It's Nuttycombe / Pre-Nats Weekend
It's Nuttycombe / Pre-Nats Weekend

Hedengren ran 18:42.3 to win Pre-Nats by 23 seconds and smash the course record at Gans Creek, which will host NCAAs on November 22. The BYU women (25 points) also dominated the team race while Grace Hartman and NC State (41 points) and Habtom Samuel and New Mexico (51 points) won the men's & women's races at Nuttycombe.

PreNats/Nuttycombe Recap Show

Will Jane Hedengren win NCAA XCs as a freshman?

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Will Joshua Cheptegei win Amsterdam?

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How fast will Joshua Cheptegei win Amsterdam?

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On The Boards
On The Boards

The US achieved its most successful relay medal haul since the introduction of the mixed 4x400 with four golds and a silver at the 2025 Worlds. We asked Woodson about Team USA's performance in Tokyo. Plus we asked USATF about what really happened with Rai Benjamin, who said he went out on the town the night before the men's 4x400 final.

Other Links A Human Foud Interesting
Chicago Leftovers

Masai, a Hofstra alum and younger brother of Worlds medalists Linet and Moses, ran 2:04:37, which is the fastest time ever by someone who ran in the NCAA. Plus a look at the debutants, includingCasey Clinger, Creed Thompson, Ejgayehu Taye, and Emily Venters, who largely struggled in Chicago.

    Distance News
    Uninformed about reality

    California governor candidate Betty Yee told Piers Morgan she believes women might one day compete against men in Olympic track and field, saying she’d support a gender-neutral Olympics in Los Angeles if “the physicality of the sexes bears true...I do believe that women are equipped to break records in track and field and some other sports as well."

    It's A Big Weekend For NCAA XC
    Sprints / Jumps
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    Coaching Bans
    Looking Ahead To Valencia
    Paywall lifted

    After five coaches, six states, and hundreds of hours of listening to the LetsRun.com Track Talk Podcast, steepler Dan Michalski will make his World Championship debut in Tokyo. He dedicated his runner-up finish at USAs to the grinders who keep going without a big shoe contract. "They know the grind, they know what it’s like to fight through injuries, what it’s like to feel like you have the talent to make a team and keep coming up short," Michalski says. "This is for them, in a sense."

    This Week's Podcast

    It was a great week for American male marathoners and we break it all down.

    End-Of-Year Awards
    Video Clip

    An excerpt from this week's podcast on Mantz breaking the American record. Thread here.

    More Distance Action From The Weekend
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    Chicago
    Chicago

    After 23 years, Khalid Khannouchi's 2:05:38 American record is no more. Mantz continued an epic 2025 season by breaking the marathon AR to go with his half marathon AR from January.

    Chicago MB Talk:

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    Kiplimo and defending champ John Korir hit full send on this one and went for it. They ran the fist 5k in 13:58 (1:57:52 pace). They hit halfway on world record pace (60:16) and the next few miles were even faster than that pace. By 30k (1:25:31 - 2:00:16 pace), Kiplimo was all alone. Still on WR pace at mile 22, he slowed a lot late however and had to settle for the #2 time in Chicago history. Tokyo 3rd placer Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia (2024 Frankfurt champ) had a big day as she lowered her pb from 2:17:00 to 2:14:56.  It was a tough day for the American women. Natosha Rogers was 6th in 2:23:28. *Full race broadcast

    "I’m all in favor of the death penalty suspension from all competition if you test positive. One and done, that’s the way it should be. And then also these athletes aren’t operating in a vacuum. They have coaches, they have agents, they have mentors. These people are leading them astray. And if we have athletes that are testing positive from certain systems, those managers should also be disqualified," said Eyestone. Should Federico Rosa be worried?

      Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Wins MrBeast Challenge

      She raced them across the width of two soccer fields with a prize of $100,000 to anyone who could beat her. No one did, although one guy (a non-track runner) came close.

      Interesting Reads
      Women's Only Action - No Men Allowed

      Sisson is getting ready to run NYC. Annie Rodenfels (32:45) and Sara Hall (32:48) were more than 100 seconds back. *Top 10 Results

      2025 Athlos

      Version 2 of Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos track and field series brought a louder crowd, bigger production, and major star power to New York City. ThoughtsLeader gives his impressions and wonders about the big test in 2026.

      If you missed the meet, you can watch thereplay on YouTube. Athlos had around 6,200 live viewers on YouTube -- but allegedly more than a million on X.

      There will be a much bigger event in Tallahassee in January.

      World XC tickets now on sale Tickets start at $10, with free admission for children 12 years and under.

      Bol To The 800m

      The indoor world record in the flat 400 and two-time world 400mh champion is moving up in distance. "I've always loved this quote: 'If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough.' And I definitely think that's the case here," said Bol.

      LRC Video Reaction

      How fast will Femke Bol ultimately run for 800M?

