Running News Daily

Strong elite women´s field is set to run the Chicago Marathon this weekend

American elite’s Gwen Jorgensen and Alexis Pappas will both run this year’s Chicago Marathon.  While Jorgensen has run a marathon before (after deciding to retire as a triathlete), this will be her first marathon since committing to professional running full-time. Jorgensen is the 2016 Olympic triathlon gold medallist. Pappas is a former track runner who competed at the 2016 Olympics in the 10,000m, running for Greece. She’s a Dartmouth and Oregon alumna with a creative side. The runner directed the film Tracktown with her husband Jeremy Teicher, and helped cover the 2018 winter Olympics with comedian Nick Kroll. Pappas is reportedly hoping to run the marathon at the 2020 Olympics for Greece. Roza Dereje of Ethiopia has the fastest incoming women’s seed time, having run a 2:19:17 in Dubai this January. At only 21 years old, Dereje has already made a strong mark on the road running scene. The second-fastest entry is Florence Kiplagat of Kenya. Kiplagat’s personal best is from the 2011 Berlin marathon, and she hasn’t come close to it since the 2014 London marathon. The veteran’s most recent time in the event is a 2:26:25 from the 2017 London marathon. Birhane Dibaba, who comes in third, broke the 2:20 barrier at the 2018 Tokyo marathon, running 2:19:51 to take the win. Dibaba will surely challenge Dejere this weekend. Dayna Pidhoresky and Melanie Myrand are the only two Canadians on the Chicago elite women’s list. Pidhoresky, the Vancouver native has run several half-marathons this summer, along with a 10K. She broke the tape at the Scotiabank Vancouver half-marathon in June, running 1:13:04. Her marathon personal best is 2:36:08. Myrand of Lachine, Que. is a nurse practitioner in primary care who decided to give this running thing a chance after a breakthrough in 2016. Her personal best is 2:39:07 from the 2017 Scotiabank Waterfront marathon in Toronto. (10/02/2018) ⚡AMP

Elísabet Margeirsdóttir becomes world's first woman to complete Gobi desert Ultramarathon race

Elísabet Margeirsdóttir yesterday became the first woman in the world to complete the Gobi Desert Ultramarathon race in under 100 hours. The race is 409 kilometers and Margeirsdóttir was ninth out of 50 contestants to reach the goal. The run was even harder this year due to the fact that the course went up to an altitude of 4000 meters. Her assistant, runner Birgir Sævarsson said that there was a lot of cold at that altitude. "She had to cross a river with a strong current and got wet and then her clothes froze." There are ten pitstops on the 409 long run where runners can rest and eat, but the race is a 400 km single-stage, self-navigated and self supported race traversing inhospitable terrain in the Gansu Province. (10/02/2018) ⚡AMP

Jim Spisak Wins 41st Annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race

At the 41st running of the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race, two-time winner Jim Spisak, 27, from Pittsburgh and Samantha Bower, 28, from Greensburg, PA were the 10K champions in 28:16 and 35:31, respectively. In the 5K race, Kenny Goodfellow, 29, from Oakmont, PA, and Lisa Burnett, 35, of Chagrin Falls, OH, took the titles in 15:17 and 17:20, respectively. Spisak, who also won the Great Race in 2013 and 2014, took the lead early on and continued to widen the gap as he neared the finish line, beating second- and third-place finishers Max Petrosky and Alex Archer by more than three minutes. The three-time race champion was living and training with NE Distance in Providence, RI, for the past three years but recently returned to Pittsburgh to serve as the cross county coach at Point Park University. “I wasn’t aiming for a certain time today, but the weather was about as good as you could hope for. And it’s a good course to run fast on because it’s mostly downhill,” said Spisak. “I came out faster during that first mile than I thought, and I ended up running so well that I set a new 10K personal record.” But the race wasn’t just special because of his great performance. (10/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Run The World Challenge 2 Profile: Boaz Kipyego is training so hard to make his life better and to help kids

Boaz Kipyego (26) started running in primary school.  "I used to ran from home to school to and fro everyday which was almost 12km per day," says Boaz.  He then started running at school and they discovered his talent.  "I was the best runner in my school. When I finished primary school I got into the secondary school but my parents could not pay my fees and that was the end on my study."  Boaz runs two or three times almost every day.  In his second Run The World Challenge he has already run and logged 586 miles in 33 days which is ahead of what he did in the first challenge.  "My best race was in Des Moines, Iowa in USA in 2016.  I successfully won my first race in USA."  The local newspaper the next morning wrote, "Boaz Kipyego crossed the finish line of the IMT Des Moines Marathon and just kept running. The Kenyan was so excited about winning his first marathon that he wanted to celebrate in front of many of his new American friends at Cowles Commons. So, draped in a Kenyan flag, he did a victory lap back toward the finish line.  "America is fantastic — this is my first time in the U.S.  This is my biggest win," Kipyego said after running 2:16:36.  Boaz comes from a humble background.  "I am training so hard to make my life better and so I can help other kids," he says. "Run the World gives me focus," Boaz says.       (10/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Vitamins for runners that improve performance and body´s recovery

Since vitamins perform hundreds of tasks for your body, they are hugely important for health and wellbeing. Tiredness, poor digestion, brittle bones and memory problems are just some of the problems linked with vitamin deficiency. Vitamin D is essential in helping calcium build strong bones. The vitamin also helps regulate the immune system and neuromuscular system. Vitamin B12 is rare in plant-based foods, this type of deficiency is particularly common in vegetarian and vegan diets. B12 helps with energy, by contributing to the production of red blood cells. It also aids in digestion, and deficiency can lead to symptoms like fatigue, a sore red tongue and yellowing of the skin. Vitamin A contributes to normal vision and skin health, and is important in bolstering the immune system. However, consuming too much vitamin A can lead to brittle bones. Good sources of vitamin A include oily fish, liver products milk and eggs. The body can naturally convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, so consuming plenty of yellow, red and green vegetables can provide enough vitamin A, too. Potassium helps your heart, nerves and muscles to work properly. You can become deficient in potassium due to a brief stomach illness, or due to longer-term conditions like eating disorders and kidney disease. Your body uses vitamin B6 every day, for movement, memory, energy conversion and blood flow. There is even some evidence to suggest B6 can ward off Alzheimer’s disease and act as a natural pain remedy. The best food sources include turkey breast, pistachio nuts, avocado and grass-fed beef. You can also take supplements to prevent many common maladies and optimize health and help you as a runner.   (10/01/2018) ⚡AMP

David Metto and Beatrice Cherop were the victors at the PZU Warsaw Marathon on Sunday

David Metto and Beatrice Cherop were the victors at the PZU Warsaw Marathon on Sunday, winning the IAAF Bronze Label road race in 2:12:44 and 2:35:22 respectively to achieve just the second Kenyan double in the 39-year history of the race. Metto formed part of the lead pack through five kilometers, reached in 15:49, before opening up a gap on his opponents to lead by 13 seconds at 10 kilometers. Ethiopia’s Ayele Woldesemayat soon re-joined him, though, and they passed through the half-way mark together in 1:06:48. France’s 2012 European 1500m silver medallist Florian Carvalho, making his marathon debut, was 20 seconds adrift at this point, forming part of a three-man chase pack. Tsige started to struggle over the course of the next 10 kilometers and was eventually caught by Carvalho before 30 kilometers. Metto had a 35-second lead over Carvalho at this point and it grew to exactly one minute at 35 kilometers, reached in 1:50:03. Having covered the second half quicker than the first, Metto won in 2:12:44 to secure his second marathon victory on Polish soil this year, following his triumph in Debno back in April. (10/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenya's Bedan Karoki needs to secure a few wins and he wants to start Oct. 7 at Chicago Marathon

