Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
11/23/2019
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Geoffrey Kamworor's world half marathon record of 58:01 has been ratified
In a sensational run, Kamworor chopped 22 seconds from the previous record at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on 15 September, coming tantalizingly close to breaking the event's 58-minute barrier.
It was an apt setting for the 26-year-old Kenyan who won the first of his three successive world half marathon titles in the streets of the Danish capital in 2014.
Covering the first five kilometers in 13:53, just outside world record pace, Kamworor upped the tempo to reach 10 kilometers in 27:34, four seconds inside his stated target. He was in front alone by the 11-kilometer mark, but didn't slow. He reached 15 kilometers in 41:05, the fastest time ever recorded for that distance and a stunning 11 seconds inside sub-58 minute pace.
His pace dropped over the waning stages but he still reached 20 kilometers in 55:00, another world best. He was just a few meters from the finish line as the clock moved to 58 minutes before stopping at 58:01.
“It is very emotional for me to set this record,” said Kamworor, who also won back-to-back world cross country titles in 2015 and 2017. “And doing it in Copenhagen, where I won my first world title, adds something to it.”
The previous record of 58:23 was set by Zersenay Tadese in Lisbon in 2010.
(11/19/19) Views: 266World Athletics
Another Nike Runner, Amy Yoder Begley says Coach Criticized Her Body
Less than a week after runners Mary Cain and Kara Goucher accused their former Nike Oregon Project coach, Alberto Salazar, of mental and physical abuse, another woman has come out with her own allegations.
Amy Yoder Begley was an Indiana state-champion runner before joining the Nike team in 2007. Within months, she was targeted by Salazar for her weight, as Cain was. According to the New York Times, Salazar demanded she be leaner, tried to control her relationships with her teammates, and complained about her laugh being annoying.
Yoder Begley says Salazar frequently flip-flopped in his criticism of her. “If I had a bad workout on a Tuesday, he would tell me I looked flabby and send me to get weighed,” she said. “Then, three days later, I would have a great workout, and he would say how lean I looked and tell me my husband was a lucky guy. I mean, really? My body changed in three days?”
Salazar accused Yoder Begley of not following her nutrition plan and made other comments about her body. “He was obsessed with her butt,” Goucher told the Times. “He would always talk about how it was hanging out of her shorts.”
The allegations were also confirmed by Steve Magness, Salazar’s assistant coach from 2011 to 2012. “I remember Salazar saying something like, ‘Her ass was hanging out of her uniform,’” he recalled to Sports Illustrated. “In that moment, he added, ‘I’m done with you. I’m tired of fighting this weight issue. We’re done.’ Amy countered by saying she hadn’t gained any weight. Alberto said he didn’t care what her weight said. ‘I know you’ve gotten bigger.’ There was this conversation on if her jean sizes had gone up because her butt was bigger. It was the most bizarre thing ever.”
Cain made similar allegations against Salazar, saying he had pressured her to maintain an extremely low weight, which caused her to break several bones, stop getting her period, and develop disordered eating that led to suicidal thoughts. Salazar addressed the allegations in a statement to Sports Illustrated:
My foremost goal as a coach was to promote athletic performance in a manner that supported the good health and well-being of all my athletes. On occasion, I may have made comments that were callous or insensitive over the course of years of helping my athletes through hard training. If any athlete was hurt by any comments that I have made, such an effect was entirely unintended, and I am sorry. I do dispute, however, the notion that any athlete suffered any abuse or gender discrimination while running for the Oregon Project.
Meanwhile, Nike has said an investigation into the accusations is underway.
(11/15/19) Views: 213Marie Lodi
Former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe will coach former Nike Oregon Project athlete Jordan Hasay
Jordan Hasay, 28, wrote on Instagram: “I’m excited and honored to have Paula Radcliffe as my coaching advisor. “I look forward to working with Paula, whose expertise in being the former world record holder in the marathon is unparalleled.
“I have always looked up to Paula as a pioneer for what is possible in the marathon, and most importantly in being a kind and inspiring person in life. I hope to follow in her footsteps as I continue my journey in the sport.”
Radcliffe held the world record for the marathon for 16 years until it was broken by Kenyan Brigid Kosgei in Chicago this year, where Hasay failed to finish.
Nike ended its NOP training program for elite athletes in October after leading coach Alberto Salazar was banned by the US Anti-Doping Agency.
