Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
8/5/2023
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Sir Mo Farah confirms final race in London before Olympic hero's retirement
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Mo Farah has announced the Big Half will be his last race in London before retiring.
Farah, who won back-to-back Olympic golds in the 5,000m and 10,000m, revealed ahead of the London Marathon in April that 2023 would be his final year as a competitive athlete. The 40-year-old cited injuries as the reason behind his decision, admitting: "My body is not allowing me."
And it has now been confirmed his final competitive race in London, the city where he won his first two Olympic golds in 2012, will be the Big Half on September 3. It is an event he has won three times, most recently in 2022.
"I'm excited to run my last ever London race at The Big Half," Farah said. "It will be bittersweet, knowing it will be the last time I race competitively in my hometown but it's always such a great day and I know the London crowds will be cheering me on, as they always do. I look forward to being back in London and hope to bring home the win one final time."
Spencer Barden, Head of Elite Athletes at London Marathon Events which organises the Big Half, added: "It's fantastic to have Sir Mo leading the field at this year's The Big Half. Mo has had a phenomenal career and everyone at London Marathon Events wishes him all the best in his retirement.
"Before that though, we hope he signs off his racing career in London with another record-breaking win at The Big Half." However, the Great North Run on September 10 will be Farah's final race altogether.
"I have so many incredible memories of racing at the Great North Run, my first ever race there in 2013 was billed as one of the greatest men’s half marathons in history," he said. "It was a special experience to line up against Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele and the iconic Haile Gebrselassie.
"Kenenisa took the top spot that day, but there was so much support for me all along the course. Even at the finish line in the pouring rain, all I can remember was people shouting my name, it made me even more determined to come back and do them proud.
"From 2014 onwards I won the event in front of that incredible crowd six times. There were some really tough races, but the phenomenal support always saw me through.
"It's fitting the AJ Bell Great North Run will be my last ever race as an elite athlete. It will definitely be emotional, but I’m so happy to have the opportunity to celebrate the end of my professional career on that famous finish line."
(07/31/23) Views: 132Matthew Cooper
Try this tune-up workout before your next race
It’s hard to know what to do in the taper week leading up to your race. Run too much, and you risk showing up to the start line tired; run too little and you risk feeling sluggish on race day. Figuring out this balance takes some trial and error, but if you’re not sure what to do, consider adding this quick, feel-good tune-up workout into your training plan the week before your race.
It may sound crazy to do a workout so close to your goal race, but this quick session is designed to get your legs moving without wiping you out. It should be done no less than three days before your race (even further out if you’ve got a long race on the calendar), and is an opportunity to remind yourself what race pace feels like.
In other words, don’t be a workout hero–run your goal race pace and no faster, and resist the temptation to do extra intervals. (Save that energy for the start line!)
The workout
Warmup: 10-15 minutes’ easy jog, followed by form drills
Workout:
1 km at race pace, followed by two minutes’ rest
2-4 x 400m with 1:30 rest (run these at a pace that feels comfortable and strong–don’t get caught up in the numbers)
800m at race pace
Cooldown: 10 minutes’ easy jog, followed by light stretching.
(07/29/23) Views: 119Brittany Hambleton
Courtney Dauwalter to race UTMB this year
The U.S. ultrarunning phenom, hot off her record-breaking finishes at Western States and Hardrock 100, will be looking to best her own course record in Chamonix in September.
Ultrarunning sensation Courtney Dauwalter has announced she’ll be toeing the start line at Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in Chamonix, France on Sept. 1, setting the stage for what is sure to be one of this year’s most highly anticipated ultras, following her recent record-breaking wins at the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run and the Hardrock 100.
The 38-year-old shared on social media Friday morning—with an apparent mix of excitement and trepidation—her decision to take on the famed 170-km course, which features 10,000m of vert around the base of Mont Blanc.
“We decided to do UTMB!” she wrote. “I have no idea how this will go, or what I’ll be able to squeeze out of my body & brain in one more 100 mile race this summer, but that makes it even more interesting to try! Mont Blanc, here we come! Race date: Sept 1”
The big question surrounding the September race will be whether Dauwalter, who holds the UTMB course record following her 22:30:54 finish in the race two years ago, will be able to best herself to claim the championships and course records at Western States, Hardrock and UTMB within a span of less than three months.
