Do you NEED gels for a marathon?


Newsletter #961: Sunday, 8th November 2026


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Marathon Handbook is looking for a news editor to join our news desk. The ideal candidate is passionate about running, conversant in running culture and news, and has at least some background and experience in journalism, digital publishing, and using Wordpress. Send your application to thomas@marathonhandbook.com and include "news editor" in the subject line.

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Hey runners, in today’s newsletter, some sobering news out of Brooklyn.

Katie Suarez, the 28-year-old runner stabbed on the Shore Parkway Greenway, died Monday night. Police have made no arrests and are now working to trace around 1,700 cars that passed the spot.

On a brighter note, donations in Rachel Apa’s name have passed $170,000, and her original Parkinson’s fundraiser has gone from a $4,000 goal to more than $55,000. And in Nashville, a 7-year-old broke his own half-marathon age record by 11 minutes.

And as always, we round things out with the practical stuff: eight tips for your first half marathon, how many gels you actually need, and how long you should really be running each day.

Jessy Carveth

Senior News Editor, Marathon Handbook


​SuperHalfs Launches a Second Six-Race Series Across Europe​

SuperHalfs EUROPA brings half-marathons in Naples, Warsaw, Belgrade, Vienna, Riga and Stockholm into the series from 2027, with its own medal and no deadline to finish.


​Two Marathon Moments Make the Shortlist for World Athletics’ Fair Play Award​

Irine Cheptai's drink for Paralympian Michael Roeger in Sydney and the Boston finish where two runners carried a third over the line are up against pole vaulters Mondo Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis, with fan voting open until Nov. 16.


​Brooklyn Runner Katie Suarez Dies After Being Stabbed on a Waterfront Path​

The 28-year-old died Monday night, three days after she was attacked on the Shore Parkway Greenway. Police have made no arrests and are now trying to trace about 1,700 cars that passed the spot.


​How To Train For A Half Marathon: 8 Expert Tips For First-Timers​

Let us help you get to that half-marathon finish line.


​Energy Gels for Marathon: How Many You Actually Need​

A simple, practical guide to when—and how often—you should fuel for your best performance.


​How Long Should You Run A Day?​

We have 7 important factors to consider when determining your ideal running volume.


​Tennessee 7-Year-Old Sets a Half-Marathon Age Record for the Second Straight Year​

Tom Black ran 1:39:48 at the Nashville Half Marathon with his father one second behind, 11 minutes faster than the age-6 mark he set on the same course last year.


​Connecticut High School Runner Disqualified From Second Place at State Open Over Heart Rate Monitor​

Xavier junior Quentin Koch lost his runner-up finish under a Connecticut rule that national high school rules do not share, and he can wear the same device at the New England Championships on Nov. 14.


​Donations in Rachel Apa’s Name Have Passed $170,000 in the Week Since Her Death​

A GoFundMe her brother started for The Rachel Apa Foundation has drawn more than 1,200 donors, and her original Parkinson's fundraiser, which had a $4,000 goal, now stands at more than $55,000.


​Runner Banned from Marathon for Tying Son to Waist​

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is in the books, and Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth break it all down after a huge race week in NYC. Andreas Almgren pulled off one of the most hyped marathon debuts ever and won with a big negative split. Sheila Chepkirui held off Hellen Obiri for the women’s title, and Jess McClain came back late to take second, the first American woman on the NYC podium since 2018. Michael and Jessy also cover Zouhair Talbi just missing a US Olympic quota spot, Conner Mantz’s tough day, and what the media room was like after the finish.


Quick Sprints:

Looking for an online running coach? Whatever your goals, train with our head coach, Coach Katelyn. Learn more about her online coaching.


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