Running
ArchiveCaster Semenya will get to keep her gold medal in the 800-meter from this year's Track and Field World Championships in Berlin, says USA Today. The International Association of Athletics Federations ordered gender tests on the South African runner before the 800 final because…
The 24-year-old runner Tirunesh Dibaba, from Ethiopia, has set a new 15-kilometer world record of 46:28 in a road race in the Netherlands, the IAAF reports. Despite not having run a road race since 2005, she broke Kayoko Fukushi's 2006…
Meb Keflezighi, the first American winner of the New York City Marathon since 1982, was on Letterman last night. The topic: The top 10 things that go through your mind while running a marathon. Here's the clip.
Running back in the pack with 40,000 marathoners, I was probably one of the last people to learn that American Meb Keflezighi won the New York City marathon this morning, and I couldn't be more excited for him, and the sport of running in the U.S.
Meb Keflezighi became the first U.S. citizen to win the NYC marathon since Alberto Salazar crossed the finish line first in 1982. He clocked a time of 2:09:15. On the women's side, Ethiopia's Derartu Tulu won with a time of 2:28:52. Outside associate editor Justin…
Since seeing firsthand the spirit New York puts into its marathon, and hearing the marketing slogan over and over, the question has been on my mind: Is the New York City Marathon the world's greatest race? I want to hear what you think. The evidence for:*The prestige. It's…
For two decades, American men have run largely in the shadow of international elites at the United States' most prestigious marathons. The last 20 years of highlight reels at the Boston, Chicago, and New York City marathons shows a…
A few months back I spoke to Ryan Hall, and one of the questions I asked him was what he had to say to runners at the New York City marathon. If it seems a little earnest, it's because it came near the end of a long interview about his…
The torch for the 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver, arrived in Canada today via plane, the AP reports. The torch was lit in its ancestral site in Greece by the sun’s rays, and it…
Quick recap of pre-race news and coverage at the New York City Marathon: Interesting comment from Ryan Hall today during a press conference today: “Myindicators are like I am a minute faster then when I did mypreparations for Boston. And if I ran a minute faster, I…
Last Sunday, marathon runner Robert Kiprono Cherulyot made history at the Commerzbank Frankfort Marathon. Cherulyot didn't win the marathon, but his finish time of 2:06:23 made him the one hundredth person in history to run a sub-2:07 marathon, reports IAAF Sports. Belayneh Densimo was…
The NYC Marathon is this Sunday—the women’s elite race starts at 9:10 a.m. eastern, and the men’s elite start is at 9:40 a.m. (I’ll be starting in that first wave at 9:40.) For those of you planning to tune in…A little background: The big…
It's been 26 years since an American has won a major U.S. marathon and 37 since we did it in the Olympics. Will this be the year American distance running gets back on track? Ryan Hall thinks so.
Tara Parker-Pope from the New York times delves into this popular question, addressing issues from humans' unique body structure to advanced cooling systems to our evolved toes and gluteus maximus. While long distance running can often induce serious injury and wear and tear to the body, Parker Pope attributes many…
With just a week to go before the marathon, there's got to be a lot of sore runners out there. I'm one of them. Two weeks ago, after a 20 mile training run, my right calf muscle slipped slightly three miles into a recovery run, and I knew the sign:…
Ok, for anyone running the New York City Marathon Nov. 1, it's time to back off the training a little. Actually, it was time to start backing off last week. It's now eight days until the race, and a lot of people have questions about how much training to do…
Barefoot running has become a trend, but whether it's better for you than running with shoes is still up for debate. “On the one hand, no one has yet published a study on whether barefootrunning is better for you–the evidence is all anecdotal,” Daniel Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary…
Some ultrarunners are now choosing to have their toenails surgically removed, says a recent New York Times article. Supporters of the procedure point out that after running 50-100 miles, toenails often fall off anyway, or break and become extremely painful. Why not just get rid of them?…
With a quarter mile to go in the Des Moines Marathon, the lead runner Simon Sawe's progress was inhibited at a train crossing. A train stopped and remained parked on the rails for a full minute,…
Action Against Hunger has teamed up with Gatorade to create G Movement, an athletic competition aimed at fighting global hunger. Open to the public, the competition asks athletes of all levels from all over the country to use their next athletic challenge to bring attention to this world wide problem. …
Beijing Olympic Marathon gold medalist, Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya, claimed the fastest marathon ever run on U.S. soil after winning the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, according to Cool Running, with a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, 41 seconds. He beat Khalid…
