Nikki Hiltz and Nathan Green are both now US indoor and outdoor 1500 champs in 2026. Plus Nathan Mountain explains how he went from 9th at NCAAs to 1st at USAs in the steeple and teases the launch of a HOKA-sponsored pro track team in Portland.
MB: Official 2026 USA Day 3 thread (+Live reaction show at 6:05 pm ET) Talk about the action as it happens. Lexy Halladay has repeated as the steeple champ while Nathan Mountain went from 9th at NCAAs to 1st at USAs. Nathan Green held off Vincent Ciattei in the men's 1500 while Nikki Hiltz won a thrilling women's 1500, their 9th title in a row at USAs. We'll break it down for you live on youtube, x, facebook right when it ends at 6:05 pm ET. Can't watch live? Join the SC to get it on demand as a podcast.
On The Boards
On The Boards
Former Newbury Park high school coaching legend Sean Brosnan is back in the NCAA ranks as the new distance coach at USC. We caught up with Brosnan to discuss why he chose a program without a men's cross country team, what really happened with his NCAA show-cause penalty, and we even asked him who is more talented - Colin Sahlman or Nico Young?
At age 29, Noah Lyles equaled his pb and became the first man to break 9.80 since the Paris Olympic final. It was a shame they did so in front of a half-empty Icahn Stadium. "I think I made [a statement] that I’m still the world’s fastest man," said Lyles afterwards.
Cooper Lutkenhaus won't be the only high schooler in the US 800 final as 16-year-old Paige Sheppard also made it on the women's side. But Donavan Brazier and Olympic 400m champ Quincy Hall both bombed out in their prelims.
Day 2 MB Talk
- USATF OUTDOOR CHAMPS : DAY 2 THREAD
- USATF Attendance While the crowd and atmosphere on day #2 was much better than day #1 (and we’ve been told GA is sold out for days 3 & 4), Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri couldn’t draw anything close to what Usain Bolt drew after a rain delay when he set his first WR in 2008.
- Lutkenhaus will not win his first outdoor title here
- Woodhall DQ'd for "prohibited technology" after winning 400m at Para Championships
- Olympian Juliette Whittaker To Brooks Beasts Whittaker made the final as well. We talked to her post-race here.
- Has Kenneth Rooks or Quincy Hall regressed more?
European Action
- MB: Audrey Werro runs a 50.80 400m PB in the heats at the Swiss National Championships Keely Hodgkinson's best is 51.14 from June this year.
- European national championship round-up: Sondre Guttormsen clears 6.00m in the PV at the Norwegian Championships At the Swedish National Champs, world bronze medalist Andreas Almgren won the 10,000m in a solo 28:49. Hilary Kpatcha leaped 6.98m to win the LJ at the French Championships.
USAs Day 1
USAs Day 1
In the slowest US 10,000m final since 1959 (30:13.66), Woody Kincaid uncorked a lethal 25.95 final 200m to defeat American record holder Grant Fisher and capture his 3rd national title.
In a wild race featuring an 18:09 opening 5k and a 15:21 second 5k, Arkansas product Sydney Vaught (née Thorvaldson)—who balances her elite running career with that of her husband, professional team roper Trent Vaught—made a bold mid-race surge that would have made Steve Prefontaine proud. She broke the field and captured her first USATF 10,000m title in 33:30.60. Katie Izzo finished 2nd in her return to the track.
The UW men will have four alums in the 1500 final, while Simeon Birnbaum (1500) and Kenneth Rooks (steeple) were both eliminated in the distance prelims. US steeple leader Matthew Wilkinson survived a scare as well.
Day 1 MB Talk
- USATF OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 1 THREAD
- Grant Fisher gets outkicked by washed up Woody Kincaid at USA Champs Kincaid's kick is unbeatable if it's slow. 54.89 for the win in 30:13.66 - the slowest winning time since 1959.
- Grant Fisher needs a better coaching situation Coach Scannell has guided Fisher to two Olympic medals. Know your lane. We're thrilled Grant showed up at USAs.
- Birnbaum out of USAs The NCAA champ was never a factor and totally bombed out.
- What's up with Gracie Morris? She surprisingly failed to make the final.
- What is wrong with Kenneth Rooks? The Olympic silver medalist looked awful in his heat and did not advance.
- Unbelievably dumb tactics in the 1500m - 53 seconds from 800 to 1200m
More USA News
- Good Read: The Guardian interviews Cooper Lutkenhaus and his family on how his shock 1:42 last year completely changed their plans Lutkenhaus was going to run at college and have his older brother try and be a grad assistant at the same school, but then he ran 1:42 and made the US world team. Speaking to the journalist about his father, he said, "He is the one that took me to the USA [champs], so you can blame him! I was ready to be done. I’d run 1:45, broken the national record twice. I’m happy. There was nothing more we could accomplish. ...I’d never done back-to-back 800m [heats at the Championships] before so I was super excited [making the final] but it was like, ‘One more race, then I’m done and it’s over!’ After the final [finishing second] I was: ‘Hold on a minute? There’s more racing!’"
*MB: Cooper L. to Hobby Joggers: “Pipe Down”
- Four men from Josh Kerr's record breaking mile ran in the 1500m heats at USAs yesterday Only Nathan Green (5th in london with a 3:48.05 PB) made it to the final.
- New York native and two-time world para champ Michael Brannigan wins US para 5000m in 14:47 He won easily by almost 40 seconds.
