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A crazy 24 hours of ultra trail running in Europe was witnessed last Friday evening as the 8th annual UTMB set off bang on time at 18.30 CET. But barely an 8th of the way into the event (approx 21km) the race was cancelled, or should I say postponed and, for many, over… Read more…
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Over the coming week or so we will be previewing one of the world’s biggest ultra trail races, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, from a number of angles. Apart from the obvious race preview we will look to unearth some of the more individual aspects… Read more…
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Time was fell racing consisted of getting to the top and back, or around a loop of hills, faster than anyone else. Well that is still the case, I suppose, only now you can become an expert – and pass on your knowledge to others… Read more…
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Time was when some folk couldn’t get enough EVA. It now seems that the barefoot / minimalist movement is fast becoming the zeitgeist for runners, walkers and shoe brands alike. And now can you even learn how to walk again (!), thanks to shoe makers Terra Plana… Read more…
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Sock-makers Bridgedale are backing an ultra run by three runners across the Kalhari Desert. The attempt will see a South African / Norwegian team embark on the 1000km run which it appears has never been undertaken before… Read more…
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We weren’t. For most of Sunday and half of yesterday our servers were offline. So, apologies for those tuning into MST for news on a packed weekend of racing at home and abroad, we will be catching up and delivering all of the goodies over the next day or so… Read more…
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2010’s cracking forth edition of Trail magazin has hit the virtual shelves, is there no stopping Denis Wischniewski?! This has to be one of the best online pubs., period. If you want this quality publication available in English start your online petition now! Read more…
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Pudsey’s Rob Hope is still on target to lift a fourth straight British Fell Championship after a commanding win at Rd3, the Dollar Hill Race. Still leading going into the final Long race at the Black Mountains Rob will now just need to keep his nerve, and finish in a leading position, to take the title. Read more…
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inov-8’s™ impressive track record at the annual OutDoor Show Awards continues with a Gold Industry Award for new bare-grip™ 200. This is the first Gold Award for inov-8™ but their third OutDoor Show award in four years Read more…
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This is certainly a big stick giving it some in the hornets nest that is cushioning and control Vs neutrality – when it comes to running shoes. Chris McDougall digs a little deeper into the big brands psyche and gets some juicy nuggets from Gordon Valiant, Nike’s head of biomechanical research… Read more…
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We have profiled Ryan Sandes on MST before, and realised that this world-class ultra trail man is deep. Urban Ninja gets even deeper in this interview, asking the Sandman some left-field questions about his rise to the top, his running economy and coping with solitude… Read more…
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iRunFar’s Heidi Dietrich argues the long-held theory that ultra running is more mind than matter. Mental strength can win over physical strength when it comes to the long stuff. Read on Read more…
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Apologies to readers who like their daily fix of MST. As regulars will know we update on many occasions throughout the day. A few technical hitches, coupled with what seem like 24 hour days at work and house building, have resulted in very little time for this passion… Read more…
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First of all, welcome to the new Top-10 column at MST where we will be hoping to give you a bit of an insight into both the current and former elite from the Irish mountain running scene… Read more…
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Martin Yelling and Tom Williams‘s weekly podcast that is Marathon Talk is rather good. You can just log on, let it play and put the kettle on. 90 minutes or so of anything-goes chat about the world of running… Read more…
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Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ranger Matt Neale has raised more than £7,000 for charity by running 190 miles from St Bee’s Head to Robin Hood’s Bay. The 37-year-old completed his grueling continuous coast-to-coast ultra-marathon in 61 hours and 13 minutes. Read more…
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Certainly when it comes to some footwear brands right now. I don’t think Merrell would mind us saying that inov-8 have the upper hand here, indeed ‘barefoot guru’ Chris McDougall is pretty clear and where he thinks the leading minds in this field are… Read more…
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When it comes to this daddy of ultra-trail races you need some local knowledge. So, when looking ahead to the hotly anticipated 2010 edition of this American classic it’s best left to those Stateside. Who better then than iRunFar.com: Read more…
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The 2012 SkyGames® were officially presented by ISF President Marino Giacometti on Wednesday, June 23, in Ribagorça Románica in the Spanish Pyrenees where the event will take place. Read more…
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The Welsh mountain that is Tryfan has blown away its doubters and proven to be even higher than first thought. In this Grough article it seems that there have been doubters on the giant’s authenticity in being a 3000 footer! Read more…
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Midges and the Scottish Highlands and Islands, they go hand in hand. But by all accounts 2010 is a bad year for those hoping escape to the hills and enjoy some sport. This BBC report shows just how prevalent the wee beast is this year… Read more…
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Slightly off the beaten MST track this, but interesting none the less. A report published by NPD Group shows that running footwear and apparel has fared better than most in the… Read more…
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The camera never lies. Especially when you take a look at this image of the feet of ultra-legend Anton Krupicka. After the MIWOK earlier this year the great man’s feet took a battering… Read more…
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Chris McDougall is the zeitgeist right now. His book Born to Run unearthed the amazing Tarahumara tribe and extols the virtues of running barefoot, and how it freed him from injury… Read more…
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The 35th International Snowdon Race / Ras-yr-Wyddfa organising committee are very excited to announce the presence of 2009 Commonwealth Mountain Running Champion Wilson Chemweno on the start line of this year’s race taking place on the 24th of July… Read more…
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Another incredible feat of ultra-distance running is under this remarkable 22 year-old’s belt. A total 850km in 8 days with an ascent of over 42,000m, for an amazing trans-Pyrenées adventure. No doubt there will be a Kilian’s Quest film to properly book end his run in due course… Read more…
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After encountering some difficult terrain in the first part of his run across the Pyrenees, Kilian Jornet is by all accounts making good progress as he heads east across the great range. The earlier part of the week saw the little Catalan hit some really rough terrain… Read more…
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283 Munros in 39 days, 9 hours and 6 minutes. Think about it, that’s just over 7 peaks a day. All of which are over 3,000ft. After his failed 24hr attempt of 2008 Stephen Pyke had the taste, and starting on the 25th of April set about Charlie Campbell’s record of 49 days… Read more…
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Top ultra man Jez Bragg has had a frustrating 2010 so far. After a an excellent 2009, which saw him take a superb third place at the Western States 100 in the US, a stress fracture to his heel has seriously hampered his running this year… Read more…
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Thanks to the inov-8uk Twitter page for giving us the heads-up on Stephen Pyke’s amazing Munro Round – an attempt to run all of the Scottish Munros in around 40 days, some 8 days faster than the record! Read more…
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After months of preparation Catalan wonder Kilian Jornet is off and running in his 7-day quest to cross the mighty Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and Cap de Creus. On his run Kilian is ably aided by a gang of helpers and pacers – it’s a huge team effort… Read more…
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40 years after his ‘world record’ run in Edinburgh Ron Hill returned to the Scottish capital last weekend to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon. He isn’t an off-roader but old Ron is such a legend that a runner of any discipline should find his story inspirational… Read more…
