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In 2019, it felt like women in sport had forced a turning point.

When Alysia Montaño, Kara Goucher, and Allyson Felix spoke publicly about pregnancy-related sponsorship penalties, major brands promised change.

Contracts changed. Protections were added. The sport moved forward… or did it?

In this episode, we unpack the “Pregnancy Penalty,” the recent controversy involving Emma Bates and UCAN, and a bigger question:

Did this problem go away… or did it just move into the fine print?

This isn’t just a conversation about one athlete or one brand.

It’s about what the sport values, what contracts protect, and whether pregnancy is still treated as a risk in professional running.

👇 What do you think?
Should sponsors be required to protect athletes through pregnancy, no matter the circumstances? Let us know in the comments.

#RunningPodcast #EmmaBates #AllysonFelix #KaraGoucher #AlysiaMontano #WomenInSport #RunningNews #Marathon #TrackAndField #PregnancyPenalty

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Sometimes the hardest part of a marathon…
isn’t the running.

It’s everything that happens around it.

After hearing about a bizarre finish at a marathon earlier this year—where the race leader was literally sent the wrong way just meters before the finish—we started digging into how often things like this actually happen.

And it turns out… it’s not rare.

In this episode, we talk through some of the strangest and most unexpected moments in marathon history—from officials interfering at the worst possible time, to historic controversies, to moments where the line between competition and compassion gets blurred.

Some of these are frustrating.
Some are unbelievable.
And some are just… weird.

But they all raise the same question:

👉 How much of a race is actually in your control?

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🎙️ Topics we cover:

The 2026 marathon finish controversy
Katherine Switzer and the 1967 Boston Marathon
The 1908 Olympic marathon chaos
When helping a runner becomes disqualification
Marathon cheating and bizarre race behavior
The strange role of spectators, officials, and outside interference

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If you’ve ever run a race—or even just watched one—this episode might change how you see the finish line.

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👇 We’d love to hear from you:
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen during a race?

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🎧 Thanks for listening to the I Don’t Know Running Podcast
We’ll see you next time.


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Why would an everyday runner cheat in a race?

Not elites.
Not professionals.

Just… normal people.

In this episode, we take a look at the strange and surprisingly relatable psychology behind cheating in running—from cutting courses and bib swapping to chasing Strava validation and Boston qualifiers.

This isn’t just about the stories.

It’s about the why.

Because at some level, most runners have faced the same question:

What matters more… finishing fast, or finishing honestly?

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We also talk through:

• The infamous Rosie Ruiz Boston Marathon scandal
• The “porta potty time machine” ultra cheat
• Why social media may be fueling bad decisions
• How runners actually get caught today
• And what cheating really takes away from others

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At the end of the day, the real finish line might not be the tape…

It might be who you choose to be when no one’s watching.

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💬 Let us know:

Have you ever been tempted to cut a corner?

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🎙️ The I Don’t Know Running Podcast
Real conversations about running—what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.

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#RunningPodcast #Marathon #RunningCommunity #Strava #BostonMarathon #RunningMotivation
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What kind of runner are you… really?

In this episode, we’re breaking down the different types of running communities—from Marathon Maniacs chasing finish lines to social run crews meeting for coffee, to performance-focused track clubs grinding through workouts.

Because depending on who you run with…
running can feel like a competition, a community, or something in between.

We talk through:

Marathon Maniacs and high-volume racing culture
Social run crews and the rise of community-driven running
Performance clubs and structured training environments
Mission-based groups running for a cause
The difference between chasing recognition vs building relationships

At the end of the day, running isn’t just a sport—it’s a culture.
And everyone finds their place in it a little differently.

So… which type are you?

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing for more honest discussions about running.

💬 Drop a comment:
What kind of runner do you consider yourself?
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Sometimes the conversation around running isn’t about pace, training plans, or race results.

It’s about something deeper than that.

Why are you doing it in the first place?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch revisit the recent debate around race-day phones and cameras — but this time, they focus on what really stood out:

The responses.

