Thread: Marathons

• Pune : MILIT Lake View Half Marathon Held On February 4 in Khadakwasla

Air Vice Marshal Vivek Blouria, Commandant MILIT flagged off the first ever MILIT Lake View Half Marathon on 04 Feb 24.

The Marathon witnessed an overwhelming participation by over 1 K individuals from Defence, Academia, Private, public and Govt sectors and all walks of life in various age groups. MILIT Half Marathon featured multiple race categories including a 21 km Half-Marathon, a 10 Km & 5 km run.

Runners ran stride to stride with Defence officers and their families in the picturesque MILIT campus at Girinagar.

The Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) in Girinagar, Pune over looking the scenic Khadakwasla lake, is a unique and prestigious Tri-Services training institution under the aegis of HQ IDS. It is the only Tri-Service Technical Training Institute established to meet the training aspirations and needs of the three Services in contemporary and futuristic technologies.

Established in 1952 as IAT and renamed as MILIT in 2012, it stands as a beacon of excellence in defence technology education for the Armed Forces. Commandant MILIT and President DWWA(L), Anjali Blouria ran the Marathon in 5 Km Category encouraging the participants.

• Jury awards marathon-running octogenarian $2.3M after nursing home neglect

A Beverly Grove nursing home must pay a marathon-running woman more than $2.3 million after she was abused and neglected while in the facility’s care, resulting in permanent injuries, the woman’s attorneys said in a press release.

Betsy Jentz, 84, has finished 27 Los Angeles Marathons, most recently in 2019, but when she had hip surgery in 2020, she was admitted to Country Villa Wilshire Healthcare Center for her recovery.

“Instead of receiving the necessary care and support, Betsy experienced a harrowing ordeal, including at least ten falls that led to a fractured and dislocated shoulder and a fractured pelvis, causing her excruciating pain and permanent shoulder damage,” said Lanzone Morgan LLP, the firm representing her in the lawsuit.

Further complicating Jentz’s stay were instances where “Betsy’s call light was out of reach and her phone was unplugged, severely delaying or even preventing timely assistance from staff,” a problem “underscored by … the facility’s understaffing issues,” the attorneys said.

In total, the jury found Jentz’s rights were violated 132 times, resulting in a verdict of more than $2.34 million in medical expenses, pain and suffering, and damages.

• Athlete Kim Baglietto says 'incredible feeling' to set new national record for marathon

Athlete Kim Baglietto says it was incredible feeling to set a new national record for the marathon.

The 31-year-old completed the course in Seville in 2 hours, 59 minutes and 50 seconds.

The Zurich Maraton de Sevilla is considered a fast marathon course, attracting some of the world’s best long distance runners.

Despite injuring her calf 6km in, Kim knew she had to push through the pain. The hearty support from family and friends certainly helped.

National record in first marathon attempt

Emma Montiel previously held the national record for the women’s half marathon.

Kim’s time is five minutes and 39 seconds faster!

This despite it being her first time covering a 42.1km course. She says she never found the long race appealing.

Kim Baglietto is now a Gibraltar national record holder in the 800m (indoors and out), the 1500m - (indoors and out), the 5000m, the 10,000m, the half marathon, and the marathon also.

The 3000m is the only middle and long distance race that she does not hold the national record for.

She says, for the time being, she has no plans to target that distance. For now, an ice bath, a sauna and the sofa must be a much more attractive proposition!

• Runners take part in Binational Marathon from Laredo to Nuevo Laredo

For the first time ever, the start and finish line for a Laredo marathon went from one country to another.

It was bright and early Sunday morning when plenty of people braved the weather for the early morning run.

The race began in Laredo at Jarvis Plaza and ended in Nuevo Laredo at El Palacio Federal.

The first-place winner in the women’s category was Maria de la luz Rodriguez and first place in the men’s category was Erick Mose.

The first winner received $2,000, the second-place winner received $1,000 and the third place winner received $500.

