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

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: [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 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: [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 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: [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 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.

Werjo, Rojo & Jon break down the inaugural World Ultimate Championships in Budapest, debating whether the made-for-TV format should ever replace the traditional Worlds and whether it devalues USAs as a selection meet. The crew dives into Jakob Ingebrigtsen's dominant 5,000m and his viral mixed-zone interview, plus a debate over whether Hobbs Kessler's "bronze" actually proves anything given how tight the American trio finished. Elsewhere: Melissa Jefferson Wooden's wind-and-altitude-adjusted 200m may be the best ever run, Josh Kerr's closing splits get the stat-nerd treatment, and Nikki Hiltz finally breaks through for a global top 3. Jess Hull takes silver behind Likina Amebaw's dominant 5,000m run. The back half tackles the newly awarded 2029 (Nairobi) and 2031 (Munich) Worlds, sparking an argument over altitude-fueled world records, Kenya's doping record, and whether skipping Europe three Worlds in a row is a mistake. Closes with Megan Eckert's six-day world record and a very "messy" Hyrox controversy. 🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content: for 50% off your first year: Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe LINKS WTW: World Ultimates By The Numbers, Megan Eckert's 636-Mile Week, and the Grossest Finish in Hyrox History LetsRun.com Message Board Thread: Praise For Jonathan Gault's Jakob Ingebrigtsen Question Fifth Avenue Mile Recap 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships Coverage Matt Lawton: Kenya's Doping Record and the 2029 Worlds TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Sponsor Break And Show Preview 00:49 Budapest World Ultimate Championships Kickoff 05:04 Comparing Ultimate Championships To Grand Slam Track 09:58 Can The Ultimate Championships Sustain Financially 13:16 Should The Ultimate Championships Replace Worlds 16:19 Altitude And Future World Records In Nairobi 19:43 Debating The Event Schedule And Prelims Format 22:18 USAs Selection Stakes Under Threat 26:01 Grading The Meet's Innovations And Stats 30:59 Hobbs Kessler Third Place Debate 33:49 Ranking Algorithm Controversy And Predicted Finish Errors 37:26 Sprint Recap: Kenny Bednarek, Bolt And Lyles 44:20 Melissa Jefferson Wooden's Historic 200 47:05 Josh Kerr And Cam Myers Closing Splits 50:32 Jakob Ingebrigtsen Vs Cole Hocker Debate 53:53 Josh Kerr's Historic Season Recap 55:55 Amy Hunt Vs Josh Kerr Sports Personality Debate 60:06 Women's Sprints And Middle Distance Recap 64:01 Nikki Hiltz Breakthrough Medal 67:07 Jessica Hull And Likina Amebaw 5000 Recap 70:19 Did Americans Benefit From Weak Fields 71:46 Fifth Avenue Mile And Message Board Buzz 73:33 Jakob Ingebrigtsen's Viral Mixed Zone Interview 77:57 2029 And 2031 Worlds Awarded To Nairobi And Munich 81:59 Why Europe Is Being Skipped For Three Worlds 84:32 Is Kenya Ready To Host A World Championships 86:59 Kenya's Doping Record Under Scrutiny 90:32 Could Nairobi Host The Last Worlds Marathon 92:04 Megan Eckert Sets Six-Day Running World Record 93:09 Hyrox Controversy Sparks Debate 97:47 Wrapping Up And Contact Information 99:00 Emmanuel Wanyonyi's Stunning 800m Upset CONTACT 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 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.

Get the full podcast by getting our Ultimates' Pass or joining the Supporters Club for a full year for 50% off Cancel anytime . Money back guarantee https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe Jakob Ingebrigtsen served notice he's still the king of the 5000, blitzing a stacked field (five Americans in the top seven) to win the first-ever World Ultimate Championship 5000m title, closing in 12.6 for his final 100m after admitting his 2025 buildup didn't have a lot of real training. He got asked by Jon about not-pushing the pace in the 5000, and left the door open on doubling back in the 1500m and eventually chasing the 5000m world record. Cole Hocker was 2nd, Parker Wolfe 3rd, Nico Young 5th, Grant Fisher 6th, and Graham Blanks 7th. The men's 110m hurdles delivered the night's photo finish, with NCAA sophomore Ja'Kobe Tharp out-leaning defending world champ Cordell Tinch by a hundredth of a second to become the Ultimate champion, while Bradley Franklin's third-place finish reignited debate over why NCAA athletes can't legally collect prize money they've already earned. Timestamps: 00:00 Jakob Ingebrigtsen Wins World Ultimate 5000m Title 03:12 Supporters Club News And Rojo's Late-Night Call 05:30 Grilling Jakob On Tactics And The Cowardice Question 09:42 Henrik Reveals Jakob's Wild Comeback Training 13:00 Breaking Down The Race's Blistering Final Lap 18:16 Five Americans In The Top Seven Reshape US Depth 21:03 Jakob's Injury History, World Record Hopes, And Donovan Brazier Comparisons 24:44 Reviewing The Rest Of The American Field 29:48 Quick Hits: 800m Prelims And A Photo-Finish Hurdles Classic 35:30 NCAA Prize Money Debate And Day Two Preview 38:22 Jakob Ingebrigtsen Interview 49:04 Henrik Ingebrigtsen Interview 68:19 Rojo's Live 5000 Watchalong 80:57 Final 500m 81:58 Rojo's Reaction To Jakob winning Contact us: Email [email protected] or call/text 1-844-LETSRUN podcast voicemail/text line. Want a 2nd podcast every week? And savings on running shoes? Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club today for exclusive content, a bonus weekly podcast, shoe savings, and more. Cancel anytime .https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe Check out the LetsRun.com store. https://shop.letsrun.com/ We've got the softest running shirts in the business. Thanks for listening. Please rate us on your podcast app and spread the word to friend.