For the primary time, Time launched a listing of the 100 most influential individuals in sports activities, recognizing athletes, coaches, advocates and traders who’ve formed the trade in 2026. The checklist consists of distinguished names, corresponding to NBA star Lebron James, although we have been shocked by the absence of a few of operating’s most influential athletes.
The girl who beat all the boys
In Could 2026, American ultrarunning famous person Rachel Entrekin made historical past on the Cococona 250 in Arizona, crossing the road in a brand new course document of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 28 seconds. She didn’t make Time’s checklist, however she did change into the primary lady to win the race outright. Entrekin competed towards a stacked discipline, together with among the world’s finest ultrarunners, corresponding to Courtney Dauwalter and Joe McConaughy.
Whereas path operating receives much less mainstream consideration than another sports activities, Entrekin’s victory drew widespread consideration and marked a major milestone in ultrarunning and ladies’s athletics.
The GOAT
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, well known as the best marathoner of all time, was additionally absent from the checklist. Though he retired in 2025, his affect has continued to unfold as he works to advertise operating globally. After retiring, Kipchoge introduced his plan to run seven marathons throughout seven continents in two years, dubbed the World Marathon Tour.
Kipchoge began his world tour on the Sanlam Cape City Marathon in Could, endorsing the race’s bid to change into an Abbott World Marathon Main (AWMM), which might make it the primary main held in Africa.
“To begin this World Tour in Cape City could be very particular,” Kipchoge mentioned in a press launch. “It’s about celebrating the energy of African operating and provoking the following technology. To race my first ever marathon on the African continent holds deep which means for me.”
How might you overlook him?
Olympic dash champion Noah Lyles was not on this checklist, though he was acknowledged within the annual TIME100 Most Influential Individuals 2026. Occasions praised him not just for his dominance on the observe, but additionally for his affect in elevating psychological well being consciousness. Regardless of being acknowledged as one of the vital influential individuals on the planet, Lyles was not listed among the many most influential individuals in sports activities for 2026. Alongside together with his 100m Olympic gold, Lyles is an eight-time world champion with numerous podium finishes and has already secured one Diamond League win to start out the 2026 season.
Those who made it
The omission of a number of distinguished runners doesn’t diminish the accomplishments of those that have been acknowledged.
American 1,500m specialist Nikki Hiltz was named within the “Icon” class for athletic accomplishment and advocacy. They made historical past in 2024 as the primary brazenly transgender and non-binary athlete to compete in a person Olympic observe remaining, ending seventh within the ladies’s 1,500m in Paris. Hiltz has additionally been outspoken about restrictions on trans ladies in sports activities and is seen as a job mannequin within the LGBTQ+ group.
Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis was additionally listed as an icon. Probably the most recognizable figures within the observe group, Duplantis is understood for consistently breaking his personal world document and dominating pole vault competitions. Additionally extensively recognized off the observe, he launched a singing profession in 2025 and shaped a celeb duo together with his spouse, mannequin and influencer Desiré Inglander.
Acknowledged as an innovator, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe additionally cracked the highest 100. On the London Marathon in April, he grew to become a family title after crossing the end line in 1:59:30. Sawe is the primary athlete to run below two hours in a record-eligible marathon, an accomplishment extensively regarded as redefining the bounds of human potential.
Mid-distance legend Religion Kipyegon of Kenya was featured within the “Chief” class. The three-time 1,500m Olympic champion added a fourth world title in 2025 and drew international consideration when she tried to change into the primary lady to interrupt 4 minutes within the mile. Though she fell wanting the mark, Kipyegon nonetheless holds the mile world document of 4:07.64 and returns to the race distance on the Prefontaine Basic on July 4.