Australia&rsquo;s Rebecca Henderson and Japan&rsquo;s Masatora Kawano set respective world marathon race walk records of 3:14:52* and 2:55:14* at the All Japan Race Walking meeting, a World Athletics Race Walking Tour Bronze event, in Takahata on Sunday (25).
The weather was dismal but the racing was red hot as former 35km world record-holder Kawano put the hammer down to move away from a group of five at 36km and become the inaugural men&rsquo;s world record-holder for the marathon distance. His time also beat Hayato Katsuki's 2:55:28 set on the same course in 2025.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Henderson improved on the 3:15:11 women&rsquo;s world record set by Sofia Fiorini at the European Championships in Birmingham in August.
The results were all the more remarkable in races held in the pouring rain and on a course with a slight rise and fall of around a metre each lap. Not crucial on its own but telling when you have to go up and down 42 times.
Six athletes held sway in the men&rsquo;s race before two-time world medallist Kawano went into overdrive at the 36-kilometre mark. The only one able to give chase was Kazuya Iwai, and even then he was 15 metres back with the other four unable to respond.
Iwai&rsquo;s brave effort was eventually rewarded with a fine 2:55:55 for second place, while Kazuki Takahashi was third &ndash; the same position he claimed at the Asian Games in March, only then it was in 3:02:45. This time he clocked 2:56:45.&nbsp;
Katsuki finished fourth in 2:56:59 and Satoshi Maruo fifth in 2:57:07, all of them way under the standard required for World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 eligibility.
The half marathon and marathon became official race walk distances from 1 January 2026, with 2:56:30 set as the performance standard required for the inaugural men&rsquo;s world marathon race walk record.&nbsp;Kawano achieved it on his marathon debut, back in the same town where he set his former world 35km race walk record in 2024.
In contrast, Henderson &ndash; also making her marathon debut &ndash; race walked solo from start to finish with a steady but powerful rhythm that saw her pass many men in the huge field once the early charge settled down.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6ade033b6c158518d59e6b0f.jpg" alt="Rebecca Henderson at the All Japan Race Walking meeting" />
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Rebecca Henderson at the All Japan Race Walking meeting (&copy; JAAF / Ikumi Kodama)
At 20.195km, the 25-year-old recorded 1:33:39; a lead that had grown to more than six minutes over Ayane Yanai. That gap increased again to 8:04 by 25km and a huge 14 minutes by the end.
Even so, the 3:29:10 by Yanai in second place was still a Japanese record. Veteran Masumi Fuchise was third in 3:38:42.
A dozen athletes shot away at the start of the men&rsquo;s half marathon but by 10.0975km Tomohiro Noda led in 39:31, with Kento Yoshikawa, Yuta Koga and Taisei Yoshizako breathing down his neck.
That breath became a whisper when Noda accelerated all the way to 15.0975km. He made that point in 58:31, a lead of 18 seconds over Yoshikawa who in turn had a 12-second gap to Yushi Nakajima.
However, that turn of speed was to cost the leader dearly as Noda was dramatically herded into the penalty zone in sight of the finish line.
It left the door open for Yoshizako to record the best win of his career, one that went hand in hand with a personal best of 1:22:04. He needed help to stand after crossing the finish line but recovered just in time to see Yoshikawa follow him home seconds later in 1:22:11.
Elizabeth McMillen put her head down to tackle first the rain and then the opposition in the women&rsquo;s half marathon.
The Australian Commonwealth Games silver medallist was 1:30 up on Japanese champion Nanako Fuji by 10km and went on to win in 1:31:31 &ndash; the fifth-fastest time for this new event.
Her personal best had been 1:38:29 set at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships earlier in the year. This new milestone &ndash; just short of seven minutes &ndash; equates to around a 1.5km improvement in just seven months.
McMillen went through 20km in 1:26:50 on the way. She might have grimaced as she splashed her way through, but she saved a deserved smile for the finish.
Fuji prevailed in 1:35:15 to take the domestic title.
Paul Warburton for World Athletics
*Subject to the usual ratification procedure
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7244534?eventId=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a>
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Australia’s Rebecca Henderson and Japan’s Masatora Kawano set respective world marathon race walk records of 3:14:52* and 2:55:14* at the All Japan Race Walking meeting