Some runners believe you should “just follow the rules.”
Others argue safety is the priority.
And some take it even further… saying if you’re stopping for photos, you’re racing for the wrong reasons.

But is there really a “right” reason to run?

Or are we missing the point entirely?

This episode dives into the comments, the arguments, and the bigger question underneath it all — who gets to decide why someone runs?

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🎙️ In this episode:

* Reacting to real listener comments
* The “just follow the rules” mindset
* Safety vs experience during races
* Are selfies and photos actually a problem?
* The idea of “wrong reasons” for running
* Gatekeeping in the running community

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Honest conversations about running — the good, the bad, and everything in between.

If you’ve ever been told you’re doing it wrong… this one’s for you.

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💬 Let us know in the comments:
Why do YOU run?

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👍 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who loves running (or argues about it)


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Did runners really get a marathon medal for only 18 miles?

At the 2026 LA Marathon, race organizers offered runners an early finish at Mile 18 because of extreme heat conditions. Runners who stopped still received a medal — but no official marathon time.

So… does that count as finishing the race?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch break down one of the strangest weekends in distance running.

Topics include:

• The LA Marathon’s controversial Mile 18 early finish option
• Whether giving runners a medal at 18 miles makes any sense
• The dramatic elite finish decided by 0.01 seconds
• The chaos near the finish when Michael Kamau was briefly disrupted in the final stretch
• And the debate over whether race organizers are doing too much to protect runners — or not enough

Meanwhile, Jacob Kiplimo answered recent controversy in the best way possible, returning to Lisbon and setting an official 57:20 half marathon world record — without pacemakers.

This weekend had everything: world records, race-day controversy, heat safety debates, and one of the wildest marathon finishes you'll ever see.

We want to hear from you:

👉 Does stopping at Mile 18 count as finishing the LA Marathon?

#runningpodcast #lamarathon #marathon #jacobkiplimo #distancerunning #runningnews #worldrecord #running

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Imagine leading a national championship race with just over a mile to go… and then the lead vehicle sends you the wrong way.

That’s exactly what happened during the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championship in Atlanta.

With the race nearly decided, the lead convoy turned off the certified course and the front runners followed—costing them nearly two minutes and ultimately the national title. When the athletes protested, officials admitted the course wasn’t properly marked… but the results still stood.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we break down:

• What actually happened at mile 11
• Why the lead runners followed the convoy
• The rule that prevented officials from changing the results
• How race organizers responded afterward
• The bigger question: Who should be responsible when a race goes wrong?

Running is supposed to be simple: start, follow the course, finish.
But what happens when the course itself is the problem?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments:
If race organizers make the mistake, should the results still count?

🎙️ About the Podcast
The I Don’t Know Running Podcast is about how we're all learning to run. Whether you're just starting out or you've run hundreds of races, we believe everyone has experiences worth sharing.

🏃 Subscribe for weekly episodes about:
• Running culture
• Race stories and controversies
• Training and community experiences
• The fun (and sometimes frustrating) side of running

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If you pull out your phone during an Ironman race in 2026… you could be disqualified.

No selfies.
No GoPros.
No smart glasses recording.

Starting March 2, 2026, Ironman has officially banned athletes from recording photos or video while racing. Violation? Immediate DQ.

You can carry your phone.
You can use it for GPS.
You can call for help.

But you cannot actively record your race experience.

Ironman says this is about:
• Athlete safety
• Competitive fairness
• Reducing distractions

Critics say it’s about:
• Brand control
• Broadcast rights
• Protecting official photo revenue

So what is it really?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we break down:

Does a selfie actually create a competitive advantage?

Are age-group athletes being treated like competitors… or customers?

Is this a safety move — or a control move?

Will this hurt Ironman’s brand long-term?

Would YOU risk a DQ for a finish line memory?

At $800+ per race, do you own your experience?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

#Ironman #Triathlon #RunningPodcast #EnduranceSports #RaceDay
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