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

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Sebastian Sawe's sub-two-hour marathon is still front and center, especially after RoJo's appearance on NPR's On Point, where he debated the moment's significance alongside Alex Hutchinson. This week, the crew digs deeper into the shoe science, unearthing Jack Daniels' 1982 weight study and running the numbers on the Adidas advantage over the Nike Alphafly. The World Relays in Botswana delivered a near-world-record men's 4x400 and South Africa's Lythe Pillay split a jaw-dropping 42.66. Allyson Felix announces an Olympic comeback at age 42, Drew Hunter and Karissa Schweizer win the US 5K Championships, and the running world mourns Parker Morse while pulling for Michael Sandrock.

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LINKS

RoJo on NPR's On Point with Alex Hutchinson and Meghna Chakrabarti

Sean Ingle reminds us Paul Tergat said sub-2:00 was impossible

5 Thoughts on World Relays

The Norwegian Method by Marius Bakken

RIP Parker Morse

Michael Sandrock battling for his life

Sean Ingle banned from Enhanced Games

Running with the Legends by Michael Sandrock

Rachel Bachman's Wall Street Journal article on the new Adidas super shoe

Howard Calvert: How I Ran a Sub-2:30 Marathon for the First Time as a 47-Year-Old

Gear:

Get the pink LetsRun shirt

The Norwegian Method by Marius Bakken

Running with the Legends by Michael Sandro ****

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Sponsor / Intro

01:02 RoJo's NPR Debut and Sub-Two Reactions

06:35 The Next Big Mainstream Running Moment

09:50 Super Shoes and the Science Behind Sub-Two

15:09 Jack Daniels' Weight Study and the Adidas Advantage

19:43 Tailwind, Doping, and What Made London Historic

21:35 Text Line Is Back, Supporters Club, and The Norwegian Method

24:51 World Relays Recap from Botswana

28:04 Lythe Pillay's Historic 42.66 Split

31:33 Altitude, Timing Debates, and Southern Hemisphere Edge

34:55 Elaine Thompson-Herah Returns to the Track

36:46 Should World Relays Bring Back Distance Events

39:25 Gabby Thomas Skips the World Relays

41:08 Allyson Felix's Olympic Comeback at 42

46:41 Allyson Felix's Legacy and the Aging Athlete Debate

52:31 Remembering Parker Morse and Pulling for Michael Sandrock

57:01 London Marathon's Two-Day Experiment and Travel Costs

61:49 RoJo's Old School Marathon Pitch

68:58 Enhanced Games, Night Marathons, and Shakeout Debates

71:50 US 5K Championships and Who Didn't Show Up

77:49 Outro and Announcements

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

If you're interesting in partnering with the shoe please reach out [email protected]

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.

Nico Young joins Jonathan Gault for a deep dive into his 2026 season outlook. The adidas-sponsored distance star reflects on a heartbreaking US indoor final where he missed the world team by a hundredth of a second, and reveals he's added a third workout per week to his training. Young announces a loaded European Diamond League slate, a 1500 in Stockholm, back-to-back 5Ks in Oslo and Paris, before making his road debut at the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th, where he'll try to become the first American winner (outside of years it served as the US Championships) since Ed Eyestone in 1991.

He says he views the Ultimate World Championships like a major global championship and plans to peak for it, and considers himself the American outdoor 5K record holder at 12:45.

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LINKS

Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race

Ultimate World Championships

Nico wins 2025 Oslo Diamond League 5K

Nico's Gear: Adidas Supernova (affiliate)

Nico's Gear: Adidas Boston

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Start

00:23 Intro and Nico Young's Season Overview

01:36 Reflecting on the 2026 Indoor Season

03:11 The Heartbreaking US Indoor Final

05:51 Why Nico's Rookie Pro Year Was a Success

07:05 New Training Partners and Group Dynamics

08:49 Training Adjustments: Adding a Third Workout

11:09 Peachtree Road Race, Road Debut, and Outdoor Plans

12:08 Outdoor Season and World Athletics Ranking

15:05 Boston Marathon Reaction and Marathon Plans

15:36 European Diamond League Plans: 1500 and 5K

17:34 Chasing Fast 5Ks and Returning to Oslo

20:14 The American Record and Ultimate World Championships

23:15 Go-To Training Shoes and Wrap-Up

24:54 Supporters Club

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.

Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 at the London Marathon to become the first person to officially break two hours, with Yomif Kejelcha running 1:59:41 in his marathon debut to become the second. The top three all broke Kelvin Kiptum's previous world record of 2:00:25. On the women's side, Tigist Assefa defended her title in a women's-only world record of 2:15:41. Meanwhile in Toledo, Ohio, unsponsored 25-year-old Vincent Mauri shocked the running world with a 2:05:54 solo effort at the Glass City Marathon, making him the fourth-fastest American ever on a record-eligible course. The crew also breaks down Penn Relays drama, Cheptegei's marathon struggles, and whether Kipchoge's exhibition stole Sawe's thunder.

🎁 🎧 Join the Supporters Club for $5 a month with code GOAT50 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content: Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

1:59:40 Shirts on Sale!

LINKS

LetsRun.com Sub-2 Marathon Recap

The Two-Hour Barrier Fell: How Sabastian Sawe Rewrote the Record Books in London

Rachel Bachman's Wall Street Journal Article on the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 3

"The Myth of a Sub Two Hour Marathon" by Robert Johnson (May 6, 2013)

The Myth of the Sub-2-Hour Marathon: Part II by Robert Johnson (April 27, 2026)

Vincent Mauri's Strava Account

LetsRun Thread: "Anyone Else Feel Kind of Deflated Now That the Two Hour Barrier Has Been Broken?"

McFarland/Penn State Instagram Taunting Incident

1:59:40 Collector's Edition T-Shirts

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Sponsor / Intro

00:43 Sawe and Kejelcha Shatter Two Hours in London

05:21 The Jaw-Dropping Second Half Splits

07:57 The Adidas Shoe That Changed Everything

15:50 Watching History Unfold on Race Morning

18:05 Tailwinds, Pacing, and How Fast Can Sawe Go

20:22 Why the Marathon Wall Has Disappeared

24:37 Sawe's Final 10K and the Fueling Revolution

26:52 Drug Testing and Sawe's $50K Clean Sport Pledge

32:47 Does Breaking Two Hours Feel Deflating

36:20 Did Kipchoge Ruin the Sub-Two Moment

41:06 Will Sawe Be Remembered in History

46:09 The Last Great Barrier Is Gone

47:50 Cheptegei Struggles Again in the Marathon

52:19 London Women's Race: Assefa Defends Her Title

56:50 From Paul Radcliffe to the Vincent Mauri Bombshell

63:23 Putting Vincent Mauri's 2:05 in Perspective

71:18 The Backstory: How Vincent Mauri Did It

77:24 Penn Relays: Oregon vs Villanova Showdown

83:14 The Four by Eight Record and Taunting Controversy

92:10 Quincy Wilson Leads Bullis to Historic Win

95:20 Gabby Thomas Sub-11 and the Retro Marathon Proposal

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. They provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

🏃 Join the best club in running for $5 a month Get all LetsRun content, a bonus podcast every week, and a super soft t-shirt for less than $5/month. Use code GOAT50 for 50% off your first year. Money back guarantee. https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

Cooper Lutkenhaus, the 17-year-old sensation who became the youngest man ever to win an individual global track title, joins Jonathan Gault and Weldon Johnson to talk about his undefeated indoor season that concluded with 800m gold at World Indoors in Toruń, Poland.

Cooper breaks down his tactics, his "just send it" mentality, and what it's like being a world champion walking the halls of his Texas high school.

