The 2026 outdoor track season was remarkable, with six world records set. U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles set the 150m world record. Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi broke the 1,000m record. Josh Kerr of Great Britain shattered the mile record. Ja’Kobe Tharp set a new 110m hurdles record. Alison Dos Santos lowered the 400m hurdles record. Masai Russell set a new 100m hurdles record.

The season saw younger runners perform exceptionally well, leading to the term 'trackflation'. The excitement continued into the marathon season, with Tigst Assefa setting a new course record at the Berlin Marathon. Upcoming marathons include the Chicago Marathon and the TCS Waterfront Marathon. Star-studded fields are expected in these races. Read more gear coverage.

The season's success was partly due to the Ultimate Championships, which offered a $10 million prize purse. Despite some issues, it provided exciting matchups. The Gold and Diamond League meetings also featured top talent, making the season highly competitive. Related: Marathon Season Kicks Off with Major Brand Releases.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Canadian Running. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.