We Speak Track And Field
South Florida Track and Field Welcomes a 31-Athlete Recruiting Class
South Florida didn’t just sign a recruiting class — it signed a roster. Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Erik Jenkins announced a 31-athlete 2026 signing class for the Bulls: 18 transfers and 13 freshmen.
The credentials are heavy. The class includes nine NCAA or NJCAA All-Americans, and seven signees have represented their country in international competition. Its reach is just as broad: 14 athletes arrive from outside Florida, 11 from other countries, and six are native Floridians staying home in Tampa.
Jenkins says the class “brings championship experience, depth across event groups on both our men’s and women’s teams.” Thirty-one athletes at once is a statement — the Bulls are building to contend everywhere, immediately.
We Speak Track And Field
Yehualaw Returns in Valencia as Kwizera Chases Spanish History
Yalemzerf Yehualaw returns from maternity leave in Valencia on Oct. 25, Rodrigue Kwizera chases a first Spanish win, and Kenenisa Bekele is also on the start list.
The Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 25 brings together a returning superstar, a man chasing national history, and one of the greatest distance runners of all time.
Yalemzerf Yehualaw headlines the women’s race in her return from maternity leave. The Ethiopian last raced at the Boston Marathon in April 2025, finishing third in 2:18:06, and her half marathon personal best of 1:03:51 — run on this course in 2021 — makes her the fastest woman in the field. She faces Lisbon champion Tsigie Gebreselama, world road running silver medallist Veronica Loleo and Ftaw Zeray on a course famous for fast times.
The men’s race could produce a first. Rodrigue Kwizera owns the fastest personal best in the field at 58:16, set in Prague earlier this year, and after receiving Spanish citizenship in 2026 he is chasing both the first Spanish men’s victory in Valencia and the Spanish record of 59:39. His training partner Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Andrea Kiptoo, Owen Kapkama, Daniel Ebenyo and 2018 winner Jemal Yimer are all in the field — along with Kenenisa Bekele, the three-time Olympic champion whose appearance alone will draw a crowd.
Britain’s Ben Connor, Charlie Wheeler and Samantha Harrison also feature. The course records — Yomif Kejelcha’s 57:30 and Letesenbet Gidey’s 1:02:52 — were both world records when set, which tells you everything about Valencia’s speed.
Photo: Canadian Running
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