Femke Bol's 800m Debut, Jakob's Surgery, USAs to NYC, Grand Slam Track's $6M Bankruptcy Deal

Femke Bol made her 800m debut. What did we think? Grand Slam Track's bankruptcy plan will pay the athletes nearly everything they are owed, but vendors only 1.5%. Plus: Why track and field will never be popular year-round (and why that's okay), USATF Outdoor Championships are coming to New York for the first time since 1991, and Robert shares his thoughts on ski jumping regulations that you won't believe. The guys also preview this weekend's stacked meets including the ASICS Sound Invite featuring Cole Hocker vs. Sam Ruthe in the mile and Cooper Lutkenhaus in the 800m, answer listener emails, and debate whether cross country running belongs in the Winter Olympics. 🎁 Support LetsRun.com Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club: https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe Links: LetsRun.com VPN recommendation Weldon Johnson: Pay the Athletes 85%, Save the League - Inside Grand Slam Track's Bankruptcy Plan USATF Outdoor Championships to be held in New York for first time since 1991 'Penisgate' at Winter Olympics: ski jumpers' acid penis health risks LetsRun.com forum: Jakob Ingebrigtsen injury speculation thread LetsRun.com forum: Cross country in Winter Olympics discussion LetsRun.com forum: Femke Bol 800m debut discussion Femke Bol "Super Bol Sunday" image Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Jakob Ingebrigtsen's Achilles Surgery 07:59 Cross Country in the Winter Olympics Debate 15:59 Why Track & Field Will Never Be Popular Year-Round 17:59 Femke Bol's 800m Debut: Encouraging or Disappointing? 26:14 800m Pacing Analysis with Justin Rinaldi 35:14 Robert's Ski Jumping Joke 38:14 2026 USATF Outdoor Championships Moving to New York 49:13 Grand Slam Track Bankruptcy Plan Explained 62:14 Preview: ASICS Sound Invite & Valentine Invitational 68:14 Listener Emails: Western Runners & Doping Conspiracy Theories Contact us: Email podcast@letsrun.com or call/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 the PR headlines to provide the insider reporting and unfiltered debate that serious fans and industry insiders rely on. Go Deeper: Get the Bonus Podcast: Supporters Club members get an exclusive second podcast every week, plus premium articles and forum perks.