Races to rewatch for a shot of motivation
These races are bound to get you itching to go out for a run
Sometimes it’s nice to take a trip down memory lane and rewatch past races. Even though you know how they turn out, you can still get a rush of adrenaline as you watch a thrilling comeback or an exciting run. It’s fun to just sit and watch old races, but it can also be a great way to get a little extra motivation for your own training. Here are a few of our favourites, including some come-from-behind wins, sprint finishes and unbelievable results.
Eliud Kipchoge—INEOS 1:59
For the rest of time, no list of “best races” can be published without Eliud Kipchoge‘s sub-two-hour marathon at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna in 2019. Two years after missing the sub-two-hour goal in Italy by just 26 seconds, Kipchoge took another shot at the barrier, and he nailed it, running 1:59:40.
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Phil Healy—Irish Universities Track and Field Championships
Phil Healy‘s incredible comeback in the 4x400m of this Irish collegiate meet is one of the most jaw-dropping runs you’ll ever see. Healy starts the final lap of the relay in fifth place, so far back from the contenders that she isn’t even on camera until the final hundred or so metres. She runs a blistering split, passing the four women in front of her and just grabbing the win at the line.
Melissa Bishop—2015 World Championships
Melissa Bishop won silver in the 800m at the 2015 world championships in Beijing. As the pack rounded the final turn, Bishop made her move, creeping into the inside lane beside Maryna Arzamasava of Belarus. In the last 50 metres, it was a sprint between Bishop, the Belarusian and Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya. Arzamasava managed to eke out the win, but Bishop was right behind her for silver.
Click here to watch the race.
Shalane Flanagan—2017 NYC Marathon
At the 2017 New York City Marathon, Shalane Flanagan became the first American woman to win the race in 40 years. This was exciting enough, but Flanagan’s reaction as she ran the final few hundred metres made it even better. She was in disbelief, and she let a few F-bombs fly along the way. The below video is of the full race, but if you skip to the 2:43 mark, you’ll get to see her reaction.
Justyn Knight—2016 Nuttycombe Invitational
On several occasions while at Syracuse University, Canadian Justyn Knight showed the world that he has an incredible finishing kick. If Knight was still in sight, lead runners can never be comfortable, because he can close a gap like it’s nothing. Perhaps Knight’s best kick came at the 2016 Nuttycombe Invitational in Wisconsin. It looks like Knight might have to settle for second place, but then he drops the hammer, and with an incredible burst of speed, he goes from well behind first place to way in front as the leader in a matter of seconds.
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