The conversation covers his Diamond League debut at Stockholm on June 7, the sibling rivalry with his brother over who breaks four minutes first, his surprisingly frugal spending habits despite a Nike deal, and why he's targeting USA Outdoors as the capstone of his 2026 season. Cooper also shares his admiration for David Rudisha's racing style and explains why he thinks 800m times are dropping so fast.https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

LINKS

Cooper Lutkenhaus wins World Indoor Gold

Cooper Lutkenhaus: Where Your Dreams Become Reality Athlete of the Month

Join the Supporters Club use code GOAT50

Timestamps

00:00 Sponsor / Supporters Club Intro

00:44 Intro and Episode Preview

03:02 Winning World Indoors: Tactics and Confidence

10:29 Life as a 17-Year-Old Professional Runner

15:40 World Champion in the High School Hallways

21:52 Outdoor Season Plans and Diamond League Debut

26:40 Dream Venues and Racing Where Rudisha Set His Record

29:14 World Indoors Final: The Decisive Move With 200 to Go

32:07 Outdoor Goals and the Sub-Four Mile Race Against His Brother

36:13 World Under-20s, USA Outdoors, and What's Next

40:03 Jim Ryun Comparisons and Why 800m Times Are So Fast

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 a marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

🏃 Join the Supporters Club for less than $5 a month! Use code GOAT50 at https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe?from=public

John Korir obliterated the Boston Marathon course record with a stunning 2:01:52, negative-splitting the second half in 60:02 to repeat as champion. The top three men all broke the previous course record in what became the first marathon in history with three sub-2:03 finishers**. Sharon Lokedi** defended her women's title with a devastating 14:48 5K split between 35K and 40K that destroyed the field. Zouhair Talbi ran 2:03:45 to post the fastest time ever by a US citizen, igniting debate over whether he or Conner Mantz is America's top marathoner. Meanwhile, Oregon's Simeon Birnbaum smashed the NCAA 1500 record with a 3:31.69 at Hayward Field, and Michael Norman made his long-awaited return to competition after surgery.

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

LINKS

Fastest Boston Marathon Ever: Korir Destroys Course Record, 13 Men Under 2:06

Sharon Lokedi Repeats as Boston Marathon Champion Thanks to Sizzling 14:48 5K Split

How Did They Run So Fast in Boston? Inside the Fastest Race in History

Simeon Birnbaum Smashes NCAA 1500m Record With 3:31.69

Michael Norman Is Back: Runs First Race in 19 Months With New Coach

Why the AIU Handed NCAA Champion Adaejah Hodge a Secret Doping Ban

Joe Klecker's Strava

Stephen Pifer's Strava (Sharon Lokedi's Borrowed Garmin Data)

Mary Ngugi Cooper Post-Race Interview

"No One Cares If You Get Second": Simeon Birnbaum on Why Winning Is All That Matters (Podcast)

Fiona O'Keeffe's Withdrawal Announcement (Instagram)

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Mary Ngugi Cooper Audio / Intro

00:48 Show Open

05:25 John Korir: Best Marathoner in the World?

08:33 The Kipchoge Legacy Debate

14:33 Record-Shattering Men's Results

22:05 Conner Mantz vs Zouhair Talbi: Who Is America's Best Marathoner?

28:41 Richard Ringer's Surprise Run at Age 37

32:52 Non-African-Born Runners Rewriting All-Time Lists

39:25 What Went Wrong for Korir in Chicago?

44:20 Korir's Rise: From 70 to 150 Miles Per Week

47:40 Where Your Dreams Become Reality

51:07 Technology's Impact on Marathon Depth

53:27 Sharon Lokedi Defends Her Boston Title

59:41 How Good Was Lokedi's Performance?

62:00 Jess McClain Leads the American Women

66:05 Fiona O'Keeffe's Withdrawal and Durability Questions

71:21 Mary Ngugi Cooper and the Let's Run Effect

74:14 Simeon Birnbaum Smashes the NCAA 1500 Record

79:10 NCAA 1500 Depth and the Championship Preview

83:26 Michael Norman's Comeback

87:13 Tate Taylor, Adaejah Hodge, and Sprint Controversies

94:41 Katelyn Tuohy's Health and Pro Struggles

97:35 SC Exclusive: Nick Willis' Theory

98:05 Supporters Club Plug

98:26 Closing Remarks and London Marathon Preview

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.