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      Chicago Preview Podcast

      Get the latest on Chicago. If you want our podcast from Chicago on Friday, become a LetsRun.com VIP here.

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      We'll Have Some American Representation At Valencia This Year

      The Americans will face 2024 Boston champ Sisay Lemma and World silver medalist Amanal Petros on the men's side and 2025 world champ Peres Jepchirchir, 2023 world champ Amane Beriso and former NYC/London champ Joyciline Jepkosgei for the women.

      Non Distance News
      NCAA / HS XC News
      Worlds In Review

      Back from a much-deserved post-Worlds vacation, our Jonathan Gault takes a final look at a crazy Worlds where athletes from 53 different countries won Worlds. It was a big meet for men's underdogs as the men's 1500 through 10,000 were all won by guys who had never medalled in the event before. Plus Collen Kebanitshipi won 400m gold after requiring a small q in the first round. How many athletes have ever done that? Plus, how did GST affect the World Championships?

      Assorted Distance News
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      News Of Note
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      Weekend NCAA XC
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      Big Administrative News

      Embattled running startup Grand Slam Track has narrowly avoided collapsing—for now—after receiving emergency financing from existing investors it used to make partial payments to athletes Friday, Front Office Sports has learned...

      We live in a crazy world that is hard to predict
      IF you are going to play a video game, play this one

      XC Racing 2 is now out and free to play on ios and android and in this version you get to race the famed Detweiller Park course in Illinois.

      Random Links A Human Found Interesting
      Best Track & Field Podcast

      What a year of track and field. Cole Hocker got 5,000m gold, Cooper Lutkenhaus ran 1:42, Athing Mu was not Athing Mu, Donavan Brazier is back, Josh Hoey was the US leader at 800 & 1,500 and a lot more. 5 American distance runners won Diamond Leagues (and none of them medaled at Worlds). We break it all down.

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        NCAA XC Rankings
        Sprint Stuff
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        More Weekend Distance Results
        World Mountain/Trail Running Champs

        They each dominated the 50.9-mile race through the Pyrenees, Walmsley winning by more than 10 minutes and Schide by 25 minutes. The French men and Italian women both relegated the US to runner-up finishes in the team competition.
        *French duo Benjamin Roubiol and Louison Coiffet cross the line together to "share" silver in Long Trail race

        Weekend XC Action

        The #3 ranked OSU men won a close team battle with #2 ranked New Mexico (36 points to 41). while the #1 ranked BYU women put 7 in the top 15 to win with 34 points over #13 OSU (57 points) and #3 ranked New Mexico (65 points). OSU swept the individual wins thanks to Denis Kipngetich (23:33) and Isca Chelangat (19:59) got the individual wins. *Results
        *MB: 2025 Gans Creek Classic and Cowboy Jamboree

          Iowa State dominated the team competition with 47 points over Virginia (107 points) and Colorado (126 points) while the Florida won with 102 points over NAU (126) and Colorado (166). Washington State swept the team titles thanks to Solomon Kipchoge (22:24) and Rosemary Longisa (19:07). *Results
          *MB: 2025 Gans Creek Classic and Cowboy Jamboree

          UK News - Josh Kerr Update
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          More Post-Tokyo Stuff
          Post-Worlds News
          Recent Non-Worlds Results
          2025 Worlds
          2025 Worlds

          Hocker is the second American distance man to win multiple global golds, the third to win a global 5,000 title, and just the fifth from any country to win global titles in the 1500 and 5,000 after Paavo Nurmi, Hicham El Guerrouj, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Bernard Lagat.


          Cole Hocker won 5000m gold in Tokyo ahead of Isaac Kimeli and Jimmy Gressier. Nico Young and Grant Fisher ended up 6th and 8th. Jakob Ingebrigtsen was 10th. The Kenyan women’s unreal meet continued and Cole Hocker was GOLDEN yet again. We broke it down for you live from right after it ended.

          • AW: Lilian Odira's surge takes her to shock world 800m gold Odira came out of nowhere to give Kenya a sweep of the women's distance medals, passing favorite Keely Hodgkinson in the final meters to win in 1:54.62. Hodgkinson's teammate Georgia Hunter Bell also passed her to take silver in a photo finish, 1:54.90 to Hodgkinson's 1:54.91.
          Final Day Non-Distance Medals
          2025 Berlin

          Sawe was on world record pace at halfway (60:16) and though he couldn't hold it, 2:02:16 was very impressive given the mid-70s temps in Berlin as he won by 4+ minutes and consider that Kenya's Rosemary Wanjiru won the women's race in 2:21:05, the slowest winning time in Berlin since 2013.

