Chicago: Mauri Mania vs Young's result, Rupp 2:06 at 40, adidas, USAs runners not cutting it in NCAAs

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EPISODE SUMMARY

The 2026 Chicago Marathon delivered blockbuster storylines. Vinny Mauri was on American record pace in just his second marathon, nearly 2:03 pace before hamstring cramps slowed him to 2:06:45 and 10th place. Clayton Young, running on a torn hamstring, finished as top American in 2:05:23 — the second-fastest US time ever. Amos Kipruto won the men's race in 2:01 as Jacob Kiplimo faltered, and Hawi Feysa repeated as women's champion in 2:13:33. Galen Rupp ran 2:06:55 at age 40, while Adidas's new super shoe dominated once again, sweeping all six major marathon titles this fall. The crew also breaks down the Nuttycombe Invitational and the escalating debate over foreign runners dominating NCAA cross country.

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LINKS

• Robert Johnson's Week That Was: Chicago Marathon Winners and Losers
• Jonathan Gault's Chicago Marathon Men's Race Recap
• 25 Years Ago, I "Paced" Catherine Ndereba to a World Record in Chicago - Until She Broke Me - LetsRun.com
• Mario Garcia Romo Leaves OAC (LetsRun Forum)
• Congratulations NCAA Coaches, You Killed the Sport (LetsRun Forum)
• I'd Rather Have Vinny's Race Than Clayton's (LetsRun Forum)
• Patrick McEnroe Tweet on Foreign Players in NCAA Tennis
• BetterRunningShoes.com
• VKTRY Carbon Fiber Insoles — 90-Day Risk-Free Trial
• LetsRun.com Forum
• LetsRun.com Forum: College Running

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Chicago Marathon Recap & Intro
• 02:22 Vinny Mauri's Bold Run & Training Method
• 09:44 America's Best Marathoner: Mauri, Hicks or Young?
• 16:33 Adidas Super Shoes & Amos Kipruto
• 21:33 Gemedu Dedefo's Dominant Training Group
• 24:03 Hawi Feysa Wins Chicago Again
• 27:53 Mauri's 15K Gamble & Pacing Debate
• 34:44 Robert's Ndereba Pacing Story
• 40:51 Mauri's Fearlessness & The US Marathon Gap
• 46:32 Can Americans Compete in Fast Marathons?
• 50:02 Galen Rupp Runs 2:06 at Age 40
• 52:14 Rupp's Olympic Trials Outlook
• 54:44 CJ Albertson & Shoe Technology
• 59:35 Adidas vs Nike: The Shoe War
• 65:40 Emma Grace Hurley & Broadcast Criticism
• 71:23 Fixing Marathon Broadcasts
• 78:13 Nuttycombe Invitational & NCAA Foreign Runners
• 82:53 The Foreign Runner Debate
• 88:24 NIL, Pro Contracts & Eligibility Rules
• 93:49 Transfers, Age Limits & Education
• 96:57 Mario Garcia Romo's Journey Home
• 101:37 Defending Dathan Ritzenhein
• 105:58 Patrick Cullen's Chicago Attempt & Wrap-Up
• 111:35 Let's Run Blazers & Sign-Off

CONTACT

Email: podcast@letsrun.com 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.

Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)