The 96th San Silvestra Vallecana took place in Madrid and would normally be a mass, celebratory NYE race. This year of course it was just the elites battling it out over 4 laps of a 2.5k circuit.

Neither of last year’s winners were back to defend their titles (Helen Bekele Tola of Ethiopia in 30:50 and Bashir Abdi of Belgium in 27:47) so that left the course clear for a battle between Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich (second last year) and 21 year old Ethiopian Yulemzerf Yehualaw Densa, who is second fastest all-time over the half marathon distance.

Windy and cold conditions made for slower times than usual, especially as the course is normally downhill enough to be deemed non-legal for records. Within the first kilometer Chepngetich and Densa had pulled away and after a brief tussle from Swedish half-marathon record holder Sarah Lahti, they pulled ahead again for the final two laps.

Densa put the hammer down around halfway through and the Kenyan just didn’t have anything to respond with, leaving Ethiopia to take the win again in 31:17 and Chepngetich runner up for Kenya for the second year in a row, in 31:50. France’s Alessia Zarbo rounded out the podium taking bronze in 33:50.

Photo: Getty Images for IAAF

Chelimo talking a big game in the build-up

There was some pre-race game-talk from Paul Chelimo who said that he would attempt to break the American 10k road record of 27:48, currently shared by Bernard Lagat and Mark Nenow. Chelimo’s track 10k PB is 27:43 but with only two races completed this year back in February and those only 3,000m it was always going to be interesting to see whether the fitness he had been building could stand up to racing.

Alas, it was not to be – Daniel Simiu Ebenyo of Kenya won the race just inside the US record time Chelimo was chasing – breaking the tape in 27:41 to take the victory for Kenya. Italian marathon record-holder Eyob Faniel was second in 28:08 and Chelimo went away with third place in 28:14.

Still a strong performance and maybe we’ll see the track start have another attempt at the record in the future.

Falls and mishaps in Barcelona

In Barcelona at the Cursa dels Nassos there was talk of 5k and 10k world records being challenged thanks to the presence of Genze Dibaba and Hellen Obiri.

As with the NYE fireworks around the world, there wasn’t quite the expected show this year but there were still some strong times. 1500m world record holder Dibaba (ETH) won her 5k race in 15:00 flat followed by her little sister Anna in 16:02 and Esther Guerror Puigvall of Spain who was third in 16:03.

Jenny Spink racing over longer distances, but presumably only once that day. Photo: Valencia Half Marathon

Bristol & West’s Jenny Spink (who lives in Spain) did an epic double, making the most of the limited chances to race, and turned around a 16:59 for tenth place in the 5k before switching numbers and hot-footing it to the start of the 10k where she placed 9th in 35:32

In the assault on the 10k WR, Obiri suffered some ill-fate as her pacemaker dropped out early and she fell heavily on a bend (see insta-video below). With Jepkosgei’s 29:43 record no longer in sight, Obiri was not deterred and doubled down her efforts to come home in 30:53- a convincing victory over Spain’s Majida Maayouf (33:19) and Marta Galimany Guasch (33:52).

 

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A post shared by Hellen Obiri (@hellenobiri)

French party in the men’s 5 & 10k

In the men’s 5k race the win went to France’s Jimmy Gressier who raced home in 13:39. He was chased all the way to the line by Uruguayan Santiago Catrofeclose who finished just a second behind. France also nabbed the third place thanks to a 13:45 from Yann Schurb.

The French had a great day of it in the men’s races as Morhad Amdouni ran a storming 10k race to go second on the European all-time list with his 27:42. Spain’s Carlos Mayo was runner up in 28:06 and then it was back to the French contingent for third place as Gressier also gave his legs a battering by doing the double, and was rewarded with a third place finish in the 10k race (28:13).

Under-23 men’s champion Jimmy Gressier leading the field over the cross country back in Tilburg 2018.

Not just racing in Spain

Not content with letting the Spanish have all the fun, Bolzano Italy hosted the BoClassic. Again, this was an elite only race this year and run on a looped course rather than the normal one.

In the women’s 10k race it was Kenya who won out big time thanks to Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi’s 10k debut of 30:42 and her compatriot runner’s up Dorcas Jepchirchir Tuitoek (30:43) and Norah Jeruto Tanui (30:45).

