In recent years, the running world has seen a seismic shift in footwear technology, most acutely impacting the elite level. Long-standing world records are continually getting shattered, athletes are getting faster, and qualifying standards keep getting lowered. Advancements in materials innovation have paved the way for a new landscape of ‘super shoes’, where runners are opting for higher stack, more cushioned, and more propulsive racing shoes.
Kenya’s Samwel Mailu smashed the nine year-old course record of the Vienna City Marathon. When he stormed over the finish line at the Vienna Burgtheater in 2:05:08 Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen held the finishing tape. Despite warm conditions during the second half of the race the 30 year-old was 33 seconds quicker than the former course record holder Getu Feleke of Ethiopia who had clocked 2:05:41 back in 2014. Fellow Kenyans Bethwell Yegon and Titus Kimutai followed with 2:06:57 and 2:07:46 in second and third.
Bernard Koech of Kenya won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg with a course record of 2:04:09. The 35-year-old tied his personal best and is now the fourth fastest runner in the world this year. Fellow-Kenyans Joshua Belet and Martin Kosgei took second and third with 2:04:33 and 2:06:18 respectively. Germany’s European Champion Richard Ringer finished in a strong sixth position with a personal best of 2:08:08 which is just inside the Olympic qualifying time.
Bendigo based marathon runner Andy Buchanan has clocked 2:10.20 at the Hamburg Marathon over the weekend.
Very fast times and thrilling races are expected at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg on Sunday. Just a year after Yalemzerf Yehualaw set a sensational course record of 2:17:23, which at that time was an unofficial world debut record as well, a fellow-Ethiopian will be at the start line, hoping to smash the mark: 20 year-old Tiruye Mesfin announced at the press conference in Hamburg that she targets a world-class time of sub 2:17. Brazil’s Daniel do Nascimento is among the men’s favorites. The South American record holder wants to bounce back after disaster struck in New York in November. After taking the European marathon gold in Munich in sensational style last summer Hamburg will be the first race at the classic distance for Germany’s Richard Ringer. Around 12,000 runners have registered for the marathon event while the total number including shorter races is over 30,000.
The course record and the Austrian record could be under threat at Sunday’s Vienna City Marathon and with them two major barriers that are ten minutes apart. While the current course best stands at 2:20:59 and an attack on that might lead to a first sub 2:20 winning time in the history of the Vienna City Marathon, no Austrian woman has ever run under 2:30. A strong group of Kenyan runners are the favorites with four of them featuring personal bests of sub 2:24. Close to her hometown Julia Mayer hopes to write Austrian marathon history on Sunday.
This week’s episode of the Inside Running podcast is proudly sponsored by ASICS.
Energise your runs with their SUPERBLAST™ shoe, stacked with their bounciest, lightest FF BLAST™ TURBO foam technology for a supercharged ride.
Visit www.asics.com.au or your specialty running store to grab your pair today.
Brad rolls another big week notching up 155ks for...
With the increased popularity of CBD products, online retailers have jumped on board, making them easier to purchase. Shopping online for Cannabidiol can be convenient and offers a broader range of products than most local stores can carry. New companies are constantly emerging, so it's essential to do your...
(Sydney, 20 April 2023) Registrations are open for Australia’s most spectacular athletic event, the Sydney Marathon, returning to Sydney’s stunning shores on Sunday 17 September 2023. Thousands of participants of all fitness levels will hit the world’s most picturesque course, to run, walk and wheel across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge...
Trail running training is challenging and can be particularly difficult for beginners who struggle with steep ascents and for seasoned runners who are at risk of injury due to fast downhills and muscle overload. Balancing volume, vertical meters, speed workouts, cross-training, and strength sessions is essential for success in trail running, but finding the right balance can be a daunting task.