Henderson and Kawano set world marathon race walk records in Takahata

Perseus Karlstr&ouml;m set a Swedish and course record to secure a scintillating half marathon race walk win at the Lusatian Race Walking meeting, a World Athletics Race Walking Tour Silver event, in Zittau, Germany on Saturday (24).
He clocked 1:23:24 to win by more than four minutes, while Peru&rsquo;s Mary Luz Andia also achieved a big personal best to win the women&rsquo;s race. The 25-year-old stopped the clock in a course record of 1:34:29 and like Karlstr&ouml;m, she was untroubled from the gun.&nbsp;
There were also wins for France&rsquo;s Aur&eacute;lien Quinion and Poland&rsquo;s Izabela Krzyżanowska in the marathon races.
But it was multiple global medallist Karlstr&ouml;m who stole the show. His previous best of 1:24:58 from Dudince in March was eclipsed in style as the 36-year-old saved the best until last as far as 2026 goes by improving his national record.
Karlstr&ouml;m's victory was never in doubt, and when it came to lapping on the one-kilometre loop course, he did just that. He lapped the entire field of 50 race walkers.
The Swede went straight to the front with Mexico&rsquo;s Cesar Fernandez and Germany&rsquo;s Leo K&ouml;pp right behind, with four in close order behind them.
By the second lap covered in 3:55, it was Karlstr&ouml;m on his own with Fernandez desperately trying to close a small but significant gap.
But the leader sporting blue arm warmers and a blue vest was blowing the field away.
Karlstr&ouml;m was 150 metres ahead after the five-kilometre mark as he relentlessly churned out sub-four-minute kilometres.
Josafat Pena was chasing his compatriot Fernandez, but K&ouml;pp was part of a four-strong group that caught Pena at the eight-kilometre mark.
Fernandez fell victim to the penalty zone, which allowed K&ouml;pp, Ireland&rsquo;s Oisin Lane and Czechia&rsquo;s Adam Zaj&iacute;ček to overtake and battle for the leading places.
Three then became two as Lane faltered.
At 16km, K&ouml;pp became sole contender for second place as Zaj&iacute;ček also suffered. But the German athlete was still more than three minutes behind the leader. In fact, Karlstr&ouml;m could see K&ouml;pp, and with a circuit to go, the eventual runner-up became the last to get lapped.
However, the German was comfortable in second place and took that in 1:27:45 with Latvia&rsquo;s Raivo Saulgriezis reaping the rewards of a sensible race to claim third place in 1:28:00.
Zaj&iacute;ček recovered to claim fourth, one second ahead of Mateusz Nowak from Poland.
Andia took on the women&rsquo;s half marathon sheltered by a group of male athletes in the early stages.
Wearing dark glasses, she was out front and reached the six-kilometre mark in 26:43, moving further away.
She eventually won by more than two minutes, her 1:34:29 a course record by 3:41 and a 5:53 improvement on her previous best set in Lima in March.
Her dominance was underlined when Hana Čern&aacute; of Slovakia recorded 1:36:59 for second, another big personal best by 1:51.
France&rsquo;s 2021 world U20 silver medallist Ma&euml;le Bir&eacute;-Heslouis notched a fine third place in 1:39:16 on her half marathon debut. Canada&rsquo;s Rosalie Drapeau was fourth in 1:40:59, a PB by 2:33.
There was a short delay for the start of the marathons around the rectangular 1km park course. But at 10&deg;C and sunny, it was nigh on perfect for racing.
It took no time for Quinion and Martin Madeline-Degy to make the men&rsquo;s marathon their own. The French pair were well clear by 4km, reached in 17:56 ahead of Mexico&rsquo;s Julio Cesar Salazar Enriquez who was more than a minute behind at 14km.&nbsp;
Quinion and Madeline-Degy pushed on to record a swift 1:29:58 at the half marathon stage before Madeline-Degy edged ahead for a lap.
Any hope of an upset was short lived when European bronze medallist Quinion asserted his authority to draw level, move ahead, and take a 21-second lead at 29km.&nbsp;
By the end, that had stretched to 54 seconds: 3:01:35 to 3:02:29.
All the same, both comfortably broke the previous course record of 3:03:55 set by Italy&rsquo;s Andrea Agrusti 12 months ago.
Italy&rsquo;s Teodorico Caporaso was isolated for almost the entire race but he still came through for third place.
In the women&rsquo;s marathon, three athletes race walked together for the first half. There was nothing to separate Germany&rsquo;s Ada Junghann&szlig; from Krzyżanowska and her Polish compatriot Kinga Walerianczyk.
However, Krzyżanowska took the lead with 8km to go and never looked back to cross the finish line in 3:49:54.
This was a marathon effort that produced huge gaps in the closing stages as athletes tired dramatically. Second was Walerianczyk in 3:56:36 and third wasn&rsquo;t Junghann&szlig; but her German compatriot Julia Schmidt in 4:04:01.
Paul Warburton for World Athletics
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-tour/calendar-results/7234919/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a>

Perseus Karlström set a Swedish and course record to secure a scintillating half marathon race walk win at the Lusatian Race Walking meeting, a World Athletics Race Walking Tour Silver event, in Zittau

Karlström dominates with national and course record in Zittau

Meet the stars of athletics, experience the excitement of the Awards and enjoy an unforgettable weekend in Monaco - with a guest of your choice!
Ever dreamed of meeting the world&rsquo;s greatest athletes? Here&rsquo;s your chance to get closer to the action! Enter our competition for the opportunity to win a VIP trip for two to the World Athletics Awards 2026, taking place in Monaco.
<h2>What could you win?</h2>
One lucky winner and their chosen guest will enjoy an incredible VIP experience, including:
&middot; Return flights from your preferred airport
&middot; Three nights&rsquo; accommodation in Monaco
&middot; Exclusive access to the World Athletics Awards ceremony
&middot; The chance to meet some of the biggest names in athletics
From celebrating the stars of the sport to soaking up the atmosphere of one of athletics&rsquo; biggest nights, this is a weekend you won&rsquo;t want to miss!
<h2>How to enter</h2>
It&rsquo;s simple!
1. <a href="https://appy.to/mtd4j" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download the World Athletics App</a>.
2. Head to the Awards section.
3. Answer a simple question for your chance to win!
<h3>Want an extra chance to win?</h3>
You can earn one bonus entry by tagging two friends in the official World Athletics competition announcement published on Facebook, Instagram or X.
To claim your bonus entry:
1. Find the official competition post.
2. Tag two friends in a comment.
This step is optional. Your handle will be used for verification only and will not be stored. Tags must be to eligible individual accounts; tags to companies, organisations, government accounts or other unsuitable accounts will not be accepted.
<h2>Important dates</h2>
&middot; Competition opens: 22 October 2026
&middot; Competition closes: 9 November 2026 at 5:00 pm CEST
&middot; Eligible travel dates: 27 November &ndash; 30 November 2026, inclusive
The winner will be selected at random from valid entries that meet the eligibility requirements and confirm availability to travel within the specified dates.
<h2>Ready for your VIP athletics experience?</h2>
Don&rsquo;t miss your chance to celebrate the world&rsquo;s best athletes in style. Enter now and you could be heading to Monaco for an unforgettable weekend at the World Athletics Awards 2026!
<a href="https://appy.to/mtd4j" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ENTER NOW</a>
For full details, please read the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/terms-and-conditions#competitions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics prize competition terms &amp; conditions</a>.

Meet the stars of athletics, experience the excitement of the Awards and enjoy an unforgettable weekend in Monaco - with a guest of your choice!

Win a VIP weekend at the World Athletics Awards 2026 in Monaco!