The men competed over 5k and were reportedly looking to beat a certain Jimmy Gressier’s European record (see above) of 13:18. It was a tight race but again, it was not to be. Ugandan Oscar Chelimo won in 13:17 and Robin Hendrix of Belgium fell just short of his continental challenge, taking silver in 13:19. Abdelaati Iguider of Morocco was third in 13:20.

Mageean racing indoors in a previous year. Photo: Kieran Carlin

Fast 3000m racing in Manchester

Winner Ciara Mageean (8:54) and second place Jip Vastenberg (8:55) both broke nine minutes, with Aimee Pratt just a few seconds over in 9:03 with a close race. The win caps a strong year for Ireland’s Mageean with personal bests over 800m and 1000m national records outdoors and a 1500m national record indoors.

Elizabeth Bird and Jenny Nesbit also featured, both finishing with 9:17.

The mens race saw both Mark Pearce (7:52) and Jack Rowe (7:54) break eight minutes, with Emile Cairess in third with 8:02 after winning last weekend at the Podium 5k outside. Ross Millington, Zak Seddon and Thomas Keen completed the small, but elite field.

The inaugural James Thie New Year’s Marathon

The final word goes to James Thie (head of Team Thie) who would normally be calling the classic Nos Galen Races at this time of year.

Instead he did what I suspect a lot of us felt like doing yesterday, albeit with greater speed and over a greater distance – he went and thrashed out all his frustrations of 2020 with a good old run….. a 2:56:20 solo marathon run with 1,300ft of elevation.

And that’s a wrap

So, there’s 2020 for you. Who knows what the new year will bring. There have already been some interesting flurry’s on social media as Camille Herron and Charlotte Purdue have both left Nike.

Herron, who has set multiple records in Vaporflys and is rarely seen out of a pair, even in training, will be representing Hoka One One from now on. The US star and 24hr World Champion will feature in another 100k record breaking attempt organised by Hoka this January 23rd.

Purdue will join Lily Partridge on the Adidas roster, which will add an interesting extra level of competition to the GB women’s marathon scene.

Any races this weekend will be added to the round-up on Sunday, including the 3000m invitationals in Manchester. 

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Success for Obiri despite fall – weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

USA’s Olympic silver medalist Paul Chelimo – who makes his half marathon debut – and Boston Marathon champion Des Linden headline the elite field for the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday, March 17.

The 14th running of the event will take runners on a 13.1-mile tour through New York neighbourhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan and past iconic city landmarks.

As well as Chelimo and Linden, who will defend her Boston title in April, reigning champions Ben True and Buze Diriba return, while Britain’s Alice Wright runs in her second half marathon after a debut 73:17 in Houston earlier this year.

Debutant at the distance Chelimo won the New York hosted USATF 5k Championships last November in a course-record time.

In 2016, Chelimo became the first American athlete since 1964 to medal in the 5000m at the Olympics when he won silver. The 28 year-old followed that up with a 5000-meter bronze medal at the IAAF World Championships one year later.

“I’m really excited about this new challenge in my career – my first half marathon – and I’m especially excited to make it happen at the United Airlines NYC Half next month,” said Chelimo. “I love the energy I get from running through the city, and I’ve had great experiences running the USATF 5K Championships that finish right there in Central Park.

“I’ve been doing longer runs than ever in my training this winter, and am ready to show the long distance guys a thing or two on March 17. I have unfinished business on the track, and then I’m looking forward to making a debut in the TCS New York City Marathon in the near future.”

RELATED: Paul Chelimo: “soldier first, athlete later”

Challenging Chelimo will be True, who in 2018 became the first the first American to win the men’s race, covering the new course in 62:39.

The American 5K record-holder leads a talented cast of American men that includes four-time Olympian and 2007 event runner-up Abdi Abdirahman, 2018 USATF Marathon champion Brogan Austin, and Olympian and the top American finisher at the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon Jared Ward.

Linden, a two-time Olympian, will use the United Airlines NYC Half as her final major tune-up race before attempting to defend her Boston Marathon title in April. Last year, she became the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years, breaking through after seven top-five finishes in Abbott World Marathon Majors races.

Photo: NYRR

She was one of four American women to finish in the top 10 at the New York City Marathon in November, taking sixth place.

“I’m happy to be running the United Airlines NYC Half for the sixth time,” said Linden. “Over the years, this race has served as a nice tune-up for my runs at the Boston Marathon, and in 2019 I’ll try to duplicate as much as possible from my 2018 Boston buildup.