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Saturday 22nd saw IMRA celebrate its 30th birthday. Much younger than the FRA and BOFRA, thirty years still holds a lot of history and IMRA has decided to celebrate this with a re-running of the very first organised hill race: Fairy Chase. Read more…
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The much-anticipated new Trail Running magazine has hit the newstands. Bagged with Trail mag, the new publication is aimed at plugging the muddy gap in the trail running market that the average running mag only scrapes at… Read more…
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England Athletics has selected its men’s and women’s teams for the 7th World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge to take place at the classic Pikes Peak race in the US this August. Recent 3 Peaks winners Morgan Donnelly and Anna Lupton have been selected, along with last year’s bronze medalist at the Kaiser Marathon, Ricky Lightfoot. Read more…
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If my (very sketchy) calculations are right, Rob Hope‘s second place at Coniston over the weekend has put him in the lead of the 2010 English Fell Running Championships, after two rounds. The Pudsey and Bramley man was pleased with his run on Saturday… Read more…
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If your navigation isn’t up to scratch you should really think about doing one of these. At the very least it will save a few places and a few mins in the mist on a tricky race route, at best good mountain navigation skills could save your life one day… Read more…
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This interesting little story was sent into MST by reader and runner Stephen Edwards. Steve is just an everyday guy, who loves the sport of mountain and trail running. Steve’s tale could be written by anyone of thousands of runners who travel for hours to events every weekend – for the love of running… Read more…
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The guys at inov8 are obviously getting busy. (and no this isnt an advert, and no we are not on commission, yet!). We were sent a job opportunity for the UK company that may well interest one of our readers out there… Read more…
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Here at MST we like to keep up to date, but we aint Reuters, so time and resources limitations mean that there is only so much content that we can chuck together. Take iRunFar though. Byron Powell seems to do nothing else but run and write… Read more…
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The International Skyrunning Federation (the body that overseas Skyrunning) held its first ever referees course that will enable officials the ability to ratify such things as race and event records… Read more…
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Legendary mountain runner Kenny Stuart is to return to the place of one of his greatest mountain records on the 24th of July, as he is the guest of honour and official starter at this year’s 35th International Snowdon Race, some 25 years after his record run. Read more…
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Interesting news comes to us from our fell contacts that two of the race favourites for Saturday’s 3 Peaks are now ‘non-starters’. The biggest news comes in the form of Rob Jebb, who has pulled out of the race. Read more…
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Okay, it may be financially tough out there right now, but one great British world record holding runner is struggling to make ends meet right now. Ultra man William Sichel has taken to his blog to appeal for a major sponsor. Having recently become the oldest ever Briton to run 1000 miles at the recent Athens race, William has been all over the Scottish press and media. Read more…
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The ancient moon-like landscapes of Mount Sedom come alive as more than a thousand riders and runners flock to the biggest sports festival of the year. Read more…
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The talk on the forums is about how tough the Silent Valley race was on Saturday, with its apparent big ascents and craggy tops it wasn’t for the light-hearted. For winner Andy Symonds all of that technical stuff was “right up his street”… Read more…
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After ‘wintering’ in the UK Anna Frost is now back home in New Zealand. Kiwi Anna is looking forward to another successful year in Europe on the Grand Prix and Skyrunning circuit, with a big goal at the World Mtn Running Champs in September… Read more…
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With one of the most significant publications in off road running being announced this week, we couldn’t leave it there. MST wanted to get to the bottom of this new title and to the heart of the question: Why? Read more…
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The Q2 edition of Trail magazin has hit the virtual shelves, and yet again it’s a cracker! Denis Wischniewski has put together another work of trail running art with such features on downhill only running and compression wear! Read more…
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After many ‘trail running supplements’ from various publications in the last year or so the owners of Trail magazine have taken the plunge and announced a brand new title fully dedicated to “Trail running, Fell Running, Mountain Marathons, Adventure Racing & Orienteering” Read more…
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The 2012 SkyGames® will be hosted for the first time in Spain, home to some of the world’s top athletes in the field. The nomination went to Ribagorza Románica in the Pyrenees, an ideal location for the fourth “high altitude Olympics” situated at 2,000 metres above sea level. Read more…
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It has been a tough few months out there for mountain, xc and road runner Sarah Tunstall. With no races to her name for the whole of 20009/10 cross country campaign, and a range of injuries that have held her back, the Kendal athlete is looking forward to the summer. Read more…
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IAAF Ambassador Wilson Kipketer was in Bydgoszcz last weekend to promote next Sunday’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships (28 March). Kipketer’s positive personality lit up the dull sky above Bydgoszcz. Following on from a rainy day on Saturday… Read more…
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Fell and mountain runners are said to be some of the toughest athletes about. Are you one of these people? Do you think you have what it takes? Well, if you want to be part of a TV programme that is looking for the fittest people in Wales, read on… Read more…
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South African ultra-man Ryan Sandes took his place in Atacama Crossing history last week as he completed the 6 day brute in less than 24 hours – winning by almost 6 hours in the process. For the uninitiated the Atacama Crossing is a footrace across one of the most unforgiving desserts in the world – through the heart of Chile… Read more…
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What a day! Here I am in the bar of the Hotel Florens, Jonathan Wyatt to my left, checking his mail, Thomas Lorblanchet to my right sharing a joke. The UK team are in bed (Anna, Andy and Ricky) after a long day of product testing, seminars, photoshoots, runs and focus groups – oh and some pretty good food and lively social discussion. Read more…
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Well Mt. Ventoux anyway. We are happy guests at the 2010 Salomon Advance Week, here in Bedoin, France. Advance what? Advance Week is the time of year when Salomon athletes, product people and journalists come together for a look into the future! Read more…
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England international mountain runner Emma Clayton is a bit of an all-rounder, she excels on the road and track, however the Scunthorpe athlete shows most talent on the fells. With a coach, a running dad and a supportive family, Emma has all of the ingredients to make it to the top… Read more…
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Unlike some other national XC events, the English National attracted record numbers of competitors to last weekend’s championships in Leeds, according to a report over at England Athletics. A total of 4303 runners finished in the ten races that were staged… Read more…
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Belete powers to a convincing win at the Diekirch IAAF permit meeting, Freya Murray at the Fukuoka International XC, Ritzenhein out of world cross and new Kenyan coach Leting gets a grip with his charges… Read more…
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Inov-8 athlete and top all-rounder Jethro Lennox has had a busy start to 2010. On his Inov-8 blog he documents a mix of fell and cross country racing, and loading in the miles (100 a week at the mo’) for mountain marathons later in the summer… Read more…
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Last week’s Vertical Rush race pushed tower (or vertical) running another step closer to being a sport that engages with the consciousness of everyday and elite runners… Read more…