Tellman Knudson is running across the country–barefoot–to raise money for homeless youth, says Wend. If he completes the jog from New York to Los Angeles, Knudson will be the first person ever to make the trans-continental run without shoes. He has ran 350…
One of the largest annual fund raising events in the US, the Nike Women's Marathon, will happen this coming weekend in San Francisco. With over 20,000 participants the marathon raised over $18 million dollars last year alone. Follow the course highlights on the marathon blog at…
Top members of the Athletics South Africa board are being pressured to resign by track and field affiliates of the country, reports the Associated Press. President of the ASA, Leonard Chuene, has admitted to lying about knowledge of gender tests involving 18-year-old…
This is it — one last big week of training, then let the tapering—and nerves—begin. With 26 days until the NYC marathon, the Run Mammoth coaches have me hitting 62 miles — the highest we've decided I should go given my history with injuries showing up as I go beyond…
Today in the New York Times Steven Lee Meyers shared his experience training for a marathon on a treadmill while living in Baghdad. Forced to stay inside because of safety, heat, and other factors, Meyers blogs about training for the Marine Corps…
South Africa's track team has lost sponsorship from Nedbank because of the controversy over gold-medal runner Caster Semenya's gender, the AP reports. The International Association of Athletics Federations ordered tests to determine whether Semenya is really a woman. Nedbank said it did…
Most people who lose a leg dream of walking again. For adaptive athlete Jarem Frye, the inventor of a spring-loaded prosthetic knee transforming the lives of amputees, that wasn't nearly enough. He wanted to fly.
The first Monserrat Volcano Half-Marathon will take place on this island in the East Caribbean Dec. 5, Runner's Web reports. The race will be part of the local Carnival festivities. The course will pass through Soufriere Hills, an active volcano. Check out the…
According to RunnersWeb.com, the 20th annual Canadian Marathon in Toronto was the most successful in Canadian history, raising $1.8 million for 99 neighborhood charities, and breaking the records for fastest marathon for both men and women on Canadian soil. Defending champion Kenneth Mungara…
We're just over one month away from the NYC Marathon, and the training loads are peaking. Last week was a 62 mile week, capped by a 20 mile tempo run. For me—a former 3k, 5k, 8k guy—that was the longest run I've ever done, and it felt great. Luckily, we…
This August, the 16th annual Leadville Trail 100 mountain-bike race kicks off in America’s highest city. An expected record of 1,300 competitors will climb more than 14,000 vertical feet at an average elevation of two miles. Lance Armstrong says he’s returning, and Levi Leipheimer has committed too, both hoping to…
She drinks hard, fights dirty, and runs 100 trail miles faster than any woman alive. Meet Jenn Shelton, ultramarathoning's new antihero.
Alan Horton Alan Horton  Work, kids, 99-cent value meals we know how the fitness excuses can pile up. That's why we've assembled our second annual class of Outside's Fittest (Real) Athletes: five wickedly overscheduled Americans who haven't let hectic careers or a…
Need another reason to get excited about the resurgence of American distance running? After struggles with injuries, Kara Goucher, a 30-year-old former NCAA cross-country champ, finished third in the New York City Marathon last November. Her time of 2:25:53 was the fastest debut for an American woman ever. As a follow-up, she's set her sights on the sport's mos
What are the best exercises for improving my time in the 40-yard-dash?
I looking for a pair of sunglasses to wear while running. I a woman, with a smaller fre and a small face. I like glasses that are half rims and wrap around the sidesbut I don't want them so huge that they cover my whole facewith a light lens that don't distort the true colors. And I'd prefer to not go bankrupt, either I can't believe what I've seen pricewise for a pair of sunglasses. I delusional? Connie Cleveland, OH
Ryan Hall has been touted as the savior of American distance running since 2007. So when's he going to win a race?
Every year, thousands ofericans race. Very few of them win. All of them have a blast. Isn't it time you joined the party?
My left IT band tightens up every time I go for a run and sometimes I have to stop to stretch it. How can I loosen it up?
I'm moving to Mongolia for work and it's going to get pretty cold (between -20 and -35 Celsius in winter) Any advice on gear for running or cross-country skiing in those temps, or is it just too cold? There weren't be much deep snow. Dave Hong Kong
No mountain? No problem. As our man discovered, racing up a skyscraper provides a challenge as daunting as many high peaks.
I'm a 71-year old runner and cyclist. I ride about 250 miles a month and run 16 to 18 miles a week. Lately my hamstrings are sore. Do you have any suggestions to ease my sore hamstrings so I can keep running?
I've just started running again after a long lay off, and I don't want to lose momentum over the winter. What's the best shell I can get to keep me dry and warm without blowing the thermostat? KT London, England
DEAN KARNAZES talks about racing in the most extreme conditions on earth.