- Love Island USA contestant and amputee Beatriz Hatz wins US para long jump with 5.24m Her coach made her 9 weeks of workouts to do in Fiji while she was on the show, but she only ended up needing two of them after she was voted off the island on episode 9.
- USATF CEO Max Siegel named to IBJ Media's 2026 Indiana 250 This is an annual list recognizing Indiana's most influential business and community leaders (USATF HQ is in Indianapolis)
NCAA Analysis
The NCAA is eliminating altitude and track-size conversions beginning in 2026-27. Here’s who benefits, who loses, and why travel costs could rise.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Was Wednesday (Track Starts Monday)
- Saint Lucia Olympic Committee blindsided as Julien Alfred pulls out of Commonwealth Games despite earlier commitment She said back in January she was looking forward to winning Commonwealth gold, but then after Monaco last week she said, "It just doesn’t work with my schedule as of now."
- The Independent: Why is Keely Hodgkinson skipping CWG? She has decided to prioritize European Champs which are next month in Birmingham.
- Katerina Johnson-Thompson, Dina Asher-Smith and Matt Hudson-Smith all pull out of Commonwealth Games Johnson-Thompson is the two-time defending heptathlon champion, but said she has "not been able to get back to the level" needed after coming back from injury.
This Weeks Podcast
The LRC crew breaks down even further Josh Kerr's amazing 3:42.66 world record in the mile and Kerr's coach Danny Mackey explains the pacing, race-day pressure, training behind the 3:42.66 mile world record, and why a 1,500-meter world record attempt is unlikely this summer.
More Kerr News:
- Josh Kerr wants to win mile gold for Scotland at his home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next week He'll be up against his Scottish teammates, Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley.
- Josh Kerr slams the "appalling" prize money he got for breaking the mile WR He received a $50,000 bonus which is the same as Hicham El Guerrouj got in 1999. Kerr said, "To get the same amount 27 years later is appalling, not to sound greedy."
Pre USA News
Pre USA News
There's not world team to qualify for, but there will be plenty of drama at USAs this year. We give you 7 things to watch as USAs hits NYC for the first time in 35 years. Noah Lyles faces Kenny Bednarek in the 100, Cooper Lutkenhaus chases his first US outdoor title, and Nikki Hiltz attempts the 800/1500 double. Plus Sha'Carri Richardson in the 100 and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the 200.
- MB: No World Team, But Big Drama: 7 Things to Watch as USAs Hits NYC for the First Time in 35 Years
- MB: Tinch and Davis-Woodhall are going for the LJ / hurdles double at USAs. When is last time an athlete won a track/field double?
- Previous: LRC How and why New York City is hosting the US Track & Field Champs for the 1st time in 35 years
More US Previews
- DyeStat Preview: 10 women's storylines to follow at the USATF Outdoor Championships It's lame we won't see Sha’Carri Richardson vs Melissa Jefferson-Wooden again because they're in separate events (Richardson in the 100m and MJW in the 200m). There are 17 women in the 800m who have gone under 2 minutes.
- DyeStat Preview: 10 men's storylines to follow at the USATF Outdoor Championships Grant Fisher is the strong favorite for the 5k/10k double, Noah Lyles is in the 100m vs Kenny Bednarek and Christian Coleman.
- MileSplit event-by-event USA Champs preview Includes interactive graphs with past win/loss records for some of the key head-to-head matchups.
- USATF event-by-event men's preview
*USATF event-by-event women's preview
HS / College Age News
- World Athletics look back at the first World U20 Championships which were held 40 years ago in Athens. Many stars got their start at those first championships in 1986 including Peter Rono who won 1500m silver.
- Jamaica announces team for World U20 Champs next month in Eugene The team is lead by world U20 leaders Shanoya Douglas (10.98 and 22.11) and Gary Card (9.93).
- USTFCCCA announced NCAA scholar athletes and teams of the year Georgia cleaned up, sweeping the men's and women's outdoor scholar team of the year and the women's indoor (Kansas State won the men's indoor).
- List of USTFCCCA's high school track and field state coaches of the year
Track Broadcast News
- World Athletics is going to try some new ideas for their inaugural Ultimate Championship This will include a broadcast with "augmented reality graphics, athlete headshots, additional statistical information and live win probabilities generated by an algorithm based on recent performances." The venue itself will also look different, with a black infield and only the current event illuminated.
- FloTrack is re-airing the London DL on Prime Video It will be in the "Live TV" tab multiple mornings this week and next if you are a Prime subscriber.
Breaking News
Miller picked up a minor ankle issue after the London DL, but his coach Danny Mackey is optimistic it will heal soon and believes he can still challenge Bryce Hoppel's 1:41.67 American record in 2026. "I think the American record (1:41.67 by Bryce Hoppel) is in reach for him if we're healthy," said coach Mackey.
More Distance news
- Yomif Kejelcha's wife isn't a runner, but she played a key role in his 1:59:41 As her husband's nutritionist, chef, and calm-under-pressure confidante, Yadu Birhanu Biru was a force behind his 1:59:41 in London.
- Michigan's 1500m NCAA runnerup Trent McFarland feature: "For better or worse, he is the center of attention." The Michigan paper has a feature on NCAA 1500m runner-up Trent McFarland. If you want him to apologize for his Penn Relays 4 x 800 antics, you'll be disappointed. “I like to be in the spotlight, and I like to show off a little bit," says McFarland.
