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He ran 56:42.

He shattered the half marathon world record by 48 seconds.

And it doesn’t count.

World Athletics declined to ratify Jacob Kiplimo’s performance at the Barcelona Half Marathon — not for doping, not for traditional cheating — but because of alleged pacing assistance from the lead vehicle and possible in-race coaching.

So… where’s the line?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we talk about:

• Whether drafting behind a lead car should invalidate a record
• Who’s responsible — the athlete or the race organizers
• The gray area in World Athletics Technical Rule 6.3.1
• Why this feels different from (but similar to) Kipchoge’s sub-2 marathon
• Super shoes, pacing lights, and how much “assistance” is too much

He still won the race.
He still ran 56:42.
But he’s not the world record holder.

Does that feel right?

We’re curious what you think.

Do you believe World Athletics got this one correct?
Or did they punish the wrong person?

Drop your thoughts below.

🎙 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
Where we share our experiences that make running fun… and sometimes not so fun.

If you enjoy honest running conversations without hype or gatekeeping, consider subscribing and joining the conversation.

Until next time — happy running.

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Trail runners talk about Leave No Trace.

But what about road runners?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dive into the unwritten rules of road running — the small behaviors that shape how the public sees runners.

Because running isn’t a solo sport.

Drivers see you.
Walkers see you.
Homeowners see you.
Cyclists see you.

And whether we realize it or not, every runner represents all runners.

We talk about:

Running group etiquette (two-abreast awareness)

Shared-use paths and bike path behavior

Corral honesty on race day

Aid station flow

Gel wrappers and micro-trash

Bathroom planning (yes… that conversation)

Traffic laws runners ignore

The “public tolerance budget” for runners

The reality?
Every time a runner blows a red light, startles a walker, tosses trash, or blocks a sidewalk… it affects how the next runner is treated.

So how do we protect the sport we love?

Let’s talk about it.

👇 What’s the biggest etiquette mistake runners make?
Or what’s something you’ve learned over time?

Drop it in the comments.

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

Endurance isn’t a straight line — it’s a steep curve.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch break down the “endurance curve”: how each distance milestone (5K → marathon → 50K → 50 miles → 100 miles → 200+) filters runners out for totally different reasons. Past a certain point, it stops being “fitness” and becomes life management — nutrition, decision-making, heat, sleep deprivation, and emotional regulation.

We talk about:

Why the marathon is already rare (and what “rare” actually means)

Why 50K is the most “accessible” ultra

Why 50 miles is where the sport shifts into management mode

Why the 100-mile distance is a psychological breaking point (and the DNF reality)

The wild world of 200-mile events: dirt naps, hiking, and multi-day survival

Why the ultra community feels different — and why that matters

⚠️ Note: We reference several stats and percentages that are best understood as directionally accurate (databases vary and participation tracking isn’t perfect). The goal is the big idea: how quickly the field narrows as distance increases.

If you’ve ever wondered “Am I really an ultrarunner?” or felt the pressure of “the next thing”… this one’s for you.

Question for you: What distance felt like the biggest shift for you — marathon, 50K, 50 miles, or 100?

📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes: running conversations that are fun… and sometimes not so fun.
👍 If you enjoyed this, like the video — it helps YouTube show it to more runners.

#runningpodcast #ultrarunning #marathontraining #trailrunning

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