Following blood doping investigations, The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Kenyan long-distance runner Rodgers Kwemoi for six years. The AIU’s decision cites 18 instances of blood doping between July 18, 2016, and September 27, 2022.
Kwemoi, known for his 10,000-meter runs, is now disqualified from participating in the Olympics. According to the AIU, Kwemoi must also forfeit “any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and prize and appearance money” gained since July 18, 2016. This includes Kwemoi’s 2016 world junior title and his 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medal, according to AP News. Kwemoi’s suspension will end on August 7, 2029.
“The Athlete engaged in a deliberate, systematic, and sophisticated doping regime. Such actions would not have been possible without deliberate intent and the assistance of experts,” the AIU’s decision states.
The AIU has banned Rodgers Kwemoi (Kenya) for 6 years, from 8 August 2023, for the Use of a Prohibited Substance/Method (ABP). DQ results from 18 July 2016 until 8 August 2023.
Route 66 is often called the Mother of All Roads, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, is its capital. This iconic road opened on November 11, 1926, stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. Twenty-eight of those miles are in Tulsa.
The road was one of the U.S. Numbered Highway System’s first highways. While motoring down Route 66 is the classic way to travel, Tulsa’s Route 66 Marathon traces a section of the route on foot. This year’s event takes place November 23-24. And 2026 will be really special as Tulsa will be buzzing with Route 66 centennial events.
See what this race has in store with our guide to the Route 66 Marathon.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Route 66 Marathon map and courses
The Route 66 Marathon started in 2006. Executive director Destiny Green began working with the race the following year. I met with her at a café in the Tulsa Arts District, which she has also been very involved with developing. Green explained how the route follows the best parts of Route 66 while avoiding more industrial areas.
“Predominantly it’s a scenic tour of Tulsa with as much Route 66 as we can get,” Green said. Runners curious to tour the race course can find Route 66 Marathon maps here. There’s even a videotour showing off the 2022 marathon route.
The race offers the full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5K, fun run, and a mascot dash. “On Saturday, that’s our 5K and fun run day,” Green said. “We try to get kids really engaged. So we ask a bunch of the local mascots to come out. They do basically a 30-yard dash in their costumes. It’s very fun. We have a big dance party afterwards and the kids love it.”
People can participate in both days’ events by doing a double. That’s running the 5K on Saturday and the marathon or half marathon on Sunday. Double finishers receive a special double challenge coin in addition to finishers’ medals and other swag.
Photo courtesy of Route 66 Marathon
The world’s shortest ultramarathon
The Route 66 Marathon also offers a chance for runners to complete the world’s shortest ultramarathon. “An ultra is anything bigger than a marathon,” Green explained. So 26.5 miles counts. At about mile 25, course signage indicates the optional detour. The ultra takes runners through the Center of the Universe, an acoustical anomaly involving an echo you only hear while straddling a crack in a bridge.
“You do three-tenths of a mile and you get a cool Center of the Universe detour coin,” Green said. “And a beer. You cross back over and you finish your race. If you’re going to PR or you’re really running for your time, you’re obviously not going to do it. But all the fun people do.”
Photo courtesy of Route 66 Marathon
A marathon that likes to party
The kitschy atmosphere of Route 66 draws many people who may be more excited about being there than about running. Green calls it a 26.2-mile block party.
“Runner’s World Magazine once was quoted saying we have more liquor on our course than any other race in North America,” she said. “Tulsa likes to party.” The course support is also phenomenal, as people who live along the route cheer on runners. “They’ll bring their couches out and their liquor. They make drinks for runners.”
The traditional drinks are mimosas, Fireball whiskey, and Jello shots. “We have approximately 8,000 Jello shots on the course,” Green said. People love the atmosphere and often return to run the marathon in subsequent years.
Photo courtesy of Route 66 Marathon
Route 66 Marathon swag
Green works hard to ensure the medal designs appeal to Route 66 aficionados. Recent years have featured some of Tulsa’s best buildings along the Mother Road. Finishers also get more than a T-shirt to wear. “Usually something like a full zip or quarter zip jacket,” Green said. “Our swag is legit.”
