In this week’s women’s triathlon news and sports updates, we’re inspired by a 62 year old marathon time, ride virtually with a pro and celebrate new media for women’s cycling.
Rouleur Magazine Launches First Issue Dedicated to Women’s Cycling
Rouleur, a rather beautiful cycling journal published in the UK, has taken a firm step forward. This month they release the first issue dedicated solely to women’s cycling with a female journalist as guest editor. Yes, we agree it would have been nice if this had happened err, ten years ago. But, it has happened now, so let’s honor that!
So sought after is this edition, it’s already SOLD OUT, so they’ve quickly gone back to press to print more. You can preorder the new printing here when available.
Leading sports broadcaster and journalist Orla Chennaoui takes the reins as guest editor. This landmark edition celebrates what it is to be a woman in modern cycling. Read Orla’s Editor’s letter here and the story behind the cover here. It’s led by Orla’s compelling, wide-ranging chat with doyennes Lizzie Deignan, Fran Millar and Monica Santini.
They discuss their experiences good and bad in the industry, juggling careers, share advice for younger readers and ideas for change. There is nothing to complain about here, except the current availability!
Ride on ladies, ride on.
62-year-old Mariko Yugeta Runs a 2:52:13 Marathon
62 years old and a 2:52:13 marathon time. Just let that sink in for a little bit!
Japan’s Mariko Yugeta, 62, already held the 60+ marathon record. But at January’s Osaka Women’s Marathon, she shaved 4:41 off her lifetime best. With that she ran an even more incredible 2:52:13. Yugeta’s progression has been impressive, reports Alison Wade in the FastWomen Newsletter.
In November 2019, she became the first woman over 60 to break 3:00 in the marathon, running 2:59:15 at the Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon. Thirty-five days later, she broke her own record and set a lifetime best at the Saitama International Marathon, running 2:56:54.
Ride With Pro Triathlete Meredith Kessler
Hop on Zwift this month and you can spend 90 mins every Saturday with pro-triathlete Meredith Kessler. Each week she’s leading a morning ride as she heads to her first race IRL of the season in Miami.
She’s sharing her favorite cycling training sessions along the way. And heck, we all have something we can learn from someone who’s done 60 full IRONMAN races. That number alone blows our minds.
Meredith has been on the POPPYsports radar since we first heard her speak at the Outspoken: Women in Triathlon Summit. She is bold, she is smart, she is strong, she is on task, she is a mother and she is working her tail off. If you’re a Zwifter, take your avatar to meet Meredith this month.
18-year-old Keely Hodgkinson runs a 1:59.03 800m
Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, 18, ran 1:59.03 in Vienna last month. This shaved exactly two seconds off Meskerem Legesse’s record, set back in 2004.
In just this one race, Hodgkinson, who already held the European U20 record, went from being an age-group star to becoming a serious contender for a spot on Great Britain’s Olympic team. You can read more about Hodgkinson’s race here and watch her finish here. (Results)
