Running News Daily

The four white Kenyans..It's all in the training..sacrifice and quality...

"These four runners listed below live and spend long seasons in Kenya at altitude, training with Africans with their custom meals, sleeping in their cots, training at 6am, fasting, and eating ugali The White Kenyans.

1. Julien Wanders this morning ran 60:09 at half marathon in Barcelona, a new Swiss record

2. Zane Robertson from New Zealand ran a 59:47 Half

3. Sondre Moen 2:05:48 Marathon From Norway, European record

4. Jake Robertson 60:01 Half Marathon in Houston From New Zealand

"They sacrifice themselves like the Kenyans... they run like the Kenyans... It doesn't matter that their skin is not black. It's all in the training. It's the sacrifice and the quality."

(02/11/2018) ⚡AMP
by Gonzalo Sukunza

Jonathon Grey lost his battle with depression

The death of Jon Grey, 29, has shocked the running world this weekend.. His twin brother Matt posted this on FB, “ Today will be the hardest day of my life. There is an amazing person who I love, my best friend, my inspiration. My running partner...”.Jonathon Grey lost his battle with depression and took his own life on Saturday, February 10, his brother announced on FB. Jon made his marathon debut at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2016 and had recently lowered his personal best over 26.2 miles to 2:20:08 at the USATF Marathon Championships this past December. He had been training to run the Los Ángeles Marathon March 18. R.I.P. Jon. You will be missed. (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP
Runners

A Naked Marathon at the Winter Olympics Games...Well maybe not a Marathon...

It’s cold in Pyeongchang, the site of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Very cold. But that did not stop hundreds of runners from competing Saturday in the 26th annual South Korea “naked marathon.” This is a different kind of cool runnings. In fact, it seems to be sheer madness. The temperature in Pyeongchang was 22 degrees, although it felt like 5 degrees once the wind-chill factor was taken into consideration. And while the race was billed as “naked,” total nudity did not take place. Gloves and beanies were allowed, but competitors were not allowed to wear shirts. While the Olympic's men's downhill skiing competition was postponed due to treacherous winds, nothing stopped the runners from taking part in their winter madness. (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP
Unique Events

Wasihun breaks course record in Barcelona and Wanders sets new Swiss Record

Ethiopia’s Mule Wasihun took an overwhelming victory at the eDreams Mitja Marato Barcelona, winning the IAAF Gold Label road race comfortably in a course record of 59:44 on Sunday. The 24-year-old took 20 seconds off the previous course record set five years ago by Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge. Bahrain’s Tejitu Daba confirmed her status as pre-event favourite in the women’s race to win in 1:08:36, one second ahead of Ethiopia’s Dibabe Kuma, who took 41 seconds off her career best. Switzerland's Julien Wanders, 21, who has been training in Kenya finished second this morning in a Swiss record and European U23 record of 60:09! (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

Kiprotich, Herpha win 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Frenchman Abraham Kiprotich has won the third edition of the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 42km race. while Ronny came second in time of 2:13.26 while Victor Benjamin completed the Kenyan domination coming in the third position in 2:13.29. For the women category, Ethiopia’s Guta won the race in 2:38.25 while compatriots Girma Getachew and Ayelu Hordofa were second and third in 2:38.36 and 2:38.41. Ethiopian Tanui Rodah was the 2017 winner of the category. (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP

She has the heart and desire to Pull off the Boston Marathon Win

Shalane Flanagan (first American woman to win the New York City Marathon in 40 years) posted this on her Facebook page today: "Heading to the mountains soon so I can get stronger and faster. The next 5 weeks will be the most exhausting part of my buildup for the Boston Marathon. So I acknowledge it. Embrace it. I know I will have doubts, but I tell myself daily...do the work, no excises, dreaming baby, no regrets. (02/10/2018) ⚡AMP
by Shalane Flanagan
World Class Runners

