LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field

Emma Grace Hurley: America's newest star - from IT Worker to Leading Team USA

September 24, 2026ยท56 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Emma Grace Hurley joins the podcast after the race of her life: a 66:23 half marathon PB at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, good for fifth place and a historic team silver medal for the US women. She breaks down her race strategy, the chaotic Atlanta trials where she was led off course in the final mile, and why she chose the half marathon over the 5K. With her Chicago Marathon debut just two and a half weeks away, Hurley opens up about her sub-2:20 fitness, carb fueling strategy with Never Second, and the unconventional path that took her from an unremarkable college career at Furman, where she never qualified for NCAAs in track, to becoming the #3 American half marathoner of all time. ๐ŸŽ ๐ŸŽง Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content. 50% Off 1st year with code GOAT50 Join the Supporters Club โ€” https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe https://www.letsrun.com/subscribeWant a better running shoe? Check out BetterRunningshoes.comhttps://www.letsrun.com/subscribe https://www.letsrun.com/subscribeTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome & Copenhagen World Half Marathon Recap 04:42 Chasing A Medal & Team Silver In Copenhagen 08:56 The Atlanta Trials Controversy & Road To Copenhagen 14:11 Balancing Copenhagen & Chicago Marathon Buildup 17:16 Time Goals & The Sub-2:20 Question 21:33 Marathon Training Surprises & Carb Fueling 28:11 From Furman To IT Job To Pro Running 34:04 Finding Her Niche On The Roads 37:00 Following Coaches To Indianapolis & ASICS Origin Story 42:29 Laid Off & Going Full-Time Pro 46:01 Consistency, Daily Routine & Sleep Habits 51:55 Mileage Progression & Chicago Marathon Preview Contact us: Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or 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 PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

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