LATEST RUNNING AND MARATHON NEWS
September 24, 2020
Another Kenyan marathon runner banned for evading drugs tests.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned a Kenyan athlete who ran from drugs testers and then jumped over a fence to get away - taking the number of athletes from the East African country currently serving suspensions to 66. Read more on Inside the Games.
September 17, 2020
Former track and field boss gets two years in prison
Former track federation president Lamine Diack was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for corruption during his nearly 16-year tenure at the IAAF, most notably a scheme that allowed Russian athletes who paid millions in hush money to keep competing when they should have been suspended for doping. Read more on...
September 16, 2020
London Marathon to cut prize fund by nearly half for next month’s race.
The London Marathon is to cut its prize fund for next month’s race by nearly half because of the financial hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year organizers awarded $313,000 in prize money to elite athletes, with another $850,000 up for grabs in time bonuses. However, for the first time there will be a...
August 15, 2020
Nike’s controversial Vaporfly shoes make runners faster — so runners sponsored by other brands are blacking them out to wear in secret
Research suggests the Vaporfly soles give runners more energetic efficiency: at least a 4% boost over shoes from competing brands. Some runners sponsored by other brands have worn the shoes, but blacked out the Nike logo and neon colors with marker so it isn't visible. Read more on Business Insider.
August 13, 2020
Runner breaks European record, disqualified for wearing NEXT% shoes
Sondre Moen of Norway broke the European one hour track record, running over 21K in an hour and clocking 56:53 in the 20,000m en route, another national record. Unfortunately, the new World Athletics shoe rules had already taken effect, and the shoes he wore disqualified him, and his record did...
August 6, 2020
London Marathon becomes elite-only race running laps in St James’s Park.
This year’s London Marathon, which had been pushed back from April to October, will no longer be a mass-participation event. An elite-only, crowd-free race will be staged instead, with athletes running 19.8 laps of a looped course in St James’s Park on October 4. Read more on The Guardian.
July 28, 2020
Rich Harshbarger steps down as CEO of Running USA
After being CEO of Running USA for six years, Rich exits his post effective August 1, 2020. Read more on RunningUSA.
July 21, 2020
New York Road Runners lays off 11 percent of its workforce
New York Road Runners, the nation’s largest nonprofit running association, announced on July 21 that it is laying off 11 percent of its workforce and furloughing another 28 percent, as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the running industry. The moves affect 91 of the organization’s 229 employees—65 were furloughed and 26...
July 9, 2020
With pandemic keeping them apart, runners embrace virtual races
Some coaches and race organizers have innovated after being forced to scrap plans for prestigious track meets, massive marathons and the Tokyo Olympics. They’re making the best of a time without in-person competition by hosting virtual races and pitting runners in different states — or even continents — against each...
July 9, 2020
The interesting COVID-19 workaround of the Sierre-Zinal race
Instead of cancelling, organizers will allow runners a 33-day period to run the race individually in person so social distancing can be maintained. The famous Sierre-Zinal, which is part of the Salomon Golden Trail World Series, takes runners through the Swiss Alps, and the course features more than 2,000m of elevation gain. Read more...
