The Weekend Recovery: Bostwana Speed and Julien Alfred World Lead

The Weekend Recovery: Bostwana Speed and Julien Alfred World Lead

In a not-so-stacked weekend, these athletes still found a way to deliver.

From a record-breaking run by an 11-year-old to world leads, national records, and one of the fastest relay splits ever recorded,  athletes across all levels pushed the limits.

Here are the top five performances you need to know.

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5. 11-Year Old Breaks World Record in Half Marathon

Not many people can say they've completed a half marathon. Few have done it in around an hour and twenty minutes. Even fewer can say they've run one before turning 12.

Ben Dick can say all of those things. At the IU Health 500 Festival, Ben Dick ran the fastest half marathon ever run by an eleven-year-old. He's not just fast for his age; he's fast, period.

Averaging a 6:07 mile pace for over 13.1 miles, Ben finished in 1:20:14. At only eleven years old, Ben accomplished something that most adults spend their lives chasing, while running the fastest time of someone that age.

The fifth-grader has not yet entered middle school, but be sure to remember the name: Ben Dick.

4. Julien Alfred Opened with a World Lead

Julien Alfred wasted no time making her presence felt in the outdoor season.

In her 2026 debut at the Texas Invite, Alfred clocked a world-leading 21.86 (+0.5) in the 200m, narrowly edging Gabby Thomas’ 21.89 from the previous weekend.

The performance immediately set the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting sprint rivalries of the year.

The two had already shared the Olympic podium in Paris, where Thomas took gold, and Alfred earned silver. With both athletes now sitting No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, their battles this season are only heating up.

And with the Silesia Diamond League Meeting ahead, Alfred will take on a fast 100m. With her speed showing this early in the season, fast races are headed her way.

3. Botswana Closed in on 4x400m World Record

For over three decades, the men’s 4x400m world record (2:54.29) has stood untouched.

The team included Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, and Michael Johnson, who ran a 42.94 split in the record-breaking race.

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games were the closest anyone has come to breaking the record, with Team USA 0.14 seconds off, Botswana 0.24 off, and Great Britain 0.54 behind.

At the 2026 World Relays, the team ran 2:54.47, moving to No. 2 all-time and finishing just 0.18 seconds off the world record set by Team USA in 1993.

The performance was powered by elite splits across the board:

• Lee Bhekempilo Eppie – 44.26
• Letsile Tebogo – 43.50
• Bayapo Ndori – 43.62
• Busang Kebinatshipi – 43.09

2. Luke Schroeder Smashes DIII 110mH Record

Wind can't keep Luke Schroeder from NCAA DIII Records.

During the prelims at the WIAC Outdoor Championships in Wisconsin, Schroeder ran a wind-aided time of 13.32 (+2.2 m/s). He bested a wind-legal second place by 0.92 seconds.

The senior came back the following day to run the exact same time (13.32), in wind legal conditions (+1.3 m/s).

The previous record was set in 2025 by Rowan's Jamir Brown in 13.60m.

Schroeder now sits 0.39 seconds ahead of the current NCAA No. 2. His time would also place him #5 across all divisions for the outdoor season.

1. Lythe Pillay Delivers Historic Relay Split

The coveted 4x400m World Record (2:54.29) is held by the United States team from the 1993 World Championships. One of the greatest sprinters in history was a part of that team - Michael Johnson.

During that world record performance in 1993, Johnson split the fastest 400m time of 42.94, becoming the first person to ever run under 43 seconds for a 400m in any condition.

For 32 years, his performance stood untouched - until this weekend.

At the 2026 World Relays, South Africa's Lythe Pillay took over on top after running 42.66 in the 4x400m final.

The 23-year-old pushed South Africa to a silver medal finish and a new national record of 2:55.07.

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