Ravi here with a roundup of some interesting, inspiring, and perhaps odd stories from the world of running you may have missed recently.
Man running 401 marathons in 401 days to start Bournemouth Marathon (via Bournemoth Echo)
Marathon runner Ben Smith, 34, will start the Bournemouth Marathon on October 2nd, which will be marathon number 398 of his attempt to complete the equivalent of 401 marathons in 401 days. Through his efforts, Ben has already raised £165,000 for two charities focused on anti-bullying.
Polish Runner Radzikowski Wins 245.4km Spartathlon Race (via Greek Reporter)
Andrzej Radzikowski is the winner of the 2016 Spartathlon. The race runs 245km from Athens to Sparta, retracing the journey taken by Pheidippides in Herodotus’ account of the Persian Wars. According to Herodotus, Pheidippides was sent to Sparta to seek support for the Battle of Marathon. Radzikowski crossed the finish line 23:01:13. Greek Yiannis Kouros has the course record of 20:25:00. Kouros has won the race four times. His victories also happen to be the four fastest times in the race’s history.
Moncton runner finishes Montreal 5K with doctor who saved his life (via Canadian Running)
Last year, Stephane Demers suffered a cardiac arrest near the finish line of the Montreal Rock n’ Roll Marathon. Demers lacked a pulse for eight minutes and was considered clinically dead. This year, Demers returned to the race, running the 5k alongside Dr. Francois de Champlain, who saved his life following his collapse in 2015. At the finish line, Demers was presented with two medals, one for the 5K, and the one he didn’t quite get around to collecting for his half marathon the previous year.
“Gun Runner” to race Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (via Canada Running Series)
Julius Arile, the subject of the documentary “Gun Runners,” a favourite at the Toronto Hot Docs Festival, will join fellow Kenyans Isshimael Chemtan and Gilbert Kirwa at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16th. Arile spent his youth among cattle rustlers, raiding farming communities in northern Kenya and stealing their cattle. Running came into the picture when the Kenyan government offered cattle rustlers amnesty in exchange for a pair of shoes and a track suit. Arile has since established himself as a major distance running prospect, posting a time of 2:10:03 at the 2013 New York Marathon, finishing in fourth.
- Ravi Singh
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