*MB: Trent McFarland doesn't back down, embraces 4x800 antics after Michigan "mopped the floor" with PSU
The Josh Kerr Articles Keep Coming
- Interesting: An inside look at the pacing/heart rate data from Josh Kerr's mile WR Kerr's heartrate at the start was 123 bpm and got up to a high of 188 bpm about 400m in, averaging 178 bpm overall. His pacing was incredibly even with 400m splits of 55.3, 55.8, 55.4 and 54.9.
- NY Times: The making of Josh Kerr’s mile world record: Altitude training, technology and teamwork The article reveals that Mackey was hoping for the rabbits to go even further and for Kerr to run even faster. “Based on a couple of his workouts, if he had better weather, I think there’s another second there,” mused Mackey.
- Toni Reavis: Will Josh Kerr's mile world record reignite interest in the event?
- MB: Science blogger claims that Kerr would have run under 3:42 on the Paris track
What's Nex For Kerr?
7 of the last 8 mile WR holders have also broken the 1500 WR at some point in their careers, with 5 of the 7 setting both in the same calendar year. Can Josh Kerr join that club after his 3:42.66 mile in London?
- Josh Kerr wants more: "I was hoping on my best day I could be [3:]40-41....I think the 1500 world record is within my grasp!!!"
- Kerr's WR was incredible, but could he have gone ~0.1-0.2 faster with these two adjustments?
- It looks like the stack height on the prototype of Kerr's spikes exceeds IAAF regulations
- Josh Kerrs progress reveals an uncomfortable truth
- Now Josh Kerr wants the 1,500m record — and to win the London Marathon
- Besides Josh Kerr's mile WR, what are other performances that shifted your perception?
- Kerr's WR was incredible, but could he have gone ~0.1-0.2 faster with these two adjustments?
Injury Updates
- MB: Niels Laros OUT for the rest of the season with an achilles injury Laros posted, "After last year's World Championships and a long recovery, we were hopeful the injury was under countro, but unfortunately that's not the case."
- MB: Jakob Ingebrigtsen gives small update on his training/fitness He said things are "moving in the right direction" with "training, mileage and getting back to 100% health."
- MB: 2025 US half champ Taylor Roe tears FHL (and just had surgery)
- Ireland's Rhasidat Adeleke racing 200m at Irish Nationals this weekend to try and qualify for European Champs This after she came up short of the 22.85 standard with 23.07 last week in Lucerne. (She ran 22.86 back in April, but has struggled with injury issues since then.) Adeleke has decided to forgo any more attempts at qualifying in the 400m.
Summer of LetsRun - Article VI
Are your runners turning tempo runs into time trials? Learn why modern tech like GPS watch, lactate monitors and Strava make summer overtraining inexcusable. In article VI of our Summer of LetsRun series, where we are coaching a sub-10:00 HS senior from 10 to 60 mpw, LetsRun.com's Robert Johnson explains why "hard" is a four-letter word in July.
LetsThrow.com
- Ryan Crouser ends his season; will have to get surgery on his elbow He said he'll be back in 2027 and "especially 2028," adding that he's "not done yet."
- Poland’s world hammer record-holder Anita Włodarczyk had her longest throw since 2022 with 75.01m in Madrid She set the women's masters record, finishing second in the competition behind European champ Sara Fantini (75.62m).
- The top-4 ranked women's shot putters in the world will go head-to-head at the Silesia DL next month US's two-time world champ Chase Jackson will face 2025 world champ Jessica Schilder, Olympic champ Yemisi Mabry and world indoor champ Sarah Mitton.
Major NCAA Change
This is so stupid. Their justification is that altitude affects everyone differently and that every track is unique so there's "no true science" behind the time adjustments for 200m banked vs flat or oversized tracks. Fair enough. It wasn't perfect. But there is something more important than that - trying to cut down the costs of running a track program. This change will start with the 2026-2027 season
USATF Champs Are In NYC This Week
The US track & field championships have not been held anywhere other than Eugene since 2019, and have not been in the Northeast since 1991. Here's why it took so long for the meet to return, and what to expect from this year's edition. If you are a track fan within driving distance, we officially urge you to get your butt in the stands. *Buy tickets
More On Josh Kerr's Mile WR
- Josh Kerr: I celebrated world record with a beer and a 5am run "It was just one beer, though. To slow me down a little bit. Athletes tend to move through moments too quickly and that beer was necessary for me to savor it."
- MB: The Times: "Now Josh Kerr wants the 1,500m record — and to win the London Marathon" Kerr said he celebrated the WR with his first beer in seven months and a "big, fat steak."
- Pre-race article in Popular Science with details on Josh Kerr's world record-breaking spikes Brooks director of product development Danny Orr said the shoes were designed to run an even/fast pace and that "the notion of changing gears or speeding up, they're going to feel awful in this shoe." He also talked about how the spike is a lot stiffer "than anything that [they've] ever made before" to account for Kerr's larger size and generating more force.
- RW shares some stats behind Josh Kerr's mile WR Kerr wasn't even 2 years old when Hicham El Guerrouj set the previous record in 1999.
Non-Distance News
- Germany's first sub-10 second 100m sprinter Owen Ansah facing possible doping ban The German anti-doping agency is investigating him for possibly "evading, refusing or failing to submit to doping tests."