Kenya's Bedan Karoki hopes he will finally break the duck and win his first marathon on Oct. 7 when he lines up at the start of this year's Chicago marathon. Karoki, 28, will be making his fourth attempt at the distance with his best effort having come in 2017 at the London marathon where he clinched the bronze medal on his debut in the race won by compatriot Daniel Wanjiru. He went on to finish fourth at the Fukuoka marathon and settled for fifth spot in a star-studded London marathon this year timing at 2:08:34. But that is about to change should the tail wind continue pushing him as he debuts in America. "It is down to what I have learnt in the three previous races. That experience is critical and I know the field in Chicago is a strong one. It is something I am used to because I have run London twice and my performance was not bad despite missing a medal this year," said Karoki on Monday. The Kenyan, who has pitched camp in high altitude areas of Nyahururu for the last one month since returning from his training base in Japan, feels he will be ready on Sunday to wrest the first marathon title in his career. Karoki who this year won the Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon in United Arab Emirates clocking 58:42 in February and later finished second at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon (59:50) in August believes tactics will be critical for the eventual winner as he guns for the trophy to boost his chances of selection to Kenya team to the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. "I need to secure a few wins to my name. I believe Chicago will be good to me and that is why I must give it my best shot," said Karoki, who is trained by coach Francis Kamau. (10/01/2018) ⚡AMP

Former world champions Linet Masai and Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya plan to break into the marathon elite runners after retiring from the track competition

Masai, a former World 10,000m champion, will reignites her rivalry with former Olympic champion Meseret Defar at the Amsterdam marathon in Netherlands in Oct. 21. Masai has not been active for the last two years since her baby was born.  "I am ready for the marathon," she said. "My management has been able to get me a race in Amsterdam and I want to see how my body will react to it. I have hopes of doing well, but am also not certain how it will go. It is my first marathon race." In Amsterdam, Masai will face twice Olympic 5,000m champion Meseret Defar, with whom they have dueled a lot on the track and at the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa. Both Masai and Defar will be making their marathon debut in Amsterdam on Oct. 21.  The Ethiopian has run several half-marathons with a best of 66:09 for second in the Great North Run in 2013. Compatriot Tadelech Bekele, who won last year in 2:21:54 and went 14 seconds quicker for third and a personal best time at the London Marathon in 2018.  Masai, the 2009 world 10,000m champion who has run 68:11 for the half is also keen to break the 42km jinx. Other athletes to watch out for include Meseret Belete, who set a world junior record of 67:51 in Copenhagen this year and was eighth at the World Championships. Former world junior cross country bronze medalist Jackline Chepngeno will also be eyeing victorious debut in marathon. Ethiopia's Guteni Shone, who has a PB of 2:23:32, could also challenge. (09/29/2018) ⚡AMP

Japan's Yoshihiko Ishikawa wins the Spartathlon ultra-marathon

Japanese runner Yoshihiko Ishikawa was the winner of the 36th Spartathlon, one of the most challenging and historical ultra-marathon races hosted in Greece. Ishikawa reached the finish line first early Saturday after covering non-stop 246 kilometers from Athens to Sparta in southern Greece in 22 hours, 55 minutes and 13 seconds, according to the International Association "SPARTATHLON" which organizes the event each year. The Japanese runner ranked fourth last year in his first participation in the event. Czech Radek Brunner ranked second in 23:37:15 this year, as in 2017, while Portuguese Oliveira Joao was the third runner to reach the statue of ancient Spartan King Leonidas in the center of Sparta. Hungary's Maraz Zsuzsanna won the women's race, ranking 17th in the general division. The 36th Spartathlon race started at the foot of the Acropolis hill on Friday morning and was conducted amidst adverse weather conditions this year, as a cold front with strong winds and storms is sweeping across the country this week. This year 381 runners from 51 countries and regions competed, following the footsteps of ancient Greek soldier Pheidippides from the Greek capital to the southern Peloponnese peninsula city of Sparta. In 490 BC, ahead of the battle of Marathon against the Persian forces, according to historians, the Athenian messenger who inspired the Classic Marathon was sent to Sparta to request support, making the journey on foot nonstop within two days. (09/29/2018) ⚡AMP

Michael Wardian wins the first ever full marathon held inside a NFL stadium

On Friday evening, 17 runners participated in the first full and half marathon around the home turf of the New England Patriots. 

It was also the first marathon run entirely inside a NFL stadium. Participants in the half marathon ran just over 59 laps on the warning track surrounding the turf, while the full marathon participants ran 118 laps.

The course is USA Track & Field (USATF) certified and a Boston Marathon qualifier.  Runners enjoyed special appearances by Patriots cheerleaders and the end zone militia, in-stadium music, motivational videos on the HD video boards and other entertainment throughout the evening.  

“We are thrilled to be hosting our first marathon inside Gillette Stadium,” said Josh Kraft, president of the New England Patriots Foundation.

“This is a really unique opportunity and this event will help us raise critical funds for the New England Patriots Foundation to benefit homeless shelter programs throughout the region.”  

The race was directed by Dave McGillivray who also is the Boston Marathon race director.  44-year-old Michael Wardian placed first clocking 2:49:26.  Michael had also won the marathon held inside Fenway Park a few months ago.  

Becca Pizzi was the first woman clocking 3:49.  Both are also participating in the second Run The World Global Run Challenge and these miles bring Michael’s total to 384 miles run and logged since August 29.  He is currently in 7th place.  The team is running and logging enough miles to circle the globe (24,901 miles).     

(09/28/2018) ⚡AMP

Former Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross was named the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon International Event Ambassador

Airtel Delhi Half Marathon keeps getting bigger and better every year as Procam International today announced American track and field legend Sanya Richards-Ross as the International Event Ambassador for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2018 scheduled for 21st October. Considered by many to be one of the most graceful sprinters in recent history, Sanya Richards-Ross is the fastest American woman in the history of 400m with her time of 48.70 set when winning at the 2006 IAAF World Cup. Expressing her excitement to be a part of the 2018 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, Sanya said, “It is an honour to be the ambassador of one of the world’s most prestigious half marathons. Running a half marathon is so much hard work, remaining disciplined and determined, the same mentality one can use to achieve other goals. The city has shown tremendous affinity to the race, which is evident with the increasing participation numbers every year. I’m pretty excited about this role and will be happy to share my experiences and hope I can inspire everyone starting the race that day. She further added, “This is my first visit to India and I have heard only wonderful things about the country. I look forward to soaking in all the local flavours and feel the magic of this colourful city!” After a 400m silver medal and 4x400m gold at the 2002 World Junior Championships, Sanya made a big impact in the senior ranks during the 2003 IAAF World Championship where, despite being just 18, she anchored the USA to the 4x400m title. From there on, she went on to dominate the world stage over one lap of the track, winning the 2009 400m world title, three world championships 4x400m gold medals (2007, 2009, 2011) as well various other major championship medals. Sanya’s meteoric rise also saw her win three consecutive 4x400m gold medals at the Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012) and – after bronze in Beijing four years earlier – she become the first American female runner to win an individual 400m gold medal in 28 years as she was crowned the champion in 400m at the London 2012 Olympic Games. (09/28/2018) ⚡AMP

Haftamnesh Tesfay is expected to attack the 2:20 mark at Frankfurt Marathon

The 24-year-old Haftamnesh Tesfay made an impressive debut to her marathon career in Dubai this January with fifth place in 2:20:13, the fourth fastest time ever by a female marathon debutant.

That performance should whet the appetite for what she can do in Frankfurt. Two places behind Haftamnesh Tesfay in Dubai came another Ethiopian debutant, Dera Dida and her impressive showing also makes the 21-year-old’s appearance in Frankfurt highly anticipated following her 2:21:45 in the United Arab Emirates.

Tesfay and Dida were soon in action again and distinguished themselves at the prestigious Rome Ostia Half Marathon two months later. They dominated the Italian race, Tesfay winning in 69:02 and Dida runner-up, 19 seconds behind. Meskerem Assefa has had previous experience of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.

The 32-year-old from Ethiopia finished third in 2:24:38 last year. She made a solid improvement on her lifetime best in winning the Nagoya title in Japan in mid-March, running 2:21:45.

Another returning to the race beside the River Main is the American Sara Hall after her fifth place a year ago in 2:27:21. She improved further with 2:26:20 this spring for third place in Ottawa.

And no marathon would be complete without Kenyan presence with Nancy Kiprop, twice winner of the Vienna City Marathon title, running in Frankfurt. After winning Vienna last year she improved her best to 2:24:18 to retain the title this April.

(09/28/2018) ⚡AMP

Man Kaur a 102-Year-Old Runner, shares her secrets as she is still running and racing winning gold medals

At 102, Man Kaur is still running — and winning gold medals. The phenomenon from India just nailed the gold medal in the 200-meter race for the 100-to-104 age group at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Malaga, Spain.

She finished in 3 minutes and 14 seconds. Kaur has a message for younger folks: Keep away from junk food and stick to an exercise regimen!

