The Guardian
Ultramarathon runners train for months, sometimes years. But what happens when they don’t finish a race? 31 August 2026 at 18:00

Ultramarathon runners train for months, sometimes years. But what happens when they don’t finish a race?

31 August 2026 at 18:00

DNF stands for ‘did not finish’ – the acronym no ultrarunner wants assigned to their race result. For amateurs, DNFing is loaded with emotion – but attrition rates are extremely common

Drenched, freezing, utterly miserable and with a GI catastrophe ready to blow, my internal conflict of quit/don’t quit was in full force. I was at about kilometre 56 of my 100km ultramarathon. After a cascade of bad decisions and worse weather, totally wretched, I shuffled and sobbed my way through the dark to the next checkpoint. By the time I got there at 62km, the resignation of dropping out had settled in. Months and months of training had come to nothing.

Inside the checkpoint, soaked runners and their besieged crew were crowded into what resembled a field hospital triage unit. In the chaotic throng I found my crew, slumped down on to a bench and said: I’m pulling out.

The Guardian
100 ultramarathons in 100 days: former rugby pro hit by brain injury nears end of feat 31 August 2026 at 17:00

100 ultramarathons in 100 days: former rugby pro hit by brain injury nears end of feat

The Guardian

By: Steven Morris

31 August 2026 at 17:00

David ‘Jacko’ Jackson has aimed to raise awareness of brain injuries, with fellow runners sharing their stories

The key for David “Jacko” Jackson is to take each stage nice and gently. “It’s not about running fast,” he said. “It’s more like the hare and tortoise story. Slow and steady – and do it again tomorrow.”

So far, so good. Jackson, a former professional rugby player who retired after a traumatic brain injury, is nearing the end of an extraordinary bid to run 100 ultramarathons (50km, or about 30 miles) in 100 consecutive days.

The Guardian
Addisu Gobena smashes Sydney Marathon record as Jepchirchir wins fourth women’s major 30 August 2026 at 03:27

Addisu Gobena smashes Sydney Marathon record as Jepchirchir wins fourth women’s major

The Guardian

By: Associated Press

30 August 2026 at 03:27

Ethiopian former javelin thrower claims men’s race in 2hr 4min 42sec
Kenyan adds harbourside crown to Boston, New York and London titles

Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena surged to a record-breaking victory in the men’s race at the Sydney Marathon, while Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir claimed the women’s crown on Sunday.

In perfect conditions, Gobena won the hotly contested men’s race in two hours four minutes and 42 seconds – more than a minute and a half quicker than the previous record on the hilly harbourside course which attracted 40,000 competitors from around the world.