Andrew Buchanan is gearing up for a career-defining moment at the Valencia Marathon this Sunday. With a breakout year behind him and whispers of Australian record potential, the 33-year-old Olympian stands ready to challenge himself on one of the world’s fastest courses. Whether he claims Brett Robinson’s 2:07:31 record or faces the sport’s unrelenting trials, Buchanan’s fearless approach defines his journey.
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.”
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to compensate athletes affected by doping-related disqualifications in its events, addressing decades of unresolved prize money disputes. Starting January 2025, the program will issue payments to athletes re-ranked due to disqualifications dating back to 1986, the year prize money was introduced to the Boston Marathon.
The Zurich Marathon San Sebastián, one of Spain’s most iconic running events, was cancelled on Sunday due to hazardous weather conditions. High winds, recorded at 93 km/h and forecasted to exceed 120 km/h, forced organizers to prioritize safety, announcing the cancellation less than 24 hours before the race. Over 12,000 participants from 63 countries had planned to run the 46th edition of this celebrated marathon.
World Athletics is paving the way for a revolutionary shift in sports by proposing a World Treadmill Championships. This innovative event aims to unite gym enthusiasts and competitive athletes under the umbrella of athletics, redefining how people engage with the sport.
Niels Laros, the Dutch teenage sensation, demonstrated his incredible range and endurance by clinching the senior men’s 10km title at the Warandeloop in Tilburg on Sunday. Competing in this World Athletics Cross Country Tour Silver event, the 19-year-old executed a flawless strategy, patiently navigating the flat yet winding course before surging into the lead on the final lap. Laros crossed the finish line in an impressive 29:35, leading a Dutch 1-2-3, with Abdirahman Mohamed (29:42) and Nik Lemmink (29:44) completing the podium.
Kenyan middle-distance legend Faith Kipyegon has added a prestigious honor to her already exceptional career. On Wednesday, the University of Eldoret awarded Kipyegon an honorary doctorate degree in education, recognizing her groundbreaking achievements in athletics. The honor highlights her remarkable success as a female athlete and her contribution to inspiring generations of runners, especially after her return to elite competition following the birth of her daughter in 2018.
Sefton Park in Liverpool hosted the Euro Cross trials on November 23, bringing together some of Britain’s finest athletes in a thrilling display of endurance and determination. Facing relentless rain and muddy terrain, competitors battled for a coveted spot on Team GB for the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya, Turkey, on December 8. The day saw extraordinary performances, with Kate Axford and Tomer Tarragano seizing commanding victories in the senior races, while junior and under-23 stars cemented their places as future cross-country icons.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti and Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera delivered stunning performances at the Cross Internacional de la Constitución on Sunday, November 24. This premier race, part of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold series, saw Battocletti dominate the women’s 8.04km event, while Kwizera extended his winning streak with a historic third consecutive victory in the men’s race.
Edwin Kurgat of Kenya and Emily Venters from the United States took top honours at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
