging 24,901 miles, the distance around the world in as few days as possible with a team no bigger than 200,” says Bob.  

(Photo: Grace Padilla training at Mammoth Lakes, California last week and logging her miles in for the RUN THE WORLD Challenge.)  

(07/17/18) Views: 489

Bill Rodgers never misses the Bix 7 even with lingering achilles tendinitis

In another year at another time, Bill Rodgers might have been looking at running the Quad-City Times Bix 7 in 51 minutes. The most revered marathoner in U.S. distance running history turned 70 in December, and that’s the Bix 7 course record for runners 70 and over — 51 flat by Warren Bystedt back in 2000. Rodgers already holds the course record for runners in the 45-49 and 50-54 age groups, but this time he figures he’ll be lucky just to get up and down the grueling, undulating hills of the Bix in one piece. "I’m running, but I’m not running very fast," Rodgers said. "Hopefully, I can keep myself together for the Bix." Rodgers admits that running an estimated 200,000 miles over the past seven decades has taken its toll. He hasn’t approached the 51-minute mark in the Bix 7 since 2009, and he’s been in the 55-56-minute range each of the past five years. This year, he has been plagued by an Achilles injury that has limited him to just a handful of races. But he wouldn’t miss the Bix 7. In 1984, he had such a serious case of the flu that doctors advised him not to even get on an airplane. He came and ran the Bix anyway. In 2010, he was battling prostate cancer. He still came to the Bix. He will be running the race for the 39th consecutive year, by far the most he has done any race. But he cautioned that what he will be doing may not qualify as running, at least not by the standards of a man who has won 22 marathons and hundreds of road races. Early in the year, Rodgers was doing most of his running in swimming pools just to limit the wear and tear on his legs. "That’s the interesting challenge for us older runners …," he said. "You have to adapt and do more cross training, like swimming or cycling. The other runners do it, too, but for older runners it’s really a prerequisite. (07/16/18) Views: 294

Global Run Challenge Profile: Lifetime runner Fred Martin (74) remembers when races did not have an age-group over 59

RUN THE WORLD:  “I will be 75 in six months,” says Fred Martín, “and my running journey has taken many twists and turns since 1960. I ran my usual weekend long run this morning (single track in woods in Northern California).  My thoughts were to savor the moment since it could be my last run,” Fred said. “It is something we all (in our age group) should think about.”   Fred went out for track his freshman year of high school (1959) and got pretty good by his junior and senior year.  Good enough to get a scholarship to Montana State. In college he competed against some of the best runners in the Pacific Northwest like Doug Brown and Tracy Smith. He ran on the US Army team from 1968-70.  He placed fifth in World Master’s 800 meters in 2011 and his team (Len, Hans and himself) won the National title for 70-79 year olds in the 8K for two straight years.  He has been racing well now for nearly 60 years. Fred has this to say about aging.  “There are more 70-year-old runners now than decades before and setting new standards, hell I remember races in the seventies that never had an age group over 59.  “As aging becomes more noticeable in our own personal lives we will be challenged more and our experience in years of training discipline comes into play.  “Times will become less important vs staying healthy and injury free, remember the old saying “if you don’t use it you’ll loose it.”  We will take our falls and mend broken bones, ward off cancer, deal with painful arthritis and tolerate medication to fix heart issues but we will be back out there doing what we love.  From the heart of a lonely long distance runner,” says Fred.  His goal is to be able to keep running into his 80’s.  What’s his thinking on the Run The World Challenge?  “I think it’s a good incentive and another tool to keep our running schedule in check,” he says.  Photo: Fred on the right end with the gang.   (07/14/18) Views: 131
Bob Anderson