• Newcastle friends to run Barcelona Marathon in memory of mums

Best friends to run marathon in memory of mums

A pair of best friends who lost their mothers to cancer within a week of each other are taking on a marathon challenge.

After supporting each other through heartbreaking loss, Ben Gallon and Olly Jones are now hoping to support others.

The Newcastle teenagers are preparing to run the Barcelona Marathon in memory of their mums.

The pair are raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Care, as well as awareness of how important it is for boys to be able to share their feelings.

Opening up

Olly, 18, and Ben, 19, met when they were six and both playing football for Newcastle City Juniors.

Ahead of travelling to Barcelona to take part in the marathon with two other friends, they say they hope to make their late mothers proud.

Olly's mum Lorraine was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2022 and died last November.

Just a week later, Ben's mum Samantha, who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2022, died after 16 rounds of chemotherapy.

Paying tribute to Lorraine, Olly said: "If I was to describe my mum, I'd talk about how strong she was.

"She was always the funniest person in the room and would always put me before her."

Ben's mum knew her cancer was incurable, but he says it did not stop her from remaining positive.

He said: "She was always trying to make other people happy and sending me nice messages.

"Just seeing her get ill was awful for me."

Throughout their grief, the boys were there for each other.

They believe the stereotype of men and boys being unable to speak about their feelings needs to be "overcome".

Exercising together allowed Ben and Olly to share their experiences and they are now encouraging others to open up.

Ben said: "We need to make sure we are talking.

"When we started running, it was easier to because you can just let everything out."

Olly and Ben initially hoped their marathon efforts would raise £3,000 for the charity that helped their mothers - but they have raised more than three times that amount.

Thoughts of their mothers and how proud they would be will help the pair get through the gruelling race, they say.

Olly said: "The first ten miles will be a bit of a laugh and as soon as I hit that wall, I'll be thinking of how much my mum fought for me, my sister and my dad.

"I think that will motivate me to get to the finish line for her, and beat the marathon like she tried to beat cancer."

• 18th Annual Combos Marathon returning to Albany, looking for volunteers

The Combos Marathon is returning to Albany for its 18th year.

Executive Director of the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau Rashelle Minix the marathon is looking for volunteers for this year’s marathon.

“Yes, Sir. We are looking for volunteers where we can never have too many. Our race goes throughout the entire town and we are always looking for people to be able to stand at the corners. We have so many turns on our race route that we need help with traffic control through the neighborhoods. And so we’re looking for just volunteers to stand on the corners, cheer on the runners, as well as to help direct traffic during that time.”

And the city is definitely made for a road race, there’s no doubt about that. It’s a great place, and the runners always have great times. So the volunteers will be handing out water or anything else you need to do besides, you know, when you’re directing traffic, it’s not hard. It’s just pointing in a different direction. So you know, anything else the volunteers can do?

“We have, you know, where the finish line, helping with the finish line, helping you know at the start line. We have we do have water stations throughout. We don’t mind if people set up their own water stations, you know, in front of their houses or those types of things. Runners, you know, they like as many water stations as possible. But we organize 16. So those are, you know, already taken by organizations such as Albany Tech and First Baptist Church and Doughty County, City of Albany. They have all stepped up to help with water stations, and Phoebe has several. So our main concern is really just road marshalls. Now we can never have too many of those, and plus the runners like to have people out on the route cheering them on. It helps them get through those 26.2 miles a little bit easier.”

• Hopkinton firefighter laces up for Boston Marathon to support Respite Center

In just eight weeks, tens of thousands of runners will lace up their running shoes to take on the 128th Boston Marathon, including everyday athletes from every town along the iconic route.

Hopkinton fire Lt. John Krauss is taking on the 26.2-mile trek to Boylston Street on behalf of the Michael Lisnow Respite Center in his hometown. Krauss first learned about the center when they requested an emergency medical services detail.

"I was fortunate enough to get the detail," Krauss said. "While working, I just kind of listened to the stories, listened to the families and the love that everyone had for one another and it was kind of inspirational for me to kind of get out there and challenge myself."