When we arrived in Miami It was like we were coming home from a war

The recent World Marathon Challenge presented a new kind of barrier for the veteran endurance athlete and Boston Marathon director, Dave McGillivray. Despite the enormous amount of training, Dave’s concerns were many. There was his age (63), his health (heart disease), his lingering injuries (back, knee), weather, meals, sleep deprivation, and much more. All of that came into play, he said...“The first marathon was the highlight of the trip,” he said. “Why would I ever go to Antarctica? Yet, here I was at the end of the earth, running a marathon.” While McGillivray believed he was prepared physically, the mental part was the bigger challenge. Most the marathons (seven in total in seven days) were run in places where the natives went about their days unaware of the “challenge” taking place...They got the opposite reception at the Miami International Airport. The runners’ families and friends met them with balloons and flowers. “It was like we were coming home from a war,” he said. “The only problem was we weren’t done yet. We had one more marathon left.” Dave was the 11th male finisher overall and averaged 4:37:59. (02/10/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

The Right to Smoke Group is in Battle with the Smoke Free 2020 Olympic Games People

The health ministry in Japan has been seeking to introduce binding rules against indoor smoking in public spaces ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — in line with an agreement with the International Olympic Committee to stage “tobacco-free” games. The ministry’s plan has been diluted from its original proposal in the face of stiff opposition from within the LDP, whose tobacco-friendly lawmakers backed by the restaurant and bar industries protested that the planned measure infringes on people’s “right to smoke.” ...The health ministry estimate, smoking was blamed for illnesses such as cancer, strokes and heart attacks affecting more than one million people in Japan in 2014, including 240,000 people exposed to second hand tobacco smoke. (02/10/2018) ⚡AMP
Japan Running

Shitara Chasing 10 Mile National Record Sunday in Karatsu

At least five major races fill the calendar this weekend across Japan. Potentially the biggest is the Karatsu 10-Miler, where half marathon national record holder Yuta Shitara (Honda) is slated to run in what many hope will be a shot at the antique national record. Over 30 seconds faster than the American national record, Hisatoshi Shintaku's 45:40,has stood since 1984 and survived over three decades of assaults including Shitara's 45:58 at December's Kumamoto Kosa 10-Miler. It translates to 42:34 for 15 km; at last weekend's Marugame Half Shitara went through 15 km in 42:39. Just two weeks out from a shot at the Japanese national record for the marathon in Tokyo. (02/10/2018) ⚡AMP

Great North Run legend Jim Purcel has passed away at aged 96

Great North Run legend and popular charity fundraiser "Jarra Jim" has died at the age of 96. The Second World War veteran took up running at the age of 65 following the death of his wife Betty, and completed numerous races including 29 Great North Runs and 12 London Marathons. He raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities through his selfless exploits. The charity runner was rewarded for his selfless exploits by carrying the Olympic flame through Wallsend in 2012 ahead of the London Games. (02/10/2018) ⚡AMP
Senior Running

This advice will help make you a better Trail Runner from someone who knows

Professional trail runner Max King has been racing trails—and winning races like the World Mountain Running Championships and World 100K Championships. Here are his five tips: 1. Hiking portions of a trail run is more than okay; it can be more efficient than trying to run a steep section. 2. Keep an upright posture, with your feet staying more beneath your hips than stretched out way in front of you. 3. Keep a short stride on uphills. A short, efficient stride will help you chip away at a long climb. 4. Accept the downhill 5. When hiking, employ one of three techniques. a) take big, fast, purposeful steps. b) put hands on knees, pushing each leg with each step c) on super-steep terrain, step onto the ball of each foot, keeping your back straight. (02/10/2018) ⚡AMP
Trail Running

Hawaii wants to Ban Kids from Running Long Distance Races

Legislators proposed restricting marathons and half marathons to those older than 18, claiming that running damages kids' bones and joints. Science doesn't agree. the legislation cites this 2010 study in the Journal of Athletic Training that had 11 boys and seven girls running on treadmills. During tests, researchers found that children were less able than adults to absorb shock impact while running. Hawaii’s bill seems more likely to hinder young aspiring runners than help them. Some marathons already have a minimum age requirement, presumably due to liability. The Boston Marathon requires registrants to be older than 18; at the Los Angeles Marathon, it’s 16. There’s just one problem: There’s little evidence that running long races is bad for kids’ health. (02/10/2018) ⚡AMP