“The Prospect Park to Central Park course suits my type of running, and Boston last year showed me that on any given day, anything is possible. I’m excited about being in the mix on March 17.”

Diriba will be back after becoming the second Ethiopian female winner in the event’s history last year when she took the tape in a sprint finish in 72:23.

She also won the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in Central Park last year in the fourth-fastest time in event history, and lowered her half-marathon personal best to 1:06:50 at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon.

Challenging Linden and Diriba will be Kenya’s world-record holder in the half marathon, Joyciline Jepkosgei, who ran a 1:04:51 to win the 2017 Valencia Half-Marathon in Spain and then finished second in the distance at the 2018 IAAF World Championships. Jepkosgei is set to make her marathon debut in Hamburg in April.

Her countrywoman, Mary Wacera, is a two-time World Championships Half-Marathon medalist, and will be running the United Airlines NYC Half in preparation for her marathon debut in Boston.

Rounding out the Kenyan trio will be veteran Edna Kiplagat, who has won the New York City, Boston and London marathons in addition to two world championship marathon titles.

In addition to Linden, the Americans will be represented by two-time TCS New York City Marathon top-10 finisher Allie Kieffer, USATF champion and Pan American Games medalist Kellyn Taylor, 2018 Boston Marathon runner-up Sarah Sellers, and 2018 USATF Marathon champion Emma Bates.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Paul Chelimo to make half marathon debut in New York appeared first on Fast Running.

For the first time since 2010, Team Americas has triumphed over defending champions Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific at the IAAF Continental Cup.

The competition, which was held in Ostrava, Czech Republic over two days (September 8-9), was close between the two front-runners, Europe and eventual winner, Americas. The Americas led by just 12 points after the first day, but pulled away on day two, to win by 29 points.

USA’s Paul Chelimo won the 3000m for Americas in 7:57.13 with the race featuring a new elimination format.

Athletes were eliminated in each of the five final laps, with Great Britain’s Marc Scott representing Europe, eliminated with two laps remaining, finishing sixth overall.

RELATED: Marc Scott runs the fastest 5k in the UK this year

On Saturday, Sifan Hassan, who won European 5000m gold last month, won the women’s event in a Dutch record 8:27.50.

American sprinter Noah Lyles won the men’s 100m for Americas clocking a time of 10.01, while Caster Semenya won the women’s 800m for Africa in 1:54.77.

Photo: Getty Images for IAAF

Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas provided the third double for the Americas on Sunday, backing up from a brilliant win in the 200m.

The women’s 3000m steeplechase also featured an elimination format, but world record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech was in a race of her own as she stormed to the win in 9:07.92, more than seven seconds clear of her rivals.

Meanwhile, British athletes in action included Matthew Hudson-Smith who finished fourth in the 400m in a time of 45.72, while Meghan Beesley clocked 55.58 to also finish fourth in the 400m hurdles for Europe.

Victory in the final event, the mixed 4x400m relay, sealed the win for the Americas as they tallied 262 points to Europe’s 233. The Asia-Pacific team had their best outing at this competition, finishing third (188) ahead of Africa (142).

This year’s Continental Cup trialled some new competition formats in the distance events, horizontal jumps and throws, which sparked much debate among athletes, coaches and fans as the IAAF strives to create new ways for people to engage with the sport.

IAAF president Seb Coe said it was “an ideal opportunity to road-test some innovative ideas”.

He added: “Some were very exciting, like the mixed relay and the men’s elimination 3000m. The spectator area which was introduced at the warm-up track was always full and that’s all part of getting the spectators closer to the athletes.

“Some of the formats are more of a challenge and we need to reflect but let’s not lose our nerve here. We have to innovate and if we don’t innovate, we die. We will now consider what we have seen here, and consult with the athletics community, including athletes and fans. We have plenty to discuss.”

RELATED: Paul Chelimo: “soldier first, athlete later”

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Americas defeats Europe in Continental Cup appeared first on Fast Running.

Racing against some of the best middle-distance runners in the sport, Jakob Ingebrigtsen was the star at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford, California on Thursday night (May 3).

The talented 17 year-old, brother of Henrik and Filip Ingebrigtsen, ran a personal best 3:39.06 to take victory ahead of USA Olympic and world medalist Paul Chelimo and reigning Olympic 1500m champion Matt Centrowitz in the 1500m race.

