Oscar Pistorius is a big story right now. Born without fibulas, Pistorius runs on carbon-fiber blades that are called Cheetahs. Thanks to South Africa, he will now have the opportunity to compete in the 2012 London Olympics in the 400 meter dash.

Pistorius Will Be on South Africa’s Olympic Team - NYTimes.com
Oscar Pistorius has been selected for South Africa’s track team for the London Games and will run in the individual 400 meters. He will be the first amputee to compete in Olympic track events.

Not everyone is happy about this development, however: there are those who claim his disability allows him an unfair advantage.

Pistorius: a hero, yes, but not an Olympian | Mick Hume | spiked
Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee athlete who runs on prosthetic carbon fibre blades, should be given every word of praise going and celebrated as an outstanding example of human resilience and prowess. The one thing he should not be given, however, is the chance to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Here's some other news and notes from around running.

Running: Orland Park man completes marathons in all 50 states - Aurora Beacon News
He’s run everywhere, man. Three days before turning 51, Orland Park’s Michael Stluka competed in a marathon in Kona, Hawaii. By crossing the finish line there June 24, Stluka completed a dream that started in 2003 of completing a marathon in all 50 states.

Bookkeeper mom on pace to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks - thestar.com
Raising money for pancreatic cancer, ‘Marathon Goddess’ set to run No. 30 in Toronto in the fall.