- World Athletics "what's your ultimate?" Q&A with Olympic 200m champ Letsile Tebogo Tebogo is into cars, saying his "ultimate possession" is his Toyota Land Cruiser, LXV8 and that he is a "self-taught" car mechanic.
- Three-time world PV champ Katie Moon talks about her love for fashion Her major was in psychology, but Moon actually got a minor in fashion and finished her degree at the Paris Fashion Institute in 2013.
- Ireland's Rhasidat Adeleke withdraws from Heusden; still doesn't have qualifying standards for European Champs She needs to run either 22.85 for 200m or 51.20 for 400m before the July 27th deadline.
European Under-18 Championships
- European U18 Championships recap: Czechia 16-year-old Linda Botková breaks European U20 400m record with 55.19 GB lead the medal tables with 8 golds including Divine Iheme in the 100m (10.29), Ethan Heggarty in the 200m (20.77) and Samuel James in the HJ (2.25m). Italy's Kelly Doualla won the girls' 100m in 11.14 (#10 on the world U18 all-time list). Distance meet records went down in the girls' 800m (2:03.77 by Slovenia's Ziva Remic) and 3000m (9:06 by Switzerland's Aimie Decrausaz).
*Go here for detailed event-by-event recaps
- The World Cup final game between Spain and Argentina was played on the big screen at the Fan Village at Euro U18 Champs
- Top quotes from Euro U18 Champs Spain's women's 200m champ Mariona Armero on the World Cup final: "Tomorrow I will watch the football match of Spain against Argentina and I hope they will follow my example and also win gold."
- List of all the records that went down at European U18 Champs Three European U18 records and 18 championship records.
- 1,200 kg of pasta and 20k bottles of iced tea were consumed at Rieti 2026
We Absolutely Love This Story
As the USAF U20 winner, Bontrager was all set to go to worlds this month despite not having the 8:04 qualifying time. However, when UW freshman and U20 third placer Owen Powell ran 7:59 in Ireland earlier this month, that forced Bontrager to try and get the time with very little notice. He did that with an 8:02.39 PB (#5 on the prep all-time list) in a crazy race that was moved indoors because of smoke from Canadian wildfires and included his 44-year-old father and coach as one of the pacers/finishers (they needed at least 4 finishers for the race to count).
On March 28th, Josh Kerr called his shot and told the world what he'd do no July 18th and he went out and did it. Tim Hutchings called it the "ballsiest world record in the history of middle-distance racing" and we have to agree. Incredible. Recap coming. *Full Race Video
The 24-year-old has now PRd by nearly a full second to crush the field. He has now won 4 straight 800s. It was the start of an amazing day for the Brooks Beasts and coach Danny Mackey. *Full Results
*Brandon Miller is going to kick some @$$ One messageboard predicted a big run from Miller yesterday.
London DL Messageboard Talk
- Official Josh Kerr goes for the mile world record - 2026 London Diamond League discussion thread
- Josh Kerr Apology Thread
- JOSH MF KERR 3:42.66 - KING OF THE MILE!!!!
- Josh Kerr wants more: "I was hoping on my best day I could be [3:]40-41....I think the 1500 world record is within my grasp!!!"
- What is Jakob doing right now?
- Which world record is more impressive: 3:42.66 Mile or 7:17.55 3000m?
- What happened to Birnbaum?
- Why was Kerr’s mile given a special stagger/cone start? —- Not a good look.
- Kerr has a zero percent chance of breaking the WR. Here's why.
- Nike is in complete shambles
- Kerr GOAT Allegations
- John Kellogg GENIUS prediction appreciation thread
- Josh Kerr lives in Alburquerque full time NOT seattle with the Brooks Beasts
- Does Kerr’s WR Prove That El G Was a 1:46 Guy After All?
- Is Brooks Beasts the new meta?
- Brandon Miller is going to kick some @$$
- WA scoring tables - how does Kerr's 3:42 compare to the strongest WRs
- Discus: Is Setting the Mile WR Better than Winning Olympic 1500 gold?
- Hicham El Guerrouj changes his Instagram bio: "Current world record holder in the 1500 meters."
More From The London DL
It's great to see such a historic race receiving big time press coverage in the US. If an American had broken the mark, how would it be covered in the US?
American Cierra Jackson had the best discus throw outside of Ramona since the 1980s as she improved her PB by almost four meters to win the discus with her final throw of 71.72m – a mark that added 34 cm to the Diamond League record. Meeting records went to Karsten Warholm (46.61 WL), Julien Alfred (21.66, 0.1), and Ja'Kobe Tharp (12.89, 0.3). Other winners included Keely Hodgkinson (1:56.21), Jessica Hull (8:24.69), Rai Benjamin (44.05 pb), and Kanyinsola Ajayi (9.84, -0.7).
USATF 8k Champs
Allie Ostrander was 2nd for the women in 25:42.
Pre-London
Kerr ran 2:42.45 with a running start at 5,335 feet of elevation in Albuquerque, closing his last 800 in 1:46.73 and his last 400 in 51.88. WR mile pace is 2:46.37. Kerr was impressed by his work, as was LetsRun.com's John Kellogg, who is now wondering if Kerr might run 3:41 in the mile. "Josh Kerr can run 3:42 at a very minimum. And if he can't do that, then put him in a 1000 as he'll break the world record there," said Kellogg.
