Runner's Gazette

09/24/2026

RG's David Block's excellent coverage of PDR:

Kiprop, Chelangat Easily Win 48th Running of the Philadelphia Distance Run

By David Block

Patrick Kiprop of Kenya ran his Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR) debut on Sunday,
September 20. The PDR newcomer finished the 13.1 mile course first with a 1:00:55 clocking.
His win was no surprise to certain PR people riding the press truck. This past January, Kiprop finished second in the Houston Half Marathon, posting a 59:14 finish.

The PR people said that Kiprop was the runner to watch for at this year’s PDR, and they were right.

By the two-mile mark, Kiprop and fellow Kenyan Sosten Kipchirchir had broken away from the lead pack; their split was nine minutes flat.

The two Kenyans hit the 5K mark on Kelly Drive in 14:23. The two were still together at the five-mile mark with a 23:06 split.

At a glance, it seemed as though the two Kenyans knew each other and had trained together, but after the race, Kiprop set the record straight.

“I never met him before today,” said Kiprop.

Between Miles Six and Seven, Kiprop broke away from Kipchirchir without the latter resisting.

“I was feeling good,” said Kiprop. “I wanted to pick up the last half.”

By the eight-mile mark on MLK Drive, Kiprop’s split was 37:00. He also had a 200-meter lead over his nearest competitor.

Kiprop’s 10-mile split was 46:28.

After winning the PDR, Kiprop collected the lion’s purse of $2,500.00. Runner-up Victor Sh*tsama who clocked 1:02:06 picked up the second place share of $1,000.00. Finishing third to receive just $500.00 was Kipchirchir, 1:02:07. Kipchirchir who was tied for first place for the first six miles faded to third.

“I was very happy,” said Kiprop. He said that his next big race will be the NYC Marathon this November.

Mercy Chelangat of Kenya was the first PDR woman finisher, 1:09:21.

This was Chelangat’s second time running the PDR. When she made her PDR debut in 2024, she finished second with a slower posting, 1:10:21.

“I was stronger today,” said Chelangat.

At the beginning of the race, Chelangat was uncertain if she could win. One of her competitors was Susana Sullivan who beat Chelangat in 2024 to collect the first-place prize of $2,500.00.

By the second mile, Chelangat no longer worried about that. She took the lead and kept it for the rest of the race.

Chelangat told this RG writer that she was not worried about anyone catching her.”

“I just wanted to run,” said Chelangat. “I felt good about winning. It was very humid; I felt good.”

Finishing second was Annamaria Kostarellis, 1:10:59, followed by Susana Sullivan, 1:11:55. Sullivan won the 2024 PDR, 1:09:42, while Chelangat had to settle for second place.

The first nonbinary finisher was Winter Parts who clocked 1:10:55 to collect $2,500.00.

“Some of the nonbinaries dropped out of the race,” Parts said. “The first part of the race felt humid. It wasn’t so bad the second half.”

According to Runner’s World, in 2021 the PDR was the first race in the U.S. to give equal amounts of prize money to the nonbinaries as that of the top male and female finishers.

“That’s one of the reasons why I love this race,” said Winter Parts.

09/19/2026

Fantastic World Athletics event in Copenhagen. Today Clay Shaw and I are sharing the one-mile race with you. Tomorrow and the next day we’ll share the 5K and the next day the half marathon. Incredible event. More to come.

by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell September 19, 2026, Copenhagen, DK— Agathe Guillemot of France burst into the lead with about 80 meters to go, winning the World Athletics Road Running Champio…

09/05/2026

A wonderful recap of the 2026 XC Hall of Fame Induction. Thank you David Block...

Fanelli, Cochran-Fikes, Patterson among those inducted into the 2026 Cross Country Hall of Fame

By David Block

Flashback!
Saturday, January 26, 1980
Valley Green, Philadelphia, PA.

I finished running the Pheidippides 8-Mile Coffee and Donuts Race with a 59:52 finish.
I was happy that I broke an hour. About an hour later, the race director introduced me to the winner. I shook his hand.

“I’m David Block,” I said.

“And I’m Lee Harvey Oswald.”

What kind of a comment was that? Was this guy crazy?

I then looked at him and even with my limited eyesight, I saw that he wore a grin bigger than my nose. “I’m Gary Fanelli,” he said.

I congratulated him, but he told me it was a low-key practice run. He won the eight-mile race with a 42:42 finish. His four-mile split was 21:21.

I was excited to meet him because he won a lot of the Philly area local races that I entered. At the time, my gym teacher, Dave Patterson, another elite runner who was inducted into the 2026 Cross Country Hall of Fame at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia on Saturday, August 29 with Fanelli, told me as far back as 1980 and 1979 that he knew Gary very well. He said that he had beaten Gary a number of times in road races, but there were times that Gary beat him.

