⏱️ Predicting the 2026 Boston cutoff


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Hi runners,

Jessy here with newsletter #455! πŸŽ‰

Happy Saturday! ​
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Here's what I have for you today
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  • πŸ‘Ÿ Hoka just dropped its latest racing shoe, the Cielo X12.0. But can it compete with the big dawgs of Nike and Adidas?​
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  • πŸͺ§ Want to own a piece of ultramarathon history? The iconic gate sign from the Barkley Marathons is going up for auction.​
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  • ⏱️ With stricter qualifying times and growing competition, runners need more than just a BQ to secure a spot. Here’s what to expect for the 2026 Boston Marathon cutoff time.
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  • πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a complete beginner, knowing how much to run or what your weekly mileage should be is key.​
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  • βœ”οΈ WATCH: Nike Pegasus Premium Review l The Most DIVISIVE Running Shoe of 2025?

Get ready to get faster!

Jessy Carveth
Senior News Editor

β€‹πŸ‘Ÿ HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 Review: Finally, A Great HOKA Race Day Shoe?​

When I think of Hoka, I think of a running brand that’s absolutely killing it on all fronts.

But there’s been one glaring gap in their lineup: a world-beating racing shoe.

Is the new Cielo X1 2.0 the answer?

🀯 Was 2025 the Hardest Barkley Marathons Ever? The Data Says Yes​

πŸ“½οΈ Watch our recap of the 2025 Barkley Marathons, where we provide our insights into what went down in Tennessee, plus other behind-the-scenes details on the event from our editor, who's covered the race live.

Then, read Barkley legend John Kelly's breakdown of his experience running the race, which he says was more difficult than finishing last year.

πŸ“‰ Plus, read our deep dive analysis, which reveals just how challenging this year's edition was on its runners. To quantify this, we've calculated a "Barkley Brutality Score" for each year of the race.

​πŸͺ§ The Barkley Marathons’ Iconic β€œDo Not Block Gate” Sign May Soon Be Up for Auction​

One of ultrarunning’s most iconic artifactsβ€”the β€œDo Not Block Gate” sign from the Barkley Marathonsβ€”may soon be up for grabs.

With the original sign recently replaced, race insiders are weighing the idea of auctioning it off to benefit the Barkley Fund, which helps keep this legendary race alive.

​⏱️ Boston Marathon 2026: How Tough Will the Cutoff Be?​

With the 2025 Boston Marathon seeing one of the steepest cutoffs in history, runners are now looking ahead to 2026 and wondering what to expect. ​
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Will the cutoff be even tougher? How many qualifiers will actually make it to the start line? Let’s dive into the data and trends shaping the next Boston Marathon.

β€‹πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ How Many Miles Should I Run Each Week? Find Your Training Sweet Spot​

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a complete beginner, knowing how much to run or what your weekly mileage should be is key.

Overdo it, and your risk of injury and overtraining increases. Go too easy, and you hamper your progress. So, what’s the magic number?

Parkrun Organizers Rob 83-year-old Runner Of His Age Group Records

β€‹βœ”οΈ WATCH: The Nike Pegasus Premium l The Most DIVISIVE Running Shoe of 2025?​

Senior Editor Alex Cyr tests and runs in the Nike Pegasus Premium, the company's top workout shoe of 2025. With its heavy heel, its super-responsive foam and fancy Air Zoom midsole, the Pegasus Premium has quickly become the most divisive running shoe on the market.
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Some love its power, others hate its weight. Alex wore them on a long run on Boston's famous Newton Hills, and reviews them in full here, and tells us how they helped him steal a Strava podium spot from a certain American Olympian.

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Looking for an online running coach? Whatever your goals, train with our managing editor, Coach Katelyn. Learn more about her online coaching.

Want to become a running coach? Check out our friends at UESCA. They do 100% online, at-your-own-pace coaching certifications for running and ultrarunning. More here.


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