UKRunChat

SuperHalfs has announced the launch of SuperHalfs EUROPA, a new six-race half-marathon series that will offer runners a new journey across Europe, starting in 2027.

The inaugural series will bring together six new races, in six new cities, in six new countries: Napoli in Italy, Warsaw in Poland, Belgrade in Serbia, Vienna in Austria, Riga in Latvia, and Stockholm in Sweden.

SuperHalfs EUROPA builds on the success of the six SuperHalfs founding races, which will now bear a new name of SuperHalfs ORIGINALS, in Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen, Cardiff, and Valencia.

The two series will operate separately, each offering its own six-race challenge and distinctive SuperMedal. Runners can choose the journey that suits them best, or participate in both in parallel, and complete the series and its six races in any order and at their own pace.

British adventurer Karl Bushby has finally arrived home in Hull, 28 years after setting off from southern Chile on a journey to walk around the world without using transport to make forward progress.

The 57-year-old former paratrooper began his expedition in Punta Arenas on 1 November 1998, with the aim of walking all the way home to the UK. On 2 November 2026, he arrived at his mother’s front door, completing a journey of approximately 31,000 miles across 30 countries.

It has been far from a straightforward journey. Bushby was arrested as a suspected spy, detained in Russia, held at gunpoint and had close encounters with polar bears. He also spent several years stranded in Mexico while trying to resolve travel restrictions.

Among the most challenging parts of the expedition were crossing the Darién Gap, travelling across the frozen Bering Strait from Alaska into Siberia and swimming the Caspian Sea. More recently, on 5 October 2026, he swam the English Channel, reaching Shakespeare Beach near Dover before continuing his journey home to Hull.

Over the course of such an extraordinary journey, reliable footwear was essential. Bushby initially wore whatever shoes he could find along the way, but in 2013, while walking across the United States, he discovered Merrell.

He subsequently made the brand’s Moab hiking shoe his footwear of choice, wearing both waterproof and breathable versions across Central Asia, Europe and some of the world’s most demanding terrain.

“For the first 15 years, my footwear was whatever I could find in the next roadside town. You get what you can find. Then in 2013 while walking across America, I tried a pair of Merrells and took an instant liking to them. From then on I sought them out wherever I could,” said Bushby.

“Through Central Asia, Europe and all the way home, the Moab was my go-to for its comfort and durability. I’ve taken both the waterproof and the breathable versions to destruction on the road. The possessions you do carry hold significant sentimental value – the shoes were always so dependable.”

Bushby said he chose the shoes himself after trying them during the expedition, rather than as part of an original sponsorship arrangement.

After 28 years, Bushby’s arrival in Hull marked the end of an expedition that had taken him across continents and through some remarkable challenges. He was welcomed home by his mother, Angela, and his son, Adam.

Merrell’s Chief Marketing Officer, Richard McLeod, said Bushby’s experience demonstrated the demands placed on footwear over such long distances.

“Karl’s journey is the kind of product test no lab could ever recreate. The fact that he independently chose the Moab, then continued to rely on it for more than a decade, is a powerful testament to its comfort and durability.”

For Bushby, though, the biggest achievement is surely reaching the front door he set out to walk to nearly three decades ago.

From the teams behind the @WaceMorgan Shrewsbury 5k & 10k and @ParetoFM Shrewsbury Half & Metric Half Marathon, a new race has launched the Telford & Wrekin 10k.

It’s a fully closed-road 10k, starting and finishing inside Telford International Centre. Full route reveal is soon, here’s a sneak peek: you’ll run through Malinslee, Dawley, Southall, Brookside, Stirchley and Randlay.

Fully closed roads
UKA accredited
Free race photos
Finisher’s T-shirt
Bespoke medal

Sign Up: entryhub.co.uk/telford-wrekin…

#RUNTELFORD #telfordandwrekin10k #ukrunchat

10 years old, a 5K PB of 19:15 and more than £4,000 raised for Scope. What a brilliant achievement from Lily Janmohamed!

Lily has been running since she was six and already has two world age-group bests to her name. But her latest run at Battersea parkrun was about more than getting faster. She wanted to use her running to raise money for Scope, and she's certainly done that!

With a little help from a friend pacing her round, Lily knocked 30 seconds off her previous 5K PB.

She's got her sights set on breaking 19 minutes next, in the spring, but we particularly liked her advice to other children: "Give running a go. You don't have to be the fastest."

We couldn't agree more.

Well done, Lily ❤️

You can find more information, and the link to Lily's Scope fundraiser on our website: ukrunchat.co.uk/lily-janmohame…

ASICS has launched the 29th generation of the GEL-NIMBUS shoe.

At the heart of the GEL-NIMBUS™ 29 shoe is the new FF LUXE™ PLUS foam. This lightweight, plush foam technology delivers softness underfoot.

The shoe’s newly shaped sole features a wave pattern on the bottom that allows for extra compression.

PureGEL™ technology is also positioned under the heel to enhance shock absorption and support softer landings.

Comfort extends to the upper, where a new engineered mesh construction balances softness, breathability and structure to create a premium fit. A knitted tongue and ribbed collar wrap the foot, while a pull tab makes the shoe easier to slip on.

Underfoot, the HYBRID ASICSGRIP™ outsole features greater rubber coverage than the previous model, providing reliable grip and durability across a variety of surfaces. The shoe also maintains a lightweight feel, weighing approximately 279g for men and 238g for women.

The GEL-NIMBUS™ 29 shoe has a carbon footprint of 11.4kg CO₂e per pair.

Laura Bolgen, Director of Global Product, Performance Running Footwear, said: “The GEL-NIMBUS™ series has always been synonymous with comfort. For its latest evolution, we focused on creating an even more plush and uplifting experience for runners. By combining our new FF LUXE™ PLUS foam with a newly shaped outsole, PureGEL™ technology and a premium upper, the GEL-NIMBUS™ 29 shoe delivers plush cushioning and lasting comfort to help runners feel supported as the miles add up. We hope this added comfort helps runners go further and experience the positive impact of movement on both body and mind.”

The shoe will be available from December.