It does not get much better than this - 2018 RAK Half Marathon

Fancy Chemutai narrowly missed out on breaking the world record at the RAK Half Marathon on Friday (9) on a day when both course records fell. The sea mist that blanketed the emirate’s capital provided near perfect conditions, while record-size mass fields and enormous depth to the elite groups meant a special day was more or less guaranteed. Perfect pacing by a trio of Kenyan men laid the foundation for an epic closing struggle between Mary Keitany and Fancy. The race came down to the contrasting figures of tiny Keitany and the long, rangy stride of the powerful Chemutai. At 20k they were inseparable. Keitany momentarily looked to be the one applying the pressure, but Chemutai shrewdly delayed her surge until the final 100m crossing the finish line in 1:04:52 with Mary 3 seconds back. The pair are now second and third on the world all-time list behind Jepkosgei. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

Guy Bracken age 56 sets new 55+ World Indoor Mile Record

British athlete Guy Bracken (56) ran a new 55+ world record for the indoor mile, running 4:39 tonight in London. He broke the old record of 4:42 belonging to American Nolan Shaheed. From Dave Ross (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
World Class Runners

Edward Cheserek Runs the Second Fastest Indoor Mile in History

Multiple NCAA champion Edward Cheserek produced the second-fastest indoor time in history, 3:49.44, to win the mile at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston on Friday (9). The US-based Kenyan had won two mile races already this indoor season, but neither one of those were in ideal conditions. Assisted by two pacemakers for three quarters of the race, Cheserek found the conditions to his liking at the Boston University Track Center. The 24-year-old was able to cover each of the eight laps in about 28-29 seconds before crossing the finish line in 3:49.44. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
World Class Runners

I am Running the London Marathon for docs who saved my life

When off-duty policeman Charlie Guenigault saw three knife-wielding jihadis in suicide vests attacking another officer at London Bridge last June, his first instinct was to run away. Faced with such terror, most of us would probably feel the same. But he didn't. He was stabbed five times and almost died on the scene helping others. The 26-year-old is now going to run the London Marathon to raise fimds for the Hospital where he spent 70 days, undergoing five operations. “I want to give something back for all the help they gave me – but also for what they did for the families and all the work they do every day,” he said. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
Running Heroes

Olympic Runner David Torrence's Death Ruled An Accident

American record holder David Torrence was found dead last August in his swimming pool in Scottsdale, Ariz. Today, Scottsdale police told Deadspin that Torrence’s death has officially been ruled an accident. Torrence moved to Scottsdale to train after competing in the 2016 Olympics for Peru, and he was found at the bottom of the pool in his apartment complex on the morning of Aug. 28, 2017, at the age of 31. A cause of death was not announced at the time, and police opened an investigation to determine what happened. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Mitja Marato Barcelona will be upgraded as an IAAF Gold Label road race

Two years ago the eDreams Mitja Marato Barcelona was ‘just’ an IAAF Bronze Label road race. After being upgraded to a Silver Label 12 months ago, this year’s event on Sunday 11 February will be held as an IAAF Gold Label road race after being upgraded again. The half-marathon in Barcelona, also known as the Mitja Marató de Barcelona, is held every March. It’s the second largest running event in Barcelona next to the Marathon. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP

The USA Women's Team for World Half Marathon Championships

Sara Hall last competed at the Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon 2018 finishing sixth with a time of 1:11:25. Jordan Hasay (pictured) recently finished eighth at the Houston Half Marathon finishing in 1:08:38, just behind Molly Huddle’s American-record setting performance. The USA women's team for the IAAF Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia (Spain) March 24 are: Sara Hall, Jordan Hasay, Natosha Rogers, Elaina Tabb and Becky Wade. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
USA Teams

Tokyo Marathon Medals will be PURE Gold, Silver and Bronze for top Three

The Tokyo Marathon medals (for the top three men and women) provided by Tanaka Holdings are made from pure gold, silver, and bronze, which are extremely rare even among medals presented at sports competitions. The medals for the 12th annual Tokyo Marathon Feb 25. 2018 overlapping design represent the runners who compete in the Marathon as well as the volunteers who support the event and the spectators who encourage the runners. The gold medal is 24k and is 200 grams. Current value of the gold alone is worth $8,476US. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Marathons

