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

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The 2026 indoor season exploded with two world records and jaw-dropping performances at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. Josh Hoey, with the help of his brother, got the 800m world indoor record (1:42.50), breaking Wilson Kipketer’s 29-year-old mark. Hobbs Kessler closed in 26.3 to set the 2K world record and beat Grant Fisher. Elle St. Pierre won her comeback race against Jessica Hull. In NY, Cooper Lutkenhaus opened with 1:45.23.

Sunday’s Millrose Games has two stellar matchups: the Wanamaker Mile with Cam Myers, Kessler, and three-time defending champion Yared Nuguse, and the two mile where Cole Hocker, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, and Geordie Beamish square off and try to go sub-8. Plus, we dig into Grand Slam Track bankruptcy documents revealing Michael Johnson personally loaned $2.7 million to keep the league afloat.

Links:

Discussion: Biggest Winner of the Weekend — Kessler, Hoey, St. Pierre, Myers?

Josh Hoey 800m World Indoor Record coverage

Justin Rinaldi’s classy message board post

Hobbs Kessler 2K World Record

Jon Gault on all the American world records

Cooper Lutkenhaus 1:45.23

Elle St. Pierre comeback win

Cam Myers 7:27 3K win

MJ loan and Grand Slam Track bankruptcy

LetsRun San Francisco Meetup (Timeout Tavern)

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro / Super Bowl Talk

03:10 Josh Hoey’s 800m World Indoor Record

12:07 The Hoey Family Story and Justin Rinaldi’s classy post

17:10 Should Hoey Run USA and World Indoors?

18:43 Cooper Lutkenhaus’s 1:45 opener

22:42 Winner of the Weekend Debate

29:17 Millrose Games Mile Preview: Hoey vs. Myers vs. Kessler vs. Nuguse

38:47 Millrose Two Mile Preview and Sub-8 Watch

42:02 American Men’s World Record Streak

43:59 Quincy Wilson’s Form and Future Questions

47:57 Noah Lyles’s Elaborate Entrance at New Balance Indoors

60:10 Grand Slam Track Financial Revelations: Michael Johnson’s $2.7M Loan

80:02 Millrose Preview Wrap-Up

82:20 Grant Fisher Joins Us

82:30 Training Between Races: New Balance to Millrose

84:00 Why Americans Are Dominating Indoor Season

87:00 NYC Half Marathon Debut: Why New York?

89:00 From 2K Shape to Half Marathon Shape

91:00 Breaking the 2K World Record but Losing the Race

95:00 World Cross Country and Injury Recovery

99:00 Can Americans Compete on the Roads?

102:00 From Miler to Marathoner: Grant’s Evolution

106:00 Marathon Debut Timeline: 2027 or 2028?

Contact us:Email [email protected] | 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 two-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 the PR headlines to provide the insider reporting and unfiltered debate that serious fans and industry insiders rely on.

Go Deeper:

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Contact Us:
Call 1-844-LETSRUN (538-7786) or email
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Grant Fisher — double Olympic medalist and world indoor record holder — joins the show to talk Millrose, his NYC Half debut, and what it felt like to break Kenenisa Bekele's 2K world record and still lose to Hobbs Kessler in Boston.

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Links:

Grant Fisher's Instagram

Millrose Games 2 mile

NYC Half Marathon

New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:23 Grant Fisher Joins the Show

02:35 Training Between Races: New Balance to Millrose

04:24 Why Americans Are Dominating Indoor Season

07:25 NYC Half Marathon Debut: Why New York?

09:27 From 2K Shape to Half Marathon Shape

10:53 Breaking the 2K World Record But Losing the Race

13:03 World Cross Country and Injury Recovery

16:06 Lessons From 2024: The Dangers of Racing Too Much

18:19 Cross Training on the Bike

21:15 Can Americans Compete on the Roads?

24:53 From Miler to Marathoner: Grant's Evolution

26:55 Marathon Debut Timeline: 2027 or 2028?

Contact us: Email [email protected] | 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.

Today's episode is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founder 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 the PR headlines to provide the insider reporting and unfiltered debate that serious fans and industry insiders rely on.

