Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
1/13/2024
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Ethiopians Gebreslase, Alemu and Aga set to race in Xiamen
The Xiamen Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on Sunday (7) will witness the fastest marathon pack ever assembled in China, with 2022 world champion Gotytom Gebreslase heading a stacked field in the women’s race.
The 28-year-old Gebreslase of Ethiopia clocked her personal best of 2:18:11 when claiming the world title in Oregon in July 2022. She also registered another sub-2:20 mark when finishing third at the 2022 Tokyo Marathon in 2:18:18 and took a 2:20:09 victory at the Berlin Marathon in 2021.
Last year, Gebreslase clocked 2:24:34 to grab a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, which remains her last outing over the classic distance.
It will be the first time for Gebreslase to compete in Xiamen, a southeastern Chinese city, and she will be targeting not only the title, but also the course record of 2:19:52 set by her compatriot Mare Dibaba back in 2015.
Fellow Ethiopian Megertu Alemu is the fastest woman on paper with a career best of 2:17:09 achieved last October when finishing third at the Chicago Marathon.
Aside from having the fastest PB of the field, the 26-year-old has shown great consistency in the past two years, registering sub-2:19 marks in all her four races including notching a 2:18:51 victory at the 2022 Seville Marathon and finishing second and third respectively in the 2022 and 2023 London Marathon races.
Ruti Aga, also from Ethiopia, is another serious title contender. The 29-year-old clocked a PB of 2:18:09 to win the Yellow River Estuary Marathon in Dongying, China, last October, improving the Chinese all-comers’ record.
Aga also won the Tokyo Marathon in 2:20:40 in 2019 and has earned three runner-up finishes in major marathon races, including a 2:18:34 second place in the 2018 Berlin Marathon.
Other women to watch in the field include Tanzanian marathon and half marathon record-holder Magdalena Shauri, whose PB of 2:18:41 was set last September when finishing third at the Berlin Marathon, as well as Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi of Morocco, a 2:25:03 performer who claimed the marathon bronze medal at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.
Kipchumba defends title
Defending champion Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba will face a tough contest in the men’s race, as a total of 12 runners in the field own a career best time faster than the course record of 2:06:19 set by Moses Mosop of Kenya in 2015.
The 25-year-old Kipchumba will arrive in Xiamen with high spirits. He remained unbeaten last year, winning all three of his marathon races. After a 2:10:47 victory in Hong Kong last February, he clocked 2:08:04 to win in Xiamen and continued his winning streak in Shanghai in November with a winning mark of 2:05:35, beating Mosop’s course record in Xiamen to become the Chinese all-comers’ record-holder.
Kenyan half marathon record-holder Kibiwott Kandie is also on the rise. The 27-year-old registered a PB of 2:04:48 to finish sixth in Valencia one month ago and will be pursuing his first ever marathon title in Xiamen.
Ethiopia’s Chalu Deso, 26, is also a formidable competitor. He finished seventh behind Kandie in Valencia last month in 2:05:14 and his career best of 2:04:53 was also achieved in the Spanish city in 2020.
Last year, Deso claimed the Tokyo Marathon title in 2:05:22. He also has marathon titles in Paris and Porto to his name. After outings in Nanjing and Dalian in 2018, the Xiamen Marathon will be Deso’s third race in China.
Philemon Kiplimo of Kenya is another sub-2:05 runner in the field and unlike Kandie and Deso, Kiplimo will arrive in the Chinese coastal city on fresh legs. His last marathon race was contested more than three months ago when he clocked a PB of 2:04:56 to finish eighth in Berlin.
Also toeing the line are several sub-2:06 runners, including Moroccan record-holder Othmane El Goumri, who set a PB of 2:05:12 to finish second in Barcelona last March and went on to win the Sydney Marathon in 2:08:20 six months later.
(01/05/24) Views: 133World Athletics
Vicoty Chepngeno eager to make full marathon debut at Chevron Houston Marathon
After failing to make her full marathon debut at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon, Vicoty Chepngeno will finally do it at the Chevron Houston Marathon.
