Josh Kerr world record attempt, Shelby, secret doping bans, and the pacer who couldn't win
LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and FieldShow Notes
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EPISODE SUMMARY
Josh Kerr has announced Project 222, targeting Hicham El Guerrouj's Mile World Record of 3:43.13 at the London Diamond League on July 18th, a record that has stood since 1999. The crew debates his chances, Cole Hocker's potential spoiler role, and whether the Bowerman Mile at Pre could see the record fall first. In Australia, 19-year-old Cam Myers ran 3:30 for 1500m, demolishing world indoor medalist Adam Spencer by seven seconds. Shelby Houlihan didn't come close to Alicia Monson's American record at 10,000m but was still a pretty decent run. A Rojo Rant erupts over the Berlin Half Marathon, where pacer Dennis Kipkemoi was seemingly told not to win after bridging past leader Andrea Kiptoo. Plus, details emerge on Adaejah Hodge's secret 17-month doping ban and the AIU's controversial use of silent suspensions.
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LINKS
Flagstaff Coaching Clinic (sponsor)
Josh Kerr Announces Project 222 Targeting 3:42 Mile World Record at London DL
Berlin Generali Half Marathon β Dennis Kipkemoi Pacing Controversy
Shelby Houlihan Wins The Ten in 30:50
Tate Taylor Runs 9.92 at Texas 6A State Meet
Gout Gout vs Lachlan Kennedy 200m at Maurie Plant Meet
Gout Gout Viral Sprint Video
Thread of the Week: Jude Ritzenhein Runs 4:10.95 1600m as a Ninth Grader at Altitude
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Flagstaff Coaching Clinic
00:39 Aletheia Sponsor
01:38 Episode Preview and NCAA Tournament Chat
07:28 Josh Kerr Announces Project 222
13:28 Brooks Speed Suit and Record Logistics
18:07 Can Cole Hocker Crash the Party?
25:26 Niels Laros Injury Update and the Mile's Future
28:53 Cam Myers Puts On a Show in Melbourne
30:57 Hobbs Kessler and Teen Phenom Expectations
35:44 Gout Gout, Texas Sprinting, and Young Phenoms
43:34 Rojo Rant: Berlin Half Marathon Scandal
49:48 Should Pacers Be Allowed to Win?
53:31 Integrity of Competition and Rabbit Ethics
59:09 Shelby Houlihan's 10K and US Women's Distance Depth
62:58 Adaejah Hodge's Secret Doping Ban
68:06 Silent Bans and Anti-Doping Transparency
72:58 Youth Doping Crisis and Unanswered Questions
76:35 Previewing the Top US Runners for 2026
78:54 Outro and Supporters Club
CONTACT
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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.
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