Fantasies + Guests Hobbs Kessler & Rai Benjamin, a Titan is Coming to NCAAs, & Paul Chelimo's Marathon Debut

LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field

Olympian Hobbs Kessler joins us at 75:25 to discuss his breakout 2024 season and 2025 plans. He's followed by Mr USA Gold Rai Benjamin at 97:20 as both athletes joined us from the Global Athletics Media Summit.

Prior to that we break down the latest in the running world including the marathon completion debut of Paul Chelimo before we turn to our "fantasy" segments and ponder who is most likely to miss the 2025 World Championships in the 1500, debate where high school star Jane Hedengren would have finished at NCAA XCs and have our fantasy USA World XC draft.

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• Show notes: 00:00 The Runner Box
• 01:09 Start
• 05:49 Hobbs Kessler talk
• 07:27 Who misses the team: Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse or Hobbs Kessler in 2025?
• 11:52 Neil Gourley wins Kiwi mile
• 14:32 Alberto 16:12 Paul Chelimo runs 2:18 in his marathon debut (outside of Trials)
• 23:00 Rojo's idiotic Footlocker GST comparison
• 26:13 High schooler Jane Hedengren would have placed where at NCAAs?
• 30:10 World XC Amerian fantasy XC draft
• 51:42 Kenneth Rooks shows up at Club XC Nationals
• 58:04 The titan coming to NCAA XC is Ishmael Kipkirui
• 01:06:28 Olympic triathlon champ Alex Yee to make marathon debut in London
• 01:15:25 Hobbs Kessler (guest)
• 01:16:43 Joining the sub 3:30 club and the state of American miling
• 01:17:50 What was difference in 2024?
• 01:23:05 Training with Bryce
• 01:24:26 Unique Training Approaches
• 01:28:46 His "team" now includes Pat Henner & the crazy story how they met in Yosemite
• 01:34:53 Looking Ahead to 2025
• 01:35:55 What could he have done differently at Olympics?
• 01:37:20 Rai Benjamin (guest)
• 01:38:21 Reflecting on the Olympic Experience
• 01:38:54 Handling Pressure as the Anchor
• 01:44:23 Splitting time with coach Hayes at UCLA and coach Watts at USC
• 01:46:15 Will he give the 200 a go?
• 01:47:57 Thoughts on Grand Slam Track
• 01:49:21 Cycling as Cross-Training
• 01:50:54 Thoughts on missing out on Athlete of the Year
• 01:52:46 That 4x4 leg
• 01:53:34 Supporters Club: Join today for yourself or give a gift subscription
• 01:54:15 The Runner Box

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