Inspired by her son, Sharon Lisnow started the Respite Center in his name. Michael was born 16 weeks premature, leaving him blind and with cerebral palsy. He lived 10 beautiful years before passing away just a year before the center opened.

"His heart and his soul and his laugh live on in this building," Lisnow said.

Sharon Lisnow connected with the Boston Athletic Association early, before the center even opened. The B.A.A. then asked the facility to house wheelchair athletes before the marathon.

"We were brand new. No one had ever come into the respite center yet," Lisnow said. "We opened that weekend for the wheelchair athletes who stayed with us."

Now the Respite Center is one of the Boston Marathon's official charities. The money raised supports their programs, benefiting everyone from infants to adults.

"We've raised enough money to have over 183,000 hours of free service just because of the Boston Marathon," Lisnow said.

This year, Krauss is among a group of about 70 runners who will take to the starting line in Hopkinton to raise money for this incredible cause.

"Some people say the fundraising is the hardest part," Krauss said. "But the money that's raised goes toward the center and all the time the center gives up out of their day. It truly is an eye-opening experience."

• Kenyan Athlete Bernard Sang Wins Lagos City Marathon

Kenyan athlete Bernard Sang on Saturday, February 10 won the 2024 Lagos City Marathon, clocking 2 : 16 : 49.

The 42-year-old, who was trying the World Athletics Gold Label Marathon for the third time, finished 9th in 2020 and 3rd in 2023.

“I am very happy and grateful to have won this race. Last year, I came in third, but this year is different because I won the race,” Sang stated.

Finishing second and third in the race at Eco Atlantic Victoria Island, were Silas Cheprot and Godfrey Birger, who crossed the finishing line in 2 : 16 . 54 and 2 : 17 . 43 respectively.

• Why we disqualified 5,000 runners from Lagos City Marathon

Yusuf Alli, the Technical Director of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, says no fewer than 5,000 runners who failed to pick up their kits on time were disqualified.

Alli disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

Alli noted that the last minutes rush by the intending runners after the expiration of the deadline for picking the kits would affect getting the accurate record of runners.

According to him, it is important that those who register for the marathon are timely in their online registration and in picking their kits for the race, to keep to the World Road Race’s standards.

“There were fewer runners in this year’s edition because many runners came late for the collection of their kits and we have to turn down about 5,000 that came on Thursday.

• End of the road for 58 runners accused of flouting Comrades Marathon entry rules

Fifty-eight athletes hoping to run this year's Comrades Marathon have had their entries squashed after they were found to have cheated.

In a statement on Monday, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) said subsequent to the running of the 2023 race, the CMA identified 58 athletes whose entry to the 2024 marathon were rejected after they violated CMA race rules.

"The entries of 16 athletes have been rejected after it was discovered that they had asked another athlete to run their 2023 qualifying marathon on their behalf, while three athletes were found to have ran the qualifying marathon, used by another entrant, to enter the 2023 event and 27 runners lied about their qualifying times when they either didn't run or finish the marathon or ran slower than the qualifying time," the CMA said.

Further more, one athlete ran last year's race wearing another athlete's race number and five athletes allowed others to run the 2023 race wearing personal numbers.

• Influencer Criticized After Running Half Marathon Without Registering, Bragging About Time

A 26-year-old influencer and entrepreneur has enraged thousands after she participated in last weekend’s Brooklyn Half Marathon without properly registering, after which she took to social media to brag about the dubious accomplishment.

Connecticut resident Alexa Curtis, who owns Be Fearless Inc., decided to join the marathon at the last minute, according to a statement from her publicist provided to The New York Post.

“I didn’t sign up for this race,” Curtis admitted in a video bragging about the swift time she made, posted shortly after she crossed the finish line. “I just asked the security where it started and where it ended and jumped in,” she said.

