My Best Runs

Olympic Triathlon Champions Alex Yee and Cassandre Beaugrand Take on Track's Biggest Test at Monaco Diamond League!

The world's finest triathletes are stepping into unfamiliar territory on Friday night as Olympic champions Alex Yee of Great Britain and Cassandre Beaugrand of France trade swim caps and bicycles for spikes, taking on some of the fastest distance runners on the planet at the Monaco Diamond League.

The appearance of the reigning Paris Olympic triathlon champions at one of athletics' most prestigious meetings is a rare crossover between two elite endurance disciplines. While both have built their reputations through the demanding combination of swimming, cycling, and running, Monaco offers a completely different test—one where there is nowhere to hide against the world's best specialist distance runners.

For Yee, the meeting marks his long-awaited return to the Diamond League, his first appearance on the circuit since 2019. The Olympic champion will line up in a world-class men's 5,000 metres carrying a personal best of 13:13.89, eager to measure his progress against an elite field after shifting much of his focus toward longer-distance running.

The Briton's endurance credentials have grown significantly since his Olympic triumph. Earlier this year, he stunned the distance-running world by clocking an outstanding 2:06:38 at the Valencia Marathon, becoming the second-fastest British marathon runner in history. That performance demonstrated that his running ability extends far beyond the final leg of a triathlon and established him as a genuine force over the longer distances.

Beaugrand's appearance in the women's 3,000 metres carries even deeper personal significance. The French star will compete in Monaco, where she spent her childhood racing for local club AS Monaco, making her Diamond League debut at the venue a dream years in the making. Returning to the same track where her athletic journey began adds an emotional dimension to one of the biggest races of her career.

Her transition to pure running has been equally remarkable. Over the past year, Beaugrand has rewritten the French record books, setting a national record of 30:52 for the 10km road race before lowering the French 5,000-metre record to 14:40.77. Those performances have confirmed that she possesses the speed to challenge world-class specialists, even if Monaco presents her toughest examination yet.

Neither athlete will enjoy an easy introduction to the Diamond League.

Beaugrand faces one of the strongest women's fields assembled this season, featuring Kenyan legend Faith Kipyegon, world indoor champion Nadia Battocletti, world leader Freweyni Hailu, and world record holder Agnes Ngetich. Every lap promises relentless pace against athletes who have made track racing their sole focus.

Yee's challenge is equally formidable. His rivals include French distance star Jimmy Gressier, world silver medallist Isaac Kimeli, and several of the world's leading 5,000-metre specialists, ensuring that every position will have to be earned.

While neither Olympic triathlon champion enters Monaco as the favourite, both arrive with exceptional running pedigrees that have already blurred the line between multisport excellence and elite distance running. Their presence adds a fascinating storyline to an evening renowned for producing fast times and unforgettable performances.

As the lights shine on Stade Louis II, all eyes will be on whether two Olympic triathlon champions can prove they belong among the world's fastest track athletes. Regardless of the outcome, their bold decision to embrace one of the sport's toughest stages is another reminder that true endurance champions are never afraid to test their limits.

by Erick Cheruiyot for My Best Runs

Kipchoge Headlines Star-Studded Elite Field for Porto Alegre Marathon!

The countdown is on for what promises to be one of South America's most compelling marathon races of the year, as an exceptional men's elite field prepares to line up for the New Balance 42K Porto Alegre in Brazil on 12 July 2026.

Leading the field is marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, whose remarkable personal best of 2:01:09 makes him the standout name on an entry list packed with proven international performers. The two-time Olympic marathon champion brings unrivalled experience and one of the greatest résumés in distance running, adding global prestige to the Porto Alegre event.

Just days before the race, Kipchoge shared an emotional message on social media, revealing the personal significance of his return to Brazil.

"The second part of my World Tour takes me to Porto Alegre, Brazil, a place that holds a very special meaning in my heart and in my career," he wrote.

Kipchoge reflected on the memories that continue to inspire him, recalling that Brazil was where he captured his first Olympic marathon gold medal—a defining achievement that transformed both his career and his life.

"Going back to Brazil means a lot to me. This is where I won my first Olympic gold medal, a moment that changed my life forever and shaped the path I continue to walk today. The memories of that achievement will always stay with me, not as a finish line, but as a beginning. To return here carries deep meaning."

He concluded his message by inviting fans to be part of the occasion, saying: "Porto Alegre, let us run together and celebrate the spirit of Brazil and the energy of South America."

Kipchoge will face a formidable challenge from a deep and competitive field featuring Ethiopia's Shifera Tamru (2:05:18), Kebede Tulu Wami (2:05:19) and Derese Workneh (2:06:58), all capable of producing world-class performances on the right day.

Kenya will also be strongly represented by Philemon Kiptoo (2:05:35), Timothy Kipkorir Kattam (2:06:40), Thomas Kibet Maru (2:07:53) and Dominic Nyairo (2:09:13), ensuring another thrilling chapter in the long-standing Kenya-Ethiopia rivalry that has defined elite marathon racing for decades.