Photo courtesy of Route 66 Marathon
A welcoming race
The race welcomes locals as well as visitors. “People come from all 50 states and at least 10 countries every year,” Green said. Seven thousand people participated in last year’s Route 66 Marathon. The event is still building back to its pre-COVID peak of 13,000.
Visitors include Route 66 fans who aren’t necessarily runners. “The course is open for six and a half hours. So if you keep up a 16.5 minute per mile pace, you can finish,” Green said. “If you don’t stop and partake of the block party shenanigans.”
The marathon also encourages local kids to embrace the sport by setting up running clubs. Green loves running with these kids. “We go into local Title I schools,” she said. “We coach and mentor them. They run a free 5K that we pay for. We put them in a brand-new pair of shoes at the end. Which is the best part of my job.”
This November, a new running event is hitting the scene. On November 3, 2024, right as the New York City Marathon begins its 53rd annual race, the Las Vegas Marathon will celebrate its inaugural event. Positioning itself as an exciting alternative for runners unable to participate in the New York City Marathon, this Las Vegas race could be a fun experience and an excellent training opportunity for active travelers and dedicated marathoners alike.
“This incredibly fast course will lead runners on an electrifying journey through some of the most beautiful and iconic areas of the city,” the Las Vegas Marathon website explains. Some of the sights runners can look forward to include “a marathon start line at Red Rock Canyon, as well as a tour through Downtown Summerlin, Symphony Park, 18b Arts District, Las Vegas Boulevard, and an exciting finish at Fremont Street Experience.”
Curious to join in on the very first Las Vegas Marathon? Here’s what you need to know.
Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas Marathon races and perks
In addition to the full marathon, race day events also include a half marathon and the city’s unique 702 Race. The 702 Race, a 7.02-mile run, is a nod to the local Las Vegas area code. Each race begins bright and early at 6 a.m. Before the races start, every runner will get a bib and a race shirt. During registration, you can choose to upgrade your race shirt to a long sleeve, tank top, or tri-blend. Every runner who crosses the finish line will also earn a race-specific medal. The day before the races, participants can also pick up a gear bag during the race expo.
The Las Vegas Marathon race courses
Both the marathon and half marathon courses are described as “remarkably fast” and “point-to-point.” The Las Vegas Marathon course begins with a gorgeous view of the sunrise at Sandstone Quarry Overlook in Red Rock Canyon. The half marathon starts at Charleston Boulevard and Merialdo Lane, and the 702 Race begins at Charleston Boulevard and Strong Drive. All three races end at the Fremont Street Experience, a shopping and entertainment hub in downtown Las Vegas. Check out the full course maps and learn about some of the sights you’ll witness along the way here.
Sound like fun? If so, go ahead and get your registration sorted out. In the meantime, if you need some training pointers, you can check out these tips and this list of the best treadmills for marathon training.
April brought the running world a slew of incredible races. On Monday, April 15, runners met up at the starting line for the 128th Boston Marathon. A handful of days later, thousands of runners joined in on the 44th London Marathon. These two massive events gained international attention, but they aren’t the only April marathons worth taking a look at. Last week, one city right in the middle of the United States invited runners to take part in a weekend full of fun racing events for a good cause. These events were part of the 2024 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Learn more about the race here, and check out stunning photos from this year’s event below.
For many runners, the best running track is the closest running track. After all, when you run regularly, you need to prioritize routes that are easily accessible. Even so, sticking to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to can get boring. If you want to shake up your running routine but aren’t quite ready for trail running, it might be the perfect time for you to explore some of America’s top running tracks.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of excellent running destinations that will take you from the forests of Oregon to the middle of New York City. Without further ado, here are the five best running tracks in the United States.
Icahn Stadium – New York, NY
This New York City track and field stadium opened in 2005. This summer, the Randall’s Island Park Alliance plans to unveil “a new professional grass soccer pitch” within Icahn Stadium.
Photo by Steven Pisano
The TRACK at New Balance – Boston, MA
This sleek athletic facility opened in 2022. The TRACK at New Balance boasts an impressive suite of features, including a “200-meter hydraulically banked indoor track” and a “dedicated track and field throwing area.”
What sets the TRACK apart?