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It’s a real job keeping up with what’s going on across-the-Pond when it comes to trail and off-road news. Some great resources out there such as Trail Runner, Trail running Soul and Byron Powell’s excellent iRunFar.com. Read more…
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Fascinating and apt little article on ice spike from the Run to Win guys. Personally I might think twice about putting screws into my favourite trail shoe, and you can buy off-the-shelf shoes like these... Read more…
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We like to practice what we preach here at MST. The trails in the Dyfi Valley area are some of the best in the UK – fact. So I thought I would share some of what I saw out there today, as I happened to have my camera with me. For the record – 8 miles, 61 minutes. Read more…
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The floods of November 2009 in Cumbria have directly effected over 1500 households and businesses. Many businesses are still closed severely affecting local employment… Read more…
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Map My Tracks, the outdoor social network for sports and fitness enthusiasts, has launched OutFront, a multi–sport iPhone app for sports enthusiasts. OutFront provides F1-style performance runners of all discipline… Read more…
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Some important changes were made to the council membership and to races under the auspices of the World Mountain Running Association at the council’s annual meeting, which took place on the 23rd of January in Monte Carlo. Read more…
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Reigning womens World Cross Country champion Florence Kiplagat will not be on the start line in Poland for the 38th edition, on the 28th of March. Understandable really when you consider that the Kenyan has not run in anger since last year… Read more…
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Northern off-road specialist Steve Vernon is getting his sights set on landing the big prize in English cross country this winter at the National XC champs in Leeds later this month. He can expect a tough challenge as ‘the National’ is on the shopping list of many an XC racer… Read more…
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Not off-road running, but we are always attracted to inspirational running stories and thought it appropriate to point you towards this inspiring little interview by Pre’s Mustache of marathon legend Dick Beardsley… Read more…
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Olympian and Olympic commentator Steve Cram has unveiled plans for a brand new race around Kielder Water & Forest Park. The marathon doesn’t appear to have a name yet, but Athletics Weekly reports that all will be revealed in their magazine, out this Thursday… Read more…
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Some of you might remember the Irish pocket-rocket that is Moire O’Sullivan? Now residing in Vietnam, Moire is still putting here running abilities to test in the heat and hilly terrain just outside of Vietnam City. You might also remember Moire’s XT Wings review? Read more…
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That seems to be the question right now, as mainstream media, big brands and the likes of inov-8 battle it out over the question of barefoot / minimalist running, with inov-8 stating, “Slowly there is a weight of impartial scientific evidence emerging… Read more…
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This must be one of the best magazines on the world’s newstands. Except it is online. I can’t read German, but it didn’t stop me from spending 20 minutes looking at the imagery and taking in the emotion of the superb off-road running e-zine that is Trail Magazin… Read more…
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Uber-road races the Great North Run and the London Marathon are placed on investigative journalists operating table to be sliced and diced in how they operate when it comes to charity entries and donations. Read more…
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One lucky winner of this prize contest will get to travel to the South of France to run alongside the likes of Kilian, Jono, Adam Chase and Ricky Lightfoot, have a closer look at the 2010 Salomon range, and some exclusive future products, developed by the world’s best. Read more…
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You can never have enough mountain-craft, so the good people of the Scottish Hill Runners have called on clubs to come forward should they be interested in taking part in navigation and safety courses. The courses would be open top all runners, not just SHR members.. Read more…
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Montrail has signed four new elite trail runners to Team Montrail including Max King, the winner of the 2008 and 2009 XTERRA Trail Run Championships and the 2009 USATF Trail Marathon Championship. Read more…
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This is old news in a way. But the more barefoot running research comes out against heavily cushioned shoes, the more the body of evidence grows. Yes? No? All I will say on the matter is that since I have resorted to 90% of my running off-road, I have far less injuries, take from that what you will… Read more…
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The head of endurance running at UKA, Ian Stewart, doesn’t think that there is too much wrong with Mo Farah, but none the less still sees the need to send the Brit distance ace off to see the UKA specialists to make sure that he is physically sound… Read more…
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The great Ethiopian graces the Scottish capital on Saturday at the BUPA Great Edinburgh international XC. In a super little interview with Herald Scotland Kenenisa talks about his first race of 2010 and his expanding business empire back in Addis… Read more…
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The 2009 Yearbook is the first of its kind for IMRA. It features 80 pages of articles… which capture the magic that was mountain-running in Ireland in 2009. With articles from 17 contributors and featuring the amazing photographs of John Shiels, this yearbook is a limited-edition hardcover book that will grace any coffee table. Read more…
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Diego Perathoner, organizer of the 2009 European Championships in Canazei, Italian Dolomites, was killed together with three other rescuers in an avalanche on December 26. Perathoner died in a rescue attempt to find two tourists who had gone off-piste, they were also killed in the tragedy. Read more…
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Amongst other things the 2010 Skyrunner® World Series was examined at the first ISF Management Committee Meeting, held on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the splendid local headquarters of the Italian Mountaineering Club in Bergamo, Italy. Read more…
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Alemayehu Bezabeh was still full of running at the end of the SPAR European Cross Country Championships, after becoming Spain’s first ever senior men’s champion in the 16 years of the event, and he has hardly stopped moving since crossing the line in Dublin on Sunday. Read more…
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It’s a bit slow round here this week for the main reason that the adopted Southerner is going home to Wales! Yep Mud, Sweat and Tears is returning to its roots. As of Weds the new home of MST will be Corris, at the foot of Cader Idris. Read more…
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Inov-8 runner Matt Gilbert ‘filled in’ at last week’s Everest Marathon for an unfortunate athlete who had to be airlifted out of the Everest region at the last minute. For those who don’t know Gil is Anna Frost’s other half, and an international mountain runner in his own right… Read more…
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Frosty’s Everest run was a race to remember in more ways than one, as the Kiwi overcame a twisted ankle and a stray Yak dumping her on her backside, on her way to smashing the record at the 13th edition of this historic race. Read more…
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A Scottish Hill Running Squad day will take place at Stirling University this Sunday (6 December). The provisional format is as follows: 10am start followed by hill reps sessions/easy run out over Dumyat. Lunch followed by afternoon discussions 3pm close (approx)… Read more…
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Andrea Mayr might be able to negotiate some of the world’s highest mountains with ease, however a collision with a car whilst riding her bike recently has caused the Austrian much more distress. Mayr was all set for an assault on the Obudu Ranch Mountain race last weekend when the accident occurred near her home, leaving her with a broken shoulder and head injuries… Read more…
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Brit off-road shoe co. Inov-8 continue to make greater strides globally as this little story from top ultra-man Martin Fryer proves. As reported earlier this week, Aussie Fryer romped to the win at the big Austrailian mountain marathon that is Deep Space. On his intrepid voyage Fryer wore the ubiquitous X-Talon 212. Read more…
