They Canceled Again… But Should They Have? | Episode 207

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Sometimes a race gets canceled…

and no matter what the reason is,
someone’s going to be upset.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the Carmel Marathon cancellation—and the bigger question behind it.

Should races cancel early to protect runners…
or wait and risk making the wrong call?

Because the reality is:
there’s no perfect answer.

We talk through the race director’s perspective, the runner’s frustration, and the growing divide between the two.

From last-minute cancellations…
to early decisions that look wrong in hindsight…
to the real cost of logistics, safety, and expectations.

And maybe the biggest question of all:

What should the right call actually be?

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🎙️ Topics we cover:

Why race directors can’t “just delay it”
Early cancellation vs race-day decisions
The mental impact on runners
Travel, cost, and real-world frustration
“Run it anyway” mentality
Virtual races vs real races
What a better policy might actually look like

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This isn’t about blaming one side.

It’s about understanding the reality behind the decision.

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👇 We want to hear from you:

If you were the race director…
what would you do?

Cancel early?
Or wait and take the risk?

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🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
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