3 Moms Bond by Running for Their Kids With Cancer

In August and September of 2017, three mothers from Kansas each received the news that no parent thinks will come their way: a child diagnosed with cancer. While moms Portia Wright, Sandi Curry, and Michelle Masters didn’t know one another at the time, they soon learned that coping with the tears, pain, and fear of such troubling news was made easier when they were together. All within a month of one another—two of their diagnoses were called on the same day—the families’ worlds changed. The connection started because each family had the same oncologist and nurse. Read the full story on Runner’s World. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Korir and Lagat lead USA team for IAAF World Half Championships

National cross-country champion Leonard Korir and 2-time world champion Bernard Lagat will lead the US team at the IAAF Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia. At the end of last year Korir became the second-fastest US man ever for the half marathon when clocking 59:52 in Delhi. Lagat, who has won numerous global medals on the track both indoors and outdoors, recorded a PB of 1:02:00 at the recent Houston Half Marathon to secure his place on the team for Valencia. USA Men's Team: Samuel Chalanga, Diego Estrada, Leonard Korir, Bernard Lagat, Jared Ward. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
USA Teams

Something You Might Not Know about Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice of York is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Prior to the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015, Beatrice was the highest ranking female in the line of succession to the British throne.

She is currently 7th in line to the throne. She is also a runner and in fact in 2010 she ran the London Marathon and became the first British royalty to do so.

In December 2017 she ran the 5 mile Olympic Park Run. Earlier in the year the 28-year-old ran the Lady Garden 5K in London's Hyde Park.

(02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Runners

A decade in Kenya turned two teens from New Zealand Into World Class Runners

The plan had seemed so simple when it was hatched in their mom’s basement. But as the plane was landing in Nairobi, the scabby ground growing closer, 18-year-old Zane leaned over to his twin brother and said, “Jake, what are we going to do?”... On Jan. 14, 2018, Jake Robertson won the Houston Half Marathon with a time of one hour and one second, beating a super-deep, world-class field and earning $20,000 along the way. His twin brother Zane had posted a stellar 59:47 half marathon in 2015. They are the fastest New Zealanders ever at that distance, and near the top of the heap on a global scale. And none of that is easy—hitting 4:35 per mile for 13.1 miles? Earning a living as a runner? Becoming an Olympian? Those are laughably lofty goals...A decade of training in Kenya is paying off. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

This race is considered the Coldest Ultramarathon on the Planet

The Yukon Arctic Ultra conditions sound like that of a frozen tundra nightmare in what could be the Canadian equivalent of the Barkley Marathons. Race director Robert Pollhammer posted on Facebook on Thursday that South African Jethro De Decker was the lone runner to make it to the finish line of the 300-miler (483K). Temperatures were at or below -40 for almost the entire week that the race went on. “It was a tough year, Many of the participants of the 300-miler, were taken off course and treated for frostbite and/or hypothermia at the hospital," says Robert. For sure this is the Coldest Ultramarathon... (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Epic Running Adventures

Half Marathon World Records were just missed by seconds at RAK

The RAK Half Marathon in UAE delivered. In the women's race Fancy Chemutai from Kenya just missed the world record by two seconds. She ran 1:04:53 just beating out Mary Keitany (1:04:55) and Caroline Kipkirui was third in 1:05:07. In the men's race Kenya's Bedan Karoki set a new course record in 58:42, just 19 seconds off the world record. In second running his first half was Jemal Yimer from Ethiopia (59:00) and third was Alex Kibet 59:06. Seven men broke one hour. RAK indeed delivered. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

RAK Organizers added a $100,000US bonus for anyone who breaks the world record

The RAK Half Marathon is under way. In a bid to spice up the race, the organizers have added a $100,000 US dollar bonus for anyone who breaks the world record in additional to the 50,000 dollar prize purse. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