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As originally announced at the AGM on 7th Nov, SHR is pleased to confirm that a wide ranging and comprehensive sponsorship package for 2010 has been agreed with the running shop retailer Run4It. It is envisaged that the deal will continue for at least 2 further years thereafter. Read more…
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Presumably this goes for us fell runners, as well as walkers etc. Still, this article over at Grough spells out just how stretched the various Lake District MR teams have been over the last week or so and their reasoning is perfectly valid – they are human after all… Read more…
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Top US mountain runner Jo Gray is amongst the list of winners in this year’s USATF role call in mountain and ultra running. Read more…
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Orkney’s world record holding ultra marathon runner, William Sichel, takes his first steps towards next March’s “1000 Mile World Cup”: race in Athens with a three-day training camp in the Scottish Highlands from 27th to 29th November. Based in Aviemore, Sichel and his crew man Alan Young (Dundee) use the long weekends in the Highlands as ‘boot camps’… Read more…
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Looking around the world of cross country running (US NCAA’s, European Permit races) there is a distinct lack of mud! So, when I was sent this set by Gwynfor James, from this weekend’s NW XC League, in Bangor, it made me realise that there is a large gulf between the world’s elite races and what I would call grass roots. It’s all good though… Read more…
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Italy’s Andrea Lalli won the SPAR European XC Championships under 23 men’s title 12 months ago but instead of attempting a unique defence of his crown the 22-year-old has elected to stand on the start line with the big boys in Dublin on 13 December. Read more…
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Despite the horrendous weather in the Lake district organisers of the Kendal Mountain Festival have vowed that the event will go ahead. The Cumbrian town is one of many affected due to the current weather conditions affecting the northern half of the UK… Read more…
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With just over three weeks to go the Irish organising team behind next month’s SPAR European Cross Country Champs are pulling out all of the stops to get the media hyped and get the fans along to watch, with a stream of stories and press releases this last 2-3 weeks… Read more…
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Well podcast actually. The wonder of modern technology captured former Olympic marathoners Charlie Spedding and Richard Nerurkar during the recent UKA Endurance Conference. These two know what it takes to succeed, and both have been equally outspoken… Read more…
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The scottishathletics hill running weekend takes place at Wanlockhead Outdoor Centre on January 9th and 10th 2010 and bookings must be made as soon as possible and no later than Saturday 12th December 2009. Read more…
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Long-time ultra legend Pascal Fetizon is hanging up his international running shoes and taking his running at more of a leisurely pace in the future. The Frenchman excelled at many disciplines XC, ultra trail and road and finished with a 100km best of an amazing 6:23… Read more…
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With 60% of the proceeds going to charity this was a kind gesture from Lakeland artist Jonathan Trotman. Stan B waded in with a £960 for the unique painting depicting Joss Naylor in his heyday. Well done Stan, now you just need to decide where to put it! Read more…
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Judging by this headline I think we can guess what the underlying feeling of Kenyan national daily newspaper the Daily Nation feels about Athletics Kenya Read more…
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With just over 30 days to go before this year’s SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Dublin, UK Athletics preparations are well under way for the event. The conditions in Santry will be very similar to that in Britain… Read more…
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Cast your eyes right and click on the Joss Naylor story, regarding an auction that has a great cause and could bag one lucky bidder a piece of historic art. The auction for Jonathan Trotman’s painting portraying Naylor’s descent of Crib Goch ends at 7pm this Friday (13)… Read more…
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Aldershot youngster Steph Twell is head and shoulders above the rest of the UK women on the XC scene right now. As the reigning European Junior champ, Twell can arguably be considered as one of the best in Europe too… Read more…
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One of the greatest living runners of our time is still making headlines. Joss Naylor MBE is considered by many to be the greatest fell runner of our times, and although Joss can sometimes be found out on the fells still, his time was the 1960’s and 1970’s… Read more…
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The great man has joined the gossip revolution sweeping the globe. The social media phenomenon that is Twitter is now proving to be an essential media tool for sports people, sports fans, news organisations and charities the world over… Read more…
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Considered one of the top road, track and XC clubs in the UK Belgrave Harriers are a club steeped in a 120 year+ history. However, their challenge for honours at last weekend’s ECCA relays couldn’t have been more farcical or unfortunate after a fall from opening leg man Steve Sharp… Read more…
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Partnering up with Steve Birkinshaw, Jethro Lennox took yet another great mountain marathon last weekend, adding the OMM to the LAMM and the BAMM titles won earlier in the year. Now he has had time to dry off and get some kip, he tells his tale from the Elan Vale… Read more…
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Britain’s Mo Farah has indicated his intention to compete at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Dublin on 13 December. After winning Sunday’s Great South Run in Portsmouth, Farah spoke of his desire to compete in Ireland. Read more…
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2008 WLDMRC champ Jethro Lennox will be on hand this Saturday in Glasgow to open a new Run4It concept that will dedicate itself to off-road running. Lennox will take questions and a 30 minute run with fans and the media… Read more…
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On Saturday 31st October, Run4It officially opening their Inov-8 Off-Road Running Centre at the Glasgow Outdoor Experience . Read more…
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There have been some heated debates on various forums regarding Sunday’s outcome to the UKA fell relay champs in Ennerdale. John Heneghan, a member of the DQed Pudsey & Bramley team feels pretty strongly about the outcome… Read more…
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It is the policy of the English Cross Country Association, backed by England Athletics, to send teams to International XC events to help athletes to develop and gain experience of travelling and competing against good quality athletes… Read more…
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From élite athletes to amateurs, the challenge of running up cityscape landmarks is spreading across the planet. Now, a selection of the best skyscraper races is united in the first-ever Vertical World Circuit ®. Read more…
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From a young age those who knew Alistair Brownlee knew he was destined for greatness. As a youngster Ali was a top-class fell and cross country runner. However, it is in the sport of triathlon that the Yorkshireman has found fame… Read more…
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With a prize money of $50,000, the Obudu Mountain is a must for all long distance racers in the world, as no other road pays so much in prize money. And according to a release signed by Bruno Gozzelino, the president of World Mountain Race Association... Read more…
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“I’m definitely aiming to defend my title in Dublin. Not only that, as many people know and it’s almost as important for me, I’m the only person to have run in all 15 of the previous SPAR European Cross Country Championships” Read more…
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After my posting of the image below on the Langdale preview piece yesterday, reader Guy Russell emailed to with a tale or two on the great man, one particular story was one I thought worth sharing with all of those who remember the Ambleside legend… Read more…
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This is astounding. We cannot do this effort justice on these pages. As the humble Kevin Carr relays his solo off-road run from Lands End-john O’Groats via the forums of the FRA – hardened fell dogs on the board were left mouth a gape. Read more…
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Kilian Jornet’s time around the Tahoe Rim is yet to be confirmed officially, however 38 hours and 32 mins is near as damn it. We expect that they have all probably gone for a lie down – they all deserve it! The salomon running Twitter page was a great source of news on this epic effort… Read more…