Cynthia Arnold smashed the triple-stroller half-marathon world record

People in Missoula, Montana were astonished last year when Theresa Marie Pitts set the first Guinness world record for a woman running the half-marathon while pushing three kids in a stroller, but that record has been broken–first by Ashlee Eskelsen in Montgomery, Alabama this past March her record is 1:47:29, and most recently this past Sunday, again at the Missoula Half-Marathon, by Cynthia Arnold of Polson, Montana. Arnold ran a blazing 1:29:08. Her record has yet to be verified by the Guinness organization. “I feel really good,” says Arnold, two days after her record-breaking run. “I can’t be as fast with the stroller, so I’m not as beat-up as I might be without it.” The 34-year-old mother of three is recognized as an accomplished runner in the area, having won the Governor’s Cup half-marathon in Helena, MT in 2016. Her result Sunday had her finishing 14th in the women’s division, and she was third in her age group (30-34). Her half-marathon PB (sans stroller) is 1:17. And her marathon PB is 2:48. (07/18/18) Views: 80

Ben True was the first American to win the Beach to Beacon and wants to do it again

Ben True, who became the first American runner to win the TD Beach to Beacon in 2016 and finished second in 2017, will return to the race this year. True, a North Yarmouth native and Greely High graduate, leads the men’s elite field for the Aug. 4 race, which was announced by race officials Monday. True is joined in the men’s field by two-time Olympian Lopez Lomong, 2012 Beach to Beacon winner Stanley Biwott, and Jake Robertson, who set the New Zealand record in the marathon earlier this year. This year’s top contenders will join a field of more than 6,500 runners who will wind along the fast, relatively flat course that begins near Crescent Beach State Park on Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth and ends in Fort Williams Park near Portland Head Light. (07/17/18) Views: 62

Olympian Amy Cragg Joins 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon American Women’s Elite Field

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that two of the fastest women in U.S. history, Amy Cragg and Laura Thweatt, will join previously announced American Jordan Hasay to compete for the top spot on the podium at the 41st annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Cragg, a two-time Olympian, and Thweatt, the 2015 U.S. Cross Country champion and 2018 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K champion, make the 2018 Chicago Marathon the deepest American women’s field in Chicago’s storied history. Hasay currently ranks second on the list of all-time American marathoners with her 2:20:57 run at last year’s Chicago Marathon. Her time was also the fastest American time ever run on U.S. soil. Cragg moved up to the fifth spot in U.S. history earlier this year with her 2:21:42 performance in Tokyo, and Thweatt claimed the ninth spot in London last year after she finished in 2:25:38. The last time three American women finished in the top five in Chicago was 1994, and the last time U.S. women claimed the top two spots was 1992. Chicago’s history could be rewritten with Hasay, Cragg and Thweatt headlining this year’s American field. “There is an American tradition in Chicago of historic performances, competition and developing top talent,” said Executive Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Carey Pinkowski. “Amy and Laura are world-class athletes, and they are fighters. We expect to see them battling up front, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our elite field.” Cragg, a member of Nike’s Bowerman Track Club since 2015, joins this year’s elite field after opening her 2018 season by smashing her personal best to finish third at the Tokyo Marathon in 2:21:42. She competed in Chicago for the first time in 2014, finishing fourth in 2:27:03. Since then, she has experienced global success, winning the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials, finishing ninth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and ending a 34-year medal drought for the U.S. after taking home a bronze medal at the 2017 IAAF World Championships Marathon. She currently sits in 12th place on the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XI leaderboard, and a strong finish in Chicago could propel her further up the list. (07/17/18) Views: 62

Global Run Challenge Profile: After Paul Shimon watched Roger Bannister on TV set the world mile record he was hooked

RUN THE WORLD: Running is a major part of Paul Shimon's life.  "I hate being injured," Paul says.  But he doesn't stop.  "I try to limp along furthering my injury but mentally I am more adjusted! I get depressed if I can't run."  He also loves to read historical running stories and check out results from the past.  He has a good take on the sport.  " I make sure to run in tough conditions so ordinary days are a snap and a treat," he says and he feels that, "training tough makes racing easy."  He got interested in running in grade school in 1954.  "I watched Roger Bannister on tv set the mile record and I was hooked," he remembers.  Paul's marathon PR is 2:30.12 clocked at the third Olympiad Marathon in St. Louis. He has run 135 marathons.  Some other PR's include 4:26 for the mile, 14:34 for 5k, and 33:30 for 10k.  "I got to run in the San Blas International Marathon (Puerto Rico) back in the early 70"s.  Roberto Clemente's (famous baseball player) mother gave out the awards to the top 50 and I was lucky enough to receive one," he says.  Paul is married with a son and daughter. He is still teaching APE (Adapted Physical Education) and this will be his 49th year.  Why did he sign up for the Run The World Challenge?  "I love this challenge. It is getting me to run more and I already feel a higher level of conditioning.  I am quicker to get out the door too," Paul says.     (07/17/18) Views: 50
Bob Anderson