Her own routine is impressive for any age. She wakes up at 4 a.m., bathes, washes clothes, makes tea, recites prayers until about 7 a.m. Sometimes she goes to the Gurdwara, the place of worship for Sikhs, other times she prays at home. And then she goes to the track for an hour of sprinting practice.

The diminutive Kaur hasn't been a lifetime runner. Far from it. She started running in 2009, when her son, Gurdev Singh, who's now 80, urged her to take up track and field.

Singh, the second of her three children, is her coach as well as cheerleader. He also a long-time track competitor: "I was on my college track team and in school, I ran track and I played on the [soccer] team. I have been running in the master level for the last 25 years."

Singh has amassed more than 80 racing medals since 1992. What made him take his then 93-year-old mother to the track? It was mainly a whim, he explains — but also a desire to keep her fit.

"She was very well, with no health problems, and she moved fast. So I took her to the university track with me and asked her to run 400 meters. She did it, slowly, and I thought 'Yes, She can do it.'

"Kaur enjoyed it enough to want to return. She liked running, she said. And quickly she started to improve. Two years later, given how well she was doing, her son registered her for international events he was participating in. Kaur agreed with no hesitation. And she hasn't stopped running.

(09/28/2018) ⚡AMP

Here is the latest 2019 Boston Marathon News, thousands did not make the cut

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today continued its notification to applicants of their acceptance into the 2019 Boston Marathon®. In preparation for the 2019 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. implemented the same registration process for qualified runners as it used in the 2012 through 2018 Boston Marathons, allowing the fastest qualifiers to register first. The 123rd Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019 and will mark the 34th consecutive year that the event will have John Hancock as its principal sponsor. Qualifiers who were four minutes, 52 seconds (4:52) or faster than the qualifying time for their age group and gender have been accepted into the 2019 Boston Marathon. A total of 23,074 qualified applicants have been accepted to date or are in the process of being accepted, pending verification of their qualifying performance. A total of 30,458 applications were received during the registration time period for qualifiers, a significant increase from recent years. With the increase in applications received, 7,384 qualifiers were unable to be accepted due to field size limitations. In cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route, the B.A.A. has set the field size for the 2019 Boston Marathon at 30,000 official entrants. (09/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Run The World Challenge 2 Profile: Romance got Carmen Gair hooked on running

Romance got Carmen Gair interested in (and eventually hooked on) running! "At school I was a bookworm, the academic type, not the athletic type and certainly not the running type," remembers 34-year-old Carmen.  "That was until I met my high school sweetheart, a very experienced runner.  I started tagging along to races with him just to have the chance to socialize with him afterwards."  At first she just entered 10K fun runs but that soon changed.  "I was soon bitten by the running bug and progressed to the half marathon. The high school romance is now long forgotten but I am still very much in love with running," she says.  This love for running is why Carmen Gair entered the Run The World Challenge 2 and has already logged 94 miles in 30 days.  Lize Dumon (pictured with Carmen in the white hat), the South African Run The World Challenge team leader told her about the challenge and Carmen signed up right away.  Carmen pledged to run and log 25k (15.5 miles) weekly and at this point she has been doing 22 miles weekly.  "I wouldn’t dream of not reaching the amount of k’s I pledged," she says.  "The Run The World Challenge is fun. I love the social aspect, the people taking part, posting and commenting in the runner feed. And it is very motivating, I’ve certainly increased my usual mileage due to the challenge," says Carmen.  Running is a very important part of her life.  "At university I discovered just how much I needed regular running to clear my head and keep stress levels in check. To this day I cherish this precious me-time," Carmen says.  "I also love the social aspect and the wonderful friends and connections I have made through running."  Running keeps her fit, healthy and happy and she says she will continue to run for a long time!  Asked about her goals?  "At the moment I have got my sights set on running my first full marathon. The Run The World Challenge has contributed to that a lot by significantly increasing my mileage."  Her husband and Carmen live high up on a beautiful mountain in a small village near the world famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. "I am a dietitian by profession and like most dietitians I love all things food-related, including cooking and eating," Carmen says. (09/27/2018) ⚡AMP
by Bob Anderson

João Oliveira will run the Spartathlon this Friday, and this year he hopes to win again

The ultra-marathoner has already won the Spartathlon  in 2013, and returns to participate this year after placing 11th in 2017. Joao of the Chaves Running Team left last Wednesday for Greece. The race starts at 7:00 local time on Friday.  This year Joao Oliveira is one of the candidates that could win this race, "the first time I kiss the feet of Leonidas was in 2009" in the position number 64 he said, the following year he was fourth! In 2013, his time was 23:29:08. In 2011 and 2014 he also managed to complete the 246km course. "Hopefully this year, could be mine," he says. (09/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Mimi Belete from Bahrain will debut at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

As marathon debuts go, Mimi Belete’s might have gone unnoticed in Hamburg last March but for the fact she earned herself third place in this world class event in a very good time of 2:26:06. No one was more surprised than her coach Getaneh Tessema, as she had battled a flareup of a nagging hamstring injury for much of the race and would have been well served to drop out. What could she have run if not for her impediment? The world is about to find out as the 30-year-old, who now represents Bahrain, has turned her attention to the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 21st, an IAAF Gold Label race. “For a long time I was training for the short distances and now I want to get a good time in the marathon,” she explains. “I have been with Getaneh almost one year and he advises me after training to rest well as well as to keep working hard.” “I was happy with my performance in Hamburg. I could have run faster but I had a hamstring problem. I want to get my best time in Toronto.” Belete’s path to Canada’s largest city has been a circuitous one. Though she was born in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, she and her younger sister Almensh left their homeland and sought political asylum in Belgium while still in their teens. (09/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Registration for the 43rd Grandma's Marathon Weekend opens October 1

Registration opens for the Grandma's Marathon, Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K at 7pm Central Time October 1.  Entries will be taken on a first come, first serve basis until the full marathon reaches 9,000 participants. Those who register to run the 26.2-mile race before December 31 will receive a free commemorative full-zip jacket. After December 31, runners will have the option to purchase the jacket. The entry process for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon will no longer include a lottery. Registration will also be first come, first serve until the cap of 7,500 participants is met. Registration for the half is expected to reach capacity very quickly, as last year's registration closed in approximately four hours. The William A. Irvin 5K is limited to the first 2,000 participants. All finishers of the 3.1-mile race will be awarded with a medal and finisher shirt. (09/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenya’s Caroline Kipkirui and Ethiopia’s Worknesh Degefa, will go head-to-head in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2018

The two fastest women in the ADHM elite field, Kenya’s Caroline Kipkirui and Ethiopia’s 2016 ADHM winner Worknesh Degefa, will go head-to-head again after a memorable duel in the Prague Half Marathon back in April. Kipkirui – who set a personal best of 65:07 in Ras Al Khaimah in January – prevailed by just one second on that occasion to take second place in the Czech capital and it’s certain that Degefa will have that in mind ahead of her fourth ADHM appearance. Two other highly-rated Ethiopian women will also be on the start line in Delhi: Yeshaneh Ababel and Senbere Teferi. Ababel was second at the ADHM 2017 and has since been victorious at the Istanbul and Yangzhou half marathons while Teferi, who will be making her half marathon debut, has won world championship medals on the track and at cross country in the past and will arrive in Delhi fresh from setting a 3000m personal best when representing Africa at the recent IAAF Continental Cup. All the leading runners will also have in their sights first prize cheques of US$27,000 with a total prize money purse (combined men and women) of US$280,000. “We have two outstanding races in prospect for this year’s Airtel Delhi Half Marathon with Eric Kiptanui and Caroline Kipkirui leading the field,” commented Vivek Singh, joint managing director of race promoters Procam International. “Once again, we brought some of the best distance runners in the world to India with the aim of entertaining, thrilling and inspiring the Indian distance running community. ADHM’s standards and popularity is well-established across the globe, something we are very proud of, and with fields of this calibre 2018 edition should be no different.” he added. (09/26/2018) ⚡AMP