London DL Preview
One week after his 1000m WR, Emmanuel Wanyonyi is running the 800m in London. Plus Keely Hodgkinson v. Femke Broeders-Bol in the 800 and Ja'Kobe Tharp v. Jamal Britt in the 110H.
Assorted Distance News
- USATF U20 3000m champ Noah Bontrager chasing the world U20 qualifying standard in Philly on Saturday Since no one had the qualifying time, Bontrager was set to go to Worlds in Eugene next month. But now UW freshman Owen Powell ran 7:59.94 in Ireland earlier this month, bumping Bontrager off the team if he doesn't hit the time. (Powell was 3rd at USATF U20 Champs.)
- You might want to run on the treadmill because of the Canadian wildfires Smoke from the wildfires is causing air quality alerts in the Midwest and Northeast US. Check the AQI (Air Quality Index) number. If the number is over 100, especially if it's over 150, it might be safer to run inside.
- Eliud Kipchoge’s wife Grace Sugut runs 4:26:25 marathon PB She was running at the Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil (where Kipchoge finished 12th in 2:18). The time was more than three-and-a-half minutes faster than she ran in her first marathon in May.
- MileSplit profile on Reese Vannerson, a 4:06 high school 1600m runner who went on to become a pro triathlete Despite not focusing solely on running, Vannerson has a 13:45 5000m PB and often posts the fastest run times in his triathlons.
- MB: Brenda Martinez leaves USC coaching job Martinez joined the USC coaching staff almost exactly one year ago.
Looking Back At El G's Mile Record
Before Josh Kerr’s London record attempt, we revisit how Hicham El Guerrouj ran 3:43.13 in Rome, with near-perfect pacing, ideal conditions, and Noah Ngeny pushing him all the way to the finish. What could El Guerrouj run today?
The Inside Scoop on Project 222 - JG's latest feature
"I think he’s ready to do it, and might crush it, but there are so many external chances that can ruin it," says Kerr's coach Danny Mackey. Plus Dathan Ritzenhein says Yared Nuguse is planning on going with him.
European Under-18 Championships
Europe Gets It Wrong
The European Broadcasting Union’s new 23-page handbook aims to prevent the "sexualization" of female athletes. But by treating ordinary images of women’s bodies as “compromising,” does it reinforce the very idea it claims to oppose? Robert Johnson argues for equal standards, not a separate and patronizing rulebook for filming women.
Miler News
- Interesting Read: RW: Oregon Is synonymous with Nike. So how did Simeon Birnbaum end up signing an NIL deal with Diadora. Talking about the negotiations for the deal, Birnbaum said, "Not going to lie, it was pretty awkward. There were a lot of intense conversations and stuff. I wasn’t going to go to them (Nike) easily, like, I was going to make them work for it, and eventually they were just like, 'We’re done.' I was like, 'Okay. That's what I want to hear. Just tell me that.'"
- Josh Kerr talks about the Brooks spikes he'll use to try and break the mile WR Kerr says, the spikes, the "Hyperion 222," even take into account his "asymmetrical lift-off (his legs don't generate equal amount of power).
- World Athletics interviews Jake Wightman about his coffee business, Last Rep Coffee They are actually the global supplier for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship and are working with Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games. Talking about his career, Wightman says he plans on retiring after the 2028 LA Olympics unless London hosts the 2029 World Championships.
News Of Note
- MB: NCAA track rules committees propose radical 'optional' scoring system that would score 16 + add points for regionals One committee member said that they were "trying to make the first round of competition have more value." We rescored NCAA Champs under the proposed rules and found that Arkansas would still win for the men, but on the women's side, Florida would have beat Georgia by 20 points instead of Georgia taking the win.
- Valarie Sion and Jamal Britt USATF Tour series' first-ever champions Each athlete earned a $50,000 bonus for winning the overall Tour title.
- Gerda Steyn reveals the mindset behind her Comrades and Two Oceans dominance Gerda Steyn explains how discipline, mindset and years of perseverance helped her become a five-time Comrades Marathon and seven-time Two Oceans Marathon champion
- NY Times: Why You Should Try Running Without a Fitness Tracker Here’s why you should get comfortable leaving your watch at home.
- 'It was not a fight at all': Suspended KZN Athletics boss sets the record straight The head of athletics for the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa says a recent video that appeared to show him "grappling" with another man isn't necessarily what it appears
LRC Podcast
Can Josh Kerr finally break the mile world record? The LetsRun crew debates his fitness, the rabbit plan, Yared Nuguse’s chances, Wanyonyi versus Arop in the 800, and Graham Blanks’ breakthrough in Monaco.
News From Europe
- Irish world heptathlon silver medalist talks about having her father as her coach since she was 10-years-oldShe says, "It's a really complicated dynamic, I don't know how we make it work, but we do. He fits into all the different roles."
- Phoebe Gill and Jake Odey-Jordan lead GB world U20 team
- European U18 champs men's distance preview
*Women's distance preview
Gyulai István Memorial
Small headwinds didn't slow the sprinters too much as the winning times for the men were 9.99 in the 100, 19.92 in the 200, and 44.02 in the 400. For the women, the winning marks were 10.87, 21.83, and 12.33. In the men's 800, Djamel Sedjati ran 1:43.19 in his first 800 of the year. In the men's 1500, Phanuel Koech won a battle of two Kenyan teenagers as Marco Langon PRd. In the women's 1500, Caldwell beat Hollingsworth.
