2026 Boston Marathon Guide, a 2-Day London Marathon, Shoes, Marathon Training, and More

Welcome to your weekly endurance briefing, courtesy of the Marathon Journal. Each Monday, we deliver essential updates and expert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitive sports.

1. 2026 Boston Marathon Fan and Visitor Guide (brand events, shake-outs, and more)

The countdown to Boylston Street is officially on! We’ve just launched our 2026 Boston Marathon Weekend Event Schedule, your go-to guide for all the pop-ups, live shows, and community runs happening across the city. Since we are still a month out, this list is growing by the day as more brands confirm their activations, so be sure to bookmark the page and check back frequently for the latest updates. If you’re a brand hosting an event and want to be included, please send us a message with your details and a link so we can get you on the map! Find it on MarathonJournal.com.

2. Could the London Marathon Turn Into A Two-Day Event?

The London Marathon is exploring a potential two-day format in 2027, aiming to accommodate 100,000 runners and give elite men’s and women’s races dedicated spotlight. This shift could reshape marathon logistics, media coverage, and fundraising impact, while raising questions about preserving the single-day atmosphere. Read the full article for an in-depth analysis of how this change could redefine the future of major marathon racing on MarathonJournal.com.

3.  James McKirdy’s Three Pillars of Marathon Mastery

While AI-driven training plans offer convenience, elite success often stems from a high-touch, human-centric approach. James McKirdy of McKirdy Trained demonstrates that marathon mastery is built on three scientific pillars: conservative early pacing to enable a terminal negative split, aggressive carbohydrate intake to mitigate central nervous system fatigue, and real-time plan adjustments based on physiological stress. By treating fueling as a trainable skill and prioritizing late-race power over early "banked" time, runners can transform the final 10K into a strategic surge. Read the full article or listen to the podcast episode on MarathonJournal.com.

4. Rabbit Dream Chaser Running Shoe Review

Last year, the Rabbit Dream Chaser marked a significant shift for the apparel brand into footwear. Featuring Flowstate ETPU foam and Carbon Trax stability strips, the shoe prioritizes vibration dampening and mechanical guidance over propulsive energy return. Despite its 10.3oz weight and high-insulation upper, the 1,000-mile guaranteed Blumaka insole offers unique durability for high-volume road miles. Discover how this stable, neutral trainer performs on rhythmic recovery runs and whether its "foot sauna" upper fits your training climate. Read the full review at Marathon Journal.com.

5. Emma Bates’ Claims: Sponsor UCAN Dropped Due to Pregnancy

The professional running community is reeling following allegations from Emma Bates that UCAN terminated her partnership due to her pregnancy. In a social media reveal, Bates stated she was "dropped" after notifying the brand of her transition to motherhood. UCAN maintains that restructuring began in September 2025 as part of a broader business pivot, and that no conclusion had been reached. The contract expired in December of 2025. Bates’s agent, Matt Sonnenfeldt of Flynn Sports, has publicly challenged this narrative. Read the full breakdown on MarathonJournal.com.

For more deep-dives and the latest in global running news, join the community at MarathonJournal.com.