Philadelphia Half Marathon champion Vicoty Chepngeno will open her season with a full marathon debut at the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday, January 14.
Chepngeno set the course record with her 2022 Aramco Houston Half Marathon victory, winning in a time of 1:05:03, which is still the fastest half marathon time ever run in North America to date.
“I am very excited to make my marathon debut in Houston. It is a race I know well. This makes me feel at ease as I focus on what I need to do to achieve my goal of winning,” Chepngeno said as per Endurance Sports Wire.
The race will also feature the return of three-time champion Bruktayit Degefa of Ethiopia. These three wins leave Degefa tied on the most victories ever secured by one runner, all of which are among the six fastest times in race history.
Chepngeno and Degefa will compete with top contenders including Canadian national record holder Natasha Wodak and three-time Rome Marathon champion Rahma Tusa of Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, last year’s men’s race came down to a sprint finish with Kenya’s Dominic Ondoro beating Ethiopia’s Tsedat Ayana and both will make a grand return this year. Ayana will take the opportunity for revenge, while Ondoro will look for his third Houston victory.
“I love the course, the city, and the friendly cheering crowds. To come to the start line, run a good race, and get a win will be wonderful,” said Ondoro, the two-time Houston Marathon champion.
Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta will also be in the starting line, coming into the race with a personal best of 2:05:51. He has a chance to break the tape on what will be his 28th birthday.
In 2023, he was runner-up at the Dubai Marathon in February and won the Beijing Marathon in October. Also expected to be up front, are 2022 Chevron Houston Marathon winner James Ngandu of Kenya and Morocco’s Zouhair Talbi who was fifth in the 2023 Boston Marathon.
“You can always count on exciting storylines and dramatic finishes at the Chevron Houston Marathon.
“Fans will want to make sure they are in front of their TV or lined up on Lamar Street when the runners make that final turn toward the finish line,” said Carly Caulfield, Race Director and General Manager of the Houston Marathon Committee.
The races will be aired live on ABC13 in Houston and streamed around the world on ABC13's official portal featuring commentary from two-time Olympian and Boston Marathon champion Desiree “Des” Linden.
(01/08/24) Views: 114Abigael Wuafula
Solid performances at the 29th monthly KATA Time Trials in Thika Kenya
Kenya Athletics training academy (KATA Running Retreat) monthly time trial took place today January 10th in Thika Kenya. This was the 29th event for the series.
The athletes opened the year in good fashion and the turn out was impressive. We had 38 registered participants.
Raphael Karita opened the day in a scintillating win in the 5km posting a personal best of 14:44. His time was indeed impressive considering the fact that he ran against a heavy head wind in the last kilometer.
He was followed closely by Simon ngumbau and Kevin ragui who clocked 15:04 and 15:20 respectfully. Amos chirchir who finished fourth is a true representation of courage and determination. He was a sprinter and decided to switch to distance running and he has passionately done a tremendous job posting a personal best of 15:39. He lowered his time by more than 40 seconds, setting a galvanizing example and inspiring many upcoming athletes within KATA.
Athanas kioko (first photo) took victory in the 10 km clocking 29:02 just missing going under 29. Martin ndungu was second in 29:44 and 19-year-old Dismus okioma was third with 29:53. Levi kuria, one of the KATA's up and coming promising athletes finished fifth clocking an impressive personal best of 30:18 lowering his previous time by more than 30 seconds. The 30th KATA time trial is set for Feb 14.