Chelimo finished second in 3:40.16, Eric Jenkins was third in 3:40.28, while Centrowitz was only sixth in 3:40.74.

RELATED: Paul Chelimo: ‘soldier first, athlete later’

Ingebrigtsen, who spoke to Fast Running last year about his family, goals and aspirations, ran a final lap of 55.24 making the decisive move with 200m to go and passed Chelimo before opening up a gap that only grew as he went on to achieve the qualifying standard for this summer’s European Championships.

Big win for @JakobIng at Payton Jordan! pic.twitter.com/hzSppAkj2v

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) May 4, 2018

That wasn’t the only success for the family, with older brother Henrik running a big personal best 13:16.97 to take victory in the 5000m and an early season world-leading time.

Britain’s Chris Thompson was also competing in the 5000m and finished 11th in 13:25.29.

After an impressive cross country season and on the road, Ben Connor took nine seconds from his 10,000m best clocking 28:14.56 to finish 11th as Shadrack Kipchirchir took the win in 27:39.65.

Connor was named in the GB team this week for the European 10,000m Cup which is incorporated into the the Highgate Harriers’ Night of 10,000m PBs later this month.

The post 17 year-old Jakob Ingebrigtsen shocks two Olympic medallists appeared first on Fast Running.

It’s fair to say indoor athletics isn’t the grandest draw for the masses, but the recent four-day World Indoors was a fine opportunity to showcase a niche form of athletics.

The likes of Usain Bolt, Mo Farah and David Rudisha have consistently left us with a sense of awe and wonderment on the outdoor. Whilst the indoor version is no less exciting and demanding in terms of skill, nerve and physical prowess, it remains something of a niche.

There were stunning records at these championships, but the memorable ones were for the wrong reasons. And 27 disqualifications (DQs) later, for individuals and teams, the general public is left wondering just what actually happened in the Arena Birmingham?

This year’s DQ rate more than doubles the previous peak from 2013 which was also happened to be held in Birmingham.

Americans were up in arms at the perceived singling out of their athletes, in particular, the disqualification by “overzealous” British officials of medal hope Paul Chelimo.

Fellow USA athlete Colleen Quigley, who experienced a disqualification for stepping on the inside line at London 2017, didn’t hold back with her opinion of the officiating.

“I don’t know if they are just out to get people? If they have fun DQ-ing people? But it is brutal out there,” she said after her 1500m heat on the second day in Birmingham. “They are just crushing people for what seems like no reason.

“We are barely able to warm up. The first time we were able to get on the track was today and the curves are extremely steep so I can see how people are falling on the inside.”

The unforgettable DQ moment of these championships came in men’s 400m heats when every athlete was disqualified, a first for the sport and Quigley further commented: “These 400 guys don’t know where to cut in because they haven’t been able to get on the track beforehand. It’s ridiculous.”

What was your DQ highlight?

For athletes, spectators and viewers at home the level of disqualifications was definitely excessive, and in some instances quite farcical. However, while it’s easy to have a go at the “overzealous” officials, they made no mistakes. It’s their job to digest the rulebook, observe the chaos and enforce the rules.

“It all seemed about fair to me,” says former GB international James Thie, who finished fourth in the 1500m indoor final in Budapest 2004. “Our officials are the best in the world, and they’re just doing their job, often in their own time.

“We stick to the rules but do other countries?”

And that’s where the spike (no pun intended) in statistics becomes a little easier to comprehend. The previous DQ peak was 13 at the 2003 hosted Birmingham competition. Comparatively, the British are very good at sticking to the rules. However, when it comes to the IAAF rule book, perhaps a little too good.

This particular debate throws up a complex trade-off between the objective and subjective. Rules try to be factual, humans aren’t robots, and indoor running is frantic. Elbows and tactics have always been a core part of track running, but on a tight, leaning indoor track, there’s a lot more going on.

“It’s part of indoor racing that there’s a bit of physicality to hold your position,” explains Thie. “Plus every track is different, in terms of material, cambers, the angle at which the bend becomes the straight. It would be good if the rules recognised the potential of each track.

“Lane infractions are a tough one, but if you know the rules then stay in your lane. Aren’t you better running at 98% and staying safe? It’s black and white, but perhaps the rules need updating as we don’t want to see the top guys DQ’d before a final. You get to a point where you could DQ the whole field.”

