Connect with us

Sports

European Championship records broken in women’s and men’s marathon

Published

3 hours ago

on

Finland’s Alisa Vainio and Amanal Petros of Germany set European Championship records in the women’s and men’s marathons on Sunday in Birmingham, England.

Vainio, 28, won in a time of 2:22:26, taking nearly three minutes off the previous championship record held by French woman Christelle Daunay from 2014.

The Fin, who is the fastest European this year with a time of 2:20:39 in February’s Seville marathon, paced the race with near-perfect splits. She went through halfway in 70:40 on an undulating, 5km lapped course around the city centre. Her three-minute lead at 13.1 miles had extended to nearly five by the finish, with Hungary’s Lili Anna Vindics-Toth holding out for silver (2:27:21).

Great Britain’s Abbie Donnelly was twelve seconds behind her to complete the podium, picking up a bronze on home soil for the nation’s first-ever medal in this event. Donnelly led GB to the team title — fastest three athletes for each nation — as Natasha Wilson came fifth (2:27:54) and Rose Harvey, who had been part of the lead pack up until halfway, finished 14th (2:30:34).

It’s a first senior international gold for Vainio, who was a steeplechaser earlier in her career, and placed fifth in the marathon at the World Championship’s last year.

“I felt so strong all the way,” Vainio said in the mixed zone. “I knew I was going to run fast and just waited to see if someone was coming with me, but I just ran alone.” She is now targeting the 2028 Olympics after spending two years preparing for this race. “I need to keep believing that I can stay strong and do it (medal) again. To win a European gold for Finland means a lot.”

Petros came out on top in a competitive men’s race that saw nine athletes break the old championship record of 2:09:51, which Belgium’s Koen Naert had held since 2018.

(Maja Hitij/Getty Images for European Athletics)

Eritrean-born Petros ran 2:09:11, winning by seven seconds ahead of Italy’s Pietro Riva, who took silver. Three seconds behind him was Gashua Ayale of Israel. The team title went to Israel, whose trio of Ethiopian-born runners — Ayale, Tadesse Getahon and Haimro Alame — finished third, fifth and eighth.

Like in the women’s race, the men were even in their pacing in ideal marathon conditions (12C/53 Fahrenheit at race start). The lead group of 24 athletes ran 65:03 through halfway, which included defending champion Richard Ringer of Germany, who finished 10th.

This win is significant for Petros, 31, who lost a sprint finish for gold at the 2025 World Championships to Tazmania’s Alphonce Simbu.

“I chose one of the best tactics,” Petros said in the mixed zone of his decision to pull away between 25 and 30km. “I made the right decision to move. The road was very hard and was one of the biggest challenges today. It was not easy.”

He is the German national record holder for the marathon, and explained that he trained at altitude in Kenya for this event, running 200km per week. Petros came 15th at this year’s London Marathon.

>

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will ‘probably’ retire this season, plans to have ‘more fun’

Published

2 minutes ago

on

August 16, 2026

By

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will “probably” retire from football when his Al Nassr contract expires next summer, adding he plans to have “more fun”.

The 41-year-old, who is just 24 goals shy of reaching 1,000 throughout the entirety of his senior career, said in November 2025 that he was not planning on remaining in football after his playing career as he wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue “other passions”.

The Portugal international, widely recognised as one of the greatest footballers of all time, was speaking following his marriage to his long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez earlier this month.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Vogue.

“I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.

“And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned — what we’ve earned. Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

Can Ronaldo fans compliment Messi?

Reuben Pinder and Joe Crisalli

The five-time Ballon d’Or-winner began his professional career 24 years ago with Sporting CP in Lisbon, Portugal, before a six-year spell at Manchester United, nine seasons with Real Madrid (scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances), three seasons at Juventus, a return to United before joining Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in January 2023.

The comments from Ronaldo, who is under contract with Al Nassr until June 2027, follow his long-term rival Lionel Messi, 39, speaking of his doubts over continuing his own playing career “for much longer” following the death of his father, Jorge this month.

Ronaldo scored three goals at this summer’s World Cup as Portugal reached the last-16 stage. He confirmed ahead of the tournament that the 2026 edition would be his last World Cup.

