Running & Endurance Sports — 2026-06-26
South Africa's Comrades Marathon drew over 20,000 runners to the world's oldest ultramarathon just days after Cape Town earned World Marathon Major status. The Western States 100, America's most iconic 100-mile trail race, is ramping up for its 2026 edition this weekend. Meanwhile, a Russian ultrarunner set a new Backyard Ultra world record, and gear reviewers are weighing in on premium daily trainers and carbon-plate racing shoes.
Running & Endurance Sports — 2026-06-26
Race Recap
Comrades Marathon Surges Past 20,000 Finishers
More than 20,000 runners participated in South Africa's Comrades Marathon—the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon—on June 22, just days after Cape Town was designated a World Marathon Major.
The nearly 55-mile race continues to serve as a unifying force in South African running, drawing competitors from across the country and the world. The 2026 edition marks another milestone for the event, which has run continuously since 1921 and remains a bucket-list race for ultramarathon enthusiasts globally.
Western States 100 Gears Up for This Weekend
The 2026 Western States 100, widely considered the most iconic 100-mile trail race on the planet, is set to begin this weekend. The race calendar includes a packed weekend of ultramarathon events: the Western States 100, The Dizzy Goat, Toxic Trail 37, Hell Hath No Hurry, and the High Noon 24 Hour Trail Race.
The 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory, with the race handbook noting it will attract top talent from across the ultrarunning world.
Russian Runner Sets Backyard Ultra Record
Dmitry Klimov of Russia set a new world record in the Backyard Ultra men's event at the Biotropika Ultra Trail tournament in the Leningrad Region on June 25. Klimov completed 124 laps, covering approximately 828 kilometers (around 514 miles), in a grueling test of endurance. In Backyard Ultra format, competitors must run 6.706 kilometers (4.167 miles) in under one hour repeatedly until only one finisher remains.
Gear & Science
Hoka Clifton Pro Emerges as Premium Daily Trainer
The newly released Hoka Clifton Pro offers a performance-oriented take on the brand's popular Clifton line. According to reviews published June 22, the shoe features an updated supercritical midsole and familiar fit that appeals to runners seeking a premium daily trainer stepping beyond the model's "nurse drip" origins.
Carbon-Plate Shoes Dominate 2026 Racing Landscape
Carbon-plated racing shoes continue to set the standard for competitive marathoners and track athletes. According to recent reviews, top contenders include the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure, Hoka Cielo X1 3.0, and the Puma Fast-R 3—the latter of which launched with research suggesting it boosts running efficiency beyond top competitors like the Nike Alphafly 3 and Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1.
Coming Up
Western States 100 Kicks Off This Weekend
The Western States 100 race begins June 28–29, 2026, in the California Sierra Nevada. Runners will tackle 100 miles of challenging mountain terrain on one of ultrarunning's most storied courses.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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