Forty-six years ago, when I met Gary, I knew he was talented, but I had no idea that he was so colorful and memorable.

I found out in 1984 that not only did the Philadelphia area running community know the name Gary Fanelli, but so did runners throughout the U.S. At the 1984 NYC Marathon, Fanelli made a name for himself by racing with a GhostBusters outfit.

Orlando Pizzolato of Italy who won the 1984 NYC marathon with a 2:14:53 posting. but he was no match for Fanelli in regard to comedy and posterity. Fanelli beat everyone decisively in that category--even Pizzolato.

Key factors that got Fanelli into the Hall of Fame were some of his running accomplishments.
On Sunday, June 8, 1980, Fanelli won the Diet Pepsi 10,000 Meter Race in Philadelphia with a 30:04 finish. That win was monumental because finishing second, was the legendary Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers, 30:17. Besides winning the Boston Marathon in 1975 (2:09:55), Rodgers had won it again for the past three years: 1978 (2:10:13), 1979 (2:09:27), and 1980 (2:12:11). His 1980 win was on Monday, April 21, 1980, seven weeks before the Diet Pepsi Race. Rodgers came to Philadelphia to race again. Some people mistakenly assumed that because he won Boston for the past three years, he would have no problem winning a local Philadelphia race. The only runner whom people thought had a chance of beating Rodgers was Rod Dixon of New Zealand, who won Olympic bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics in the 1500- meter run where he clocked 3:37.46.

Dixon finished third in the 1980 Diet Pepsi 10,000 Meter Race, 30:29. He trailed runner-up Rodgers by 12 seconds.

“That was a great day,” said Fanelli.

Another high point for Gary Fanelli was that he represented American Samoa at the 1988 Olympic Marathon in Seoul, South Korea where he finished 51st posting a 2:25:35 finish.

After Fanelli received his Hall of Fame plaque, he repeated to this RG writer what he said when being handed the plaque:

“The only other plaque I ever got was on my teeth."

Another 2026 Cross Country Hall of Fame inductee was Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes.

One of Fikes’s biggest accomplishments was being the first Ivy League runner/African American to break the four-minute barrier; it happened Saturday April 27, 1974 at The Penn Relays when he clocked 3:55.0 in the Ben Franklin Mile.

“It was almost the perfect race,” said Fikes, who ran for the University of Pennsylvania. A minor drawback was that he finished second, behind Tony Waldrop of the University of North Carolina who clocked 3:53.2.

On hand to witness Fikes receiving the Hall of Fame honor at Belmont Plateau was Harvard track star Bruce Weber, whom Fikes coached while he was an assistant track coach there.

“He was a great influence,” said Weber. “We wanted to be fast like him.”

While running for Harvard, Weber set a school record in the indoor 3000 Meter Championships when he posted 8:18.2.

Another Belmont Plateau Cross Country Hall of Fame inductee who also later wore the coach’s hat was Dave Patterson. He was a friend and at times a Gary Fanelli road-racing rival.

Like Fanelli, Patterson left his mark.

A few of Patterson’s highlights include winning the 1981 Philadelphia Independence Marathon, 2:17:25. He also won the Catalunya Marathon in Barcelona, Spain in 1978 and 1979. Patterson’s best marathon time was finisheing 19th overall at the 1981 Boston Marathon, clocking 2:14:18.

Patterson said that what helped him become faster was running for Adidas from 1980 to 1984.

“I was training with and running against some of the best guys in the country,” said Patterson. “In those days, you couldn’t just jump in at the last minute in a local road race and hope to win. You had to be in good shape because you never knew who’d you be running against.”

Patterson said that his proudest accomplishment was helping two college runners break the four-minute mile. Afterwards those runners became track coaches.

Another way that Dave Patterson left his mark in the Philadelphia running community was when he and his wife Patti had a daughter, Jillian Patterson (1984 - 2012), born with Down Syndrome. As a result, members of the Philadelphia running community launched the 12-hour Down Syndrome Interest Group’s 12-hour relay, which lasted from the late ’80s through the early ’90s. The race’s objective was to educate the public about Down Syndrome.

To see a full list of 2026 Hall of Fame inductees at Belmont Plateau, go to:

belmontplateaucchof.com/

Editor’s Note: The full 2026 class of inductees:

Gary Fanelli
Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes
Dave Patterson
Shelly Steely
Brother Gedeon Luke (Charles Tuppeny)
The 2017 Boys La Salle High Cross Country team.

