The Fastest Boston Marathon Ever + Simeon Birnbaum 3:31, Michael Norman Returns

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John Korir obliterated the Boston Marathon course record with a stunning 2:01:52, negative-splitting the second half in 60:02 to repeat as champion. The top three men all broke the previous course record in what became the first marathon in history with three sub-2:03 finishers**. Sharon Lokedi** defended her women's title with a devastating 14:48 5K split between 35K and 40K that destroyed the field. Zouhair Talbi ran 2:03:45 to post the fastest time ever by a US citizen, igniting debate over whether he or Conner Mantz is America's top marathoner. Meanwhile, Oregon's Simeon Birnbaum smashed the NCAA 1500 record with a 3:31.69 at Hayward Field, and Michael Norman made his long-awaited return to competition after surgery.

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LINKS

• Fastest Boston Marathon Ever: Korir Destroys Course Record, 13 Men Under 2:06
• Sharon Lokedi Repeats as Boston Marathon Champion Thanks to Sizzling 14:48 5K Split
• How Did They Run So Fast in Boston? Inside the Fastest Race in History
• Simeon Birnbaum Smashes NCAA 1500m Record With 3:31.69
• Michael Norman Is Back: Runs First Race in 19 Months With New Coach
• Why the AIU Handed NCAA Champion Adaejah Hodge a Secret Doping Ban
• Joe Klecker's Strava
• Stephen Pifer's Strava (Sharon Lokedi's Borrowed Garmin Data)
• Mary Ngugi Cooper Post-Race Interview
• "No One Cares If You Get Second": Simeon Birnbaum on Why Winning Is All That Matters (Podcast)
• Fiona O'Keeffe's Withdrawal Announcement (Instagram)

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Mary Ngugi Cooper Audio / Intro
• 00:48 Show Open
• 05:25 John Korir: Best Marathoner in the World?
• 08:33 The Kipchoge Legacy Debate
• 14:33 Record-Shattering Men's Results
• 22:05 Conner Mantz vs Zouhair Talbi: Who Is America's Best Marathoner?
• 28:41 Richard Ringer's Surprise Run at Age 37
• 32:52 Non-African-Born Runners Rewriting All-Time Lists
• 39:25 What Went Wrong for Korir in Chicago?
• 44:20 Korir's Rise: From 70 to 150 Miles Per Week
• 47:40 Where Your Dreams Become Reality
• 51:07 Technology's Impact on Marathon Depth
• 53:27 Sharon Lokedi Defends Her Boston Title
• 59:41 How Good Was Lokedi's Performance?
• 62:00 Jess McClain Leads the American Women
• 66:05 Fiona O'Keeffe's Withdrawal and Durability Questions
• 71:21 Mary Ngugi Cooper and the Let's Run Effect
• 74:14 Simeon Birnbaum Smashes the NCAA 1500 Record
• 79:10 NCAA 1500 Depth and the Championship Preview
• 83:26 Michael Norman's Comeback
• 87:13 Tate Taylor, Adaejah Hodge, and Sprint Controversies
• 94:41 Katelyn Tuohy's Health and Pro Struggles
• 97:35 SC Exclusive: Nick Willis' Theory
• 98:05 Supporters Club Plug
• 98:26 Closing Remarks and London Marathon Preview

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.