The Chicago Marathon was not always a first class marathon like it is today

The annual marathon in Chicago is one of the biggest and most competitive marathons in the world, but in its early years, the event was a far cry from the glamorous and star-studded race it is today. Held on Sept. 25, 1977, Chicago’s first modern-day race was originally named the Mayor Daley Marathon. It drew some 4,200 participants who paid $5 to run in the inaugural event—which got off to a rocky start when a ceremonial cannon misfired, injuring two spectators. Meanwhile, the race’s top marathoners struggled to get around slower runners on the out-and-back course. These days, race officials and lead vehicles clear the way for the fastest runners, but that wasn’t the case four decades ago. The men’s winner Dan Cloeter recalled in a 2002 Chicago Tribune article. In 1978, organizers changed the start time from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and doubled the entry fee to $10, prompting uproar from runners. To protest the changes, many wore black armbands on race day. Concern about the later start and warm temperatures rang true when scores of runners wound up being treated for heat-related illnesses. The next year, organizers moved the marathon to October when the weather is typically cooler. But race day turned out to be hot and humid, and Cloeter, the 1977 champion, collapsed from dehydration after winning the race a second time. The race gained prominence in 1982 when organizers began awarding prize money to the men’s and women’s champions, who each took home $12,000 that year. One of the most exciting performances in the event’s history came in 1985 from American Joan Benoit Samuelson. Not only did the 1984 Olympic marathon gold medalist win and beat the marathon world record-holder at the time, she also set an American and course record in The Windy City. But the marathon would soon face hard times. In 1987, after losing its title sponsor, Beatrice Foods, the event was changed to a half marathon. The marathon returned the next year with Old Style, a beer brewing company, as its new financial supporter, but that relationship would fizzle out by 1990. The event lost its key sponsor, but gained a new race director. At 33, Carey Pinkowski took the helm of the struggling race in 1990, making him the youngest marathon director in the U.S. at the time. Pinkowski, 61, has been the race director ever since. The race also attracted the world’s best marathoners, including Khalid Khannouchi, who would win the race four times with record-breaking performances between 1997 and 2002. Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe would also deliver a stellar performance that year, running 2:17:18 to smash the women’s world marathon record and win the race.  Fast forward, this year's race could produce the fastest marathon time run on US soil this year.  A sub 2:06 is very possible depending on the weather.  US's Galen Rupp (last year's winner) is set to battle some of the best runners in the world including Mo Farah.   (09/26/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan team is set to run the oldest marathon in Europe, the Kosice Peace Marathon in Slovakia

Founded in 1924, the Kosice marathon is Europe's oldest, this year celebrating its 95th edition. The course records - Lawrence Kimaiyo's 2:07:01 men's mark set in 2012 and Ashete Bekere Dido's 2:27:47 women's standard set in 2013 - may not be under imminent threat, but the solid fields attracted to this eastern Slovak city promise strong head-to-head battles. Kerio will be keen to improve his best time and clinch the course record. Speaking in Eldoret, Kerio said he has gone through three months of training without any injury concerns or any other problems and believes he will be in peak form to defend his title. "It will always be hard as a champion to defend your crown," he said Wednesday. "But that is why we train hard and it will be down to my own tactics and strength to carry me through the distance and hopeful retain my title." Kerio, 24, holds a best time of 2:08:12, which he clocked in 2017 in winning the marathon. He will be accompanied by compatriot Nicholas Kipchirchir Korir, who will be making his first run in the full marathon distance. Korir holds a best time of 59:50 in the half marathon distance. Ethiopia will be represented by Birhanu Bekele (2:09:41). Since its inception just five men have managed to secure back-to-back wins in Kosice. The last man to achieve the feat was David Kariuki winning in 2001 and 2002 winner.  On the women side, Kenya's Alice Kibor, third at the Rome Marathon this year with best time of 2:28:19 will be the athlete to beat. She will be up against Ethiopian Mestawot Tadesse (2:31:38).  (09/26/2018) ⚡AMP

Chris Thompson will return to Glasgow to defend his Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run half marathon title on Sunday

The 37 year-old took a memorable victory on the streets of the city last September as he rolled back the years. In a career which has been dogged by injuries, Thompson has enjoyed a purple patch over the last two years, following up his win at the Great Scottish Run with victory in the Great South Run three weeks later. This return to form saw Thompson put in strong performances over the winter including a third-place finish in both the Doha Half Marathon and NYC Half marathon and achieving the qualifying time for a call-up to the European Championships, where he represented Great Britain at a major competition for the first time since 2012. He will take on the half marathon in Glasgow this weekend as he prepares to compete in November’s New York City Marathon. (09/26/2018) ⚡AMP

Injury has forced Paris Marathon champion Paul Lonyangata to not run Chicago

The former Lisbon marathon champion was supposed to give Olympic champion Mo Farah and last year's runners-up Abel Kirui a run on the Chicago marathon course on Oct. 7. However, a late injury in his training means the 25-year-old will have to bite his time before debuting on the US soil. With the Shanghai marathon coming up on Nov. 18, Lonyangata remains hopeful he will get the nod from both the medical team and the race organizers to return to China where he won in 2015. "The plan was to compete in Chicago, but I then sustained an injury that has made it hard for me to train. My doctors advised me against putting it under pressure in training so I had to ease off," he said Sunday in Eldoret. "Hopefully, I will be back in training soon and be fit to run. I think returning to Shanghai will be a good idea. If invited, I want to go back and win." Already former world marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto (2:02.57) has confirmed participation in this year's Shanghai marathon as he makes another comeback after his initial attempt in Vienna, Austria in April saw him limp out with injury after the 21km mark. In April, Lonyangata became the first man to win back-to-back Paris marathon titles since Steve Brace of Britain in 1989 and 1990. He won the Paris title in two hours, 6 minutes and 25 seconds and failed in attaining his second target that was to improve his personal best, which he had set in 2017 when he finished in 2:06:10. "It was a wonderful experience to win in Paris. But that is in the past. I want to look forward and excel because I want to represent the country in the Olympics and the World Championships," he added. (09/25/2018) ⚡AMP

Amy Cragg has withdrawn from the 2018 Chicago marathon

Amy Cragg announced today that she won’t be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 7th. Cragg told race organizers that she was withdrawing due to a setback in her race buildup. The runner won the Chicago marathon in 2014 and is a world championship medallist over the marathon distance. Cragg is the second American women to drop from the elite field. Last week, Jordan Hasay announced that she wouldn’t be competing in the marathon either. Hasay pulled out due to an ongoing stress fracture in her heel bone. Hasay was also scheduled to run the Copenhagen Half-Marathon two weeks ago, and pulled out at the last minute. (09/25/2018) ⚡AMP

85-year-old Ruth Black is set to run her 38th Great Race

Ruth Black started running in the late 1960s to keep healthy and stay fit.  For this Sunday, Sept. 30, Black will participate in her 38th Great Race. In 1980, at age 47, she competed in her first 10-kilometer run.“The Great Race was an instant favorite,” she said of that first foray into competitive running. “I loved jogging through the city streets, passing through the outskirts and into Oakland, then the excitement of cresting the last hill and seeing Pittsburgh spread out below, with one more mile to go before the end of the race,” she said describing the 6.2-mile course. Now, at age 85, she dominates the distance even though her times have slowed since her first races. Black is a safe bet to take home a prize. In 37 previous runs, she has received 18 total awards for first, second and third places in her division. “Not a bad batting average,” she said. “The nice thing about getting older is that there are fewer runners in your age group. I tell my friends, all you have to do is keep running until there are only a few in your age group. You’ll get a plaque every time.” About eight weeks out, she starts training. She will run Monday through Saturday and chart her distances and where she ran. Come race day, she is ready. “It isn’t always a breeze,” she said, noting that last year’s run was one of the most difficult because of the heat and humidity. “It was unbelievable,” she recalled. “People were passing out along the route. I’m a stubborn runner and under normal circumstances I don’t take a break even for water but last year I had to.” (09/25/2018) ⚡AMP

Vienna Marathon champion Nancy Kiprop will face a big challenge at the Frankfurt Marathon