More Recent International Results
- Jerome Classic recap: Penn State's Allon Clay wins 800m in 1:44.51 Sarah Mitton won the shot put with a season's best 20.66m
- European indoor champ Bozhidar Saraboyukov improves Bulgarian LJ record to 8.49m at home
- Puerto Rico's Yariel Soto (8124 points) and Poland's Adrianna Sułek-Schubert (6449 points) win Wiesław Czapiewski Memorial multi meet in Polan
Congrats To These New Track Moms!
LetsRun Forum Flashback
No carbon plates. No Strava. Barely any mid-race fuel. We asked longtime LetsRun posters how they trained and raced before modern running technology took over—and the answers were hilarious, humbling, and occasionally horrifying, and showed how much the sport has changed.
More Track Action
- NACAC U23 and U18 Championships recap In the women's 100m, Jamaica's Lavanya Williams dominated in a slightly wind-aided 10.91 (2.1m/s) ahead of her countrywoman, world U20 champ Alana Reid (11.05). In the 200m Reid came out on top with 22.29 (3.0m/s) to Williams' 22.40. The Bahamas' Jahcario Wilson ran 12.94 to become the 4th fastest U18 110m hurdler ever. Jamaica's Bouwahjie Nkrumie won the men's U23 100m in a wind-aided 9.92 (2.27m/s).
- Tuesday: Jerome Track Classic preview Penn State's NCAA 800m 4th placer Allon Clay is racing again after a 1:44.32 PB on Sunday.
- Japan weekend track round-up Janet Jepkoech highlighted the Hokuren Distance Challenge with a 8:38.44 win in the 3000m.
- World Athletics Asian U23 Champs recap Auburn University sprinter and Malaysian record-holder Muhammad Azeem Fahmi won the 100m in 10.17.
*Japanese Day 1 highlights *Day 2 *Day 3 *Day 4 - Curtis Thompson (84.13m) and Madison Wiltrout (62.90m) win American Javfest in Pennsylvania
Edmonton Athletics Invite
Arop ran the time despite dealing with a nagging Achilles injury and having to run the second lap all alone when the pacer dropped out after a 49.8 first lap. The anticipated matchup with Brandon Miller didn't happen as Miller was a late scratch. In the sprints, Sade McCreath broke the Canadian record in the prelims with 10.86, but then lost the final to Audrey Leuc who ran a wind-aided (+2.6) 10.90 to McCreath's 10.95. US's Brandon Hicklin won the men's 100m in a wind-aided 9.85 (+2.6). Canadian champ Christopher Morales Williams won the 400m after a tough battle with US's Justin Robinson, 44.44 to 44.45.
Kipchoge World Tour
Kipchoge ran 2:18:39 with a huge positive split of 1:05:07/1:13:32. The race was won by Morocco's Zineddine Ouria in 2:08:49.
- MB: Kipchoge 2:18
- Pre-Race: LRC Eluid Kipchoge attempts to break his 2016 Rio Olympic Games Marathon record in Brazil Kipchoge's world tour is underway and he is going for the South American marathon record.
Summer Reading Series
Four running books that will deepen your appreciation for the sport, from the inside story of an NCAA championship team to the race to break the four-minute mile.
Sound Running / Ed Murphey
Makayla Paige edged Emily Mackay, 1:58.14 to 1:58.17, in the women’s 800, while Abraham Alvarado won an equally close men’s 800 in 1:44.07 over Yusuf Bizimana’s 1:44.08. Shawnti Jackson clocked 11.00 in the women’s 100, John Reniewicki won the men’s 1500 in 3:33.59. Olympic medallists Courtney Frerichs ran 9:40 in her first steeple since 2023, while fellow Olympic medalliast Raevyn Rogers ran 2:00.42.
NCAA champion Samuel Ogazi won the men’s 400 in a relatively modest-for-him 44.57, while Quincy Wilson finished seventh in 45.53. Donavan Brazier cruised to victory in the men’s 800 in 1:44.94, and Shafiqua Maloney dominated the women’s race in 1:58.72. The biggest winner of the night was Jamal Britt, who earned $50,000 for winning the USATF Tour after clocking 12.91 in the 110m hurdles. Olympic discus champion Rojé Stona won the men’s discus.
USATF Women's 6k Championships
Venters on in 18:07 (4:52 pace), beat out Elise Cranny (18:11), Annie Rodenfels (18:15) and Allie Ostrander (18:19).
Monaco DL Was Friday
Emmanuel Wanyonyi ran 2:11.83 in Monaco to break Noah Ngeny’s 27-year-old 1000m world record, with Jake Wightman second in 2:12.77.
Julien Alfred & Agnes Ngetich moved to #3 all-time in the women's 200 and 3000, respectively, while Dominic Lobalu beat Graham Blanks by .06 to win the 5,000 and Collen Kebinatshipi & Masai Russell continue to threaten WRs in the 400 and 100H. *WA full recap
Ultra News - Hardrock 100
The 50-year-old Pommeret won his third straight title in 21:11:36, breaking his own overall record by 22 minutes. Dauwalter won the race for the 4th time, running 26:03:10 to break her own clockwise course record by 8 minutes.