Well, to start: a 200-meter hydraulically banked indoor track. Hydraulically banked turns at up to 11.95 degrees with 5-meter transitions to straightaways allowing for maximum athlete acceleration.
Named after now-retired American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, this running track is located near the Nike World Headquarters in Oregon. Here, runners will be surrounded by lush forest during their workout.
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Sedona Red Rock High School Sports Field – Sedona, AZ
Awe-inspiring views make Sedona Red Rock High School’s Sports Field one of the most beautiful running tracks in the country. When this Arizona track isn’t being used for student activities, the public is welcome to visit after school hours.
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The Roy H. Cullen Timing Track – Houston, TX
Surround yourself with greenery while jogging along the Roy H. Cullen Timing Track. You can find it within Houston’s Memorial Park.
Marathon runners love good swag and meticulously designed finisher medals. At Tulsa’s Golden Driller Marathon, you can find both of these perks and more.
The event is named for the 76-foot statue of an oil field worker that represents Tulsa’s boomtown history. “It’s an iconic Tulsa image,” said Tim Dreiling, co-owner of Fleet Feet Tulsa, which puts on the marathon. “It’s ginormous.”
This year, I joined the Golden Driller event on April 20 and ran the 10K.The annual race, which started in 2015, has four distances: marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. The 2024 Golden Driller hosted nearly 1,000 participants across all categories.
Learn more about the marathon and start planning for next year’s with this Golden Driller guide.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
The Golden Driller course and conditions
As we gathered at the Golden Driller starting line, the sun was just coming up over Zink Lake. The lake itself is exciting, as it’s a new Tulsa attraction created by repairing an old dam. It opens to the public on Labor Day weekend 2024. But for now, only fish and birds use the lake, making it a peaceful place to start an early morning run.
The looped race course follows the paved trails of Tulsa’s Riverparkssystem along the banks of the Arkansas River. Runners start on the west side of the river, then cross a bridge to run along the east side. The marathon has one hill. Otherwise, the course is flat and fast — considered the fastest marathon course in Oklahoma.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Fleet Feet Tulsa hosted the Golden Driller, and the marathon is just one of the 18 races Fleet Feet puts on annually. According to Dreiling, the Golden Driller is more complicated to manage than most.
Showing off this year’s race shirt. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
“There are four races in one, each with its own quirks,” said Dreiling. This year, Fleet Feet deployed a team of about 12 employees and 60 volunteers to keep everybody going in the right direction. “People do anything and everything you can imagine,” said Dreiling. “People change races, change distances, just assume that we’re going to know that. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years and I’ve seen everything. I just laugh about it.”
Photo by Teresa Bergen
The weather cooperated for this year’s marathon. With temperatures in the 50s, it was neither too hot nor too cold. Heat can be a big problem in Oklahoma, especially for the longer race distances. “We sent no one to the hospital, to my knowledge,” Dreiling said of this year’s Golden Driller. “So that’s a win.”
Golden Driller 2024 winners
Out of the 134 people who finished the full marathon, Jon Day, 40, of Austin, Texas, finished first with a time of 2:46:40. The fastest female was Emily Wells of Wichita, Kansas, who finished in 3:32:20. Approximately nine people had times that qualify them to run the Boston Marathon.
The top three male and female finishers in each race and age group won a souvenir mug. I placed for the first time ever, coming third in my age group for the 10K. Every person I encountered that day was forced to admire my trophy mug.
Runners displaying their medals. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
Post-race things to do in Tulsa
Want to plan a Tulsa trip around running in the Golden Driller? If so, you’ll have plenty of nearby hotels to choose from. I stayed in the gorgeous Hotel Indigo Tulsa, which was perfect for this race. First, it’s right across the street from the Fleet Feet store in the Blue Dome neighborhood. This made pre-race packet pickup very easy. Second, the hotel’s oil theme pairs perfectly with the Golden Driller. The lobby features oil field artifacts, and my room had framed historic pictures of Tulsa’s oil boom.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Tulsa also has many interesting things to do and inviting places to relax post-race. You can spend time at the Gathering Place, an enormous public park that offers play structures for all ages, sports courts, free kayak rentals, and pretty places to sit and take in the tree-filled views.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Art appreciators can swing by the Philbrook Museum of Art, which resides in the 1920s villa of oilman Waite Phillips. Inside, you’ll find paintings and sculptures. Outside, there are gardens modeled after Versailles.
