Marathon Running Podcast by Marathon Journal · Episode 335 · September 21, 2026 · 44 min

335. Chicago Marathon 2026 Elite Recap, Redemption, and Refill Cups!

Fresh off the plane from Chicago, Letty and Ryan dive into an action-packed episode breaking down everything from the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors Chicago Marathon! The Redemption Race: Letty reflects on her triumphant return to Chicago to conquer her DNF from last year—proving that emotional hurdles are often harder to clear than physical ones. Shokz Partnership: A huge shout-out to Shokz for the race bib and their new dual-system bone-conduction headphones that deliver crisp sound without losing situational awareness. Elite Field Breakdowns: Men's Elite: Amos Kipruto (featured in Letty's upcoming documentary Why They Run ) takes the crown in a blistering 2:01:09—the second-fastest time in Chicago history! Plus, a nod to Charles Hicks finishing as the top American and stopping to cheer on his wife. Women's Elite: Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich / Howie Fayesa holds strong, alongside fantastic performances by American debutantes like Emma Grace Hurley (2:20:47). Wheelchair Divisions: Marcel Hug dominates to secure his 7th Chicago title, and Catherine DeBrunner shatters the all-out marathon world record! Guest Interview: Hear from elite runner Dakotah Popehn as she shares her inspiring race insights and recap. Sustainability & Course Innovation: Exploring the pilot program with Hydropack and Culligan water refill stations on the course—the stats, the logistics of handheld bottles vs. traditional paper cups, and a look toward a greener racing future. What's Next: A sneak peek at next week's episode featuring running coach Lisa Landrum tackling imposter syndrome and the comparison trap, plus upcoming event coverage in Amsterdam and Porto! Episode Highlights & Key Topics