Catra Corbett Smashes the 310 mile John Muir Trail record

Vegan ultramarathon runner Catra Corbett has set a new record on the legendary John Muir Trail. The 53-year-old athlete, who has openly spoken out about her previous abuse of crystal meth and alcohol, had already set a previous record on the 212-mile course.

Now she has just set another in the 310-mile course known as the Muir ramble route, which covers 310 miles of California, and was originally explored and recorded in 1868 by John Muir. Corbett's new record is for the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for completion.

She finished the 310 miles - which became 323 miles with diversions - in seven days, nine hours, and 49 minutes. Corbett, who has run over 100 races of 100 miles or more - and is world famous for her exploits and her commitment to positive thinking and living - was supported by a small team who paced and equipped her during the record attempt.

"There is no way I could have done it without Phil Nimmo help but mostly Dave Wiskowski and Chubky they were my crew on foot the last 66 miles," Catra told followers on social media. "We spent the night in the wilderness huddled together. They pushed me and helped motivate me. We all fell apart many times out there but kept it together.

"There were places there were no trails, and we had to route find our way. I'm happy I knew the last 15-mile section. We crossed slowly over two miles of rockfall, but the views were amazing. We almost had to turn around because the trail was completely gone due to a recent rockfall. Dave navigated us safely up and over it. We worked as a team to get it done."

(07/13/18) Views: 45

Two-time U.S. Olympian Molly Huddle will compete in Beach to Beacon

Molly Huddle a two-time U.S. Olympian, the reigning American record holder in the women’s 10,000-meter run, are among 46 professionals who will compete at the 21st TD Beach to Beacon 10K Aug. 4. Having Molly in our race this year is truly special, Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson said in a press release. Samuelson founded the TD Beach to Beacon in her native Cape Elizabeth. “But they’ve got their work cut out for them as the field is once again deep and talented and guaranteed to provide a highly competitive day of road racing on Aug. 4,” Samuelson said. Other elite runners set to take on the 6.2-mile route are U.S. Olympic gold medal triathlete Gwen Jorgenson, two-time U.S. Olympian Lopez Lomong, Ethiopian Buze Diriba, Kenya-based New Zealander Jake Robertson and 2012 Beach to Beacon champion Stanley Biwott of Kenya, as well as a host of other Olympians, All-Americans and rising stars from East Africa. (07/17/18) Views: 39

All eyes on Xavier Thévenard for Hardrock 100

Xavier Thévenard, a 30-year-old from France, headlines a men’s field that has changed drastically since the lottery was first drawn in December. Montana’s Mike Foote, a two-time Hardrock runner-up, withdrew from the race a little more than a week out from the start, making Thévenard the favorite if his body and mind hold up during the grueling 100.5-mile race through the San Juan Mountains. “It was tough when I got the email from Kilian a couple weeks ago,” Hardrock 100 race director Dale Garland said. “What it did to the men’s field was kind of blew it up in terms of being in the front.” While Foote and Jornet won’t race, Jeff Browning, a 46-year-old from Oregon, was a late addition from the wait list. He will join Troy Howard, a 45-year-old from Golden, as the top contenders to Thévenard. Thévenard finished third at Hardrock in 2016 in a time of 23 hours, 57 minutes, 10 seconds. That was the year Jornet and Durango’s Jason Schlarb finished as co-champions in a hand-in-hand finish. Since then, Thévenard hasn’t slowed down a bit. He was fourth at Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in 2017 and is coming off a fifth-place finish at the 45-mile Transculvania race in May. (07/20/18) Views: 39