Vienna Marathon champion Nancy Kiprop of Kenya, former Xiamen Marathon winner Mare Dibaba face a big challenge to run in less than two hours and 20 minutes at the Frankfurt Marathon women's race on Oct. 28. It means that Kiprop must improve her own best time past the current mark of 2:24:18, which she set in April to retain her title in Austria's capital. "To shake off four minutes is a big challenge. But after seeing what Eliud Kipchoge did in Berlin, I believe anything can go and I want to see how fast I can run in Frankfurt against some of the strongest challengers. Of course the first priority is to dictate the pace and win the race, then the time will fall in," said Kiprop on Monday in Eldoret. Kiprop and Dibaba lead a carefully selected elite list for the race with organizers offering 30,000 US dollars as bonus for whoever beats the course record alongside the 24,000-dollar prize for winning the race. The men's race is led by 2017 Berlin marathon silver medalist Guye Adola of Ethiopia. Adola will face two other notable runners-up in Frankfurt Marathon when he lines up against fellow Ethiopian Kelkile Gezahegn and Kenya's Martin Kosgey, the second-place finishers at the past two editions. Last year Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot won her maiden marathon race in 2 hours 23 minutes and 35 seconds. The organizers have thrown down the gauntlet challenging the elite runners to push for faster time and Kiprop will take it upon herself secure this feat and improve her personal best time. The organizers have assembled an elite women's field with impressive strength in depth. The course record stands at 2:21:01 set by the Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu six years ago and, given good weather conditions, this should come under threat on Oct. 28. (09/25/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan Emmanuel Saina set a new South American all-comers record of 2:05:21 at the 34th edition of the Buenos Aires International Marathon

Emmanuel Saina of Kenya set a new South American all-comers record of 2:05:21 at the 34th edition of the Buenos Aires International Marathon, an IAAF Bronze Label road race, on Sunday. In the women’s race, Kenya’s Vivian Kiplagat Jerono took the victory in 2:29:03, also a course record. Saina, who didn’t start as a one of the favorites, dominated the race from the start, passing five kilometres in 14:48, alongside his compatriot Barnabas Kiptum. Both continued to race together up to the 30th kilometre, passing 10 kilometres in 29:54, 15 in 44:53, and 20 in 1:00:27. The halfway point was reached in 1:02:52 and 25km in 1:15:28. The nice morning in the Argentine capital (18-20 C) was a good ally for Saina, who by 30 kilometres (1:29:37) had opened a gap of six seconds over Kiptum. Saina continued on his way to a negative splits, with 1:43:49 at 35 kilometres and 1:58:47 at 40, before finishing the second half in 1:02:29. The 26-year-old, who was making his debut over the distance, arrived at the line with a modest 1:02:03 personal best in the half marathon from Berkane on 1 April. Kiptum paid the price of the very fast race and finished in 2:09:19, still a personal best, while Peruvian Christian Pacheco, third with 2:11:19, also a personal best, won the South American title. Paraguayan Derlis Ayala followed with a national record of 2:13:41, while Kenyan Godfrey Kosgei was fifth in 2:14:00. Peruvian Nelson Ito (2:16:29) completed the podium of the South American Championships, while Miguel Ángel Bárzola, seventh, was the best Argentine runner with 2:16:47. Pre-race favorite Marius Kipserem, from Kenya, dropped out in the second half. The women’s race went more ‘accordingly’ to what was expected, with Kiplagat confirming her role of favorite. After winning the Buenos Aires Half Marathon in a course record of 1:09:10 in August, the 31-year-old was dominant, passing 10-k in 37:00, and continuing with the following splits: 1:13:40 at 20-k, 1:16:21 at Half Marathon, 1:47:15 at 30km and 2:21:14 at 40km. With 1:12:42 over the second half, Kiplagat was able to produce a very clear victory. Kenyan Leah Jerotich was second with 2:32:58 (1:16:21 at halfway), while Ethiopian Amelework Bosho was third with 2:34:56. Ecuadorian Rosa Alva Chacha, fifth overall, obtained the South American title with 2:35:29. Peruvians Clara Canchanya (2:39:27; sixth overall) and Gladys Machuacay (2:40:58; seventh overall) completed the South American podium. Argentine Mariela Ortiz was the best local athlete, eighth in 2:42:11. (09/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Amos Kipruto is considering either running the Xiamen or Tokyo marathon

The Xiamen marathon, the third biggest race in China after Beijing and Shanghai, will be staged on January 6 while Tokyo marathon is scheduled for February. However, Kipruto has already competed in Tokyo last year where he claimed the bronze medal. "I want to rest and hopefully return stronger and focus on my next race. Tokyo or Xiamen are very good races. I have not raced in China and this may be my time," said Kiruto on Thursday in Eldoret. In Berlin, Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge was the star focus after he clinched the gold in world record time of 2:01.39, which was almost five minutes faster than what Kipruto posted 2:06:20 in second place. But Kipruto believes he has what it takes to stage his own conquest and Xiamen marathon in China will be an attractive destination should his management team 2 Running Club get an incentive offer. "I have run the last two races without a win. I was third in Tokyo and second in Berlin. It is an improvement but I have a chance to ascend to the winner's podium in my next race," he said. Kipruto made his marathon debut back in 2016 and defied the odds to win the Rome Marathon. However, he was given a rude shock four months later when he finished in position 12 at the Amsterdam Marathon clocking 2:09:06. Last year, he returned stronger mentally and triumphed at the Seoul Marathon timed at 2:05:54. He returned to the Netherlands and was fifth at the Amsterdam Marathon in 2:05:43. "Next year I would love to go back to Berlin. I went there hoping to finish third, because we had tough runners in Kipchoge and Wilson Kipsang. But I was happy to finish second. My management team are already working on a deal and we will see what happens," he said. (09/24/2018) ⚡AMP

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka won the 2018 Cape Town marathon, setting a new course record

Stephen Mokoka finished in a blistering 2:08.31 to take 10 seconds off the previous record of 2017 winner Asefa Negewu of Ethiopia. He is the first South African to win the race since 2010. Namibia's Helalia Johannes was the first female athlete to cross the line, winning in a time of 2.29.28. Both the men’s and women’s winners set new course records. (09/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Ezekiel Mutai of Kenya won the Rock´n´Roll Montreal clocking 2:11:05

Ezekiel Mutai of Kenya was the winner of the full marathon, in 2:11:05. Wycliffe Biwott was the runner-up, with a time of 2: 15:38. Jean-Marie Vianney-Uwajeneza was third, in 2:18:10. Salome Nyirarukundo of Rwanda won the women’s race, with a time of 2:28:02. Joan Kigen of Kenya was second, and Emebet Anteneh of Ethiopia was third. (Anteneh debuted the half-marathon in Edmonton last month, winning the event with a time of 1:11:23.) Quebeckers ruled in the half-marathon, with Alexis Lavoie-Gilbert and Anne-Marie Comeau winning, in 1:09:25 and 1:14:46 respectively. Nicholas Berrouard and Laura Pierce won the 10K, in 32:48 and 37:46, and Gary Guillaume and Jen Moroz were first in the 5K, in 16:31 and 19:13. Berrouard was top Canadian at last year’s Ottawa Marathon. (09/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Jess Trengove from Australia is set to participate at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

High altitude training has become a popular method of marathon preparation, so heads were turned when Australia’s Jessica Trengove decided to spend four months in Hilversum Holland – elevation 15m. The two-time Commonwealth bronze medalist expects this break with convention will help pave the way to success at the 2018 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 21. “It’s basically a trip I had planned with my partner Dylan (Stenson) back in January of this year,” the 31-year-old explains. “We decided we’d like to go to Europe for the Australian winter for a life experience and also because Dylan wanted to do some track races. We also have a couple of friends getting married here. So we decided to bite the bullet and come over for what will be four months in total. “We spent some time in St Moritz (Switzerland) at high altitude in late July. That was fantastic, I have done quite a lot of altitude work in the last two years – in an (altitude simulating) tent at home. So I have got quite a lot of altitude training under my belt but I won’t be doing any in the lead up to the Toronto race.” Clearly, the Aussie subscribes to the ‘sleep high, train low’ maxim which many exercise physiologists have lauded the past few decades. Even world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe famously used to sleep in a high-altitude simulator tent on occasion. With 11 marathons to her credit including two Olympic and two IAAF World Championships appearances, along with her Commonwealth performances, Trengove is well experienced at the international level. A year ago, she raced to a commendable 9th place at the IAAF World Championships in London before claiming her second Commonwealth bronze medal on home soil in April of this year. Most recently, on July 1st, she finished 2nd at the Gold Coast Marathon in a new personal best of 2:26:31. (09/23/2018) ⚡AMP

Bryce Matteson, goal is to run 50 marathons in 50 weeks in all 50 states for clear water projects