A Real Pioneer in Long DIstance Racing Has passed Away

On Saturday Feb 3 Ken Young passed way at the age of 76. He invented the art and science of record keeping for the sport of long distance running. He first used a computer to produce race results in 1970, and produced computer based running performance rankings by 1974. In 1980, these rankings had developed into the National Running Data Center (NRDC) which pioneered and developed road records in the United States...On a personal note by the end of 2016 Ken had run more than 141,000 miles which included 4,500 miles during high school and college. He raced about 90 marathons. But more importantly he collected running results and created running stats. Our sport will miss Ken Young! R.I.P. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

From bombs to race bibs Belle was no stranger to conflict zones

Belle Toren is no stranger to conflict zones. The former police officer, legal counsel and corporate director for petroleum companies lived and worked in places considered dangerous. So when she saw the opportunity to run the Marathon of Afghanistan in 2017, she didn’t hesitate for a second. The opportunity came through the travel group Untamed Borders, which organizes unique travel experiences to inaccessible parts of the world. Her target was to run the Marathon. What was really exciting 150 females also ran the 15K and 11 who did the marathon. Belle not only finished the marathon, but also went on to run a desert half marathon in Israel a few weeks later. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Amazing Marathons

Former New Zealand Super Star Finds A Way To Compete

Peter Snell (79) is a competitive table tennis player including competing in the Texas state (top 4 in the 75+ age category) and US championship events and the 2017 World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Not a big deal? But Snell is The Big Deal in his native New Zealand. Snell won the gold in the 800-meter run at the 1960 Rome Olympics and followed it up four years later in Tokyo with gold medals at both 800 meters and 1,500 meters. He excelled in the 800, where he set a national record in Rome and an Olympic record in Tokyo. At the time, he was the first athlete in 40 years to pull off the 800-1,500 combo at the Olympics...Running now is not in the cards with osteoarthritis in a knee. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Olympians

79-year-old James Mersmann says running does create a runner's high if you run enough miles

James Mersmann has a resting heart rate of 38 and has run thousands of miles in his lifetime and he’ll gear up for the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL. His passion for running all started in 1973. “Running is exhilarating and it does create a runners high only if you run enough miles and it’s also addictive,” Mersmann said. From Huntsville to Rio De Janeiro, Mersmann has run several marathons around the world, and on Sunday for the Mercedes Marathon, he’ll be the oldest runner at age 79. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Senior Running

Eliud Kipchoge: Loves Running Because Running Is Life

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya is currently the undisputed world No.1 over the 26.2-mile distance. The 2-time Berlin and London Marathon winner explains why he runs. "I started running because my neighbor, Patrick Sang (1992 Olympic and 1991 and 1993 world steeplechase silver medallist), was an athlete and I wanted to be just like him. Patrick came from the same village as I do and my mother used to be his teacher. I was so inspired by his success. To me, running is life." Eliud is running this year's London Marathon. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Olympians

Airtel Delhi Half Marathon wins best organized event award

Mumbai’s biggest running community, the Mumbai Road Runners, organized the annual awards show, the Skechers Performance 8th MRR Awards Night, on Feb 3rd. More than 500 nominations from across Mumbai were received under various categories, including best male and female runners, best debut, most improved runner, as well as the best organized race of the year. The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon was selected as the winner. Running is growing at a fast rate in India. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Some races are getting smaller but not the St. Jude Memphis Marathon

While many races around the country were fretting over declining registration numbers, the St. Jude Memphis Marathon was in the enviable position of seeing gains. The Dec. 2 event saw 25,000 participants, 8,000 of whom raised funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. That fundraising brought in $10.3 million this year. And perhaps more importantly, 30 percent of runners returned after running the race the year before. The life-saving care is surely a factor of success (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Bill Anderson's secrets for Running Injury Free for Over 41 years

Bill Anderson (72) started his running streak on September 27, 1976 in Fort Worth Texas. He has run at least one mile everyday since then. He is currently number nine on the Official USA Active Running Streak List.

"My brother Bill has never been injured," says Bob Anderson. Asked why he has never been injured he says, "Shoes are the hidden secret to avoid injuries. I make sure they are always fresh," Bill says.