<h3>The first indoor running competition, involving athletes, amateurs and beginners will start on 23 October in 20 countries around the world&nbsp;</h3>
 The inaugural RUN X&trade; World Treadmill Championship will get underway on 23 October, with 400 fitness centres across 20 countries set to host the qualification phase of the new global running competition.&nbsp;
Developed by Technogym and World Athletics, RUN X&trade; is a 5km competition that allows runners of all levels to compete on connected treadmills, compare their performances with participants around the world and potentially qualify for a world final.&nbsp;
From 23 October, runners will be able to complete their 5km challenge at an official RUN X&trade; centre, with results certified through treadmills connected to the Technogym Digital Ecosystem. Participants will be able to follow their progress through an online leaderboard, comparing their performances with other runners locally and globally.&nbsp;
Five Global Run X Days, designated worldwide qualification days, will be held during the qualification period, on 24 October, 14 November and 12 December 2026, followed by 16 and 23 January 2027. Affiliated centres will also be able to organise additional local running days.&nbsp;
Runners can find their nearest participating centre and further information on how to take part at <a href="https://www.runx.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">runx.org</a>.&nbsp;
Qualified runners from each country will progress to the regional phase, taking place from 30 January to 28 February 2027, before the competition culminates in a world final at Technogym Village in Cesena, Italy, on 20-21 March 2027.&nbsp;
The leading men and women, both overall and by age group, will compete for the first world treadmill champion titles, with a total prize pool of US$100,000 on offer.&nbsp;
World Athletics will also award wild card entries to the respective Member Federations of the male and female champion, giving them the opportunity to compete in the 5km race at the 2027 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Yangzhou, China, the weekend after the RUN X&trade; final.&nbsp;
World 10,000m champion Jimmy Gressier and US distance runner Sara Hall are ambassadors for RUN X&trade;, helping to promote the competition and encourage participation among runners of all abilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The championship has been developed to bring running communities together through a format that combines competitive racing with connected technology, making it possible for elite athletes, recreational runners and newcomers to take part in the same global challenge.&nbsp;
For more information, visit <a href="https://www.runx.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">runx.org</a> , visit <a href="https://www.instagram.com/runxrace" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@runxrace</a> on Instagram or contact <a href="mailto:caring@runx.org%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">caring@runx.org</a>

The first indoor running competition, involving athletes, amateurs and beginners will start on 23 October in 20 countries around the world 

RUN X™ World Treadmill Championship set to begin at 400 centres worldwide 

The detailed schedule for the 2027 Wanda Diamond League season has been confirmed with the publication of the Diamond Discipline allocation.
The allocation, which shows which meetings will host which disciplines on the Road to the Final next year, means the world&rsquo;s top track and field athletes can now plot their path to one of the biggest titles of 2027.
The full breakdown of all 2027 Diamond Disciplines can be viewed on the <a href="https://www.diamondleague.com/results-standings/disciplines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diamond League website</a>.
Next year&rsquo;s Wanda Diamond League season will begin in Doha on 7 May and end at the series final in Zurich on 25-26 August.
Athletes in 32 different disciplines compete for points at 14 series meetings as they bid to qualify for the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich.
Each discipline is hosted between four and eight times on the Road to the Final, providing multiple chances for the sport&rsquo;s biggest superstars to go head to head at the highest level.
As well as a chance to win one of athletics&rsquo; most iconic titles, the Diamond League will also provide a season-long test of form ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Beijing in September.
The full 2027 calendar was <a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/diamond-league/news/wanda-diamond-league-2027-calendar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published last week</a>.

The detailed schedule for the 2027 Wanda Diamond League season has been confirmed with the publication of the Diamond Discipline allocation.

Discipline allocation confirmed for 2027 Wanda Diamond League

World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear of the death of renowned British sportswriter and author David Miller at the age of 91.
In 2023, Miller was awarded the International Olympic Committee&rsquo;s Pierre de Coubertin Medal in recognition of his contribution to promoting the Olympic movement.
He was also the author of the official history of the Olympic Games. Athens to Athens, his history of the Olympics and the IOC, was published ahead of the 2004 Games in Athens &ndash; the third time the Greek capital had staged an Olympic Games, following the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896 and the unofficial Intercalated Games of 1906. The 700-page book was subsequently updated after each edition of the Games.
A former sports correspondent for The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Express, Miller first reported from the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964. In 1972 he was among the journalists covering the attack on members of the Israeli team at the Olympic Village in Munich.
Miller&rsquo;s Olympic Revolution, his 1992 biography of long-serving IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, followed his work a decade earlier with two-time Olympic 1500m champion Sebastian Coe on Coe&rsquo;s first autobiography, Running Free. Miller later collaborated with Coe again on Born to Run, published in 1985.
"An acclaimed sportswriter, David was a colossus of his profession," said World Athletics President Coe. "Dedicated and diligent, he relentlessly pursued a story, reporting with authority and dignity. His knowledge of the Olympic movement was unsurpassed.
&ldquo;He was also a fine footballer in his youth and wrote extensively about the sport later in his career. With David&rsquo;s passing, sport has lost one of its most distinguished chroniclers.&rdquo;
In 2012, as World Athletics celebrated its centenary, Miller was commissioned as one of the authors of the official commemorative book, 100 Years of Athletics Excellence. He contributed two chapters to the 429-page publication. One focused on the five World Athletics presidents who had served between 1912 and 2012, while the other examined the sport&rsquo;s evolution from the amateur to the professional era.
Miller was particularly well placed to cover both subjects. As well as his standing as a journalist and historian, he had known all but one of those five presidents and had witnessed at first hand the transformation of international athletics during the professional era.
A long-time member of the World Athletics Press Commission, Miller also served as chair of the UK&rsquo;s Sports Writers&rsquo; Association from 1981 to 1983.
He was a prolific author, with his many other publications including Atlanta 1996: Official Commemorative Book of the Centennial Olympic Games, The World Cup: The Argentina Story, Cup Magic and Father of Football: The Story of Sir Matt Busby.
Chris Turner for World Athletics