          Tokyo 4x400 Runoff

          Team USA has never failed to make the men's 4 x 400 final at Worlds and after a 12+ hour delay that streak continues. USA did it the hard way, but they dominated Kenya in the re-run this morning. We were there for it and asked Demarius Smith, who was in the middle of the delayed second exchange Friday night and had the slowest split today, if he was being personally coached by US relay coach Darryl Woodson. Smith: "There's no proof of that. That's first. Second of all, it doesn't matter...Keep doubting me. I'll be back." *Post-race interview with Team USA

          RIP To A Coaching Legend

          Daniels had a prolific career as an athlete, coach and exercise scientist. He won two Olympic medals in the modern pentathlon, did exercise testing for various groups including Nike's Athletics West elite team in Eugene and held numerous coaching positions which included advising on the training of Jim Ryun while working with the 1968 US Olympic team and winning seven DIII women's national XC titles while at Cortland. And of course, he indirectly contributed to the coaching of thousands of high school and college athletes through his training book, Daniels’ Running Formula.

          The Ultimate LetsRun Story In Our 25 Year History & One Of Our Favorite Jonathan Gault Features - Read It Now

          After five coaches, six states, and hundreds of hours of listening to the LetsRun.com Track Talk Podcast, steepler Dan Michalski will make his World Championship debut in Tokyo. He dedicated his runner-up finish at USAs to the grinders who keep going without a big shoe contract. "They know the grind, they know what it’s like to fight through injuries, what it’s like to feel like you have the talent to make a team and keep coming up short," Michalski says. "This is for them, in a sense."

          Sean Brosnan & Chris Lear & Andrew Greif's book is here

          In Beyond Fast, Sean Brosnan, with Chris Lear and Andrew Greif, traces the unlikely rise of Newbury Park High School from an overlooked program to a distance-running powerhouse. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, training insights, and cultural shifts, the book shows how Brosnan and his athletes rewrote the high school record books.

          Sean Brosnan Podcast

          From BMX to building the greatest HS team ever, Sean Brosnan tells us how he did it at Newbury Park, plus what really went on at UCLA, and what’s next. Don’t miss this one.

          Data doesn't lie

          We've run the numbers by comparing Lutkenhaus's run against every other age-16 world record, and the data is clear.

          Who?

          Jonah Koech wasn't even supposed to be in Sunday's 1500. As they approached the bell, he was in 13th out of 17. A lap later, he was the champion. He is just the third American man to win a Diamond League 1500/mile and the first runner sponsored by Under Armour to win a DL race. His 3:37.27 pre-race pb is also the slowest of any man to win a DL 1500/mile.

          How Josh Hoey Rose To The Top Of The World

          For five years, Hoey cylced through coach after coach but barely improved from his 1:47.67 high school 800m pb. Learn why he moved around so often -- and why he never gave up. Part I of JG's 7,000+ word feature.
          *MB: Josh Hoey profile by JG

          Stop Obsessing Over Your Diet

          The US indoor 1500m/3000m champion overhauled his fueling in workouts before the 2024 season. Now he swears by his routine.

          The Record Books Are Getting Rewritten In 2025

          In the span of one week in February, runners broke five world indoor records and every American men's middle-distance record from 800m to 5000m. Jonathan Gault spoke to some of America's top athletes and coaches to find the reasons behind all of the fast times.

          One More Look at a Legendary Race

          From novice fans to running diehards, there was something for everyone (except perhaps Brits and Norwegians) to enjoy about one of the greatest middle distance races ever run.

          Blanks = NCAA XC x 2

          Just before Blanks chases a 5,000m pb and collegiate record in what is likely his final NCAA race at Boston University on Saturday, he told LetsRun about the key session of his 2024 XC season -- one he described as "probably the best workout I've had so far in my career."

          Best of the LetsRun.com Track Talk Podcast
          Best of the LetsRun.com Track Talk Podcast

          Your latest American stars share their insights.

          Three legends of the sport.

          One of the greatest US runners ever.

          We chatted with Frank on the 50th anniversary of his Olympic Marathon gold

          American Record Holders
          American Record Holders

          Keira D'Amato, the new American record holder in the marathon, was joined by Deena Kastor, who held the record for 15 years.

          Sisson was the guest on the LetsRun.com Track Talk podcast after she became the first American to go sub 67 in the half marathon on a record-eligible course. Podcast highlights above. Full pod here.

          Woody Kincaid joined us after he broke the American record indoors at 5000. He talks above why he left the Bowerman Track Club. Podcast highlights and link to full podcast here.

          LetsRun.com Pro Coaches Tour
          LetsRun.com Pro Coaches Tour

          Coogan's New Balance Boston team had 3 Olympians in 2021 and 2022 could be the biggest year yet for the program with 2 new additions and the TRACK at New Balance coming on March 1st.

          Danny Mackey has taken the Brooks Beasts from an unproven club to the Olympic podium in its first decade.

          Dathan Ritzenhein is the first of the top pro coaches to sit down and talk about his club heading into the 2022 campaign.

          Best of Jon Gault
          Best of Jon Gault
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          Take Your Love of LetsRun to the Next Level
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