A 5°C increase in effective heat combining temperature and humidity had no measurable impact over 5K but a 2% impact in the marathon. Heat tax is real; know more at #GeeksOnFeet
Depth drops help runners develop eccentric strength and landing control; know more at #WoW
Boston Marathon to randomly accept 1,000 qualifiers who miss cut-off; this and more at RunSHORTs
Whether you are new to running or a pro runner. #RunStrong training plan serves you just right.
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4 days - that’s all it took to fill the Delhi Half registrations! Is the running community actually growing this fast, or is it something else? What do you think is the reason? #geekspoll
Answer Live Poll Here.
The results of last week’s poll on how strength training helped runners are now out.
Depth drops help runners develop eccentric strength and landing control, improving the ability to absorb ground forces efficiently. They also train proprioception, stability, and neuromuscular control, contributing to better running mechanics.
How to do it:
Stand on a box (around 20–40 cm high) with your feet hip-width apart.
Step off the box and land softly (dont jump) on both feet with your knees and hips slightly bent.
Keep your knees aligned with your toes, control the landing, and stabilize your position before repeating the workout.
Start with 2–3 sets of 4–6 repetitions, focusing on a quiet, controlled landing.
How much does a warmer race morning affect your finish time?
For the first time, this has been studied using real data from Indian races. The analysis covered more than 4.2 million results and 199,285 comparisons where the same runner raced the same distance under cooler and warmer conditions.
A 5°C increase in effective heat, which combines temperature and humidity, had no measurable impact over 5K. Runners slowed by about 1.2% over 10K, 2.9% in the half marathon and 2% in the marathon.
For a two-hour half marathoner, that could mean roughly three additional minutes. A 4:30 marathoner could lose around six minutes.
The effect varies with fitness, pacing, and season, but the larger finding is clear: the longer the race, the greater the heat tax.
Read the full analysis on Geeks on Feet
Personalised training plans designed to make your run efficient, pacier, and get you race-ready. Whether you’re chasing a PB or training for your first race, we’ve got your plan and support!
Access the plans now at https://runstrong.geeksonfeet.com/training-plans/
If you are new to running or a pro runner. This one is for you. The training plan offers:
Personalised mileage and flexibility with training days per week
Pace calculator
Strength training, supported by workout videos
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In memory of Girish Bindra: The Coach of Coaches
The Indian Running community lost one of its finest mentors with the passing of Shri Girish Ramavtar Bindra (1973-2026), fondly known as Coach Girish in the Mumbai circle. More than a coach, Girish inspired countless runners, definitely in thousands, me included. What made him so loved in the community wasn’t just his passion and love for running, but his own remarkable transformation. Battling health issues and being overweight in his early 30s, his journey to completely changing his lifestyle showed all of us that it’s never too late. From his first 10K in 2008, to his first half marathon in 2009, to 4 Comrades and 24H/48H stadium runs, he didn’t just teach endurance; he lived it. A transport businessman by day, his name was synonymous with Asics Run Club Mumbai Head Coach - and this is where I was introduced to him. One thing that stood apart was his approachable nature - I’ll admit, this is not something I had experienced otherwise. I learnt the concept of strides, thanks to training with him, as we were clocking smart mileage, week after week, before the pandemic hit, putting me in a shape to mentor others. Indeed the OG Coach of all the new-age coaches in Mumbai.
We carry a treasure of miles and memories with him, and we are not alone. Though we have lost a remarkable coach, Coach Girish’s legacy will run forever. We will keep running, and in every mile, his spirit will be right there with us. Thank you, Coach. You’ll be dearly missed.
By Karthik Nadar
Boston Marathon to randomly accept 1,000 qualifiers who miss cut-off
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced a new additional selection pathway for the 131st edition of the event, designed to reward runners who achieve a Boston qualifier but whose time is not faster than the cut-off. Roughly 1,000 athletes will be selected at random for entry via this route; the total number of official race entrants will remain capped at 30,000. The 2027 Boston Marathon is set for Monday, April 19, 2027. The registration window will be open Sept. 14 to 18. Qualifiers who do not hit the cut-off time for their age group and gender will automatically be eligible for the Boston qualifier selection; no additional application is required. All applicants can expect to be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance by early October. Another novel process will be used at this year’s registration: time index adjustments will be applied to any qualifying times submitted that were run at courses with net elevation drop greater than 457.2 metres (1,500 feet). Read more here
Gulveer Singh makes history with CWG silver medal in 10000m
At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Indian long-distance runner Gulveer Singh created history by winning the silver medal in the men’s 10,000m, becoming the first Indian ever to medal in this event at the Commonwealth Games. Competing in persistent rain, Gulveer stayed with the leaders throughout the 25-lap race before producing a powerful finishing kick to clock 27:49.78, narrowly behind Australia’s Ky Robinson (27:48.93). David Mullarkey of the Isle of Man took bronze. The result also marked the first time since 1986 that no African athlete finished in the top three of the men’s 10,000m.
The silver continues Gulveer’s remarkable rise, following his 2023 Asian Games bronze and multiple national-record performances, including his current Indian record of 27:00.22. Read more here.
Race Calendar
Search and find races using our Race Finder at geeksonfeet.com/races.
Training more can make you eat more. This “compensation effect” is normal: after exercise volume or intensity rises, appetite often rises too. The answer is not to fight hunger or underfuel recovery. It is to separate genuine physical hunger from eating triggered by habit, boredom or temptation.
Eat when you notice clear signs such as an empty stomach, weakness or persistent hunger. Make satisfying choices easy: keep fruit, yoghurt and protein-rich snacks handy, while keeping calorie-dense treats less visible. Water, soup or salad before a meal can help if you tend to overserve yourself. Smaller plates can also reset portions.
Plan for predictable temptations: “If I want second portions, I’ll wait ten minutes first.” No screens while eating, so you notice fullness, and avoid buffet-style meals with endless variety.
Most importantly, do not use these tactics to ignore real post-run hunger. Fuel key sessions properly; manage the mindless extras around them.
Tata Mumbai Marathon entry fees of ₹5,000 have caused uproar in Indian running circles. This triggered two thoughts in my mind.
First: How have the Mumbai Marathon entry fees changed over the years?
The entry fee for the inaugural Mumbai Marathon in 2004 was just ₹50!
A brief history of entry fees in the Mumbai Marathon
2004: ₹50
2009: ₹300 (6× increase over five years)
2010: ₹500
2025–2026: ₹3,400
2027: ₹5,000
Second: How does the entry fees compare with other flagship or World Athletics Label races in Asia?
TMM is one of Asia’s premier marathons and a Gold-label race. When we compare TMM with other equivalent races in Asia, the entry fees remain lower than most (price comparison is for non-local marathon entry fees).
Contributors to this edition: Aditi Pandya, Karthik Nadar, RameshBabu PV, & Aravind Yarra
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