Hopefully the recent Boston and London marathons have sparked some motivation to think big! If qualifying for Boston or simply shooting for a personal marathon best is on your mind, schedule a half-marathon into your race build to simulate your A-race nutrition and pacing strategies, while getting in a truly high-quality workout. Since summer is coming, you might as well make it somewhere spectacular for a fun weekend getaway.
May 9 Yosemite Half Marathon Bass Lake, CA
May 16 La Jolla Half Marathon & 5K San Diego, CA
June 20 Grateful Dad Half Marathon Portland, OR
June 21 The Presidio Half Marathon, 10K, 5K San Francisco, CA
The athletic world is blown away by the latest records broken at both Boston and London this last week! We saw a new men’s course record at Boston in an unbelievable 2:01:52, along with the American women’s course record run by Jess McClain in 2:20:49. Less than a week later, the long-sought-after sub-2-hour marathon finally came to be, when not one, but two runners finished under that magical mark. In the women’s field, Tigst Assefa also claimed a record-breaking performance with the all-time best “womens-only” record in 2:15:41.
Boston Marathon 2026 Results: Korir Smashes the Course Record, Lokedi Defends in Style
How special Sawe broke iconic sub-two-hour barrier
What is happening and how did this sub-2-hour marathon happen now? Steve Magness discusses all your questions about fueling, doping, shoe technology, and more in his recent YouTube video.
Mind-Blowing Sub-2 Marathon | Let's Break It All Down
Speaking of records, don’t leave out this robot named Lightning, whose “long legs were modeled on elite runners.” The humanoid ran a blazing 50:26 half-marathon in Beijing earlier this month. One MIT professor dismisses the event as a “stupid publicity stunt” with no practical purpose or application... still kinda fun to watch.
A robot ran a half marathon faster than a human. Here’s why folding laundry is still harder
Editor
We may not have been born with the genetics of a sub-2-hour marathoner, but solid, well-planned training can help us find our personal potential. A professional coach will design a thoughtful and challenging program, but can an AI-powered training plan be just as successful? Maybe... this article by ultra-runner and physiologist Nick Tiller explores the pros, cons, and limitations of using AI to prep for your next race.
