Running News Daily

The USATF Cross Country Championships is this Saturday in Tallahassee, Florida, with 10K races for both men and women. There's no world cross country championship to qualify for this year but a national title is on the line. Both the men’s and women’s field look very strong. Jordan Hasay and Galen Ruff are scheduled to run however neither have run cross country in over five years. Racing on the road is a lot different than cross country. Update - Jordan twitted Friday night that she won't be running because of a hard week of marathon training for Boston.

Irish athletics is mourning the devastating loss of Ciara Mageean, who has died at the age of 34 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mageean, one of Ireland’s most accomplished middle-distance runners, passed away at 6:30 a.m. surrounded by her loved ones, according to a statement shared by her family on social media.

“At 6.30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones,” the statement read. “A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.”

The message concluded with the Irish blessing: “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”

Born in Portaferry, County Down, on 12 March 1992, Mageean built an exceptional career in the 1500m, combining remarkable talent with resilience through years of injuries and setbacks.

Her defining sporting moment came at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, where she finally claimed the major outdoor title that had eluded her. In a fiercely contested 1500m final, Mageean produced a powerful finish to win gold in 4:04.66, completing a remarkable European medal collection after bronze in 2016 and silver in 2022.

That victory was the culmination of years of perseverance. Mageean had already established herself among Ireland’s leading middle-distance athletes, representing her country at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She was also selected for Paris 2024, but an Achilles injury prevented her from taking part in the 1500m.

Her achievements extended beyond the European Championships. Mageean won silver in the 1500m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and finished fourth at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She also collected European indoor bronze in 2019 and established herself as a record-holder across several distances.

Her personal best of 3:55.87 in the 1500m, set in 2023, remains an Irish national record, while she also held Irish records for 800m, 1000m and the mile.

But Mageean’s legacy reaches far beyond times, medals and championship results. Her career was defined by determination, openness and an ability to inspire people through the difficult moments as much as the triumphs.

In July 2025, Mageean publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer. Even as she confronted an extraordinarily difficult chapter away from the track, she continued to demonstrate the courage and spirit that had defined her athletic career.

Her death brings an extraordinarily accomplished sporting life to a heartbreaking end at just 34.

From Portaferry to the Olympic Games and ultimately the top step of the European podium, Mageean left an indelible mark on Irish athletics. Her European title in Rome will remain one of the defining moments of her career, but so too will the resilience she showed throughout a journey marked by adversity.

Ciara Mageean leaves behind a legacy that extends well beyond the 1500m. She was an Olympian, a European champion, a national record-holder and, above all, an inspiration to countless people who followed her journey.

Ciara Mageean, 1992–2026. Her name will remain part of Irish athletics history.

Kenya’s Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba produced a remarkable performance at the 48th Istanbul Marathon, winning the men’s race in a dramatic finish and smashing the course record in the process.

Kipchumba crossed the line in 2:08:44.9, holding off Ethiopia’s Sufaro Woliyi Kebeto, who finished just 10 seconds behind in 2:08:54.7. Kenya’s Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh completed the podium in 2:08:57.7, with all three athletes breaking 2:09 in a fiercely contested race.

The victory also saw Kipchumba erase the previous Istanbul Marathon course record of 2:09:44, set by fellow Kenyan Daniel Kibet in 2019. His performance improved the long-standing mark by almost one minute and added another significant achievement to Kenya’s rich marathon tradition.

The race remained closely fought deep into the closing stages, with Kipchumba, Kebeto and Ronoh separated by only seconds. Kipchumba ultimately produced the decisive finish to claim the title on one of the most distinctive marathon courses in the world.

The Istanbul Marathon, famous for connecting two continents, takes runners from the Asian side of the city across the Bosphorus and into European Istanbul before the finish near the historic Sultanahmet area. The unique setting once again provided the backdrop for a memorable day of elite marathon racing.

The women’s race delivered an equally dominant performance from Ethiopia, with Kasanesh Ayenew Baze leading an Ethiopian sweep of the podium.

Ayenew Baze won in 2:24:40.6, finishing seven seconds ahead of compatriot Azmera Abreha Gdey, who recorded 2:24:47.2. Diribe Hirko Alemu completed the podium in 2:25:00.6, giving Ethiopia all three medals.

Hirko’s performance was particularly notable as she was making her marathon debut, immediately announcing herself with a 2:25 clocking and a place among the leading finishers.