The induction was held at Belmont Plateau, Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, August 29.

09/03/2026

From RG's poet George Hancock. September is a transition month and a great month for running.

by George Hancock September 2026 Tuesday begins September’s runComplete with a dwindling sunOur daylight hours steadily shrinkAnd dark running is often a stink. Meteorological autumn is the firstSo…

08/06/2026

George Hancock's August poetry with a tribute to Diane Leather. Read about this unsung woman runner.

August 2026

Saturday brings August First
Now with a late summer burst
Nearby schools will open soon
Making a few students swoon.

Summer 2026 was very warm
With bugs out in a huge swarm
Biting at my sweaty wet face
Slowing my daily road pace.

A heat dome covered our land
Creating an awful road-run stand
The humidity was through the roof
Making us run like a Disney Goof.

Hello darkness my old run friend
Back once more to make me bend
But my morning run continues on
Despite that welcome fresh dawn.

A dark-to-dark run on cloudy days
Never earns from me mournful brays
I carry a good road light on my run
It helps but I prefer the good sun.

Soon we run into the next season
August’s heat is a good reason
To yearn for cooler running days
That soon will cover our byways.

George A. Hancock

Diane Leather

Few remember Diane’s ’54 feat
Earned on cinder with her feet
It seems history of any type
Skips the social media hype.

She ran a solid 4:59.6 fast mile
Earning a first ever historic smile
The first woman to run under five
Ran it without a scary fall or dive.

Distance runs for woman were poor
Female runners often shown the door
“You’ll get hurt or perhaps worse, dear”
Refrains uttered minus fact and in fear.

Diane had a stellar running career
Running fast in ordinary run gear
In 1955 a 4:45 very fast track mile
Lasted until a faster 1962 track style.

Diane also ran cross-country too
Winning meets, actually quite a few
Sadly, not an Olympian in her prime
No events over 200 meters, a crime!

Runners all over should be proud
And perhaps yell THANKS! Loud
Diane pioneered distance runs
Looking back, her run time stuns.

George A. Hancock

Editor’s Note: Thank you, George, for spotlighting women’s running pioneer. Diane Leather.

Streetlights Are On

It’s August, streetlights are on
On until our daily later dawn
Each August day is more dark
Yet, not slowing my road lark.

Often my run is along the woods
Where deer live in their ‘hoods
My road light catches their eyes
Watching me before the dark dies.

There are no streetlights here
Many folks utter in a loud jeer
This is a school bus route too
Why no lights? I have no clue.

Darkness grows as we near fall
I run along, dark is no real wall
A reflective vest and my light
Keep me safe on my road flight.

Morning darkness is an old pal
For decades it’s my rationale
Morning dark is a natural thing
Although I do miss the bird sing.

I run along the darker road
Enjoying each run episode
A lot to do so I run early on
Out before our August dawn.

George A. Hancock

07/12/2026

RG Poet George Hancock's July Poetry for your reading pleasure...

July 2026

Wednesday begins July’s run
Complete with summer sun
Locally, humidity is up a notch
Leading to a sweaty swatch.

This road runner is up early
And out before temps get burly
Still, there are many warm runs
With results that often stun.

July 4th arrives on a Saturday
So many also see an off Friday
Now this retired runner is off
Every day so skip that cough.

July is a family birthday time
Seven birthdays in this rhyme
Our grandson twins turn two
Running about minus a shoe.

Now, near July’s final days
Daylight shrinks on the roadways
Cloudy days means more dark
Covers my early running lark.

Cloudy days darken my road
Returning me to my light mode
Although warm, my run grows dark
With streetlights no longer in park.

George A. Hancock

Wide Mirrors

This runner notes a change
That covers my road range
Wider mirrors are a new thing
That could offer a bruising sting.

Wide vehicles with mirrors wide
Create issues and hurt our pride
Getting hit by a mirror does hurt
Leading to language often curt.

My area has many pickup trucks
And wide SUVs making ducks
A factor on nearly every run
Especially when there’s no sun.

I did hit a mirror on an early run
The truck was parked, not fun
A car approached, I moved over
My shoulder hit, OUCH rover!

I’ve witnessed trucks passing by
With wide mirrors and I sigh
Each moves over on the road
Knowing a hit is a costly mode.

Run vigilant is what I always say
No matter what time of the day
You’re out running and a mirror hit
Could create a new bruising slit.

George A. Hancock

Humidity

July cranks up humidity local
And citizens get rather vocal
Summer heat is seasonally nice
But avoid humidity is my advice.

I sweat during July’s warm run
Dripping water even after done
Humidly is a July factor we know
Enjoying it seldom makes us glow.