David Miller, 1935-2026

Sports writer and Olympic historian Miller dies

One Monday morning in April 1985, Joan Benoit Samuelson made the four-mile trip from her home on the coast of Maine to pick up her mail from Freeport Post Office. Her postman had some news for her: she was no longer the holder of the women&rsquo;s marathon world best.
Unbeknown to Benoit Samuelson, Ingrid Kristiansen had run 2:21:06 at the London Marathon the day before &ndash; not so much eclipsing as obliterating the world best of 2:22:43 that the US runner had recorded under her maiden name, Joan Benoit, in Boston in April 1983.
Having etched her maiden name into distance running lore as winner of the inaugural Olympic marathon for women on home ground in Los Angeles in August 1984, before marrying her college sweetheart Scott Samuelson, Benoit Samuelson was left with a burning desire to make a new name for herself.
For her first marathon as Benoit Samuelson, and as Olympic champion, the 28-year-old chose the America's Marathon in Chicago in October 1985 &ndash; ditching plans to race in New York after discovering that the new world best-holder would be in the elite women's field in the Windy City.
<h2>The duel in the Windy City</h2>
Kristiansen had been stung by the disappointment of missing out on a medal in LA, where she finished fourth behind Benoit (as she was at the time), her fellow Norwegian Grete Waitz and Portugal's Rosa Mota. She was on a trailblazing roll in 1985, following up her huge marathon world best in London by breaking the 31-minute barrier for 10,000m on the track with a 30:59.42 world record in Oslo.
The big question heading into Chicago was not just whether the Olympic champion could get the better of the in-form Kristiansen, but also whether the 26.2-mile head-to-head could produce another world best. There was even talk of the 2:20 barrier being broken for the first time.
That prospect remained alive as the two main contenders battled it out over the opening 19 miles &ndash; not quite side by side, but with Benoit Samuelson forcing the pace at the front and Kristiansen a stride or two behind.
Zipping through 10 miles in 52:42 and halfway in 1:09:33, they were still on course for a sub-2:20 clocking at 19 miles. But then the invisible elastic snapped. Kristiansen dropped back, and so did the pace. Benoit Samuelson crossed the line in 2:21:21 &ndash; just 15 seconds shy of Kristiansen&rsquo;s world best in London.
Still, it was a victory to savour for Benoit Samuelson, who has kindly donated her winner&rsquo;s medal to the Museum of World Athletics. Her winning time, second quickest on the world all-time list, was a North and Central American best, and her margin of victory was an emphatic 1:44.
&ldquo;When Joan moved away from me, my head wanted to go with her but my legs couldn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; the Norwegian said. &ldquo;They were going up and down instead of forward.&rdquo;
<h2>A legacy across five decades</h2>
Benoit Samuelson claimed she would have hung up her racing shoes if she had broken 2:20 that day, but resolved to chase the barrier in future. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s definitely possible, given the right conditions and the right mental attitude,&rdquo; she said.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69065f7c361ffa7d09b5119d.jpg" alt="Joan Benoit Samuelson, Rosa Mota and Jon Ridgeon" />
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Joan Benoit Samuelson, Rosa Mota and Jon Ridgeon (&copy; World Athletics Heritage <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Errol Anderson)
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There was no doubting Benoit Samuelson&rsquo;s mental strength. Her father, Andre Benoit, served in the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army, fighting in the Italian Alps during World War II. He taught Joan to ski, and she harboured ambitions of becoming an Olympic skier until she broke her leg and her doctor recommended running to strengthen her leg muscles.
In 1984, she won the inaugural women's Olympic marathon in Los Angeles, having secured her place at the Games with a stunning US Trials victory just 17 days after surgery on her right knee. &ldquo;Her willpower is unreal,&rdquo; said her long-time coach Bob Sevene. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s the greatest athlete I&rsquo;ve ever been around, the toughest I know. Her wheels will literally have to fall off to stop her.&rdquo;
And, remarkably, the Benoit Samuelson wheels have still not fallen off. She became the first woman to run sub-three-hour marathons in five consecutive decades, from the 1970s to the 2010s. Even at 62, she came close to breaking three hours again, clocking 3:02:21 in Berlin in 2019.
In 2024, at 66, the inaugural Olympic women's marathon champion ran 3:38:37 in Tokyo, completing the full set of all six World Marathon Majors.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have any secrets,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;I just love to run&hellip; I&rsquo;ll have time to rest when I&rsquo;m dead.&rdquo;
Simon Turnbull for World Athletics Heritage
<div><a href="https://tinyurl.com/visitMOWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6885f79e982e117f1338cb26.jpg" alt="MOWA banner" /></a></div>

Remembering Joan Benoit Samuelson's 1985 Chicago Marathon victory

Benoit Samuelson’s Chicago showdown

<h3>Fans have full voting power to decide the award shortlist via the World Athletics app, before expert panel picks the winner&nbsp;</h3>
 The 18 nominees for the new Moment of the Year honour have been confirmed and the fan vote is now open to decide the shortlist from which a World Athletics expert panel will confirm the inaugural winner &ndash; to be announced as part of the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on 29 November.&nbsp;
The Moment of the Year award has been introduced to celebrate the most memorable occasion of the season &ndash; one that may transcend a single performance and generate emotion and inspiration among fans and spectators around the world.&nbsp; 
<h3>Long list of nominees for the 2026 Moment of the Year:</h3>
&bull; Tigst Assefa&rsquo;s women-only world marathon record of 2:15:41 in London&nbsp;
&bull; Botswana&rsquo;s men&rsquo;s 4x400m win on home soil at the World Athletics Relays&nbsp;
&bull; Alison dos Santos&rsquo; world 400m hurdles record of 45.80 in Zurich&nbsp;
&bull; The pole vault duel between Mondo Duplantis (6.25m) and Emmanouil Karalis (6.20m) in Zurich &nbsp;
&bull; Simon Ehammer&rsquo;s world heptathlon record of 6670 for world indoor gold in Toruń&nbsp;
&bull; Keely Hodgkinson&rsquo;s world 800m short track record of 1:54.87 in Li&eacute;vin&nbsp;
&bull; Jakob Ingebrigtsen&rsquo;s return after injury to win the European 5000m title&nbsp;
&bull; Melissa Jefferson-Wooden's Ultimate Championship sprint double &nbsp;
&bull; Yomif Kejelcha&rsquo;s world half marathon record of 56:51 in Buenos Aires&nbsp;
&bull; Josh Kerr&rsquo;s world mile record of 3:42.66 in London&nbsp;
&bull; Agnes Ngetich&rsquo;s women-only world record of 1:05:15 for world half marathon gold&nbsp;
&bull; Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage&rsquo;s last-round 91.09m to win the Ultimate javelin title&nbsp;
&bull; Masai Russell&rsquo;s world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 in Zurich&nbsp;
&bull; Sabastian Sawe breaking two hours with a 1:59:30 world marathon record in London&nbsp;
&bull; Gianmarco Tamberi's world high jump lead of 2.37m to win the Ultimate title&nbsp;
&bull; Ja'Kobe vTharp&rsquo;s world 110m hurdles record of 12.75 in the NCAA semifinals&nbsp;
&bull; Audrey Werro&rsquo;s 1:53.70 800m &ndash; the third-fastest time in history &nbsp;
&bull; Yan Ziyi&rsquo;s world U20 javelin record of 71.74m &ndash; the second-farthest throw in history&nbsp;
 Fans can vote on their moment of the year via the official World Athletics app, which launched ahead of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in September.&nbsp;
<a href="https://appy.to/oogoe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available on iOS and Android</a>, the app brings the latest content, games, rewards, live results, performance data and more together in one personalised experience. The dedicated Awards tab, accessible from the app home page, is where fans can go to vote for their moment of the year and relive many of the highlights from the season.&nbsp;
The Moment of the Year fan vote will close on 26 October and the finalists will be announced on 3 November. The World Athletics expert panel will then decide on the winner from that fan-voted shortlist.&nbsp;
The winner will be announced live on stage during the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.&nbsp;
Other awards presented on stage will include the women&rsquo;s and men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year and Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year and the President&rsquo;s Award.&nbsp;

