Katharine Merry praises athletes like Lieke Klaver, who ran 400m under 50 seconds eight times in 2026. Despite her achievements, Klaver often remains in the shadows.

Merry also mentions Jereem Richards, who has a long career in 200m and 400m. His smooth style and consistent performance make him a standout, yet he often goes unnoticed. Read more racing coverage.

Mark English and Brittney Reese are other examples. English won the European 800m title, while Reese is a seven-time world champion in long jump. Both athletes have faced underappreciation. Related: Former European Champion Ciara Mageean Dies at 34.

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