Bryce Matteson, 30 from Denver, Colorado, has been a runner his whole life and ran in college. In 2016, his brother convinced him to run a marathon. “Running has always been a major part of my life,” Matteson said. “So I did some research to see if (running one marathon a week) was possible to do.” Matteson is running for Run5050. He is running one marathon a week, covering every state, to fund 50 clean water projects. Run5050 was founded by Matteson in partnership with Healing Waters, which implements water filtration systems into areas that do not have access to safe and clean water, according to Healing Waters International. Matteson and his wife Jessie had gone on trips in the past as photographers with Healing Waters, and were familiar with the operations side of the organization. Matteson wanted to merge his ability to run and Healing Waters’ cause together, he said.Matteson’s goal in partnership with Healing Waters is to be able to fund 50 clean water projects, amounting to a $750,000 goal. He has currently raised about $60,000 and hopes to have raised $100,000 by the time he runs in Connecticut on Oct. 13 in the Hartford Marathon, Matteson said. “The technology and implementation process is there, you just need finances to make that happen,” Matteson said. “Awareness is only as good as taking action.” (09/22/2018) ⚡AMP

Former Hannover Marathon winner Jacob Korir is the one to beat at the Cape Town Marathon

The Kenyan contingent in the 2018 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon set for this Sunday in South Africa. Other Kenyan runners in the event include Albert Korir, Kipsang Kipkemoi, Rotich Nicholas and Kacherian Philemon. Korir, won the 2017 Vienna Marathon win, in a sub 2 hours and 09 minutes time while Kipsang Kipkemoi boasts a best time of 2 hours 08 minutes and 26 seconds from the Sevilla Marathon in 2017. Over 22 000 runners from all over the world will take part in this year’s race.   (09/22/2018) ⚡AMP

Eric Kiptanui, Leonard Korir and Zane Robertson headline the Delhi Half Marathon

Eric Kiptanui will be the star attraction at the 14th edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) to be held on October 21. Kiptanui, from Kenya, has already notched up two impressive half marathon victories this year — winning the high-quality Lisbon and Berlin races. He will be accompanied on his first trip to India by his training partner Daniel Kipchumba. Two-time Tata Consultancy Services World 10K winner Alex Korio — whose best of 58:51 was set in the 2017 Copenhagen Half Marathon — has been a regular participant in Procam International events in recent years and has run the ADHM twice in the past, last in 2015. Representing Ethiopia will be two men, Leul Gebresilase and Feyisa Lilesa, who are better known as marathon runners but who can still boast of outstanding half-marathon credentials. Adding to the considerable global interest in the race, USA’s Leonard Korir and New Zealand’s Zane Robertson are also in the men’s elite field. (09/22/2018) ⚡AMP

Eliud Kipchoge is a simple man who helps others - Part three of a three part series on the King of the Marathon

The King of The Marathon Part Three: an inside look into the life of Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge.  

When Eliud Kipchoge passed the first 10k mark in 29:01 on September 16 in Berlin everyone was excited because he was nine seconds ahead of world record pace.

Actually this was his slower 10k split of the day.  He picked up the pace and his second 10k split was 28:55, third 28:49 and fourth 28:47 clocking 2:01:39 to smash the world marathon record.  

So how did he do this?  It is not drugs! He has never failed a drug test.  

Besides doing some unbelievable workouts (as detailed in part 2) he pays close attention to his diet. His favorite meal is ugali, kalenjin traditional milk called mursik which nutritious and energetic, traditional veggies (such as; socha, saga, mborochet, chepkerta and mitiat).  These are herbal and they build the immune system and adds to the blood. 

He eats roasted maize for carbohydrates. How does he relax? During leisure time he likes reading at least two or three inspirational books every month. This is where a man full of wisdom and maturity adds to his knowledge. 

One quote he likes, "The impossible is possible and imitation is limitation.” by John Manson.

Eliud is a dairy and tea farmer and when he is at home he looks after cattle.  His last born kid son started running so he can follow in his father's foot steps. 

After smashing the World Marathon Record in Berlin, Eliud is expected to get $50,000 for winning and $69,000 for breaking the world record. This is 12 million Kenyan Shillings.  In additon, truck manufactures, Isuzu East Africa, which Kipchoge is a Brand Ambassador, will give him a D-max luxury double cabin vehicle.

There are also gaming companies which will reward him. Eliud has involved himself in charity work too. He helps raise funds for dispensaries, pay school fees for unable kids, he helps upcoming athletes with housing and hospitals bills. 

He pays for airline tickets for students going abroad on scholarship.  He helps to motivate young Kenyans on the importance of hardwork.  Kenya has been very proud of Eliud Kipchoge and since he smashed the world record the whole country is behind him.  

(Editor’s note: Part one and two of these series were published the last two days on My Best Runs.)

(09/22/2018) ⚡AMP
by Willie Korir reporting from Kenya

Arthur Brooks has already run halfway around the world and has won everything from a sack of potatoes to a cowbell

An elderly Brit has been dubbed the real-life Forrest Gump after running half-way around the world over the past two decades. Arthur Brooks, 66, has finished 571 ultra, full and half marathons in a record of over 13,600 miles in total. The retired chartered surveyor said his running habit started after he made a promise at a party 25 years ago. The Hertfordshire, UK man was celebrating for his friends who had done a half marathon in Cambridge in 1991 when he got asked to join the next year.  And that’s how he started his first marathon. “I struggled, but it was a nice atmosphere, everyone was encouraging and when I’d finished, I’d done something I had never thought I would,” he said. Twenty-five years past, Brooks had run past snakes and been escorted by rangers with guns, looking out for polar bears. He had also won everything – from a sack of potatoes to a cowbell – for his efforts. The 66-year-old is now spending nearly four to five hours on a daily run. His personal marathon record in three hours and 12 minutes. “I run almost every weekend, which some think is insane and when you find something you love, you keep doing it,” the 66-year-old said. (09/22/2018) ⚡AMP

Fast times are expected in the men's field of Hipporun Mezza Maratona

The Hipporun will be a competitive event with 22 top runners, between men and women, going to be at the start at the Vinovo racetrack at 9:15 AM.  The course record for the half marathon belongs to Youssef Sbaai who clocked 1:02:55 last year. He is again running this year. In this year's field is Ethiopian, Deme Tadu Abate, who has a PR of 1:00:46.  Kenya's, Joel Maina Mwangi, a member of Dynamo Sport, has a PR of 1:01:16 clocked in 2014. His compatriot Roncer Konga Kipkorir of the Run2Gether team, the 24-year-old in May at the Bucharest half marathon clocked 1:01:19. Kenya's Hosea Kimeli Kisorio has a PR of 1:01:59 clocked in 2015 in Lucca.  John Hakizimana has a PR of 1:02:26.    (09/22/2018) ⚡AMP

Gary Leung a Hong Kong blind runner is set to run the 400km Ultra Gobi

Gary Leung is a famous visually impaired runner from Hong Kong. He has successfully completed many international marathons. In 2017 he became the first visually impaired person to complete Antarctic challenge. His achievements demonstrate that even through life’s great challenges it is often possible to achieve incredible things and that you should never give up on your dreams. “I know that the infection number of people living with HIV is rising. In addition, people with HIV face great challenges in life. Therefore, I hope to arouse public awareness on HIV/AIDS and erase the discrimination against people with HIV through accepting this challenge.” Gary said. In September this year, Gary will start an epic challenge, the “Ultra Gobi 2018”. By performing the race he will raise money for AIDS concern to provide support for people in Hong Kong living with HIV. “Ultra Gobi”, is so called because it is one of the toughest long-distance races in the world. It is a 400km non-stop, self-navigation, self-supported race, held in the southern Gobi Desert, on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, in Western China, Gansu Province. “Ultra Gobi” is also a small, exclusive race, limited to 50 elite runners. The runners will complete the 400km race in 148 hours from September 28th to October 4th. (09/21/2018) ⚡AMP

John Korir whose older brother Wesley Korir won the Boston Marathon in 2012, joins elite roster at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