Fans have full voting power to decide the award shortlist via the World Athletics app, before expert panel picks the winner 

Nominees announced for new fan-powered Moment of the Year 

Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw and Burundi's Egide Ntakarutimana impressed at the Cross Internacional Zornotza &ndash; the second Gold-level meeting of this season&rsquo;s World Athletics Cross Country Tour &ndash; as they claimed overwhelming victories in Amorebieta on Sunday (18).
On a sunny and mild day, the women&rsquo;s 8.7km contest witnessed the early lead of Eritrea&rsquo;s Rahel Daniel, the 2022 world 10,000m fifth-place finisher, but she was easily followed by the Kenyan duo of Dorcus Chepkwemoi and Mirriam Cherop, Burundi&rsquo;s Francine Niyomukunzi and the favourite Amebaw, who remained at the back of the pack in the early stages.
Following the first big loop covered in 6:58, Daniel began to lose ground as Niyomukunzi moved to the front to pick up the pace. During the second 2.1km circuit, with 12:30 on the clock, it was Amebaw who made a big statement as she unleashed a terrific change of speed to build a huge margin in a matter of a few hundred metres. The recent Ultimate 5000m champion clocked a swift 6:24 split for that loop to open a sizeable gap of 24 seconds on Chepkwemoi, Cherop and Niyomukunzi.
Amebaw maintained her cadence over the penultimate lap as it only took her 6:28 to extend her lead to a massive 36 seconds on the chasing trio. During the closing circuit, Chepkwemoi ceded ground when Cherop tried to break away from Niyomukunzi. A final 6:35 lap led the new world 5km champion Amebaw to a comfortable victory, her third in Amorebieta after her 2023 and 2025 wins. The 28-year-old finished 31 seconds clear of Niyomukunzi, who managed to leave world mile bronze medallist Cherop behind over the closing 400 metres.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m so happy as it was my first competition as a world champion and I managed to triumph for the third time,&rdquo; said Amebaw. &ldquo;I love the Amorebieta cross country, I know the circuit and how to move strategically. Today I decided to stay in the group for almost the first half before setting my own rhythm. I now look forward to the next cross-country competitions.&rdquo;
Unlike the women&rsquo;s event, the 8.7km men&rsquo;s contest kicked off at a frantic pace set by pre-race favourite Ntakarutimana. The Burundian ran the opening 500 metres in 1:17 to lose his rivals and the 28-year-old covered the opening kilometre in 2:37 to decide the race in his favour.&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6ad4e84a5c750c099732f09c.jpg" alt="Egide Ntakarutimana at the Cross Internacional Zornotza" />
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Egide Ntakarutimana at the Cross Internacional Zornotza (&copy; De Pedro Fot&oacute;grafos)
The lonesome leader continued to cover the opening big lap in 5:44 to build a 22-second advantage over a quartet featuring his compatriot Elie Sindayikengdera, Kenya&rsquo;s Peter Rono and the Spanish pair of Daniel Arce and Sergio Paniagua.&nbsp;
Ntakarutimana&rsquo;s second lap was timed at 5:56 as he maintained a clear margin over his chasers, with Rono, Sindayikengdera and Paniagua running in single file, while Arce was dropped from the pack. Ntakarutimana&rsquo;s relentless pace continued over the penultimate lap which took him 5:59. At the bell, runner-up Rono travelled 23 seconds in arrears, three seconds clear of Sindayikengdera and five ahead of Paniagua, who caught the Burundian with a kilometre remaining.
Following another brisk 5:54 circuit, Ntakarutimana crossed the finish line well clear of his compatriot, who was able to overtake Rono over the long final straight, while Paniagua had to settle for fourth.
&ldquo;I decided to begin fast because I felt a lot of energy today,&rdquo; said Ntakarutimana who placed sixth two years ago in his only other appearance in Amorebieta. &ldquo;I realised none of my rivals ran close to me but I kept my rhythm as the fans cheered on me throughout. I hope to come back next year.&rdquo;
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (8.7km) 1 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 28:41 2 Francine Niyomukunzi (BDI) 29:12 3 Mirriam Cherop (KEN) 29:17 4 Dorcus Chepkwemoi (KEN) 29:58 5 Rahel Daniel (ERI) 31:21 6 Carla Arce (ESP) 31:26 7 Irene Pelayo (ESP) 31:41 8 Ana Marinho (POR) 31:46
Men (8.7km) 1 Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI) 25:18 2 Elie Sindayikengdera (BDI) 25:48 3 Peter Rono (KEN) 25:53 4 Sergio Paniagua (ESP) 25:53 5 Abdessamad Oukhelfen (ESP) 26:10 6 David de la Fuente (ESP) 26:17 7 Yahya Aouina (ESP) 26:28 8 Jaime Migall&oacute;n (ESP) 26:37
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</div>

Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw and Burundi's Egide Ntakarutimana impressed at the Cross Internacional Zornotza – the second Gold-level meeting of this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour

Amebaw and Ntakarutimana confirm supremacy in Amorebieta

Buze Diriba ran a course record of 2:16:12 and Lemi Berhanu threatened the men&rsquo;s mark by running 2:03:33 to win at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on Sunday (18).
Racing in wet conditions, both clocked impressive negative splits to achieve big PBs. Ethiopia&rsquo;s Diriba improved on her previous best of 2:19:34 to break the course record and Dutch all-comers' record of 2:16:52 set by Yalemzerf Yehualaw in 2024, while her compatriot Berhanu, the 2016 Boston Marathon champion, continued his resurgence by taking a minute off his PB set a decade ago, missing the course record by just three seconds.
Diriba was followed by defending champion Aynalem Desta, who ran a PB of 2:17:06, while Meseret Belete completed an Ethiopian top three in 2:18:06, also a PB.
Kenya&rsquo;s Nicholas Kipkorir, who claimed world half marathon silver in Copenhagen last month, chased Berhanu over the finish line to secure another runner-up finish in a big PB of 2:03:39, while his Kenyan compatriot Patrick Mosin was third in a PB of 2:03:58 as the top eight all dipped under 2:05.
Diriba and Desta were always to the fore in the women&rsquo;s race and they were joined by Mestawut Fikir and Belete as the halfway point was reached in 1:08:34.
They hit the 30-kilometre mark in 1:37:23 before Fikir was dropped, losing 17 seconds on the leaders over the next kilometre.
Desta and Diriba forged on, creating a gap on Belete, and then Diriba kicked. She was half a minute ahead by 40km and increased that advantage to almost a minute by the finish.
Diriba has now broken 2:20 in three marathons during the past 12 months &ndash; she ran her previous best of 2:19:34 to win in Frankfurt last October before clocking 2:19:54 to place second in Daegu in February. By running 2:16:12 in Amsterdam, the 32-year-old moved to 16th on the world all-time list.
Behind the top three, Tiringo Mulu finished fourth in 2:20:36 and Fikir was fifth in 2:21:32.
The men&rsquo;s race also set off outside course record pace, but a strong finish took Berhanu to within three seconds of the mark set by Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba last year.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6ad4a1d177312687063fee82.jpg" alt="Lemi Berhanu wins the TCS Amsterdam Marathon" />
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Lemi Berhanu wins the TCS Amsterdam Marathon (&copy; Getty Images)
A large lead group remained together at halfway, headed by the pacemakers in 1:02:24. Kipchumba, defending his title, was eight seconds back at that point and he dropped out a short while later.
Kenya&rsquo;s Justus Kangogo took control as the pacemakers stepped aside at the 30-kilometre mark, reached in 1:28:48. The pack stretched out as he picked up the pace, reaching the 35-kilometre checkpoint in 1:43:23, joined at the front by Mosin, Kipkorir, and Jonathan Korir, with Berhanu a stride back.
A big move was made as they approached the Vondelpark, as Kipkorir kicked and Berhanu went with him, leaving their rivals behind. They were shoulder to shoulder as they hit the 40-kilometre mark in 1:57:25, 11 seconds ahead of Mosin.
Then Berhanu edged ahead and Kipkorir could not respond, looking over his shoulder as he ran in second place.
Berhanu was well clear as he returned to the Olympic Stadium for the final stretch, striding over the finish line in 2:03:33 to secure a six-second victory. In only his second marathon, Kipkorir improved on the 2:06:07 he ran on his debut in Boston in April to secure the runner-up spot, while Mosin was third, another 19 seconds back.
Kalipus Lomwai was fourth (2:04:08), Sila Kiptoo fifth (2:04:12) and Kangogo sixth (2:04:24). Korir and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi, the latter making his marathon debut, also finished inside 2:05. It is only the third race in history in which eight men have broken the 2:05 mark.
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:16:12 2 Aynalem Desta (ETH) 2:17:06 3 Meseret Belete (ETH) 2:18:06 4 Tiringo Mulu (ETH) 2:20:36 5 Mestawut Fikir (ETH) 2:21:32 6 Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 2:22:28 7 Rebecca Chepkwemoi (KEN) 2:22:48 8 Desi Jisa Mokonin (BRN) 2:22:49 9 Selamawit Teferi (ISR) 2:22:58 10 Kena Girma (ETH) 2:24:28
Men 1 Lemi Berhanu (ETH) 2:03:33 2 Nicholas Kipkorir (KEN) 2:03:39 3 Patrick Mosin (KEN) 2:03:58 4 Kalipus Lomwai (KEN) 2:04:09 5 Sila Kiptoo (KEN) 2:04:13 6 Justus Kangogo (KEN) 2:04:24 7 Jonathan Korir (KEN) 2:04:53 8 Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) 2:04:57 9 Yohei Ikeda (JPN) 2:05:16 10 Yihunilign Adane (ETH) 2:05:16
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7235581/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a> 
<h2>Tola runs Chinese all-comers&rsquo; record in Beijing</h2>
Olympic champion Tamirat Tola ran a Chinese all-comers&rsquo; record of 2:03:10 to win the Bank of China Beijing Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, on Sunday (18).
His time improves the previous all-comers&rsquo; record of 2:05:35 set by Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba in Shanghai in 2023 as well as the Beijing Marathon record of 2:07:06 set by Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio in 2019.
Tola&rsquo;s Ethiopian compatriots Muktar Edris and Adane Kebede also finished inside the previous records, respectively clocking 2:04:34 and 2:05:10.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Anchinalu Dessie retained the women&rsquo;s title in 2:20:36 ahead of China&rsquo;s Ciren Cuomu (2:23:48) and Lu Ying (2:24:24).
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7235591/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a> 
<h2>Matata breaks course record, Alemu sets world U20 best in New Delhi</h2>
Charles Matata maintained family tradition by winning the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in a course record and PB of 58:52, while Wudinesh Alemu won the World Athletics Gold Label road race in a world U20 best of 1:06:35 on Sunday (18).
Matata went one better than his runner-up finish in 2023, following in the footsteps of his twin brother Alex Matata who won the 2025 edition. He topped a Kenyan podium as Samwel Mailu was second in 59:24 and Stanley Mburu was third in 59:33. Ethiopia&rsquo;s two-time winner Birhanu Legese, the two-time Tokyo Marathon champion, finished fourth in 1:00:33.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s 19-year-old Alemu won the women&rsquo;s race ahead of Kenya&rsquo;s Selah Busienei, who clocked 1:07:01, and Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony, who secured third place by one second ahead of Irine Chepet Cheptai &ndash; 1:07:32 to 1:07:33.
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7236424/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a> 
<h2>Ngetich and Mutiso run course records at Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon</h2>
Kenya&rsquo;s Agnes Ngetich and Alexander Mutiso set course records to win the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, on Sunday (18).
Ngetich, who won the world cross-country title in January and world half marathon gold last month, was a dominant winner again in Tokyo. She clocked a Japanese all-comers' record of 1:04:23 to win by more than four minutes ahead of her compatriot Tabitha Njeri Kamau (1:08:28). Japan&rsquo;s Kazuna Kanetomo was third in 1:10:17.
Mutiso won the men&rsquo;s race in 59:51, topping a Kenyan podium ahead of Kiprono Sitonik (59:56) and James Mutuku (1:00:08). 
<h2>Course records fall in Ljubljana</h2>
Haftamnesh Tesfay and Enock Ochari both set course records at the NLB Ljubljana Marathon, a&nbsp;World Athletics Gold Label road race, on Sunday (18).
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Tesfay won the women&rsquo;s race in a lifetime best of 2:19:17, just seven seconds ahead of Kenya&rsquo;s Esther Chemtai. Ochari won the men&rsquo;s race in 2:04:55, also a PB, after covering the second half in 1:01:42.
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7235593/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a> 
<h2>Jeruto and Langat win in Toronto</h2>
Kenya&rsquo;s Leah Jeruto won the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2:21:19, while her compatriot Leonard Langat retained his title in 2:06:51 at the World Athletics Elite Label road race on Sunday (18).
Jeruto ran away from her rivals in the final five kilometres to win in a big PB and a time that only two women have beaten on the course.&nbsp;
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Nigsti Haftu was second in 2:21:34 and Ayinadis Teshome took third place in 2:22:51.
Langat pushed the pace around the 35-kilometre mark and went on to win by half a minute ahead of his compatriot Fanny Kiprotich (2:07:21). Noah Kipkemboi made the podium for the third consecutive time, finishing third in 2:07:25.
The Canadian titles were won by Dayna Pidhoresky (2:26:02) and Andrew Davies (2:08:48).
</div>
</div>