Remarkably, this happened in Heat 3 of the 400m as previously mentioned. It was an event that never managed to shrug off controversy through the competition. In the final, the Czech Republic’s defending champion Pavel Maslak was upgraded to gold after Spain’s Oscar Husillos and Dominican Republic’s Luguelin Santos were both judged to step out of their lanes.

The decision was greeted with boos around the arena, and you can sympathise.

“In the 400m, you see Husillos run sub-45, but how much advantage did he really get?” asks Thie. “Pavel Maslak doesn’t cross the line and feel like a world champion does he?”

In a physical 800m final, USA had another call to arms when silver medal placed Drew Windle was disqualified for obstruction after contact with race winner Adam Kszczot.

Great Britain’s Elliot Giles was subsequently moved up to bronze. With an appeal launched and four men waited by the podium, Windle was reinstated after much deliberation. “I think common sense prevailed with Windle,” comments Thie.

Herein lies the challenge facing athletics. Did 100% of these infractions clearly affect the outcome of the race? There’s no evidence to suggest so. All we’re left with is a blur between fact and opinion, which in turn begs for discretion. Besides, stepping over the curb after a loss of balance is rarely a major benefit anyway.

What’s the solution?

It’s not the rules that need a tweak, more the punishments. In the heat of a manic race that’s squashed into a busy schedule, the kneejerk red card does feel harsh.

One wrong foot can scupper years of training and preparation, so introducing more flexible penalties may be a compromise that respects the rules and the athletes in equal measure.

A false start in a motorcycle race and you have to come back through the pits. You’re still in with a chance of winning – it just becomes harder. Moving blocks back or adding time penalties could be a way of modernising the sport without damaging the level playing field.

“The rules just need a minor update to give discretion to athletes,” says Thie. “I hate seeing athletes DQ’d and when we’re trying to sell the sport to the general public it’s sad to see some headlines being written for the wrong reasons.

“I also think with indoors, it’s very much a niche and a bit of an unknown. Our runners get well versed in the rules from an early age, whereas in some countries indoor track is not a national sport and there are no indoor facilities, so they come to an event like this and are in at the deep end.”

Another challenge is applying a standard set of rules to indoor tracks that vary in their make-up. Some are made of concrete, others wooden boards. The height of the camber differs between tracks, whilst the interaction between the bend and straight varies too.

Add to that the pandemonium of runners folding into the inside lane, elbows flying in all directions, and it’s a melting pot of intensely difficult decisions required instantly.

Birmingham’s indoor track and the officials

Does Birmingham’s wooden boards offer more spring? Is the height from the bottom of the camber to the top greater than other indoor tracks? Or was it simply a case of more inexperience and therefore more mistakes by athletes in the pressure cooker that is indoor running?

Whatever the answers, the officials can’t be blamed for the spike in DQs. Rules certainly are rules, but when the best person doesn’t necessarily win every time, it appears the priorities might be a little skewed, and the sport is in need of a little fine-tuning.

Indeed there were many positives from these championships. Take nothing away from Christian Coleman for a blistering championship record of 6.37 in the 60m. Laura Muir continues to put a smile on our faces after securing a magnificent medal double, as did Katerina Johnson-Thompson and Andrew Pozzi with their golden moments.

And who expected the Polish 4x400m world record?

In conclusion, there was nothing sinister going on in Birmingham. No mistakes were made.

However, for the marketing of the sport, this was a gilt-edged chance to attract a new audience and widen the appeal. Instead of doing that, the public is left confused and frustrated, and that will remain the overriding public sentiment.

The post What the D**Q happened at the World Indoors? appeared first on Fast Running.

First, you have to ask what events are worth watching as a running fan? Curling isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and figure skating is popular with the masses on a Saturday night. Yet is anything as good as watching a decent mile race or a marathon record attempt?

If it’s head to head racing you like then there are three favourite events – cross country skiing, speed skating and the snowboard/ski cross.

So after some in-depth statistical analysis (that didn’t really happen) here are the five runners that have the potential to make a great splash if they swapped the ovals for the colder version of the Olympics.

Speed skaters – Mo Farah and Paul Chelimo

Speed skating is a tactical showpiece with positioning a key element. Largely because huge crashes wipe out the whole field leaving anyone in a position to win.

High speeds, crashes and underdog heroes should make this a favourite event of any running fan.

So with it being a tactical race with the potential for falling, who’s the best athlete at both of those things? Mo Farah has come back from a fall to win before and most of his Olympic golds have been down to his tactics and fast finishes. So how about it Mo, Paul Chelimo and Muktar Edris…isn’t it time you battled on the ice?