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STOP PRESS: This is the behind-the-scenes glamour of trail running. The best of the lot. Probably the world’s number one ultra trail and mountain runner – Kilian Jornet takes a break form his Tahoe Rim record attempt. Sounds like he is well on-target… Read more…
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Kilian Jornet has already bagged two amazing ultra-trail records this year, at the GR20 and recently the UTMB title. However, as reported last week the attempt on Tim Twietmeyer’s Tahoe Rim record could be his toughest as he embarks on some of the wildest and most arid terrain. Read more…
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Fell runners are partial to their pre race recces, normally for the purpose of checking out the terrain, working out what shoes are suitable, ascertaining where there’s water available on the course and most importantly sussing out the best lines between hilltop checkpoints… Read more…
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On some of the world’s top mountain runners that is. At yesterday’s CMRC up and down race the Inov8 Talon 212 shoe dominated the racing with the top 5 men all wearing the shoe, plus women’s victor Katie Ingram. Read more…
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On the 28th of September, Kilian goes west to the Sierra Nevada to run the Tahoe Rim Trail long-distance hiking trail, for the third episode in his mountain-running quest. (Preview video NOW ONLINE) Read more…
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An interesting October 2009 Running Times article from Roger Robinson on the origins of certain names and terms in this most historic of sports. Did you know that the word “harriers” – as in club name – derives from “hare hunters”? I didn’t… Read more…
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Geoffrey Kusuro won the 2009 World Mountain Running Championships in Italy last weekend. He was wearing a brand new pair of INOV8 X-talon 212’s – straight out of the box! Read more…
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So, this is the sort of money that one of the greatest track and XC stars of our time can expect to earn in an ‘average’ year. When compared to a Premier League footballer or the likes of Tiger Woods, it aint a lot, however it’s not to be sniffed at either… Read more…
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Yep, its number six in this fascinating series from the team behind Kilian’s Quest. From 8/9 hour training sessions to inspiring others to embark on their own challenges… Read more…
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The second of this year’s three Navigational Challenges took place yesterday around Aughavannagh in Wicklow. Only 12 runners braved the challenges put up by the thick mist and persistent rainfall with visibility down to 10m on parts of the route – reports Rene Borg Read more…
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Athletics Kenya (Isaiah Kiplagat) and cross-country legend Paul Tergat have not taken the recent decision to make World Cross Country Championships a biennial event kindly. Read more…
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Having been kindly pointed in the direction of this captivating article I thought it would be the done thing to share it with MST readers. An absolutely fascinating piece on one of the most talented fell and road runners in history. With many of his records still standing today Kenny Stuart truly was King of the Mountains! Read more…
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Returning home to his native Australia, after a spell exiled in Britain running for top English club Belgrave Harriers, Russell Dessiax-Chin has written an excellent article on the art of cross-country running – he is obviously pining for the black stuff! Read more…
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After his win at the US MR champs Team Inov-8 USA runner Joseph Gray heads to Europe. His target is the WMR Championships, however we are sure that he will take in a few other races whilst over in Europe… Read more…
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Following some great results in Europe over the last few months (including a superb win at Zergama), Ellenborough runner Ricky Lightfoot made the trip to France to take on the Charberton Trail Marathon (Aug 2). Read more…
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Members of the 2009 Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team were announced on August 2 and will compete in the 25th WMR Championships in Campodolcino, Italy on September 6, 2009. This is the inaugural ‘championships’, following on from the former Trophy races… Read more…
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After the hiatus in normal MST activity things should be back to normal this week. Reports to come on the Lakeland 100, a Scottish round-up, European news and Borrowdale – plus a look ahead to the coming weekend’s racing in the UK and worldwide.. Read more…
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“It was a difficult decision to make – it has been on my mind for ages and it only really hit me that I wanted to do it last week, I didn’t feel pushed away at all by England – it is just that Scotland has made me so welcome.” Read more…
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The inspirational race director of the West Highland Way race sadly died whilst out on a run in the mountains that he loved. The 46 year-old collapsed whilst near to the summit of Lochnagar on Saturday. Read more…
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In the middle of the night, Diane Van Deren will leave her house against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. She will cut west through the dark canyons with her running shoes and a headlamp… Read more…
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Yep, now he has had a little lie down to recover and contemplate his next conquest, top UK ultra man Jez Bragg has chronicled his feat of placing third at the recent Western States 100. There can’t be too many athletes of Jez’s calibre out there who can write so well and perform at the highest level. Read more…
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As temperatures reach 40 degrees plus in parts of France, many UK athletes travel to Europe this weekend as the continental race and championship season really hots up. Though the forecast for the weekend ahead is a little cooler, there are some key things to remember when trying to stay cool… Read more…
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We can only imagine how it feels to achieve this feat. Scot Manny Gorman completed this amazing trek of a “successful round of all 219 Corbetts in 70 days, in one continuous journey by foot, cycling and sailing”, yep 70 days!! Read more…
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North Face athlete Jez Bragg needed to be sure that on the Western States 100 race his feet were well looked after. News comes from North Face media that the shoes that did the business were – the Voza... Read more…
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Winners of the International Snowdon Race are guaranteed their place in history. To be one of the men and women that have won one of the 33 races held since 1976 takes tenacity, talent and qualities that only the elite mountain runners possess. To be one of those athletes that has won the race more than once assures almost legendary status. Read more…
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After a (by his standards) disappointing run in Andorra last weekend international fell runner John Heneghan was pragmatic in defeat as he looks ahead to the rest of the season. His main focus for the late season is the big American Skyrace, Pikes Peak, on the 15/16 August… Read more…
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The Snowdon Race is an event steeped in history. Since its inception way back in 1976 the race has hosted such winners as Kenny Stuart, John Wild, Carole Greenwood and Fausto Bonzi – all living legends of fell and mountain running. Read more…
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After the dust had settled we caught up with some of the leading runners at this year’s Tebay Fell race to get their thoughts and reactions and how the day went for them. Although not crowned yet Rob Hope looks to have the 2009 championship in the bag. Read more…
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This is the Grand Raid season in France and yesterday as adverse weather conditions descended on an 80km mountain event, the Grand Raid du Mercantour, 50km north of Nice, 3 runners perished in tragic circumstances. Read more…
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The Salomon Running facebook page states: “Kilian quest in Corsica – 12.59 PM – NEW RECORD !!! Kilian just arrived, new record is now set at 32hours, 54 minutes and 24 seconds !!!! Please send out your congrats to Kilian on our FB page… “ Read more…
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As Kilian’s ‘journey’ continues on the island of Corsica, Salomon Running have set up a Facebook page to enable a virtual tracking of the Spaniard’s attempt to break the long-standing record of 36 hours and 53 minutes held by Piero Santucci. At the last check he was around 2 hours up on schedule and seems to be in pretty good shape… Read more…
