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

Femke Bol made her 800m debut. What did we think?

Grand Slam Track's bankruptcy plan will pay the athletes nearly everything they are owed, but vendors only 1.5%.

Plus: Why track and field will never be popular year-round (and why that's okay), USATF Outdoor Championships are coming to New York for the first time since 1991, and Robert shares his thoughts on ski jumping regulations that you won't believe.

The guys also preview this weekend's stacked meets including the ASICS Sound Invite featuring Cole Hocker vs. Sam Ruthe in the mile and Cooper Lutkenhaus in the 800m, answer listener emails, and debate whether cross country running belongs in the Winter Olympics.

🎁 Support LetsRun.comJoin the LetsRun.com Supporters Club: https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

Links:

LetsRun.com VPN recommendation

Weldon Johnson: Pay the Athletes 85%, Save the League - Inside Grand Slam Track's Bankruptcy Plan

USATF Outdoor Championships to be held in New York for first time since 1991

'Penisgate' at Winter Olympics: ski jumpers' acid penis health risks

LetsRun.com forum: Jakob Ingebrigtsen injury speculation thread

LetsRun.com forum: Cross country in Winter Olympics discussion

LetsRun.com forum: Femke Bol 800m debut discussion

Femke Bol "Super Bol Sunday" image

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro & Jakob Ingebrigtsen's Achilles Surgery

07:59 Cross Country in the Winter Olympics Debate

15:59 Why Track & Field Will Never Be Popular Year-Round

17:59 Femke Bol's 800m Debut: Encouraging or Disappointing?

26:14 800m Pacing Analysis with Justin Rinaldi

35:14 Robert's Ski Jumping Joke

38:14 2026 USATF Outdoor Championships Moving to New York

49:13 Grand Slam Track Bankruptcy Plan Explained

62:14 Preview: ASICS Sound Invite & Valentine Invitational

68:14 Listener Emails: Western Runners & Doping Conspiracy Theories

Contact us: Email [email protected] or call/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/153b9cb9-1446-409f-aa2b-4a39f698171e

The 118th Millrose Games delivered a great show and we break it all down. But the biggest performance of the weekend was in Boston not Millrose as Sam Ruthe, just 16 years old, ran 3:48 in the mile to become the youngest man ever under 3:50 by more than a full year. Cam Myers dominated the Wannamaker Mile in 3:47, Colin Sahlman broke a 37-year-old NCAA 800m record with a 1:44.7 victory, and Cole Hocker looked every bit the world's best distance runner in winning the two mile. Meanwhile, Roisin Willis set the American indoor 800m record in Boston, Nikki Hiltz got a big win, and Cooper Luktenhaus added another high school record to his collection.

But it wasn't all celebrations. Is Bryce Hoppel's window closing? Why can't Ollie Hoare find his form? Is Hobbs Kessler's injury excuse a relief or a red flag? The episode also digs into the controversial decision by World Athletics to invalidate Jacob Kiplimo's 56:42 half marathon world record due to drafting behind the lead vehicle. Plus: Is it good for young stars to experience defeat? Should Cam Myers skip World Indoors for a domestic meet? And what exactly happened with the Millrose pacing lights?

🎁 Support LetsRun.comJoin the LetsRun.com Supporters Club: https://www.letsrun.com/subscribeGet a bonus podcast every week, savings on running shoes, and a free t-shirt when you join for a year.

Links:

Sam Ruthe's family running history thread: https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=13396729

Thread: Biggest winners of the weekend: https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=14027044

Thread: Cole Hocker is the #1 distance runner in the world right now: https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=14027201

Jacob Kiplimo's world record invalidated: https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=14027173

Millrose two mile pacer responds: https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=14024895

Post of Week on Faster Times

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and Soccer Banter

02:55 Jon's Birthday

05:06 LetsRun Meetup in SF

09:32 Sam Ruthe's Historic 3:48 Mile at 16

11:00 Comparing Teen Phenoms: Ruthe, Ingebrigtsen, Laros, and Myers

26:23 Colin Sahlman's 1:44 800m and NCAA Record

40:08 Bryce Hoppel, Donovan Brazier, and the Men's 800 Landscape

46:00 Cole Hocker Wins Millrose Two Mile

47:23 Is Cole Hocker the World's Best Distance Runner?

55:00 Cam Myers Dominates the Wannamaker Mile

59:00 Hobbs Kessler's Struggles and Ollie Hoare's Decline

64:50 Athing Mu, Jane Hedengren, and Learning to Lose

70:20 Nikki Hiltz Wins the Women's Wanamaker Mile

73:13 Can Hiltz win Olympic gold in LA 2028, what about Faith Kipyegon?

82:30 Cooper Luktenhaus's High School 600m Record

86:00 Roisin Willis Sets American 800m Record

96:25 Jacob Kiplimo's Half Marathon Record Invalidated

100:14 Millrose Pacing Controversy and Weekend Wrap-Up

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/49680b23-530d-48a7-a115-48a0ba8b22f3

🏃 Join our Supporters Club & Get our Millrose Preview Podcast on FridayGet exclusive access to a second weekly podcast, premium articles, a super soft shirt, and forum perks. Join today at https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

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:

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/08896db6-8f80-401f-9428-814b73e5eef0

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.

🎁 Support LetsRun.com Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club: https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

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

🏃 Get your World XC USA gear at shop.letsrun.com — limited stock remaining on the t-shirts!

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