"Secondly I always run within my capacity. Thirdly, I make sure I enjoy every run. Fourth, I know myself well enough to anticipate a potential issue before it happens."

(02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics starts in 897 days

Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics say they're having no problems raising cash. International Olympic Committee member John Coates, head of the IOC, says local organizers have raised $2.9 billion in national sponsorship money. Coates called the money-raising effort "extraordinarily successful." He says Tokyo now has 47 local sponsors, and this excludes long-term IOC sponsors like Bridgestone, Panasonic and Toyota. The sponsorship money will help fund the $5.5 billion local operating budget. The total cost of preparing the Games is about $20 billion, with the rest of the money coming from the city of Tokyo and the national government. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

What makes the RAK the World’s Fastest Half Marathon?

The RAK Half Marathon (UAE) is the 'world's fastest half marathon' because if you take the top 10 fastest times recorded in RAK for men (and the same for women) and find the average (for each) and then do the same with the top ten fastest recorded times across all races (you can reference the IAAF for this), the faster average time for both men AND women will be in RAK; making it the world's FASTEST half marathon! This year’s race starts at 6:30am Friday morning or 6:30pm California time Thursday night. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Kipsang is focused on setting a new World Marathon Record in Tokyo Feb 25

Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang is excited, focused and ready to set a world record at the Tokyo Marathon on Feb 25. This will be Kipsang second attempt at the Japanese premier marathon competition. He has intensified his training in Kericho, Kenya, running at high altitude and is hopeful that hard work will bear fruits. He knows his rivals will be on a similar mission in April at the London Marathon. "I surprised everyone when I almost won the New York marathon in Nov. last year. Well, this year I will just go ahead and do it in Tokyo," Kipsang said on Tuesday from Kericho. Last year, Kipsang missed the world record (2:02:57) but still ran the fastest time ever on Japanese soil to win in 2:03:58. "I will run fast and let the rest fall in place," he added. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

Canadian's Elite Team selected for IAAF World Half Championships

Athletics Canada announced Wednesday the eight athletes who will compete at the 2018 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain. Four men and four women were named to the largest Canadian world half team since Edmonton hosted the championships in 2005. The 2018 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships, held every two years, are set for March 24. No member of the team has raced at a past IAAF World Half-Marathon Championship. Men's Team: Evan Esselink, Cam Levins, Sami Jibril and Geoff Martinson. Women's Team: Sasha Gollish, Emily Setlack, Kinsey Middleton and Victoria Coates. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Canada Running

Katelyn Tuohy is First underclassman to win Gatorade's title

After an unstoppable cross country season that produced countless records and nonstop recognition, North Rockland (NY) High sophomore 15-year-old Katelyn Tuohy became the first underclassman to win Gatorade's National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year in its 10-year history of recognizing cross country athletes. "It's evident that Katelyn is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school girls cross country runner based on her numbers this season," Gatorade Senior Vice President Brett O'Brien said on Wednesday. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Mtetwa A Domestic Worker’s NYC Marathon Dream Becomes A Reality

It was New Year’s Eve when ultra-marathon runner Veronica Mtetwa received a phone call relaying the devastating news that her mother, Smomo Nxumalo, had been hit by a stray bullet in her hometown of Pongola. While it’s a miracle she survived, she is blind. Mtetwa, a domestic worker, had been saving a portion of her wages to pay for a trip to America to run the New York Marathon but of course she now needed to take care of her mother. But Cameron did not want to give up. She launched a crowd-funding campaign on Facebook called ‘Dreaming of New York’ and within two months, managed to raise the funds Mtetwa needed to travel to the US and participate in the NYC marathon. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP

You need to know how your race pace feels before your race

TRAINING ADVICE: One way to fine-tune your pace is to include training at race pace. Whether your pace is 6:00 miles (2:37 marathon) or 12:00 miles (5:15 finish), you need to know how it feels to achieve that pace. Testing your pace during "race pace" workouts is the best way to accomplish this. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
by Hal Higdon
Training