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As the last few days of painstaking preparation come to a close, Kilian’s quiet resolve and fine-tuned determination conceals an eager exhilaration. Read more…
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As the brand new cafe opens on the summit of Snowdon this weekend those runners who get caught short or are simply taking in a leisurely run to the top of Yr Wyddfa will now have luxurious surroundings of a Hafod Eryri in which to enjoy a quiet moment! Read more…
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The sign of a committed athlete is one who knows when to stop. Most of us mere mortals just plod on when we feel tired – not so for Kilian Jornet. His Vertical Kilometer attempt was put on hold a few weeks back. Read more…
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This weekend sees one of the UK’s best mountain marathons taking place in the Scottish Highlands. The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon takes place on 6 / 7 June, with the final location and course details to be released tomorrow (4 June) at 13.00hrs. Read more…
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A story of a special piece of running, from a couple of leading lights in the Irish mountain running scene. This weekend two Irish runners completed the Wicklow Round – one man, one woman. One of ‘em happens to be a writer on MST, yep our very own Moire O’Sullivan! Read more…
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“I heard the noise and saw the dust cloud before I realised what it was. Then the first rider shot past me whooping, hollering and waving his hat in the air like a scene from a bad 1970s Western.” RW editor Steve Seaton experiences the Cuban Trail Marathon… Read more…
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Not content with a global Salomon Running site the French-based outdoor apparel and shoe company has also opened up the love to the many corners of the globe. Most notable, and perhaps the most active, is the one across-the-Pond. Read more…
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The Festival started on Wednesday (13) with the Latrigg fell race (also covered on the excellent CumbriaLive TV) and runs to Sunday the 17th. Those sharp cookies at Keswick AC have already got the race images online, just follow the links from the homepage. Read more…
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Moire pointed us towards this new Tracks and Trails Alpine Trail running holiday offering. The London-based company was set up by International Mountain Leaders, Lindsay Cannon and Julia Tregaskis-Allen. Read more…
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On May the 16th the historic Moel Eilio race will this year break new ground in fell running by welcoming racers, walkers and fund-raisers as the event gains charitable status. Read more…
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We might just be witnessing something historic this year in the world of mountain running. As reported last week, Kilian Jornet is embarking on a series of endeavours, in an attempt to establish new mountain running records across the world… Read more…
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Following on from this week’s article on Kilian Journet, Salomon have released the first video journal on his quest to advance the mountain running feats achieved by man to the next level… Read more…
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If the 2008 World XC’s visit to Edinburgh is a yardstick then we should be encouraged to hear that major events can leave a legacy, which benefits future generations. As this article outlined some weeks back, legacy planning doesn’t always come off… Read more…
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Salomon has a long-standing tradition of providing people the means to fulfil their sporting dreams, meticulously crafting equipment to meet the needs of the world’s top athletes then making that expertise available to a broad customer base. Read more…
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The man is a legend. He is arguably Britain’s greatest ever marathon runner. (Steve Jones might argue with that, but doesn’t have the longevity of Ron) He has won fell races, major games marathon titles and has run every day since Dec 1964. Amazing! Read more…
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As part of our build-up to that classic of classics, the Three Peaks, we look forward to Saturday by first of all looking back. The following captivating extract is a race history from 1954 – 2004, when this piece was written by Bill Smith. Read more…
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A report in this week’s Athletics Weekly says that the IAAF will create a bi-annual staging of the World Cross-Country Championships due to the of dominance from east Africa, coupled with a fall in sponsorship revenues and dropping European TV audiences. Read more…
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The project aims to provide Federations officials and coaches with the knowledge and skills necessary to raise their competence in Mountain Running and recognise it as a modern and precious part of athletics which helps improve the athletes’ performances in all endurance races. Read more…
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The 4-day Keswick Mountain Festival encompasses all that is great about outdoor activities in this country – from running, rock climbing, water sports, walking, food and alpine films, there really is something for every outdoor type amongst us. Read more…
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A comprehensive article in Athletics Weekly (9.4.09) in which Sarah Rowell outlines the selection procedures for this year’s major mountain events, and gives an insight into how off-road running continues to go from strength-to-strength… Read more…
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It’s not off-road, but it’s very interesting. The London Marathon race director doesn’t think that the British marathon scene is as strong as it was 20 years ago, feels that the Beijing Olympic marathon wasn’t up to scratch, and that Mo Farah has “some chance” of winning the 2012 Olympic marathon. Read more…
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After a great run at Slieve Bearnagh on Saturday we caught up with reigning British Fell champ Rob Hope. We find out what top mountain runners do the day after a big win, and discover all about their post-race meals! Read more…
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After many years at the top of British Orienteering Jamie Stevenson has called it a day. Announced on the British Orienteering site last week it may come as a surprise to those involved in the sport he devoted so much of his life to. Read more…
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Kenyan newspaper The Standard reports that the World Cross Country Championships could go biennial due to a lack of sponsors. As yet this is not fully confirmed, however this may be no bad thing in our view. Read more…
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We like to get them whilst they are hot here at MST and they dont come any hotter than ultra man of the moment Jez Bragg. Fresh from his fantastic win at the Celtic 100k last weekend Jez describes it as “the best run of my life – no question”. Read more…
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Putting one or two strong runs from the junior women aside, the UK’s showing at Amman this weekend was not great. Steph Twell was being heralded by all, even the organsiers saw her as a prospect, at the IAAF VIP press call. Read more…
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It seems that the IOC do listen. A few months back the ‘big three’ of African endurance (and probably the world) running Geb, Tergat and Bekele all voiced the view that XC racing could be a part of the Winter Olympic games. Read more…
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Well I’ve now recovered and almost forgotten how much this event hurt. I have to say that being more used to multi-hour events, this one was a bit of a shock and a lot painful. Dizziness kicked in at about floor ten, legs tripled in weight as blood turned to lactic by about floor twenty. Read more…
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In an effort to add scope to the growing appeal (we hope) of MST we will aim to point you towards races and other interesting stuff from the Ultra-running scene. This month includes a couple of great articles on the Independent website, Jez Bragg and the Indo Ultra. Read more…
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This guy is special. He has carried all before him on the indoor track this winter, running an unbelievable 3:55:02 for the mile, gun to tape on his own, smashing his world junior record – yet again. Read more…
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Kenyan XC coach Julius Kirwa doesn’t want to just beat their closest rivals (we presume he means Ethiopia!) next week in Amman, he wants to crush them too! Read more…
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The UK team for Amman next weekend has been announced. The team will travel to Jordan in the hope of ‘mixing it’ with the world’s best endurance runners and can expect tough racing in the very different middle-eastern conditions. Read more…
