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Newsletter #947: Wednesday, 21st October 2026


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Hey runners, in today’s newsletter, a staggering display of depth out of Japan.

A total of 106 runners broke 64 minutes at Saturday’s Hakone Ekiden qualifier, with 92 of them Japanese college athletes.

Elsewhere, Ruth Croft has opened up about her eating disorder in a new Adidas documentary, released days before she won the Diagonale des Fous on her first attempt. We’re also mourning Grace Nolan, the Oakland runner and medical student who died before Sunday’s Detroit Marathon. And Sabastian Sawe’s 1:59:30 is up for World Athletics’ first-ever Moment of the Year, with voting open until October 26.

And as always, we round things out with the practical stuff: how to do a tempo run properly, 10 core exercises for runners, and a complete guide to carb loading.

Jessy Carveth

Senior News Editor, Marathon Handbook


​Medical-Grade Compression, Built for Runners​

In 2007, a German triathlete set an IRONMAN course record wearing a pair of bright white CEP knee-highs. The next day, they sold out. Nearly 20 years later, CEP still builds on the medical compression expertise of its parent company, medi. CEP’s progressive+ compression is firmer at the ankle and eases up the calf to help reduce swelling and support your legs mile after mile. That runs from everyday Core Run socks to the Optaspeed BowTech shoe.

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​106 Runners Broke 64 Minutes at Japan’s Hakone Ekiden Qualifier​

Toyo University won Saturday's half-marathon in Tachikawa to earn its way back into the Hakone Ekiden, and 92 of the 106 men who finished under 1:04:00 were Japanese college runners.


​The Diamond League Has Confirmed Its Distance Races for 2027​

The season runs from Doha on May 7 to the Zurich final on Aug. 25 and 26. Here is every meeting and the distance races on each program.


​Leonard Langat and Leah Jeruto Win the 2026 Toronto Waterfront Marathon​

Langat defended his title in the fastest winning time in Toronto since 2019, and Canadians won both half-marathons. Here are the top 10 finishers in all four races.


​World Athletics Orders Athletics South Africa to Remove Its Suspended President​

A disciplinary panel found James Moloi guilty of misusing the federation's credit card this month. World Athletics has now given South Africa's governing body six months to rewrite its constitution or face sanctions.


​Tempo Run: What It Is, Benefits + How to Do One Right​

Improve your running performance with these threshold sessions.


​Core Workout for Runners: 10 Best Exercises + Plan​

Strengthen your stride and prevent injuries with functional, runner-specific core exercises designed to improve stability, mobility, and overall performance.


​The Runner’s Guide To Carb Loading: Maximize Your Energy On Race Day​

Learn how to fuel smarter, avoid common mistakes, and fine-tune your carb-loading strategy for peak performance.


​A Runner Was Mauled by Two Dogs on an Evening Run in Brisbane​

The 37-year-old was badly hurt in a Chermside park on Friday, and police now say they cannot rule out the same dogs' involvement in the death of a man found in nearby bushland.


​Ruth Croft Opens Up About Her Eating Disorder in a New Adidas Documentary​

In Roots, a 53-minute film released Oct. 14, the 2025 UTMB champion traces the illness back to a school meeting about her weight and says she was 27 before she had her first period. Days later, she won the Diagonale des Fous on her first attempt.


​Grace Nolan, Oakland Runner and Medical Student, Passes Away Before the Detroit Marathon​

The 2025 Horizon League 10,000m champion had entered Sunday's race among its leading women, a year after her marathon debut on the same course. Organizers announced her death on Tuesday.


​Adidas Posts the Biggest Quarter in Its History​

Revenue passed €7.2 billion between July and September, and CEO Bjørn Gulden named running as one of the categories behind the growth.


​Sabastian Sawe’s Sub-Two Marathon Is Up for World Athletics’ First Moment of the Year​

Sawe's 1:59:30 in London is one of 18 nominees, alongside world records from Yomif Kejelcha, Agnes Ngetich and Tigst Assefa. Fans have until Oct. 26 to vote for the shortlist, and an expert panel names the winner in Monaco.


​Mile Zero by Zappos: Chicago 2026 with Keira D’Amato & Tanya Hvizdak​

Mile Zero presented by Zappos goes live from the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Chicago Marathon weekend, presented by Zappos. Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci are joined on stage by Tanya Hvizdak, VP and GM of Nike Running, and Keira D’Amato, former American marathon record holder and author.


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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