>

Continue Reading

Sports

How to watch Diamondbacks vs. Braves: TV channel and streaming options for August 16

Published

10 minutes ago

on

August 16, 2026

By

The Arizona Diamondbacks will try to finish off a sweep of a three-game series versus the Atlanta Braves, at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday. Bryce Elder (8-7, 4.03 ERA) will start for the Braves, who are 73-50 this season and first in the NL East. Mike Soroka (8-3, 2.92 ERA) is the expected starter for the Diamondbacks, who are 66-58 and second in the NL West.

How to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Atlanta Braves

Diamondbacks vs. Braves odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Braves -128
  • Underdog Moneyline: Diamondbacks +105
  • Total: 8.5
  • Total Over Odds: -120
  • Total Under Odds: +100

Injury reports

Braves

Reynaldo López: 15 Day IL (Knee), Robert Suarez: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Spencer Strider: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Spencer Schwellenbach: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Joey Wentz: 60 Day IL (Knee), Joe Jimenez: 60 Day IL (Knee)

Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: 10 Day IL (Adductor), Tommy Troy: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Ryan Thompson: 15 Day IL (Back), Drey Jameson: 15 Day IL (Hip), A.J. Puk: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Cristian Mena: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Blake Walston: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ryne Nelson: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Zac Gallen: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Corbin Burnes: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Andrew Saalfrank: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Justin Martinez: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ketel Marte: day-to-day (Knee)

Stats to know

  • Atlanta’s Matt Olson has hit 35 home runs this season, which ranks 3rd in MLB. He has also tallied 74 RBIs (16th in MLB) and has scored 87 runs. In 537 plate appearances, he has recorded a .264 BA, .339 OBP and .546 SLG with a 9.9% walk rate and a 25.1% strikeout rate.
  • In 526 plate appearances, Ozzie Albies has slashed .252/.308/.426 this season. He has hit 20 long balls and driven in 64 runs with a strikeout rate of 14.1% and a walk rate of 7%. He has come around to score 72 times.
  • Corbin Carroll has hit 18 home runs this season. He has also tallied 57 RBIs and has scored 76 runs. In 522 plate appearances, he has recorded a .248 BA, .345 OBP and .492 SLG with an 11.7% walk rate and a 21.8% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording 16 steals on 18 attempts.
  • In 515 plate appearances, Ketel Marte has posted a 15% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate while slashing .251/.315/.448 with 21 home runs, 67 RBIs and 64 runs scored.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

Connections: Sports Edition Logo

Connections: Sports Edition Logo

Connections: Sports Edition

Spot the pattern. Connect the terms

Find the hidden link between sports terms

>

Continue Reading

Sports

How to watch Fever vs. Dream: TV channel and streaming options for August 16

Published

16 minutes ago

on

August 16, 2026

By

The Indiana Fever (22-12) will look to Kelsey Mitchell (second in WNBA, 24.3 points per game) when they attempt to overcome Allisha Gray (ninth in league, 19.2) and the Atlanta Dream (21-12) on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at State Farm Arena. The matchup tips at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN and Disney+.

How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream

Indiana vs. Atlanta odds

  • Spread: Atlanta -1.5 (+100), Indiana +1.5 (-120)
  • Favorite Moneyline: Atlanta -115
  • Underdog Moneyline: Indiana -105
  • Total: 188.5
  • Total Over Odds: -105
  • Total Under Odds: -115

Injury reports

Dream

Brionna Jones: Out (Leg),

Jordin Canada: Questionable (Illness),

Te-Hina Paopao: Questionable (Leg)

Fever

Damiris Dantas: Out For Season (Knee),

Caitlin Clark: Probable (Back),

Aliyah Boston: Probable (Leg)

Stats to know

  • The Dream put up only 0.3 fewer points per game (90.0) than the Fever give up (90.3).
  • Indiana’s 96.3 points per game are 10.8 more points than the 85.5 Atlanta allows to opponents.
  • Angel Reese posts 15.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest, while shooting 42.2% from the floor.
  • Caitlin Clark posts 21.9 points, 8.2 assists and 3.9 boards per contest.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Julio Aguilar, Ethan Miller, Steph Chambers / Getty Images

Connections: Sports Edition Logo

Connections: Sports Edition Logo

Connections: Sports Edition

Spot the pattern. Connect the terms

Find the hidden link between sports terms

>

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.