​Marathon Power Rankings: Sawe and Assefa Lead the First Edition, After New York​

This is the first edition of Marathon Handbook’s marathon power rankings: our editors’ list of the 10 best marathoners in the world right now, men and women, alongside the 10 best Americans.

​Yomif Kejelcha Withdraws From Valencia Marathon Due To Injury​

Yomif Kejelcha will not run the Valencia Marathon on December 6th due to an ongoing injury, race organizers announced today. The Ethiopian, who ran 1:59:41 on his debut in London in April and holds the half marathon world record, was the biggest name in the stacked men’s field.

​TCS, the Sponsor Behind London and New York, Signs On With the Rio Marathon​

Tata Consultancy Services will be the Brazilian race's AI and technology partner for its 25th edition in May 2027, as Rio's organizers work to put the race in line for a place among the World Marathon Majors.

​Masai Russell, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Audrey Werro Are the Women’s World Athlete of the Year Finalists​

Tigst Assefa finished fourth in the vote and Agnes Ngetich sixth, in the first year since 2022 that road runners have had no award category of their own. The winner is named in Monaco on Nov. 29.

​UTMB Adds Wildstrubel and Canyons to Its World Series Majors for 2027​

Canyons in Auburn, Calif., gets back the Major status it lost to Kodiak after 2024, but even with six Majors, fewer runners will qualify for Chamonix through them than did under the old rules.

​The Valencia Half Marathon Opens Its Ballot for 2027​

There are 11,405 places in the draw, which closes Nov. 16. Last year's first ballot drew 50,766 entries for 12,402 places.

​The 7 Best Foam Roller Exercises For Legs​

Complete with step-by-step instructions and videos.

​Blisters From Running – How to Prevent and Treat Them​

How to speed up their healing, minimize their impact, & stop them from happening.

​The DIY VO2 Max Test: How To Measure VO2 Max On Your Own​

These do-it-yourself tests can give you an accurate reading of your VO2 max.

​A New York Nurse Practitioner Ran Seven Marathons While Pregnant​

Deirdre Keane, 38, finished the New York City Marathon at 34 weeks pregnant on Nov. 1, completing all seven World Marathon Majors in 2026.

​Every Runner Hospitalized After the Santa Barbara Half Marathon Has Been Discharged​

Police are keeping the investigation open, and the district attorney's office will step in if a crime is confirmed.

​Agnes Ngetich Will Make Her Marathon Debut in Valencia​

The 10K world record holder and world half-marathon champion will race Fotyen Tesfay on Dec. 6, with €1 million ($1.12 million) on offer for a women's world record.

​Sabastian Sawe Makes the Final Three for Men’s World Athlete of the Year​

The marathon world record holder raced only once in 2026 and now goes up against Mondo Duplantis and Alison dos Santos in Monaco on Nov. 29, in the first year since 2022 that road runners have no award category of their own.

​Yomif Kejelcha’s Withdrawal Leaves the Valencia Marathon Without a Sub-Two-Hour Runner​

John Korir's 2:02:24 is now the fastest official best in the men's field, almost three minutes off the mark for Valencia's €1 million ($1.12 million) world record bonus, and Fotyen Tesfay is the athlete closest to collecting it.

​Should There Be a Half Marathon Age Minimum? | The Running Story​

This week on The Running Story, Michael and Jessy cover the week’s top stories in running. They start with the death of Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old charity runner who collapsed at mile 24 of the 2026 New York City Marathon. Her father said the cause was rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition. Next, the TCS New York City Marathon reclaims the title of the world’s largest marathon. It’s the first marathon in history with more than 60,000 finishers (61,146), and Michael walks through Marathon Handbook’s new NYC Data hub, built from more than 2 million split times.

Quick Sprints:

• ​8 Long Run Variations To Build Endurance, Speed, And Power​
• ​Half Marathon Training Plan Database​
• ​Squats For Runners: 20 Variations To Try​

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

​​​​​

Feedback? Hit reply and start a conversation with our team.

:: Advertise on this newsletter ::

​600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA, 98104-2246​
​Only send me max 3 emails per week · Unsubscribe totally · Preferences​