LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field

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EPISODE SUMMARY

The 2026 Chicago Marathon delivered blockbuster storylines. Vinny Mauri was on American record pace in just his second marathon, nearly 2:03 pace before hamstring cramps slowed him to 2:06:45 and 10th place. Clayton Young, running on a torn hamstring, finished as top American in 2:05:23 — the second-fastest US time ever. Amos Kipruto won the men's race in 2:01 as Jacob Kiplimo faltered, and Hawi Feysa repeated as women's champion in 2:13:33. Galen Rupp ran 2:06:55 at age 40, while Adidas's new super shoe dominated once again, sweeping all six major marathon titles this fall. The crew also breaks down the Nuttycombe Invitational and the escalating debate over foreign runners dominating NCAA cross country.

SUPPORTERS CLUB MESSAGE

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LINKS

Robert Johnson's Week That Was: Chicago Marathon Winners and Losers

Jonathan Gault's Chicago Marathon Men's Race Recap

25 Years Ago, I "Paced" Catherine Ndereba to a World Record in Chicago - Until She Broke Me - LetsRun.com

Mario Garcia Romo Leaves OAC (LetsRun Forum)

Congratulations NCAA Coaches, You Killed the Sport (LetsRun Forum)

I'd Rather Have Vinny's Race Than Clayton's (LetsRun Forum)

Patrick McEnroe Tweet on Foreign Players in NCAA Tennis

BetterRunningShoes.com

VKTRY Carbon Fiber Insoles — 90-Day Risk-Free Trial

LetsRun.com Forum

LetsRun.com Forum: College Running

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Chicago Marathon Recap & Intro

02:22 Vinny Mauri's Bold Run & Training Method

09:44 America's Best Marathoner: Mauri, Hicks or Young?

16:33 Adidas Super Shoes & Amos Kipruto

21:33 Gemedu Dedefo's Dominant Training Group

24:03 Hawi Feysa Wins Chicago Again

27:53 Mauri's 15K Gamble & Pacing Debate

34:44 Robert's Ndereba Pacing Story

40:51 Mauri's Fearlessness & The US Marathon Gap

46:32 Can Americans Compete in Fast Marathons?

50:02 Galen Rupp Runs 2:06 at Age 40

52:14 Rupp's Olympic Trials Outlook

54:44 CJ Albertson & Shoe Technology

59:35 Adidas vs Nike: The Shoe War

65:40 Emma Grace Hurley & Broadcast Criticism

71:23 Fixing Marathon Broadcasts

78:13 Nuttycombe Invitational & NCAA Foreign Runners

82:53 The Foreign Runner Debate

88:24 NIL, Pro Contracts & Eligibility Rules

93:49 Transfers, Age Limits & Education

96:57 Mario Garcia Romo's Journey Home

101:37 Defending Dathan Ritzenhein

105:58 Patrick Cullen's Chicago Attempt & Wrap-Up

111:35 Let's Run Blazers & Sign-Off

CONTACT

Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running.

The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

Email: podcast@letsrun.com
Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

The 2026 Chicago Marathon is stacked with storylines. On the men's side, Vinny Mauri, a former shoe store employee who ran 2:05 alone at Toledo, has gone viral for jaw-dropping treadmill workouts at Planet Fitness, fueling American record hopes. Rojo sparks heated debate by arguing the US has zero legitimate marathon title contenders despite record depth. The women's field is historically loaded with 12 sub-2:20 runners, led by former world record holder Brigid Kosgei and two-time Boston winner Sharon Lokedi, who's running her first flat marathon. The crew also breaks down Jacob Kiplimo's chances, weather concerns that could derail fast times, and whether super shoes benefit women more than men.

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LINKS

How Fast Can Strava Legend Vinny Mauri Run at the Chicago Marathon? (LetsRun.com)

BetterRunningShoes.com

LetsRun.com Supporters Club

LetsRun.com Homepage

Fast Women by Alison Wade (Substack)

Message Board Thread: Women's vs Men's Marathon World Record Gap

LetsRun.com YouTube Channel

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Chicago Marathon Week

02:26 Chicago Storylines and Favorites

05:59 Women's Race Preview

09:28 Weather and Race Conditions

14:49 Emma Grace Hurley's Marathon Debut

18:50 Rojo's Hot Take on US Marathoners

24:31 American Marathon Depth Debate

31:40 Olympic Marathon History and US Prospects

36:13 John Kellogg Analyzes Mauri's Training

41:30 Mauri's Training: Can It Translate?

44:00 The American Record Quest

49:53 Kiplimo and the Elite Men's Field

54:00 Women's World Record and Super Shoes

59:20 Looking Ahead to Chicago Weekend

CONTACT

Contact us:

Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running.

The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

Tigst Assefa was on world record pace at the Berlin Marathon before an Achilles injury derailed her final two kilometers. She still limped home in 2:11:04, the third-fastest women's marathon ever, and underwent surgery within hours.

Would Assefa broken Ruth Chepngetich's drug-tainted 2:09:56 world record? Is the new Adidas shoe the new "mechanical doping"?

In the NCAA, New Mexico upset number-one Oklahoma State at the Cowboy Jamboree behind 27-year-old freshman Pasanjo Kitonga while BYU's Jane Hedengren suffered a rare defeat. Is is a sophomore slump?

Josh Kerr released footage of a 2:12.66 1,000-meter time trial that would rank fifth all-time, fueling further argument about whether this was the greatest mile season in history.

