335. Chicago Marathon 2026 Elite Recap, Redemption, and Refill Cups!

Fresh off the plane from Chicago, Letty and Ryan dive into an action-packed episode breaking down everything from the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors Chicago Marathon!

• The Redemption Race: Letty reflects on her triumphant return to Chicago to conquer her DNF from last year—proving that emotional hurdles are often harder to clear than physical ones.

• Shokz Partnership: A huge shout-out to Shokz for the race bib and their new dual-system bone-conduction headphones that deliver crisp sound without losing situational awareness.

• Elite Field Breakdowns:

  • Men's Elite: Amos Kipruto (featured in Letty's upcoming documentary Why They Run) takes the crown in a blistering 2:01:09—the second-fastest time in Chicago history! Plus, a nod to Charles Hicks finishing as the top American and stopping to cheer on his wife.

  • Women's Elite: Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich / Howie Fayesa holds strong, alongside fantastic performances by American debutantes like Emma Grace Hurley (2:20:47).

  • Wheelchair Divisions: Marcel Hug dominates to secure his 7th Chicago title, and Catherine DeBrunner shatters the all-out marathon world record!

• Guest Interview: Hear from elite runner Dakotah Popehn as she shares her inspiring race insights and recap.

• Sustainability & Course Innovation: Exploring the pilot program with Hydropack and Culligan water refill stations on the course—the stats, the logistics of handheld bottles vs. traditional paper cups, and a look toward a greener racing future.

• What's Next: A sneak peek at next week's episode featuring running coach Lisa Landrum tackling imposter syndrome and the comparison trap, plus upcoming event coverage in Amsterdam and Porto!

Episode Highlights & Key Topics