World XC is Saturday

The general secretary of the Ethiopian Athletics federation told LetsRun.com at least 14 have been affected in total, mostly from the U20 ranks. As a result, Ethiopia has only entered one U20 man and three U20 women at 2026 World XC so they will not be able to win team medals in those races. Ethiopia has medaled 100% of the time in those events in the past. The good news is Ethiopian stars were not impacted by this and will be in the pro races as will defending U20 women's champ Marta Alemayo.
*MB: Breaking: Visa rejections by US embassy prevent Ethiopia from entering full teams in jr races at 2026 World Cross Country Champs.

Upcoming Indoor Action
Former D3 Champ Arrested For Murder
Upcoming
Sam Ruthe Puts Up Another Fast Time

You can see the race above.

European Record
More End-Of-Year Stuff
RIP
Sprint Stuff
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2026 Hakone Ekiden - The Most Watched Distance Race on Planet Earth
2026 Hakone Ekiden - The Most Watched Distance Race on Planet Earth

AGU won for the 9th time in 12 years and they did it in style, "winning time of 10:37:34 for the complete 217.1 km course took an incredible 4 minutes off its own CR."

Asahi Kuroda, Japan's collegiate record holder in the marathon (2:06:05), had an absolutely stunning run on Friday's 5th stage at the Hakone Ekiden. The Mountain Stage is legendary for its more than 2,000 feet elevation gain (it goes up nearly 3,000 feet before coming down a bit) and Kuroda destroyed it. By our calculations, he ran the equivalent of 57:30-58:00 for the half-marathon, destroying the segment record by nearly 2 minutes. *Brett Larner
*Official 2026 Hakone Ekiden Live Discussion Thread + Free link to "the best sports broadcast in the world"

1 Week To World XC

Will Jacob Kiplimo 3-peat at World XC?

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Who will be the top US woman at World XC?

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Who will be the top US man at World XC?

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Father Time Is Undefeated

He proposed to fellow Stanford alum Sarah Walker, who has run 2:03 for 800m.

New Year's Eve/Day Results
World XC Bummer

The double Olympic and world champion was initially named as reserve for the team after not competing at the Kenyan championships, but now won't compete in Tallahassee (no reason is given).

2025 Year End Podcast

We take one big look at the crazy track and field year.

Other Distance News
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The 2nd fastest Brit ever will run her 2nd marathon a month as she just won Honolulu after dropping out of Chicago. Future American Zouhair Talbi (2:06:39 pb), the 2024 Houston champ, leads the men's field.

Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026
RIP
2025 Awards / Recaps
New Year's Road Action
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GST Update
End Of Year Action
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Yr in Review Podcast

In a special yr end bonus podcast for our SC members, Rojo gives you his biggest story lines of the year. For the women (at least for Americans), it was the year of Jane Hedengren. On the men’s side, Cole Hocker’s 5000 gold finished off a wild Worlds where African born men won zero distance golds on the track, which hadn’t happened since the very first Worlds in 1983. Plus in 20 years, will we be talking about GST’s demise? And is the suspension of the coaching legends Art & Linda Kranick justified? What about NCAA D3 runner Mohammed Bati?

2025 Recaps
High School News
European News
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Post-Christmas Headlines
More 2025 Review
This is Disgraceful

The NCAA has done a lot of stupid things over the years but this has to to appear near the top of the list. They have stripped all remaining eligibility for NCAA D3 XC runner-up (and 2:12 marathoner) Mohammed Bati, who works a full-time job 5 days a week at an assisted living facility from 11 pm to 7 am while attending school and running track/XC. His sin? The local community came together and raised $6k for him.

Another controversial ban

Art and Linda Kranick built a dynasty at Saratoga Springs as they won 3 national titles and 28 NY state federation titles. Many runners RAVED about them. Many also HATED them. Banning them for life even though one of them is dead seems the definition of administrative over reach. SafeSpot has a policy not to ban dead people. Does USATF even know Art Kranick is dead?

World XC Will Be Happening in 2 Weeks
Marathon News
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Pics?
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 At least 4 T&F athletes make the cut including Gout Gout and Sifan Hassan.