Salazar was given a four-year ban for doping offenses. His appeal against the ban is unlikely to begin before March at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
(11/20/19) Views: 169
Running, Walking or Jogging can help tackle depression
Today, depression is still the leading cause of disability worldwide with more than 300 million people living with the disease. Yet, there's very little research linking lifestyle changes, such as more exercise, to a decrease in cases.
Now a new study suggests that an increase in physical activity can help significantly lower the risk of depression among individuals at low and medium risk or at a higher predisposition to the condition.
"Depression is a major public health problem and a major source of suffering for people, and the study found that it's a fact that something like physical activity may have protective effects," said Dr. Jordan Smoller, senior author and associate chief for research at MGH's Department of Psychiatry and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
"Even if you have a history of prior episodes of depression, that doesn't take away this protective effect," he said. "Overall, it's a hopeful message."
The MGH study is the first to link exercise to an actual decrease in episodes of depression, even in individuals with a genetic predisposition to the condition.
Even if someone has a family history of depression, researchers believe this study can give mental health and primary care providers a manageable recommendation that's not medication to help lower the risk of the disease.
Some of the common symptoms of depression include poor appetite, poor sleep patterns, having negative ruminating thoughts, and poor energy levels.
Exercise can help improve general physical well-being, sleep, appetite, and energy levels, thus helping recover from depression, according to Dr. Sarmila Sinha, MBBS, MRCPsych, MSc, FCMA and author of "An Expert Guide to Stress Management" and "Depression: A Guide to Recovery."
Physical health is connected with mental health. And good physical health improves mental well-being, according to Sinha, who recommends finding a hobby or an activity that you enjoy and want to be involved in regularly.
Any form of low to high intensity activity works, such as swimming, walking, running, aerobic exercise, dancing, cycling, gardening, yoga, Pilates — even household chores that involve physical movement, such as climbing up and down stairs, Sinha recommends.
"Exercise has other health benefits, such as weight reduction, regulating blood sugar, and it reduces the risk of heart disease".
And it's never too late to start getting more physical — whether in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or older. As long as you enjoy what you're doing, it may become part of your lifestyle and, ultimately, help you stay happier, longer.
"Overall, take it easy, take it slow, and don't be too hard on yourself". "It's important that you enjoy the physical activity."
(11/21/19) Views: 83Tina Benitez
From Olympic medals to marathons, Isaac, Jonah, and Mica will be running the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon 10km
The Hambleton brothers are already accomplished athletes. Isaac, 18; Jonah, 16; and Mica, 16 all took home medals at the Special Olympic World Games held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
And now they are preparing for their next challenge, which will see them enter the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon’s 10 kilometer race in December.
The adopted brothers, who were born with autism, have been busy training together throughout the summer at the free running sessions held at Zayed Sport City, ahead of the race on Friday, December 6.
“The boys have become closer, they support each other. They really are their own team and it’s nice because whenever we go some place that we are not familiar with, we already feel comfortable because we brought our own people” says mum Cassie Hambleton.
The brothers hope to become professional athletes, as well as advocated for people of determination and people with autism.
“I’d like to inspire the community to stay active” says Isaac.
During the World Games in March, Jonah won gold in the 10km cycling road race with a time of 18.07.00. It was his second medal, after he and his brother Mica were the first athletes to cross the finish line at the Games, coming first and second in the triathlon.
Mica and Issac also took gold and silver in the 1,500-meter open water swimming.
(11/20/19) Views: 77Sophie Prideaux
Five elite women will be going after the course record at Valencia Marathon
In the women’s category at the valencia Marathon, the aim is to beat the current trial record (2 hours 21:14).
Here, there are five women who have all racked up faster times. Top of the list is the four-times winner of the world championship, and current Olympic champion in the 5000 meters trial, the Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot (2 hours 18:31), the athlete with the best sports curriculum of all those taking part — men and women.
However, she will have a tough race on her hands as she faces three powerful Ethiopian athletes: Dereje Roza (2 hours 19:17); Birhane Dibaba (2 hours 19:51), recent winner of the Copenhagen Half-Marathon, twice winner of the Tokyo Marathon, and who won first place in 2012 when she was just 19.
The young debutante Zeineba Yimer (1 hour 05:46 this year in the half-marathon), fifth in the World Half-Marathon Valencia 2018.