The process, known in the running community as “banditing,” is deeply frowned upon. Entrance fees for the Brooklyn Half Marathon cost around $125, and go towards benefiting NYU Langone Health, the medical research facility which is a “signature charity partner” of the marathon. Typically, some of the registration fees also go towards maintaining the course as well as providing runners with hydrating beverages and medals.

“I just ran 13.1 miles for the Brooklyn half marathon at a 7.43-minute pace,” Curtis wrote in a since-deleted social media post immediately after the race. “I didn’t walk at all. I cried during a lot of it.”

When detractors began weighing in to inform Curtis of her folly, she sniped right back at them. “Bit unfair on the others who have paid for the police support, road closures, and first [responders],” one X (formerly Twitter) commenter opined.

Curtis replied: “Life’s not fair .”

As more people accused Curtis of stealing, she attempted to acquit herself with a rambling story about a recent business transaction. Explaining that a client had recently asked her for a $17,000 refund, Curtis admitted she “didn’t have a contract and [the client] decided she wasn’t ‘happy and desperately needed the money back’ but the last thing I wanted was an American Express dispute to deal [with]…

“I worked for free for two weeks while running a second business,” Curtis continued. “So get back to me about stealing—google the definition of it, ‘cause that’s what happened to me in business this month not running a half marathon.” She then addressed her challengers: “Hbu? Any wins and losses you wanna mention on Twitter?”

On Monday, after apparently realizing this tact hadn’t worked, Curtis issued a more apologetic statement on her social media channels. “I did not realize I would offend so many people,” she wrote. ‘The post was meant to be inspirational and I had no intention to take anything from anyone or the race: I was running for myself for my mental health.”

“Delete the [original] tweet then and make a sincere apology,” one user replied, which is exactly what Curtis did.

On Monday night, she posted an official statement apologizing for “any upset my hasty actions by unofficially joining the Brooklyn Half may have caused.”

But by this point, eagle-eyed keyboard detectives had pieced together enough about Curtis’ track record to say with confidence that her Brooklyn Half entrance wasn’t a one-time thing. One user found a tweet from one week ago where Curtis expressed her intention to participate in the marathon.

“Second half marathon prep,” she wrote. “Haven't properly trained for this but used to run cross country in high school so running feels like second nature to me. Anyone else running Sunday?”

Another user found a picture of someone who appears to be Curtis holding a medal at the Austin half marathon. It’s unclear if the person in the photo is actually Curtis, but their running outfit appears to be the same one Curtis wore in Brooklyn.

“Are you going to give back the Austin Half marathon medal too?” the user asked. “Cause it doesn't look like you signed up for it, either. No bib. Can't find you in results.”

“She’s clearly done this before,” another commented. “Fearless indeed…”

But Curtis contended that her actions were indeed fearless. In one of her original posts, she told a naysayer, “When people ask me what being fearless is, it’s like asking security where the race starts and where it ends.

“Everything in the middle, all the bulls--t, the pain, the trauma you’re gonna experience in your life is nothing because you started running and you’re not going to stop just because you cross that finish line.”

mensjournal.com

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• Chef, 26, Dies Running Nashville Half-Marathon

26-Year-Old Chef Dies Running Nashville Half-Marathon: ‘Treasured Son, Brother, Boyfriend, and Friend’

Chef Joey Fecci died just a few miles before completing a Nashville half-marathon on Saturday, April 27. He was 26.

Fecci died after he received urgent medical attention while running the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Series Nashville Marathon, reports News Channel 5, WSMV and the Tennessean.

Fecci was found unresponsive at the Shelby Park portion of the race. The Rock 'n' Roll Running Series said in a statement to the Tennessean on Sunday that Fecci received urgent medical attention from an on-site medical team. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.

“We appreciate the medical personnel who worked quickly to support the participant,” the Rock 'n' Roll Running Series organization's statement read, per the Tennessean. “We share our greatest sympathies with the family and friends of the race participant, and we will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. Out of respect for the participant and their family we will have no further comment.”

