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Marathon Handbook

Rachel Entrekin wins Cocodona 250 OUTRIGHT!

Published 7 days ago • 4 min read

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Newsletter #805: Wednesday, 6th May 2026

Hey runners, in today’s newsletter, we start with a question a lot of runners have probably thought about — even if they’ve never said it out loud.

What if the marathon ballot isn’t as random as it feels?

A new petition is challenging how spots are handed out at one of the world’s biggest races, tapping into a frustration that’s been building as demand keeps rising and the odds keep shrinking. It’s the latest twist in a bigger conversation about access, fairness, and who actually gets to stand on the start line.

From there, we look at a different approach to race entry in New York, where organizers are experimenting with ways to open doors for runners outside the usual system, and we dig into the kind of decision no runner wants to face — what to do when injury shows up right before race day.

And as always, we round things out with the broader picture: training principles that hold up over time, why more runners are heading off-road, and a few bigger stories shaping where the sport goes next.

Jessy Carveth

Senior News Editor, Marathon Handbook

​Podcast: We Rank the Top 10 Best Super Shoes in the World Right Now​

Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr break down the top 10 fastest shoes available right now (and a few that are still super-secret prototypes), including the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 3.

​Runner Launches Petition To Block Repeat London Marathon Ballot Winners For Three Years​

A new Change.org campaign argues that the same lucky entrants keep getting in while thousands sit on the sidelines, just as a record 1.33 million people apply for the 2027 race.

​NYRR Sets Aside Race Bibs for Runners Who Aren’t Chasing the NYC Marathon​

A new pilot reserves a small slice of entries in five summer and fall races for runners outside the 9+1 program, but it won't expand 9+1 access.

​Injured Before Your Marathon? The Triage Decision Truth​

We find out from the experts when and when not to cancel, plus how to adjust your training accordingly.

ASICS Superblast 3 has officially landed

The follow-up to the blockbuster Superblast 2 is here, and as our colleague Alex can confirm (see his video review), the SUPERBLAST 3 is a total beast.

The SUPERBLAST 3 stacks ASICS's race-proven technology with a new Trampoline Pod to provide an underfoot feel that is bouncy and responsive. Whether you are grinding through tempo work or just want to make your easy miles feel fun, this is an ideal 'why choose' shoe.

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​Golden Rules of Running: 12 Principles Every Runner Needs​

Timeless lessons from Marathon Handbook founder Thomas Watson to help you run smarter, stay motivated, and enjoy the journey for life.

​The Benefits of Trail Running: 6 Reasons To Hit The Trails Today!​

Curious about trail running? Not everyone is lucky enough to live in a trail running mecca, but do not fret! Trail running is more accessible than you may think.

​The UK Government Is Weighing an Olympic Return in the 2040s​

A bid would put the Games, and the Olympic marathon, back on UK streets for the first time since 2012.

​Rachel Entrekin Becomes First Woman to Win Cocodona 250 Outright​

The American ultrarunner added up to five extra miles in the dark near Prescott, while two-time defending champion Rachel Entrekin pulled away at the front of the Arizona race.

​The Marathon Training Masterclass - 25% off​ today

Our flagship course, the Marathon Training Masterclass has now been used by hundreds of students to achieve their marathon goals.

In this course, I guide you step-by-step through your marathon training journey - first starting with the fundamentals of marathon training and the strategy we'll use, then guiding you through each part of your training . . .

. . . whether it's your training plan, nutrition, navigating overtraining and injury, the taper, or race day tips. I've packed absolutely everything you'd ever wondered about running marathons in here.​

​Sign up today with the discount code SPRINT25 and let me guide you through your marathon journey!

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Our Training Plans

As a newsletter reader, you've got complete access to our epic library of plans.
​There's nothing quite like this database on the internet - and they're completely free - all available as PDFs and downloadable Google Sheets:

(If you're met with a 'subscribers only' prompt, then you may need to sign up for Grow - the platform that we use to control access to our plans. It's free and means you've got lifetime access to all the above plans.)

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Quick Sprints:

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.

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