Let's Discuss
A Run for Her Money
What's going on: One of America’s fastest distance runners has her sights set on a new milestone. On Sunday, Weini Kelati, 29, will make her 26.2-mile debut at the New York City Marathon, with a chance to become the first American woman to reach the podium since 2018. This year the Olympian and US half-marathon record holder placed first or second amongst female runners in four of six races organized by New York Road Runners (the group behind the NYC Marathon). And last fall, she got an up close look at the Big Apple course, which weaves through all five boroughs, from the women's lead vehicle. But this weekend, she’ll be in the thick of the elite pack. Talk about a change of pace.
What it means: Kelati has already proven she has the speed, but can she sustain it for twice the distance? She'll need to conserve energy, fuel properly to avoid hitting the dreaded “wall,” and tackle New York's bridges and late uphill stretches, all while she contends with some of the world's best marathoners. For perspective, the top three women in 2025 finished just 33 seconds apart, each with an average mile pace of between 5:20 and 5:22. This year's stacked field includes Kenya's Hellen Obiri, the two-time champion and course record holder, and 2024 winner Sheila Chepkirui. Fellow Americans Jess McClain, who set a course record for US women in Boston back in the spring, and Annie Frisbie, who finished fifth at the 2025 NYC Marathon, are seasoned racers, too. We don't know who'll end up on the podium in Central Park, but we like what this depth of talent says about women's distance running ahead of LA28.
Related: The NYC Marathon's Five-Borough Course Turns 50 This Year (amNewYork)
Timeout...
Who Are Reese’s Peases?
Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.
The US women’s soccer team has Triple Espresso — Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson. Now, American gymnastics has Reese’s Peases. Claire Pease and Reese Esponda, 17 and 18, respectively, took gold and silver in floor exercise at the World Championships this weekend. Pease became the first US woman other than Simone Biles to win the event since 2007, Inside Gymnastics reports. Not bad for her debut. Esponda, who trains at the Biles family’s gym, earned her first individual world medal. The GOAT was even on hand to present the hardware. Could this be a passing of the (Olympic) torch?
Related: Two Years After an Achilles Tear Derailed Her Olympic Dreams, Skye Blakely Is a World Champion (NBC Olympics)
No Notes
Let's Discuss
A Run for Her Money
What's going on: One of America’s fastest distance runners has her sights set on a new milestone. On Sunday, Weini Kelati, 29, will make her 26.2-mile debut at the New York City Marathon, with a chance to become the first American woman to reach the podium since 2018. This year the Olympian and US half-marathon record holder placed first or second amongst female runners in four of six races organized by New York Road Runners (the group behind the NYC Marathon). And last fall, she got an up close look at the Big Apple course, which weaves through all five boroughs, from the women's lead vehicle. But this weekend, she’ll be in the thick of the elite pack. Talk about a change of pace.
What it means: Kelati has already proven she has the speed, but can she sustain it for twice the distance? She'll need to conserve energy, fuel properly to avoid hitting the dreaded “wall,” and tackle New York's bridges and late uphill stretches, all while she contends with some of the world's best marathoners. For perspective, the top three women in 2025 finished just 33 seconds apart, each with an average mile pace of between 5:20 and 5:22. This year's stacked field includes Kenya's Hellen Obiri, the two-time champion and course record holder, and 2024 winner Sheila Chepkirui. Fellow Americans Jess McClain, who set a course record for US women in Boston back in the spring, and Annie Frisbie, who finished fifth at the 2025 NYC Marathon, are seasoned racers, too. We don't know who'll end up on the podium in Central Park, but we like what this depth of talent says about women's distance running ahead of LA28.
Related: The NYC Marathon's Five-Borough Course Turns 50 This Year (amNewYork)
Timeout...
Who Are Reese’s Peases?
Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.
The US women’s soccer team has Triple Espresso — Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson. Now, American gymnastics has Reese’s Peases. Claire Pease and Reese Esponda, 17 and 18, respectively, took gold and silver in floor exercise at the World Championships this weekend. Pease became the first US woman other than Simone Biles to win the event since 2007, Inside Gymnastics reports. Not bad for her debut. Esponda, who trains at the Biles family’s gym, earned her first individual world medal. The GOAT was even on hand to present the hardware. Could this be a passing of the (Olympic) torch?
Related: Two Years After an Achilles Tear Derailed Her Olympic Dreams, Skye Blakely Is a World Champion (NBC Olympics)
No Notes
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