On June 24, Dauwalter not only demolished the Western States women’s course record that had stood for more than a decade (16:47:19 set by Canadian Ellie Greenwood in 2012), but beat most of the men, finishing in 15:29:33 and sixth overall.
Just three weeks later, she turned in another mind-blowing performance at the Hardrock 100 in Silverton, Colo., crossing the finish line in fourth place overall in 26:14:08. Dauwalter’s run was more than an hour faster than the counter-clockwise record set by Diana Finkel of South Fork, Colo., in 2009, and 30 minutes faster than Dauwalter’s own overall women’s course record set last year.
In addition to holding the course records at UTMB, Western States and Hardrock 100, Dauwalter, who is based in Golden, Colo., holds the record at Diagonale des Fous on Reunion Island.
(07/28/23) Views: 99
Paul Baswick
Half Marathon specialist Daniel Mateiko is excited to make his debut in this year’s Chicago Marathon
Daniel Mateiko promises to pull a major upset in Chicago Marathon.
Mateiko, who has been competing on both track and the road, has promised a surprise this year despite the presence of top-notch athletes in Chicago this year.
“Yes, this will be my first time to run a marathon, and a major one. This means I have to work extra hard in training to keep up the pace,” he said.
He said he was spotted by Chicago race organisers in London Marathon where he paced Kelvin Kiptum to victory early this year.
"In London, I paced Kiptum to the second-fastest marathon in the world in London and exited at the 30km mark, just 12km to the finish. Some race organizers were amazed at what I did and that is why I am heading to Chicago,” he revealed.
After finishing second in at the Kip Keino Classic last year, he went ahead to finish in position eight in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The inaugural Eldama Ravine Half Marathon champion said he is undergoing intense to post good results in Chicago.
The Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon silver medalist failed to make Team Kenya for the 2021 Olympic Games after finishing sixth in 10,000m at the national trials.
Mateiko has a personal best time of 58:26 set in the Valencia Half Marathon last year, where he finished third. He finished third in Copenhagen after timing 59:25.
He will be up against defending champion Benson Kipruto, who will be seeking to defend his title after winning last year's race in 2:04:24— the fourth-fastest time ever in Chicago. Should Kipruto win again, he’ll be the first back-to-back men’s open field champion since the late Sammy Wanjiru in 2010. Also in the race are Kenya's John Korir ( 2:05:01) and Wesley Kiptoo (debutant).
Other key names in the field include Belgium's Bashir Abdi (2:03:36), the Ethiopian duo of Dawit Wolde (2:04:27) and Seifu Tura(2:04:29) and United States Galen Rupp (2:06:07) among others.
(07/28/23) Views: 91Emmanuel Sabuni
90-year-old U.S. runner Dot Sowerby, topples Canadian’s 1,500m world age-group record
A 90-year-old runner saved the best for last during her winning weekend at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in Greensboro, N.C., breaking the W90 world record in the 1,500m and claiming the crown from a Canadian.
Greensboro’s own Dot Sowerby delighted a hometown crowd Sunday when she ran the 1,500m in 11:30.62, taking more than a minute off the record held by North Vancouver’s Lenore Montgomery, who covered the distance in 12:34.67 at a track meet in Surry, B.C., in September 2020.
Sowerby’s world-record effort this week, which has yet to be ratified, capped off a memorable weekend for the athlete, who racked up quite a collection of medals over the four-day event at Truist Stadium.
She finished her first day of competition last Friday with gold in the 400m (2:35.33) and silver in the 100m (26.25)—right at the heels of first-place finisher Betty Stroh. On the same day, she took gold in the long jump (1.05m) and the shot put (4.51m). She followed that up Saturday with gold in the 800m (5:52.93).
Her accomplishments in Greensboro are all the more impressive considering they came just one week after she collected six gold medals at the 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh.
“I have a philosophy that you are never too old to do something like running or whatever you want to do,” Sowerby told Greensboro’s News & Record heading into the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships. “When I came along, they would not let girls in high school and college run because they thought they were too fragile or something. So, I did my first race when I was 50 years old.”
Although Sowerby has taken Montgomery’s 1,500m world record, the latter athlete’s name still features prominently in the Canadian masters record book. In addition to her W90 1,500m record, Montgomery holds 11 other outdoor track records. These include the W85 and W95 records in the 800m, the W75 and W85 in the 1,500m, the W80 and W85 records in the 3,000m, the W70, W75, W80 and W85 in the 5,000m and the W75 record in the 10,000m.
