In the men’s race, Tsegay Weldlibanos, competing as an asylum athlete originally from Eritrea, claimed victory with a blistering time of 2:07:35. This time not only earned him the title but also broke Jerry Lawson’s long-standing course record of 2:10:27, which had stood for an impressive 31 years. Weldlibanos’s victory was made even more remarkable by his near-three-minute margin over the previous record. Runner-up CJ Albertson of Fresno, Calif., also finished under the former record at 2:10:06, securing second place. Albertson's ability to maintain such a high level of consistency in 2024, finishing every marathon under 2:11, highlighted his remarkable endurance.
The 2024 IAU 100k World Championships, held in Bengaluru, India, witnessed exceptional performances from Japan’s Jumpei Yamaguchi and France’s Floriane Hot. Yamaguchi triumphed in the men’s race with an impressive time of 6:12:17, while Hot defended her 2022 title in the women’s event, finishing in 7:08:43. The race, held on December 7, 2024, took place under challenging conditions marked by high humidity and rising temperatures, which made for a thrilling but demanding contest.
Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulting sensation, is redefining greatness. After a record-shattering 2024 season, where he clinched Olympic gold and broke his own world record three times, Duplantis is back in training, hungry for more success. Despite a dream year, the 24-year-old athlete is laser-focused on maintaining his dominance in 2025.
Fifteen-year-old Divine Iheme has set the athletics world alight with a blistering 6.76-second run in the 60m at the BFTTA Indoor Series in Lee Valley on October 7. Slashing his personal best from 6.94, the teenager is now just 0.07 seconds shy of Mark Lewis-Francis’ 1999 British U18 record of 6.69. A record-breaking winter could also make him the fastest 15-year-old over 60m globally, surpassing the 6.74-second mark held by American J-Mee Samuels since 2003.
A former University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) women’s track and field athlete has accused coaches of sexual misconduct and fostering an unsafe environment. Kira Lindner, a 21-year-old hammer and discus thrower from Chappaqua, N.Y., shared allegations of inappropriate comments and non-consensual physical contact in her time with the team. Despite reporting the behavior to head coach Steve Dolan, Lindner claims her concerns were disregarded, leaving her unsupported and vulnerable.
Storm Darragh swept through the UK over the weekend (December 7–8), forcing the cancellation of several major cross-country events. High winds, exceeding 40mph in some areas, posed safety risks that left organisers with no choice but to call off competitions. The cancellations included the South of England Inter-Counties and Masters Cross Country Championships in Croydon and the English Schools Cross Country Cup in Leeds.
On a warm, windy morning in Toronto, Canadian marathon stars Natasha Wodak and Andrew Alexander delivered remarkable victories at the BlackToe Holiday 10K, setting new course records in the process. The event, which celebrated athletic excellence and community support, also raised an impressive $54,000 for Centre 55, a local charity providing crucial holiday assistance to families.
Graham Blanks, a two-time NCAA cross-country champion and 5,000m American Olympian, has officially turned professional, signing with New Balance. The Harvard standout’s decision follows a year of extraordinary achievements, including a historic Olympic debut in Paris and a groundbreaking track performance that has further established him as one of the brightest stars in U.S. distance running.
At just 16 years old, Australian track prodigy Gout Gout has made history by breaking one of the nation’s most revered athletic records. Competing at the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane, Gout delivered an electrifying performance in the 200m final, clocking 20.04 seconds.
Eldoret, Kenya – December 7: Ugandan rising star Loice Chekwemoi and Kenyan talent Samwel Chebolei Masai clinched stunning victories at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country. This World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event drew thousands of spectators eager to witness elite competition in the heart of Kenya's running hub.
