Mohammed Ahmed video interview – Canada’s 5000m World Champs bronze medalist
Canada's Mohammed Ahmed (born January 5, 1991) won a bronze medal in the 5000 m at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, making him the first Canadian to medal in the event. He is a two-time silver medalist at the Commonwealth Games in...
Celia Sullohern Stripped to the Core
When Celia Sullohern finished 21st in the junior women’s race at the world cross-country championships in Punta Umbria, you didn’t have to be Einstein to discern an emerging talent.
In a race won by Olympic and world champion 1500 metres gold medalist Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, Sullohern was one of a few – very few – to mix it with the dominant east African runners. She was not the most stylish of movers, but she was strong and efficient, excellent credentials for cross-country.
And, as it turns out, excellent credentials for the marathon, too. Kipchoge or Moneghetti-like rhythm is an undeniable asset for a marathoner, but strength and efficiency will take you very far indeed. Did someone say Clayton? Or de Castella?
Did I miss something?
A column by Len Johnson - Runner's Tribe
When I boarded a plane bound for Alice Springs a couple of weeks ago, the following things held true: no-one had run a marathon in under two hours; Paula Radcliffe’s world record marathon remained almost a full...
Breaking New Ground – The Life & Training of Brigid Kosgei
Paula Radcliffe’s world marathon record was considered by many as one of the hardest world records of them all. The Briton’s mark of 2hr 15min 25sec had stood unchallenged for 16 years. In steps Kosgei, and boom, that once insurmountable time has been slashed by 81 seconds .
Kosgei is also the fastest woman ever over the half marathon distance with her 64:28 at the Great North Run, although the race is not an official course and the time is therefore not classed as a world record.
Back to the marathon. Wearing Nike’s ZoomX Vaporfly Next% running shoes the 25-year-old Kosgei bounced her way to 2hr 14min 4sec – a time that was once considered impossible.
Astoundingly, Kosgei believes that she could can go quicker. “I think 2:10 is possible for a lady. I am focused on reducing my time again.”
Workout Any Day Series S2 E9 Featuring Perth Track and Field Club
Perth Track and Field Club was established in 2016 and is home some of Australia's finest athletes. Film-maker Tom Giles of Crank’d Media covered their process to create the next episode of RT’s Workout Any Day series.
Learn more here: https://www.perthtrackandfield.com/
‘Deeks’ de Master: Rob de Castella Interview
It took a little longer to convince the world, but no-one who saw Robert de Castella’s debut marathon had any doubt this was a champion in the making.
For 32 kilometres, de Castella – ‘Deek’, as we knew him – followed his coach Pat Clohessy’s advice to “relax and enjoy yourself.”
At that point, ‘Deek’ realised he had plenty left. From that point, each succeeding mile was quicker than the previous one. The 22-year-old debutant came home with a sub-30 minute final 10km for a winning time of two hours 14 minutes 44 seconds.
First Aussie under 2:10: Training of Derek Clayton
Clayton’s marathon career brought wins in some of the world’s most prestigious marathons but no Olympic or Commonwealth medals. Despite the absence of precious metals, however, this was no ordinary career.
Of his 22 marathons, Clayton won 14. Included in those wins was Fukuoka in 1967, one of the occasions on which Derek Clayton very definitely smashed the marathon. He ran the classic distance on this classic course in 2:09:36.4, becoming the first man to break 2:12, 2:11 and 2:10, all in the one race.
Less than 18 months later, Clayton ran even faster – 2:08:33.6 in Antwerp. This performance stood as a world best until Rob de Castella ran 2:08:18 at Fukuoka more than 12 years later.
Runner’s Tribe, in the book Australian Marathon Stars, interviewed Clayton and detail. Below are some nuggets of gold.
Salazar, Trump, and Trial by Norms
I mean, let’s be serious for a second. If the sport really thought what he was doing was wrong, why didn’t they change the goddamn rules?
But here’s the rub. The sport’s entire existence is predicated on a set of norms. Those norms must be enforced. So he was found guilty of minor infractions and given a punishment for “conduct unbecoming a coach.”
Put another way, they didn’t ban him for his infractions, they banned him to set an example that some norms are not to be challenged.
I’m fine with this. Salazar was violating the central norms that make track and field a viable sport. He knew this full well. He also knew people would come after him and he knew one step over the line could be the end. He did it anyway. Salazar got what he should have known was coming to him.
Where Are the Medals? – Written by Australian 50km record holder Mark Tucker
Where Are the Medals?
Written by Mark Tucker - Runner's Tribe
In the 51 years since the Mexico Olympics in 1968, Australia has won a total of four medals, from the 800m upwards, in a World Athletics Championship or Olympic Games. That’s male and female combined...
Runner’s Tribe Workout Any Day Season 1 with Olympic marathoner Milly Clark
Now for members only - Milly Clark is one of Australia's fastest woman ever over the marathon distance. RT caught up with Milly in 2016 to cover her process.
Music by The Passion Hifi. Note: Used with permission