The Brescia Art Marathon (BAM) is one of the most popular running events in northern Italy and took place on March 8, 2026. With around 8,000 participants, it was a record-breaking year, and as always, the event offered three main distances: 42 km, 21 km, and 10 km.
The route passed through UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Capitolium, Piazza Paolo VI, the Duomo Vecchio and Nuovo, and Piazza della Loggia.
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Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multifactorial and complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Prevalence of ADHD in the general adult population is around 3.1 %, with little data available in athlete population suggesting rates of between 7 %-8 %. No data are available for endurance and ultra-endurance runners. Methods: Cross-sectional survey study in endurance (≥21.1 km to 42.2 km) and ultra-endurance runners (≥42.2 km), using the Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS-5) for screening for ADHD and assessing associated risk factors and sex differences using statistical and machine learning (ML) techniques. Results: A total of 601 runners participated (female n = 222; male n = 379; mean age 42.8 ± 10.1 years). Overall, 9.7 % of runners returned screening results above the cut off score from the ASRS-5 for ADHD, particularly half-marathon runners (14.8 %; n.s.) compared to marathon (8.0 %) and ultramarathon runners (8.7 %). No significant sex differences (female 10.8 % versus men 9.0 %) or differences in performance levels (elite (0.0 %) versus non-elite (10.1 %) runners) were observed. Age was the only statistically significant associated factor (p = 0.03), particularly in younger runners (under the age of 40 years). Conclusion: This study provides novel essential screening data on ADHD among endurance and ultra-endurance runners. The screening rates for ADHD traits exceed those found in previous studies with elite athletes and the general population. Clinical evaluation, using standard clinical criteria to verify the responses for a definitive diagnosis of ADHD is recommended, as well as increasing awareness of ADHD, education, support services and targeted interventions. Sports organizations, health professionals, and policymakers should implement systematic screening and education programs to address these concerns.
Read moreBackground The ‘Norseman Xtreme Triathlon’, held annually in Norway, is considered one of the world’s most challenging triathlons, surpassing the traditional IRONMAN®-distance in terms of difficulty. This narrative review aims to summarize the current scientific evidence to support athletes and coaches in preparation for this event. Methods We conducted a narrative review to summarize the current scientific literature on the ‘Norseman Xtreme Triathlon’. A structured search was conducted in two major databases—PubMed and Scopus—using free-text terms related to ‘Norseman Xtreme Triathlon’. The search included articles published up to the end of November 2025, without language restrictions. After removing duplicates and unrelated articles based on title and abstract screening, 16 relevant publications were included for analysis. Results Over the years, the number of female and male finishers increased, the men-to-women ratio decreased, and both split and overall race times decreased. Most athletes competing in the ‘Norseman Xtreme Triathlon’ came from Norway, and Norwegian athletes achieved the most podiums. The race affects different organ systems and biomarkers, with increased values of WBC, CK, NT-proBNP, CRP and AST returning to pre-race levels within hours or days. Due to the cold environment, athletes appeared to be at risk of developing hypothermia and swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE) during swimming and both exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) after the race. Conclusions Particular care is needed in preparing for the cold water and general cold environment during cycling and running. The specific nutritional demands, the aspects of pre-race preparation (e.g. training, experience), post-race recovery trajectories, hormonal profiles, or psychological responses of the ‘Norseman Xtreme Triathlon’ remain underexplored and represent an important area for future research.