Go Deeper:

Get the Bonus Podcast: Supporters Club members get an exclusive second podcast every week, plus premium articles and forum perks. Join the LRC Supporters Club here

Join the Conversation: Post on our world-famous forum

Contact Us: Call 1-844-LETSRUN (538-7786) or email [email protected]

Find out more at http://podcast.letsrun.com

Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/letsrun/09699345-4839-4d71-b1bf-75870f74b037

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The 2026 indoor season is officially here, and it's heating up fast. This week we break down Josh Hoey's bold announcement that he's targeting Wilson Kipketer's nearly 30-year-old indoor 800m world record at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. Can he do it? We debate his chances and pay homage to Kipketer's legendary 1997 season.

Plus, Cam Myers ran 3:49 in the mile, the fastest ever in January, and the teen phenom comparisons are flying. We've got updates on Jakob Ingebrigtsen skipping the indoor season entirely (should we be worried about his Achilles?), Grand Slam Track's bankruptcy drama, and breaking news from a top agent about how much athletes actually got paid.

On the marathon side, the 2026 Boston Marathon women's field is out, and while it's missing Hellen Obiri, it's absolutely stacked with American talent. Could Fiona O'Keeffe make the podium? And where the heck is Parker Valby?

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Links:

Discuss this week's episode here


LetsRun.com Shop

Join the Supporters Club

Ross Tucker's Real Science of Sport Podcast / Jakob news

Sam Ruthe family running history thread

2026 Boston Marathon Women's Elite Field announcement

Valby training with Coburn

New Balance Indoor Grand Prix entries

Valby running NB games this wknd?

Dr. Sander Scorcher meet info

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro / World XC Merch Plug

01:02 Episode Preview: Indoor Season Heats Up

03:44 Josh Hoey Announces 800m World Record Attempt

06:58 Hoey's Unconventional Path and Self-Belief

11:16 Wilson Kipketer's Historic 1997 Season

13:00 Why Top 800m Runners Skip Indoors

17:12 Cam Myers Runs 3:49 — Fastest January Mile Ever

19:35 Teen Phenoms: Myers vs. Laros vs. Lutkenhaus

26:20 Ellie St. Pierre vs. Jessica Hull Preview

29:30 Should Hoey Defend His World Indoor Title?

31:00 Jakob Ingebrigtsen Skipping Indoor Season

34:30 Achilles Concerns and Chris Derrick Comparisons

37:35 Grand Slam Track Bankruptcy: Agent Reveals Athletes Got Overpaid

42:20 What's Next for Athing Mu?

43:41 The Incredible Depth of Men's 5000m

46:56 Sam Ruthe: 16-Year-Old Runs 1:45 in New Zealand

50:10 Sam Ruthe's Incredible Running Family History

53:12 Cooper Lutkenhaus Opens 2026 Season

57:20 The Rise of Millrose Games

59:00 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials: Phoenix vs. St. Louis

62:42 2026 Boston Marathon Women's Field Breakdown

67:35 Fiona O'Keeffe's Big Opportunity

74:38 Where Is Parker Valby?

76:38 Sponsorship Shakeups: Elle St. Pierre, Heather McLean

79:13 Outro

Contact us: Email [email protected] 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 the PR headlines to provide the insider reporting and unfiltered debate that serious fans and industry insiders rely on.

Go Deeper:

Get the Bonus Podcast:
Supporters Club members get an exclusive second podcast every week, plus premium articles and forum perks.

Join the LRC Supporters Club here

Join the Conversation:

Post on our world-famous forum

Contact Us:
Call 1-844-LETSRUN (538-7786) or email [email protected]

Find out more at http://podcast.letsrun.com

Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/letsrun/8438b800-a410-4d18-a101-82b53b17816a

🎉 Now is the time to join the best club in running The LetsRun.com Supporters Club https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe?from=public use code GOAT50 to save 50% off your first year. 🎉

World Cross Country returned to American soil for the first time in 32 years and Tallahassee delivered! We break down Jacob Kiplimo's dominant third title, Agnes Ngetich's historic 42-second victory margin, and why American men continue to struggle at World XC despite track success. Plus: The Cooper Lutkenhaus flag moment, Rojo's $500 marathon bet.