Buze Diriba ran a course record of 2:16:12 and Lemi Berhanu threatened the men’s mark by running 2:03:33 to win at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon

Diriba breaks course record, Berhanu threatens mark at Amsterdam Marathon

Ultimate champion Likina Amebaw and Egide Ntakarutimana will be among the leading contenders when the Cross Internacional Zornotza, the second Gold-level fixture of this season&rsquo;s World Athletics Cross Country Tour, takes place in the Spanish town of Amorebieta on Sunday (18).
Amebaw, who has been based in Spain for eight years, has enjoyed a superb 2026 &ndash; a year topped by her commanding 5000m win at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship last month in Budapest. On that occasion, the 28-year-old triumphed in scintillating fashion following a devastating change of speed. Just six days later, the Ethiopian star maintained the momentum by winning the 5km title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen thanks to a 14:41 clocking.
In addition, Amebaw improved her 5000m PB as she recorded 14:18.41 to win at the Golden Gala Diamond League meeting in Rome, five months after lowering her 10km career best in Valencia where she finished runner-up in 29:29.&nbsp;
Sunday&rsquo;s event will mark her third appearance in Amorebieta and she remains unbeaten so far having succeeded in both 2023 and 2025.
Although Amebaw had a few days off after Copenhagen, she remains the overwhelming favourite for the 8.7km race. But she will face Burundi&rsquo;s Francine Niyomukunzi who is also a double victor in Amorebieta having won in 2021 and 2024. The 27-year-old proved to be in the form of her life during the track season as she set massive PBs of 8:33.27 in Monaco and 14:41.46 in Rome for the 3000m and 5000m, respectively, but she had to settle for 18th in Copenhagen last month over 5km.&nbsp;
Niyomukunzi kicked off her cross-country campaign the following weekend with a clear win at the opening World Cross Country Tour Gold meeting of the season in Liding&ouml; over 15km.
Watch out too for the world mile bronze medallist Mirriam Cherop. The 27-year-old formed part of Kenya&rsquo;s gold medal-winning mixed relay team at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships and she won the Cross Country Tour Gold meeting in Albufeira in February, while she also holds a fine 30:59 10km PB set in June. Cherop will be joined by her compatriot Dorcus Chepkwemoi, the winner at last year&rsquo;s Venta de Ba&ntilde;os Cross Country Tour Gold race.
In the men&rsquo;s race, which will also be held over 8.7km, athletes from Burundi look poised to extend their winning streak to five consecutive editions, with Ntakarutimana seemingly the athlete to beat.
The 28-year-old made a major breakthrough this season. He clocked the second-quickest 5000m of the year thanks to his 12:46.73 national record performance at the Diamond League Final in Brussels just nine days after improving his 3000m career best to 7:28.13 in Zurich. Ntakarutimana then finished ninth in the 5km at the World Road Running Championships before winning the cross-country race in Liding&ouml; one week later.&nbsp;
He will be eager to improve on his sixth place from the 2024 Cross Internacional Zornotza. His compatriot Elie Sindayikengdera, fourth last year, should be his closest opponent. The 22-year-old, who was third in Liding&ouml;, holds a 13:01.96 5000m lifetime best set last year and he was 20th in the 5km in Copenhagen last month. They will be joined on the start line by Kenyan steeplechaser Peter Rono.
The Spanish hopes rest on Nassim Hassaous, who was runner-up last year, as well as steeplechaser Daniel Arce, Abdessamad Oukhelfen and European U20 cross-country silver medallist Oscar Gait&aacute;n.
Amorebieta hosted the 1993 World Cross Country Championships, where William Sigei and Albertina Dias took victory, and a then 19-year-old Paula Radcliffe made her senior international debut, finishing 18th.
The weather on Sunday is forecast to be cloudy with a high chance of rain, with temperatures around 14&deg;C during the early afternoon races.
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics

