👉🏻 Marathon Wins, Running Wisdom & What’s Next on the Map!
From foot-strength tips to unforgettable race weekends - your weekly dose of running news is here.
⚡️ Welcome to this week’s edition of your marathon runner’s companion! Whether you’re looking to train smarter, sign up for your next big race, or just stay inspired, we’ve got you covered. In this issue, Joe McConkey shares an eye-opening tip on foot strength and take a moment to remember a legendary runner. Don’t miss the latest race results, top picks for upcoming US marathons, and a featured race you’ll definitely want on your calendar.
⭐️ Training Tip
Weak Feet from Slow Running
Want to get faster at every distance? The key might be in your feet. A responsive, reactive arch can improve stride rate and efficiency and this article shows how adding just one “Athletic Day” per week can unlock serious gains for marathoners and ultrarunners alike.
▶️ Upcoming US marathons for the next two weeks
🗓 July 19-23
Summer Camp Series Day 1-5 - Minnesota
🗓 July 24
Deseret News Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT
🗓 July 26
Halfway To The Holidays Marathon - Johnstown, OH
Burning River - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Conquer the Canyon Race Festival - Wellsboro, PA
Idaho Falls MAD Marathon - Idaho Falls, ID
Xenia Avenue Marathon - Brooklyn Park, MN
🗓 July 27
The San Francisco Marathon - San Francisco, CA
Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon - Tanner, WA
🐮 Bigger and better in Texas
▪️ The Cowtown Marathon
The Cowtown combines your love of running, the excitement of racing, the joy of giving, and the culture of Fort Worth all together to make a race like no other. With so many distances to choose from — Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Ultra Marathon, Kids 5K, Adults 5K, and 10K — you’re sure to find a race that’s right for you. So sign up, lace up, and we’ll meet you at the finish line.
▪️ Fort Worth Marathon
The marathon features a two-lap out-and-back course along the scenic Trinity River, passing through Overton Park and the Colonial area. The 20-mile race follows the same first loop with a shorter second loop, turning around at the Woodshed. The half marathon covers just the first lap of the marathon course.
▪️ South Texas International Marathon
26.2 Point to Point Course. South Texas International Marathon's (STIM) unique course will take runners through four cities and two counties!. This Boston Qualifier marathon wil make its start at the "Heart of the Valley," Donna, Texas. Runners will then cross through historic downtown areas of Weslaco, Mercedes and La Feria. The grand fiinsh line will be at the Mercedes FEMA Dome in Mercedes, Texas.
📢 World’s Oldest Marathon Runner Dies at 114
Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, has died at 114 after being struck in a hit-and-run incident near his native village of Beas, Indian police confirmed Monday.
Born in rural India in 1911 before later moving to London, Singh earned the nickname the “Turbaned Tornado” after he took up marathon running in his late 80s. He went on to complete nine of the 26.2-mile races. Fauja was considered the world’s oldest marathon runner, though he never secured a Guinness World Record because he didn’t have a birth certificate.
In 2000 he ran the London Marathon, his first, and went on to do eight more. His best time was in Toronto in 2003, where he clocked 5 hours and 40 minutes. Fauja Singh ran his last competitive race in 2013 at the age of 101, finishing the Hong Kong Marathon's 10-kilometer (6.25-mile) race in 1 hour, 32 minutes, 28 seconds.
Singh’s journey from a child who couldn’t walk until age five to an Olympic torchbearer and symbol of endurance inspired runners worldwide.
➡️ Featured marathon you shouldn’t miss
On July 19, 2025, the stunning mountain town of Aspen, Colorado, will welcome runners to the Aspen Valley Marathon, one of the most exhilarating and scenic marathons in the country. With its high-altitude start, net-downhill profile, and jaw-dropping views, this race offers the rare opportunity to combine thin air, mountain serenity, and screaming-fast splits — all in one unforgettable summer weekend.
🏃🏻♀️ Recent marathon results
The Shoreline Marathon in Ventura, California, welcomed 194 finishers who took on the flat and scenic coastal course that hugs the Pacific shoreline, known for its ocean breeze and mild July temperatures. Elijah Medina claimed the men’s title with a commanding 2:52:57, just edging out Luke Jones and Viet Nguyen in a tightly contested top three. Kathryn Shultis led the women’s field in 2:59:17, delivering a sub-3-hour finish that stood out as the fastest women’s time in recent editions of this race. Her consistent performances at California coast marathons have earned her a reputation for excelling in breezy seaside conditions.
Thanks for reading 🤍
Yara, Chuck "Marathon Junkie" Engle & the MarathonGuide team