John Korir, 22, has announced he will join the elite roster at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 27. John is the younger brother of Wesley Korir, who won the Boston Marathon in 2012, and who represented Kenya at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Wesley is also a former Member of Parliament in Kenya. younger Korir debuted the marathon at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend this spring, where he was way out in front just a few kilometres from the finish line. Ultimately Korir was overtaken by Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia, the course record-holder, and finished in second place with a time of 2:09:14. The two brothers have trained together in Louisville, Kentucky. Korir will be welcomed by the family of his sister-in-law, Tarah McKay-Korir, who live in southern Ontario. Tarah and Wesley are the founders of the Kenyan Kids Foundation, one of STWM’s charity partners. Korir joins two-time defending champion Philemon Rono, New Zealand’s Jake Robertson, and our very own Reid Coolsaet on the start line at Scotia on October 21. (09/21/2018) ⚡AMP

Joshua Cheptegei will return to action at the Dam tot Damloop

Now recovered from the knee injury that has kept him out of racing since April, world silver medallist Joshua Cheptegei will return to action on Sunday at the Dam tot Damloop, a 10-mile IAAF Silver Label road race from Amsterdam to Zaandam. The 22-year-old Ugandan pushed Mo Farah all the way in the 10,000m at the IAAF World Championships London 2017, ultimately taking the silver medal just 0.43 behind the multiple world and Olympic champion. Earlier this year, Cheptegei won the 5000m and 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games and looked poised for a promising track season but was then side-lined by a knee injury. Cheptegei, who last year came within four seconds of the world best for 15km at the Zevenheuvelenloop in Nijmegen, will be making his second appearance at the Dam tot Damloop after finishing second in 2016. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi looks set to be Cheptegei’s main opponent on Sunday. The 29-year-old took the 10,000m silver medal at the recent European Championships and has competed at the Dam tot Damloop on four previous occasions. (09/21/2018) ⚡AMP

Eliud Kipchoge says he handles pain by smiling - Part two of a three part series on the King of the Marathon

The King of The Marathon Part Two: an inside look into the life of Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge. He began his move into road running in 2012 when he clocked 59:25 for the half marathon.  In 2013 Eliud ran his first marathon when he won the Hamburg Marathon clocking 2:05:30, setting a new course record. 

In 2016 he won the gold medal in the marathon at the Rio Olympics.  He has won 10 out of the 11 marathons he has run.  Wilson Kipsang beat him in 2013 in Berlin when setting the world record. 

We Eliud trains in Eldoret, the home of Champions.  His humbleness is seen when training with athletes.  Eliud keeps a low-profile and even does house chores in camp like washing toilets, utensils, cutting grass and cleaning the dining hall.  He uses public buses or bodaboda to travel despite having good cars.  

He has earned a lot of prize, bonus and sponsorship money from running especially since he moved to the road.  However, money hasn't changed his character. He says, "An athlete with 50 million Kenyan shillings ($500,000US) in his bank account can brag, but a farmer who uses the same amount to plant wheat is not even noticed as he walks around town." 

Eliud loves the simple life and when he travels he arrives without many people realizing it. He loves his Nike shoes and is comfortable with NN running and with his mentor and neighbor Patrick Sang. During the Nike project, he almost broke the two hour mark clocking 2:00:23 for the full Marathon.  Yes, the conditions were perfect and he was paced like in a time trial but his body ran the distance.  

He puts in a lot of hardwork, discipline and good training.  He also eats a healthy diet.  Before he lined up to run the Berlin Marathon this was the kind of workouts he was doing. 8x1600 (recovery 1:30) + 10x400m (recovery 45 seconds) in Eldoret altitude 2200m (7200 feet) above sea level.  His 1600m times were:  4:35, 4:33, 4:32, 4:34, 4:33, 4:32, 4:33, 4:33. His 400m times were: 62, 63, 63, 62, 62, 62, 61, 62, 61, 60.

He always does speedwork on the track wearing racing shoes with other fast athletes like Kamworor, Brimin kipruto and Conselsius.  "You can't train alone because you need others to push you higher to reach your best limit,"  Kipchoge told me last month at Kabarak university.  No marathoner has been more dominant in the marathon than Kipchoge.

The 5'6" 115 pound Eliud has never sustained a serious injury because he listens to his body and eats a healthy diet.  Even the greatest runners have days when they have a strained muscle or an upset stomach kept them from winning but not Kipchoge. 

He actually has a winning formula:  Motivation plus disipline equals consistency.  Pain, he says, is nothing more than a mind set so he distracts himself with other thoughts such as the joy of running and the finish line ahead, then the pain fades with a smile on his face. He has a habit of smiling whenever pain sets in.

Tomorrow in part three of this series we look closer at Eliud’s healthy diet and at the day he broke the world Marathon record.  We talk about  the prize money and how Eliud wants to help others.  

(09/21/2018) ⚡AMP
by Willie Korir reporting from Kenya

Ultra runner Kyle Curtin smashes Tahoe 200 Endurance Run record

Kyle Curtin and Courtney Dauwalter put on a show at the Tahoe 200 Endurance Run. Curtin of Durango and Dauwalter of Golden smashed the previous course record at the 200-mile ultramarathon in California. Daulwalter led all runners at the halfway point, with Curtin behind more than two hours before he started to gain ground on one of the best distance runners in the U.S., man or woman. Curtin would go on to win the Tahoe 200 on Sept. 7 in his first 200-plus-mile race. He finished in a record time of 49 hours, 27 minutes, 22 seconds. Dauwalter was second overall and the first woman to finish, as she crossed the line in 49:54:36. Dauwalter smashed the previous women’s record by more than 18 hours, while Curtin’s overall record time was nine hours better than the previous record of 58:29:16 set in 2017 by Sean Nakamura. “The first half went really smooth, hardly and highs or lows,” Curtin said. “It felt like a race the second half. I slowly kept reeling (Dauwalter) in.” Curtin was 100 minutes behind Dauwalter after 142 miles, 40 minutes back at 161½ miles and only 25 minutes behind through 175 miles. He finally caught Dauwalter at the Loon Lake aid station at 181½ miles. “I chased her for 181 miles,” Curtin said. “I was super amped up. I took a ton of energy drinks, but I think it was more the thrill of the chase and being neck-and-neck for two days into a race that really had me going. I didn’t mean to catch her that quickly. It was way easier to chase than to constantly look back to see how far ahead I was. “After the aid station, I could see her headlamp for at least another hour. So, thinking she was right behind, I pushed hard the whole way into the finish. It felt like such a relief and a monumental accomplishment at the finish. I didn’t know exactly what the course record was, but I knew we’d crush it from before the race started.” (09/21/2018) ⚡AMP

88-year-old Bill Briggs ran his first race when he was 49 and can’t stop

Bill Briggs didn’t start running until he was nearly 50. But once he laced up for the first time, he didn’t stop. He’s run Boston four times, as well as many other marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. Recently, at age 88, he crossed his 600th finish line. “I had no idea what I was getting into when I started running in June 1979,” Briggs said. “I had recently retired as a meteorologist with the U.S. Weather Service and needed to regain control and structure to my life. One of my two adopted children was having substance abuse issues. Running helped me immensely. “Although I was significantly undertrained for the marathon, I finished in 5 hours and 30 minutes.” After 600 races, Briggs has the running and racing routine down pat. “I dutifully record each and every race in my running log as soon as possible,” he said. “That way, I don’t lose track. I don’t have another race goal set. I just want to enjoy life.” But it took some time for Briggs to fall in love with the sport. He grew up envying jocks and their athletic abilities—Briggs was the kid with the Coke-bottle-thick glasses who hated gym, and that set him up for decades of feeling like he wasn’t sporty. In 1979, though, he decided to give running a shot. He found it a pleasant surprise. “Finally, I had something I could do reasonably well,” he says. “That made me extremely happy.” (09/21/2018) ⚡AMP

WMA Champion Charles Allie 71 year-old named USATF Athlete of the Week

Charles Allie (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) won five gold medals at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Malaga, Spain, and smashed his own world record in the 70-74 age group 400m to earn USATF Athlete of the Week. In the preliminary heats of the 400m, Allie blasted to a 57.26 to knock more than a second off the world record he set earlier in the year, and he went on to win the final in 58.67. The 71-year-old Allie also won the 100m (13.22) and 200m (26.06) and picked up two more golds on Team USATF relays in the M65 division. (09/20/2018) ⚡AMP

Eliud Kipchoge the early years - Part one of a three part series on the King of the Marathon

The King of The Marathon Part One: an inside look into the life of Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge. Eliud was born May 11, 1984 in a village called Kapsisiywa in Nandi county, Kenya.  His mother worked as a teacher. He lost his father while still young and this forced him to start looking after cattle and sell milk to help support his family. 