The whole of Iten – Kenyan XC ski squad

Now cross country skiing is looking like it’s getting embroiled in it’s own doping issues at the moment, but it is one of the finest endurance events on the planet. The athletes regular set VO2 Max records and 50km races come down to a photo finish. Who could be a top cross country skier then?

A big engine is needed, but also a level of technical skill. The Scandinavians have been brought up on skis for generations, but there is actually a British athlete, Andrew Musgrave, who has a chance of medalling so maybe there’s hope for other non-snow nations too.

With that in mind, wouldn’t you love to see the whole Kenyan squad try out at the 50km Cross Country Ski? It has been done before, back in 1998, when a Nike sponsored project saw Philip Boit and a fellow Kenyan, both former middle distance runners with no prior skiing experience, head to Finland to train for the discipline.

Boit went on to become the first Kenyan cross country skier at the Winter Olympics… it’s it time for his legacy lived on.

Ski Cross – Emma Coburn

The American world steeplechase champion is good at jumping over things and racing in crowds, some of the things needed in the ski cross. We have no idea if Coburn can ski, but she’s from Crested Butte, Colorado so it’s not impossible.

With all the dramatic finishes in the ski cross, where arms and legs can be thrown across the finish line for a position, Coburn’s never say die attitude could clinch her another medal.

Bobsleigh – Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin, Christian Coleman and Yohan Blake

What would happen if you took the fastest four men from the 2017 World Championships and did a remake of “Cool Runnings”?

Most likely they would just push the bobsleigh really fast for the first 20-30 metres and then let it go, but if John Candy were still alive he get them into shape surely.

Biathlon – Paul Chelimo and Kelly Holmes

The biathlon is a mixture of endurance and marksmanship, so who better than two world-class runners who also served in the army?

Olympic silver medalist Paul Chelimo is still enlisted in the US army and previously told Fast Running: “My job is a soldier first and an athlete later.”

Certainly has the endurance to be a biathlete, as well as the marksmanship. What do you reckon about the skis though?

Kelly Holmes, 800m and 1500m gold medallist might have to run for a bit longer than her specialist distance. But that shouldn’t be a problem for the former army sergeant who is a fantastic all-round athlete having won an army judo title and a heptathlon event during her career.

Who would bet against Holmes picking up cross-country skiing?

So for those who thought the Winter Olympics wasn’t for them, think again. The brilliant mixture of speed, endurance, tactics and falling over can be seen in abundance in South Korea this month.

However, if you just want to see a British medal, then curling is probably your best bet.

The post Which runners could medal at the Winter Olympics? appeared first on Fast Running.

One of the issues of training in East Africa is that when you try to go past the school run, it tries to keep up. Even if you are a world class distance runner…

So your running along doing our thing then the kids come out to play #kidskeepingup pic.twitter.com/nYpSWfIPkl

— liz mccolgan (@Lizmccolgan) January 21, 2018

Where’s the logical place to go after a sprinting career? Former hurdler-turned body builder Andy Turner had a showdown with former sprinter Dwain Chambers. Who do you think came out on top?

Tough fight against Dwain last night but thankful we both came out of safely. Happy to say my winning record continues…. onto the next one pic.twitter.com/XSi31222mE

— Andy Turner (@andyturner110h) January 21, 2018

US track star Paul Chelimo is burning through training partners and has turned to Twitter. Whilst world champion steeplechaser Emma Coburn had a good laugh, Kiwi Jake Robertson offered to keep up in April.

Finding a good workout buddy nowadays is just like finding nemo

— Paul Chelimo (@Paulchelimo) January 21, 2018

When the track becomes a rugby pitch, US indoor action saw plenty of collisions. It reminds Fast Running of the start of Cool Runnings, maybe these guys will look to bobsleigh next?

Carnage on the track!#VAShowcase pic.twitter.com/1AWSwQ8aDu

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) January 20, 2018

Does running an ultra marathon on the world’s steepest island sound like hard work? Well, the kind people of TransVulcania on La Palma are working to create a video game version of their race. Will blisters, heat stroke, and doing what runners do in the bushes, be part of the game?