The 48th edition of the Istanbul Marathon thus belonged to two of East Africa’s great distance-running nations. Kenya took the men’s title and course record through Kipchumba, while Ethiopia delivered a commanding clean sweep in the women’s race.

In the end, Istanbul witnessed a day of fast racing, narrow margins and historic performances, with Kipchumba’s record-breaking victory providing the defining moment of the 2026 edition.

Ethiopia enjoyed a memorable double triumph at the 2026 Hangzhou Marathon, with Kemal Husen and Kuftu Tahir Dadiso claiming the men’s and women’s titles respectively after battling through challenging weather conditions on Sunday, November 1.

The 2026 edition of the Hangzhou Marathon proved to be as much a test of resilience as it was of speed. As the race progressed, rising temperatures, humidity and an increasingly difficult thermal sensation placed enormous demands on the elite field, particularly during the closing stages.

In the men’s race, Kemal Husen emerged as the strongest competitor, producing a determined performance to secure victory in 2:11:16.

The race gradually developed into a battle of attrition as the difficult conditions began to take their toll. Rather than allowing the heat and humidity to dictate the outcome, Husen remained composed through the decisive stages and found enough strength to establish himself at the front.

His 2:11:16 was enough to put the Ethiopian on top of the podium and crown him the 2026 Hangzhou Marathon men’s champion.

Morocco’s Mustapha Houdadi followed closely behind, delivering an impressive performance to claim the silver medal in 2:12:04. Houdadi showed considerable strength in the latter stages, holding his position despite the increasingly demanding conditions.

Kenya’s Nicholas Kirwa completed the men’s podium after another hard-fought performance. Kirwa battled through the final kilometres to finish third in 2:12:50, ensuring Kenya also had a representative among the leading finishers.

The women’s race produced another Ethiopian celebration.

Kuftu Tahir Dadiso captured the women’s title in commanding fashion, crossing the finish line in 2:26:03 after navigating the increasingly difficult conditions with patience and determination.

Dadiso’s victory was built on strong race management. As the temperature and thermal stress intensified, the leading group began to feel the effects of the weather, transforming the final kilometres into a demanding test of endurance.

While others struggled to maintain their rhythm, Dadiso remained composed and continued to press forward. Her ability to manage the conditions allowed her to pull clear and secure a convincing victory.

The result also gave Ethiopia a dominant one-two finish in the women’s race.

Fellow Ethiopian Amid Fozya Jemal produced a gritty performance to take second place in 2:29:04. Jemal fought through the sweltering conditions to maintain her position and ensure that the top two places belonged to Ethiopia.

Kenya’s Mercy Kwambai completed the women’s podium, fighting relentlessly through the closing kilometres to secure third place in 2:30:23.

Kwambai’s bronze medal was a testament to her resilience on a day when the weather presented an additional opponent. With the heat and humidity placing increasing strain on the athletes, she dug deep to maintain her position and finish among the leading international contenders.

Together, the two races produced an intriguing picture of endurance under pressure. Ethiopia swept both individual titles and added a women’s silver medal, while Kenya collected bronze medals in both the men’s and women’s races.

The results also underlined the importance of adapting to conditions in a marathon. On a day when the weather made fast running increasingly difficult, victory belonged not simply to the athletes with the greatest speed, but to those who could conserve their energy, remain mentally composed and produce their strongest running when the race became hardest.

For Kemal Husen and Kuftu Tahir Dadiso, that balance proved decisive.

Husen conquered the men’s race in 2:11:16, while Dadiso dominated the women’s contest in 2:26:03.

Two champions. Two demanding races. One unforgettable Ethiopian double in Hangzhou.

The heat tested them. The marathon challenged them. But Ethiopia conquered Hangzhou.

Sometimes, the most powerful marathon advice is simply to stop watching the clock and start living the race.

That was the message Eliud Kipchoge shared with Sweden’s Andreas Almgren in New York as the highly anticipated debutant prepares to take on his first marathon at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon.

With the biggest road race of Almgren’s career just hours away, the Swedish star had the opportunity to speak with one of the greatest marathoners the world has ever produced.

Almgren later shared a glimpse of their meeting on social media, writing: “Getting some last-minute advice from the man himself!”

Kipchoge’s advice was remarkably simple.

“Don’t see the watch, don’t see the kilometers. Just aim at going and going through the finishing line.”