On Monday, his family released a statement confirming his death. “It is with unbearable grief and immense sorrow that we share our dear and beloved Joey transitioned to the other side on Saturday April 27th," his family said, per WSMV.

The statement continued, “He was a bright light of inspiration and positivity to everyone that was blessed to cross paths with him. He was a treasured son, brother, boyfriend, and friend to so many. He leaves behind a broken family that loves him so very much.”

Nashville police said Fecci died due to natural causes and his death is not under investigation, reports WSMV.

• 2024 Flying Pig Marathon sees almost 5,000 runners participate in 26.2-mile race

2024 Flying Pig Marathon: Jason Sayler defends title, Olivia Anger has first-ever win

CINCINNATI — The 2024 Flying Pig Marathon saw thousands cross the Finish Swine on Sunday.

Runners dealt with sun and humidity while running their 26.2 miles versus the torrential rain, flooding and delays experienced last year. On Saturday, the 5K and other smaller races experienced short delays due to inclement weather as well.

The entire Flying Pig Marathon Weekend saw a total of 39,245 participants across the 10 different races. The marathon itself, which first happened in 1999 and is regarded as one of the top marathons in the nation, had a total of 4,994 runners. That number was down almost 1,000 runners from the 2023 total of 5,843.

While the marathon, half marathon, 4-person relay and 10K all saw fewer runners in 2024, the shorter races, such as the 5K, the Fifty West Mile and Flying Piglet, saw an increase in participants.

Jason Sayler defended his marathon title, running the 2024 race in 2:26:01. Sayler, 33, also beat his 2023 time of 2 : 27 : 10. The Tipp City native's personal record for a marathon is 2 : 17 : 19.

"It's always hard to defend your title, and it was really emotional for me," Sayler told WCPO 9. "It was a big redemption race for me. I ran at the Olympic trials and I had a DNF, I did not finish. So I questioned myself and I questioned my ability. I struggled over these past 12 months wondering if I still have it. I still have it."

ollowing Sayler, was Adam Buecler in second place — who finished just 52 seconds after Sayler — and Jack Randall in third place. Randall won the Flying Pig in 2017 and again in 2019. He finished third in the 2023 race as well.

Men's:

Jason Sayler — 2 : 26 : 01
Adam Buecler — 2 : 26 : 53
Jack Randall — 2 : 27 :3 4

For the first time ever, 26-year-old Olivia Anger won the women's title in the marathon. Anger, who's from Bellbrook, Ohio, ran the marathon in 2 : 43 : 23.
"I've never once ran a marathon that has so much crowd support, so much support from the whole" Anger said. "So just the fans out here in Cincinnati really propelled me forward the whole time and motivated me to keep going despite the heat and the hills."

Anger told WCPO 9 she was "a bit delirious" crossing the finish line because she experienced a bit of heat stroke.

"But it felt amazing to get the win in front of my friends in Cincinnati," Anger said.

Brooke Wildermuth followed Anger placing second, with Sydney Hayden placing third. Caitlin Keen, the 2023 winner who finished in 2 : 45 : 34, was not attempting to defend her title.

Women's

Olivia Anger — 2 : 43 : 23
Brooke Wildermuth — 2 : 51 : 41
Sydney Hayden — 2 : 59 : 32

For a full list of the winners throughout Flying Pig Weekend, click here.

Essex architect first woman to complete double desert marathon event

A runner celebrated becoming the first woman to complete a new double marathon event in a desert.

Philippa Morris, 33, crossed the finish line after a gruelling pair of 26.2 mile-jogs across Wadi Rum, in Jordan, last month.

The architect, who works in Margaretting, Essex, said many of her fellow runners dropped out during the event due to soaring temperatures and fears about being alone in the desert.

She said she was "absolutely loving life" on the first day, but anxieties crept in on the second.

The Jordan Ultra Challenge saw competitors run two marathons in two days at the end of April.

