2026 NCAAs: Simeon Birnbaum dominant, Jane Hedengren gets beat, Ja'Kobe Tharp WR +Parker Valby 14:39

The 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships delivered . Simeon Birnbaum's dominant 1500-meter victory that cemented him as America's next distance star. Sanu Jallow obliterated the women's 800 collegiate record with a fearless front-running 1:56.85, while Ja'Kobe Tharp stunned with a 12.75 world record in the 110 hurdles during the prelims. Jane Hedengren's bid for four NCAA titles fell apart as illness derailed her 5K and 10K campaigns, sparking debate about her long-term trajectory.Rojo & Jon also preview the LA Grand Prix, react to the USA's commanding World Cup opener against Paraguay, and provide a live Parker Valby 5000-meter update as she runs a 14:39 5000m pr.

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content:
Join the Supporters Club — letsrun.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Start
00:50 Simeon Birnbaum Arrives as a Star
08:47 Jane Hedengren's Disappointing NCAAs
16:27 Have We Seen Peak Jane Hedengren?
21:10 Cooper Lutkenhaus and Pacing Young Stars
24:56 Men's 800: Colin Sahlman's Incredible Range
28:41 Women's 800: Sanu Jallow Breaks Collegiate Record
33:55 Marco Langon Goes Pro After NCAA 5K
38:52 Women's 5K DQ Controversy
40:29 Steeple Chases and Women's 1500
45:58 Sprint Records Shattered at NCAAs
48:08 Ja'Kobe Tharp's 110 Hurdles World Record
51:27 Men's 100, 200, and 400 Fireworks
57:27 NCAA Sprint Stars Who Disappeared as Pros
59:20 Team Titles and Adaejah Hodge's Suspension Questions
63:29 Doping Transparency in Track and Field
68:02 Rocky Hansen and the World Cross Controversy
71:25 LA Grand Prix Preview
73:29 Kenneth Brooks's Rough 2026 Season
80:40 World Cup Reaction: USA Dominates Paraguay
84:23 World Cup Group Previews and Kit Complaints
89:07 FIFA's Hydration Break Cash Grab
93:17 NBA Finals, Parker Valby Live Update, and Sign-Off

Contact us:

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.