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Japan and Australia have released their squads for Amman. They are both looking to their youth to deliver the goods, Japan being hopeful in the junior women’s race and Australia in the junior men’s with Ryan Gregson leading the charge in the hope for a top ten. Read more…
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After hitting the world scene hard as a junior Sentayehu Ejigu has spent some hard years in the running wilderness. However, after a superb win at the Boston Games last month she has now set her sights firmly on a medal the World Cross Country Championships. Read more…
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Good article in the April 2009 issue of 220 Triathlon magazine. Written by Nik Cook the feature in the Performance section dedicates three pages to technique, training, kit and a guide to some of the better events in 2009. Out now… Read more…
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The 2009 Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon is still taking entries for this year’s race to be held in the Scottish Highlands (although is 80% full) – course details are only released shortly before the grueling two-day event. Read more…
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He is down to earth. He likes flying kites. He loves his running. He loves off-road running especially. He would quite like to do more mountain running and was GB’s top Olympian in the Beijing triathlon. He is Alistair Brownlee – one of the biggest talents in triathlon right now. Read more…
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The Saab Salomon Outdoor Team have once again shown vision – and the determination to build a great team of mountain runners – by signing mountain running star Robbie Simpson. Still only 17, Robbie has taken the Scottish scene by storm in 2009, winning 4 races in the last couple of months. Read more…
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With backing from athletics golden girls Blanka Vlasic and Paula Radcliffe on the new WADA Whereabouts system will be split further. Athletes from many sports have expressed their dislike, but now the IAAF has thrown it’s weight behind it… Read more…
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runnerslife has been launched by a group of international road and track runners in an aim to document the ups and downs of, well, a runner’s life. With a race series and forum in addition, there should be plenty to get involved with… Read more…
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After last years’ clean sweep of the titles Ethiopia has once again selected a squad full of quality for the forthcoming World Cross Country Championships. But the question remains – after his injury and subsequent low profile, will Kenenisa Bekele be there? The Kenyans aren’t so sure... Read more…
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On the 19th of March the UK’s first stair-climbing race, Vertical Rush, takes place at Tower 42 in London. Saab Salomon Outdoor Team member Andy Symonds will be taking part, convinced it might be a good idea after his interview on the Chris Evans Radio 2 show a few weeks back! Read more…
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We have our fair share of fast lads alright on the Irish mountain running scene, ones that top the results table race after race. But to be fair, we also have loads of not-so-fast lads, the ones who consistently turn up to each and every event. Read more…
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Spira shoes came onto my radar some time last year, when I first heard about the World’s Fastest 10k. The shoes have been somewhat controversial with people claiming the the users are cheating and has led to USA Track & Field claiming that Spira ‘breach the unfair advantage rule’. Read more…
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So, it seems like yesterday that the world’s top mountain runners were hanging up their race shoes and getting out their skis. But on the 8th of March the first race in the 2009 Skyrunner World Series Trials takes place in Mexico. Read more…
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So after much searching, and an X Factor-style audition, MST has appointed two new contributors. The two lucky winners – who don’t know what they have let themselves in for – are Moire O’Sullivan and Chris Smithard Read more…
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Few would back against the great new hope for women’s endurance running in the UK, Steph Twell, adding another National XC title to her bulging junior trophy cabinet. She is unbeaten by a British athlete this winter and we really can’t see that changing on Saturday. Read more…
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The Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Championships take place between the 17th and 20th of September, with a real running festival planned. Read more…
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Having worked tirelessly for 15 years as the WMRA President Danny Hughes will not live to see the inaugural World Mountain Running Championships in 2009, something which he had pushed the IAAF to recognise for nearly a decade, as he sadly passed away on Monday. Read more…
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Melissa Moon is no ordinary world champion. After twice winning the World Mountain Running trophy she went on to run 1500km across 16 countries in the Blue Planet run, a campaign for safe drinking water in Africa. But she isn’t stopping there… Read more…
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Endurance athlete Sharon Gayter is aiming to break a 25 year-old long-distance record as she attempts to run 510 miles over the next six days. The quest started yesterday morning at Croft Circuit, UK and will see her running for almost 21 hours a day! Read more…
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Steph gives great media and this interview reinforces the view that she has her head firmly screwed on. In this little BBC profile she talks about role models (her dad!), her great 2008, the London Olympics and comparisons to Paula. Read more…
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There isn’t a lot that hasn’t been said about one of the UK’s great fell runners, Rob Jebb. He’s a 7 time winner of the classic Three Peaks cyclo-cross race, so he could be mentioned in the same ‘great’ vein by the cycling fraternity. Read more…
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Okay, so it might appear that we are some kind of drugs crusade. No, we aren’t trying to be judge and jury to the world’s doping ills, but what we are trying to do is highlight a view that this has all gone on too long and the tipping point is nigh for the sports dopers. Read more…
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UK Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe has announced radical new plans that places the UK ahead of the pack in its fight against doping. The new NADO will see that ahead of 2012 anti-doping in the UK will become evermore prevalent. Read more…
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As reported some weeks back the newly formed Saab Salomon Outdoor Team are shaping up for 2009 and this weekend saw the first team get together in Langdale, Cumbria, with stalwarts Jebby and Angela Mudge joined by new recruits John Heneghan and Anna Frost… Read more…
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The life of a ‘running monk’ whilst in Kenya seems to have really paid off for Mo Farah. In an interview with spikesmag.com he explains that the African trip helped focus his mind and “reinvigorate his career”. Read more…
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With the announcement by UKA they are to have a holding camp in Aldershot prior to this year’s World XC in Amman, Jordan, the news also comes from the IAAF that there will be 63 nations represented at the event. Read more…
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Its not often you get a load of world class mountain runners, in the wilds of winter, in the mountains of the Lake District, being joined by world-class triathlete. But then again Alistair Brownlee isn’t your everyday athlete. When Saab Salomon Outdoor Team manager Tim Lloyd spoke to me about their launch weekend he mentioned in passing that they were joined by the Leeds University man. Read more…
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The WMRA has published this year’s calendar and at the same time hinted at much more in the way of news for 2009. In an email to MST they stated “Several news items are due to be published …visit the web page regularly to keep abreast of these.” So, why not bookmark it! Read more…
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This one is set to run and run. After news of the Belgian challenge WADA has moved quickly to clarify with the publishing of the document below. In an effort to quell those suggestions that it is aimed at inconveniencing athletes it outlines the ADAMS Wherebabouts code in a little more detail in a Q&A style: Read more…
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Those great guys at Brooks UK have been supportive of the site since we launched in October and of course it helps that their shoes are amongst the best on the market… Read more…
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Mo Farah has finally had enough of the thin air of Kaptagat and Iten in Keiyo district, Kenya. The Daily Nation reports that he is heading home for some indoor racing (this weekend in Glasgow, for a start). Read more…
