Samwel Mailu was glued to the TV screen in Kenya when in October 2019 his idol Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon barrier in Vienna’s Prater Park. The sensational achievement made worldwide headlines. It was exactly on the same stretch of road in the Prater, where Samwel Mailu broke away from his remaining rivals on Sunday during the 40th Vienna City Marathon. “But I did not think about Eliud at this moment as I was not aware that it was exactly on this road where he was running in 2019,“ said Samwel Mailu. With around 10 kilometers left in the race, the 30-year-old went on to break the nine-year-old course record of the Vienna City Marathon with a time of 2:05:08 in warm conditions.
Kenya, known for its formidable presence in marathon running, has revealed the initial list of 20 athletes as a part of its preliminary squad for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The lineup boasts esteemed names such as Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir, both previous Olympic champions.
Halimah Nakaayi, Uganda’s 800m world champion from 2019, is using her influence to champion the fight against gender-based violence. On November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, she launched a powerful awareness campaign in collaboration with Uganda Athletics. The centerpiece is a striking video that contrasts her athletic triumphs with the harsh reality many women face, carrying the message: “On the track, she runs for gold… At home, she runs for her life.”
Renowned long-distance runners, Kara Goucher and Des Linden, recently discussed the impact of carbon-plated sneakers, also known as "super shoes," on the sport of running. The duo hosts a podcast called Nobody Asked Us, where they delve into various topics related to running. In a recent episode, they shared their thoughts on youth athletes using these high-tech shoes.
John Korir, of Kenya has achieved a long-anticipated victory at the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, crossing the finish line with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 44 seconds. This personal best time not only secured Korir his first Chicago title but also ranked as the second-fastest marathon finish in history, trailing only the world record set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
After surgery for appendicitis, marathoner Molly Seidel is gradually returning to her routine while focusing on long-term goals.
In an astounding twist of events, the 2024 Boston Marathon is witnessing an exceptional surge in interest, smashing previous records for participant applications. Recently, the Boston Marathon Association (B.A.A) disclosed that out of a staggering 33,058 entries received, an impressive 22,019 determined athletes have successfully secured their positions in the highly anticipated race.
Both course records could become a target at the Vienna City Marathon, which features strong elite races on 24th April. Kenyans Leonard Langat and Vibian Chepkirui will return to defend their Vienna titles while there are three men on the start list who have broken 2:06 and five women featuring personal bests of sub 2:25.
Richmond, UK - The organizers of Richmond Runfest have issued a formal apology following their unexpected decision to cancel the marathon segment of the event, leaving over 1,000 dedicated runners to navigate grueling 30-degree Celsius heat on the course.