#Transvulcania prepares the first ultrarunning video game in the world https://t.co/UTpaGeRCjF #skyrunning

— Transvulcania (@Transvulcania) January 20, 2018

Andy Butchart was gifted Mo Farah’s vest after his final GB track performance, but where is it now? In a frame? Being kept in his safe? Nope, it’s on top of the laundry basket. Come on Andy!

I swear it hasn’t moved from on top of the wash basket… so sorry @Mo_Farah . I will get sorted https://t.co/VQ2ev1HKNs

— Andrew Butchart (@andybutchart91) January 18, 2018

He may have tasted victory at the JFK 50 miler in the US last year but Eric Senseman knows how to bring things back to reality. Training with HokaOneOne NAZ elite athlete Steph Bruce means getting dropped on the last 2:15 half mile effort. Makes for a fine picture though.

When @stephrothstein lays down a half mile in 2 minutes and 15 seconds at the end of a workout and you try not to get dropped. This is what it looks like. – @naz_elite @runinrabbit @compressport @guenergylabs @nathansportsinc #borntorunfree #GUforit #runstronger – @craig_lutz

A post shared by Eric Senseman (@sensemagram) on Jan 18, 2018 at 3:00pm PST

Now some inspiration from US High Schooler Katelyn Tuohy running a 15:37 5000m to break the indoor and outdoor High School records. the_running_statistician definitely has the numbers covered below…

H.S. SOPHOMORE KATELYN TUOHY DESTROYS THE 5K NATIONAL RECORD AT VIRGINIA SHOWCASE — In what is possibly the greatest high school performance I have ever witnessed, Katelyn Tuohy @katelyntuohy, 15, pulverized both the indoor and outdoor 5,000-meter records with her 15:37.12 clocking on Saturday afternoon. The records belonged to Brie Oakley (15:55.75i), who ran the record at New Balance Indoor Nationals last spring, and Mary Cain (15:45.46), who set her mark in 2013 as a junior. This is certainly within her capabilities, after seeing Tuohy clock a 9:05.46 3K just weeks ago (which suggested 15:36 was possible), but was not at all expected. Her intermediate split of 9:54.28 for 3200m is the 5th fastest indoor time in H.S. history. In next month’s Millrose Games, Tuohy will be competing in the girls mile with a goal of running a sophomore class record (4:43.42) and breaking 4:40. Since she has the second best 1500m time for a freshman (4:18.51, after Cain’s 4:17.98), sub-4:40 is definitely a possibility. — 2⃣0⃣1⃣8⃣ – [USA ] KATELYN TUOHY’S HSR 5000M SPLITS AT VA SHOWCASE () ・・ 1st/2nd Halves: 7:41.8 / 7:55.3 = 15:37.1 ・・ 200 – – 35.8 | 35.8 400 – 1:12.0 | 36.2 72.0 600 – 1:49.0 | 37.0 800 – 2:26.3 | 37.3 74.3 1000 – 3:03.0 | 36.7 1200 – 3:39.9 | 36.9 73.6 1400 – 4:17.0 | 37.1 1600 – 4:54.2 | 37.2 74.3 1800 – 5:31.0 | 36.8 2000 – 6:08.9 | 37.9 74.7 2200 – 6:45.5 | 36.6 2400 – 7:23.1 | 37.6 74.2 2600 – 8:00.8 | 37.7 2800 – 8:38.3 | 37.5 75.2 3000 – 9:16.0 | 37.7 3200 – 9:54.2 | 38.2 75.9 3400 – 10:32.3 | 38.1 3600 – 11:10.6 | 38.3 76.4 3800 – 11:48.6 | 38.0 4000 – 12:26.8 | 38.2 76.2 4200 – 13:05.4 | 38.6 4400 – 13:43.7 | 38.3 76.9 4600 – 14:22.4 | 38.7 4800 – 15:00.4 | 38.0 76.7 5000 – 15:37.1 | 36.7 ・・ Kilometer Splits: 3:03.0 / 3:05.9 / 3:07.1 / 3:10.8 / 3:10.3 ・ 1-5km Splits: 3:03.0 | 6:08.9 | 9:16.0 | 12:26.8 | 15:37.1 ・ Mile Splits: 4:54.2 / 5:00.0 / 5:06.2 ・・ Final Mile: 5:04.8 Final 800: 2:31.7 Final Lap: 36.7!!! ・・・・ Averages: (74.9/400m) (3:07.4/km) (4:59.8/mi) — : FloTrack #5000m #milesplit #letsrun #flotrack #usatf #justdoit #nikerunning #tracknation #trackandfield #track #raceday #runnerslife #runnerspace #tracklife #trackday #running

A post shared by T&F News Daily #Birmingham2018 (@the_running_statistician) on Jan 21, 2018 at 12:16pm PST

If you see something on social media that makes you laugh, cry or just plain wonder, tweet @fastrunning_ and share the love.