10km MEN
Age, bib number and time
1 Athanas kioko 28 171 29:02 loop
2 Martin ndungu 25 492 29:44
3 Dismus okioma 19 453 29:53
4 Zakaria kirika 22 145 30:14
5 Levi's kuria 22 499 30:18
6 Fred chege 25 163 31:11
7 Anthony Mukundi 35 131 31:29
8 Kenneth gichoya 26 306 31:32
9 David gitau 28 179 32:02
10 Fredrick kiprotich 23 194 32:08
11 Boniface mungai 24 452 32:21
12 Alfred kamande 24 447 32:25
13 Martin Mambo 27 149 33:43
14 Ismael mburu 23 489 35:43
15 Charles ndirangu 64 451 37:21
10km Women
1 Lois wambui 23 151 36:20
2 Jacinta mwende 22 197 36:21
3 Virginia wanjiru 22 134 37:15
5km MEN
1 Raphael karita 24 201 14:44
2 Simon ngumbau 28 462 15:04
3 Kelvin ragui 21 450 15:20
4 Amos chirchir 23 154 15:39
5 Charles ndirangu 23 458 15:48
6 Ramadan ambani 26 195 16:28
7 Kariuki wangari 25 446 16:47
8 John mutiso 18 153 17:23
9 Jeremiah obura 18 170 17:36
10 David kitheka 20 207 17:44
11 Lewis mwangi 18 481 18:08
12 Francis Kariuki 19 468 18:18
13 Felix muigai 18 208 18:24
14 Collins muiruri 18 148 18:30
15 Joseph maina 18 449 19:06
16 Alex kamau 18 204 21:26
5km Women
1 Caren chepkemoi 22 161 18:29
2 Lilian musenya 22 116 19:19
(01/10/24) Views: 107
Strava's Year in Sport reports Gen Z's like running short and fast
Is the era of high-mileage runs a thing of the past? Strava, the globally acclaimed GPS and fitness tracking app, has just released its year-end trends report, and the findings are interesting. Running once again claimed the title of the most popular activity upload, but what caught everyone’s attention was the distinct running behaviour of different generations, especially the shorter runs by Gen Z’s.
Gen Z, aged 11-26, emerged as the speed demons, boasting the fastest average pace (5:14/km) among the four generations surveyed. However, what turned heads was their knack for shorter runs, with an average distance of 5.3 kilometres (3.3 miles). In a surprising twist, baby boomers, aged 57-75, may not win the speed race, but they certainly win the endurance marathon, consistently logging the longest average run of 6.4 kilometres (4 miles).
According to Strava’s report, Gen Z not only sprints but does so with a purpose—athletic performance. These younguns are the least likely to exercise for health alone, preferring the thrill of competition or the camaraderie of friends, run clubs or group fitness activities. Time and work emerged as their primary constraints, a testament to their busy lifestyles and limited time for exercise.
The Year in Sport data was compiled from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023 and included insights from 6,990 respondents worldwide. Boomers, in contrast to Gen Z, leaned towards cycling, being twice as likely to upload rides than runs. Gen Z, on the other hand, flipped the script, almost doubling the likelihood of uploading runs compared to rides, reflecting the surge in race participation in 2023.
This trend among Gen Z isn’t an isolated finding. A 2022 U.S. census report revealed that nearly 60 per cent of Gen Z adults engage in running or jogging for fitness at least once a week, far surpassing the general population’s 26 per cent.
Strava’s report also sheds light on the evolving landscape of athletic footwear preferences. Hoka, On and Asics emerged as top choices on Strava in 2023, indicating a growing affinity for newer and innovative athletic brands among runners.
While running dominated uploads on Strava for the second consecutive year, the rise of trail running and hiking is a noteworthy trend, experiencing a remarkable 20 per cent increase from 2022.
(01/06/24) Views: 100
Ketema stuns with 2:16:07 marathon debut in Dubai
Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema made a stunning debut over the classic distance to win the Dubai Marathon in 2:16:07 on Sunday (7). Compatriot Addisu Gobena, another marathon debutant and just 19 years of age, won the men’s race at the World Athletics Label road race in 2:05:01.
Running on Dubai’s renowned super flat course that mainly stretches on Jumeirah Beach Road, Ketema smashed the course record by more than a minute. The 25-year-old, who had previously been an 800m specialist and had never competed at any distance farther than 10km, now moves to eighth on the world all-time list.
