Peres Jepchirchir provisionally suspended after EPO finding

An EPO finding before Peres Jepchirchir’s Sydney Marathon victory put a major race result under scrutiny, while faster-than-record performances in Valencia did not replace the US or European records. Fitness technology updates expanded automatic workout detection and route planning.

Key developments

Jepchirchir provisionally suspended

Peres Jepchirchir was provisionally suspended following an EPO finding in an out-of-competition sample collected before her Sydney Marathon victory.

Her Sydney victory is now under scrutiny while the doping case remains unresolved.

Oct 23 · Runner's World

Valencia times do not replace records

Yaseen Abdalla ran 59:12, faster than Conner Mantz’s 59:17 US record, but does not become the record holder. A Spanish runner’s 58:03 counts as a Spanish record but not a European record, leaving Andreas Almgren’s 58:06 as the European mark.

The US and European benchmarks remain unchanged despite faster performances in Valencia.

Oct 25 · letsrun.com

Automatic tracking reaches 100 activities

Google Health app 5.11 expands automatic activity detection from 10 to 100 activities on Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5. Fitbit Air users with Premium also gain blood pressure and insulin resistance trends.

Supported devices can log more types of workouts automatically, while the new health trends are restricted to Fitbit Air Premium users.

Oct 24 · the5krunner

Oura seeks Ring Pro sales block

Oura filed a new patent complaint in Texas seeking to block US sales of Ultrahuman’s redesigned Ring Pro. Ultrahuman says sales continue and it will contest the complaint, citing a March 2026 customs ruling.

Future US availability of Ring Pro is in question, although buyers can still purchase it according to Ultrahuman.

Oct 23 · the5krunner · the5krunner

Strava expands route planning

Strava announced improved route search and an expanded route inventory as part of its mapping updates. Turn-by-turn audio is listed as coming soon.

Runners have more routes to search when planning outings, with spoken navigation still pending.

Oct 22 · The latest news, events and product upda

Also this week

Doping cases

• Ruti Aga, the 2019 Tokyo Marathon winner with six World Marathon Majors podium finishes, attributed a positive doping test to a prescription whose author was not a doctor. Runner's World

Running shoes

• A review describes the Mizuno Wave Rider 30 as a comfortable, versatile daily trainer, especially for newer runners seeking cushioning and support rather than a rigid or aggressive ride. Runner's World

• The Nike Alphafly 4 received a positive review describing it as an improvement. Believe in the Run

Training technology

• Garmin Connect IQ SDK 9.3 gives third-party watch apps microphone recording and speaker playback, with recording requiring new permissions and restricted to the foreground. the5krunner

• A running-power guide attributes Garmin readings roughly 30% above Stryd’s to Garmin counting mechanical work and notes that Garmin’s wind input comes from a forecast. the5krunner

• Klemy Treadmill, which takes distance from the treadmill belt, showed 1% distance error in its developer’s one-hour test versus a watch-only over-read of 1.2 km, or 16%; the test was not independent. the5krunner

What to watch

• Watch for Strava’s turn-by-turn audio release, listed as coming soon.

• Watch for the outcome of Jepchirchir’s doping case and whether it affects her Sydney Marathon victory.

• Watch for a decision on Oura’s request to block US Ring Pro sales; decision timing has not been announced for either legal or doping case.