In Houston Habtom Samuel's debut was as success, 59:01 (course record), as four Americans broke 60 minutes (Alex Maier (59:23), Casey Clinger (59:34), Ryan Ford (59:48), Isai Rodriguez (59:57)), Rory Linkletter got the Canadian record (59:49), Taylor Roe became the 2nd fastest American ever (66.20) and American Zouhair Talbi ran 2:05:45.

Astacked Millrose two-mile field featuring Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr, Grant Fisher, (Wightman, Beamish, Strand, Blanks, Wolfe).

Plus, Andreas Almgren amd Brenda Jepchumba impressed in Valencia.

Links:

World Cross Country 2026 Coverage

LetsRun Forum Thread:
Why Are Americans Competitive on Track but Get Destroyed at World XC?

Craig Virgin Interview on YouTube

Cooper Lutkenhause gets LetsRun Flag

Houston Half Marathon coverage

Shop the World XC Shirts:
shop.letsrun.com

Show notes:

00:00 Start

00:24 World Cross Country Recap & Tallahassee Celebration

05:20 The Let's Run Meetup & Craig Virgin's Hope

06:23 Cooper Lutkenhaus & The Let's Run Flag Story

09:04 Athletes & Fans Unite at World Cross

13:02 The $500 Bet & Party Stories

15:18 Jacob Kiplimo & Agnes Ngetich Dominate

17:45 Kiplimo's Legacy & All-Time Greatness

21:20 Why Americans Struggle at World Cross

25:15 US Men's Disappointing Team Performance

28:36 Track vs Cross Country: Different Sports?

30:35 Theories on African Dominance in XC

33:52 Women's Race & Rising Stars (Marta Alemayo wins junior race)

38:30 Should World Cross Return to Tallahassee?

44:04 Australia Wins Mixed Relay Gold

59:05 Houston Half Marathon: Americans Go Sub-60 (Maier,Klinger, Ford, Rodriguez)

1:09:09 Rojo's $500 Marathon Bet Confirmed

1:10:22 Indoor Track Preview: Millrose & New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

1:17:50 Valencia 10K & Brenda Jepchumba's Breakthrough

1:24:38 Final Thoughts & Shoutouts

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🎉 Thank you Tallahassee! Thank you LetsRun Nation. Now is the time to join the best club in running The LetsRun.com Supporters Club https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe?from=public use code GOAT50 to save 50% off your first year. 🎉

The 2026 World Cross Country Championships are in the books! Live from the LetsRun party in Tallahassee we break down all the action from what was an incredible day for distance running with over 10,000 fans in attendance. East Africa strikes back with dominant performances across all individual races, while Australia claims a historic mixed relay gold. We recap Jacob Kiplimo's third consecutive senior men's title, Agnes Ngetich's dominant 42-second victory in the women's race, and Team USA's results. Plus: the Rocky Hansen controversy , special guest Ned Ryun (Jim Ryun's son) shares incredible stories including how his father received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Blair Bartlett's breakout performance as a high school junior in her first cross country season, Tyler Daillak's gutsy run finishing top American with one shoe, and a Cooper Lutkenhaus sighting at the course.

Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club at https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe?from=public

Contact us: Email [email protected] or call/text 1-844-LETSRUN podcast voicemail/text line.

Timestamps:

0:00 Than you &
join our club

01:25 Introduction & Event Recap

03:35 Senior Men's Race: Jacob Kiplimo Dominates

08:04 Team USA Men's Results led by Parker Wolfe

11:17 Rocky Hansen Controversy

19:50 Senior Women's Race: Agnes Ngetich Dominates

24:21 LetsRun Flag Bearers Join the Show

28:33 Team USA Women's Results

31:24 Graham Blanks

32:25 Ned Ryun: Jim Ryun's Son Joins the Show

38:55 Jim Ryun's Presidential Medal of Freedom Story

45:00 Junior Races & Blair Bartlett Breakout & Tyler Daillak with 1 shoe

50:07 Cooper Lutkenhaus Sighting & Wrap Up
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