Radar Stemma: Chicago, Pickle Juice, and Global Running News

World Athletics Athlete of the Year Nominees

World Athletics revealed its list of 20 nominees for the 2026 Athlete of the Year award, combining road and track events. Brazilian athlete Alison dos Santos is among the contenders alongside prominent figures in international athletics such as Sebastian Sauers, Tigst Assefa, and Agnes Ngetich.

Chinese Influencer Caught Riding a Bicycle at the Berlin Marathon

Chinese influencer Abir had her personal record disqualified at the Berlin Marathon after being caught riding a bicycle along the final stretch of the course. The incident sparked global buzz following an analysis of official timing data, prompting Brooks to terminate its sponsorship contract with the runner.

Record Turnout of Brazilian Women at the Comrades Marathon

The iconic South African ultramarathon, the Comrades Marathon, recorded a historic milestone with 63 Brazilian women registered for the upcoming edition. This strong female participation follows outreach efforts by race ambassadors such as Zilma Rodrigues and Nato Amaral to promote the challenge between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Cardiff Half Marathon and the SuperHalfs Series

The Cardiff Half Marathon celebrated a new women's course record set by Joyciline Jepkosgei and drew more than 5,700 international runners to Wales. The event reinforced the momentum of the European SuperHalfs series, which includes stops in cities such as Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Valencia.

Skechers Launches the Aero Elite Eyeing the LA 2028 Olympics

Skechers officially introduced the Aero Elite, its first carbon-plated supershoe featuring Hyper Burst Pro foam. Weighing 167 grams in the men's model, the shoe marks the brand's expansion plan heading into the 2028 Olympic Games, alongside the opening of new company-owned stores in Brazil.

Zalando Becomes a Sponsor of the Valencia Marathon

European e-commerce giant Zalando announced a partnership with the Valencia Marathon to strengthen its connection with the running community. The initiative features exclusive activations, live music stages, and dedicated cheering zones between kilometers 35 and 37 of the Spanish course.

New Balance Opens Its Largest Store in Brazil

New Balance opened its largest retail location in Brazil at Outlet Premium São Paulo in Itupeva. The store spans more than 400 square meters dedicated to apparel, accessories, and footwear across both performance and lifestyle categories.

Tokyo Marathon Opens Volunteer Program to International Applicants

The Tokyo Marathon Foundation officially opened registration for international participants in its Voluntainer program. Selected volunteers will support key race operations such as hydration stations, finish-line assistance, and course security during the edition hosting the Abbott WMM Wanda Age Group World Championships.

Lacoste Enters the Running Segment with the Neo Run 2

French fashion brand Lacoste expanded into road running with the release of the Neo Run 2 shoe. The model incorporates the brand's classic piqué knit texture, focusing on lifestyle and everyday wear rather than pure technical high performance.

Superstitions, Quirks, and Pre-Race Rituals in Sports

Sports psychology research indicates that structured pre-race routines and rituals can improve focus and help athletes manage anxiety. However, experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between technical prep habits and rigid dependencies that could hinder mental readiness on the starting line.

Altra Forms Team Featuring Runners Over 75

Altra launched the Legacy Team in the UK, bringing together four veteran British runners whose combined ages total 321 years. The initiative aims to raise awareness against dropping out of sports early and inspire new runners through real-life stories of longevity.

Anta Sports Acquires Significant Stake in Puma

Chinese sportswear giant Anta Sports completed the acquisition of more than 29% of Germany's Puma, becoming the company's largest shareholder. The strategic transaction seeks to expand Puma's presence across the Asian market while maintaining operational independence under its German management.

McDonald's Hands Out Pickle Juice at the Chicago Marathon

In an unusual on-course activation in Chicago, McDonald's distributed bottled pickle juice to help runners fight off muscle cramps. The acidic liquid stimulates neural receptors in the throat, helping to suppress rapid muscle spasms during the grueling 26.2-mile effort.