🏃 Welcome to Your Weekly Endurance Briefing

Welcome to your weekly endurance briefing, courtesy of Marathon Journal. Each Monday, we bring you the latest news, stories, race reviews, and gear insights from the world of running and endurance sports.

📰 NEWS

When PRs Turn to Paddles: New Jersey Race Sparks Safety Backlash

What was supposed to be a fast half-marathon along New Jersey’s Saddle River quickly became a dangerous battle with rising floodwaters.

Despite multiple Flash Flood Warnings before the start, the Racefaster Half Marathon went ahead, sending roughly 250 runners into waist-deep water at several low-lying sections of the course.

Viral footage and firsthand accounts have sparked major questions about race safety, organizer responsibility, and whether the industry needs clearer guidelines for localized flooding.

👉 Read the Full Article

NYC Marathon Tests a New Approach to Hydration

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is adding self-serve filtered-water refill stations at Miles 8, 14, 17, 20, and 23.

The Culligan stations will complement the race’s traditional fluid stations, giving runners with handhelds, soft flasks, and hydration vests another option.

It’s a sustainability pilot—but traditional paper cups aren't going anywhere.

👉 Read the Full Article

🤝 COMMUNITY

Your Story, Your Why: Aniruddh Munde’s Journey to a Sub-4 Marathon (available also as an episode on our podcast)

Software engineering manager Aniruddh Munde discovered running at USC and eventually ran a 3:58 marathon in Sydney.

In our latest Your Story, Your Why, Aniruddh talks about growing up in India, coming out as gay, overcoming perfectionism, navigating injury, and finding a powerful outlet in distance running.

👉 Read the Full Article & Listen to the Episode

⭐ REVIEWS

Charlotte’s Around the Crown 10K: The Ultimate Destination Race? (available also as an episode on our podcast)

We headed to North Carolina with the family for the Around the Crown 10K Together with Truist and found a race weekend packed with big-city energy.

From running along Interstate 277 to finishing inside Truist Field, plus whitewater adventures, community events, and a post-race celebration, Charlotte delivered plenty beyond the finish line.

👉 Read the Full Destination Race Review & LISTEN to the Episode

HOKA Skyward X 2: Plated Power for Easy Miles

Carbon plates aren't just for race day anymore.

We put the HOKA Skyward X 2 through more than 100 miles of easy running to see how its massive cushioning, PEBA foam, and updated carbon plate perform when the goal isn't speed—but stacking up mileage.

👉 Read Our Full Review

Stop Mosquito Bites From Stealing Your Recovery

For runners dealing with muggy weather and relentless mosquitoes, the post-run itch can be almost as annoying as the workout itself.

We tested Heat-it, a tiny smartphone-powered device that uses concentrated heat to tackle the discomfort of bug bites. Find out whether this pocket-sized gadget deserves a place in your running kit.

👉 Read Our Full Review

One Year Later: Are Open-Ear Earbuds Worth It?

We spent 12 months running with the Shokz OpenFit Air, putting them through everything from summer tempos to rainy long runs.

With an open-ear design, lightweight fit, and surprisingly rich sound, they offer an interesting alternative to traditional earbuds. But how do they hold up after a full year?

👉 Read Our Full Long-Term Review

Keep running. Keep exploring. Keep reading Marathon Journal.