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

The running world lost a legendary coach with the passing of Frank Gagliano and we pay our respects, as Ron Spears, the first Gag's athlete who went sub 4 in the mile joins us at 66:16 to talk about Gags.

Another women's marathoning titan tested positive - Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir has been suspended for EPO. What does it mean? What do Jess McClain and Kara Goucher have to say about it.

At the Valencia Half Marathon, * American *Yaseen Abdalla ran the fastest time ever by an American 59:12, but it won't count as a US record because he hasn't yet represented the US internationally. Meanwhile, Sheila Chepkirui got the win and another Sheila Chepkirui is running New York.

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

LINKS

Another Titan Falls: What Olympic Champion Peres Jepchirchir's EPO Ban Means for the Sport

WTW: An American Beat the US Half Record, a Spaniard Beat the European Record, and Neither Counted

Yaseen Abdalla Instagram Video

Yaseen Abdalla Profile: The Art of Carrying On

LetsRun Instagram Post — Kara Goucher and Jess McClain Reactions

RIP Frank Gagliano — LetsRun Forum Thread

A Legend's Last Trials — Liam Boylan-Pett on Frank Gagliano (Runner's World)

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:24 Remembering Frank Gagliano

08:36 Peres Jepchirchir Suspended for EPO

13:39 Nike Oregon Project and Doping Responsibility

23:04 Testing Timelines and the Jepchirchir Sample

31:29 Valencia Half Marathon Recap: Yaseen Abdalla run faster than any American ever

34:49 Two Sheila Chepkiruis and the Women's Race

43:02 Nationality Rules and the US Half Marathon Record

49:57 How Soft Is the US Half Marathon Record?

54:30 Abdalla's Treadmill Training Revolution

58:27 New York City Marathon Preview

66:16 Ron Spears on the Legend of Frank Gagliano

78:42 Gagliano's Best Recruiting Story

85:24 How an Ex-Quarterback Learned to Coach Distance

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.

🏃 Presented by VKTRY

VKTRY makes carbon fiber insoles you can use in any running shoe, no need for expensive super shoes to get carbon fiber benefits. They offer a 90-day risk-free trial: order insoles in your shoe size and weight, and if you don't like them, get your money back. USATF Half Marathon Champion Wesley Kiptoo runs in VKTRY. Check them out here.

👕 Get the LetsRun.com 1:59:40 Marathon T-Shirt for 50% off! Visit shop.letsrun.com and enter code Kipchoge at checkout. Super soft, in the colors of the Kenyan flag.

Summary:

Have adidas' new super shoes changed the game? adidas owns eight of the 10 fastest men's marathon performances and the top three women's times in 2026. Plus veterans like Lelisa Desisa and Tamirat Tola are running career PBs in their 30s.

In NCAA cross country, short-handed #2 BYU upset top-ranked NC State at Pre-Nats while a judge granted letting Taylor Rohatinsky compete, spotlighting a rapidly changing landscape with expanded scholarships, foreign athletes, and a new five-for-five eligibility rule.

Olympic 800m champion Athing Mu is pregnant. Will she return for the 2028 LA Olympics?

What was the World Athletics' Moment of the Year: Sebastian Sawe's historic 1:59:30 marathon or Josh Kerr's 3:42.66 mile world record? Who was the Athlete of the Year: Masai Russell vs. Audrey Werro? and what about USATF athletes of year?

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content: Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe Use code GOAT50 to save 50% off your first year. Money back guarantee.

Links

LetsRun 1:59:40 Marathon T-Shirt — Use code Kipchoge for 50% off

LetsRun Supporters Club — Use code GOAT50 for 50% off your first year

The Week That Was (LetsRun.com weekly recap column)

Q\&A with Colorado coach Sean Carlson (Supporters Club exclusive)

Brighton goal from midfield

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Sponsor / Intro & Episode Preview

04:14 The Sub-2:04 Marathon Boom

08:02 Adidas Dominance & Veterans Running PBs

13:25 2016 Olympic Marathon Doping Controversy

18:11 Super Shoes, Doping & Marathon Fairness

23:54 NCAA Cross Country: Pre-Nats & Eligibility Fight

29:59 The New NCAA: Five Years & Foreign Athletes

33:26 College Coaching & the Carlson Interview

38:50 Athing Mu's Pregnancy & Comeback Odds

44:13 Will Athing Mu Make the 2028 Olympic Team?

51:31 Coaching Athing Mu & the Dallas Running Community

53:51 World Athletics Moment of the Year Nominees

57:31 Sawe vs. Kerr: The Moment of the Year Debate

62:29 Athlete of the Year: Kerr vs. Dos Santos

66:12 World Athletics Voting Flaws & USATF Awards

71:59 World Athlete of the Year: Russell vs. Werro

76:41 USATF Road/Trail Awards & Wrap-Up

Contact us:

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

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.

🏃 Presented by VKTRY

VKTRY makes carbon fiber insoles you can use in any running shoe, no need for expensive super shoes to get carbon fiber benefits. They offer a 90-day risk-free trial: order insoles in your shoe size and weight, and if you don't like them, get your money back. USATF Half Marathon Champion Wesley Kiptoo runs in VKTRY. Check them out here.

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

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

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

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.

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

🏃 BetterRunningShoes.com. Find the best super shoes, great deals, and review the shoes you're running in. Check out betterrunningshoes.com for deals like the Alphafly 3 for $200 ($95 off) and the Puma Mag Max Nitro for $100.

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.