Im looking for a compact and lightweight backpack that I can take running. It should move with me securely through rough terrain. Do you have suggestions? Jay Vancouver, Washington
Hes stronger, fitter, and nearly six seconds faster than he was in 2001, when he smashed Jim Ryuns high school mile record. But consistency has never been Alan Webbs strong point. Will Beijing finally bring Americas star runner the glory heand the rest of ushave been waiting for?
Ultrarunning ambassador Dean Karnazes shares his secrets for going, going, going
Im an experienced road runner, and now I want to train for an off-road triathlon. Where should I start with trail-runners? Chris Indianapolis, Indiana
Freedom of the Hills
Turn your vacation into a full-body recalibration with these performance-enhancing getaways
I've run one ultrarathon and looking to do a few more this year. What are the best and lightest trail shoes on the market? I tried the North Face Arnuva 50 Boa, but I'd like to hear about some lighter choices. Thanks! Alex Iowa City, Iowa
Pick one of these races coming up this spring, and start rehearsing your victory speech.
1. HIND P.E. SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT » This T’s grid pattern minimizes points of contact on the skin for increased airflow, which helps keep you cool. And on long runs, the extra-stretchy underarm panels don’t chafe. $38; hind.com womens running…
Strange but true: It feels good to run all day. Prep yourself with this go-far gear.
A new shoe promises more efficient running by taking a page from Isaac Newton
In the Store: Don’t know what kind of arches you have? Dunk your foot lightly in some water and then step on a paper bag. See almost your entire foot? You’re an overpronator. See very little? You’re an underpronator (this is less common). »…
New Balance 902
Im so glad its finally spring, and I cant wait to get out on the trails. But its pretty muddy on some of my favorites. Which trail-runners do you recommend for these conditions? Kevin Boulder, Colorado
I have a modest build and run three times per week on mostly hard surfaces. Recently, after every session Ive developed persistent heel pain. Any suggestion on a good running shoe that offers outstanding cushioning? Rich New York, New York
I'd love to run on the concrete recreation trails outside my house, but they hurt my bones. Ive had to stick to dirt trails, which are a car ride away. Which running shoe will cushion well on paved surfaces? LCB Erie, Colorado
Dean Karnazes grabbed the headlines, but Mississippi native SAM THOMPSON, 25, nabbed the record last summer with little fanfare, becoming the first person to blitz 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. Even more impressive: He suffered zero blisters en route. Here's how.
Im sick of being confined to the treadmill this winter. How should I dress for a cold-weather run? Knox Brookline, Massachusetts
I need a headlp for late-night trail running. I have a Petzl Tikka, which is great if everything is within hands reach, but beyond your feet it doesn't work very well. What do you suggest? David Syracuse, New York
To interview ultrarunner Dean Karnazes for our January cover story, This Life Goes to 11, managing editor Katie Arnold joined him for a short run. Four hours later, shed completed her first marathon. Here, read extended excerpts from their conversation.
In which our intrepid misadventurer sets out to win a marathon and quit smoking. (Hint: He only succeeds at one.)
Im an over-pronator and run marathons with motion-control shoes to compensate. Id like to get into adventure racing and need to know which trail-running shoes offer the best motion control. Any ideas? Jay Pensacola, Florida
Get the most out of long summer days with featherweight performance gear for running, riding, climbing, and hiking
Running
NordicTrack Incline Trainer X10
After a breakout year, this native Colorado triathlete is ready for the world stage
I am a slow runner. In fact, last week I was running and I was passed by a glacier. How can I improve my speed?
I pretty new to running and going to do a 13-mile trail run that is expected to take about four-plus hours. I looking for hydration packs as there will not be aid stations or anything like that. My concern is with the hydration backpacks or lumbar packs that offer only one place to store one kind of drink. What do I do about carrying water and my electrolyte replacement? Are backpacks out of the question? How do you feel about The North Face Dayhiker Lumbar Pack? It has plenty of room for food, and has a dual source for water and my other drink. Tia San Jose, California
What's the best headlp for running groomed trails now that it gets dark early? I'd like it to be waterproof for those snowy or rainy days. Ray Wheaton, Illinois
She: "I just ran 300 miles!" He: "Check out my rippling quads!" It ain't easy being Pam Reed. When the skinny Tucson mom ran 11 marathons in a row without stopping this spring, did anybody notice? No, they were too busy fawning over her nemesis, the buff Dean Karnazes, as he dashed gaily from magazine shoot to book signing. So what gives?