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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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Send a text

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

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

Support the show