The two other runners who have set times of under 2 hours 21 are the Kenyan athletes Prisca Jeptoo (2 hours 20:14) and Purity Rionoripo (2 hours 20:55).
They will be accompanied by four women with times of under 2 hours 22:00, among them the Ethiopian runner Workenesh Edesa (2 hours 21:05), who is currently in great form. There are a further 15 women with times of under 2 hours 28:00.
(11/21/19) Views: 76
Gidey smashes 15km world best at Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Run)
Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey smashed the world best for 15km at the Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Run) in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on Sunday (17).
Gidey, this year's World Championships 10,000m silver medallist, clocked 44:21, more than a minute better than the previous world best of 45:37 Joyciline Jepkosgei set in Prague two years ago en route to her first world record in the half marathon.
Covering the first five kilometres in a quick 15:09, the 21-year-old upped the pace over the next five kilometres, closing that stretch with a stunning 2:44 10th kilometre, to reach the 10km point in a remarkable 29:44. She slowed over the next two kilometres but shifted gears again in the waning stages, closing with kilometre splits of 2:49, 2:52 and 2:50. Her covered the last 10km in a stunning 29:12, the fastest 10-kilometre stretch ever produced under any conditions.
"I felt I was in good form in preparation for the (race) and my legs felt good all through the race," said Gidey, who rose to prominence in the U20 ranks after taking back-to-back world U20 cross country titles in 2015 and 2017. "I was quite surprised to see how much time I was able to get off the previous world (best) to be honest but I had great legs and it was a really nice race."
Stephen Kissa of Uganda won the men's race in 41:49 to become the seventh fastest ever over the distance.
(11/17/19) Views: 75
How Kenyan athletes are paid millions in the Richest Marathons in the World
For most elite marathoners, there is more at stake than just the glory of winning the race.
For these professional athletes, for instance, Eliud Kipchoge, there is a huge prize for crossing the finish line ahead of everyone in marathons such as Berlin, Boston, Bank of America Chicago marathons among many others. (The current exchange rate is 102 Kenya shillings to one US dollar.)
Here we take a look at some of the top few marathons over the world that offer the highest prize money to athletes.
1. Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.- The Dubai Marathon is the world’s richest marathon with the most expensive prize money of Sh.20 ($196,000US) million for first place winners and an additional Sh.10 ($98,000US) million for marathon world record bonus.
In January of 2008, the Dubai Marathon was the richest long-distance running event in history.
The winners received Sh.25 ($245,000US) million (more than double any prize money to that date) and a million-dollar offer from Dubai Holding if they set a world best according to the Standard Chartered Dubai marathon website
Getaneh Molla of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich won the 20th edition of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.
2. Boston Marathon.- The Boston Marathon is the oldest marathon in the world established in 1887 by a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The top male and female finishers each receive Sh.15 ($145,000US) million with second place earning Sh.7.5 million and third takes home Sh.4 million according to Boston Marathon official website.
According to Forbes, there is a bonus prize of Sh.5 million for breaking the world's best time and Sh.2.5 for breaking the course record.
The most rewarded Boston runner of all time was four times champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, a Kenyan runner who has earned a total of Sh.46.9 ($450,000US) million from the Boston race alone.
3. TCS New York City Marathon.- The first NYC Marathon was held in 1970, entirely in Central Park, with only 127 entrants, 55 finishers and a lone female racer, who dropped out because of an illness, according to TCS New York City Marathon website.
Today the TCS New York City Marathon prize purse totals a guaranteed Sh.70.5 ($670,000US) million. The men’s and women’s champion receive Sh.10million each, with an extra Sh.5 million for a time of sub-2:05:30 (men) and sub-2:22:30 (women).
4. London Marathon.- The first London Marathon, held on 29 March 1981, finished on Constitution Hill between Green Park and Buckingham Palace.
According to World Marathon majors today, the race winner earns Sh.5.5 million with second place taking home Sh.3 million
There are also financial rewards for finishing under certain times, with these differing for men and women.
5. Bank of America Chicago Marathon.- This coveted race is a showcase of some of the top marathoners.
The prize money for winning the 2015 race was Sh.10 million, plus Sh.7.5 million if you set a course record and time bonuses (non-cumulative) of Sh.5.5 and below according to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon official website
6. The Berlin Marathon.- The race was founded in 1974 by a Berlin baker, Horst Milde, who combined his passion for running with a family bread and cake business
According to the Berlin Marathon official website, the prize money is as follows;
26.45 million-plus bonuses in 2018. Expected to be similar in 2019.
