The Running Story | Marathon Handbook News

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories in running. Jakob Ingebrigtsen finished fourth at the Brussels Diamond League final and called his rivals "a bunch of cowards" and we unpack the fallout. Jacob Kiplimo's half marathon world record was finally ratified by World Athletics... except it's already been passed, so it's not actually the world record anymore. Top American Clayton Young makes a bold declaration ahead of the Chicago Marathon, aiming for the American record. Plus, a developing and concerning story: Canadian skyrunner Kalie McCrystal has gone missing on the Matterhorn during a speed-record training attempt. And finally, World Athletics drops its entry lists for the Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, with a few surprising names. Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Send us a question: https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth cover a jam-packed week in the sport: Sabastian Sawe's shock withdrawal from the Berlin Marathon, a historic weekend at UTMB, the full 2026 Sydney Marathon results, and the Josh Kerr vs. Jakob Ingebrigtsen showdown that's now officially on the books. Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Send us a question: https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/

In this bonus episode of The Running Story, Michael and Jessy (reporting live from Chamonix) provide a full UTMB preview. They break down the insane three-way sprint finish at OCC (Lauren Gregory, Naomi Lang, and Sarah Alonzo separated by just 3 seconds after 60+ km), the men's OCC results, shoe and brand talk (carbon plates in trail shoes... yes or no?), and look ahead to the CCC and the UTMB grand finale: who's dropped out (Ruth Croft, Katie Scheid, Tom Evans, Jim Walmsley, Killian Jornet), who's now favored (Courtney Dauwalter, Vincent Bouillard, Caleb Olson), incoming storm warnings, and last-minute course changes. Watch the UTMB livestream free on YouTube. Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Send us a question: https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest headlines in the running world: Yomif Kejelcha's stunning half marathon world record in Buenos Aires, the Sydney Marathon's viral medal mix-up, a brutal week of UTMB withdrawals, the loaded 2026 New York City Marathon elite field, and the fallout from the Edmonton Marathon's course-length error and what it means for Boston Marathon qualifiers. Check out our full NYC Elite Field Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk2Mj1BKgy4 Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Send us a question: https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the 5 biggest stories in running: Grand Slam Track's ongoing payment scandal, a new Guinness World Record for most shirts worn in a marathon, the stacked Berlin Marathon 2026 elite fields, an early preview of the UTMB 2026 elite fields, and what the Prague Half Marathon's first-ever ballot says about the running boom. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/ Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories in the running world. The New York Road Runners have quietly added a new lottery to their guaranteed-entry 9+1 program, making it even harder to get a guaranteed bib into the New York City Marathon. Grand Slam Track founder Michael Johnson breaks his silence for the first time since the league collapsed into bankruptcy, giving his first interview since GST folded owing athletes and creditors millions of dollars. Plus: a runner just set the fastest stroller mile in history on the Guardian Mile course, a viral video shows a Mexico City Marathon bandit runner being tackled by a race official, and Cambridge sociology professor Jason Arday's wild endurance-running claims are being called into question as his academic record comes under fire. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:14 NYRR adds a new lottery to the 9+1 guaranteed-entry program for the NYC Marathon 09:29 Michael Johnson breaks his silence on Grand Slam Track's bankruptcy and collapse 17:55 New world record: the fastest mile ever run while pushing a stroller (4:17) 21:46 Viral video: Mexico City Marathon bandit runner tackled by a race official 25:39 Cambridge professor Jason Arday's wild running claims come under scrutiny 38:57 Outro Article links: marathonhandbook.com/nyrr-9plus1-eligibility-drawing-nyc-marathon marathonhandbook.com/michael-johnson-grand-slam-track-collapse marathonhandbook.com/biebelhausen-4-17-stroller-mile marathonhandbook.com/runner-knocked-down-mexico-city-marathon Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down five of the biggest stories in running: Josh Kerr's emotional "Miracle Mile 2" win at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Sophie Woods' jaw-dropping overall fastest known time (FKT) across the Via Alpina, the safe return of Brazil's missing marathoner Daniel do Nascimento, both course records falling at the brutally hot Badwater 135, and Sebastian Sawe's surprising race announcement for after Berlin. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:59 Josh Kerr wins "Miracle Mile 2" at the Commonwealth Games 5:05 Sophie Woods sets the overall Alpine FKT on the Via Alpina 9:20 Brazil's missing marathoner Daniel do Nascimento found safe 15:16 Course records fall at Badwater 135 19:34 Sebastian Sawe's surprise post-Berlin race in South Korea 23:37 Outro Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/