Read morePacing in triathlon has been analyzed for distances up to 60 long-distance triathlons in 60 days in men. However, no study has examined pacing in a female ultra-endurance triathlete in a multi-day triathlon exceeding 10 days. Thus, this case study analyzes the pacing of the first and only woman to complete 30 long-distance triathlons in 30 days. Lap times for swimming, cycling, and running, including transitions, were collected from race results. The athlete tracked each discipline daily using a Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, recording average and maximum heart rates and energy expenditure. The coefficient of variation and second-order polynomial regression were calculated for average pace, split, and total times. Repeated measures ANOVA tested interactions in pace performance across 10-day phases and intra-discipline daily pacing variations. Multivariate regression examined physiological parameters’ impact on pacing. The female triathlete maintained a relatively even pacing strategy throughout the race, with a decrease in cycling speed and an increase in running speed. Cycling showed the strongest and significant correlation with total race time (r=0.810; p<0.001), while running (r=0.347; p=0.119) and swimming (r=-0.312; p=0.165) displayed non-significant associations. The pace varied within the disciplines, with cycling becoming slower and running faster in the last quarter of the race. Energy expenditure, maximum and average heart rate were significant predictors for cycling (R2=0.538; p<0.001), while only average heart rate was the best predictor for running performance (R2=0.450; p<0.001). Tactical considerations most likely influenced pacing, particularly in cycling and running. Future research should further explore pacing strategies in ultra-endurance events.
Read moreOn December 22, 2025, Albert Stricker (1923) passed away at the age of 103. Not only did he set European records in the half marathon and marathon, he is also the only Swiss athlete to hold an official IAU world record. In 2018, he set the world record in the 12-hour run in the M90 age category at 52.967 km at the 12-hour run in Basel. IAU Records - IAU - International Association of Ultrarunners
Read moreAthletes’ origin trends in participation and performance of master runners in the New York City marathon (1999–2024): a sex- and age-group analysis It is well known that the fastest elite marathon runners come from East African countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya. However, to date, there is no information available on the origin of the fastest age group (master) marathoners. This study aimed to determine the countries of origin of the fastest age group marathoners who have participated in the ‘New York City Marathon’ over the past several decades. Race data from 1,009,839 runners (626,183 male and 383,656 female finishers) who completed the ‘New York City Marathon’ between 1999 and 2024 were analyzed. Participants were categorized into five-year age groups: <20, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, and 75 + years. The data were stratified by sex (male and female) and country of origin. The dataset was organized into five performance-based subgroups: (i) the entire dataset, including all finishers by age group and nationality; (ii) the top 100 finishers per age group; (iii) the top 30 finishers per age group; (iv) the top 10 finishers per age group; and (v) the top individual from each country within each age group. Regression analyses were conducted to explore demographic predictors of marathon performance. Participation generally increased over the study period, with temporary declines during the COVID-19 pandemic; male participation consistently outnumbered female participation, the 40–44 years age group was the most represented for both sexes, and participation was lowest in the youngest (< 20 years) and oldest (75 + years) age groups. Crucially, analyses focusing on the fastest age-group marathoners revealed clear nationality-based performance patterns. In younger adult age groups (20–39 years), the fastest average race times were predominantly achieved by female and male runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. The < 20 years age category showed comparatively stronger performances from European runners, including those from Poland, Switzerland and Italy. In the 50 years and older age groups, the best average times were increasingly recorded by runners from the United States of America, Japan, Germany and Switzerland. This shift highlights a regional transition in peak marathon performance with increasing age, from East African to European, North American, and East Asian dominance. Athletes’ origin trends in participation and performance of master runners in the New York City marathon (1999–2024): a sex- and age-group analysis | Scientific Reports
Read moreOn December 28, 2025, the fifth edition of the Mittelland Marathon, the so-called “winter edition,” took place in Wangen an der Aare.
With temperatures of 1 °C, strong winds, and little sunshine, the runners had to complete six laps.
Read moreIt was a good idea to add another marathon to the tally at the end of the year.
The fourth edition of Cannero 6 ore took place on December 7. Beautifully situated on Lake Maggiore, the race consisted of laps of 2145 m in length and 10 m in elevation gain on granite slabs and cobblestones. For a €25 entry fee, participants enjoyed a perfectly organized competition, with the village priest sending the runners on their way, a large buffet, and, at the end, a large medal and a backpack full of natural products.
Read moreScholarGPS has updated Scholar Profiles and Rankings. Beat Knechtle is listed as a highly ranked scholar in the fields of anthropometry, life sciences, and physiology. His H-index is 60. He ranks first in half marathons and second in world championships and Ironman triathlons.
Read moreThe full evaluation can be found at Beat Knechtle | Scholar Profiles and Rankings | ScholarGPS