The international field is further strengthened by Brazil's José Márcio Leão and Paulo Roberto Paula, Chile's Hugo Catrileo, Morocco's Yakoub Labquira and Zineddine Ouria, and Paraguay's Derlys Ayala, giving the race a truly global flavour.

With a blend of marathon champions, rising contenders and experienced campaigners assembled on the start line, the streets of Porto Alegre are set to host a captivating battle over 42.195 kilometres. Beyond the pursuit of victory, Kipchoge's return adds an emotional dimension to the event, reconnecting him with a country where one of the defining chapters of his legendary career was written. As the world turns its attention to Brazil, fans can expect a fiercely contested race where tactical brilliance, endurance and resilience will determine who emerges victorious.

by Erick Cheruiyot for My Best Runs

Valencia Marathon 2026: Can John Korir Challenge the Two-Hour Barrier?

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The 2026 Valencia Marathon is already shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the year, with an exceptional men's field confirmed for 6 December. As the countdown begins, one question is capturing the imagination of athletics fans worldwide: Can John Korir become the next man to break the two-hour barrier in an official marathon?

Korir returns to Valencia as the defending champion, having stormed to victory in 2025 with a then-personal best of 2:02:24. Since that triumph, the Kenyan has elevated his career to another level. On 20 April 2026, he delivered a sensational performance at the Boston Marathon, smashing the course record and lowering his lifetime best to 2:01:52. That remarkable run confirmed his status as one of the fastest and most dangerous marathoners in the world.

With his confidence soaring and his form peaking, Korir now heads back to the Spanish city where he first announced himself as a Valencia champion. The course's flat profile, cool December conditions and reputation for producing exceptionally fast times make it an ideal venue for another historic performance.

Standing in his way is Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, whose marathon career has begun in spectacular fashion. In April, Kejelcha stunned the athletics world by clocking 1:59:41 on his 26.2-mile debut in London, becoming only the second athlete in history to cover the marathon distance in under two hours. His arrival in Valencia immediately raises the prospect of another record-breaking performance.

Kejelcha is no stranger to success on Valencia's streets. In 2024, he produced a then-world-record 57:30 to win the Valencia Half Marathon, demonstrating just how perfectly the course suits his aggressive racing style. That previous success makes him one of the leading contenders for marathon victory.

Adding even greater quality to the field is fellow Kenyan Alexander Mutiso, the 2024 London Marathon champion, who owns a personal best of 2:03:11. With three proven world-class athletes lining up, the men's race promises to be one of the strongest marathon contests of the season.

While breaking the two-hour barrier in an official marathon remains one of the greatest challenges in athletics, Valencia has built a reputation as a stage where extraordinary performances become reality. If the pace is relentless and the weather cooperates, fans could witness one of the fastest marathons ever run.

On 6 December, the streets of Valencia will host far more than a battle for victory. They will provide the stage for a fascinating showdown between defending champion John Korir, the explosive Yomif Kejelcha, and Alexander Mutiso—a clash that could redefine the limits of marathon running.

by Erick Cheruiyot for My Best Runs

A New Era of Women's 800m Running: Why 2026 Is Producing Extraordinary Performances!

Women's 800m running is experiencing one of its most remarkable seasons in recent memory, with elite athletes consistently delivering performances once considered almost unimaginable. As the 2026 campaign unfolds, a growing question echoes across the athletics world: what has changed to produce such exceptional times?

Leading this extraordinary surge is Audrey Werro, whose breathtaking consistency has rewritten expectations. The Swiss star has already clocked 1:53 on two separate occasions this season, becoming the first woman in history to break the 1:54 barrier more than once. Her repeated brilliance has transformed what was once regarded as a once-in-a-career performance into a new benchmark for excellence.

The momentum extends far beyond Werro. Dutch sensation Femke Bol, renowned globally for her dominance in the 400m hurdles, launched her Diamond League campaign with an outstanding 1:55 over two laps. Her impressive transition highlights not only her remarkable versatility but also the increasingly competitive standard now defining the women's 800m.

Meanwhile, France's Anaïs Bourgoin delivered one of the season's most inspiring breakthroughs. At the age of 29, Bourgoin produced the performance of her career by breaking the 1:56 barrier for the first time, proving that significant improvement remains possible even after years at the highest level of the sport.

The wave of fast times has prompted widespread discussion throughout the athletics community. Improved training methodologies, advances in sports science, enhanced race pacing, deeper international competition and growing confidence among athletes appear to be combining to elevate the event to unprecedented heights. With multiple women now capable of challenging world-class marks in the same race, the competitive landscape has become stronger than ever.

What once seemed extraordinary is rapidly becoming the new standard. Every major meeting now carries the possibility of another historic performance, and the women's 800m has emerged as one of the most captivating disciplines in global athletics.

If the first half of the season is any indication, the biggest performances may still lie ahead. As the world's finest middle-distance runners continue to push each other beyond previous limits, 2026 is shaping up as a defining year that could permanently reshape the history of the women's 800 metres.

by Erick Cheruiyot for My Best Runs