Boston Marathon just added a second-chance lottery for runners stuck in the qualifying gray zone... and that's just the start. This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the BAA's new 1,000-spot lottery for rejected BQ qualifiers, Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa's newly ratified world records from London (plus why Jacob Kiplimo's half marathon record is still stuck in limbo), Aurélien Sanchez's stunning new Pacific Crest Trail FKT, Hunter Woodhall's controversial disqualification at the USATF Para Outdoor Championships, and the Chamonix mayor's push to shrink UTMB after residents said they "despise" the race. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:30 Boston Marathon's new lottery for rejected BQ qualifiers, explained 10:08 Sebastian Sawe & Tigst Assefa's world records officially ratified 16:49 Aurélien Sanchez sets a new Pacific Crest Trail FKT 20:20 Hunter Woodhall disqualified at USATF Para Outdoor Championships 23:53 Chamonix's mayor wants to shrink UTMB — residents "despise" the race 32:58 Outro Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/ Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com

Jacob Kiplimo returns to defend his Chicago Marathon title, but can he break two hours without Kejelcha and Sawe pushing him like they did in London? Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the full 2026 Chicago Marathon elite field: the men's race, the wide-open women's field led by Brigid Kosgei and dark horse Sharon Lokedi, the American record chases on both sides, Galen Rupp's masters record bid, and their bold winner predictions. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: previewing the 2026 Chicago Marathon elite fields 1:05 Can Jacob Kiplimo run sub-2 in Chicago? 3:10 Men's elite field breakdown (Kiprotich, Mengesha, Mateiko, Takele) 5:15 The Nike Alphafly 4 shoe story 6:58 American men's record chase: Hicks, Maury, Clayton Young 9:10 Galen Rupp's masters record bid 10:13 Women's elite field: Brigid Kosgei headlines 11:00 Why Sharon Lokedi could be the real favorite 14:30 Hellen Obiri, Ruth Chepngetich and the tainted world record 16:30 American women: Sarah Hall, Des Linden chase the masters record 19:41 Susanna Sullivan and the top American storylines 20:57 Predictions: women's race winner 22:57 Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com 👉 Tell us in the comments: does Kiplimo run sub-2, and who wins the women's race?

Josh Kerr just did the unthinkable: he broke the men's mile world record in London, erasing Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old mark. Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the race, plus the rest of this week's biggest stories in running: Keely Hodgkinson's statement win (and new Nike collection), Conner and Kylie Mantz welcoming their first child days after Kylie's jaw-dropping pregnant mile, a new study linking ADHD and endurance running, and the controversial new broadcast rules shaking up European track and field. Jesse also reveals her results from an all-out 1K time trial attempt. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:47 Josh Kerr breaks the mile world record in London 7:41 Keely Hodgkinson's huge 800m win + new Nike collection 13:11 Conner & Kylie Mantz welcome their first child 16:54 New study links ADHD and endurance running 20:01 Europe's controversial new track & field broadcast rules 27:25 Jessy's all-out 1K time trial result Articles Links: https://marathonhandbook.com/hodgkinson-broeders-bol-london-800m/ https://marathonhandbook.com/kylie-mantz-baby-william/ https://marathonhandbook.com/kylie-mantz-pregnant-mile/ https://marathonhandbook.com/keely-hodgkinson-nike-signature-collection/ https://marathonhandbook.com/ebu-womens-athletics-coverage-guidelines/