Just 18 months ago, her time would have also been an Ethiopian record, but she now sits third on her country’s all-time list behind world record-holder Tigist Assefa and world champion Amane Beriso.
Fellow Ethiopians Ruti Aga and defending champion Dera Dida took second and third places with 2:18:09 and 2:19:29 respectively. Fourth-placed German Melat Kejeta, returning from a maternity break, ran 2:21:47.
Gobena led an Ethiopian sweep of the podium in the men’s race. Prior to today, Gobena’s only known performance was a third-place finish at the Delhi Half Marathon three months ago, but the U20 athlete made a name for himself by winning in Dubai in 2:05:01.
Compatriots Lemi Dumecha and Dejene Megersa, another debutant, followed in second and third spots with 2:05:20 and 2:05:42.
(01/07/24) Views: 100
Blade runner Oscar Pistorius released on parole
Eleven years after shooting and killing Reeva Steenkamp through a bathroom door in their home in Pretoria, South Africa home, double-amputee runner and six-time Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius, 37, was released on parole on Friday.
On Valentine’s Day in 2013, Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner,” fired numerous shots through a bathroom door in his home, killing Steenkamp, who was inside. The South African athletics star consistently denied intending to kill her, saying he shot her by mistake, believing she was an intruder.
Pistorius was initially convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and sentenced to five years in prison, but after an appeal by prosecutors, he was found guilty of murder in 2016 and the sentence increased by a further six years. In 2017, according to a report in the Globe and Mail, his sentence was more than doubled, after South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal decided it was too lenient. In 2021, it was announced he would soon be eligible for parole, having served half his sentence.
South Africa’s Department of Corrections did not give details as to when and how Pistorius would be released, saying “Inmates and parolees are never paraded. Pistorius’ public profile does not make him different from other inmates nor warrant inconsistent treatment,” the Department of Corrections said in a statement Wednesday.
The 37-year-old will be under correctional supervision for the remainder of his murder sentence of 13 years and five months expires in December 2029. Pistorius will also undergo therapy for anger and gender-based violence issues, according to a report.
Pistorius competed in the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, finishing third overall in the T44 100m and winning gold in the 200m; he went on to compete again in 2008, winning gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m. He wanted to compete against able-bodied runners, but the IAAF (now World Athletics) ruled that runners using carbon-fibre prosthetic “blades” had an unfair advantage and could not race against able-bodied athletes. Pistorius fought this ruling and won, and the rule was revoked, clearing the way for him to try to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. (Further studies have also concluded that prosthetic blades do not confer an advantage over able-bodied runners.)
(01/05/24) Views: 98Marley Dickinson
Oscar Pistorius
Mumbai Marathon 2024: Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi named brand ambassador
Celebrated long distance runner Meb Keflezighi, who won a silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, has been named brand ambassador of the 19th Tata Mumbai Marathon scheduled to be held on Sunday.
The race is a World Athletics Gold Label event and Procam International is the promoter of the event.
Celebrated long distance runner Meb Keflezighi, who won a silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, has been named brand ambassador of the 19th Tata Mumbai Marathon scheduled to be held on Sunday.
The race is a World Athletics Gold Label event and Procam International is the promoter of the event.
“The Tata Mumbai Marathon has been on my bucket list for the longest time, and finally being able to witness Mumbai’s indomitable spirit, is indeed exciting,” Keflezighi, an Eritrea-born American, was quoted as saying in a press release.
“This event inspired a country to run and changed mindsets, that is the true legacy of a sporting event. Mumbai’s incredible energy and enthusiasm, combined with the dedication of its runners, embodies the universal language of endurance. I will only say this… remember to run with purpose, embrace the journey, and move ahead together. In every stride, find the strength to go the distance and make a difference to what you believe in.”
Keflezighi has several record-breaking accolades in his career.
He scripted history when he became the only runner to win an Olympic medal (2004), the New York City Marathon (2009) and the Boston Marathon (2014).