- Ultrarunner Trish Patterson breaks women's record for the UK's National Three Peaks Challenge The route covers 425 miles, going between the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales. Patterson covered the distance in five days and 21 hours (only sleeping 90 minutes each night), breaking the previous record by eight hours and 43 minutes.
- RW: Wildfires are ravaging Colorado and upending the summer ultramarathon schedule
Mid-D News
- Sam Prakel wins Morton Games mile in 3:50.97; Ireland's Sophie O’Sullivan takes 1500m in 4:08.26 over US's Chloe Foerster (4:08.47) US’s Christian Miller ran the fastest 100m ever on Irish soil with a 10.06 victory. *Results
- T&F News talks to Roisin Willis about her 1:57.56 PB at the Stockholm DL last month and plans for rest of 2026 We're happy to hear that even in an "off year," Willis' is focused on US Champs. She said, "Even though there’s no team to make, I’m excited just to have a chance to run in a championship and… I guess it’s my title to defend!"
- Nebraska signs five-time Latvian 800m champion Invida Maurina The 2:03.54 800m runner is transferring from the University of Houston
Interesting Long Distance News
- Good Read: RW: "How Paavo Nurmi won 5 Olympic golds with a stopwatch in hand and changed pacing forever" Nurmi famously ran holding a stopwatch in his hand so he could take splits and was way ahead of the curve when it came to the concept of using even splits to running faster times. Over his 14-year career he broke 20 world records, won 12 Olympic medals and never lost a 10,000m race.
- Recent study finds that men are more likely to hit the wall in a marathon than woman The study looked at 873,334 marathoners from the 26 years of the Berlin Marathon (from 1999 to 2025). 17.9% of men "hit the wall" (which the researchers defined as slowing by at least 20% after the halfway mark) while only 9.7% of women did.
- Record number of people apply for next year's "double" London Marathon There were 1,338,544 ballot applications which is 200k more than last year. Only 100,000 will get to run the race.
Sprint Talk - Kenny Is The Ultimate Professional
Bednarek has run 19.80 or faster in the 200m every season since 2020, and has earned silver medals at four of the last five global championships. In this interview, you'll see how he's so consistent. He explains how his recovery routine is the key to his consistency and shares his thoughts on the World Ultimate Championships, Grand Slam Track, Noah Lyles and alcohol consumption.
Summer of LetsRun - Article V
One underappreciated key attribute that most accomplished distance runners have is restraint. This week, we unveil the LetsRun.com tempo pace calculator to make sure you don't go too hard, too soon and ruin your summer.
*MB: LetsRun.com Summer Tempo / Threshold Calculator unveiled.
- Article IV: LRC Why Weight Training is Vastly Overrated for Cross Country Runners
- Article III: LRC How much mileage is too much for a high school cross country runner?
- Article II: LRC Summer training 101: How to build mileage without getting hurt
- Article I: LRC Summer of LetsRun: How Good Can You Become with Real Training?
Sha'Carri vs MJW rivalry is starting to heat up
The last two 100m world champions have been training partners for three years, but rarely in form at the same time. Now that both are in top shape, American sprint fans could be in for a fun summer in 2026 as something has to give. Only one of them can come out on top.
Shoe Deal
LetsRun.com co-founder Robert Johnson loved these so much - he bought 6 pairs. You can also get the $250 super shoe that Sharon Lokedi won Boston in for $118.98.
Inside The NCAA Age Cap
The seven NCAA coaches LetsRun.com spoke to are largely in favor of the new rules, but we explain why, in the short term, college distance running could see an even greater influx of older international talent, and how there will soon be a free-for-all for Ivy Leaguers.
The Latest Feature from Jonathan Gault
John Korir and Sabastian Sawe didn't just break course and world records at the Boston and London Marathons this spring. They did it by registering two of the fastest closes in the history of marathon running. Find out how.
Great News
We have good news to share. Jenny Simpson, the greatest 1500m runner in US history, has been released from the hospital.
If a young runner has 30 minutes of free time, there are about 5 different ways they can productively spend that time: Sleep more, run more, socialize, study or lift weights. We explain why weights are the least important item on the list.
Is ____ Update?
Three of America's best middle-distance runners are MIA in 2026. Koech was one of the most unlikely US champions in history last year and now his two coaches from last year nor his agent from last year have any idea where he is.
Dreams become reality
In 2015, American Evan Jager came oh so close to sub-8 in the steeple. Now, more than a decade later, Germany's Frederik Ruppert has made history and become the first non-African to break 8:00. How did he do it? Ruppert shares all on how he achieved a dream that even he thought would never happen: "I came to a point where I thought it’s not possible."
The Summer of LetsRun.com - Meet the high school XC phenom we are coaching who has jumped from 10 miles per week to 11 miles per day
The sub-10 HSer that we are coaching this summer has already gone from 10 miles per week to 11 miles per day and already doing workouts like 3 x 2 mile. Can we save him from himself and Coach ChatGPT? We hope so as he has two things you can't coach - desire and talent.
Train Smarter - Share This with The HS and College XC Runners you know
Train Smarter - Share This with The HS and College XC Runners you know
A sub-10 high school 3200 runner who barely runs (8-10 mpw) recently emailed us about summer training. We decided to help him out and also decided we'd share the wisdom with the masses. Cross country is a summer sport that's played out in the fall and we are giving you the keys to training properly this summer.
Discussion: Tips for increasing mileage over the summer or in a base phase?
