Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
9/6/2025
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Sydney Marathon Makes History as Part of World Marathon Majors
Sydney, August 31, 2025 – The Sydney Marathon ushered in a new era today, joining the elite ranks of the Abbott World Marathon Majors with a race that delivered both record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments on the streets of Australia’s largest city.
Hassan Dominates the Women’s Race
Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands continued her dominance in the marathon with a commanding victory. Hassan crossed the finish line at the Sydney Opera House in 2:18:22, smashing the course record and becoming the first woman to dip under 2:20 on Australian soil.
Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei of Kenya claimed second place, while last year’s Sydney champion Workenesh Edesa of Ethiopia secured third. Hassan’s winning margin reflected her superior class and endurance, reinforcing her reputation as one of the greatest all-around distance runners in history.
Kiros Breaks Men’s Course Record
The men’s race was equally electrifying. Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros surged clear at the 30km markalongside compatriot Addisu Gobena before unleashing a decisive kick in the final stages. Kiros broke the tape in 2:06:06, the fastest marathon ever run on Australian soil.
Gobena, just 20 years old and competing in his fourth marathon, impressed with a 2:06:16 for second place, while Tebello Ramakongoana of Lesotho clocked 2:06:47 to finish third.
“The competition was very tough, this was a strong, strong field,” said Kiros, who finished fifth at the Berlin Marathon earlier this year.
Kipchoge Inspires at 40
Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, celebrating his 40th birthday this year, showed his enduring spirit on the world stage. Although he was unable to keep pace when the Ethiopians surged, Kipchoge still battled through to finish ninth in 2:08:31.
For the man many consider the greatest marathoner of all time, the performance was a reminder that his mission extends beyond racing—to inspire, to unite, and to prove that running is a lifelong journey.
A Citywide Celebration
The marathon course highlighted Sydney’s most iconic landmarks, with the field of 35,000 runnersstreaming across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, winding through Centennial Park, and finishing against the stunning backdrop of the Opera House.
Perfect racing conditions—bright sunshine and cool temperatures—helped elevate performances and ensured Sydney made the most of its debut as a World Marathon Major, joining New York, London, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, and Berlin in the sport’s most prestigious series.
Final Results at a Glance
Men
1. Hailemaryam Kiros (ETH) – 2:06:06 (course record)
2. Addisu Gobena (ETH) – 2:06:16
3. Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) – 2:06:47
Women
1. Sifan Hassan (NED) – 2:18:22 (course record)
2. Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – ~2:18:56
3. Workenesh Edesa (ETH) – ~2:22:05
A Defining Moment
With new course records, thrilling competition, and global attention, the 2025 Sydney Marathonestablished itself as not just a spectacular race but also a cornerstone of the global marathon calendar. For elite athletes and everyday runners alike, Sydney delivered a day to remember.
(08/31/25) Views: 619Boris Baron
Sifan Hassan Withdraws from World Championships Marathon to Focus on Sydney
Olympic champion Sifan Hassan has announced that she will not compete in the marathon at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
The Dutch star explained her decision on Friday (Aug. 29, 2025), citing recovery concerns following her marathon schedule. “In two or three weeks, I don’t even know if I will have recovered,” Hassan said, noting that she “can hardly run in the days after a marathon.”
Instead, Hassan will shift her focus to Sunday’s Sydney Marathon, which will make its debut as part of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. The Sydney event now joins the elite company of London, New York, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, and Chicago, further cementing its place among the most important marathon races in the world.
For Hassan, the decision underscores the physical and strategic challenges of balancing a championship calendar with the demands of the marathon. Known for her remarkable versatility on the track and the roads, she continues to shape her career by targeting races that define her legacy.
The absence of the reigning Olympic champion from the Tokyo World Championships marathon will be a significant storyline, but all eyes will now be on Sydney this weekend, where Hassan looks to etch her name in history at the newest member of the Marathon Majors.
(08/30/25) Views: 614Boris Baron
World-Class Field Set for 2025 Great North Run on September 7
The Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon, returns on Sunday, September 7, 2025, bringing together over 60,000 participants and a stellar elite field. The iconic 13.1-mile course, which stretches from Newcastle to South Shields, will once again showcase some of the sport’s top international talent.