Upcoming Indoor Action
Distance News
The Marathon Project

The leaders hit 30k on 2:08:05 pace but faded late as the Flavin, the former NC State runner now running for Hansons-Brooks, got the win out of the second pack. 45-year-old Priscah Cherono of Kenya, who won world championship bronze in the 5000 way back in 2007, led the women's race throughout and won in a new pb of 2:25:17.
*MB: Official 2025 Marathon Project Live Discussion Thread

  • Pre-Race:  LRC Ben Rosario Pod - The Marathon Project 2.0 Ben broke down the elite men’s and women’s fields and talked why any serious runner looking for a PB should run the race. Can you say - super fast course, perfect weather, personal bottle service and free super shoes?
    Coe Speaks

    The nomination of Femke Bol as a finalist in 2025 over Beatrice Chebet and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden sparked outrage among fans. Coe also weighed in on World XC in Tallahassee, Grand Slam Track, and the World Ultimate Champs in his end-of-year media call.

    GST Update

    New bankruptcy filings reveal that Grand Slam Track owes millions for TV production, million to athletes including $356,250 to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and $272,915 to Citius Mag for coverage and related services

    Two LRC Exclusives On The 2021 Olympic 800m Champions

    After three years with Kersee that included an American record in 2023, a devastating injury in 2024, and a failure to make the US final in 2025, Mu-Nikolayev has left Kersee and moved from LA to Dallas.

    The Kenyan 800m star has largely disappeared since winning Olympic and world titles in 2021 & 2022. And the physiotherapist who treated him twice a day, every day for 6 months leading up to the Olympics is worried for him. "We’ve been trying to help him, but he hasn’t been willing to receive the help."

    A wearable that helps you train smarter and avoid injury (Sponsored)

    Aletheia Run turns every run into real insight. The small sensor gives you a personal Force Portrait so you see how your body loads, moves, and reacts with each stride. Get clear feedback, form fixes, and training tips that help you run faster and avoid injury. Use code LETSRUN10 for 10 percent off your first year.

    LRC Prediction Contest
    LRC Prediction Contest
    Valencia Marathon is Sunday
    Jager Q&A for Supporters Club Members

    Evan Jager retired this week and then sat down with LetsRun.com for his most candid interview ever. He opened up about the Paris fall, the Olympic silver, the Fancy Bears leak, and the tension between Alberto and Jerry that shaped parts of his career.

    Message Board Q&A

    Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson, runner, best-selling author, and host of “The Most Interesting Thing in A.I.", just ran over three hours in the marathon for the first time in 20 years. He joins LetsRun Friday to talk running, life, and his new book The Running Ground. If you'd like a book for free, just join our Supporters Club. Click for more info.

      Marathon Analysis

      Did you know everyone who has won a women's major since the start of 2022 has a pb under 2:18? Have we already found the heir to Eliud Kipchoge?

      O'Keeffe Had A Great NYC

      O'Keeffe ran with the leaders through 19 miles and finished 4th in 2:22:49, the fastest time by an American woman in NYC by almost two minutes.

      Josh Hoey parts ways with yet another coach

      Somehow Justin Rinaldi transformed Josh Hoey, who couldn't break 1:47 for 6+ years, to a 1:42.01 world indoor champ and DL winner. How has he been rewarded? With a pink slip. Rojo thinks it's hard to think of a dumber decision than this but then again Jerry Jones once did fire Jimmy Johnson.

      After disagreements on training philosophy, Justin Rinaldi will no longer be coaching Hoey despite engineering one of the greatest turnarounds in American middle distance running history, taking Hoey from 1:47 to 1:42 and World Indoor champion in two years. Plus get the inside scoop on a key workout Hoey overcooked before USAs.

      Great listen/read

      Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, joins the LetsRun.com Podcast to talk about his new book The Running Ground, how he ran 2:29 at 44, his late father, and why he still checks LetsRun every day.

      Doping Bust?
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      In the latest update, Iowa State has confirmed that none of the suspended runners were in their top 7 but cited FERPA regulations and won't name the suspended runners. It appears that in a separate incident, their #3 runner was arrested last week for leaving the scene of a traffic accident.

      LRC Q&A

      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.

      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."

      Chicago Marathon
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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

      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
      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.
      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
      Take Your Love of LetsRun to the Next Level
      LetsRun Classics
      LetsRun Classics

      You're Invited • Open to Everyone

      LetsRun World XC Party

      Celebrate American running after World Cross!

      3:00 - 6:00 PM
      The Township
      619 S Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL
      ✨ Supporters Club members get a free drink
      RSVP Here to Join the Party
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