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content: Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

LINKS

LetsRun.com Week That Was

Josh Kerr 1,000m Time Trial (YouTube)

Blueberry Study — International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

Mile WR vs Marathon WR

LetsRun.com Forum — letsrun.com/forum

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro and Episode Preview

03:22 Berlin Marathon: Assefa's Heartbreaking World Record Attempt

10:26 Is the Women's Marathon World Record Legitimate?

13:23 Could Assefa Have Run 2:09 Clean?

19:09 The Adidas Super Shoe Advantage

19:58 Berlin Men's Race: Guye Adola Wins at 35

23:13 Berlin Pacing Strategy Debate

25:21 Selemon Barega's Marathon Future vs. Cheptegei

32:52 Are Adidas Shoes the New Mechanical Doping?

34:08 NCAA Cross Country: New Mexico Upsets Oklahoma State

36:54 International Runners and the NCAA Debate

39:08 Jane Hedengren Loses at Cowboy Jamboree

47:21 Is Jane Hedengren's Sophomore Slump Real?

51:42 Doping, Paula Radcliffe, and the 2:15 Debate

54:41 I Think Jane, in Terms of Racing, Should Learn to Relax

55:14 Mile vs. Marathon: Which World Record Is Better?

60:07 Josh Kerr's 1,000-Meter Time Trial Breakdown

63:40 Can Josh Kerr Run 1:42 for 800 Meters?

69:07 El Guerrouj Never Ran the 800 and Other Mysteries

75:27 Kerr's Brooks Deal, Blueberry Doping, and Podcast Tangents

79:30 Thailand's Sprint Sensation and Asian Games Language Drama

82:47 America's Sports Silo Problem

86:42 Fix the Marathon Broadcast and Closing Thoughts

Contact us:

Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running.

The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

Emma Grace Hurley joins the podcast after the race of her life: a 66:23 half marathon PB at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, good for fifth place and a historic team silver medal for the US women. She breaks down her race strategy, the chaotic Atlanta trials where she was led off course in the final mile, and why she chose the half marathon over the 5K.

With her Chicago Marathon debut just two and a half weeks away, Hurley opens up about her sub-2:20 fitness, carb fueling strategy with Never Second, and the unconventional path that took her from an unremarkable college career at Furman, where she never qualified for NCAAs in track, to becoming the #3 American half marathoner of all time.

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content. 50% Off 1st year with code GOAT50

Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

https://www.letsrun.com/subscribeWant a better running shoe? Check out BetterRunningshoes.comhttps://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

https://www.letsrun.com/subscribeTIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome & Copenhagen World Half Marathon Recap

04:42 Chasing A Medal & Team Silver In Copenhagen

08:56 The Atlanta Trials Controversy & Road To Copenhagen

14:11 Balancing Copenhagen & Chicago Marathon Buildup

17:16 Time Goals & The Sub-2:20 Question

21:33 Marathon Training Surprises & Carb Fueling

28:11 From Furman To IT Job To Pro Running

34:04 Finding Her Niche On The Roads

37:00 Following Coaches To Indianapolis & ASICS Origin Story

42:29 Laid Off & Going Full-Time Pro

46:01 Consistency, Daily Routine & Sleep Habits

51:55 Mileage Progression & Chicago Marathon Preview

Contact us:

Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running.

The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

Andreas Almgren became the first non-African man in 30 years to win the World Half Marathon Championships, running 58:06 in Copenhagen and reigniting debate over whether he can contend at the New York City Marathon. The US women earned team silver with three runners in the top 10, Emma Grace Hurley, Weini Kelati, and Jess McClain all delivering stellar performances, while the US men took bronze.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen was stunned in the men's 5K by Eritrea's 21-year-old Dawit Seare, who is now headed to NAZ Elite. The hosts dissect Vinny Mauri's jaw-dropping Strava training logs ahead of the Chicago Marathon, debate whether Athlos is sustainable after its third edition in London, and close with Niels Laros' Achilles surgery and discussion of Sam Blaskowski's racist slurs.

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content:

Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

Links

World Half Marathon Recap & Analysis

Emma Grace Hurley — Atlanta Track Club Profile

Sam Blaskowski Videos from Erin Brown

LetsRun.com

LetsRun.com Forum

LetsRun.com Shop

Athlos

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro & Weekend Preview

06:45 Weldon's 1999 World Half Marathon Adventure

10:36 US Women's Team Silver at World Half Marathon

14:56 Agnes Ngetich Dominates & American Women Race Bravely

19:50 USATF Selection Policy & Conner Mantz's Return

25:24 Vinny Mauri's Insane Strava Training

29:19 Andreas Almgren Stuns at World Half Marathon

34:10 Can Almgren Contend at the New York City Marathon?

37:43 The Case Against Almgren in the Marathon

44:29 Almgren, Rupp & the New York Marathon Field

49:11 Almgren vs Mantz & the Non-African Gap

52:37 Is the Marathon Getting Shorter? Shoes & Fueling

54:30 Jakob Ingebrigtsen Stunned in Copenhagen

60:58 Dawit Seare: World Champion Headed to NAZ Elite

64:00 Drew Hunter's Record & Athlos Meet Review

67:05 Sha'Carri Richardson's Inconsistency Mystery

70:18 Athlos Broadcast: Too Much Dead Time?

75:10 Will Athlos Survive Past LA28?

78:46 Athlos Viewership & Can a New Track League Work?

84:03 Niels Laros Surgery & Sam Blaskowski Racism Scandal

88:40 Blaskowski's Training Group & the Path Forward

Contact us:

Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running.

The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.