Kipchumba Returns to Defend His Title
Kenya’s Kipchumba, last year’s men’s champion, is back with his sights set on a repeat victory.
“I’m very happy to return to the Great North Run again this year. It was a great honour to win one of the biggest half marathons in the world at my first attempt. I know I have tough competition this year but am ready for the challenge,” he said.
A successful defense would further establish Kipchumba among the premier road runners on the global stage.
McColgan vs. Chepkirui in the Women’s Race
The women’s race will feature a highly anticipated clash between Eilish McColgan of Great Britain and Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui.
McColgan, the reigning European 10,000m champion and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has been making a seamless transition from the track to the roads. A win here would be especially meaningful on home soil.
Chepkirui, meanwhile, has emerged as one of Kenya’s most versatile athletes. She earned bronze behind McColgan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m, and in 2024 captured the New York City Marathon title, confirming her strength over longer distances.
Vivian Cheruiyot Brings Experience
Adding depth to the women’s field is Vivian Cheruiyot, a four-time Olympic medalist and two-time Great North Run champion (2016, 2018). Her return injects both experience and star power into what is already a world-class lineup.
A Race with History and Prestige
Since its founding in 1981 by Olympian Brendan Foster, the Great North Run has grown into the largest half marathon in the world. Its course—crossing the Tyne Bridge before finishing along the South Shields seafront—is lined with thousands of enthusiastic spectators.
The race has seen some of the sport’s greatest champions, including Mo Farah, Haile Gebrselassie, and Paula Radcliffe. The course records stand at 58:56 for men (Martin Mathathi, 2011) and 1:04:28 for women (Brigid Kosgei, 2019).
2025 at a Glance
• Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
• Location: Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields
• Elite Men: Kipchumba (defending champion)
• Elite Women: Eilish McColgan, Sheila Chepkirui, Vivian Cheruiyot
• Course Records: Martin Mathathi (58:56), Brigid Kosgei (1:04:28)
With Kipchumba aiming for back-to-back titles, McColgan and Chepkirui set for a dramatic head-to-head battle, and Cheruiyot returning to familiar ground, the 2025 Great North Run promises another unforgettable day in the history of distance running.
(09/02/25) Views: 608Boris Baron
Brock Hinzmann Partners with KATA Running Camp in Eldoret
KATA Running Camp 10 in Eldoret, operated by Ruth Chumo, has a new partner—Brock Hinzmann, a lifelong runner and visionary thinker.
“I told Brock about our KATA Running Camp and Potato Farm project in Kenya,” says Bob Anderson. “He liked that the program is sustainable and wanted to get involved. Not only did his contribution establish a new KATA Running Camp, but he will also share in the sales of KATA potatoes.”
Brock Hinzmann is chairperson for the Silicon Valley Node of The Millennium Project, an international think tank that monitors global trends and helps plan for sustainable alternative futures.
Brock began running in the late 1960s in Oregon’s Willamette Valley—then a hub of U.S. distance running—just as Kenyan athletes were emerging on the world stage. At 16, he ran his first marathon in 2:44:52. His career highlights include a 6th-place finish at the 1983 Honolulu Marathon and his fastest time of 2:19:15 at the Boston Marathon in 1984 (21st place). He continued to run competitively throughout his career, representing his company’s track team and running wherever his international travels took him.
He completed his last marathon in 2018 at age 65, but at 71, running is still part of his life. “I’ve always found runners around the world to be like a tribe—accepting and supportive of each other,” Brock reflects.
For Brock, investing in KATA is more than financial. It is a way of giving back to the running community that inspired him. He encourages everyone to keep running and to travel widely—two passions that continue to guide his life.
Boris Baron
Kilian Jornet Announces Bold New Ultra-Endurance Challenge
Kilian Jornet, widely regarded as the greatest endurance athlete of all time, has unveiled his most audacious project yet—combining the grit of the Tour de France with the relentless grind of marathon running.
The mountain-running icon plans to summit every 14,000-foot peak in the contiguous United States, linking them all by bicycle and on foot. His concept blends cycling stages on par with the Tour de France and running a marathon each day, all while climbing some of the highest mountains in America.