Geoff Smith, Two Time Boston Marathon Winner Attending Running USA 2018

British Olympian Geoff Smith, who won the Boston Marathon in 1984 and 1985, will be among the conference attendees at Running USA in Austin next week. He'll be representing exhibitor Stride Awards. In 1983 his race at the New York City Marathon will never be forgotten. He started at a torrid pace and built a lead of more than a half-mile over 1972 Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist Rod Dixon of New Zealand. But Smith faltered and Dixon slowly reeled him in, catching and passing the exhausted Brit a mere 400 meters from the finish line. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Word Class Runners

Dave McGillivray Triumphant in World Marathon Challenge

Renowned Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray conquered the World Marathon Challenge Monday night in Miami, completing 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. McGillivray, 63, a Medford, Mass., native who now lives in North Andover, Mass., was the second oldest competitor in the challenge. He arrived back in Boston yesterday. He said, “It’s important for me to set a goal, achieve it – getting it done and feeling good about myself. Some people, like myself, need to be challenged.” (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Race Directors

Can you improve performance by rinsing your mouth with carbs?

More studies are finding that ‘carb-rinsing’ – using a sugary mouthwash and then spitting it out – can help improve athletes’ achievement. Could sloshing sugar water around in your mouth and then spitting it out provide a crucial advantage for athletes? In recent years, sports scientists have found convincing evidence that a “carbohydrate mouth rinse” AKA “carb-rinsing” can help athletes perform better. Athletes lift more weight, run faster and farther, jump higher and are more focused. The possible reason for this: the brain gets fooled into thinking that the body has just been given more energy. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Run Faster

Mayor Dusch and his wife have run a marathon in all 50 states

From the Great Wall of China to the Golden Gate Bridge, from the icy banks of Antarctica to the steep sloping trails of Turkey Mountain, Debbie and Bill Dusch have run it all.

On a marathon adventure—literally—the Concord couple has raced in all 50 states plus two continents, totaling 150 events between them.

The Dusches crossed the last state off their list in Hawaii in the middle of January. But the accomplishment has been decades in the making, and they’ve managed to have a good bit of fun along the way. Bill is the Mayor of Concord, NC picked as the best city in NC by Money magazine.

(02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Fruit Juice can be nearly as bad for you as soda, what?

When you think of fruit juice, you think vitamin C and other micronutrients.. The truth is, fruit juice can be nearly as bad as soda. Sure, juice offers more nutrients than soda, but it is the high levels of fructose that you need to be concerned with. Although our bodies utilize glucose, fructose in processed in the liver where it is then converted into fat. "Something to think about," says lifetime runner Bob Anderson "But if we run enough miles I don't think we have anything to worry about." (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Strava COULD be used to identify the whereabouts of military personnel

Strava Update: The Pentagon and White House are chewing over what to do about fitness tracking apps, in wake of the news last week that a global heat map posted online by Strava could be used to identify the whereabouts and activities of military personnel, including those in conflict zones and other sensitive areas. Officials acknowledge a serious potential threat is unlikely. This is another example of the military being blindsided by the capabilities of an existing application. “We take these matters seriously, and we are reviewing the situation," says Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Robert Manning. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Want to Run In the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships? .

How many sports do you know where you can run in the World Championships without having the talent to run at near world record pace? Running the IAAF/Trinidad Alfonso World Half Marathon Championships Valencia 2018 is not only for the elite but for all runners. And the entry fee for this unique event on March 24, 2018 in Valencia Spain is only €35 ($40US). The medal for the mass race that will take place after the elite athletes’ race is pictured. The medal’s shape represents the IAAF label that is awarded to the highest level road races. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Paul Pollock is eager to get his racing shoes back on

Pollock has his first road race of 2018 next weekend at the Barcelona Half Marathon before looking ahead to the World Half Marathon Championships on 24th March in Valencia. “I can’t wait to get out on the road again after this good block of training,” says the 62:09 half marathoner. “Looking at the start list there is quite a few Irish and British athletes taking part in Barcelona, so it should be a good race. Once next weekend’s out of the way, my eyes will be firmly fixed on the World Half. (02/06/2018) ⚡AMP