Everyone on my timeline seems to be either racing or recovering. With most training blocks wrapping up, itโ€™s the perfect time to kick back, relax, absorb some good running content, and maybe even start planning your next race (Iโ€™ve got a fun one for you below!).

Letโ€™s lace up those shoes and get into it โคต๏ธ

๐Ÿ“น Watchlist: Ran To Japan

If you donโ€™t know Jake yet, youโ€™re missing out. This absolute maniac of a Brit is logging insane mileage week after week. He only started posting on YouTube seven months ago, and heโ€™s been growing like crazy ever since.

No surprise thereโ€”Jakeโ€™s real, honest, and ridiculously fun to watch. No fluff, no over-editingโ€”just enough to keep you hooked. Combine that with his wild training regime (weโ€™re talking triples, not just doubles), and youโ€™ve got yourself a must-watch for those moments when you just want to put your feet up and still feel fully immersed in running.

I loved his latest video where he talks about how he plans to train going forward. 280km a week, with recovery days of 40km. Whutโ€ฆ No wonder his motto is โ€œTrain Harder, Not Smarterโ€. Check. It. Out. ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ“ฒ Social Spotlight: Lydia Oldham (@comerunwith.me)

Lydia Oldham has a few ultras under her beltโ€”and now also the FKT (Fastest Known Time) running from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. 5 days and 17 hours. ๐Ÿคฏ

Her self-organized โ€œProjeto Portugalโ€ happened just last week, and it was so fun to follow along on her Instagram (go have a look!). But what Iโ€™m most excited for? The after movie. I know itโ€™s comingโ€”and when it drops, Iโ€™ll be sure to share it here in RunLetters too.

๐Ÿ—“ Events & Races: Venice Marathon (+ Half!)

After seeing the 1.1 million sign-ups for the 2026 London Marathon, I figured this space is perfect for highlighting races you might not have heard ofโ€”but that are just as epic (and still open for registration!).

This year marks the 36th edition of the Venice Marathon. And for those of us who love a good half, thereโ€™s exciting news: theyโ€™re hosting the very first half marathon on the same day! ๐Ÿฅณ The entry fee is โ‚ฌ50 until June 30, but thatโ€™s the second waveโ€”so donโ€™t wait too long because prices will keep climbing.

The route? Pancake-flatโ€”perfect if youโ€™re chasing a PB or just want a smooth, scenic cruise. Add in running through Venice, carb loading in the country of pizza and pasta, a dose of culture, and (hopefully) perfect fall weatherโ€ฆ sounds pretty good, right? Iโ€™m seriously considering signing upโ€ฆ who else?

๐ŸŽฝ Gear & Gadgets: FlipBelt?

The FlipBeltโ€™s been around forever, and is probably one of the most recommended running accessories. And yetโ€ฆ I only discovered the brand itself this week.

Iโ€™ve got a belt already, but itโ€™s bulky and slides around, so I usually ditch it for a vest or just run with my watch. But since Iโ€™m thinking about switching to a watch with better battery life (yesโ€ฆ Iโ€™ve got an Apple Watch), Iโ€™d need an easy way to carry my phone againโ€”for podcasts and audiobooks.

Enter: FlipBelt. Sleek, simple, and with colors thatโ€™ll match any outfit. Seems like a win.

โœจ Wild Card: 45 London Marathons (!!!)

Running the London Marathon is a dream for many. And as youโ€™ve probably seen, the numbers are wildโ€”1.1 million people applied for the 2026 edition. Thatโ€™s insane.

Now imagine youโ€™d run every single one since it began. Thatโ€™s Malcolm Speake. Heโ€™s part of a group called the Ever Presentsโ€”a band of runners whoโ€™ve done every London Marathon since the very first in 1981. The group started with 42 people. Itโ€™s now down to just six (five of whom finished the live race this year, and one who did the virtual).

Malcolmโ€™s not the only one still going, but he was the oldest of the group this year. He finished in 9 hours and 14 minutes. Not an easy featโ€”but he did it. Pretty wild, right? Forty-five London Marathons. Not many can say that.

๐Ÿ Time For A Run

Thatโ€™s it for the very first edition of RunLettersโ€”I hope you liked it! Let me know what you want more of in the poll down below.

Recommended for you