2020 Prefontaine Classic, Paris Diamond League Canceled

The second of two Diamond League exhibition events in 2020 went off on Thursday in various locations across the world as Zurich played host to the Inspiration Games. Like the Impossible Games in Oslo back in June, this iteration featured athletes spread across the globe competing against each other simultaneously. Unlike the Impossible Games, however, Thursday’s action featured a significant American presence as stars like Noah Lyles, Allyson Felix and Sam Kendricks competed at different spots in the U.S.

In a move that could have widespread effects across the NCAA, the Ivy League announced on Wednesday that they have canceled all fall sports, including cross country, in 2020 in response to the ongoing pandemic.

The fast times across the United States last week showed that despite the limitations on the running world in 2020, athletes are still in good shape. This week’s premier sprint meet, the Inspiration Games, is primarily a remote competition with athletes competing virtually across a variety of venues throughout the world.  

Look good, feel good, play good — or, in this case, run good! 

Boutique track meets are en vogue in 2020 as the normal schedule has been squashed by the pandemic, and on Friday two Nike training groups got together for an old-fashioned dual meet. The so-called "Big Friendly" featured Pete Julian's squad (featuring Donavan Brazer, Craig Engels and Konstanze Klosterhalfen) vs. OTC Elite (featuring Chanelle Price, Vincent Ciattei) in a three-event slate: men's and women's 800m and a men's 1500m.

(c) 2020 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

(c) 2020 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

With the official track season in the United States on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nike-sponsored Bowerman Track Club held a closed competition at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon, last night to test their fitness.  USA Track & Field officials were present, and fully automatic timing was used.  With the pandemic still raging, the club could not promote the competition nor allow fans to watch.

The piriformis muscle is a smaller muscle located deep in the pelvic area, behind the gluteus maximus (the largest muscle in the body). The piriformis muscle starts near the lower spine and attaches to the upper portion of the femur. It specifically functions to rotate the hip and turn the leg and foot outward (external rotation). This muscle is crucial to stabilizing the lower body and plays an important role in walking and running.

Training for a half marathon can be a daunting undertaking for even the most seasoned runners, and having a plan is crucial for succeeding come race day. There are a variety of resources available on the internet for those who need help with their training process or need inspiration for their training plans.