Ultimate champion Likina Amebaw and Egide Ntakarutimana will be among the leading contenders when the Cross Internacional Zornotza, the second Gold-level fixture of this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour, takes place in the Spanish town of Amorebieta on Sunday

Amebaw and Ntakarutimana start as the favourites in Amorebieta

Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba and Aynalem Desta will return to the TCS Amsterdam Marathon to defend their titles at the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday (18).
Both Kenya&rsquo;s Kipchumba and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Desta will want to build on the respective PBs of 2:03:30 and 2:17:37 they set when winning in the Dutch capital last year &ndash; Kipchumba breaking the course record and Desta running the third-fastest time ever achieved in Amsterdam.
They both again face some strong competition. Kipchumba is one of 11 men on the entry list to have broken 2:05, while Desta is joined by three of her compatriots who have also run under 2:20.
After setting his Dutch all-comers' record to win in Amsterdam, Kipchumba impressed again as he finished a close second at the Tokyo Marathon in March. In only the third marathon of his career so far, he missed his PB by just seven seconds and was denied after a sprint finish as he matched the time achieved by winner Tadese Takele.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Tsegaye Getachew was runner-up to Kipchumba in Amsterdam last year and after two wins &ndash; in 2022 and 2024 &ndash; he returns again, looking to regain the title. He went close to the PB of 2:04:18 he set in Amsterdam a year ago when running 2:04:32 to finish fourth in Seoul in March.
His compatriot Haymanot Alew is also among the leading contenders. Alew is second quickest on the entry list with a PB just one second off Kipchumba&rsquo;s &ndash; that time securing him a third-place finish in the Berlin Marathon in 2024. More recently, Alew ran his second-quickest marathon of 2:05:19 to finish fifth in Rotterdam in April and he now returns to race on Dutch soil again.
Israel&rsquo;s Maru Teferi, the 2023 world silver medallist, set his national record of 2:04:44 in Valencia in 2024 and will be on the hunt for another podium place after finishing third in Amsterdam in 2:05:42 that same year.
Others lining up with PBs under 2:05 include Uganda&rsquo;s 2023 world fifth-place finisher Stephen Kissa, contesting his first race of the year, plus Justus Kipkorir Limo, who ran 2:04:55 in Seville in February, and Lemi Berhanu, the 2016 Boston Marathon winner who won in Prague in 2:05:14 last year.
The entry list also stars Nicholas Kipkorir, the world half marathon silver medallist in Copenhagen last month who races his second marathon after clocking 2:06:07 in Boston in April, plus 2015 world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, Barcelona Marathon runner-up Patrick Mosin and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi who makes his marathon debut after winning the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in 58:26 in August.
Desta came within 45 seconds of the course record of 2:16:52 set by Yalemzerf Yehualaw in 2024 when she improved her PB by more than four minutes to win in Amsterdam last year. A similar time might be needed if she is to retain her title as she faces her compatriots Meseret Belete and Mestawut Fikir, who have also broken 2:19, as well as 2:19:34 runner Buze Diriba.
While Desta, who finished third in the Nagoya Women's Marathon in 2:22:37 in March, has the benefit of experience in Amsterdam, so too does Belete. The 2:18:21 Belete clocked to win in Amsterdam in 2023 remains her PB.
Fikir ran 2:18:48 when finishing second in the Berlin Marathon in 2024 and she has a season&rsquo;s best of 2:20:00 &ndash; the second-fastest time of her career so far &ndash; achieved when placing seventh in Tokyo in March.
Diriba has dipped inside 2:20 in two marathons in the past 12 months, running her PB of 2:19:34 to win in Frankfurt last October and 2:19:54 to place second in Daegu in February.
Kenya&rsquo;s Evaline Chirchir finished one place behind Diriba in Daegu earlier this year in 2:20:51 and clocked 2:21:32 in Berlin last month. She is entered for her third marathon of the year alongside the likes of Bahrain&rsquo;s Desi Jisa Mokonin and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Yeshi Kalayu Chekole and Girmawit Gebrzihair.
<h3>Leading entries</h3>
Women Aynalem Desta (ETH) 2:17:37 Meseret Belete (ETH) 2:18:21 Mestawut Fikir (ETH) 2:18:48 Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:19:34 Desi Jisa Mokonin (BRN) 2:20:07 Yeshi Kalayu Chekole (ETH) 2:20:15 Nazret Weldu (ERI) 2:20:29 Evaline Chirchir (KEN) 2:20:33 Tiringo Mulu (ETH) 2:21:12 Stacey Chepkemboi Ndiwa (KEN) 2:23:42 Adanech Anbesa (ETH) 2:24:07 Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 2:24:20 Rebecca Chepkwemoi (KEN) 2:24:52 Kena Girma (ETH) 2:25:56 Selamawit Teferi (ISR) 2:26:58 Mikky Keetels (NED) 2:30:42
Men Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba (KEN) 2:03:30 Haymanot Alew (ETH) 2:03:31 Tsegaye Getachew (ETH) 2:04:18 Lemi Berhanu (ETH) 2:04:33 Maru Teferi (ISR) 2:04:44 Stephen Kissa (UGA) 2:04:48 Bute Gemechu (ETH) 2:04:51 Justus Kipkorir Limo (KEN) 2:04:55&nbsp; Bazezew Asmare (ETH) 2:04:57 Yihunilign Adane (ETH) 2:04:59 Patrick Mosin (KEN) 2:04:59 Kalipus Lomwai (KEN) 2:05:06 Yohei Ikeda (JPN) 2:05:12 Bayelign Teshager (ETH) 2:05:23 Jonathan Korir (KEN) 2:05:27&nbsp; Sila Kiptoo (KEN) 2:05:28 Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ERI) 2:05:34 Mehdi Fr&egrave;re (FRA) 2:05:43 Victor Kipchirchir (KEN) 2:05:43 Tsedat Abeje Ayana (ETH) 2:05:47 Justus Kangogo (KEN) 2:05:57 Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) debut

Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba and Aynalem Desta will return to the TCS Amsterdam Marathon to defend their titles at the World Athletics Platinum Label road race

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