The non-governmental organisation, which promotes long distance competitive and leisure running, confirmed to the BBC that Ms Morris became the first female to complete both runs.

The 33-year-old signed up for the event to "give me fear to train" and she raised money for a children's charity in the process.

"My experience from day one to day two was very different," said Ms Morris, who currently lives in Barkingside, east London.

"I initially embraced the atmosphere a lot and there were more of us running, so you were engaging with people, and I really enjoyed it.

"But the atmosphere that evening was diabolical. A lot of people had got heat stroke or were too anxious about running alone in the desert.

"The next day I carried a lot of other people's fears and became anxious."

'Complete isolation to congratulations'

Ms Morris completed the first marathon with a time of six hours and 52 minutes, before beating it by 24 minutes the following day.

She has since raised more than £2,800 for children's charity Ordinary 2 Extraordinary.

"It was quite an overwhelming thing and I ended up crying for quite a while before it sunk in," she added.

"It went from complete isolation to people everywhere congratulating me."

Marathon winner disqualified after taking water from his dad in race: 'I know I won'

Esteban Prado, a 24-year-old long-distance runner, led for almost all of the 2 hours, 24 minutes and 54 seconds that he was on the 26.2 mile course of the Orange County Marathon in Southern California on Saturday.

But the celebration for the Fountain Valley, California, man was short-lived when he found out that he had been disqualified from the race entirely for taking water from a family member during the race, according to ABC News’ Los Angeles station KABC.

The issue wasn’t the fact that he was drinking the water but rather when he accepted it.

"During yesterday’s Hoag OC Marathon, we were forced to disqualify a participant after it was confirmed they received unauthorized assistance from an individual on a bicycle, in violation of USA Track & Field rules and our race regulations,” said Race Director Gary Kutschar in a statement obtained by ABC News. “We take these rules seriously to ensure fairness and the integrity of our event for all competitors.”

According to the rules, runners can only get water from official hydration stations and since he received water at an unauthorized part of the race, he was disqualified.

“I know I won," Prado said in disbelief, according to KABC.

In only his second marathon, the runner said he spent about four months training for the marathon and was enjoying the spoils of victory when before he received a call from the race director, saying a competitor saw him get a water bottle during the race, KABC said.

"The only person that could see me within range was second place," Prado told KABC. "Whenever I got to these stations, the volunteers were scrambling because I'm the only runner in sight," he said. "You could barely see me, like, at certain turns."

Prado knew that he had access to aid stations during his run but was unaware of the rule, specifically Rule 144 of the USA Track & Field competition rules, that taking any provisions outside of those areas is considered “assistance.”

Prado was not happy with the outcome.

"You get no money or anything,” Prado told KABC. “You know, if [the second-place runner] wanted that congratulations for that first place, if he really felt like he needed it, it's just for him at the end of the day," said Prado. "I really got nothing out of it. I know I won."

Prado won't be able to use his final race time to qualify for future races.

But, at least for now, Prado says he may run his third marathon in the fall and plans to follow all the rules.

The race, which also served as the national championship for the Road Runners Club of America -- the nation's oldest and largest distance running organization -- was officially won by Jason Yang of San Pedro, California, who was declared the winner in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 11 seconds after Prado’s disqualification.

Defending Cleveland Marathon winner repeats, proposes to girlfriend after win

fter putting his mind and body to the ultimate test during the 47th Cleveland Marathon, this year’s winner made the win even more special.

19 News cameras were rolling as Will Loevner, of Pittsburgh, got on one knee after winning the 2024 men’s Cleveland Marathon and proposed to his girlfriend, Emma Patterson. She said yes!

Loevner, who also won the 2023 Men’s Cleveland Marathon, finished this year’s race with a time of 2 : 19 : 44.

Loevner told 19 News although he appreciates his new trophy, he has a new favorite piece of metal.

That ring on her finger” he said, smiling.

Hudson’s Ashton Swinford won her third straight Women’s Cleveland Marathon with a total time of 2 : 51 : 16.