As a child, Eliud ran solely as a form of transport so he could get to and from school. The best athlete on the road who looks very discipline, relaxed, humble and full of wisdom today did not get past zonal level in school which is far from nationals. Due to his love for athletics, he went to his neighbor Patrick Sang, 1992 Olympics silver medalist in 3000m steeplechase, and asked for a training program. 

Sang had returned to Kapsisiywa to organize sport events after winning the Olympic silver medal while studying at the University of Texas.  He met Eliud at one of the events he organized in 2001 when Eliud was 16. 

"There was this kid who would come and ask me for a training program," Sang remembers.  "Every two weeks I would give him a program to follow and this went on for months."  Currently Patrick Sang is Eliud Kipchoge's coach. 

"Patrick is a friend and a mentor. He changed my life," said Eliud who followed systematically Sang's advice. Through his dedication and commitment to running, doors opened for Eliud Kipchoge in 2003 when he won gold for Kenya at the World Championships in Paris. 

He out sprinted Hicham El Guerrouj who was the world record holder in the mile.  Eliud was just 18 at the time. He raced on the track, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and 10000m with great success. (Photo 2003 World Championships 5000m).  The track build his speed and he graduated to the marathon after a few years. 

"Running is like stairs, you gain experience and maturity in every step." Kipchoge told me in February 2018 in Eldoret. Kipchoge trains in a training camp called Global based in Kaptagat.  Tomorrow in part two we will talk about his move to the roads, his training, why he has never sustained a serious injury and how he deals with pain.  

(09/20/2018) ⚡AMP
by Willie Korir reporting from Kenya

Did you know that Ballet training can improve your running

Have you ever watched a ballet dancer soar through the air and wondered how they make it look so easy?

It’s a ballet dancer’s training that gives them such athletic grace. Ballet has developed tremendously in recent years, in both demand and aesthetics.

Dancers today are required to have a far greater range of dynamics, flexibility and style. Yet the fundamentals stay the same: continuous practice and repetition of technical exercises that are designed to develop control, strength, precision, a greater range of mobility, fluidity and kinaesthetic awareness (an internal knowledge of where each part of your own body is in movement).

In fact, skills that would make the ideal trail runner. Ballet originates from the 16th century European courts. Ultimately, it is built upon precise alignment.

Ballet is performed in ‘turnout’. This is the rotation of the leg at the hips that causes the feet (and knees) to turn outward, away from the front of the body. The result is that the lower trunk, pelvic region and upper thighs strengthen in order to maintain this healthy alignment.

Core control is paramount, even when stationary. Without it, stabilisation of the pelvis and spine are lost. The upper back loses its strong base and postural errors, such as rounded shoulders, begin to appear.

For the dancer, this means the loss of the ability to balance and to execute movements properly. For the runner this is also true, added to which a weak core causes greater stress for the pelvic floor muscles.

(Both men and women have pelvic floor muscles between the legs which support the internal organs! The pelvic floor comes under greater stress during impact work such as running.)

(09/20/2018) ⚡AMP
by Trail Running Magazine

How to turn a bad workout into a good one, Running advice from Jeff Galloway

 I was looking forward to my running retreat in Carmel CA after 3 weeks of non-stop travel.  Intuitively I felt that a good run would “wake up” the circuit in my brain that improves motivation.  But it wasn’t happening.  During the first 10 minutes my legs felt heavy and un-responsive--the switch wasn’t turning on.  I thought about turning around.  But then I remembered what I learned when researching for my book MENTAL TRAINING:  If you activate the human brain with a “checklist” of cognitive thoughts and questions, and make strategic adjustments, a bad run can turn into a good one. We have two brain operating systems. The ancient, subconscious (monkey) brain has thousands of stimulus-response behavior patterns embedded. We will usually start our workouts with a standard routine that is conducted by this brain control center. Our human brain is a different entity which we activate by consciously focusing on what we are doing and setting  up a strategy. If we default to the ancient reflex brain, motivation is often influenced by stress:: stress from weather, time crunch, fatigue, life, etc., will trigger anxiety and then negative hormones when the “monkey brain” is in control.  But if you have a strategy, you can activate the human brain which over-rides the “monkey” and stops the flow of negative hormones that bring your motivation down. Here are some questions and tips that can activate your conscious brain and take control over motivation.  How to be motivated when you might not feel like running? 1. Pick a short amount of running which seems really easy, followed by a longer walk break.  Once you start, you can adjust or enjoy the original strategy. 2.Run with a friend, talk, and pull one another along. 3. Have a positive or funny friend who you can text or call before, during and after a run. 4. Tell  yourself that you are only going to run for 5 minutes—once started, you will tend  to continue. 5. Make sure your blood sugar is adequate.  Within 30 minutes before a run, eat a 100 calorie snack such as an energy bar or the proven sports drink. (09/20/2018) ⚡AMP
by Jeff Galloway

Altra Elite runner Jason Schlarb won the ultra Run Rabbit Run 100-mile race for the third time

Jason Schlarb won the Run Rabbit Run 100-mile race in Steamboat Springs, Colorado for the third time clocking 18:48:08.  His previous wins were in 2015 and in 2013 when he set the course record with a time of 17:15:20, which still stands. Joining him on the podium was Mark Hammond in second at 19:33:20 and Jeff Browning in third at 19:51:44 after a Hardrock 100 win a few weeks prior. Kyle Pietari grabbed fourth with 20:00:48 on his first ever Run Rabbit Run experience. On the women’s side, Emma Roca finished second female with a time of 23:23:55. Shortly behind her was Meredith Edwards in fifth with 25:46:15 in her first time racing the 100-mile option at Run Rabbit Run. Schlarb ran his way to victory in the Altra Duo, along with Browning and Edwards. Hammond ran in the Altra Paradigm 4, Pietari ran in the Altra Superior 3.5 and Roca ran in the Altra Olympus 3.0. (09/20/2018) ⚡AMP

The Women’s elite field at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon just got stronger

Ethiopia’s representation at this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon just got stronger with the addition of Amane Beriso to the elite women’s field. With a personal best of 2:20:48, recorded when finishing second at the 2016 Dubai Marathon, the Ethiopian has the fastest personal best of any woman who has ever lined up at this IAAF Gold Label road race. And it is apparent she also possesses the mindset to challenge her compatriot and defending champion, Marta Megra. Victory is her primary objective, though she warns her rivals that the Toronto course record of 2:22:43, held jointly by Kenyan Sharon Cherop and Koren Jelala Yal of Ethiopia, could also be in jeopardy when the race goes off on 21 October 21. “Absolutely, nothing is impossible, I believe,” says Beriso, who celebrates her 27th birthday on 13 October. “I think with Marta Megra it’s going to be a little difficult, but it is possible and I am in it to win it.” “We have one month of training remaining, so I am willing to take on any challenge in front of me and I will try to improve the course record.” This is no idle boast. Besides her brilliant run in Dubai a year ago, Beriso ran 2:22:15 in Prague in May 2017 which earned her second place in that IAAF Gold Label event. It was another eye-catching performance and if it wasn’t for an ankle injury which plagued her over the past year, she may have piled up additional credentials. Now healthy and fully fit after seeking treatment in Germany, she looks ahead to the battle for glory and an $80,000 pay day. Despite having twice run well under the Toronto Waterfront course record, she is a novice at the distance. Dubai, in fact, was her debut. (09/20/2018) ⚡AMP

Grace Brock a 17-year-old British girl runs 34:24 10K in her debut

British runner Grace Brock, who turned 17 six months ago, has debuted the 10K as a new U20 athlete with blazing 34:24. The Cornwall resident, who trains with the Cornwall Athletic Club, ran her first 10K at the Worcester City 10K last Sunday. It was the fastest 10K for a 17-year-old “in at least a decade,” according to the FastRunning.com site. She also set a new track PB of 4:33 in the 1,500 earlier this year. To put her achievement in perspective, Brock’s time is only 33 seconds off Sylvia Ruegger‘s U20 record, set way back in 1961. Brock likes to train on the beach once a week, one of the benefits of living near the ocean. (Or as they say in Britain, the seaside.) Brock attends Penwith College, and hopes to go to an American university next year. She has visited Portland University in Oregon and plans to also visit Providence College in Rhode Island and Boise State University in Idaho. (09/19/2018) ⚡AMP