The post Fast kids, fighting sprinters and the loneliness of Paul Chelimo. Social Media Highlights appeared first on Fast Running.

The charismatic American has the confidence to match his talent too.

The Kenyan-born runner began 2017 with a new year resolution to not lose any races. Although he ultimately failed, he is targeting the same next year, hoping improved strength and greater experience will be key in making him the world’s best on the track now Farah has moved to the marathon.

“Next year definitely my goal is to try not to lose any races,” said the 27-year-old. “I sill have the same goals. Now Mo is out, once I get a set plan and get the winning formula it’s easier to win. Once I get my strength to the level that I want, it’s game over.”

The man who won 5000m Olympic silver behind Mo Farah in 2016 and bronze behind Muktar Edris and the Brit over the same distance at the 2017 Worlds believes he is lacking in endurance. To that end, he is focused on the 3000m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham next spring.

“At 3000m when it becomes really fast I can still kick well,” said Chelimo, who was seventh at the 2016 World Indoors. “I’m way better in the 3000m than 5000m. At 5000m I haven’t got enough strength. I just need to build more strength in a 5km race, I should be relaxed the whole way until the last lap.”

The other missing link for Chelimo is experience, he believes. “As years go by I’m getting stronger. It’s just the little things that I would have needed to have beaten Mo, but he has way more experience,” he said. “He has been in this game for a long time. It took him a long time to medal. He’s been through that process. He knows what to do to get a medal.

“That was the big difference between me and Mo these two years. I’m coming on to the racing scene. I came from college two years ago and in both my championships I’ve medalled. Mo has been through tough times. He knows how to play the game but for me, I’m still learning how to play the game and that’s where the difference comes in.”

He reckons better tactical awareness could have seen him win gold in London this year. “What I could have done differently is positioning myself towards the end,” he said. “[Also] I wanted to win the World Championships so bad and I trained really hard and I think when the World Championships came around I wasn’t well recovered.”

However, for him, it is all a learning process. “I’ve only been a professional runner two years and I’ve medalled in two championships, so I can’t ask for anything better,” he said. “I’m just going to go back and keep learning and make changes. If I can’t learn from it, there’s no way I’m going to be a champion. Things happen for a reason.”

Chelimo knows his PB of 13:03.90 does not reflect his ability. Therefore, along with winning World Indoors gold, breaking 13 minutes is his big goal for next year.

“I’m way ahead of training [this autumn], preparing early, building more strength so when I get into a race I should be ready to handle any type of pace,” he said.

Soldier first, athlete later

The story of his nationality switch is an unusual one. Born in Iten, he attended university in the United States and then, as a member of the army, gained expedited citizenship and in June 2015 was given clearance to represent his new country. He serves as a water treatment specialist.

He said giving up his Kenyan nationality was a big decision but added: “A big part of it was that the United States has been there for me. They paid for my scholarship for four years and the best was I could give back was serving in the military.

“My job is a soldier first and an athlete later. It’s no easy task. You could get called upon to defend the nation, I’m always ready for it. I’ve represented Kenya and I’ve represented United States and it’a big difference, that’s all I can say.”

As an elite-level runner, he is able to be part of the US Army’s World Class Athlete Program and says that has been key in his development. “The World Class Athlete Program has always been there for me,” he said. “They have always given me that support. Without it, I wasn’t going to be able to expose my talent and do great the way I’m doing right now.”

While a number of athletes have been accused of transferring citizenship to make it easier to qualify for major championships, Chelimo claims it is tougher to make teams in the USA as, although the Kenyans may be able to run the faster times, they lack tactical ability.

“I could make the Kenyan team any time,” he said. “If I wake up today and say I want to make the Kenyan team it’s easier than [making] the American team.”

Some may disagree. However, what is certain is that with United States distance running on the up, particularly after recent World Marathon Majors wins for Galen Rupp and Shalane Flanagan, Chelimo is at the forefront as the USA leads the challenge to the African dominance.

The post Paul Chelimo: “soldier first, athlete later” appeared first on Fast Running.