Amazing Story
Two-time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier and 18 minute 5k highs school runner, Tyler Andrews, explains how double-threshold training and pure running fitness helped him climb from Everest Base Camp to the summit in a record 9:55.
Aletheia - the sensor & app to help you run better has improved (sponsored)
Aletheia Run has launched a completely redesigned app built from runner feedback, featuring adaptive training, 170+ strength and mobility exercises, leave-phone-behind tracking, and performance insights. LetsRun readers can get a 30-day free trial plus 10% off their first year with code LETSRUN10.
New Training Talk Live Series
As we move to LetsRun.com second quarter century, we want to give you more reasons to visit the site daily. So we have launched a Live Training Talk series. Marius Bakken was the perfect first guest as this website was founded to try to spread the gospel of aerobic/threshold-based training, which Bakken has helped spread across the globe better than anyone. Catch it on demand as an SC Member. *Purchase book
Time Flies When You Are Having Fun
Webb's record of 3:53.43 is now 25 years old. Jim Ryun's record of 3:55.3 lived for 36. *Race video
Must Read
Midway through Marius Bakken's new book The Norwegian Method Applied, Robert Johnson had an epiphany and asked himself, "Is there any human on planet Earth who is better suited to write a training book than Dr. Bakken?" He doesn't think so. This is a must-read. Read it, then join the SC so you can ask Bakken a question during our live interview with him on June 1 at 1 p.m. ET. *Purchase book
- Related - From The Archives: LRC From Norway to Flagstaff: How Double Threshold Training Is Taking Over the World
The Myth Of The Sub-2-Hour Marathon
13-years ago, Rojo wrote the original The Myth Of The Sub-2-Hour Marathon and claimed we were nowhere close to a sub-2 and that we likely wouldn't see it in his lifetime. Well now that it has happened and everyone on the Internet is dunking on him, how does he feel? He's not backing down and claims the logic of his original column was right on the money.
Post-London Analysis
How in the world did Sabastian Sawe turn was looked to be a 2:01 race into a historic 1:59:30 marathon world record? Did adidas' new 3.4 ounce shoe -- the Adios Pro Evo 3 -- tip the scales? What about the wind?
The Marathon Project is BACK (sponsored post)
The Marathon Project has announced a major schedule change for this year's event. The Amateurs and Professionals will now compete together in a 400-person race on Saturday, December 12. The move is designed to amplify the atmosphere and increase the intensity with more athletes, fans, and energy on the flat, fast, loop course in Chandler, AZ. According to race organizers, "The overwhelming feedback we received from last year was that the participants loved being treated like pros. Now they'll get to race with the pros as well. It's a logical next step for us." Press Release here
Josh Kerr 222 podcast
Josh Kerr is chasing Hicham El Guerrouj’s mile world record his way, choosing a packed London Diamond League over a controlled time trial and insisting on “my race, my rules.” Kerr discussed his world record attempt and most recent world title over Cole Hocker on the LetsRun.com podcast.
Johh Kerr swears by power-to-weight training to improve his speed – here’s how and why you should do the same 'My gym coaches have done a really good job of finding where my weaknesses are. I need to create more power. My goal is that my power-to-weight ratio needs to be good.
Your opinion counts
We'd love to know a little more about you and how we can improve Letsrun.com.
Meet Fotyen Tesfay
Tesfay, who has a half-marathon best of 63:21 (#3 all-time) is the latest star in the group of famed Ethiopian coach Gemedu Dedefo, who has now coached five of the 11 fastest female marathoners in history.
The winners of our prediction contests
World indoors are this week. The LetsRun.com prediction contest team for Worlds is set. Meet the winners from the USAs contest and some of our other recent contests as well. They highlight the best of LRC.
LRC Exclusive
Since he stopped racing in the middle of the 2025 cross country season for Iowa State, Seth Clevenger has taken DIII by storm. The Rowan University athlete is the DIII leader in three events. But following the release of a video of an alleged EPO order, multiple former teammates told LetsRun.com that Clevenger said he took banned substances in 2025 while at Iowa State and admitted as such to the coaching staff. The situation raises questions about a potential hole in the NCAA’s anti-doping policy. We investigate how a star could allegedly admit to banned drug use and remain eligible to compete.
Your latest American stars share their insights.
American Record Holders
American Record Holders
Keira D'Amato, the new American record holder in the marathon, was joined by Deena Kastor, who held the record for 15 years.
Sisson was the guest on the LetsRun.com Track Talk podcast after she became the first American to go sub 67 in the half marathon on a record-eligible course. Podcast highlights above. Full pod here.
Woody Kincaid joined us after he broke the American record indoors at 5000. He talks above why he left the Bowerman Track Club. Podcast highlights and link to full podcast here.
Coogan's New Balance Boston team had 3 Olympians in 2021 and 2022 could be the biggest year yet for the program with 2 new additions and the TRACK at New Balance coming on March 1st.
Danny Mackey has taken the Brooks Beasts from an unproven club to the Olympic podium in its first decade.
Dathan Ritzenhein is the first of the top pro coaches to sit down and talk about his club heading into the 2022 campaign.
Best of Jon Gault
Best of Jon Gault
Take Your Love of LetsRun to the Next Level
Take Your Love of LetsRun to the Next Level
LetsRun Classics
LetsRun Classics
- Noah Lyles talking after running 9.79 to equal his pb and win the 2026 USA 100m title.