Running & Endurance Sports — 2026-05-26
This week delivered a packed calendar of race action across the globe: a course record fell in Burlington at the Vermont City Marathon, Cape Town hosted a stunning sub-2:05 men's finish as it eyes World Marathon Major status, and Ottawa crowned its elite champions. Meanwhile, the ultramarathon world continues its women's revolution, with Rachel Entrekin's 253-mile Arizona record drawing national attention.
Running & Endurance Sports — 2026-05-26
Race Recap
Vermont City Marathon — Burlington, May 24
In cold, rainy conditions, Ryan Smith toppled the all-time course record at the Vermont City Marathon & Relay in Burlington, Vermont.
Cape Town Marathon — May 24
In what may be the most dramatic result of the weekend, the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon delivered a course record of 2:04:55 by Huseyidin Mohamed Esa — obliterating Abdisa Tola's 2024 mark of 2:08:16 by more than three minutes. The race, which is actively bidding to become the first African Abbott World Marathon Major, also made headlines for another reason: Eliud Kipchoge finished 16th.
On the women's side, Tigane Dida also triumphed on what was described as a "record-breaking day" in South Africa.
Ottawa Marathon — May 24
Kenya's Elvis Cheboi won the men's elite race in 2:09:22, while Sweden's Abeba Aregawi took the women's crown in 2:23:12 at the 2026 Ottawa Marathon.
Ultra Weekend Recap — May 24
This week's ultramarathon action included the Sulphur Springs Trail Race, Stumptown Trail Runs, Adrenaline Trail Runs, and Sugar Badger Trail Races, all wrapped up in Ultra Running Magazine's weekly recap.
Women Breaking Records in Ultramarathons
National public radio program On Point spotlighted a broader trend this week: women are increasingly dominating ultramarathon distances. The focus was on Rachel Entrekin, who recently won one of the hardest ultra races in the world — running 253 miles across Arizona and breaking the previous course record by more than two hours. Experts note this is not an isolated story; at ultra-distances, women are closing the gap on men and in some races outright winning.
Gear & Science
Hoka Skyward X 2 — May Release
Released on May 15, the Hoka Skyward X 2 brings notable updates to the brand's max-cushioned racing platform. Key changes include a fully re-engineered carbon fiber plate designed for a more aggressive stance, an updated upper, and a reduced stack height — down from 48 mm to 44 mm in the heel (a 4 mm reduction). The midsole formula remains: PEBA foam on top of the plate for bounce, with Super Critical EVA (SCF EVA) beneath for stability. Weight savings are substantial — one reviewer noted their women's 7.5 dropped from 9.4 oz to 8.4 oz.
Coming Up
- Women's ultramarathon performances continue to be a story to watch across the summer race calendar, following Rachel Entrekin's record-breaking 253-mile Arizona run.
- Cape Town Marathon's World Marathon Major bid remains one of the most closely watched developments in the sport — a historic first for African road racing.
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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