May 2023

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The May issue of AW looks back at one of the most memorable editions of the London Marathon ever to be staged, but also looks ahead to a summer of athletics which is full of promise.

We examine the key talking points from the Boston and London Marathons. In America, Eliud Kipchoge suffered a rare defeat, while Hellen Obiri stormed to a brilliant win in just her second attempt at the classic distance.

It was on the streets of the UK, however, where the biggest distance running fireworks were set off. An astonishing second half from Kelvin Kiptum saw him almost break the world record, but the performance of the year so far surely came from Sifan Hassan, making her marathon debut but also showing the searing track speed which has brought her Olympic success. In winning, the Dutchwoman underlined her extraordinary range and our stats man Steve Smythe looks back through history at the athletes who have excelled across a number of disciplines.

Another athlete to have experienced Olympic triumph is Karsten Warholm. In a wide-ranging interview, the 400m hurdles Olympic champion and world record-holder speaks exclusively about why his “violent” running sets him apart, how he responded to the biggest setback of his career so far, the growing role being played by technology, athletes’ responsibility to entertain and why he won’t rule out going even faster in 2023.

The combined events showpiece that is the Hypomeeting in Götzis is firmly on the horizon and we examine why this small corner of the Austrian Alps is so important in the athletics calendar plus how it celebrates decathletes and heptathletes in an environment where they are fighting to be seen at international championships.

It won’t be the only major event heading to Austria this summer, either, as the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships is headed for Innsbruck and Stubai. We examine the event and speak to some of the key players from the off-road elite. If that inspires you to head for the hills, too, then our running shoe guru Paul Freary reviews the best footwear for tackling any terrain.

There are also interviews with Irish 400m star in the making Rhasidat Adeleke, former international sprinter James Dasaolu plus distance man Jake Smith, who talks openly about his struggles with RED-S.