Courtney Dauwalter breaks her own Hardrock 100 course record while sick on the trail, and Ludo Pommeret wins his third straight at age 50. Eliud Kipchoge’s seven continent world tour rolls through Brazil. Emmanuel Wanyonyi breaks a 1K world record that stood since 1999. Barkley founder Laz Lake voids two backyard ultra world records. And Jessy went down a Strava rabbit hole to find out which Tour de France riders and World Cup players actually run, including one stat about Lionel Messi that will change how you watch him. Drop your prediction in the comments: Jessy is running an all-out 1K this week. Guess her time! Chapters: 00:00 This week’s stories snapshot 03:40 Hardrock 100: two course records and a brutal day for Dauwalter 08:50 Kipchoge’s world tour stops in Brazil 14:31 A 1K world record falls after 27 years 18:41 Laz Lake voids the backyard ultra world records 22:50 Do Tour de France riders and World Cup players actually run? 26:43 The Messi stat 30:33 Big announcement: a second episode every week Read Jessy’s reporting on all of this week’s stories at marathonhandbook.com Articles referenced: https://marathonhandbook.com/kipchoge-porto-alegre-world-tour/ https://marathonhandbook.com/how-fifa-players-train-lessons-for-runners/ https://marathonhandbook.com/world-cup-players-strava-census/ https://marathonhandbook.com/tour-de-france-riders-who-run/ https://marathonhandbook.com/pommeret-hardrock-100-third-win/ https://marathonhandbook.com/wanyonyi-1000m-world-record/ https://marathonhandbook.com/running-with-partner-vs-alone/ Subscribe to The Running Story podcast feed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave us a five star rating and review!

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down five huge stories from the running world: 7-Eleven's lawsuit against Nike over a suspiciously familiar Air Max 95 colorway, Eliud Kipchoge's wife Grace Segut lining up for her second marathon, an American's jaw-dropping sub-2:30 marathon workout on a Planet Fitness treadmill, the new "lactate gel" fueling technology taking over marathons and the Tour de France, and the stacked elite fields just announced for the December Valencia Marathon. Chapters: 0:00 This Week's Biggest Running Stories 1:27 7-Eleven Sues Nike Over Air Max 95 "Slurpee" Colorway 4:34 Kipchoge's Wife Grace Segut Returns for Porto Alegre Marathon 7:25 Sub-2:30 Marathon... on a Treadmill?! Vincent Morey's Wild Workout 12:14 Lactate Gels Explained: The New Marathon Fueling Hack 19:25 Valencia Marathon 2026 Elite Field: Tigst Assefa, John Korir & More 25:50 Your Predictions & Final Thoughts Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Let us know in the comments: would you try a lactate gel in your next race, and who do you think comes out on top in Valencia this fall?

Valencia just dropped its elite headliners for the December 2026 marathon, and it might be the biggest race of the year. Thomas Watson and Jessy Carveth break down why Valencia, not a World Marathon Major, has become the sport's premier speed showcase, built around a €1 million bonus for anyone who breaks the world record. On the men's side, Yomif Kejelcha (runner-up to Sebastian Sawe's sub-2 in London) is set for a showdown with defending champion John Korir, fresh off his Boston course record. Alexander Mutiso and Dawit Wolde lurk as dark horses. On the women's side, all eyes are on Fotyen Tesfay, who ran the second-fastest marathon in history (2:10:51) in her Barcelona debut, and defending champ Joyciline Jepkosgei. Thomas and Jessy dig into the tech arms race (super shoes, lactate gels), why organizer Juan Roig (the billionaire behind Mercadona) has built Valencia around pure speed instead of major-marathon spectacle, and why Nike's biggest names are notably absent from the field. Plus: quick-fire predictions, and Thomas reveals he's got his own bib for race day. The Valencia Marathon takes place December 6, 2026. Chapters: 00:00 Why Valencia could be the race of 2026 00:50 Valencia announces its elite headliners 02:25 Setting up a Kejelcha vs. Korir showdown 04:08 Two near-misses with marathon history 05:15 How Kejelcha is building toward December 06:17 Super shoes, lactate gels and the tech arms race 07:28 Dark horse alert: Alexander Mutiso 08:16 The women's field: Fotyen Tesfay chases the world record 09:41 Wiping the slate clean on a tainted world record 10:37 Why Valencia isn't chasing World Major status 11:34 Juan Roig's €1M bonus and his dream for the city 12:16 Meet Juan Roig, the "Sam Walton of Spain" 13:57 Pure racing over spectacle — and a new ballot system 16:30 Quick-fire predictions: the men's race 17:25 Quick-fire predictions: the women's race 18:21 Will more big names join before the October field release? 19:01 Nike's curious absence from the elite list 20:03 Thomas's own Valencia bib, and closing thoughts Jessy's Interview: https://marathonhandbook.com/inside-the-two-year-courtship-that-brought-yomif-kejelcha-to-the-valencia-marathon/