(07/29/23) Views: 90
Paul Baswick
Defending champions Angela Tanui and Edwin Soi to return to Bogota Half Marathon
Tanui and Soi won last year’s edition of the Half Marathon in style, clocking 1:13:29 and 1:05:27 respectively.
Defending champions Angela Tanui and Edwin Soi will return to Colombia for the Bogota Half Marathon on Sunday, July 30.
Tanui and Soi won last year’s edition of the Half Marathon in style, clocking 1:13:29 and 1:05:27 in the women’s and men’s races respectively.
Soi is the fastest in the men’s field with a Personal Best time of 1:00:24 and he will be opening his season at the event. He will enjoy the company of compatriot Daniel Muteti who is also among the top entries.
On his part, Muteti will be lining up as the third fastest in the field and so far, this year, he has only participated in two Half Marathons. He opened his season with a 12th-place finish at the Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Half Marathon before winning the Cereales Angel Lima Half Marathon.
The Kenyan duo will face a stern test from Morocco’s Omar Ait Chitachen who will be lining up as the second fastest in the field. Chitachen has competed in three races so far. He opened his season with a 16th-place finish at the Osaka Marathon.
He then proceeded to the Xiamen Marathon where he finished third before winning the Rabat Half Marathon.
Another threat will come from Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma. The 32-year-old Ethiopian has competed in two marathons so far this season. He started off with the Tokyo Marathon which he unfortunately did not finish and then later went for the Prague Marathon where he finished second.
In the women’s field, Tanui will be joined by compatriot Veronica Wanjiru who has also recorded good times over the 21km distance since the season started.
Wanjiru finished fourth and third at the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon and the San Blas Half Marathon respectively.
The Kenyan duo will be up against the Ethiopian duo of Zenebu Fikadu and Anchialem Haymanot who will be looking to give them a run for their money.
(07/28/23) Views: 85Abigael Wuafula
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri highlights field for Beach to Beacon 10K
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri highlights field for Beach to Beacon 10K on Saturday
Obiri, the 2023 Boston Marathon winner and the only woman to win world championships outdoors, indoors and in cross country, will compete at Beach to Beacon for the first time.
Hellen Obiri of Kenya won the women’s division of the Boston Marathon in April. On Saturday, she’ll compete for the first time in the TD Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth. Charles Krupa/Associated Press
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, the 2023 Boston Marathon champion, highlights a group of elite runners who will compete Saturday in the TD Beach to Beacon 10K road race in Cape Elizabeth, race officials announced Monday.
Obiri – a two-time Olympic silver medalist and the only woman to win world championships outdoors, indoors and in cross country – will compete at Beach to Beacon for the first time. She’ll be joined by fellow Kenyan and two-time Boston Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat.
The women’s division also will feature Keira D’Amato of Virginia, who set an American marathon record (2 hours, 19 minutes and 12 seconds) last year, and Sanford native Rachel Schneider Smith, who competed for the United States in the 5,000 meters at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and placed fifth at last year’s Beach to Beacon.
A trio of Ethiopians – Addisu Yihune, Amedework Walelegn and Muktar Edris, a two-time world champion – are expected to contend for the men’s title. Top Americans in the field include Utah’s Conner Mantz, a two-time NCAA cross country champion, and Biya Simbassa, who placed third at the 2022 Beach to Beacon.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Beach to Beacon, founded by Cape Elizabeth native and 1984 Olympic women’s marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson.
(08/01/23) Views: 84
Kipruto eyes history in Chicago Marathon, Jepkosgei set for debut
Benson Kipruto will hope to make history during this year's edition of the Chicago Marathon, set for October 8.
Kipruto, 32, is a regular podium finisher in the world marathon majors and has a chance to make more history in the Chicago Marathon when he defends his title in the men's race. If he manages to win the competition, he’ll be the first back-to-back men’s open field champion since the late Sammy Wanjiru in 2010.
To win the title in the last edition, the long-distance runner broke away in the 25th mile last year to win in 2:04:24, which is the fourth fastest time ever in Chicago.
Kipruto should expect stiff competition from Kelvin Kipruto, the second-fastest man in history. The 23-year-old Kiptum will make his U.S. marathon debut in Chicago.