Kari Barclay placed first in the non-binary division with a time of 3 : 28 : 08.

The Half Marathon winners are: in the link above

Colfax Marathon weekend pulls record attendance

A record 25,000 runners showed out to the Colfax Marathon this weekend, participating in eight races over two days.

"So we have 1,500 volunteers, a couple hundred staff, several hundred police, 39 pacers, 9 bike leads, and all that can ratchet up if you have more runners," said Andrea Dowdy, CEO of Denver's Colfax Marathon.

On Sunday, Emad Bashir Mohammad set a course record for the men's half marathon.

"I have the opportunity, it's a privilege, so I have to do the best I can while I'm still young and healthy," he said.

Laurel Kruger set a women's marathon record, her first time running one.

"I feel really good. I've been hoping to break the course record for like a year now. I've been thinking about it, had it in mind for the whole training block," she said.

Runners said it was a mental battle to make it through.

"I start breaking it up into chunks and I honestly felt a little stiff the first 5k, and I just told myself there’s a lot of more race to go so it’s okay don’t push, stay comfortable," said Erica Ruiz Murillo, the women's half marathon winner.

When the medal goes around their neck, though, they said it's nothing but pride.

"It’s not every day at 42 years old you’re just going to be enjoyed just really really truly to the core happy, proud of myself for coming out," said Fernando Cabada, men's marathon winner.

Dowdy said they had 135 charities sign up this year, and the marathon will award over $100,000 to local nonprofits.

26-year-old man dies after Great Bristol Run

A 26-year-old man has sadly passed away after collapsing during the Great Bristol Run on Sunday.

The participant was treated by medics and later died in hospital, organisers confirmed.

The man's cause of death has not yet been determined.

'Everyone involved in the organisation of the Great Bristol Run would like to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the participant,' event organisers The Great Run Company said in a statement.

'We take the health and safety of all participants very seriously and we work hard to ensure our events are delivered safely.

'All event plans are rigorously assessed and signed off by the Bristol Safety Advisory Group for Events (SAGE) and align with best practice in the UK.'

Organisers say the cause of the man's death will be determined later through medical examination, but in accordance with the wishes of the family, no further details will be released.

More than 15,000 people took part in event on Sunday, making it the biggest Great Bristol Run to date.

The event, which has been part of Bristol since 1989, includes a half marathon and 10K, both of which start and finish in the city centre.

Pitt students take on Pittsburgh Marathon weekend

Earlier in May, the city of Pittsburgh became a running playground for more than 40,000 participants from all 50 states and more than 10 countries, representing six continents. The weekend was full of events for all ages and skill levels, including relays, a 5k, a kids marathon and all 26.2 miles of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Marathon.

The city of Pittsburgh houses a number of colleges and universities, offering some students the experience of running through the city they call home.

Pitt senior Bo Hoffman tackled the full marathon this year and described it as “an experience I’ll never forget.”

Hoffman credits a lot of this unforgettable experience to the more than 300,000 spectators that took to the start and finish line to cheer runners on and offer encouragement throughout the entirety of the running course.

“I wouldn’t have been able to finish in the time that I did if it wasn’t for all the people cheering me on,” Hoffman said. “The atmosphere was crazy. Everyone was just so generous, offering food and constant encouragement. When I made the last turn leading to the finish line, I’ve never felt anything so surreal, seeing massive crowds of people there cheering me on as I finished.“

Training to run an event like this can take a lot of time. Pitt sophomore Helen Hickey said it was difficult balancing her academics while preparing to take on the half marathon.

“I ran with my friend, and we originally tried to follow a specific training plan, running multiple times a week, but it became kind of difficult to fit all those runs on with classes and other activities during the week,” Hickey said. “So, we tried to stick to running two to three times a week, starting with lower distances and working our way up to longer runs.”

Hickey also said that running around Pitt’s campus helped prepare her for the race.

“We did a lot of our runs down through Panther Hollow and onto the trail by the river,” Hickey said. “Schenley Park was another one of our favorites. Being able to go through the trails there was really fun.”