At night, July sleeping is a chore
Unless AC runs behind your door
Floor fans do ease the humid pain
Yet, humidity offers very little gain.

Running early eases the issue some
But it’s often similar to chewing gum
You begin fresh then it grows stale
Steady humidity diet makes one pale.

Our running clothes are really good
High-tech fibers better than wood
Although sticky out we run in ease
Hoping for a gentle cooler breeze.

July creates numerous sweaty days
So, we trot slower on the byways
Running on in summer’s season
Since humidity’s here for a reason.

George A. Hancock

06/18/2026

Bravo Phil Stewart!

by George Banker I’m using the definitions below as a framework to fill in the blanks looking back from 1991: According to AI, “A race director is the primary leader responsible for plan…

05/12/2026

Penn Relays Brings Track Fans to Franklin Field

By Gary Fanelli

PHILADELPHIA, PA—Wow...Penn Relays came and went, flowers popped up, and even the Broad Street Run is in the books.

Penn Relays Week, held at Franklin Field, at the University of Pennsylvania, is always so special for so many—parents, athletes etc, and an amazing week chock full with races and field Events as well.

The weather is critical as to how Penn Relays goes. This year in 2026, the weather held out very well..
Every year we welcome many teams from Jamaica, and they truly compete hard, running spectacular times, and thrilling the spectators.

Thursday, April 23, is Women’s Day and Masters Day. Women's races all day, then Masters races as well. Distance races are held from early evening until the last race, a Men’s 10K which goes off at 10:15pm.

Friday, April 24, one spectacular day weather-wise. Girls One Mile Championship of America was won by Abigail Hennessy of Westford, MA in a spectacular time of 4:38. The Girls 3000m Championship of America was won by Blair Bartlett of Lawrenceville Prep in a time of 9:04.

Boys One Mile Championship of America was won by Jon Lawrence of Covenant, VA in a time of 4;13. Boys 3000m Championship of America, was won by Trent Daniels of VA in a time of 8:18.

The Men’ s and Women’s Distance Medley Relay, Championship of America was highly competitive on both sides. In the women’s field, University of North Carolina took top honors. Mens DMR, went to University of Oregon, in an intense competition with Villanova.,who garnered second place.

Saturday, April 25, was not the very best day weather-wise, but rain did not hinder anything.
Races on Saturday begin at 7am with the Race Walking Event. Races end on Saturday at 5:50pm with the Boys 4 x 400m Championship of America.

The Men's 4×1 Mile Championship of America was intense, as Villanova, wanted to avenge their DMR loss to Oregon, and in the end barely held off the Ducks of Oregon.

And another spectacular Penn Relays is in the books.

05/06/2026

Check out RG poet George Hancock's May poetry below. George captures the joy of running in may.

05/05/2026

May 2026

Friday begins May’s run
Complete with spring sun
Running is carefree fun
With daylight never done.

Mother’s Day and Memorial Day
Are always huge out our way
These are great special days
Touched by May’s sunny rays.

May is a great time to run
Nearly perfect that stuns
Colors along the open road
Highlight our spring episode.

I run in a suburban region
Where color green is legion
Green trees on our ridges
Create delightful bridges.

In May we can dress light
Our weather has no fight
Even the rains are warm
So outside we all swarm.

Soon, summer weather
Is welcomed together
By the running crowd
Running tall and proud.

George A. Hancock

Green Trees

May gives us green trees
Helpful on our road sprees
Plus, a delight in our view
While running in our shoes.

Trees fully leaf in May
Shading our local byway
Green trees hide the birds
That flock there in herds.

I live near many green hills
That fully green provides thrills
A good workout up and over
While noting that green clover.

These ridges have a green shape
After May provides their new cape
Green shady trees are always nice
Run near them is my road advice.

Running now on tree-lined roads
Is sure to provide cool episodes
On those very hot running days
When runners find hot sun rays.

Green trees are a natural thing
That makes most runners sing
Pity those in urban jungles
Where concrete issues bungle.

George A. Hancock

Thoughts on a May Run

May’s running days are here
Welcomed in boisterous cheer
Late spring weather is great
Running now always first rate.

Delicious colors dot the road
Aiding our long-distance mode
Vibrant hues are a road treat
Greeting the running athlete.

Even those late spring rains
Produce no aching pains
Our temps remain warm
So we all outside swarm.

Dressed in light run clothes
The runner strikes a pose
Eager to run another mile
Earning a fresh May smile.

May means more road work
From crews that never shirk
The needed repairs that fix
Damaged roads from the mix.

My thoughts on a May run
Are simple: running is fun
Each season is only so long
So, enjoy May’s green song.

George A. Hancock