Pre Preview, Kenny Bednarek (guest) + Lutkenhaus AR?, loaded Bowerman Mile, Kipyegon returns
LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and FieldShow Notes
Jonathan Gault and Rojo preview a stacked Prefontaine Classic, from Cooper Lutkenhaus chasing the American 800m record and Jackson Spencer's shot at Alan Webb's high school mile mark, to a loaded Bowerman Mile featuring Yared Nuguse, Cole Hocker, Niels Laros and Cam Myers, and Faith Kipyegon's much-anticipated return in the women's mile. They also break down the men's and women's 100m fields, Keely Hodgkinson's build toward a world record attempt, and Marco Langan's surprise pro signing.
At 50:52 US 100m champion Kenny Bednarek joins to discuss switching from the 200m to the 100m at Pre, his rivalry with Noah Lyles, his elaborate recovery routine, his Grand Slam Track experience, and his goals for the Ultimate Championship in a season without Worlds or the Olympics.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Cold Open
00:24 Prefontaine Classic Weekend Preview
02:15 Podcast Schedule Banter and Supporters Club
04:42 RoJo's Parenting Story
06:16 Cooper Lutkenhaus Chases the American Record
12:33 Donovan Brazier's Disappointing Season
16:08 Jackson Spencer's Bid for Alan Webb's Record
19:30 Men's Two Mile and Marco Langan's Pro Signing
25:42 Faith Kipyegon's Return to the Mile
30:59 Bowerman Mile Field Preview
34:21 Bowerman Mile Predictions
40:27 Steeplechase, Women's 800, and Keely Hodgkinson
45:55 Men's 100 and Saturday's Sprint Showdowns
50:52 Kenny Bednarek guest
55:02 Favorite Racing Venues
58:21 Travel, Recovery, and Pre-Race Routine
62:01 2026 Goals and the Budapest Double
65:09 Rivalry with Noah Lyles
67:33 Secrets to Consistency and Recovery Investments
75:31 Reflecting on Silver Medals
77:45 Training Partner Sam Blaskowski
81:38 Grand Slam Track and Athlete Pay
86:30 Prefontaine Preview and Closing Thoughts
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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.
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