For a marathon debutant, those words carry enormous weight.

Rather than becoming consumed by splits, pace targets or the distance still remaining, Kipchoge encouraged Almgren to focus on the fundamental task: keep moving forward and make it to the finish line.

It is a philosophy that perfectly reflects Kipchoge’s own approach to marathon running. Throughout his extraordinary career, the Kenyan legend has repeatedly emphasized patience, discipline, mental strength and the importance of enjoying the process.

Now, Almgren faces a completely different challenge.

The 29-year-old Swede has established himself as one of Europe’s leading distance runners on the track and road, producing standout performances over 5,000m, 10,000m and longer distances. But the marathon represents an entirely new test — one that demands not only speed, but patience, endurance and the ability to manage the physical and mental demands of 42.195 kilometers.

And there may be no better mentor for that transition than Kipchoge.

The marathon icon has built a career around mastering the very distance Almgren is about to discover for himself. From Olympic triumphs to world records and historic performances, Kipchoge has turned marathon running into an art form.

Yet his advice to Almgren was not complicated.

Forget the watch.

Forget the kilometers.

Keep going.

For Almgren, those words could become more valuable as the race unfolds through the streets of New York.

His marathon journey begins with a lesson from a legend — and perhaps the greatest lesson of all is that the marathon is not simply about chasing a number on a watch. It is about embracing the challenge, trusting the preparation and finding the strength to keep moving toward the finish.

Today, Almgren will finally discover what 42.195 kilometers feels like.

And he will do so carrying a little wisdom from the Marathon King. 

NEW YORK — The streets of the Big Apple produced two compelling champions on Saturday as Habtom Samuel and Rachael Rudel captured the men’s and women’s titles at the 2026 Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, delivering standout performances during New York City Marathon weekend.

Samuel, representing Eritrea, produced the headline performance in the men's race, storming to victory in 13:31 after making a decisive move with roughly one kilometre remaining. As the course climbed toward the finish, Samuel surged away from the field and created the separation he needed to secure an impressive victory.

Edwin Kurgat of Kenya finished second in 13:38, while American Amon Kemboi took third in 13:40. Australia's Jackson Sharp was fourth in 13:41, followed by fellow Australian Morgan McDonald in 13:46.

For Samuel, the victory arrived at an important moment in his career. Earlier this week, he announced his signing with HOKA as a professional athlete, and he immediately backed that major career development with a statement performance on one of the biggest weekends on the American road-running calendar.

His decisive late attack demonstrated not only his speed but also his tactical confidence. Rather than waiting for a sprint to the finish, Samuel chose the moment to strike, pushing hard over the final kilometre and forcing his rivals to chase.

The women's race delivered an equally impressive performance, with Rachael Rudel claiming the title in 15:35. The American gradually worked her way clear of the field and then slowly opened the gap on fellow American Josette Andrews during the closing stages.

Andrews finished second in 15:41, while Edna Kurgat secured third in 15:42, giving the United States a sweep of the women's podium. Rudel's winning time was also a personal best, adding another milestone to an already impressive season.

Rudel's victory was far from an isolated success. The American arrived in New York carrying considerable momentum after recently winning the B.A.A. 10K and the USATF 20K Championships. Her Abbott 5K victory therefore extends a remarkable run of form and further establishes her as one of the most consistent American road racers of the season.

The way Rudel won was particularly telling. Rather than producing one explosive attack, she patiently created separation from the field before gradually pulling away from Andrews late in the race. That combination of patience, strength and finishing speed proved decisive as she crossed the line in 15:35, six seconds clear of Andrews.

Together, the men's and women's races produced a memorable double victory for two athletes arriving at very different but equally exciting points in their careers. Samuel used New York to announce the beginning of his new professional chapter, while Rudel continued a remarkable streak of success against strong domestic competition.

The international flavour of the event was also reflected throughout the results. Samuel led the men's field ahead of Kenyan Edwin Kurgat and American Amon Kemboi, while Rudel, Andrews and Edna Kurgat dominated the women's podium.

With New York once again transformed into the centre of the running world, the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K provided its own share of drama before the marathon even took centre stage.

For Samuel, it was a powerful declaration that his new professional chapter has begun in style. For Rudel, it was another victory to add to a rapidly growing list of achievements.

Two races. Two champions. One unforgettable New York weekend.