Josh Hoey world record attempt is on, Boston Marathon loaded with American women, NBIGP is here!

🏃 Get your World XC USA gear at shop.letsrun.com — limited stock remaining on the t-shirts!

The 2026 indoor season is officially here, and it's heating up fast. This week we break down Josh Hoey's bold announcement that he's targeting Wilson Kipketer's nearly 30-year-old indoor 800m world record at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. Can he do it? We debate his chances and pay homage to Kipketer's legendary 1997 season.

Plus, Cam Myers ran 3:49 in the mile, the fastest ever in January, and the teen phenom comparisons are flying. We've got updates on Jakob Ingebrigtsen skipping the indoor season entirely (should we be worried about his Achilles?), Grand Slam Track's bankruptcy drama, and breaking news from a top agent about how much athletes actually got paid.

On the marathon side, the 2026 Boston Marathon women's field is out, and while it's missing Hellen Obiri, it's absolutely stacked with American talent. Could Fiona O'Keeffe make the podium? And where the heck is Parker Valby?

🎁 Want a 2nd Podcast Every Week? Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club for bonus podcasts, exclusive content, and a super soft t-shirt: https://www.letsrun.com/subscribeMoney-back guarantee — if you don't like it, cancel and keep the shirt!

Links:

• Discuss this week's episode here

• LetsRun.com Shop

• Join the Supporters Club

• Ross Tucker's Real Science of Sport Podcast / Jakob news

• Sam Ruthe family running history thread

• 2026 Boston Marathon Women's Elite Field announcement

• Valby training with Coburn

• New Balance Indoor Grand Prix entries

• Valby running NB games this wknd?

• Dr. Sander Scorcher meet info

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro / World XC Merch Plug
• 01:02 Episode Preview: Indoor Season Heats Up
• 03:44 Josh Hoey Announces 800m World Record Attempt
• 06:58 Hoey's Unconventional Path and Self-Belief
• 11:16 Wilson Kipketer's Historic 1997 Season
• 13:00 Why Top 800m Runners Skip Indoors
• 17:12 Cam Myers Runs 3:49 — Fastest January Mile Ever
• 19:35 Teen Phenoms: Myers vs. Laros vs. Lutkenhaus
• 26:20 Ellie St. Pierre vs. Jessica Hull Preview
• 29:30 Should Hoey Defend His World Indoor Title?
• 31:00 Jakob Ingebrigtsen Skipping Indoor Season
• 34:30 Achilles Concerns and Chris Derrick Comparisons
• 37:35 Grand Slam Track Bankruptcy: Agent Reveals Athletes Got Overpaid
• 42:20 What's Next for Athing Mu?
• 43:41 The Incredible Depth of Men's 5000m
• 46:56 Sam Ruthe: 16-Year-Old Runs 1:45 in New Zealand
• 50:10 Sam Ruthe's Incredible Running Family History
• 53:12 Cooper Lutkenhaus Opens 2026 Season
• 57:20 The Rise of Millrose Games
• 59:00 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials: Phoenix vs. St. Louis
• 62:42 2026 Boston Marathon Women's Field Breakdown
• 67:35 Fiona O'Keeffe's Big Opportunity
• 74:38 Where Is Parker Valby?
• 76:38 Sponsorship Shakeups: Elle St. Pierre, Heather McLean
• 79:13 Outro

Contact us: Email [email protected]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 the PR headlines to provide the insider reporting and unfiltered debate that serious fans and industry insiders rely on.

Go Deeper:

• Get the Bonus Podcast: Supporters Club members get an exclusive second podcast every week, plus premium articles and forum perks.
  Join the LRC Supporters Club here

• Join the Conversation:

Post on our world-famous forum

• Contact Us: Call 1-844-LETSRUN (538-7786) or email [email protected]

---

Find out more at http://podcast.letsrun.com

Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/letsrun/8438b800-a410-4d18-a101-82b53b17816a