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There is change in the air. First it was Tanni Grey-Thompson’s long overdue report with 22 new recommendations on anti-doping measures, with drug tests for all employees, including office staff, at UKA. Read more…
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The Masai’s are one of the most feared family units in the world of endurance. spikesmag.com hooked up with them in Bushy Park, Teddington to discover the secrets of their success. Read more…
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World-class mountain racer Jon Tvedt has died. He perished doing what he lived for – mountain running, whilst out on a training run with his brother Øyvind above his home town of Bergen. Details on the incident relate to exhaustion and cold being the key factors in Tvedt’s death. Read more…
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It seems that human rights issues are high on almost every new piece of legislation these days. On the 1st of Jan WADA published its new code. Read more…
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Top UK steeplechaser and international cross country runner Adam Bowden has decided to hang up his spikes and head for the high-tech world of triathlon. Speaking in the February edition of 220 magazine he spills the beans, and tells us why he has turned his back on the sport. Read more…
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2008 WMRA Grand Prix champion – has a nice ring to it! PE teacher, and new Saab Salomon recruit, Anna Frost is one of those human beings that make the world go round. With sport in her blood from a young age, coupled with that Kiwi tenacity, Anna was always destined for the top. Read more…
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The 2008 world XC champs won’t be fondly remembered by the Keynans. With rivals Ethiopia taking all four titles, there was any element of soul searching like never before within the camp. Read more…
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The last word from last weekend’s Great North cross comes from the UK Athletics new Head of Endurance Ian Stewart. Sharing the mud with big Bren, he hinted at some changes – words aren’t exactly minced! Read more…
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Speaking on the BBC at the Great North cross race Steph Twell give us a before and after viewpoint, and lets us know how she ticks – such confidence from a 19 year old! Read more…
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Andy Baddeley, speaking last weekend, talks about his 2008 exploits in Oslo and Beijing, his training, and in a post-race interview, how he ran away with this year’s 4km GNWR event… Read more…
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This interesting piece came through on the IAAF news feed demonstrating that the African nations are evermore intent on pushing on when it comes to endurance, cross-country and no doubt mountain running. With former great Said Aouita now at the helm this will be an interesting story to follow. Read more…
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MST hits Europe this weekend, so news could be a bit sketchy (depends on t’internet connections). We’ll be back on Tuesday to fill you in on anything important that you might have missed in the world of off-road running, and be full of nice to stories to post later in the week. (Oh, and it might not be off-road but check here on Friday morning to see if the great man does it again). Read more…
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Those nice people at the FRA have posted up the 2009 race calendar. Highlights for the season will be the usual classics at Borrowdale, 3 Peaks, Moel Elio and Jura, but hey there are so many races you’ll be spoiled for choice! Read more…
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The all-conquering Team Saab Salomon mountain racing team has a new name for 2009. The association of the two brands will continue, however from this year they will now be known as the Saab Salomon Outdoor Team. Read more…
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The 2009 Three Peaks race will be open for business a week today on the 12th of January. In it’s 55th year, the race has endured through the decades to become one of the most famous in the world of mountain running. Read more…
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What I have found since starting this site is that so many of the top runners in the sport of mountain running are approachable and genuinely great people, and this 5 minutes with … pipe-dream has quickly taken shape due to their kind cooperation – all I can say is that it makes my job even easier! In 2009 we will bring you conversations with some of the best runners in the world of off-road running, and we kick-off at home (real ‘home’ for me!), with the unassuming Welsh Fell Running Champion for 2008, Rich Roberts. Read more…
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You would think that after 16 years of world records and gold medals it would be time to ease off a little, wind down, drop the odd speed session – not a bit of it. When it comes to working hard Haile hasn’t even got started. Read more…
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Not satisfied with his fantastic Shoe4Africa organisation Toby Tanser has just released a book on the Kenyan way-of-life that is, running. Read more…
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Following a tough time at the European Championships on Sunday, and a decade at the top of UK athletics, GB international Hayley Yelling has decided to make the hardest decision of any runner’s career and hang up her spikes. Read more…
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Yes, if the reports on the BBC Sport website are to be believed then top UK marathoner Mara Yamauchi quite fancies switching to cross country skiing. The Japan-based Briton was top-UK finisher at this year’s Olympic marathon, and has a number of great big-city-marathon runs to her name. Read more…
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As the weekend is once more upon us MST has a shufty at the happenings of the global XC merry-go-round as it gathers even more momentum. From European Athletics permit races to an announcement on IAAF permit racing at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh in January. Read more…
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In an article in the East African newspaper the Daily Nation 5-time World XC champ Paul Tergat and Athletics Kenya secretary David Okeyo are more than displeased that the lack of home quality at the Kenyan AK series races so far. Read more…
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Former world XC champion Benita Johnson has been a little off-colour in 2008. It’s easy to look at an athlete, in whichever sport, and think that they are past their best, especially when results start going south. It’s also easy to forget that world class runners are just like you and me really… Read more…
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In a story that first emerged after the Beijing games, the subject of cross-country running at the Olympics has moved one step closer to reality after the IAAF approved the idea at a meeting in Monaco last Friday. Read more…
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In a move designed to pump experience into the system, UK Athletics has announced a raft of high-profile appointments to shake-up our ailing distance running team. Spearheading the endurance efforts will be former world cross country champion Ian Stewart. Read more…
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In this Part 2 of an exclusive online interview with World Champ Jonathan Wyatt, he talks to us some more about his racing, diet, all time favourite shoe and la dolce vita! For those who missed Pt1 just recap here, and enjoy… Read more…
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As a new service (so as you dont have to leave the comfort of your seat!) the nice people at the IAAF (thanks Chris) have agreed to a direct MST link for breaking cross-country news stories from around the world. So, each week we’ll bring you the rich pickings from their site, fresh-filtered, so you get only the best beans! Read more…
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In this two-part interview the multi-world champion Kiwi took time out from his busy schedule to give us an fascinating insight into his career, training techniques, favourite product and how his inspirations are just everyday people. Read more…
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You’ve seen the photos, you’ve read the report, now listen to 7 minutes of verbal. Gracious winner Martin Cox and wonder-woman Marathon Coordinator Jayne Lloyd give us a little insight into what it takes to win the race and organise a top marathon… Read more…
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When former athletes decide to “put something back into the sport” you normally have to cover your eyes and ears – as it invariably entails them wanting to hog the limelight, again. Enter former French great and two time World Champ, Annette Sergent. Read more…
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Okay its hardly off-road racing, plus we dont advocate vigilantes here at MST, but when three teenagers snatched a bag belonging to 68-year-old Janet Lane they didn’t bargain on her giving chase. The fleet-footed grandmother, a champion athlete in her school days, hurtled after the three youths and managed to grab one by the collar. Read more…
