Why 2023 Was the Greatest Season the Sport Has Ever Seen

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The 2023 running season will be remembered as a masterclass in human potential and passion. From world record-shattering performances to community-driven race days, it had everything. Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 marathon in Chicago wasn’t just historic—it redefined what was possible on two legs. Sifan Hassan stunned the world with her triple-medal haul at the World Championships, despite a dramatic fall earlier in the year at the London Marathon. The return of crowds and the energy they brought made every event feel like a global celebration. Eliud Kipchoge may have passed the crown, but his legacy echoed through every elite start line. From Tokyo to New York, the season was a symphony of speed, grit, and evolution. Running wasn't just back—it had evolved into something even more magnificent.

The Boston Marathon served up a thrilling duel in April, with Evans Chebet defending his title in masterful fashion. Hellen Obiri’s late surge gave her the women’s crown, showing her seamless transition from track to road. The elite fields were deep, but the spirit of the day came from every runner crossing the finish in memory, tribute, or defiance. Gabriel Geay and Benson Kipruto made the men’s race one of the most competitive in recent years. The atmosphere felt electric—streets packed, flags waving, cheers vibrating through Back Bay. Even those watching from home could feel the legacy of Boston coming alive again. It was a perfect storm of tradition and progress, with top-tier performances and heartfelt stories intertwined. Few marathons capture emotion and excellence the way Boston did in 2023.

Trail running entered the mainstream spotlight like never before, largely thanks to athletes like Courtney Dauwalter. She completed an unprecedented triple crown—winning Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB in one season. Each race was a masterclass in endurance, determination, and sheer love for the sport. The UTMB in Chamonix felt more like a festival than a race, with Dauwalter’s win anchoring a season full of trail magic. Jim Walmsley finally broke through for a historic win at UTMB, silencing critics and fulfilling a years-long dream. Ragna Debats and Katie Schide kept the women’s competition fierce, while local heroes emerged across every leg of the global trail calendar. From fog-choked ridgelines to sunlit descents, the trails echoed with stories of perseverance. 2023 proved that trail running could inspire as powerfully as the roads or track.

On the track, the World Athletics Championships in Budapest delivered moment after unforgettable moment. Faith Kipyegon cemented her place in history by breaking both the 1500m and 5000m world records earlier in the year, then winning both events at Worlds. Jakob Ingebrigtsen remained a middle-distance force, while Josh Kerr’s tactical brilliance earned him 1500m gold in a dramatic upset. Sha’Carri Richardson lit up the sprints, showing the world she was not just back but better than ever. Noah Lyles completed a sprint double, capturing 100m and 200m golds with the confidence of a showman and the precision of a champion. The distance races, though, had unmatched drama—many ending in photo finishes that stunned the crowd. Letesenbet Gidey and Gudaf Tsegay kept Ethiopian dominance alive on the women’s side. Track and field wasn’t just thrilling—it felt iconic again.

Technology helped make 2023 special, but it never overshadowed the human stories behind each stride. Kipchoge’s influence remained through his advocacy for smart training, even as Kiptum’s new world record signaled a shift in dominance. Carbon-plated shoes from Nike, Adidas, and Asics became standard, but it was still up to the runner to do the work. GPS watches, AI training logs, and recovery gear elevated performance across all levels. Still, the magic was in the miles—the early morning runs, the shared pain, the finish line smiles. Community-run apps and real-time tracking added to the experience, making every race feel global. But the heart of running never changed: it’s still one foot in front of the other, chasing something bigger than time. And in 2023, that something was everywhere.

The marathon majors gave fans a season of unforgettable storylines. In Berlin, Tigst Assefa stunned the world by smashing the women's marathon world record in 2:11:53, a time once unthinkable. Kiptum’s Chicago race brought tears and awe in equal measure—he ran with a mix of confidence and grace that made history feel inevitable. In London, Sifan Hassan’s first marathon turned into a narrative miracle, as she overcame injury and mid-race chaos to win. Tamirat Tola’s triumph in New York rounded out the year with a masterclass in patience and pacing. Tokyo delivered its signature blend of elegance and efficiency, with Deso Gelmisa taking the men’s title and Rosemary Wanjiru winning for the women. These races weren’t just fast—they were rich with personality, drama, and unforgettable performances. The majors became more than events; they became modern epics of human endurance. Each finish line became a story that would be retold for years.

Grassroots events and local legends made 2023 a year of inclusion as much as excellence. Keira D’Amato inspired countless runners with her relentless spirit and appearances across varied distances. At the community level, Parkrun records were broken, and volunteer signups hit all-time highs. Young athletes, especially girls, cited seeing Kipyegon and Obiri on TV as the reason they joined their school teams. Trail legend Harvey Lewis returned for another Backyard Ultra, showing that passion and persistence go hand in hand. Wheelchair athletes like Marcel Hug dominated the majors, blazing trails and setting records with quiet brilliance. Organizations like Black Girls RUN! and The Speed Project expanded reach, proving running is for everyone. Adaptive and inclusive events drew attention, and not just in token ways—they were celebrated, elevated, and integrated. Running’s door was thrown wide open in 2023, and more people walked—or ran—through than ever before.

Media coverage brought this remarkable season even closer to the public eye. Films and documentaries about runners like Eliud Kipchoge and Courtney Dauwalter received critical acclaim. Social media feeds were full of athletes like Athing Mu and Jakob Ingebrigtsen sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on and off the track. The Boston Globe, Runner’s World, and countless blogs gave spotlight to everyday runners doing extraordinary things. Instagram Reels captured triumphant sprints and gritty recoveries, showing that running isn’t always beautiful—but it’s always real. Podcast audiences grew exponentially, with shows like The Morning Shakeout and Ali on the Run leading the narrative. Even non-runners tuned in, swept up in the stories of resilience, heartbreak, and comeback. Suddenly, finish lines were being watched like goalposts or buzzer-beaters. The 2023 season lived not just on roads and tracks—but in hearts, headphones, and headlines worldwide.

The emotional core of 2023 came from its global spirit of unity and strength. After years of cancellations and hesitation, runners from across borders and backgrounds laced up with renewed purpose. East Africans continued to dominate, but new faces from South America, Europe, and Asia rose to prominence. Marathons became peace runs, protest platforms, and fundraisers for causes close to home. You saw names like Nazret Weldu from Eritrea holding her national flag with pride, and local heroes like Emma Bates battling elites with fearless energy. Race photos showed hugs between competitors, spontaneous cheers for the last finishers, and thousands smiling through the struggle. It wasn’t just about medals anymore—it was about meaning. This was a year when running truly reflected the human condition. And in that reflection, we saw something deeply hopeful.

As the final races wrapped, the legacy of 2023 began to crystallize. No season before had produced such consistent excellence across all distances, genders, and terrains. Fans looked ahead with excitement but also nostalgia, knowing they’d just witnessed something rare. The records will be logged, the trophies shelved, but the feelings—that magic of watching Kiptum fly or Kipyegon glide—will last far longer. Newcomers joined the sport in droves, inspired by athletes who looked, spoke, and ran like them. Coaches spoke of a "perfect storm" season, where talent, opportunity, and spirit aligned. It wasn’t just the greatest season because of the times or medals—it was the humanity in every stride. And when people look back, 2023 will be the year that made running legendary again.