In 2009, Keflezighi became the first American since 1982 to win the New York City Marathon. He has achieved the feat of being in the top 10 in the New York Marathon for a total of eight times in his career.
In 2015, he set a TCS New York City Marathon masters event record with a timing of 2:13:32sec.
In 2014 he won the Boston Marathon (2:08:37), the first American male to do so since 1983, and the first American since 1985.
Since 1930, Keflezighi has held the record for being the oldest winner of the Boston Marathon as he triumphed there when he was 39 years old.
He is also a former USA National 10,000m track record holder.
The Tata Mumbai Marathon will flag off from the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Sunday.
(01/08/24) Views: 96
Colombia withdraws as host of 2027 Pan American Games
On Wednesday, the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) announced in a statement that the committee has decided to withdraw the host city status from Barranquilla, Colombia, for the 2027 Pan American Games due to a breach of contract.
According to PASO, a meeting took place at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, between the committee and Colombian authorities regarding Barranquilla 2027. The host city requested an extension of the financial deadlines set by PASO to fulfill contract expectations. PASO granted the hosts an extension, with the new deadline set for Dec. 30.
“Given the lack of response in accordance with the new financial deadline, the PASO executive committee made the decision on Jan. 3, 2024, to withdraw the right to be a host city of the continental event in 2027,” PASO said in a translated statement posted on social media.
The Federación Colombiana de Atletismo (FECODATLE), the national athletics federation of Colombia, submitted the bid for the 2027 Games on Aug. 27, 2021. They were one of three cities that expressed interest in hosting the major sporting event, with others being Buenos Aires, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Buenos Aires submitted a bid for the 2023 event, but withdrew for financial reasons.
“Charles Philibert-Thiboutot earns Canada’s first track medal at Pan American Games” — Canadian Running Magazine
View on the original site.
As Barranquilla was the sole bid, it was appointed as the host city. Large multi-sporting events outside of the Olympics have recently grappled with the costs of staging an event of this magnitude. Recently, the state of Victoria, Australia, pulled out of the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to the exponential costs associated with the Games.
The Pan American Games is a multi-sport event held every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games. It is the second oldest continental games globally, originating in 1951 in Buenos Aires. Since then, the games have been held in various cities across North and South America, including Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Toronto. The most recent event was held in Santiago, Chile, in late October, where Team Canada won a total of 164 medals, including 46 gold
(01/07/24) Views: 94Running Magazine
Kebebe and Gudeta triumph in Xiamen
Ethiopian duo Asefa Boki Kebebe and Bekelech Gudeta were victorious at the C&D Xiamen Marathon on Sunday (7), winning the World Athletics Platinum Label road race in 2:06:46 and 2:22:54 respectively.
Kebebe upset a quality field that contained three sub-2:05 runners, outracing Kenya’s Felix Kirwa in the final seven kilometres to take the men’s title, falling just 27 seconds shy of the course record.
A leading group of more than 10 runners passed through 10km in 29:28 and 15km in 44:20. After the leaders hit the 20km mark in 59:08, defending champion Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba and fellow Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie, the fastest entrant with a personal best of 2:04:48, both withdrew.
The pace decreased slightly after 20km but the leading group continued to shrink. At 25km there were only five runners left in the leading pack: Kebebe, Kirwa, Solomon Kirwa Yego of Kenya, Ethiopai’s Adane Kebede Gebre and Moroccan record-holder Othmane El Goumri.
Gebre dropped out of contention just before 30km, which the leaders reached in 1:29:13. After another kilometre, 31-year-old El Goumri tried to make a move. Although the Moroccan’s attempt went in vain, Yego failed to keep up. After the leading trio hit 35km in 1:44:43, El Goumri gradually faded away as well.
Kirwa stayed in the pole position as Kebebe followed closely behind. Kebede’s patience paid off as the Ethiopian made a decisive surge in the final kilometre to pass Kirwa, notching his third marathon title in China following victories in Changchun and Tianjin last year.