First place male: 4.6 million (10 deep) in 2018
First place female: 4.6 million (10 deep) in 2018
Bonuses of Sh.5million. Time bonuses available for 1st and 2nd places only Sh.3 million for first place sub-2:04:00 men, sub-2:19:00 women.
7. Seoul International Marathon.- Celebrating its 85th year running, the Seoul Marathon in South Korea is one of the most prestigious races.
The champion male and female finishers get to bring home Sh.8 million provided that they finish under 2:10:00 and 2:24:00 respectively Sh.4 million if they do not meet the target time) according to World Marathons.
According to the Seoul International Marathon, the world record bonuses are Sh.5million for men and Sh.3 million for women.
There is also a time bonus of Sh. million for sub-2:04:00 (male) and sub-2:18:00 (female); and other time bonuses amounting down to Sh. 500000
8. Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon.- Since the launch of the Marathon in 2003, only one winner has successfully defended their title. Every year the marathon produces new winners.
This year, the organizers increased the cash award for the 42km race prize money from Sh.1.5 million to Sh2million, according to the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon official website.
The half marathon price has also been increased to Sh300, 000 while the 10km race will see a cash award of Sh200, 000.
(11/19/19) Views: 66Joshua Ondeke
The Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot is celebrating its 15th anniversary
From elite runners to family strolls, it has become a treasured tradition for everyone.
Be a part of a community of over 25,000 trotters making a difference in the largest Thanksgiving run in the United States.
Founded and produced by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation, the Turkey Trot has raised $8.7 million for five local charities: Healthier Kids Foundation Santa Clara County, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County and The Health Trust.
By registering, donating, or volunteering you can help reach this year's goal of raising $1 million dollars for the beneficiaries to continue in providing our community with health, hope, and a home.
Course record-holders Yebrgual Melese and Paul Lonyangata, will return to the Shangai Marathon this weekend
Ethiopia’s Melese won comfortably last year, taking more than a minute off the course record with 2:20:36.
A past winner of the Houston and Prague marathons, Melese set a PB of 2:19:36 when finishing third in Dubai last year, but her form in 2019 hasn’t been quite so good. The 29-year-old finished 11th in Tokyo in March in 2:31:40 but last month clocked a promising 1:09:02 at the Lisbon Half Marathon.
Fellow Ethiopian Waganesh Mekasha is another title contender. The 27-year-old reduced her PB by more than three minutes to finish fourth in Dubai in January in 2:22:45 and went on to clock 2:23:19 at the Yellow River Estuary International Marathon in Dongying seven months ago.
The Ethiopian contingent also includes Fantu Jimma, a 32-year-old with a PB of 2:26:14 set four years ago in Xiamen. It will be Jimma’s fourth marathon of the year, having won in Wuhan in 2:28:25 and finished third in Xiamen and Lanzhou. She was also victorious at the Changzhou West Taihu Lake Half Marathon last month.
Lonyangata is among the main favorites in the men’s race. The 26-year-old Kenyan set his PB of 2:06:10 when winning the 2017 Paris Marathon, the first of two victories in the French capital. He set the Shanghai course record of 2:07:14 in 2015 and has a season’s best of 2:07:29, set when finishing third in Paris.
Bahrain’s Hassan El Abbassi is another top contender. The 35-year-old, who set his marathon PB of 2:04:43 in Valencia last year, is the 2014 Asian Games 10,000m champion and 2018 Asian Games marathon silver medalist. More recently he finished seventh in the marathon at the World Championships in Doha in 2:11:44 but is still in pursuit of his first international marathon title.
Kipsang Kipkemoi will compete in China for the first time in his career. The 29-year-old Kenyan clocked his PB of 2:08:26 in Seville in 2017 and came close to that in April when he finished second in Madrid with 2:08:58. Sunday’s race will be his fourth marathon of the year as he has also competed in Mumbai and Cape Town but didn’t better 2:10 on either occasion.
Other sub-2:10 runners in the field include Kenya’s 2011 world silver medalist Vincent Kipruto and Ernest Ngeno, a 2:06:41 performer who finished second in Shanghai two years ago.
(11/15/19) Views: 60World Athletics