Gardens at the Philbrook. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
If you like to shop, Tulsa has a fun high-end sneaker boutique called Silhouette. Perfect for runners who appreciate chic shoes.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Still hungry after the Golden Driller’s finishing line pizza? Tulsa has excellent restaurants. Post-race, I ate a billion-calorie vegan cinnamon roll at Cinnaholic.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
One of my other favorite places was the Mother Road Market on Route 66, a public food hall with a variety of micro-eateries. Up-and-coming chefs can do a residency in the Kitchen 66 Takeover Café, so it’s always a mystery what you’ll find cooking there.
Inside Mother Road Market. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
For Dreiling, post-race dining choices are clear. “It’s got to be pizza or a greasy hamburger. And beer.” He recommends his favorite pub, McNellie’s, which has 100 different beers on tap.
Disclaimer: While this article was not sponsored, Outdoors Wire did visit Tulsa during a press trip withTulsa Regional Chamber and its partners.. As always, Outdoors Wire operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Trying out Xero’s HFS II shoe was my first foray into the barefoot shoe movement. Barefoot shoes are characterized by minimalist design and a zero heel drop. This means there’s no difference in the sole height between the heel and forefoot, which simulates running barefoot.
The average heel drop for a running shoe is 10mm, with the heel being higher than the forefoot. These may sound like running nerd details, but if you try zero heel drop shoes, you will immediately become more aware of the ground beneath your feet.
Xerohas patented a sole called FeelTrue, which “lets you safely Feel The World, protecting your foot while giving your brain the feedback and stimulation your brain wants,” according to its website. The idea is that you’ll have a more natural running gait and strengthen your feet, which makes you less prone to running injuries.
Photo courtesy of Xero
Xero materials and fit
The first thing I noticed about the Xero HFS II was its cuteness. I tried the ombre green and blue Reflecting Pool color. I like the shoe’s flat silhouette, without a big cushy wedge.
Next, I noticed it was the lightest weight running shoe I’ve ever tried. Without that padding, it weighs almost nothing. The sole is also extremely flexible. A wide toe box lets your toes splay out naturally — like running barefoot. The grippy soles are based on tire treads. And many of Xero’s running shoes are made from vegan materials.
The HFS II were comfortable as soon as I put them on. My first time out in the HFS II, I ran three miles. Yes, I could really feel the ground. Maybe more than I wanted.
Photo courtesy of Xero
Transition period
After my first run in the HFS II, I researched zero drop shoes and learned that running experts advise a transition period. People are split on the pros and cons of zero drop shoes. Depending on who you ask, this type of shoe can be life-changing. Read more about the pros and cons here.
If you decide to try zero drop shoes, experts say you should start with a very short run (about half a mile) and slowly work up. Since I am training for longer runs, I wasn’t willing to do this right now. Apparently, this is a common problem with changing over to zero drop.
According to fitness trainer Eric Plevin of Fulcrum Fitness in Portland, Oregon, “Given the need for a phased adaptation period, individuals unwilling to patiently revise their training regimen may encounter discomfort or injury risks.” So you’ll have the most success if you patiently increase your distance little by little.
Photo courtesy of Xero
Other uses of Xero HFS II
Despite my unwillingness to commit to being a zero drop runner, at least for now, I’ve been wearing the HFS II a lot for other activities. They’ve become my favorite shoes for the gym. Without all the padding, they make me feel nimbler for doing lateral moves, agility ladders, and box jumps. I also liked them for my first try at pickleball.
Overall, the Xero HFS II is a very attractive and comfortable shoe. If you’re ready to venture into the zero drop world, these are a good place to start. And they come with a 5,000-mile sole warranty!
Photo courtesy of Xero
Writer received a free sample from Xero for review.
On the heels of the Boston Marathon, the 2024 London Marathon kicked off on Sunday, April 21. This internationally known race began creating a name for itself in 1981 and has grown to host tens of thousands of participants. According to Reuters, this year’s London Marathon hit a new record for attendance with 54,281 runners. Find out which of these runners came out on top, and see some incredible photos from the 44th London Marathon below.