The course for both the half and full marathon took runners on a route through some of the city’s neighborhoods and districts, allowing participants to take in everything the city has to offer.

Junior Lauren Jewell, who is originally from Atlanta, said taking on the half marathon gave her the opportunity to discover new places she hadn’t ventured to yet.

“It was such a special way to explore a city that I live in but I haven’t seen a lot of yet,” Jewell said. “I haven’t explored a lot of the North and South Side yet, so when we were running down that way, it was amazing. We were also so lucky to be able to run on the bridges, which I think is arguably one of the best ways to see the city.”

The full marathon offers a special experience for Pitt students, as part of the course allows you to run right up onto Forbes Avenue, the Cathedral of Learning standing as a rewarding sight right around mile 12.

“The hill going up Forbes leading to Pitt’s campus was awful, but it was pretty cool getting to run through there,” Hoffman said. “My friend’s family and a couple of friends were along Forbes cheering me on, so that was great.”

Tackling something like the half or full marathon can often seem daunting to newer runners or even conditioned ones who haven’t attempted races before. But all three students agreed — it’s worth overcoming those initial fears.

“It’s so fun and such a great experience. It’s an amazing environment to be a part of. Everyone’s just so supportive, and there’s no feeling like being able to accomplish something like that,” Hickey said. “It’s awesome.”

The Inspiring Story Of Terry Fox And His Marathon Of Hope

The Incredible Story Of Terry Fox, The Cancer Patient Who Ran 3,339 Miles Across Canada In A ‘Marathon Of Hope’

In 1980, Terry Fox ran the equivalent of almost 130 marathons in just 143 days to raise money for cancer research — despite the difficulties of running with a prosthetic leg.

The night before doctors would amputate his cancerous leg, 18-year-old Terry Fox read about a runner who finished the New York Marathon with a prosthetic leg.

“It was then I decided to meet this new challenge head on and not only overcome my disability, but conquer it in such a way that I could never look back and say it disabled me,” Fox later wrote, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia.

Inspired by the cancer patients he met while undergoing 16 months of chemotherapy, Fox vowed to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

His efforts have since raised over $850 million. Tragically, Fox did not live long enough to see his full impact.

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Flooding Red River forcing adjustment with Fargo Marathon course - InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports
Flooding Red River forcing adjustment with Fargo Marathon course

Being it’s his first year as director of the Essentia Health Fargo Marathon, Chip Hazewski was hoping to manage the multi-pronged event with as few issues as possible. But a familiar foe, the Red River, had other thoughts.

The flooding river from a week of consistent rains is forcing an adjustment in the course. A USA Track & Field certifier was on the course Friday night and will finalize the new plan on Monday, Hazewski said. Like past courses, it will still be considered a Boston Marathon qualifier.

It most likely will mirror past routes that had to deal either with construction or the swollen river. An email was sent Saturday afternoon to let registered runners know of the situation.

“Obviously there’s a solution since it’s been done in the past,” Hazewski said.

The river topped the route at several points late in the week, starting with Elm Street by El Zagal Golf Course. From there, it was to zag onto the bike trail at Trefoil Park, which runs between Jack Williams Stadium and the river toward Oak Grove High School.

Once at Oak Grove Park, the runners were to take the pedestrian bridge over the river to Moorhead and take the Moorhead trail that runs by the Hjemkomst Center. Those miles all have to be rerouted.

Looking ahead, the river issue could cause Hazewski’s company, Ventures Endurance, to figure out a route that takes a flooding river out of the equation.

“To be honest, this first year taking it over, we’re just trying to make sure the event happens and goes off without a hitch,” he said. “But obviously a lot to evaluate moving forward just based off, not just the issue for this year, but it sounds like it’s been a lot in years past.”

The most striking route change came during the flood of 2009, which the marathon reacted to by forming a double loop course well away from the river and all the damage that it caused.