A New Level of Endurance
Jornet has long redefined the limits of human performance. From setting speed records on Mont Blanc, Everest, and the Matterhorn, to dominating ultramarathons around the globe, his career has blurred the line between mountaineering, cycling, and distance running.
This latest challenge pushes even further—requiring not just peak physical conditioning, but also careful logistics, recovery, and resilience in some of the toughest terrains on earth.
Why This Challenge Matters
The project is more than just an athletic quest. By connecting summits, marathons, and cycling stages into one continuous journey, Jornet is symbolically uniting three of endurance sport’s greatest disciplines. His effort will not only test human possibility but also inspire runners, cyclists, and climbers to think beyond conventional limits.
As Jornet himself has often said, his greatest motivation comes from curiosity—asking what lies beyond the next climb, the next trail, or the next idea of what’s possible.
The Road Ahead
No specific launch date has yet been set, but anticipation across the endurance community is already high. If Jornet succeeds, this could go down as one of the most ambitious endurance projects in modern history—an odyssey across mountains, roads, and trails that only someone like Kilian could attempt.
(09/03/25) Views: 416Boris Baron
Thomas Broatch Chasing a Second Canadian Title at TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Two years ago, Thomas Broatch captured the Canadian marathon title at the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon—a remarkable feat considering it was the Vancouver native’s debut at the distance.
Now, at 26, he returns to Toronto a more seasoned competitor with his sights set on joining an exclusive group of Canadian men who have broken the 2:10 barrier.
That goal looks within reach. Earlier this year, the University of British Columbia graduate ran a personal best of 2:10:35 at the Houston Marathon, nearly six minutes faster than his Toronto debut of 2:16:25.
“It is a pretty iconic barrier, and I definitely feel I am able to shave off a second per kilometre,” Broatch says with conviction. “It seems doable. I am planning to do a 10K one month out. If I run a time like what I ran in Ottawa, then it would give me a good indication I am ready to take a crack at sub-2:10.”
In May, he finished fifth at the Canadian 10K Championships in Ottawa, setting a new personal best of 28:56. His training has included shorter, 5K-pace intervals once a week, and despite his marathon buildup, he insists the heavy mileage hasn’t dulled his speed.
The lure of another Canadian championship medal also influenced his fall marathon choice. Once again, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon serves as the official Canadian championships, in addition to being a World Athletics Elite Label race.
Broatch knows the domestic competition will be fierce. Two Canadian Olympians headline the field: Ben Flanagan, who recently ran 13:04.62 for 5,000m to qualify for Paris and owns a half marathon best of 61:00, and John Gay, a former UBC teammate who reached the 3,000m steeplechase final at the Tokyo Olympics.
“What they have done over the shorter distances is really impressive; much faster than I have run,” Broatch admits. “So, in some ways it’s a bit intimidating. But now that I’ve got a few marathons under my belt, I think it kind of balances out.”
Balancing athletics with a professional career has also defined Broatch’s journey. He recently marked three years with Clir Renewables, a Vancouver-based renewable energy software company, where he works remotely. Despite racing athletes who focus exclusively on training, he remains unfazed.
“Not having the commute definitely helps,” he says. “I almost never run in the middle of the day—I always run before and after work. It’s a big commitment, but I think I have a pretty efficient schedule. I don’t do weights or anything else. I just run.”
His current training load has climbed to 200 kilometers per week. In July, he tested himself at the Gold Coast Marathon in Australia, running aggressively early before fading. The experience gave him valuable lessons as he recovered and built back toward Toronto.
Outside of running, Broatch enjoys reading—recently Liu Cixin’s The Wandering Earth—and visiting his local library for fresh issues of National Geographic. He also plays golf regularly, often with his coach Chris Johnson.
In a recent friendly match, he and a teammate lost to Johnson but still walked away feeling victorious. “We were considerable underdogs, but both of us had our best round ever,” he laughs. “It’s like running—you can lose but still come away with a good performance.”
With two clear objectives—another national championship podium and a sub-2:10 performance—Broatch is highly motivated. Against a strong domestic and international field, Toronto promises to be a pivotal race in his career.
(09/04/25) Views: 123Paul Gains