The 2024 London Marathon winners were Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso with a time of 2:04:00 for the men’s race, and Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir with a time of 2:16:16 for the women’s race. Jepchirchir and second- and third-place runners Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei all beat the former women’s race record time of 2:17:01. This former record time was set by runner Mary Keitany during the 2017 London Marathon. Jepchirchir’s win sets a new women-only world record time.
In the elite women’s wheelchair race, Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner won out with a time of 1:38:54. Another Swiss athlete, Marcel Hug, won the men’s wheelchair race with a time of 1:28:35.
Check out stunning snapshots from the race in the photo gallery below, and discover more cool marathons here.
At the 2024 Boston Marathon, Zdeno Chara, former captain for the NHL’s Boston Bruins, beat his personal record while raising money for charity.
Chara, now 47 years old, spent 24 seasons in the NHL. Since retiring on September 20, 2022, Chara has stayed active by running in events like the Watuppa Trail Races, the Baystate Marathon, and the 128th Boston Marathon. This year, Chara finished the Boston Marathon with a final time of 03:30:52, shaving nearly eight minutes off his 2023 finish time of 3:38:23.
Both years, Chara ran in support of the The Hoyt Foundation, a non-profit group that “aspires to build the individual character, self-confidence and self-esteem of America’s disabled young people through inclusion in all facets of daily life.” During Chara’s 2024 Boston Marathon run, he raised over $25,000 for the organization.
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“They were such iconic figures,” Chara said of the late Rick and Dick Hoyt while speaking to The Boston Globe, “living legends that have done so much for the community.”
On Instagram, the Boston Bruins celebrated Chara’s performance. As current Bruins captain Brad Marchand commented in an NHL.com article, he was “not really surprised” about Chara’s active post-NHL schedule. “You knew [Chara] was going to find something really competitive, very hard,” Marchand said. “Something that takes a lot of training, something he can improve upon. He’s just a beast. He likes the challenge.”
So, what’s next for Chara? Boston.com writer Conor Ryan reports that Chara will soon be off to England for the London Marathon on April 21.
“It’s great for him,” Marchand said. “I’m happy to see him happy and enjoying something after hockey. He dedicated so much time and effort to the game, it’s great that he has another passion that he’s enjoying.”
Read more about the athletes and celebrities who showed up to the 2024 Boston Marathon here.
The Cloud Harmony Women’s Athleisure sneakers have a sleeker profile than the other NORTIV 8 shoe I tried out, the Cloud Walk. NORTIV 8 describes the Cloud Harmony as “tennis sneakers” and recommends them for walking, commuting, light workouts, running, and going to the gym. So, I treated the Cloud Harmony as more of an all-around shoe rather than a serious running shoe. Here’s how they held up.
I first tried out the Cloud Harmony at the gym. Less bulky than many running shoes, these sneakers were good for boot camp classes and activities like box jumps and agility ladders. For workouts like these, bigger shoes can become a tripping hazard. Thankfully, the Cloud Harmony sneakers keep you nimble while still providing enough cushioning for jumps.
Photo courtesy of NORTIV 8
How do they handle a run? For me, the shoes performed well on a four-mile park excursion, even with some wet pavement and a little mud. Still, the treads are a bit shallow, so these probably won’t be 400-mile shoes. On longer runs, I’d opt for something more substantial.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
As for aesthetics, the Cloud Harmony comes in four colors: black, white, mint green, and purple. The latter two are good choices if you like a sneaker rainbow in your closet. The mint design has a purple heel and white sole. I have the purple design, which features a hot pink sole. Perfect for spring, as I feel like an Easter egg when I wear them.
Photo courtesy of NORTIV 8
Animal lovers will appreciate that this sneaker is made from all vegan materials. It uses an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) midsole, a common midsole material. Mesh uppers let your feet breathe, and the rubber outsole helps these shoes grip the pavement. The Cloud Harmony also boasts a supportive insole and a reinforced heel for added protection and stability.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
NORTIV 8 is based in New Jersey and prides itself on making quality gear at reasonable prices. At $59.99, these sneakers aren’t super cheap, but they are less costly than many running brands.
Writer received a free sample from NORTIV 8 for review.