Kirwa – who has marathon titles in Yichang, Stockholm, Macao, Singapore and Antwerp – took second place in 2:06:52. El Goumri finished third in 2:07:18.
Like Kebebe, 26-year-old Gudeta also emerged victorious from a stacked field, but her victory was more comfortable.
An Ethiopian trio of Gudeta, Aberu Ayana Mulisa and Ftaw Zeray led the women’s race to 15km in 55:09 with the closest chaser, Morocco’s world bronze medallist Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi, lagging more than 40 seconds behind.
Zeray soon fell behind before the leading duo passed 20km and Mulisa, who achieved her PB of 2:21:54 last year in Seville, also failed to keep up with Gudeta near the halfway point.
Gudeta continued to extend her lead and went on to win in 2:22:54, shaving two seconds from the PB she set when winning in Prague two years ago.
Gardadi finished second in 2:24:12 taking almost a minute off her PB in what was her second race in Xiamen in five weeks following a 1:11:14 victory at the Xiamen Half Marathon.
China’s Zhang Deshun was third in 2:26:53.
(01/07/24) Views: 93Vincent Wu for World Athletics
Defending Champions Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Anchialem Haymanot headline at the Tata Mumbai Marathon
Defending champions and event record holders Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Anchialem Haymanot will headline the 19th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. The event is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, and is scheduled for Sunday, January, 21.
Earlier this year, Berhanu clocked 2:07:32 and Haymanot logged a 2:24:15 on her debut, to win in Mumbai with new event records. Later, Haymanot improved her best to 2:22:23 in Amsterdam while finishing sixth. Berhanu posted a season-best 2:05:48 to finish at fifth.
Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Hayle said, “I won the 2023 edition of the Mumbai marathon under perfect conditions. It was indeed a surprise and unexpected win at that time. But I want to make sure that I replicate my victory in January as I’m confident of finishing on top in 2024.”
However, it will not be an easy task for either runner to wrest their titles again in 2024. As many as six other men and two other women have superior personal bests in comparison to the current Mumbai course records have entered to challenge the event.
The $405,000 USD prize money event will witness some of the finest athletes take centre-stage at the Tata Mumbai Marathon. The first three in each race stand to win US $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000, respectively. The $15,000 bonus also awaits those who break the existing event records.
Ethiopian Kinde Atanw (30), who is credited with a PB of 2:03:51 — which was achieved while winning the Valencia Marathon in 2019 — will be the leading name among the men. Atanaw finished third during the World 10K in Bengaluru way back in 2014 on his previous appearance in India.
Lelisa Desisa, the 2019 World Champion, together with four fellow Ethiopian runners and Eritrean Merhawi Kesete will give Hayle Lemi a run for his money. Kesete finished ninth in Mumbai in 2020.
Desisa, had his earlier appearances in India through the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, there he finished third in 2011, and in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon for three consecutive years (2010-2012, including a victory in 2010) is credited with the second-fastest time (2:04:45) among those men who entered for the 2024 race. On his numerous international ventures, Desisa also captured two Boston marathon wins besides a title victory in New York among the big ones.
The women’s line-up includes two Ethiopians and one Kenyan runner to make it tough for Anchialem in the upcoming race in Mumbai. Tadelech Bekele, the 2018 London Marathon podium finisher, and Sofia Assefa — the 2012 London Olympics steeplechase silver medallist who clocked an impressive 2:23:33 on her marathon debut in Amsterdam this October — will be the main challenge to the defending champion.
Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Anchialem said, “I ran my maiden marathon in Mumbai and was lucky to win the race. I am eager to repeat the feat once again in 2024”
Commenting on this year’s field, Vivek Singh, Jt. MD. Procam International said, “The Tata Mumbai Marathon continues to attract some of the finest athletes in the world. It is also a matter of great pride to have our defending champions back and this year, with Kinde Atanaw & Tadelech Bekele we have one of the fastest fields we have ever had at the event. We are sure to have some scintillating action on the course.”
(01/10/24) Views: 93Christopher Kelsall