The 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon just dropped its elite fields and it's the deepest lineup in the race's history. Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down every big name in the men's and women's fields, the biggest storylines heading into Sydney's second year as a World Marathon Major, and their way-too-early predictions for who wins on August 30. Reigning world champions Alphonce Simbu (Tanzania) and Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) headline both fields, going up against defending champion Hailemaryam Kiros, course-record chaser Sisay Lemma, and a stacked chase pack. Michael and Jessy dig into whether Sydney's 2:06:06 and 2:18:22 course records are about to fall, why this field proves Sydney is maturing into a true World Marathon Major, and why the Sydney Opera House finish line might be the most beautiful in the sport. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Sydney's Deepest Elite Field Yet 1:16 Men's Field: Sisay Lemma, Simbu & the Depth Chart 6:44 Men's Storyline: Is the Course Record in Danger? 7:44 Women's Field: Peres Jepchirchir Headlines 13:46 Women's Storyline: Why Jepchirchir Is the Favorite 15:00 Big Picture: Sydney Matures as a World Marathon Major 18:13 Best-Case Scenario for Race Organizers 20:30 Growing Australia's Elite Marathon Pipeline 23:00 Chasing Faster Times: Comparing the Majors 24:21 The Most Beautiful Finish Line in the Majors? 29:40 Way-Too-Early Predictions: Who Wins Sydney? 33:00 Outro & How to Follow Our Sydney Coverage

Another big week in running news! Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the wild weekend at the Western States 100 where Vincent Bouillard became the first man under 14 hours and Jen Lichter took down Courtney Dauwalter's course record in her 100-mile debut. Plus: new Backyard Ultra world records out of Russia, the first-ever marathon held inside an IKEA store, the IOC's new $10,000 athlete grant program, and Tokyo Marathon's record-breaking $170,000 prize purse. Read our op-ed on the IOC president here: https://marathonhandbook.com/opinion-kristy-coventry-ioc-president-seb-coe-putin-bach/ Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Michael and Jessy swap continents 0:55 This week's top stories 2:11 Western States 100: Bouillard's sub-14-hour record 3:53 Jen Lichter's stunning 100-mile debut course record 8:00 Backyard Ultra world records broken in Russia 13:00 First official IKEA Marathon sells out 18:18 IOC's $10,000 athlete grants — hot take 23:44 Tokyo Marathon's record $170K prize purse and bigger field 27:40 Bonus: new podcast feed + Paris Diamond League recap

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break down the five biggest stories in the running world including a scary medical emergency involving one of the greatest track runners of all time, a jaw-dropping performance from an eighth grader, a Dutch marathon canceled over a fake paramedic scam, and why Berlin 2026 is shaping up to be the most anticipated marathon of the fall season. Chapters: 0:00 Intro — Top 5 Running Stories of the Week 1:27 Harry Styles Donates to Charity Runner Lawrence Dennis 5:15 8th Grader Luke Surface Runs World Best 5K (14:25) at Hayward Field 8:16 Dutch Sneak Marathon Canceled — Fake Paramedic Scam Exposed 12:32 Tigst Assefa Returns to Berlin to Chase the Women's Marathon World Record 20:40 Jenny Simpson's Medical Emergency at Sir Walter Miler — Latest Update 23:58 The Running Story Is Getting Its Own Podcast Feed

