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

· 1 h 39 min

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

0:00 1:39:20

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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.

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