Kiptum won the London Marathon in 2023, which is his second marathon ever, at 2:01:25, which was just 16 seconds shy of Eliud Kipchoge’s world record.
Jepkosgei's debut
Meanwhile, Joyciline Jepkosgei is set to make her debut in the Chicago Marathon. The winner of the 2021 London Marathon and the 2019 New York City Marathon will compete alongside 2022 Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepng'etich, American record holder Emily Sisson, and 2023 London Marathon winner Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.
Apart from Jepkosgei, Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia will also be making her Chicago Marathon debut. Dibaba, who made her marathon debut in Amsterdam last fall, placing second in 2:18:05, has established herself as one of the top athletes as she holds six world records from the 1500m to the 5000m.
More than 45,000 participants will take part in the 45th edition of the Chicago.
(07/29/23) Views: 79Joel Sang
Foot strength exercises for speed and stability
Your feet may take a serious pounding when you run, but chances are you (like most runners) neglect foot mobility and care. Spending a few minutes on these stability-builders (do them while you’re watching TV!) will be a game-changer–you’ll have a stronger foundation and prevent future injuries.
If you’ve never done foot mobility or strength before, ease into these exercises and increase or decrease repeats as needed. Incorporate them into your warm up or cool down routine a few times a week, or try a few anytime you’re relaxing on the couch.
Toe curls
Toe curls strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the feet, essential for maintaining arch support and proper foot mechanics during running.
Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Curl your toes inward as if you’re grabbing the floor, then release. Do three sets of 15–20 repetitions for each foot.
Single-leg balance
Single-leg balance exercises enhance ankle stability and proprioception (your ability to sense where the ground is), essential for maintaining proper form and preventing ankle-related injuries.
Stand in bare feet with hands on the back of a chair or wall for stability, if needed. Rise up onto the ball of one foot, hovering the other foot above the ground if possible (leave your toes touching if you need to, and work up to lifting the leg). Hold for 30 seconds to one minute, and switch to the other leg. Repeat for three sets, build up to five.
Toe spreading
Toe spreading helps improve toe mobility and strengthens the muscles responsible for toe alignment, which can enhance stability during the push-off while running.
Sit or stand with your feet flat on the ground. Spread your toes as wide as possible, then bring them back to a neutral position. Repeat for three sets of 15–20 repetitions.
Towel scrunches
Towel scrunches strengthen the muscles in your toes and on the bottom of your feet, and contribute to better foot stability and proprioception.
Place a small towel on the floor. Stand barefoot, and use your toes to scrunch up the towel toward you. Release and repeat for three sets of 15–20 repetitions.
(07/28/23) Views: 78Keeley Milne
Netflix to release track and field documentary on world-class sprinters
Netflix is set to launch a new documentary series focused on 100m and 200m sprinters on the Diamond League circuit, featuring some of the world’s most renowned sprinters. According to The Daily Mail, the show will follow the journey of several elite sprinters like world champions Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley and Dina Asher-Smith, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their world of track and field.
The report says the filming for the documentary series is underway, with a camera crew capturing the thrilling moments of the Diamond League and Continental Tour season. The crew was present during the recently concluded London Diamond League, where Lyles ran a 200m world lead of 19.47, adding to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming series.
The concept of sports-themed documentaries has gained a lot of popularity, as seen with Netflix’s previous success with Drive To Survive, a captivating series centred around Formula One racing, the golf series Full Swing following golfers on the PGA and Break Point, a doc series that followed the top male and female players in professional tennis. The shows have resonated with existing fans and attracted new audiences to watch the sport. World Athletics has the same hope–that the upcoming series will spark more interest in the sport, outside of the Olympics and World Championships.
Although the title and release date of the docu-series are yet to be unveiled, World Athletics has confirmed the existence of the project. In a statement to Daily Mail Sport, the organization acknowledged the presence of documentary film crews following the sport and its athletes, but keeping the project under wraps for the time being.
Kerley, in particular, has been an advocate for the idea of a Netflix-style series for athletics. In an interview with BBC in May, he expressed his belief that the sport deserves more recognition and attention. Drawing parallels with F1, he emphasized that athletics, too, has events beyond the Olympic Games that could captivate audiences worldwide.
(07/29/23) Views: 75Running Magazine