The 2027 London Marathon has officially confirmed it will become a two-day event and Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth are breaking it all down in an emergency episode of The Running Story by Marathon Handbook. On Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, 2027, London will host 100,000 runners across two days on the same course, making it the largest marathon event in history and the biggest fundraising event in UK sporting history. Chapters: 0:00 — Breaking news: London Marathon goes to two days 1:09 — What's confirmed: dates, format, course & ballot details 2:26 — Why London made this move (1.33M applicants) 5:19 — The logistics challenge & why it's framed as a one-off 7:26 — Unanswered questions: charity bibs & international quotas 9:08 — Elite field pressure after the historic sub-2 hour marathon 9:57 — A landmark moment for women's marathon coverage 12:03 — Elite wish lists: who needs to race London 2027 13:46 — The money behind running two World Marathon Major days 15:00 — One-and-done or permanent? Jessy's take 16:26 — Will New York, Chicago & other majors follow? 19:13 — Audience question & wrap-up

A 13-year-old from Utah just broke a mile world record that had stood since 1973. Plus: Olympic triathlon gold medalists are hitting the track, a runner completed every single street in Chicago, Yomif Kejelcha could break the half marathon world record in Buenos Aires and the marathon lottery crisis is getting very real. Chapters: 0:00 — Intro & show announcements 2:53 — Story 1: 13-year-old Angelina Alder breaks 53-year-old mile world record 5:13 — Story 2: Olympic triathlon champions Alex Yee & Cassandre Beaugrand go to the track 7:35 — Story 3: Joabe Barbosa runs every street in Chicago (4,000 miles in 680 days) 12:00 — Story 4: Yomif Kejelcha targets half marathon world record in Buenos Aires 15:40 — Story 5: The marathon lottery crisis — Copenhagen, London & what's next 20:38 — Outro

It's official, and it's historic: the Cape Town Marathon has been named the 8th Abbott World Marathon Major — the first ever on the continent of Africa. In this surprise emergency episode, Michael Doyle and news editor Jesse Carveth break down the announcement the running world saw coming but couldn't stop talking about (00:37). They walk the full eight-major calendar from Tokyo to New York (01:28), make the case for why Africa was long overdue given that roughly 80% of the world's top 50 marathoners come from the continent (02:23), and explain what the new eight-star medal — and the provisional star for 2025 and 2026 entrants — means for star chasers (03:26). From there, the guys trace Cape Town's meteoric rise from ~16,000 to nearly 30,000 runners (03:59), revisit the brutal 2025 cancellation when severe winds stopped the race roughly 90 minutes before the gun (04:50), and unpack the 2027 ballot — open June 10, closing June 24 — including the decision to reserve two-thirds of entries for African runners (05:55). They dig into the Sanlam sponsorship extension (07:20) and ask the question on everyone's mind: with London drawing 1.4 million applicants, could Cape Town become the single hardest World Marathon Major to get into (08:20)? The conversation gets into the real reason so few races can join the club — the staggering cost of becoming a major, with even Valencia admitting it can't afford the leap (09:32) — plus entry prices (~$220 international vs. ~$48 local), Kipchoge's role as the ultimate ambassador, and how Cape Town defines its own character as a major (11:06). Finally, Michael and Jesse debate whether expansion waters down the brand or makes it truly global (16:18), and look ahead to Shanghai as the near-certain 9th major and the race for the 10th — South America, India, or the Middle East (19:30). They close on the big question: how long can the running boom keep this snowball rolling (22:31)? New episodes of The Running Story drop every Monday afternoon.

This week on The Running Story, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth dig into five stories you need to know about: from a politically charged threat to two iconic American road races, to a milestone 22 years in the making, to an elite marathoner trading the roads for a near-vertical mountain race. Chapters: 0:00 — Intro & New Independent Podcast Feed Announcement 2:42 — Story 1: Trump Golf Course Threatens Marine Corps Marathon & Cherry Blossom 10 Miler 6:19 — Story 2: Darren Wood Completes 1,000 Parkruns (a World First!) 10:10 — Story 3: California International Marathon Doubling to 40,000 Runners in 2027 13:46 — Story 4: Rory Linkletter's Elite Trail Debut at Broken Arrow Ascent 17:57 — Story 5: Running Speed Dating in Wales